The STi's new firmware flash for the 33.8 bug...

[MEM-TEK]

Well I think I am good with the 33.8 flash. I did the light test and think I passed. However, during my test I noticed that the display changed in three stages. For example, if I started with the display low, and then put the flashlight on the sensor, it would take about 10-15 sec an go to medium, then 10-15 sec to go dark. Is this what I was supposed to see, or was it just supposed to go straight from a low display to dark display in 30 sec? I didn't ever pay attention to the auto dim before my flash, so I don't really have anything in my memory to compare with.

Alrighty! I brought my re-flashed STi in from the car and did some controlled tests using a desk lamp in an otherwise dark room.

I powered up my STi with the desk lamp positioned very close to the STi's photocell so that my STi's display instantly was at full brightness upon power-up. I turned off the desk lamp and then timed how long it took for my STi to adjust the display to its dimmest setting. It took 120 seconds total, with each brightness adjustment occurring approximately once every 10 seconds.

I repeated this test, except that the desk lamp was off when I powered up my STi. The STi powered up with its display set at the minimal brightness setting. I then turned on the desk lamp, and again it took 120 seconds for the display to brighten to its maximum brightness. I also counted the total number of brightness levels.

Here are my test results for my STi which has been flashed with the bugfix:

-- The STi's auto brightness mode, based on the ambient light received by the photocell, is now digitally controlled rather than being analog controlled. If you see your STi's brightness being adjusted in 10 to 15 second intervals after powering it up in the dark and then shining a flashlight at the display, or after powering it up in the dark but with a flashlight shining onto the display and then turning the flashlight off, then you know that your STi has the latest firmware which fixes the 33.8 bug.

-- The STi's display/button full ramp-up or ramp-down sequences take a total of approximately 120 seconds to complete. It may take an additional 5 seconds to complete since it appears that the firmware checks the signal from the photocell once every 5 seconds.

-- There are a total of 11 distinct brightness levels through which the display and buttons are adjusted.

-- Upon power-up, the STi's display's brightness will be instantly or near instantly adjusted to the appropriate level based upon how much light the STi's photocell is receiving. This is no different compared to earlier versions of the firmware.

-- The STi's alphanumeric display can be automatically adjusted through a total of 11 distinct brightness levels, whereas the STi's illuminated buttons can be automatically adjusted through a total of 9 distinct brightness levels.

-- The STi's ramp-up sequence is distinctly different than the ramp-down sequence. Apparently a lot of testing went into these two sequences in order to produce results which were pleasing to the eye as ambient light conditions change.

-- The ramp-up sequence will brighten both the alphanumeric display and push buttons through a total of 9 distinct brightness levels, then turn the button illumination off, and then finish by brightening the alphanumeric display through an additional 2 brightness levels.

-- The ramp-down sequence will dim the alphanumeric display through a total of 6 levels, then turn the push button illumination on, and then finish by dimming both the display and push buttons through an additional 5 brightness levels. Note that when the push button LEDS do turn on, they are NOT at the maximum brightness (brightness level 9 for the push buttons) which is seen when the STi is going through its ramp-up sequence. During the ramp-down sequence, the push buttons initially illuminate with a brightness level of 5 and get dimmed to 1 when finishing the ramp-down sequence.

Well, there you have it!

Best Regards,

--Michael

[navalert]

I dont understand why they simply did not change the version numbers to a4 m10 or something, seems this would make it simple to tell if your unit should be sent in.


Chris
www.navalert.com

[MEM-TEK]

I dont understand why they simply did not change the version numbers to a4 m10 or something, seems this would make it simple to tell if your unit should be sent in.


Chris
www.navalert.com

Hi Chris,

Belscort was trying to keep the STi 33.8 bug hush-hush rather than offering a factory recall to have them re-flashed. In line with this, they also decided not to change the firmware revision number.

[bigalinwv]

I just got mine back from the 33.8 fix, and it shows A7M9 for the revision. The display autodim is definitely better.

[navalert]

Sent in 4 Bel sti's for customers.

Have herd back from the drivers they are getting tons more x band falses now.



Anyone else?

:?

[RW'07]

Sent in 4 Bel sti's for customers.

Have herd back from the drivers they are getting tons more x band falses now.



Anyone else?

:?

Where I live X-band radar units can be found only at some local LE museums, X disabled on my STI for almost 16 months now :wink:

[franky932]

receive mine today REV A7 M9 did not try yet....ill be back


by the way in Qc canada in winter the cold days are -18 F ............. is there be an effect on RD?

tyvm

[MEM-TEK]

Sent in 4 Bel sti's for customers.

Have herd back from the drivers they are getting tons more x band falses now.



Anyone else?

:?

The new firmware is completely new and has resulted in an increase in sensitivity on all radar bands due to a change in the algorithm which searches for true radar signals buried in the noise floor. I am headed out of town this weekend, but this coming week I will post a simple modification which will inherently decrease only the STi's X band sensitivity. Send me a PM on Monday to remind me to do this.