Beltronics Express 916 Laser/Radar Detector
Beltronics Express 916 Laser/Radar Detector Review
Beltronics Express 916 Laser/Radar Detector Feature
- Detects radar (X, K, superwideband Ka–33.4 to 36.0 GHz), laser, and SWS (Safety Warning System) signals
- Separate audio alerts for radar, laser, and SWS signals, with both automatic and manual muting
- Memory retention of preferred settings
- Sales restricted to the United States and shipment is prohibited to addresses in Virginia and Washington DC
- FCC ID # QL4G4M2
I’ve used my 936 express for just under 2 yrs in my Subaru WRX and I can say it has saved my bacon on a few occasions. Now while I would say that I don’t drive like a maniac, I’m no saint either when it comes to obeying speed limits on the highway, but I have, so-far, NEVER had a speeding ticket -touch wood.
The unit did fail (stopped detecting radar altogether) after a couple of months. Bel repaired the unit quickly (I was without it for about 10 days) and it has been problem free since.
This detector is fairly basic, it has no ‘bogey counters’ or ‘direction indicators’. I personally believe that a direction indicator is of dubious value anyway -owing to the radar energy’s potential for being reflected off other vehicles / roadsigns / buildings etc. A ‘bogey counter’ feature on the other hand might be useful, but as I mentioned, the 936 doesn’t have one. What the unit does offer though is excellent detection ability of X, K and Ka band radar. I’ve taken it on trips to California and in the flat expanses of Death Valley, the detector would pick up approaching police vehicles sometimes 2-3 minutes before we passed each other, that means they were over 4 or 5 MILES away when 1st detected. Naturally this range decreases in urban environments.
Because of the highly directional nature of Laser (it’s a pencil thin beam) I’m personally of the opinion that if a genuine Laser alert is received, it’s probably too late, if you were speeding, the ticket is as good as in the mail. The unit does sometimes give false Laser alerts (a particular overhead dot-matrix sign in my area sets it off about 75% of the time I pass under it). From what I understand, many laser detectors are susceptible to this type of thing.
False alerts on X band are common too (automatic door openers, fast food microwave ovens etc. are touted as the reason for this). It sometimes also chirps when passing other vehicles, I guess they are equipped with radar detectors – some of them leak a bit. By running it in CityX mode it is possible to reduce false alarms significantly by turning down the sensitivity to X band radar. I always run mine this way.
I give the 936 Express 4 stars since it offers solid performance at a budget price. I’d give it 5 if the volume was easier to adjust and the signal strength meter didn’t go away in the nighttime use DARK mode (I see no reason why it can’t be made dimmer)
What this thing isn’t though is a licence to speed recklessly. It may alert you to the presence of police radar in a timely manner, but it does nothing to reduce the odds of an accident. In busy urban environments, the reduced range plus the false alarms from shop door openers etc., limit the effectiveness of any radar detector, not to mention the danger of inappropriate speed in these environments. If you drive like a maniac you will eventually get caught -or worse. It is perhaps best viewed as a useful indicator when to ease off if you’re prone to doing a few miles over on the highway. Speed Safely.
Beltronics Express 916 Laser/Radar Detector Overview
The Beltronics Express 916 can detect X, K, and wideband Ka radar, as well as laser signals. It can also detect Safety Warning System signals, which give drivers advance warning of emergency vehicles and road hazards.
Features include a nine-digit display, 65 digital voice prompts and/or audio alerts for radar, laser, and SWS detection. The Express 916 also remembers preferred settings, and includes instant-on/pulsed radar warning. Automatic and manual muting of audio alerts is provided for convenience, while a city/highway switch reduces the frequency of false warnings in densely populated urban areas.
Brackets are included for visor or windshield mounting, as are a spare fuse and a coiled six-foot power cord.
Beltronics Express 916 Laser/Radar Detector Specifications
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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Jun 25, 2010 05:00:04