Beltronics STI Driver Radar Detector

First of all, let me state for the record that regardless of how my statements may appear, I really stick-by my final decision in purchasing this Bel STI unit. In fact, I rated it 5 stars. With everyone else gushing at other sites about how great the STI is, I never really saw a review try to pick it apart, no matter how small the detail or the minor annoyance. I wanted to find the things that I wished were different, or could have been done a little better, and express them here to possibly help someone else

Before I purchased the STI, I had other detectors, but my last unit was a Whistler. The Whistler originally had a reputation of being stealthy with the VG2 radar detector-detector (RDD), but I had seen where this wasn't rue anymore in regards to other RDD's, so I decided that I wanted something better at being hidden. I had already known about the reputation of Beltronics, and I had looked at Escort as well before I decided to purchase a new detector. Both were good at distances and such, but Escort had a GPS memory for eliminating false signals from such things as motion detectors, and the STI had the ability to remain stealthy to the VG2, VG4, Spectre II III IV IV+, and Stalcar RDD units. The Escort GPS feature was very tempting, but I went with the Bel STI because I felt that being stealthy was a more valuable feature to have over having the ability to map the locations of false radar signals.

After receiving and trying out the STI unit, I found a few things that I missed from my other detector or observed as something that I wished was different. At a very premium price of being over $450, the STI comes with a extremely fancy case, an external speaker, a coiled power cord, a direct connect power cord, and a windshield suction cup bracket. One item that I felt they could have thrown in was an extra bracket for the sun visor.

The power cord connector to the STI is a bit strange. I'm not use to seeing the power end that connects to the STI as a telephone cord connector. It seems like a weak choice, but I can understand that the phone end also supplies a data signal back from the STI unit to the 12 volt power plug to help flash an indicator light related to radar detection.

The quick release button that helps the unit release from the windshield bracket is located on the top directly where the unit connects to the bracket. I would chosen a side position like some Whistler units have.

The front indicator lights have a brightness control that allows only four choices, one of which is where the lights are off even though the unit is still working. The lowest setting is still too bright at night time, and I would have like to have seen several more reduced brightness levels, and I wouldn't have mind seeing the option of the lights staying on until a radar signal is seen. For trying to be stealthy for the owner, Beltronics hasn't devoted as much attention to hiding the front panel display from other drivers except for when the driver needs the info. Of course, someone could argue the data power cord could be a nod in this direction towards informing the driver when the main unit's display is turned off.

The protective carrying case is nice, but I would have rather they have provided a cheaper case and have spent the money on more features or functions.
Again, there are a few minor annoyances and a few additional changes that I like to have seen done, I would still strongly recommend purchasing the Bel STI for picking up radar at a greater distance and for being stealthy from the current list of RDDs.