Might I be any happier with a Redline over an STI Magnum in Virginia?

[ukiltmybrutha]

I just bought a Redline so that my wife could keep the STI Magnum. My detection range with the STI Magnum was pretty poor. I have heard it all as to why but was left dissapointed even after I complained to Beltronics about it and sent it in for service. They upgraded the software, changed the sensitivity, etc, etc.

When I got it back, it was slightly better but even in a straight line with no interruptions I could generally see the LEO before the detector went off which is not right. This happened too many times to assert that the LEOs here always use instant on etc. Lots of times the cops leave their radars on when they drive around so it can't be that.

I have a slightly heavier foot than my wife but in general I really don't speed that much.

Just wondering if I might get more detection range out of the redline because most of the Youtube videos show it as a tossup.

Thanks

[EscortRadar]

Their detection performance is very close with the edge going to the RedLine. Both should offer plenty of detection range.

Have you tried the Magnum in both cars? There may be a metallic coated windshield in one. If you think this may be the case then park near a radar source (a false alert source will work) with the detector alerting below full signal strength. Now take the Magnum off the mount and with you holding it, aim it at the source out an open window. If the signal strength then you have a a metallic coated windshield. Your only option for better performance is to find an area on the windshield clear of the coating or to get an installed detector system. We offer several under both the Escort and Beltronics names.

If your windshield is not coated than please call us again to have your Magnum looked at. Be sure to tell them that it is repeatedly performing much worse than your RedLine. Please let me know if you continue to have issues.

[ukiltmybrutha]

Their detection performance is very close with the edge going to the RedLine. Both should offer plenty of detection range.

Have you tried the Magnum in both cars? There may be a metallic coated windshield in one. If you think this may be the case then park near a radar source (a false alert source will work) with the detector alerting below full signal strength. Now take the Magnum off the mount and with you holding it, aim it at the source out an open window. If the signal strength then you have a a metallic coated windshield. Your only option for better performance is to find an area on the windshield clear of the coating or to get an installed detector system. We offer several under both the Escort and Beltronics names.

If your windshield is not coated than please call us again to have your Magnum looked at. Be sure to tell them that it is repeatedly performing much worse than your RedLine. Please let me know if you continue to have issues.

I checked to see if my old 93 Ford Escort GT has a metallic coated windshield and apparently it doesn't. I went in front of my local store and compared in and outside the windshield. I could not say with certainty that it was any better outside of the windshield.

I am trying the Redline out now. I think it may give me slightly more detection, but can't say for sure. I wasn't impressed with the warning that I got this morning with it (about a mile at best on an open flat straight highway). The cop was already pursuing someone so it wasn't I/O.

I notice less falsing than the STI Magnum when both are left on highway. Not sure if that is right or if Beltronics just made my STI Magnum more sensitive after complaining.

[ukiltmybrutha]

Their detection performance is very close with the edge going to the RedLine. Both should offer plenty of detection range.

Have you tried the Magnum in both cars? There may be a metallic coated windshield in one. If you think this may be the case then park near a radar source (a false alert source will work) with the detector alerting below full signal strength. Now take the Magnum off the mount and with you holding it, aim it at the source out an open window. If the signal strength then you have a a metallic coated windshield. Your only option for better performance is to find an area on the windshield clear of the coating or to get an installed detector system. We offer several under both the Escort and Beltronics names.

If your windshield is not coated than please call us again to have your Magnum looked at. Be sure to tell them that it is repeatedly performing much worse than your RedLine. Please let me know if you continue to have issues.

I checked to see if my old 93 Ford Escort GT has a metallic coated windshield and apparently it doesn't. I went in front of my local store and compared in and outside the windshield. I could not say with certainty that it was any better outside of the windshield.

I am trying the Redline out now. I think it may give me slightly more detection, but can't say for sure. I wasn't impressed with the warning that I got this morning with it (about a mile at best on an open flat straight highway). The cop was already pursuing someone so it wasn't I/O.

I notice less falsing than the STI Magnum when both are left on highway. Not sure if that is right or if Beltronics just made my STI Magnum more sensitive after complaining.

Well I have had a bit more time to check things out and have to say that the Redline seems slightly better. I have had no warnings over a mile yet though. The Redline seems to be a bit better off Axis than the Magnum. I like the lower volume for when I pickup passengers and car pool etc where the STI Magnum is far too loud on it's lowest setting.

I like the tones much better.

I was hoping that you could provide me with a scientific test between the two. Speed signs are VERY VERY VERY rare here. I also don't want to be rolling with 2 detectors for obvious reasons in VA while performing tests!

Thoughts?

[EscortRadar]

I doubt if the Escort GT had athermic/metallic windshield as an option. The performance difference when testing them as I described would have been large if it did have one. There are a lot of factors that effect how radar signals propagate, thus your detection performance, such as obstructions (cars, buildings, trees, terrain), humidity, other radio frequency signals. Under ideal conditions the RedLine has detected signals as far as 13 miles away in independent testing.

We can certainly test your RedLine and/or Magnum if you believe that they are not performing as they should. If you would like to do this then please call our service department at the number in my signature below.

[breaker61]

I have a Redline and a Sti Driver ( bought a month before it became the Magnum ). Both Rock. I have a 45 min highway commute to and from work, and in my neck of the woods, it is all hills and turns. Slight egde to the Redline on sensitivity by maybe a second or two , but thats it. Both have great off axis detection. Never had a incident where I didn't have lots of time to slow to PSL. The Driver still nips the Redline on occasion.

[Jstglockem]

If you want the best get a V1,

otherwise Redline.


I also live in Virginia.


.

[ukiltmybrutha]

Thanks for the info. I am sure that there are plenty of factors that determine the range on the detectors but no matter what the circumstances, neither is giving me more detection than 1 mile. It seems to me that both of these detectors are not able to give great detection range in areas that they are specialized for e.g. areas where the Spectre gun is used.

I would send them back in, but I find it frustrating to send in $500 radar detectors and to have to pay shipping on top of that only to have the same results when I get them back. This for the record, would be the second time that I am sending in my Beltronics STI Magnum at my own shipping expense along with a Redline radar detector that is less than 30 days old!

Not sure why a brand new Redline or STI Magnum would both give poor performance. I think that this is just the way these detectors perform in this environment. Maybe the radar guns they use in this area are low power? I have ruled out obstructions and instant on this is the only thing that I can think of.

I doubt if the Escort GT had athermic/metallic windshield as an option. The performance difference when testing them as I described would have been large if it did have one. There are a lot of factors that effect how radar signals propagate, thus your detection performance, such as obstructions (cars, buildings, trees, terrain), humidity, other radio frequency signals. Under ideal conditions the RedLine has detected signals as far as 13 miles away in independent testing.

We can certainly test your RedLine and/or Magnum if you believe that they are not performing as they should. If you would like to do this then please call our service department at the number in my signature below.

[ukiltmybrutha]

I have a Redline and a Sti Driver ( bought a month before it became the Magnum ). Both Rock. I have a 45 min highway commute to and from work, and in my neck of the woods, it is all hills and turns. Slight egde to the Redline on sensitivity by maybe a second or two , but thats it. Both have great off axis detection. Never had a incident where I didn't have lots of time to slow to PSL. The Driver still nips the Redline on occasion.

What sort of range are you getting?