Just got STI driver

[lennyo3034]

So I just switched to the STI driver from an x50. My reasons were because I was having huge problems with the x50 in that it would give constant k and ka alerts every once in a while. I am also moving to the southern Maryland area where I will frequently visit VA and DC.

I did a test with them side by side and found that my x50 was leaking k band, which was being picked up by the STI. However I also drove by a ka band speed trap a few times, and found that they picked up the source at the exact same time. I assume then that the radar detecting component of the two are the same, and that the STI simply has more RDD countermeasures?

I bought the STI at a Pilot gas station because it was on sale for $379 new. I realize now that I may not have the most updated version and was wondering what the latest edition was, as well as how to check on mine. Also, did I do the right thing on this or should I have gotten the x50 repaired and hoped for the best in VA?

[RW'07]

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=31664

In Oct, on my way to Talladega for the Nascar race, I stopped on a Pilot truck stop, got inside, talked to the manager and he brought me an unopened STI box, opened it in front of me and that was a brand new unit based on the serial # (the mfg date), so 99.99% yours is one of the latest STIs with the newest firmware... enjoy it, it''s a very powerful toy including when you take your time on driving in illegal areas

[lennyo3034]

I just checked my version number, same method as the x50 (no surprise), it was A4M9. Judging from the other post, a few other people have that version as well, so do you think I should just use it or send it in for an upgrade? Also the last 4 digits of the S/N are 3407, so I assume it was manufactured in February then? Thanks

[Qui-Gon]

Just got mine last Friday...revision number was A7M9, build code 4507.

[MEM-TEK]

I just checked my version number, same method as the x50 (no surprise), it was A4M9. Judging from the other post, a few other people have that version as well, so do you think I should just use it or send it in for an upgrade? Also the last 4 digits of the S/N are 3407, so I assume it was manufactured in February then? Thanks

Week 34 is late July of 2007. You are good to go since your STi does have the 33.8 bugfix.

Also, the X50 and STi use completely different radar detection platforms. Search for my posts about the insides of radar detectors using the terms "inside your rd". I did several posts for specific radar detector models.

[lennyo3034]

So the only difference between my version (A4M9) and the newest (A7M9) is the ramp-up fix? If thats the case, I'm not going to bother sending it in since I don't have much of a problem with it anyways.

I ran the x50 alongside the STi again, and once again they gave almost the exact same detection range on a Ka-using LEO as well as known K and X band falses. Actually on the Ka case, the x50 picked up about half a second before the STi, but it was still plenty of time for me to slow down so it didn't matter anyways. Should this be the case, or did I happen to pick up a lemon?

Also, my car shuts power off to the 12V power outlet when I turn it off, shutting down the STi. Should I manually turn off the STi with the power button first, or does it not matter?

Thanks

[YTCD]

The STI should give you better radar detection and should be better at falses in some situations. Not going to be much of a difference but still a little better. The might run side by side but in some situations the STI will pull away from the escort. As for false alerts its not really going to matter between the two or any high-end radar detector (STI, RX65, 9500, 8500, should all do about the same).

This is what I would do: Go to settings -> then change the display to "THT" (threat). You will/should know the false areas and what band it is so when you go by there don't worry about it, but with threat display you should be able to tell when an leo is actually patroling that area if you keep looking at the display. It will tell you the strength and if there are any other bands, for instance if there is X and Ka it will tell you are both around you. And you can also tell by signal strength if it is an leo or not if its the same band.

As for turning it off, don't worry about it.. its actually a good thing.

[RW'07]

I just checked my version number, same method as the x50 (no surprise), it was A4M9. Judging from the other post, a few other people have that version as well, so do you think I should just use it or send it in for an upgrade? Also the last 4 digits of the S/N are 3407, so I assume it was manufactured in February then? Thanks

If you take an average of 4 weeks/month yours has been built sometime late August - mid Sept '07, not as a critique but you could have talked directly to the gas station manager, tell him that you want a fairly new STI, they have no idea about the last 4 digits of the S/N at the back of the STI itself, so to open the box for you before buying it, that's how I did it in that Pilot truck stop but had no intention on buying another STI, I was just curious about what STI mfg date Pilot truck stops carry... enjoy it and drive safely :wink:

[Qui-Gon]

So the only difference between my version (A4M9) and the newest (A7M9) is the ramp-up fix? If thats the case, I'm not going to bother sending it in since I don't have much of a problem with it anyways.

There's absolutely no difference in the ramp-up between the 2 revisions. The BIG difference is the 33.8 Ghz bug fix. Older versions (A4M9) apparently were having a hard time of detecting (if at all) 33.8 Ghz.

[RW'07]

So the only difference between my version (A4M9) and the newest (A7M9) is the ramp-up fix? If thats the case, I'm not going to bother sending it in since I don't have much of a problem with it anyways.

There's absolutely no difference in the ramp-up between the 2 revisions. The BIG difference is the 33.8 Ghz bug fix. Older versions (A4M9) apparently were having a hard time of detecting (if at all) 33.8 Ghz.

Not mine :wink: