STi PROBLEMS???

[ooja3k]

Hey,

I am looking to get a new detector. My oldie cheapie, Whistler 1753, i feel just does not cut it in range and reliability... However, I have never received an error message or a service required message after 3 years of it remaining in my windsheild in southern california. I am looking to get either the x50 or the rx65... I am afraid to buy either off ebay because of the numerous issues they have. From what I have read, these two are extremely similar and are both of poor quality. I haven't heard of the STi having any issues so I might buy that one... I don't want to invest $300 in either the rx65 or the x50 and have them sent in for repairs more then they are in my car... Honestly they sound like POS's when it comes to overeheating/problems....

Does the STi have any similar issues??? I definetely don't want to invest $450 in something that is just going to have to be sent in for repairs like the $300 one... I know it is housed in a magnesium case... would that increase or lower the heat that it absorbs in my windsheild??? Honestly if you were me and money wasn't a limiting factor in detector purchase, what would you invest in?

[focalcivic]

Hey,

I am looking to get a new detector. My oldie cheapie, Whistler 1786, i feel just does not cut it in range and reliability... However, I have never received an error message or a service required message after 3 years of it remaining in my windsheild in southern california. I am looking to get either the x50 or the rx65... I am afraid to buy either off ebay because of the numerous issues they have. From what I have read, these two are extremely similar and are both of poor quality. I haven't heard of the STi having any issues so I might buy that one... I don't want to invest $300 in either the rx65 or the x50 and have them sent in for repairs more then they are in my car... Honestly they sound like POS's when it comes to overeheating/problems....

Does the STi have any similar issues??? I definetely don't want to invest $450 in something that is just going to have to be sent in for repairs like the $300 one... I know it is housed in a magnesium case... would that increase or lower the heat that it absorbs in my windsheild??? Honestly if you were me and money wasn't a limiting factor in detector purchase, what would you invest in?

Remember they are all from the same company, with any electronics you buy there will always be problem units. You will hear more about them on message boards like this because people will post remarks. Overall, just like anything you buy chances are if it is new and from a reputable seller you should be ok, plus it is under warranty, and in most cases you can exchange within 30 days. For performance with any of the 3 units you mentioned they all perform very good. The STI is def. best if you need it to be totally stealth. For heat issues, just make sure you take it down when you park and you will be fine for the most part. I have had detectors for a few years in both hot and cold climates and always take it down with no real issues.

[ooja3k]

I don't need to be stealthy in So. Cal... There are no laws against them and im not traveling anywhere long any time soon... Stealthy aside, would you still recomend the STi for 150 more????

[Michael B]

Try a Whistler Pro78

Lots of additional features over the Pro58

[ooja3k]

No one does tests of that RD and ive heard nothing good about Whistler...

[spankyaf]

Honestly if you were me and money wasn't a limiting factor in detector purchase, what would you invest in?

V1

[ooja3k]

Ive only heard bad things about the V1.... How they were kinda like john kerry a couple years back... POP is unessessary, but now it is all of a sudden.... whats the point in having a huge rear antennae if it still gets worse rearward detection than both the rx65 and the x50? IMO you get a lot more for your money with a rx65 or a x50.... or an STi...

I just want to hear some feedback on the reliability issues from those 3... If i unplug it every time (which i don't want to have to do) it should last and work properly seemingly forever right???

[ooja3k]

as of right now i am seriously considering the STi....

i haven't heard of any issues with it especially regarding overheating...

[SmaartAasSaabr]

as of right now i am seriously considering the STi....

i haven't heard of any issues with it especially regarding overheating...

What you may be finding is just that the STI "population" is low compared to X50/RX65 since it has been on the market for less time, and is more expensive and as well a "premium" product.

I had an A3M8 revision STI that I got about a year ago. In Dec 06 it flashed Service Required after getting hot on a roadtrip. I turned it off and back on and it worked fine going back, but I exchanged it for a new A4M9 one with Roy. That one has worked great ever since and I like it quite a bit. Offhand I can't recall anyone having a failure with the A4M9 version which was mostly intended to stop the overheat problems.

IMO there are quite a few Belscort units that do go into these "fail" modes early on, which is mostly due to the accuracy of the unit's calibration and the unit's ability to detect when it is out of calibration. But, if the unit makes it out of the warranty period without failing then it's probably going to be good "forever". I wouldn't leave it up mounted on the windscreen in a car with the windows up in California all day though (that goes for any detector).

[jerry540i]

Ive only heard bad things about the V1.... How they were kinda like john kerry a couple years back... POP is unessessary, but now it is all of a sudden.... whats the point in having a huge rear antennae if it still gets worse rearward detection than both the rx65 and the x50? IMO you get a lot more for your money with a rx65 or a x50.... or an STi...

I just want to hear some feedback on the reliability issues from those 3... If i unplug it every time (which i don't want to have to do) it should last and work properly seemingly forever right???

Hey ooja3k.

POP detection is a gimmick, at best. There are very few pop guns in use, and no one (at least on this forum) can absolutely 100% swear to have encountered it in real use. That being said, all top end units do pretty well with 67ms pop, none can reliably detect 16ms pop.

Your reservations about the V1 sound like they come from a "competitor" (and I use the term very loosely) to this site. Apparently this well known "other guy" has a hate on for V1. Some would argue that he would stoop so low as to try and ruin detector tests being conducted by members of this forum.

Anyway, the V1 owns rearward detection. No other detector even comes close. The rearward antenna and the arrow pointing backwards cannot be duplicated by any other detector. Most real detector tests do not even include rear tests, because the V1 is in a class all on its own. Every other detector with only front-facing antennas rely on bounced radar signals (from a car, truck, highway sign, etc) to detect rear signals.

V1 also owns laser, although this again is a bit of a moot point. While some forum members have encountered laser scatter (myself included) usually if you get a laser warning and you're going too fast, you'll get a little slip of paper to help fund your local/state government.

As far as reliability goes, as with any product, its only those people who have had problems that usually voice their concerns. Every high end detector, whether it be a V1, x50, Sti, rx65, or even the top units from Whistler will have experience some percentage of their units with problems. I've owned a V1 for almost 10 years and have never had a problem. I've owned Bels in the past and have never had a problem. I had an escort "back in the day" and never had a problem.

There are diehard fans here of each of the top detectors. Bottom line is that they all have unique features, (spec display, arrows,) and its up to you to decide which one you like best. Bottom line is that they are all excellent units and can help you in real world situations.

J/