Bel STi Driver ramp up fix

[allyoops]

The recent Beltronics ramp-up fix has changed the audio profile of the output alerts from this detector and has caused compatibility issues with the existing Radar Detector Interface.

As of October 2008, the Radar Detector Interface is only compatible with pre ramp-up fix models.



Please note: If you return your STi to Beltronics for the ramp-up fix, it will stop your Cheetah radar detector interface from working properly with your Bel STi detector – it has affected the way the radar alerts on the C100 and GPSmirror ramp up on K band alerts and KA band alerts.

All other detectors remain unaffected.

[joeg]

So will there be a fix? or Will the interface need to be redesigned?

[allyoops]

Too early to say. It's being investigated and I'll post back here when I get more news.

[CJR238]

very interesting. Odd how changing a supposedly a simple thing changes so much.

[allyoops]

It's not odd at all.

Other manufacturers devices are not designed to be compatible with anything else. We had to find a way of making incompatible devices from a range of other manufacturers become wirelessly compatible so people could have flexibility.

We had to come up with a way of working out exactly what the detector was doing, e.g. laser alert, KA band strength 5, K band strength 2, etc, etc. and we had to find a way of making it work across different manufacturers. The only way to do all of that and still make it "cross-manufacturer" was to use the audio output from a detector and analyse what it does. So basically we had to invent a brand new technology from scratch.

However, the ramp up fix for the STi changed its audio outputs, so in effect it now sounds like a completely different detector. The interface is designed to look for a particular audio profile, but the ramp up fixed changed these audio profiles, so that they are no longer what the interface was programmed to look for.

To put in other words, if you imagine the STi was speaking English, the RDI was programmed to understand English. But if the Sti all of a sudden starts speaking Swahili, the RDI won't understand it until we teach it that language.

[GTRstikya]

If you return your STi to Beltronics for the ramp-up fix, it will stop your Cheetah radar detector interface from working properly with your Bel STi detector – it has affected the way the radar alerts on the C100 and GPSmirror ramp up on K band alerts and KA band alerts.

Bummer I just sent my STI back 2 weeks ago, for the fix and a tune-up. Had I know this I would have left out the ramp-up fix.

I'd actually be more ticked and cuss, but luckily, my wife's newer STI also doesn't have the fix. So, I guess we are switching so I can still use my Cheetah.

Bummer for you guys too; without update your STI RDI has become worthless with all new STIs.

Please keep us informed if the STI chip changes to accomodate. Or if you offer an STI2 chip.

[faiz23]

i just got a cheetah mirror setup along with bel sti and the RDI, i am getting it installed but i am worried that it will not work. My only option is to use the Bel since i need spectre immunity. How long till you have an update since i might have to return your mirror and the RDI. I hate to and love the setup but i have no use for it if it is not gonna work right. Can you guarantee if i keep the unit we will see a future update come up that will fix this issue or have you guys given up. I am worried as i see you are not supporting the Laser Interceptor and now the Bel sti. These 2 products are one of the most popular setups for people who need spectre immunity and laser protection. I expect your product to be high end but i am a little scared of buying a setup for my other vehicles.

[sailor_david]

I am in the same boat. I have a LI - but I get why there will not be an interface for that. I just bought to c-100 so I hope there is a revision for the new Bel STI ramp up! Are you guys planning to build it and it is just a matter of timing, or are you still considering if you will even build an interface?

Thanks

Dave

[allyoops]

Faiz23,

I just sent you an email in response to your online support query on our website, explaining things in more detail.

There will be a fix produced for the Cheetah RDI for STi Driver post ramp-up fix models, but it is not something you magic out of the hat. It involves sampling multiple STi drivers from several different manufacturing batches and that takes time, because first of all you have to wait for several different manufacturing batches to be produced.

There will be a compatible RDI for this at some point during 2009 but I cannot give a timescale for this. It depends on a number of factors.

I outlined in my email what we can do to help you resolve this in the meantime so please come back to me with the details I asked you for as soon as you can.

thanks
Al

[ninjajim4]

i'll be watching this thread... the only reason i haven't bought a cheetah mirror to date was because of the sti's horrible audio rampup and thus the equally bad STi RDI. be looking forward to the new one...