STI-R sensitivity

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03-05-2009, 01:59 AM
superflyottawa

STI-R sensitivity

Nearly two years ago I purchased the STI. I thought it was the finest, most sensitive RD I had ever purchased until I bought the STI-R.

I have to say that the STI-R is alot better than just my STI. Partially because I live in a place (Canada) that outlaws RDs so my STI was always low on my dash and not optimally setup... but also because STI-R just seems to have a better receiver on it.

Anyone else care to confirm this?

I even get laser alerts from LEOs shooting laser at traffic on the other side of the road (180 degrees in the opposite direction from me), and the reflection bounces off the LEO's targets back to them (and to my STI-R) which alerts me.

That never happened with my regular STI.

J
03-05-2009, 06:23 AM
samq45

Re: STI-R sensitivity

Several users here and other testers have confirmed the STi-R/9500ci is more sensitive than the Sti.

I have also experienced better laser detection with the STi-R
03-05-2009, 07:16 PM
Whistler1

Re: STI-R sensitivity

I would like to see some real sensitivity figures on the STI-R. I believe that Mem-tek has run the numbers. If his numbers are even close K and Ka band sensitivity exceeds -120db which is excellent numbers.

Whistler1 :D:D
03-05-2009, 07:53 PM
MEM-TEK

Re: STI-R sensitivity

If GOL, in their upcoming test, conducts straight-line sensitivity tests using FOAM and uses at least three V1's which have been previously used and which have known lab tested sensitivities, then I will be able to calculate the STi-R's and the 9500ci's dB sensitivities.

The following (previously posted) are my best educated guesses for the STi-R and 9500ci sensitivities:

X band -114dBm
K band -124dBm
33.8Ka -118dBm
34.7Ka -120dBm
35.5Ka -119dBm
03-05-2009, 09:00 PM
languy99

Re: STI-R sensitivity

I hope they do and I also want to see the newest v1 too, maybe there have been some improvements.
03-06-2009, 05:27 PM
franky932

Re: STI-R sensitivity

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEM-TEK

If GOL, in their upcoming test, conducts straight-line sensitivity tests using FOAM and uses at least three V1's which have been previously used and which have known lab tested sensitivities, then I will be able to calculate the STi-R's and the 9500ci's dB sensitivities.

The following (previously posted) are my best educated guesses for the STi-R and 9500ci sensitivities:

X band -114dBm
K band -124dBm
33.8Ka -118dBm
34.7Ka -120dBm
35.5Ka -119dBm

and what are the numbers of the STI? for a comparason

ty
03-06-2009, 08:14 PM
BlinderGuy

Re: STI-R sensitivity

My STi-R kills everything else I own!!!!:rock:
03-06-2009, 10:06 PM
<<JAZZY>>

Re: STI-R sensitivity

Quote:

Originally Posted by franky932

and what are the numbers of the STI? for a comparason

ty

http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...t-ii-here.html

http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/9336/tablete0.jpg

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/6706/graphyv7.jpg
03-06-2009, 11:26 PM
MEM-TEK

Re: STI-R sensitivity

Here is an updated table which shows my calculated sensitivities based on GOL's 2007 straight-line sensitivity testing using foam versus Mike B's lab measured sensitivities. I have also added my estimated 9500ci and STi-R sensitivities which are based on GOL's quick radar tests which they conducted after concluding their 2008 laser jammer tests. Anyway, here it is. Just keep in mind that the 9500ci and STi-R sensitivities (shown in green) are merely best guess estimates even though the numbers do seem to match quite well with my own personal observations.

http://www.mem-tek.com/radar/GOL_RD_...Veri_Table.gif
03-07-2009, 10:31 AM
franky932

Re: STI-R sensitivity

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEM-TEK

Here is an updated table which shows my calculated sensitivities based on GOL's 2007 straight-line sensitivity testing using foam versus Mike B's lab measured sensitivities. I have also added my estimated 9500ci and STi-R sensitivities which are based on GOL's quick radar tests which they conducted after concluding their 2008 laser jammer tests. Anyway, here it is. Just keep in mind that the 9500ci and STi-R sensitivities (shown in green) are merely best guess estimates even though the numbers do seem to match quite well with my own personal observations.

http://www.mem-tek.com/radar/GOL_RD_...Veri_Table.gif

maybe the sti with A7M9 firmware with 33.8 fix (2008) have better

numbers?:D

thanks for the charts!!!!!!!!!!:)
03-07-2009, 11:14 AM
MEM-TEK

Re: STI-R sensitivity

Quote:

Originally Posted by franky932

[B]
maybe the sti with A7M9 firmware with 33.8 fix (2008) have better

numbers?

Those STi numbers are for representative of all STi's. The 33.8 bug doesn't show up at all in lab testing when you are merely trying to measure a radar detector's raw sensitivity to any given radar frequency since the conditions which cause that long since fixed bug are not present. Yet the latest firmware which features the new audio ramp-up seems to slightly improve both K and Ka band performance. We will just have to wait until GOL does their next round of tests to see what the new numbers are.

One thing I forgot to mention: The 9500i in yellow is how current 9500i, 9500ix and GX65 models should perform since that 9500i tested by GOL in 2007 featured all of the production line tweaks which had been implemented by Escort after GOL's 2006 tests. My 9500i, produced in 2007, performed identically to the 9500i which was tested at SML 2008, so the production line performance tweaks seem to be very consistent. Also note that all 9500i, 9500ix and GX65 models will have better X and K band sensitivities compared to the lab measured X and K results of the average for the three non-production-tweaked 9500i RDs. Specifically and based on my careful testing, I predict that all current 9500i, 9500ix and GX65 models should have the following X and K numbers:

X band -109dBm
K band -119dBm

These numbers are based on my careful testing of both my and the SML 2008 9500i RDs in comparison to my STi which was lab tested by Mike B.

So, while the top dollar M4 platforms within the 9500i, 9500ix and GX65 have slightly better on-axis sensitivity across all bands, the STi's M3 antenna has slightly better off-axis sensitivity. The result it that these differences balance each other out in real world driving to yield average performance which is virtually identical. Obviously the tweaked M4 antenna has a slight edge for on-axis detection. Yet the STi's M3 antenna has a slight edge for off-axis detection. This is what I have observed after lots of real world driving, and my results seem to be in line with GOL's off-axis tests as well.

:)
03-07-2009, 11:24 AM
franky932

Re: STI-R sensitivity

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEM-TEK

Those STi numbers are for representative of all STi's. The 33.8 bug doesn't show up at all in lab testing when you are merely trying to measure a radar detector's raw sensitivity to any given radar frequency since the conditions which cause that long since fixed bug are not present. Yet the latest firmware which features the new audio ramp-up seems to slightly improve both K and Ka band performance. We will just have to wait until GOL does their next round of tests to see what the new numbers are.

One thing I forgot to mention: The 9500i in yellow is how current 9500i, 9500ix and GX65 models should perform since that 9500i tested by GOL in 2007 featured all of the production line tweaks which had been implemented by Escort after GOL's 2006 tests. My 9500i, produced in 2007, performed identically to the 9500i which was tested at SML 2008, so the production line performance tweaks seem to be very consistent. Also note that all 9500i, 9500ix and GX65 models will have better X and K band sensitivities compared to the lab measured X and K results of the average for the three non-production-tweaked 9500i RDs. Specifically and based on my careful testing, I predict that all current 9500i, 9500ix and GX65 models should have the following X and K numbers:

X band -109dBm
K band -119dBm

These numbers are based on my careful testing of both my and the SML 2008 9500i RDs in comparison to my STi which was lab tested by Mike B.

So, while the top dollar M4 platforms within the 9500i, 9500ix and GX65 have slightly better on-axis sensitivity across all bands, the STi's M3 antenna has slightly better off-axis sensitivity. The result it that these differences balance each other out in real world driving to yield average performance which is virtually identical. Obviously the tweaked M4 antenna has a slight edge for on-axis detection. Yet the STi's M3 antenna has a slight edge for off-axis detection. This is what I have observed after lots of real world driving, and my results seem to be in line with GOL's off-axis tests as well.

:)

is all STI DRIVER have the M3 antenna?

thanks:):)
03-07-2009, 11:35 AM
MEM-TEK

Re: STI-R sensitivity

Quote:

Originally Posted by franky932

is all STI DRIVER have the M3 antenna?

thanks:):)

Yep. And I love my STi. You can have it if you can manage to pry it from my dead hands. :D

P.S. I should add that raw lab sensitivities or my calculated raw sensitivities based on GOL's straight-line foam tests merely show part of the picture since these types of measurements absolutely do not take into account the features of any radar detector's enhanced signal detection algorithms or signal rejection algorithms. Yet these algorithms automatically come into play during all real world testing events and during real world driving. This is why, for example, high end Whistlers are able to sniff out distant radar in the real world even though the raw raw sensitivity numbers for their high end products are lower compared to competing products. So, just keep in mind that raw sensitivity numbers merely serve as a baseline reference when examining the test results of real world test scenarios. Its amazing how, in the real world, a radar detector's specific algorithms can either improve or hamper a radar detector's performance in the real world compared to raw lab measured sensitivities.
03-07-2009, 02:18 PM
RadarGhost

Re: STI-R sensitivity

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEM-TEK

If GOL, in their upcoming test, conducts straight-line sensitivity tests using FOAM and uses at least three V1's which have been previously used and which have known lab tested sensitivities, then I will be able to calculate the STi-R's and the 9500ci's dB sensitivities.

The following (previously posted) are my best educated guesses for the STi-R and 9500ci sensitivities:

X band -114dBm
K band -124dBm
33.8Ka -118dBm
34.7Ka -120dBm
35.5Ka -119dBm

Didn't they once use "the sponge" but quit because the product was discontinued ?

Ahh.. No one here will even get this Joke. :)

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qpSFXzlKYw]YouTube - Seinfeld "Sponge worthy" Scott Patterson[/ame]

Btw I believe most of these detectors aren't "sponge worthy" :D
03-07-2009, 02:27 PM
MEM-TEK

Re: STI-R sensitivity

Quote:

Originally Posted by RadarGhost

Didn't they once use "the sponge" but quit because the product was discontinued ?

Back in high school my GF and I used that thing nearly every weekend. :D
03-07-2009, 02:37 PM
RadarGhost

Re: STI-R sensitivity

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEM-TEK

Back in high school my GF and I used that thing nearly every weekend. :D

Be proud MT. She considered you "sponge worthy" :D
03-07-2009, 02:42 PM
RadarGhost

Re: STI-R sensitivity

Btw it is well known that "the sponge" is a superior product to foam. It absorbs those little microwave critters at nearly a three to one rate and kills them in the most humane way possible..:D
03-07-2009, 02:57 PM
MEM-TEK

Re: STI-R sensitivity

She did enjoy playing with my radar gun. :)
03-07-2009, 03:07 PM
RadarGhost

Re: STI-R sensitivity

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEM-TEK

She did enjoy playing with my radar gun. :)

I bet she did considering all those sponges you were blowing through.. :D

BTW I would pay to see GOL test detectors with "the sponge" :D
03-07-2009, 07:18 PM
Whistler1

Re: STI-R sensitivity

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEM-TEK

She did enjoy playing with my radar gun. :)

Ahhhhh, that nice warm feeling inside!! (from microwaves of course).

Whistler1:D:D
03-21-2009, 11:18 PM
cduluk

Re: STI-R sensitivity

i have the sti-r and honestly, dont think it's any better than the old bel 975r i had. only difference is the sti-r goes off for no reason, more often. and its alerts go off at too much force, nearly scare the crap out of you.
03-22-2009, 10:38 AM
djrams80

Re: STI-R sensitivity

Quote:

Originally Posted by cduluk

i have the sti-r and honestly, dont think it's any better than the old bel 975r i had. only difference is the sti-r goes off for no reason, more often. and its alerts go off at too much force, nearly scare the crap out of you.

The STi-R should crush your older Bel. I'm wondering how your radar antenna is mounted.