Help me chose between V1 & STI

[M34speed]

So I have both of these RD in my car right now. There are benefits and downsides to both of them.

The biggest threat in my opinion is instant on Ka.

This is the test thats REALLY leading me towards keeping the STI driver:

http://www.radarbusters.com/support/...Hill-Radar.asp

look at the instant on KA @ 1/2 for the valentine. It didn't detect ANY of them. While the STI driver had no problem. My friend got a ticket from instant on over the hill with my old 8500 X50. I want to have the best protection. What do you guys think about this?

[Bear-Tweezy]

If you live in VA or any other state that RD's are illegal, then you need to go with the STI...... but if you live in any other state that the RD's arent illegal then i would go with the V1.... But thats just my thinking.... The arrows are a major difference... plus there is no helping with instant on if you are the lead car(no detector can help) thatswhy always keeep a rabbit in front of you, if possible

[M34speed]

Well about about the test? Any comment on that?

[crazyVOLVOrob]

Well about about the test? Any comment on that?

I wouldn't fully trust the SML tests but that just my honest personal opinion...

They lied about my detector not detecting Ka POP so i sent it to Jimbonzz who then tested it against Ka POP to let me know that my detector(BEL 995) does detect KA pop.

Also in recent tests it has been shown that the V1 is the most sensitive to radar on all different bands. The most sensitive detector will detect instant-on BEL STi is said to have better filtering than the V1 so it you want Filtering spectre stealth go with the BEL STi, it you want a front and rear antenna and something with arrows go with the V1

[M34speed]

I've seen the GOL tests...and the V1 does very well indeed on all the bands. Speed Measurement labs looks like a reputable source...so I'll wait for more people to comment on the tests results.

I like the automute feature of the STIdriver, and it does have better filtering. The Valentine One does have the arrows...I dunno.

[hookem202]

After my V1 j-ed out TWO real LEO's running Ka-band i have gained a stong hate toward the V1. Dont get me wrong, it was a great RD but to J-ed out two in 1 200 mile trip is outrages. So i went back to the x50.

Now after getting nailed 3 weeeks ago with ka-band instant-on, i think i may go back to the RX-65 or give the STI a try. K-band used to be my main threat but since i moved to school its KA-band 99% of the time. So im going back to the bel.

No matter what, without a rabbit no RD will help against Instant on! Ive learned a $250 life lesson on the use of a RD. :cry:

[jimbonzzz]

This is the test thats REALLY leading me towards keeping the STI driver:

http://www.radarbusters.com/support/...Hill-Radar.asp

look at the instant on KA @ 1/2 for the valentine. It didn't detect ANY of them. While the STI driver had no problem. My friend got a ticket from instant on over the hill with my old 8500 X50. I want to have the best protection. What do you guys think about this?

If you're leaning towards the STi, you should get it, it's is a very good detector. If you get it from Roy he'll even take take care of you after the sale.

But whichever detector you decide on, you should look at multiple test results from different sources before you choose. Don't base it on just that one over-the-hill test. For that test, the STI and other BEL/Escort detectors were mounted high on the windshield (ask me how I know :wink: ). The V1, on the other hand, was mounted low on the windshield. Therefore, the playing field might not have been quite so level, especially for an over-the-hill test. I'm not saying anything bad about SML tests by any means. To me, it seems that they tend to focus more on testing the products to ensure that they perform as advertised, rather than testing bleeding-edge hair-splitting performance.

Jim

[RacerX]

But whichever detector you decide on, you should look at multiple test results from different sources before you choose. Don't base it on just that one over-the-hill test. For that test, the STI and other BEL/Escort detectors were mounted high on the windshield (ask me how I know :wink: ). The V1, on the other hand, was mounted low on the windshield. Therefore, the playing field might not have been quite so level, especially for an over-the-hill test. I'm not saying anything bad about SML tests by any means. To me, it seems that they tend to focus more on testing the products to ensure that they perform as advertised, rather than testing bleeding-edge hair-splitting performance.

Jim

yeah, that pretty much sums it up.


as for which to keep, i would suggest this.

first, overall both are equal performers, give or take factory variance (aka the occasional lemon or factory freak that performs very well)

so since you actually have both, it comes down to 2 things.
1. performance
2. which one has the looks/features you like better.

i would use/test them both, and whichever one gives you better performance, coupled slightly with the looks/features would be the one i would choose.

regardless of all our opinions, it's the one you feel most comfortable trusting to perform.

[M34speed]

hehehe..how do you know? BTW...thats pretty crappy to put the valentine low, and the STI high. Especially considering valentine recommends to mount theirs High, and escort/bel says to mount low even though high is the best for radar performance. Do they do that just to make the V1 look bad and the escort/beltroncis products to look good considering they have a dog in the fight?

[carboncopy]

hehehe..how do you know? BTW...thats pretty crappy to put the valentine low, and the STI high. Especially considering valentine recommends to mount theirs High, and escort/bel says to mount low even though high is the best for radar performance. Do they do that just to make the V1 look bad and the escort/beltroncis products to look good considering they have a dog in the fight?

It's all about marketing tactics and people with agendas. If you need stealth go with the STi. Otherwise, just pick the one you like the best. IMO you won't go wrong with either one. The STi seems to have the edge in filtering, so if you drive a lot in town the STi will be more user friendly. If you drive in rural areas with open roads the V1 with it's arrows and long detection range will surely earn it's keep. Bottom line is that they are both great RD's.

However, like you I couldn't decide which one I liked better, so I kept them both! hehe Good luck!



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