Where to find a sensor??

[Prime]

Hi folks - first post here!

I have a 1993 Mercedes Benz 500E that I bought used with a Bel 615 STi-R already installed. Shortly after I bought the car, I discovered that the radar sensor had been stolen from behind the front bumper. I've been living with a different dash-mounted detector since then, but it has now died, and rather than buy a completely new unit I was hoping to find the sensor for the Bel.

I understand that there were some problems with the firmware in this unit, but don't know any details. All I know is that Bel can't supply me with replacement parts. I have searched hi and low for a used sensor somewhere but have never been able to locate one.

Can anyone here help?

[leo68]

Hi folks - first post here!

I have a 1993 Mercedes Benz 500E that I bought used with a Bel 615 STi-R already installed. Shortly after I bought the car, I discovered that the radar sensor had been stolen from behind the front bumper. I've been living with a different dash-mounted detector since then, but it has now died, and rather than buy a completely new unit I was hoping to find the sensor for the Bel.

I understand that there were some problems with the firmware in this unit, but don't know any details. All I know is that Bel can't supply me with replacement parts. I have searched hi and low for a used sensor somewhere but have never been able to locate one.

Can anyone here help?

Hello and welcome to the forum. The Bel STi615-R is outdated and the firmware was not upgradeable on the Bel 615 STi-R. Beltronics does not service this model any more. If you do find one there's a chance that it may not work.

[MEM-TEK]

Additionally, the old Bel 615STi-R (circa 1994) was undetectable by VG-2 radar detector detectors. The 615STi-R will be easily detected by Spectre radar detector detectors. Its Ka band performance is also way behind the times. I would strongly suggest getting our recommendations for a modern radar detector!

[Prime]

Thanks for the replies.

I'll readily admit that I'm not "into" radar detectors like I suspect most of you are. I've looked at some new installed systems and I'm just not prepared to drop that much cash - especially since I think it would be nice to be able to use a detector in a different vehicle occasionally. So my take is this - if I could get the currently installed detector to work without major expense, fine. Otherwise I'll probably look at a portable unit, in which case I'll absolutely get the advice of the experts here.

One other (maybe stupid) question - since the wiring is in place for the old unit, both in the headliner and to the bumper, can it be reused with a newer installed detector by replacing the connectors and plugging in, rather than undertaking a completely new install?

[MEM-TEK]

Thanks for the replies.

I'll readily admit that I'm not "into" radar detectors like I suspect most of you are. I've looked at some new installed systems and I'm just not prepared to drop that much cash - especially since I think it would be nice to be able to use a detector in a different vehicle occasionally. So my take is this - if I could get the currently installed detector to work without major expense, fine. Otherwise I'll probably look at a portable unit, in which case I'll absolutely get the advice of the experts here.

One other (maybe stupid) question - since the wiring is in place for the old unit, both in the headliner and to the bumper, can it be reused with a newer installed detector by replacing the connectors and plugging in, rather than undertaking a completely new install?

Hi Prime,

The wiring is considerably outdated too. In all honesty, that old Bel unit (even if you could find a replacement antenna for it) will have nowhere near what one would call adequate performance against today's lower power Ka band radar guns. Not only that, the microwave spectrum has become heavily polluted with various types of false alerts from cell phones, cell towers, intrusion systems, cheap import brand radar detectors, and now a plethora of K band microwave door openers. Thus that old Bel unit would be rather annoying to try to use on a daily basis.

It also sounds like you are the kind of dude who would like a portable windshield mounted radar detector which pretty much automatically takes care of everything for you. For this task I would highly recommend Escort's new 9500ix radar detector. It will automatically learn where all false alert sources are located using GPS. After the third time of passing these false alert sources during your daily commutes or other frequent driving routes, the 9500ix will realize that these false alerts are always at the same location and will automatically lock them out so that you no longer receive these annoying false alerts. The 9500ix is also one of the top performers with regards to sensitivity to police radar guns too. In short, the 9500ix is one of the slickest radar detectors available in terms of features, performance, and ease of use. Just plug it in and use it, and let it automatically figure out all of the rest.

[Prime]

Yes, the Escort 9500ix has been on my radar (I kill me!), but here's the thing that bothers me about it - I keep thinking that if a radar detector has some GPS functionality, it can't be long before someone builds a decent radar detector/nav in a single unit. I don't want to buy a 9500ix, only to see what I REALLY want come out in the next few months. Is this a pie in the sky dream? Am I the only person who's had this brilliant idea? Can someone get me a job as an "Idea Man" for one of these places?

How long can it be before this happens? In the meantime, I'm tempted to get something just to tide me over. What's decent out there in a budget detector?