Does Beltronics STi Driver radar detector works?? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

aawster · 20th February 2008, 18:37

Hey guys does anyone own a Betronics STi Driver radar detector?? I dont know if mine is defective or simply because the device sucks. There were several occasions where that damn thing only went off when i was almost directly in front of the popo. I had read tons of reviews on this detector and it's supposed to be very good if not better than the V1. Does anybody have any input on this

??

:confuse d2 I will just get a V1 if u guys think it's better than this piece of crap that i currently own.

ot · 20th February 2008, 20:27

Check my post in this thread :

Radar Detector

My comparison was that V1 > Bell Sti

Lummox · 22nd February 2008, 01:24

My STi driver works just fine. Do some drive by testing where radar is currently being used (preferably Ka band like NY State Troopers) and see if it's working properly. Mine can sniff them out about 1.5 miles before passing one on the side of the road on a long straight away. Although, it didn't go off when I was driving up a hill on the freeway, until I came to the top of the hill where the road curved to the right. There is a mountain on the right, and when I had line of sight with the patrol car, it finally went off. Let's remember that radio waves will not bend around curves, blind spots, or over the tops of hills. You can have some cars in front of you, and there will be sufficient "overshoot" that you will pick it up without even seeing them. Hope this helps.....

holmesmd · 24th February 2008, 06:27

It's a great detector!! Make sure your settings are appropriate. Mine has saved my *** more than 10 times. I have a V1 in my E39 M5. It's good as well but does to out perform the STi imo.

aawster · 24th February 2008, 06:50

Thanks for all the input guys. I have turned everything to on so the settings should be good. I guess i have to just manually set it to highway mode when i am driving on the highway to maximize the range. I usually have it on autoscan....is that wrong??

holmesmd · 24th February 2008, 08:28

I drive with mine on city, NoX in any metro area. If I were in Montana, I might use the highway mode

Lummox · 24th February 2008, 21:27

I leave mine in Highway mode at all times, with X band turned OFF. I hear some K band stuff driving around town, but usually when I drive by Home Depot, Lowes, or Longs, as their door open sensors use K band. The STi filters much better than my Rx65 Pro, so a few door sensors when I'm just putting around town is no major annoyance. After driving cross country a few times, just about every radar encountered was K band, and the State boyz prefer Ka band. The STI sniffs them out pretty darn good, IMO................... Heard the Ku band a couple of times, but didn't see anyone around. Haven't seen any traffic messages yet.

Joeddler · 26th February 2008, 05:03

My Valentine One has been great! Never got a ticket since I started using it 3 years ago. Before that, was different story.

plastique999 · 26th February 2008, 06:47

V1!!!

holmesmd · 26th February 2008, 16:57

The thing that's nice about the V1 is the directional arrow indicators. You really learn to rely on them after having one of these units. As far as capacity to pick up a signal, the 2 units are probably pretty equal. Radar Roy's test actually indicated STi outperformed V1. I don't think you could go wrong with either. The other selling point is the the STi does not "leak" any signal. This means that in states where detectors are illegal, cops won't be able to pick up a leaked signal and bust you for having one. Remember, any way you can minimize an encounter with law enforcement is always to the driver's advantage. I believe this is a large selling point for drivers who live in these states. Both units are the best in the industry