Comments on: Beltronics Pro GX65 Radar Detector

By: B Gutz

B Gutz — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:40:24 +0000

I have owned several different high end radar detectors over the years and I must say this is by far the best performing radar detector I have ever owned. First it reduces fales alarms to the point where there almost non existent unless you are within feet of a store front. If you hit the mute button 3 times you can even make this go away as the radar detector store the location in its GPS data base. Its long range performance makes it seem almost uncanny at times as it often alerts before you can even see the officer.

The GPS feature will not assist you in navigating anywhere but it will warn you of several different types of speed traps and you can also manually program in speed traps with a couple of simple button presses.

The software update and speed trap updates that can be downloaded off the web are easy to do and keep the unit up to date. I will say the download method is a little bothersome as you have to keep referencing a little green card out of the box with a number on it in order to get a download even after you have registered but its a rather minor annoyance.

I do not know if speed traps that are manually entered into the radar detector get uploaded to Beltronics data base but it seems logical that they would. If such is the case then you get the benefit of the knowledge of others thrown in to the price of this radar detector for a minimal fee.

Lots of people say there is no reason to own one of these except to break the law but I can say for myself its nothing more than a small reminder to check my speed and avoid a ticket that I am not trying to go out of my way to get as a large portion of people do as they go 10, 15, 20 mph over the speed limit. But its a free country.
Rating: 5 / 5

By: W. Leake Little

W. Leake Little — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:05:14 +0000

I bought this item direct from Beltronics online recently. Many don't realize it but the Escort and Beltronics detector lines are owned by the same company now.

I originally purchased a BEL955 from Crutchfield when Beltronics was an independent company based in Canada. That unit got me through some tough times and gave me some good years so when I decided recently to replace it I started my research with the STi model.

It didn't take long to realize that the blocking or "shield" technology was not really useful unless you travel through the few areas that outlaw the use of detectors. The GX line makes extensive use of "smart" technologies that greatly enhance the use of detectors, even if the technology for detection is no better under similar conditions.

I was able to trade-in my older BEL955 for credit against the purchase of the new GX65. I've updated the database a couple of times but what is really useful is the ability to merge the data from my use and local area with the state-by-state updates for light cameras. I never realized how many of these have been deployed now - in places I never suspected before. The more practical use is that the detector remembers where I've muted K-band false alerts - and stores that in a local database on my laptop.

It's expensive, but it's the future for detectors - and tickets are not getting any cheaper. It pays for itself with the first ticket you avoid. Rating: 5 / 5

By: Stephen Shamblin

Stephen Shamblin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:00:24 +0000

Beltronics Pro GX65 Radar Detector (Black)

Amazing product!

The clarity of the warning voices can be heard above a radio or road noise.

The advance warnings have already save me the purchase price in ticket fines.

If located properly in the vehicle the warnings from behind you are just as accurate and necessary.

Just yesterday a local police car began following me with the radar detector warning me well in advance

of their approach and I was able to review my speed because the detector announces it to me.

Great product, well worth the money.
Rating: 5 / 5

By: John_Amazon

John_Amazon — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:55:31 +0000

Been a radar detector user for over 20 years and so far I've been happy with the GX65 performance and the GPS features (my first GPS unit). There are a lot of intersections here in Denver that I didn't know had red light cameras! Not that I blow through red lights; I support cameras for gross red light infractions but some are just ridiculous and obviously configured to generate revenue and do not promote safety.

My main problem is the GX65 detector keeps popping off the windshield mount on minor sequential bumps or moderate frost heave type bumps. More specifically, the detector doesn't seem to "bite" on the windshield mount enough and will shake it's way off frequently while the mount stays attached to the windshield. Nothing strange or out of the ordinary with my mounting. I do have a stiffly sprung sports car, but I imagine a lot of the radar detector owners also own sports cars. Anyone else having this issue?

I'm trying to figure out if it is a isolated defect with my unit, or a general problem with the Beltronic GX65 or Beltronics in general. Thanks! Rating: 4 / 5

By: G. Ross

G. Ross — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:28:51 +0000

I have never owned a radar detector before. If you’re like me, you researched radar detectors endlessly, and still remain undecided. I wanted the best, and narrowed my decision down to the Valentine 1, the Bel GX65, and the Escort 9500ix. The Bel and the Escort are essentially the same, as one company manufactures both. The Escort uses a blue display, and the Bel is red, but they are both similar, and both have GPS capabilities, except that the Bel is cheaper. The Valentine 1 gets rave reviews, but I dismissed it because of the reviews saying it was too sensitive to false alerts. Sure, the directional arrows are a great idea, as is the front and rear scanners. However, how often are you busted from a cop behind you? As for the arrows, reviews pointed out that every door sensor, and false signal, could lead the arrows to say that there are multiple bogies in multiple directions. After awhile, the false alerts can become so distracting, that you ignore them, and then when a real threat comes along you’re in trouble. So, I went w/the Bel. I have used this for a few months now, and I am still unconvinced that it helps that much. The construction seems solid. The unit does tend to get warm on top and bottom after use, and gets very warm from the sun. This is a problem b/c if the unit overheats, it won’t work. I have read reviews about this, and some detectors have refused to work properly for up to 10 minutes after getting into the car after it’s been parked for awhile. The Bel is supposed to alert to this thru it’s diagnostic mode, not something found on cheap detectors. I have not run into this problem yet though, so that’s good. The GPS is supposed to “learn” where false alerts are, and gradually ignore them as you drive the same route. This is great for a beginner like me, that doesn’t want to, or can’t, figure out the complexities of manually setting up the detector. So far, this has been a mixed bag. On my route there are several false alerts. I would say that it has “learned” to ignore about 80% of them, but it still falsely alerts to several door sensors in the same spot on my route, and the ones it ignores, took about 4 weeks for it to do so. When it goes off, it will sound an alert, tell you the band, display your speed, then give the signal strength, which stays for a few seconds so you can look to see what caused the alert. This sequence of displays is useful. However, I would love it if the signal strength displayed faster, or even first, since that is what truly tells you if it is police radar, or just a door sensor. In order for the GPS to work, you need to mount it on the windshield w/a clear view of the sky. The mount looks flimsy, but it is not. There are 2 mini suction cups, and a metal clip that slides into the top of the Bel. The clip can be bent to accommodate different windshield angles. The suction cups pop on and off easily, and don’t leave telltale marks on the glass that tell people to break into your car and steal it. Initial satellite acquisition tends to be fairly quick. Going under an overpass will lose the signal, and the Bel informs you of that, as it informs you when the signal is reacquired. The display is easy to read at night, but, the controls are on top. If the unit is mounted high on the windshield as mine is, both for best satellite acquisition, and to best pickup police radar, it’s difficult to hit the mute button, or other controls while driving. Front mounted controls would be better. There is a mute button on the included power cord, but my car’s power outlet is inside the center console, making this feature useless. You can adjust the brightness on the display to different levels, or shut it off completely if you wish. You can also disable X-band, and set different sensitivity levels if you wish, or just leave it on Auto-Scan as I do, and let the Bel do everything automatically. So, how does it perform to police radar? This is the 2 stars part of my review. The Bel is supposed to be one of the best at this, yet I’m still not sure how trustworthy the Bel is. One time, the Bel alerted me well over 1.5 miles away to a cruiser. However, one time, 2 motorcycle cops were standing on the side of the road pointing radar guns straight into traffic. The Bel never made a peep! Even if it was instant on, it never made a sound, even when I was passing right next to them! Last night, on a straight stretch of highway with very little traffic, 2 cruisers were on a downward slope of the freeway aimed right towards me. The Bel alerted, but only w/a 0.5 mile range! Pathetic! If I had been speeding, I would have long since been nailed. Once, a cop on the side of the road caused no alert, but he might not have been radaring, since his car was not aimed into traffic. Another time, the Bel alerted me to laser, but only after I passed the cop! I’d say the Bel has performed the way it should, maybe thrice since I’ve had it. So, basically I drive the speed limit just as I did before the Bel, b/c I’m just not convinced the Bel is doing it’s job. The GPS also alerts to red-light cameras, and speed cameras. Only Arizona has speed cameras, so I don’t know about that, and Georgia has begun to remove most red-light cameras. There is 1 red-light camera on my route, and it faithfully alerts to it, and points an arrow towards the location, every time. However, the alert goes off w/700 feet notice and that’s it. It also alerts when I’m on a highway overpass, going parallel to the light as I drive by. Kinda annoying. I will give it a couple of more chances, then I sell it. Trouble is, I’ve done all the research, and the Bel was the best, so there’s nothing left to try. Maybe I got a lemon, who knows? If I can pick up a Valentine, or even the Escort 9500ix cheap, I might try those.
Rating: 2 / 5