Customer Reviews

Beltronics STi Driver Radar Detector

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Here is my "short list" of the top performing windshield mount radar detectors which are available from any manufacturer and at any price. This list is grouped in order of decreasing performance. Models within a particular group have nearly identical performance:

Valentine V1
Escort Redline
Beltronics STi Driver

Escort 9500ix
Beltronics GX65
Escort 9500i

There you have it. That is the short list of the top performing windshield radar detectors.

In a nutshell, the V1 and the STi are designed primarily for highway driving and long road trips. The models listed in the second group are designed mainly for suburban and city driving since they feature GPS in order to filter out known false alert locations. Those false alerts are caused by either X band or K band microwave automatic door openers and by alarm systems which use radar motion sensors.

The V1 has front and rear antennas plus arrows to indicate where the radar source is located -- front, back, or to the side. Yet the V1 is readily detected by the Spectre radar detector detector (RDD) which is used by police in VA and by the DSP in Texas to nab motorists who are using radar detectors. The STi, on the other hand, is completely immune to detection by the Spectre RDD or any other RDD since the STi does not emit any type of microwave radiation. In short, the STi truly is a stealth radar detector and its steath makes the STi worth its weight in gold.

I have extensively road tested both the V1 and the STi. Both perform very similarly in terms of overall performance, with the V1 having a very slight edge. Yet the STi's stealth, combined with its superior quietness when used in cities or other suburban areas makes the STi the clear winner in my book. The STi, unlike the V1, is also extraordinarily easy to program in order to configure its settings to perfectly suit your needs. My one major caveat regarding the STi is that its built-in speaker isn't very loud. But this issue is easily solved by installing the extremely loud amplified remote speaker which Beltronics includes with the STi. You can hear the remote speaker with the top down and with the radio blaring.

In short, the Beltronics STi Driver is my favorite windshield mount radar detector. It is so good that I use it all the time even though I also have the Escort 9500ci remote installed radar detector and laser shifter system installed in my car. I always operate one or the other radar detector in bar graph signal strength display mode with the other radar detector in radar frequency display mode. This way I not only know how strong a radar threat is, but also the specific nature of the radar threat. For example, 24.7 frequency Ka radar guns are relatively easy to detect, but 35.5 frequency Ka radar guns are harder to detect since these radar guns have very long and narrowly tapered radar antennas. You have to slow down immediately when detecting 35.5 Ka radar since most of the time there is no easy way to determine just how far away the 35.5 radar gun really is.

Finally, although the Beltronics STi Driver is my favorite windshield mount radar detector for my particular driving needs, it may not be the most ideally suited radar detector for you. For example, if most of your driving (or my driving) is suburban/city driving, then I would pick one of the radar detectors which I listed in the second group. On the other hand, if you are a road warrior who logs hundreds of interstate miles every month and if you frequently travel through VA or TX, then the STi Driver is your only real choice. Excluding these two states, then the V1 also is an excellent choice, and at that point it boils down to your own personal preferences as to what features between these two radar detectors which are most important to you.

If you buy a used STi, keep in mind that most likely it will not have any warranty. If you buy an STi from an unauthorized dealer, then it will have no warranty whatsoever. If you buy a used STi, then you should be willing to send it to Beltronics and have it flashed with their latest firmware which addresses several issues and which improves overall performance. Yes, there will be a fee for this service, but on the other hand, a used STi with the latest firmware flash will perform exactly like a brand new STi. Something to think about.

So, there you have it! I always try to cut to the chase and write unbiased product reviews.

First of all, let me state for the record that regardless of how my statements may appear, I really stick-by my final decision in purchasing this Bel STI unit. In fact, I rated it 5 stars. With everyone else gushing about how great the STI is, I never really saw a review try to pick it apart, no matter how small the detail or the minor annoyance. I wanted to find the things that I wished were different, or could have been done a little better, and express them here to possibly help someone else

Before I purchased the STI, I had other detectors, but my last unit was a Whistler. The Whistler originally had a reputation of being stealthy with the VG2 radar detector-detector (RDD), but I had seen where this wasn't true anymore in regards to other RDD's, so I decided that I wanted something better at being hidden. I had already known about the reputation of Beltronics, and I had looked at Escort as well before I decided to purchase a new detector. Both were good at distances and such, but Escort had a GPS memory for eliminating false signals from such things as motion detectors, and the STI had the ability to remain stealthy to the VG2, VG4, Spectre II III IV IV+, and Stalcar RDD units. The Escort GPS feature was very tempting, but I went with the Bel STI because I felt that being stealthy was a more valuable feature to have over having the ability to map the locations of false radar signals.

After receiving and trying out the STI unit, I found a few things that I missed from my other detector or observed as something that I wished was different. At a very premium price of being over $450, the STI comes with a extremely fancy case, an external speaker, a coiled power cord, a direct connect power cord, and a windshield suction cup bracket. One item that I felt they could have thrown in was an extra bracket for the sun visor.

The power cord connector to the STI is a bit strange. I'm not use to seeing the power end that connects to the STI as a telephone cord connector. It seems like a weak choice, but I can understand that the phone end also supplies a data signal back from the STI unit to the 12 volt power plug to help flash an indicator light related to radar detection. Also, the cord is coiled instead of being a straight wire. I find the coiled wire can be seen from behind better than a straight wire. Of course a person could argue that I should install the more permanet wiring so that it could be hidden, but I was looking at the more typical user and how they might use the temporary power cord more.

The quick release button that helps the unit release from the windshield bracket is located on the top directly where the unit connects to the bracket. I would chosen a side position like some Whistler units have.

The front indicator lights have a brightness control that allows only four choices, one of which is where the lights are off even though the unit is still working. The lowest setting is still too bright at night time, and I would have like to have seen several more reduced brightness levels, and I wouldn't have mind seeing the option of the lights staying on until a radar signal is seen. For trying to be stealthy for the owner, Beltronics hasn't devoted as much attention to hiding the front panel display from other drivers except for when the driver needs the info. Of course, someone could argue the data power cord could be a nod in this direction towards informing the driver when the main unit's display is turned off.

The protective carrying case is nice, but I would have rather they have provided a cheaper case and have spent the money on more features or functions.
Again, there are a few minor annoyances and a few additional changes that I like to have seen done, I would still strongly recommend purchasing the Bel STI for picking up radar at a greater distance and for being stealthy from the current list of RDDs.

this is the best detector bar none. completely spectre immune and ships with 2 smartcords for hardwire and 12V lighter socket. remember to check your firmware and make sure it is at least a4m9 or later using the procedure outlined in the radardetector net forums. very happy with my purchase.
only problem is beltronics wont honor their warranty if you buy from amazon! you should get this direct from beltronics if you want a warranty.

My Radar detector was purchased January 2010. One month later the detector stopped working and would not turn on. I verified it was not the power source or the cable; the unit was receiving power but would not turn on. Well I wasn't too happy but I knew it was covered by a 1 Year warranty. I called up Beltronics only to find out that they DO NOT HONOR WARRANTY CLAIMS for products purchased from Amazon.com!!! Even worse, they wanted $79.99 + shipping to fix the unit. Needless-to-say, I find their level of customer service inadequate and disconcerting given the volume of product they sell through this site. I will not purchase another Beltronics product and would advise highly against it given their lack of professionalism in standing behind the quality of their own product.

Have this radar detector and am pleased with operation. Has all the bells and whistles until it gets hot. Assuming radar detectors are to be mounted on the dash or windshield, when this baby gets in the sun, you get a display memo that tells you to contact Bel for information. Upon contacting Bel, I find out that if the unit gets too hot, it shuts itself down and has to be sent in to repair at $40 a shot plus your shipping. This unit was a gift and therefore, I could stick the warranty in my ass. No receipt, no service. Unit was 8 months old when it overheated and Bel wouldn't do anything without a receipt. I called numerous times to get it repaired or replaced, to no avail. One would think when you spend $600 for a radar detector, you might just get some customer service. With Beltronics, you can keep it for a paper weight. Beltronics has the worst customer service in the industry. As they say in China: no ticky, no laundry.

I have found there are lots of speed traps where I live. I generally observe the speed limits but the hills sometimes cause speed to creep up. This unit helps keep me honest and avoid getting tickets. It gives ample advance warning and enough time to check and correct any speed errors.

Very robust construction, "dark mode" feature prevents display from becoming a beacon to other drivers who want to tailgate you thinking you will save them from a ticket (Not to mention attracting unwanted law-enforcement attention for the same reason).

It's not cheap but compared to the cheap units, this thing far outreaches them and provides useful features instead of deceptive fluff. Go with the best. You will not regret it!

I used to own Rx65. Upgrade to STi is worth it, even with the higher price tag.
Compared to Rx65, there are no false laser alerts. And although laser is often considered to be deadly, on a highway in Ohio it gave me a warning that there is a laser alert around the corner before I could be spotted by the police officer.
K and Ka bands work very well too. Around the corner, across the hill and so on.
POP is off by default factory settings and if switched off, seems to give false POP alerts in most cases.

The only annoying thing is that it shows all the bands and beeps when you switch it on. For some reason producers thing you'd like to see the demo every time you use the device. It may be interesting a couple of times but quickly becomes annoying.

Overall, excellent gadget. Not a panacea but significantly adds to safety.
And something else. When you see the alarm you actually reduce the speed and drive more carefully. So in a strange way the device not only saves your money but makes you drive more safely...

A changed from a Valentine One to this, and I am speechless. Makes Valentine One look like a child's toy. This detector, detects EVERYTHING! Completely remarkable! Recommended over anything! You can't go wrong!

Although I don't have the experience of some of the other reviewers here when it comes to using other models (I owned a basic Cobra(?) YEARS ago when I was in college), I will just say that the STi has absolutely saved me from getting nabbed by craftily-located speed traps throughout Northern CA (I liken the CHPers to spiders sitting in their tunnel web, ready to pounce on unsuspecting prey). After landing a new job that requires a highway commute of just over an hour behind the wheel, I did some quick online research on the highest end RDs available. A couple of friends both own and love their Valentine V-1, but I purchased this device from the Beltronics website after reading a pro-STi comparative review between the two models online - this was about a year and a half ago.

Until I'm able to move my family closer to the office, I have to endure this long commute. However, having the STi on my windshield really puts my mind at ease. It picks up signals from amazing distances and it's simply a foot-off-the-gas situation...no need to slam on the brakes in a panic.

I also bring the device with me when I know I'll be renting a car on business or personal travel around the country (in states where RDs are legal)...it definitely spared me at least two tickets in upstate New York last spring (one Ka band on I-88 on a trip to Ithaca and one laser heading down the NYS Thruway to NYC). Ka bands and lasers are no match for this thing.

It is one of the best purchases I've ever made in ANY category and it has more than paid for itself. I'm going to the Beltronics website right now to copy-and-paste this review. Long overdue...

Ive had this detector for a year now. It is a lifesaver. Again last night, it saved me from a California Highway Robber sitting in a roadside shadow at night with all his lights off (dangerous!) but his Ka radar on, hunting those of us coming home from honest jobs.

I was going 10 over traffic, which prolly means 20 over the govt signage. Perfectly safe, do it twice a day every day. Granted you dont get much warning with Ka guns having such a tight spread, but Ive trained myself to grab the brakes and start brushing off speed reflexively when I hear my little detector warn me of danger.

It was just enough time, and I cruised right past the thief. He'll have to rob someone else.

Beltronics, once again thank you.