Beltronics Pro 300 Radar Detector Review
“My #1 choice in the less than $300 radar detector class” – Radar Roy
Beltronics Pro 300 Radar Detector Review: Updated August 2013
An affordable and top rated radar detector
(The Bel Pro 300 now replaces the Beltronics RX65)
Top Reasons to Consider the Beltronics 300 Radar Detector
- Extreme range and sensitivity! The Bel Pro 300 has the same identical radar detection performance as the more expensive Beltronics Pro 500 and the Escort 9500ix.
- Auto-Sensitivity filters out false alerts from other source of radar alerting you to the real threats ahead.
- Easy Programming – The Bel Pro 300 is a snap in programming and set-up for its advanced features. The detector pre-programmed and ready to go out of the box, however some power users may want to set the unit up to complement their own driving experience and personal preference. The easy to use menu allows you to do this in a snap. Don’t drive in an area where X band is used, turn it off; rather use the Expert Meter display, turn it on. It is that easy.
- Crystal Clear Voice Prompts and Alerts keeps your eyes on the road, not on your detector! The Pro 300 alerts you with clear and easy to understand voice alerts so you will immediately know what threats your detector is alerting you to.
- Escort Live Compatible – The Beltronics 300 Pro is Escort Live compatible allowing you to join Escorts/Beltronics radar detector community to obtain real time alerts throughout North America.
- Three Levels of Brightness Control allows you to adjust from max, medium or dark.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Bel Pro 300
- Why doesn’t Bel honor their warranty from the detector I purchased on Ebay (or Amazon, Overstock and others)? Bel has a very strict Authorized Dealer Program and MAP policy to ensure that you, the consumer are getting the very best service and support, this policy is outlined in their manuals and on their websites. If you purchase an Escort radar detector from an unauthorized dealer and you have a problem with the unit or want to subscribe to their subscription service you may be denied or required to pay an extra possessing fee. For more information I invite you to read a post on my blog on how Overstock.com screwed one of their customers.
- Does this detector have 360 degree protection? Yes, every radar detector manufactured by Escort and Beltronics has full, 360 degree protection.
Potential Issues with the Bel Pro 300 Radar Detector
- As the Bel Pro 300 is a corded radar detector therefore it requires a 12 volt power source and the detector does come with a cigarette lighter power cord, however we do not feel that this is the best option. To address this issue consider purchasing either the Direct Wire cord or the Direct Wire SmartCord and watch my YouTube video here on how to direct wire your radar detector.
- As the Bel Pro 300 is a dash mounted radar detector I recommend that you remove it from your windshield if you park for extended periods as it is a welcome invitation for some crack head to break into your car and steal it. Each week I am contacted by one of my followers telling me that they wish they would have headed my advice as now they are in the market for a replacement. Another issue with leaving your detector on the windshield emerges during the hot summer months. When parked your car becomes a green house and temperatures inside your car can easily exceed 150 degrees as the sun bakes the sensitive electronic components inside your radar detector (or GPS). Take your radar detector or any other electronic device off your dash and store them in your glove box or under the seat.
- The Bel Pro 300 is non stealth forget about those claims that radar detectors make about being stealth against the VG2 radar detector, that device hasn’t been used in years! If you are a professional driver (drive a semi truck) or drive in Virginia, Washington DC or other countries or providences where radar detectors are illegal police use a device called the Spectre to detect if you’re driving with a radar detector in your car. Therefore you need a radar detector that can beat the Spectre. There are only three manufactured today, the Escort Redline, the Escort 9500ci and the Beltronics STI.
My Bottom Line Recommendation for the Bel RX65
If there is one affordable dash mounted radar detector that you must look into seriously, to consider purchasing, it would be the Bel pro 300.
The only other radar detector in this same class that I would recommend would be the Escort 8500 x50.
In comparison the only big difference between these two models is that the RX65 has voice alerts over Escort’s toned alerts and that the Escort 8500 model is also available with a blue LED display.
My review is based upon my 20 years in law enforcement as a certified police radar instructor and 15 years being involved in the speed counter measurement industry, the Bel Pro 300 remains on the top of my list as one of the most affordable dash mounted radar detectors made today.
This is also backed up by literally thousands of other reviews and feedback made by other automotive publications and happy radar detector users that you will find online, a few of which are published at the end of this article.
If you support my quest as being an independent reviewer of the radar detector industry and wish to support me in my journey, please do me one favor, consider purchasing it at Radarbusters.com. As an affiliate I earn a commission from them, if you make a purchase utilizing the links within this website, that offsets my costs and time and supports my cause.
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18 Responses to “Beltronics Pro 300 Radar Detector Review”
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i am looking to buy a detector the 300 and the 8500×50 i read that the 8500 has a longer range then the 300 is that true which one is better to get thanh you
Performance wise they are exactly the same, no difference under the hood except for the firmware
Is the Beltronics V10 the same model as the Pro 300?
No, it has less performance
Is the Beltronics Pro RX65 that Amazon is selling the same as the Beltronics Pro 300? Is it just relabled? Is the RX65 the same as the 8500 X50 Black?
I’m confused! Thanks for the great site.
The Pro 300 is the NEWER version of the RX65, the firmware is updated in the 300
Use the link here on our site and discount code radarroy for 10% off
Roy, I have had an Escort Passport 8500 X50 for almost a year now. The retailer that I work for just started carrying the Belltronics Pro 300. If I wanted to I could swap out my 8500 for the Pro 300 at no additional charge to me. What would you do? Swap em out or keep the 8500 X50?
The 8500 and 300 are basically the same detector so each have the same performance. It comes then down to personal preference, which one do you like better because of the looks and features
Hey Radar Roy,
I am a Los Angeles resident and am in the market for a new Radar/Laser detector. I plan on purchasing a unit that can turn off K and X band radar so I will plan on only detecting Ka and Laser. I am comparing the Pro 300 and Valentine One for Ka sensitivity but cannot find any professional opinion, what would you say is superior for Ka detection? Thanks for your help
-Matt
Are you looking for the best, with the longest range? Then consider the Redline: http://www.radardetector.org/reviews/escort-redline-radar-detector-review/
Has better range and sensitivity then both you mentioned. Also if you use discount code radarroy, you get 10% off if you use the link on that page.
Drive safe and smart…
Hi i live In Québec and i want to know wich radar is the best for me? But i cant pay over 300$
Well because detectors are illegal there you will need a stealth detector like the STi and they run $499, (450 with my discount)
So I would recommend saving a little more money, sorry…
http://www.radardetector.org/reviews/beltronics-sti-magnum-radar-detector-review/
No problem thank you.
I purchased this unit based off of your positive review of the Pro 300. Unfortunately, the part of your review that says “No need to ship your radar detector back to Bel for new firmware updates as new police radar threats emerge. Just download updates to your PC and connect your detector, it’s that easy.” is incorrect.
According to BEL customer service, it must be shipped back for updates. However to date, there are none.
Although not a dealbreaker, in retrospect I would have went with something that was able to have firmware updates from home.
Hi Roy,
I bought a Beltronics RX65 about 8+ years ago. Every 2-3 years I’ve had to send it back to Beltronics for repair/recalibration because the detector starts to act funny (frequent false full X band alerts, spontaneous reboots). It’s due again. The Beltronics rep said they can repair it again for $100 or give me a $80 credit towards the purchase of a new detector. Is it worth getting a new Pro 300 for $220 or stick with my RX65 for $100 repair?
Hey Radar Roy,
I have been wanting a radar detector for quite some time and am just not willing to pay the 500+ dollars for a passport max just yet. I can get ahold of a used beltronics pro 300 for 125$. Would this be a sufficient radar detector for an entry level first time radar detector owner? Or would you reccomend something else? I have read some reviews on older radar detectors and yours as well that say some of the older detectors pic up the cruise control signals of newer cars. I don’t want to have one that is like that and wasn’t sure if I would have that problem with the Pro 300 or not. Let me know what your thoughts are on the matter. Thanks!
The Pro300 is a good detector, however the filtering is not up to par with either the Passport or the Max2