BEL CUSTOM INSTALL RADAR DET NO MAP

Comment: The Sti-R is a remarkable detector. I have a Valentine One also, and the Sti-R alerts before my Valentine One on most occassions, on both K-Band and the Ka-bands. I still love my V1, and will never sell it, but at the current closeout prices the Sti-R was too hard to resist. In truth, both detectors provide more than enough warning, but the STi-R is clearly a little more sensitve than the V1.

The fact there's no worries about someone stealing the Sti-R, and there's no detector hanging off the windshield are big pluses. The addtitional features on the Sti-R compared to the V1 make it function more like a modern detector, and there are some features (segmenting of Ka band for example) that are not available on any other detector.

While the Escort 9500ci obviously has more features, including laser jamming and GPS capability, in my opinion the STi-R is the most advanced detector ever made in terms of pure radar detection capability. Get one while they're still available.

Update: While both the Valentine and the STi-R continue to give plenty of warning, the Sti-R really shines in off-axis detection. This is the one area where the Sti-R has a clear, and meaningful, advantage over the Valentine. I love both detectors, but the Sti-R is proving to be very impressive.

Update2 (after a few months): The STi-R continues to shine. Over the hill capability is outstanding, and it almost always beats the Valentine One in hilly terrain. The Valentine generally provides a high level of warning, but in some instances the STi-R has been way ahead of the V1, in others by just a few seconds. The V1 sometimes gives an initial alert at the same time, but rarely beats the STi-R.

Comment: I have to say that I was very excited when the Bel STi Remote unit was released. I tamed my enthusiasm to some extent however and decided to wait until the 2nd wave of STi Remote units hit the streets. Rumors had circulated on some forums about some "bug fixes" of various sorts, so I waited another couple of months. Finally, I ordered a unit and I could not wait for it to arrive. Since I often drive through the only state in the U.S. which bans detectors (i.e. Virginia), I was psyched about being able to use a radar detector there without (hopefully) getting hassled.

Well, I've now been using the Bel STi for about a year, and I have to say that overall I've been very disappointed.

I previously have owned a Valentine One for about 10 years now. When I got the Bel STi Remote unit, I decided to leave my V1 installed and compare performance of the two for a month or two before ditching the V1 (or so I thought). As it turns out, I still have them both installed. I just cannot fathom giving up my V1, and in retrospect I wish that I had not spent $1,100 to buy the STi Remote. It is IMHO, not worth the cost.

So, here's the nitty gritty... the good, the bad, and the ugly:

The Good
- Undetectable, even by the Spectre IV radar detector detector
- Can be installed concealed behind bumper (as I did)
- External speaker with adjustable volume control
- Switches are small and unobtrusive
- Good X and K band filtering (false signals) in city modes

The Bad
- Slow on the uptake of Ka signals. On average it is 1-2 seconds behind my V1 (could be due to mounting location... I think that is the most likely cause, however... read on)
- Lots of wiring / tedious install. Not really a complaint, but just pointing this out. It is a remote mount though, so what do you expect?

The Ugly
- Last week I had a Ka encounter which my V1 alerted to over 1 mile away. The STi Remote did not alert AT ALL until my V1 was at nearly full alert strength and I was about 1/4 mile from the patrol car (i.e. within range of his/her radar unit).
- I've had one or two other instances when it completely missed a distant instant-on Ka signal picked up by the V1.

Now, the STi Remote is not a bad detector per se. In fact, I would say that it is quite good. However, I don't think it's a good detector to have installed remotely (as it is supposedly intended). Come to think of it, perhaps Mike Valentine is right when he always says you shouldn't do that anyway. My experience with both the V1 and Bel STi Remote seems to bear out that argument.

I think if you must go with a concealed and undetectable detector, then it's not a bad choice. However, you should be prepared for some disappointment and possibly a ticket or two in spite of using it.

Personally, I recommend to my friends that if they want an STi that they purchase an STi-Driver model instead. It is less than half the price and I suspect a better performer.