Here's Some Mad Stealth for Your happya$$

[languy99]

I think the 9500ci is so much better not because it has better detection built in but because it is remote mounted, they can stuff a much bigger horn in the assembly. I bet that horn is twice as big as the V1 one. With a bigger horn comes better sensitivity. And also remember that the V1 is mounted inside the cabin, so it has to contend with a glass surface that must filter out some of the signal. Someone should try to have the v1 outside of the car for a test to see how it does.

[djrams80]

I think the 9500ci is so much better not because it has better detection built in but because it is remote mounted, they can stuff a much bigger horn in the assembly. I bet that horn is twice as big as the V1 one. With a bigger horn comes better sensitivity.

My understanding is that the 9500ci's horn is identical to that of the windshield mounted STi, in every way.

And also remember that the V1 is mounted inside the cabin, so it has to contend with a glass surface that must filter out some of the signal. Someone should try to have the v1 outside of the car for a test to see how it does.

Raw sensitivities can be tested in a lab. I'd be willing to bet my paycheck that the 9500ci/STi-R antennas are just much more sensitive to the V1's.

[languy99]

I would love to see the front radar antenna taken apart.

[MEM-TEK]

I would love to see the front radar antenna taken apart.

Your wish is my command! Here is a top side view of my 9500ci's antenna removed from its case and with the top antenna cover removed. The dimensions of each antenna are the same as in a V1 -- 1.1" width by 1/2" tall. Whereas the V1 uses a single front antenna for X, K and Ka band detection, Bel/Escort had to use two antennas. One antenna detects X band, and the other antenna detects K and Ka band. The reason for the two antennas is that splitting up the X, K and Ka band detection was the only practical method which would work in order to create a completely undetectable radar detector antenna.

[focalcivic]

Your wish is my command! Here is a top side view of my 9500ci's antenna removed from its case and with the top antenna cover removed. The dimensions of each antenna are the same as in a V1 -- 1.1" width by 1/2" tall. Whereas the V1 uses a single front antenna for X, K and Ka band detection, Bel/Escort had to use two antennas. One antenna detects X band, and the other antenna detects K and Ka band. The reason for the two antennas is that splitting up the X, K and Ka band detection was the only practical method which would work in order to create a completely undetectable radar detector antenna.

Mem like DJ said is it the same as the Sti dash model?

[MEM-TEK]

Mem like DJ said is it the same as the Sti dash model?

It appears to be identical to the 9500ci LO board down to every single component. The one thing which has changed is the 9500ci LO board is up to rev F compared to the rev C in my STi which was manufactured in week 10 of 2007. Even though the green silkscreen pathways for the pick-and-place machines has changed on the rev F board, the electrical components themselves appear to be identical, identically placed, and the same in number. Perhaps Bel/Escort is using a different K/Ka band LNA? This could partially explain the increased K/Ka band sensitivity of the STi-R and 9500ci. My guess is that there probably is more to it than just this possible change, but this is the first possibility which pops into my head. The K/Ka band LNA is the super teeny rectangular circuit board located above the upside down "C" or "F" in the photos of the 9500ci and STi LO boards. I've never had the guts to try removing the LO board to see what is on the back side of the board, so there could be changes there which I am totally unaware of.

Here is a photo of my STi's LO board:

[languy99]

pretty cool thanks mem. I would like someone to try the outside of the car method to see how that affects the v1's range compared to the CI. I would try it but I don't have a CI. So I will leave it to someone who has the guts to run a v1 outside of the car for testing.

EDIT: I am also thinking that if all of the components are the same in the 9500ci as the STI, than logic dictates that the 9500ci should perform the same, but from what I can gather it performs much better. So the only conclusion I can come to is that some of the components are different from the STI to the 9500ci or the windshield really has that much of an effect on radar performance.