STIR + Install, Is this location OK?

[Varjo]

Hi Everyone,

First-time countermeasure user here. I just got my first radar detector (STIR+) installed last week, along with a LI quad. Post
install, I began reading some accounts of interference due to mounting the STIR + behind a grill.

Since I don't have any other detector experience, I have nothing to compare the performance of my detector with. I haven't even encountered
a radar speed trap yet, though I have detected a couple of automatic doors and once speed measuring sign.

Anyway, I was hoping someone could give me an opinion on my install. Should I move the receiver? The two other obvious alternatives are to try and move the receiver up into the bumper (would be mounted inside), or simply bring the unit forward several inches and have it protrude through the lower grill by a couple mm (would have to cut it obviously).

Just a note, the grill is plastic and the receiver has a ~3-4 inch gap between it and the grill.

Sorry for the low quality of pictures, hopefully they are clear enough.2013-01-15 23.58.07.jpg2013-01-15 23.58.39.jpg2013-01-15 23.58.51.jpg2013-01-15 23.59.29.jpg

[BimmerJ]

Hey Varjo -

Seems like you and are in the same boat. I have the exact same setup on my car and I just got it installed today. Same location, etc... From everything I've read this is a good location for the unit, but like you I need to get a feel for how the unit works and responds. It's going to be fun over the next few weeks to get in the groove with how it works.

[nine_c1]

The install looks great!

But that's the problem.....looks and performance seldom go hand in hand.

It will lose at least some, and possibly quite a bit, of efficiency behind the honeycomb grill which will fragment the wavefront before passing it through to the receiver. Flat solid plastic of uniform thickness or flat glass is preferred if you have to go behind something because the phase delay would be uniform through these mediums. Do keep in mind that if you go behind solid plastic you loose the LIDAR reception.

I'm not saying your setups will not work......it's just very far from the optimum place to put a radar receiver.

[BimmerJ]

Thanks for the input nine - I've spent the last two hours basically doing searches on Google and this and other forums to find out pretty much exactly what you just explained.

The last thing I'd want to do is cut the lower grill in my BMW, but if I can find a spot behind a solid plastic spot in the bumper I'll look to do that, and as a last resort maybe cut for optimum performance. Are you aware of anyone on our the forum here with a BMW 5-Series with the STiR Plus setup? I'd love to see some pics of an install.

In the meantime I'll keep searching the forums and will look to move the receiver.

Thanks again!

[nine_c1]

Thanks for the input nine - I've spent the last two hours basically doing searches on Google and this and other forums to find out pretty much exactly what you just explained.

The last thing I'd want to do is cut the lower grill in my BMW, but if I can find a spot behind a solid plastic spot in the bumper I'll look to do that, and as a last resort maybe cut for optimum performance. Are you aware of anyone on our the forum here with a BMW 5-Series with the STiR Plus setup? I'd love to see some pics of an install.

In the meantime I'll keep searching the forums and will look to move the receiver.

Thanks again!

I exchanged PMs over the past couple weeks with a member on the Escort Forum who has a bimmer and STi-R Plus. He had his receiver mounted behind the kidney grill and it was being whooped up on by a RedLine he was running at the same time. So he cut the grill and let the Plus protrude through a little bit. He just PM'd me tonight that on a 1500 mile road trip the Plus destroyed the RedLine by wide margins and he is very happy.

Not everyone will go that far, and there are alternatives. Behind the bumper skin would be good so long as there are no irregular shaped objects in front or just to the side of the receiver......but you lose LIDAR reception. Another viable option is mounting it inside and high on the windshield.

[BimmerJ]

GREAT info - thanks Nine.

After hearing this and looking at other installs on this and other forums I've called my installer and we're going to cut in the grill and do it that way. Those grills from what I understand are pretty easily replaced, and I want the best performance.

Once I have everything corrected I'll post pics on the install thread.

[nine_c1]

GREAT info - thanks Nine.

After hearing this and looking at other installs on this and other forums I've called my installer and we're going to cut in the grill and do it that way. Those grills from what I understand are pretty easily replaced, and I want the best performance.

Once I have everything corrected I'll post pics on the install thread.

Exactly. But you might want to look for an aftermarket knock off and hack into that one and keep the original equipment in the garage unmodified.

I think you'll notice a big improvement.

[BimmerJ]

[/QUOTE]

Exactly. But you might want to look for an aftermarket knock off and hack into that one and keep the original equipment in the garage unmodified.

I think you'll notice a big improvement.[/QUOTE]

Wow - didn't even think of that. Great idea!

[Varjo]

GREAT info - thanks Nine.

After hearing this and looking at other installs on this and other forums I've called my installer and we're going to cut in the grill and do it that way. Those grills from what I understand are pretty easily replaced, and I want the best performance.

Once I have everything corrected I'll post pics on the install thread.

Exactly. But you might want to look for an aftermarket knock off and hack into that one and keep the original equipment in the garage unmodified.

I think you'll notice a big improvement.

Thanks for the help as well. I've decided to keep it where it is and see how it works for a bit. I'm hoping that it doesn't hurt performance as much as a bmw style grill as it is much less thick. I actually just spoke to my installer and we decided to hold off moving it for a bit. I think if I find I'm unhappy with it after a month or so, I may revisit the issue.

[BimmerJ]

Sounds good Varjo - keep us posted!