Did I do Something Wrong?

[calpalmer]

cal,

I think the BMW ACC system is always on to pre-load the brakes in what it determines as an emergency situation. BMW has some info here, this phrase sounds like it is always on "Radar sensors at the front of the vehicle permanently scan the road ahead." BMW has two forms of this technology: ACC, and ACC w/stop and go.

The Hella LIDAR based ACC system used in the Chrysler 300C is reportedly always-on.

The V1 is mostly shielded from the ACC radar due to it's location in the cabin while the STi-R's receiver is probably mounted very close to the ACC unit and not as shielded.

Thanks for this link. It was helpful information, confirms that my ACC is constantly on. Since I have a lot of K hits going on with the STi-R, but not constantly so (as I posted, maybe 25% the detector is alert-free), is that consistent with the ACC being the source of the K interference?

I have a call into the local SM at BMW Northwest to ask how I can disable the ACC to test this out.

Cal

[thx1138]

UPDATE: Just finished getting the hard mounts set-up for the new STi-r head. The new head appears to be working very, very well. When you look for a Ka speed trap, I can never find one. K band is very similar to the V1. Hard to tell, sometimes one or the other alerts first. I think the STi-r might have an off axis advantage. More to follow...just glad to get the head exchanged and re-installed/

[quandary]

My tests also show that even old V1s have superior range than the STi (real live tests). Still, i am pleased with the range since it is sufficient. We are all limited by newer technologies in Ka and laser. The stealth feature is the main reason why i still prefer STi over the V1. It's a choice between stealth and range.