V1 users who tried the STi?

[Virion]

I've been a V1 user since 2002. I absolutely love my V1. I live in VA and since it's been confirmed that the Spetre IV is up and running here I decided to bite the bullet and purchase the STi. I became very excited when purchasing this new toy. I'm starting to feel buyers remorse. The volume level even at it's highest setting still isn't loud enough when the windows are down and listening to the radio at a medium level. I have to run the detector completely dark at night to avoid being seen by the LEO's. While the detector is as high as possible and the display is set to it's lowest level of brightness, it's still extremely noticeable from outside. I am also extremely concerned because this detector is extremely quiet in comparison. I know it's because it's off axis detection isn't as good as the V1's. I never noticed how good the V1's mount is. I can mount my V1 so high that it's not visible even from directly behind the vehicle. The STi sits just a tad low. You can't tell it's a detector, but it could draw some unwanted attention. I'm starting to find myself disappointed with this detector.

For those V1 owners who tried the STi, what are your thoughts and experiences with this detector?

[brick]

I haven't tried the STI (though I am curious since I drive through VA on occasion) but I do have a couple of suggestions. First, I could have sworn the STI came with an add-on speaker that you can mount anywhere. That ought to solve your volume problem immediately, no? And on dark mode, my opinion (for whatever it's worth) is that audio alerts are all you need as long as it produces distinct tones and a consistent ramp-up. The V1 is the obvious exception because of the directional capability. But I used a Bel 975R for years and relied 100% on the audio. The display was always tucked into the ash tray to keep it hidden, which also made it useless to me as the driver. No problem, though! The chirping cricket sound meant Ka, slow down NOW. The ear-piercing scream (laser) meant pull over and take your ticket. (Never had to, fortunately.) The ramp-up was smooth enough that I even got very good at figuring out whether the LEO was ahead of me or creeping up from behind. That takes some experience but I'm sure you can get there if you want to. I know, we're spoiled by arrows. In an ideal world we could have a completely stealthed-out V1.

How is the sensitivity? That's the most important thing in my mind. If the dog can hunt then you just need to learn to understand its language. In Spectre territory I would probably put in the effort to get by until Valentine has a solution of their own.

[Virion]

Well, I did a no no during testing. I ran both together. The V1 owns on K band. The STi dominated the 35.5 Ka I came across. I did multiple passes, but again I ran both detectors together. Yes, the external speaker should work great and solve my biggest peave. The STi's ramp up is absolutely horrible. It appears to only have 2 speeds, fast and faster. V1's ramp ups are the best. The STi's band specific sounds are not as distinct as the V1's, but I'm sure I will get used to them and if the external speaker is loud and clear enough, it'll announce the band anyway. It's a shame that Bel doesn't use Escorts band specific sounds. After hearing a coworkers X50 I have to give it to Escort, they have the best and most distinct sounds.

[NikkaLB23]

I've never tried an STi and I don't think I'm gonna unless I really need to. I live in VA and I drive around with my V1 mounted high and have had not one problem; sometimes I even have cops directly behind me, to the side of me, directly in front of me, and even when there's intersections controlled by cops I will be directed by the cop and be about 5 feet away from the officer(s) and not even think about pulling my V1 down. Maybe I'm a little too confident.

[bart99gt]

I've never tried an STi and I don't think I'm gonna unless I really need to. I live in VA and I drive around with my V1 mounted high and have had not one problem; sometimes I even have cops directly behind me, to the side of me, directly in front of me, and even when there's intersections controlled by cops I will be directed by the cop and be about 5 feet away from the officer(s) and not even think about pulling my V1 down. Maybe I'm a little too confident.

Virginia has Spectre IV now, which WILL pick up a V1. They won't be in every patrol car on the road, but you'll be taking an awfully expensive chance in the upcoming months.

Mike V! Its time for a stealth V1!

[Virion]

I've never tried an STi and I don't think I'm gonna unless I really need to. I live in VA and I drive around with my V1 mounted high and have had not one problem; sometimes I even have cops directly behind me, to the side of me, directly in front of me, and even when there's intersections controlled by cops I will be directed by the cop and be about 5 feet away from the officer(s) and not even think about pulling my V1 down. Maybe I'm a little too confident.

I have been doing it for the last 5 years. I've even been pulled over for of all things an expired inspection sticker and the Va State Trooper looked in my car and still didn't notice the V1. I'm not worried about it's stealth by human eye, I'm worried about the Spectre IV. I haven't seen any so far, but with VA trying to make money to pay for roads I suspect they will invest heavily in Spectre's. It's hard to imagine them being able to catch anyone in the NOVA area as the traffic is just too heavy to narrow the detector down, but who knows. Maybe I'm worried for nothing. I won't be traveling to our beach house again until next spring so maybe I should just wait until then.

[ELVATO]

Doesn't the STI have two options for dark mode: one where the letter because really dim, and another one where the whole screen is blacked out? Or is that only on the X50?

[danny_isr]

i dont know where do you live and if it's legal there on not.
here in CO i care less that people can see it from outside including LEO's .
i been many times in a stop light with a LEO beside me. and i'm sure they saw it. or when it's on my bike..... it's not illegal

[Nighthawk243]

When it comes to excess brightness, you can use niteshades (The same thing people use to tint tail lights.

[Virion]

One thing is for sure, Laser works. I was worried about it since testing showed it as mediocre. I got hit 2 times this morning. Man is it jarring when your detector goes off. The Bell was less jarring than the V1.