Bel STi, Beltronics please read and consider

**stealthJamal** · 05-06-2006, 06:43 PM

Well so far I have to say that the STi is a great detector. The only thing I don't like about it are secondary issues like the audio alerts, dim control of the display, and Threat mode display.

Beltronics your STi will be perfect if you can do this to it:

1. Make the audio alerts function the same as the audio alerts do on the Escort X50. I like to know how strong the radar signal is without having to look at the detector even if I am already slowing down after I hear the first alert.

2. Give us the option of being able to change the brightness of the display without going into program mode. The auto dimmer is nice, but at night time I do not like it because it gets my attention when it "flickers" from adjustments made by brief sources of light from the outside. For example a truck's headlight beam from behind hits the sensor and causes the display to get brighter briefly and then it goes back to dim, I don't like that.

3. The threat display should show multiple sources of radar on EACH band. I like how the number next to the band indicates how strong the signal is, but this should be changed if my #1 suggestion is implemented. Instead of the number indicating signal strength in threat display, make the number indicate how many radar sources are detected for that band.

If these changes are made to the STi, it will be a PERFECT detector in my opinion. I think most people would agree with me.

However, these are all secondary issues. The primary issue is to detect police radar the best without false alerting to other sources and so far the STi is REALLY good at that! When I am shopping for a radar detector I get the one that is the best for the primary issue, but having everything in a detector would be nice.

**RacerX** · 05-06-2006, 07:07 PM

i voted yes.

i don't know if all Bels do this, or just the STI, but it seems like the audio alerts are a little too "laid back". meaning they don't seem to go with the seriousness of the alert. like a strong full blast comes across kinda "ho hum".
maybe i'm used to the "flatline" sound when your dead nailed (no pun intended)

i do like the number showing the increase in strength. i like it better than my SR7 with the little bar that goes up, but yes i does need to show multiple threats.

and yes, i was trying to find the button to change the dimness and soon realized i had to "program it".

i think we've seen some threads on our "dream or ideal" detector, and i'm starting to think we may never see that any time soon.
reason being is they (top 3) all have some features we like, but i think they each want to keep their "uniqueness" not to mention maybe certain things are patented for that company.
that and since Bel and Escort want to remain "indivdual" companies, regardless of same ownership, don't expect to see the features from each merge anytime soon.

**stealthJamal** · 05-06-2006, 07:11 PM

They could just borrow from each other. Escort borrow features from Bel and Bel borrow from Escort on certain detectors. Just like how car manufacters do that for certain car models when they own both companies.

**SportsFan** · 05-06-2006, 07:17 PM

Hey Jamal,

I voted yes as well.

While I don't have the STi, I do have the Bel V995....and some of the things that you brought up apply to it as well...since it's a Bel detector. I'd like to see some of these things addressed not only for the STi, but for ALL Bel detectors.

Originally Posted by stealthJamal

1. Make the audio alerts function the same as the audio alerts do on the Escort X50. I like to know how strong the radar signal is without having to look at the detector even if I am already slowing down after I hear the first alert.

AMEN!!!! Bravo....this is a problem not only for the STi...but for ALL Bel detectors! My V995 is the same way (as is the 895, RX65, etc., etc.)

Originally Posted by stealthJamal

2. Give us the option of being able to change the brightness of the display without going into program mode. The auto dimmer is nice, but at night time I do not like it because it gets my attention when it "flickers" from adjustments made by brief sources of light from the outside. For example a truck's headlight beam from behind hits the sensor and causes the display to get brighter briefly and then it goes back to dim, I don't like that.

I believe this feature may be specific to the STi...because I can change the brightness on the V995 from the top of the detector, without going into program mode (4 options - bright, meduim, dim, dark). Maybe I'm misunderstanding what you're saying or suggesting, though, but this seems to be an "auto-adjustment" light sensitive type feature specific for the STi....

Originally Posted by stealthJamal

3. The threat display should show multiple sources of radar on EACH band. I like how the number next to the band indicates how strong the signal is, but this should be changed if my #1 suggestion is implemented. Instead of the number indicating signal strength in threat display, make the number indicate how many radar sources are detected for that band.

The V995 doesn't have this....but I actually wish it did! Rather than having the LED bar light up to 6 bars across the detector....it would be nice to have a Ka6 rather than Ka {bar}{bar}{bar}{bar}{bar}{bar}. It would be really nice to run it in "Dark" mode, but have a small "Ka4" type display rather than nothing, or rather than having the bar scroll across the entire front of the detector.

I believe that the RX65 has this feature as well (enumerated signal strength display)....not sure if it works in "Dark mode" though. The signal strength display is one of the features I like better about it than the V995. Actually, that's perhaps THE feature I like better about it.....

Originally Posted by stealthJamal

If these changes are made to the STi, it will be a PERFECT detector in my opinion. I think most people would agree with me.

However, these are all secondary issues. The primary issue is to detect police radar the best without false alerting to other sources and so far the STi is REALLY good at that! When I am shopping for a radar detector I get the one that is the best for the primary issue, but having everything in a detector would be nice.

Well said, Jamal.....well said. :wink:

**licamell** · 05-06-2006, 07:23 PM

You make me want to put off buying the STi even more in some small chance that they'll actually put these in... I know there's not much hope, quit putting false hopes in my head!

**happya$$** · 05-06-2006, 07:43 PM

PLEASE BEL listen to your customers

**SmaartAasSaabr** · 05-06-2006, 08:12 PM

You're forgetting this stupid IF LEAKAGE BS!

That is priority #1

**stealthJamal** · 05-06-2006, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by SmaartAasSaabr

You're forgetting this stupid IF LEAKAGE BS!

That is priority #1

I forgot about that. The IF leakage is only really an issue if a radar detector detector can be made that has the capability to single out the STi IF leakage from other electronic devices found in automobiles and be able to do this at good range. Bel did state that the STi will provide protection from all current and future RDD's, hopefully this is true.