Is it worth upgrading from M4A9 (Sti Driver)

**CcL** · 03-18-2010, 08:23 PM

Hello
I just recently got an old stock sti driver that was made in 35 07. Firmware is M4A9 or something. I was wondering if I should just use it first till after a year then send it in for checkup/firmware upgrade or are the upgrades significant enough to send it in now?

The only difference that I know of is the ramp-up fix. I believe the 38 or was it 35.8 bug was fixed in M4A9? Anyways I was passing a mobile photo radar unit and the sti driver started alerting like 1 car length at 60km/h. Is that normal? Can't remember if it was K or X band.

The unit is set at auto... and this happened in the city.

I'm PRETTY sure mobile photo radar isn't I/O right...?

Thanks for the advise!

**KaPro** · 03-19-2010, 08:54 AM

I would send it in now for the update. Not only is the ramp up better but the k band performance will be better as well. As far as the ka glitch goes it was 33.8 that the STi's (early versions) were not alerting to. Your unit is pretty old, by date, you would be well served to send it in and get it flashed.
As far as the mobile radar van goes, was it a k band van? If so you will get better range by running in highway mode. Autoscan filters x band and k band in the STi. Hope this helps.

**jmccam** · 03-19-2010, 10:20 PM

Send it in and get it updated and change to Highway mode and you should see a bid difference in detection.

**CcL** · 03-24-2010, 11:09 AM

Great, the increased sensitivity part made me call Bel right away. Shipped it off on Sunday... hopefully it'll be back soon. However, they're shipping it back by UPS ground to Canada and I don't know how customs would react to a radar detector back from service.

**birdman** · 03-28-2010, 08:45 AM

You will not have any problems with Canada Customs as the units are made in Mississauga, Ontario Canada. No Duties for sure.
Besides this is a return for service item.

**Volvo850turbo** · 03-28-2010, 12:10 PM

Not to hijack this thread but my STI Driver build date is 0309 and A6M9 firmware. Would I benefit from an update as well ?

I was told by the person who gave it to me that it was recently sent into beltronics for a refurbishing.

Thanks!

**birdman** · 03-28-2010, 01:24 PM

Looks like you have the latest firmware. Mine is the same date as yours but A4M9. Hopefully someone can confirm the latest firmware cause i also want to send it in for the upgrade.