Help me decide between the Val 1 and Bel STi

[Plate Hater]

Ok, so I have been trying to learn a lot about radar detectors for the past couple of days. I had an Escort back in 2000, and I can't remember the model #, but I did like it.

First off, I am in VA. So, I know they are illegal.

I have 2 cars that I do NOT like running front license plates on. I don't even have a place for the plate brackets any more.

Thing is, I don't drive them much, mostly to car shows, ect. Most of those shows are in NC, which is about a 30 minute drive, once I get to that state, I am good to go. But getting there requires me to be on a highway for at least 40 miles.

County cars don't bother me, it's the ol state troopers. In 12 years of owning these cars, I have only received a ticket once for failure of front tag display, the other times were warnings, but I could have probably avoided these w/ some kind of warning....

SO, from what I have read, the Val 1 and the Beltronics STi look like my best choices. I have read that the Val 1 is detectable, while the STi isn't, correct? But I like how the Val 1 has directional arrows.

Can anyone give me some ideas? I would like to make the purchase within a few days...thanks!

As a newbie I did read all the "READ me first" posts, but I just didn't get the answer/direction I needed....thanks!

[nascar]

Get the STi.

[hockey005]

well there rele isnt a choice if you are from VA...an STi or STi-R are your only choices if you do not want to get picked up on a radar-detector-detector.

[Plate Hater]

That is what I figured....the best price I have seen so far is $449.95

Can anybody beat that?

[nascar]

Buy the STi direct from Beltronics. You will get the latest and you have a 30 day return policy.

[Plate Hater]

Buy the STi direct from Beltronics. You will get the latest and you have a 30 day return policy.

What about this site? Anyone had experience w/ these guys? They have a return policy as well. I have been shopping around the past couple of days, and they seem to be the cheapest?

<DEALER LINK REMOVED>

[Plate Hater]

Found this site as well:

<DEALER LINK REMOVED>

It is listed for $394.00

[oddball]

Read Bel's website about non-authorized dealers and how the warranty is affected if purchased from one. They've even got a list of unauthorized dealers, though they admit it may not be up to date. SBHCorp is on that list. I also seem to recall seeing a post on here somewhere about VA getting the newest RDD's which may be capable of picking up an STi.

[CJR238]

Buy the STi direct from Beltronics. You will get the latest and you have a 30 day return policy.

X2 STI. :wink:

[jokerabc]

I also seem to recall seeing a post on here somewhere about VA getting the newest RDD's which may be capable of picking up an STi.

what? i didn't think that was possible, b/c the STI leaks nothing at all. so it should be protected from RDDs forever?