Real World V1 78SE STi 690 X50 9500i Test

[KnightHawk]

Please note that the STi and 9500i have a delay alert as shown in the test result. That will invalidate your away distance and also depends on your speed of travel. If the speed differs from one of the other tests, that will also invalidate your away test results.

Invalidate them? This is a real-world test, the detectors were all used as you would use them in your car.

As far as your statement above, the STi has a delay, but the DISPLAY changes BEFORE the audio kicks in. I measured from the change in DISPLAY. I, frankly, find it ridiculous that a $500 RD has so many quirks, it's really not my cup of tea. Furthermore, your statement would imply that the STi somehow wasn't given enough distance, yet it was tied at #1 coming toward the 34.7, and way in front #1 going away, so I don't understand your comment.

Please excuse my typo. I may have not made it clear. When the STi and 9500i picks the last signal, both units continue to alert with no actual radar source. It would translate to a longer distance when going away from the source because it keeps alerting for a few seconds after the fact. That's what I'm trying to point out.

[bigalinwv]

I understand dj. That is why I had to put a reminder. There is close to 10 sec delay alert with the STi and 9500i that would translate to increase distance after the last signal is detected when going away from the source. I may have type it wrong and my grammar is not that good.

Oh, ok, I understand now. I will absolutely confirm for you that the STi DOES hold a signal longer than the V1. I have driven with both of them on (I know, I know) and the STi always stays on long after the V1 stops alerting.

I can't, however, confirm that on the 9500i. IF it is true, it is NO WHERE near as long a hold then the STi. Again, this is just based on many thousands of miles using every detector known to man except the 9500ix.

Either way, I would peg the longer alert hold on the STi at about 4-5 seconds, no where near 10 seconds. Just my educated guess.

(One more bit of info, my speed going toward the 34.7 or away would not have any affect at all on the distances I measured. The detections were in distance, not time. I stayed close to the PSL both ways anyway, but I'm pretty sure that shouldn't affect the distance of alert. Maybe some technical wizard could chime in here, but my last college math course (20 years ago) would have taught me different.)

[proudNMAmember]

I have seen what bigalinwv is talking about on the Bel STi. It alerting on the display before it starts giving audio isn't uncommon but I think it got better w/ the ramp up fix. Since I have 3 Bel STi's, I guess I will have to test this to see what I come up w/. Two of my STi's have the new ramp up and one of them has the old ramp up. The one w/ the old ramp up only cost me $150 so I was kind of forced to buy it at that price.

[KnightHawk]

(One more bit of info, my speed going toward the 34.7 or away would not have any affect at all on the distances I measured. The detections were in distance, not time. I stayed close to the PSL both ways anyway, but I'm pretty sure that shouldn't affect the distance of alert. Maybe some technical wizard could chime in here, but my last college math course (20 years ago) would have taught me different.)

I believe there is a factor when there are speed variations during the test.

Example:

Test 1. Time from source to end of alert is 15 sec. with speed of 55 mph.
Test 2. Time from source to end of alert is 15 sec. with speed of 60 mph.
Test 3. Time from source to end of alert is 15 sec. with speed of 65 mph.

Distance difference:

Test 1 will result to 0.229 miles
Test 2 will result to 0.249 miles
Test 3 will result to 0.271 miles

You can check it here (distance calculated by speed and time) and make sure you select the right units in mph.
Time, Speed and Distance Calculator

[bigalinwv]

(One more bit of info, my speed going toward the 34.7 or away would not have any affect at all on the distances I measured. The detections were in distance, not time. I stayed close to the PSL both ways anyway, but I'm pretty sure that shouldn't affect the distance of alert. Maybe some technical wizard could chime in here, but my last college math course (20 years ago) would have taught me different.)

I believe there is a factor when there are speed variations during the test.

Example:

Test 1. Time from source to end of alert is 15 sec. with speed of 55 mph.
Test 2. Time from source to end of alert is 15 sec. with speed of 60 mph.
Test 3. Time from source to end of alert is 15 sec. with speed of 65 mph.

Distance difference:

Test 1 will result to 0.229 miles
Test 2 will result to 0.249 miles
Test 3 will result to 0.271 miles

You can check it here (distance calculated by speed and time) and make sure you select the right units in mph.
Time, Speed and Distance Calculator

I still think you're way off here. I did not use any TIME measurement, so my SPEED is inconsequential. Anyway, take my tests for what they're worth. Maybe a lot, maybe a little, but is fun trying.

[KnightHawk]

Don't get me wrong. I'm just saying that if there were any difference with speed each time you test it, the distance traveled will make a difference. The example about the 55, 60 and 65mph I gave was based on a single test sample. The time was an example of which it took 15 sec from the source to the time it stopped alerting as you were going away from the source. Of course you were not paying attention to the time because you were paying attention to the distance. I'm not disputing your results. I'm just saying that if there were any speed difference of at least 5 mph with each test, there will be some difference with the distance traveled within 15 sec.

[milkman]

Yes, the most detection obtained was 6/10 of a mile, sorry for the confusion. Give me a break, I'm from WV, you're lucky I can spell!

Anyway, couldn't resist, I went to a known K band false, the front door of my kids' school. It's a K band transmitter. As you approach it from the highway from far away the school is in a straight line from you, as you get closer, the road goes to the left.

I took the same detectors as last night, with the exception that I substituted an XTR-255 for the XTR-260 that wasn't working properly. (By the way, Michael B PMed me and wants to take care of the 260, how many manufacturers will do that??)


V1/8500 X50/STi Driver..............First..........1700 feet detection
Passport 9500i..........................Second......1500 feet detection
Pro78SE....................................Third.. ........1400 feet detection
XTR-695....................................Fourth..... ...1240 feet detection
XTR-690....................................Fifth...... .....1180 feet detection
XTR-255....................................Sixth...... ....1170 feet detection

By the way, the V1 can detect the K band while in the other lane driving away from it in the rear antenna, freaking awesome!


The box of doom:

I can't believe that the x50 has the same detection as the v1 and sti. I have heard good things about the rev 5. I know my m4 would not be that close.

[bigalinwv]

Yes, the most detection obtained was 6/10 of a mile, sorry for the confusion. Give me a break, I'm from WV, you're lucky I can spell!

Anyway, couldn't resist, I went to a known K band false, the front door of my kids' school. It's a K band transmitter. As you approach it from the highway from far away the school is in a straight line from you, as you get closer, the road goes to the left.

I took the same detectors as last night, with the exception that I substituted an XTR-255 for the XTR-260 that wasn't working properly. (By the way, Michael B PMed me and wants to take care of the 260, how many manufacturers will do that??)


V1/8500 X50/STi Driver..............First..........1700 feet detection
Passport 9500i..........................Second......1500 feet detection
Pro78SE....................................Third.. ........1400 feet detection
XTR-695....................................Fourth..... ...1240 feet detection
XTR-690....................................Fifth...... .....1180 feet detection
XTR-255....................................Sixth...... ....1170 feet detection

By the way, the V1 can detect the K band while in the other lane driving away from it in the rear antenna, freaking awesome!


The box of doom:

I can't believe that the x50 has the same detection as the v1 and sti. I have heard good things about the rev 5. I know my m4 would not be that close.

Just remember, this is ONE test. Every radar encounter is different. The 9500i is M4 based.....

[Freebird]

Nice test! Thanks for taking the time to post the results and do the testing. Since the results are close across the board I would guess terrain is blocking the signal from the sign. Is the sign over a hill, around a bend or on a long flat section of road? I would bet you are coming onto a straight away from a bend at the .60 mile mark or over a rise etc. This duplicates alot of my encounters in the real world, where based on terrain, no matter what rd I have running I would get about the same results. Cool Thanks for sharing.

edit.. missed this first time


The setting was on Interstate 79 outside Fairmont, WV. The 34.7 speed sign is set up facing the Southbound lanes. It is at the top of a hill, as you approach it you make a gradual right hand turn descending, then ascend toward the speed sign. I was surprised at the results.

At the point you make the gradual right hand turn, is this where the units started to alert?

[bigalinwv]

Nice test! Thanks for taking the time to post the results and do the testing. Since the results are close across the board I would guess terrain is blocking the signal from the sign. Is the sign over a hill, around a bend or on a long flat section of road? I would bet you are coming onto a straight away from a bend at the .60 mile mark or over a rise etc. This duplicates alot of my encounters in the real world, where based on terrain, no matter what rd I have running I would get about the same results. Cool Thanks for sharing.

edit.. missed this first time


The setting was on Interstate 79 outside Fairmont, WV. The 34.7 speed sign is set up facing the Southbound lanes. It is at the top of a hill, as you approach it you make a gradual right hand turn descending, then ascend toward the speed sign. I was surprised at the results.

At the point you make the gradual right hand turn, is this where the units started to alert?

Yes. Even though a lot of people would dismiss this test because the results are so close, I found it interesting that in a real world scenario, the playing field is completely level. In other words, the V1/STi being more "lab sensitive" did NOT translate into advanced warning time.