Beltronics STiR Plus Review
“My top pick for both the professional driver and road warriors as the top remote radar detection system ever made – January 2015”
Are you considering purchasing a remote mounted radar detector for your car or truck?
If so I feel that the Beltronics STIr Plus is your best choice and here is why.
The Beltronics STiR Plus in built on Escort’s M3 antenna design used in the more expensive 9500ci, which places it in the 4-Star radar detector category as it has eight times the capture distance of a police K and Ka radar gun.
And along with your STiR Plus being stealth to the eye, it is also stealth to all radar detector detectors, including the Spectre radar detector detector.
The STiR Plus is also a GPS enabled radar detector, which will warn you in advance of any approaching fixed photo radar or red light cameras and will automatically filter out known false alert locations based upon the exact location and frequency of the alert.
Another feature you have with the STiR Plus is that you can segment out portions of the Ka band that are not used by police, enabling your detector to scan more efficiently and increase the range by as much as 15%.
Now here is what I feel is the best reason you should consider the STiR as your remote mounted detector of choice.
It does not come with the Escort Laser ShifterPro as the 9500ci does.
This allows you to select a better laser jamming system for your vehicle such as the AntiLaser Priority, which is able to jam all known police lidar guns.
61 Responses to “Beltronics STiR Plus Review”
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No, I can’t hook it up to my computer to update it. And for me it is a problem. From their site:
(Operating on Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 only.)
If it is “Windows Only”, you should disclose that.
“Web Ready” would mean all I need is internet access. I need more than that – I need a WINDOWS computer.
I agree with your thoughts but I also have a Mac and run VMware and have no problems
Same questions about this as the 9500ci relative to mounting on a motorcyle.
Does it allow for a HARD flasher to mount in the helmet?
Which components are water proof and which are not?
Would the size requirements normally prevent mounting on a sport bike?
Thanks for your help!
No, will not interface with HARD and only the antenna is water proof
$1,200 affordable? And not including professional installation? Wow.
@Jim Well how about more affordable then the 9500ci
what about the instant on radars and what is you pic for a jamber to go with the detector
In our free ebook on radar detectors we go into great detail about Instant on and the jammers we recommend
Which radar detectors work the best for lidar radar.
For laser/lidar you need a jammer, not a detector. Check out the LI and the Blinder under the laser jammer section
thanks for all the great info…but I’m confused on a couple things. The info mentions about commercial trucks and the jammers being illegal. Are they only illegal on commercial trucks, or all motor vehicles? And if radar jammers are illegal, but laser jammers aren’t, then why would cops use laser then?
Finally, what the heck do you do if you do get pulled over and there’s a mounted contraption on the dash that can’t quickly be removed? I suppose you are S.O.L……..
Thanks again for all the info!!!
Radar detectors and laser jammers are illegal in all commercial vehicles weighing over 24,000 pounds.
As far as a “mounted contraption” on the dash, that is the beauty of the STiR plus. You can conceal the control head so it is not on the dash.
What is better out of the Bel STi R Plus and the Escort Redline?
@ Jeffery Willis the STi R Plus however you have to install it
Hi there. Is this system adequate for the European police frequencies? If not is it possible to change anything to turn it useful for our roads?
Thanks
I have a ultra classic HD 2008. what is the the best set up for this motorcycle ?
@Jim Brookshaw Can you wait till Spring?
The reason I ask is that there will be a new HARD system coming out that would interface with the Escort products
You mentioned in here that any laser jammer will work. Does that mean if I buy this and LI, will I be able to hook the LI to the STi main switchboard thing? That would be ideal because I don’t want to have the STi motherboard and the LI switchboard right next to each other, it feels like a waste of space.
No, they would not interface with each other, they would be stand alone units
I guess this wont knock out your budget if your part of the 1%! CHEESE AND RICE!
I have the Bell STI, if I hook it up to my computer will it update it to the STI r characteristics, I’ve had my unit approximately 3 yrs
@ bubby61 Yes, if you subscribe to Escort’s radar tools. More info on their site, here is a link http://www.escortlivesema.com
I guess you could say I am like the kid that is not really bad, I just have bad habits and problem by the weight of my lead foot. I have been driving for 50 years and never got a ticket not saying I did deserve any, just was lucky enough to not get any until about 2 months ago. I got it for 9 miles over in a business area on a major hwy. Took the class to get my points removes. But I never want to get another one. Now I know, I will continue to exceed the speed limits but I don’t want anymore tickets. I drive a regular car. I do all types of driving, short trips and long range HWY driving. I want to be able to detect evertyhing but I did not want to have to have a professional to install it. I would like to keep it under $500. What do you recommend? Or am I asking for to much or to little $$. My husband said to just go down an get a RS type of detector/jammer but I am not comfortable with an off the shelf (one size fits all) equipment. Please advise.
@ linda Glad you’re doing your research, most folks just buy and radar detector based on price and then wonder why it gives out all these false alerts and then doesn’t have the performance you would need when a real cop clocks you. Radio Shack does sell detectors but not the high end ones from Escort. I would assume that you do most of your driving in town and that false alerts would be a concern. With that in mind I would recommend the 9500ix: http://www.radardetector.org/reviews/escort-9500ix-radar-detector-review/ Let me know if you have any other questions
this 9500ix looks like it is an older model. I got hit with a laser pro device in my little town. We do not at this time have any photo opps in the area. I am a Realtor and yes I spend alot of time on the small town streets but I also Have to go on many HWY and interstates to do my business. I cover a 4 county range. Now with more information on my driving habits do you still recommend the 9500ix.
@ linda If the police are using laser in your community you may want to consider getting a laser jammer, not a radar detector. If your radar detector does detect laser it is too late, you have been shot and got. Here are the laser jammers I recommend:
http://www.radardetector.org/detector_category/laser-jammer/
If you are on a tighter budget, the Passport 8500 X50 is $300 and offers excellent range but less false filtering. I personally know someone who has a white one (the one on the site has a black one that offers 40% more range) and it works very well with minimal false alerts, although they still appear. I have found Roy’s Guide to be very helpful for making an informed decision. After I read it, I bought a Whistler for $50 (I’m on a budget) and it outperforms my friends cobra in both range and false filtering, yet they paid twice as much as me.
Roy, is there a big difference in performance if the unit is installed in the grill vs somewhere else on your vehicle ? I like the concept of the stealth installation, but I’ve read in several places that some are installing the unit in other places for better reception such as higher on the vehicle which obviously isn’t very stealthy.
Ken, great question. There will be a SMALL increase in performance, chances are you would never notice it
However, if you have a Semi, and the roof is 10 feet off the ground, now that would be noticeable
I like the better performance of the STIr over the redline but I am concerned about muddy slush/ice build up in the grill area during winter driving. A lot of my driving is in winter highway conditions. With the dash mount, my wipers keep the sight lines clean. Obviously slush/ice could impair laser detection. How about radar?
Thanks for the great information you are providing .
Hi Nick, good question. Yes the ice/slush will impair laser but not the radar performance of the detector
will this bel alert laser from above in an airpatrol?
They don’t use laser or radar from aircraft, they time you using their eyes and a stop watch
Andrew, you would need a device such as this to alert to the presence of aircraft in conjunction of the white VASCAR lines on the shoulders or across highways.
http://www.zaon.aero/content/view/2/41/
if money wasnt a consideration would you go with this or the escort?
I would go with the Bel STiR over the Escort
I’ve had mine installed for nearly 2 weeks now, it’s truly an amazing unit. Had some sick off axis 35.5 alerts the other day. I live in an area where all 3 bands are utilized but I get a pretty fair amount of 35.5, very pleased!
Hi, I purchased the STiR Plus, where is the ideal place to install the sensing unit on the 2002 corolla? do you have any installation tutorial on the website?
Ideal place behind the front grill with the front laser lens visible to the front
So in other words the Bel STi r Plus is the same as the Escort 9500ci except that the Escort includes the Laser deflectors am I missing something here?
I don’t care much about price only quality. Which one is better and has more options disregarding price; The Escort 9500ci or Bel STi r Plus?
Does the Bel STi r Plus have better detection range than the Escort?
Does it have more updates?
What exactly makes the Bel STi r Plus better than Escort 9500ci Radar Detector?
Thanks for the review hope to hear your advice on this matter.
Yes, they are the same detector
Drive safe
Never Mind I read extra articles on the subject I am definitely going to buy this STiR Plus and the Laser Interceptor QUAD
I won’t need the GPS and the Laser dectector ( its not used in Portugal) Do you think the Bel RX45 is comparable to the STi r plus in RD? Would you also endorse it? The mainreason is that I don’t need the these extra features and I’m on a tight budget.
The STi does not have GPS and No, these detectors are not even close in performance and the RX45 is not stealth
If I buy the Beltronics STi-R Plus Radar Detector, do I still need a laser jammer?
Thanks
Yes, the Bel STiR Plus is a radar detector only, would recommend the Blinder: http://www.radardetector.org/reviews/blinder-hp-905-compact-laser-jammer-review/
Hey roy,
I just got the new LI G8.9 triple head. was wondering if you had a weekend free to run them against some lidar guns. Like I did with the old zr3. let me know thanks
Send me an email and we can compare schedules
Was considering buying the Escort 9500ci (as my installer is pushing it) but I thought about combining the STiR with a non HP Quad LI. Roy do you think a) this is a better combo than the ZR4’s that come with the 9500ci and b) do you think the non HP Quads will be enough?
Thx!
The ZR4’s suck! Go with the STi and the Blinder HP905, that is what I would recommend
Thanks. My installer really pushes that 9500ci since he is an Escort dealer but I had a feeling about the ZR4’s so I’m glad I checked here first. I had my heart set on the STiR with the Quad Laser Interceptors but since the installer only stocks the Blinder HP905 Quads, I may go with those like you said. Only thing that seems to be mentioned in the forums is that the LI are updated more frequently than Blinder and the LI doesn’t give off any jam codes (not sure if Blinders give a jam code or not).
Thanks again.
All jammers will give out a code and the Blinder is also updated on a regular basis
So no GPS?
That would be a killer for me.
Huh? The STiR Plus has GPS. Its sensitivity is as good if not better than the 9500ci from what I hear. Also allows you to turn on/off ten KA segments which can’t be done on the 9500ci.
I went with Roy’s suggestion and ordered this plus the Blinder HP905 Quad shifters. I liked the idea of the 9500ci since it was an all in one package but the ZR4’s aren’t so great. The only thing about this setup that maybe confusing is both speakers from the Bel and the Blinders reporting at the same time when detecting laser but I’m sure I’ll get used to it.
Hi Roy I just had the Bel STiR plus Blinders installed and they work great. On the Bel website it says it’s compatible with Escort Live but I’m having trouble registering using my detectors serial#. Do you know for sure that it works with the Bel? Is there any other hardware that I need?
Thanks for all of your help!
EscortLive works with most of their products but I don’t think it works with the STiR yet
It does according to a rep at Bel. I just asked them. However, I previewed this product at CES and was not too impressed with it. It’s like using Trapster with a very small user base. The idea is great but not enough people out there to make it worthwhile IMO.
Roy – Thanks again for the suggestion. I too went with the STiR Plus and Blinders HP-905 (as noted in the thread above). So far it’s really nice. I haven’t yet tried to download either of the software for updates but will do so in a few weeks. So far the DB in the Bel seems to be pretty accurate with the RLC’s in my area!
Thanks again!
Has anyone experimented with the police data .csv file? The headings recorded over the past two months go from 0-179. Is this correct? Shouldn’t it be 0-359? There are GPS coords that indicate that I’m driving south even though it was north. Not sure if anybody has had a chance to look at this or not but doesn’t seem right.
Looking at this radar detector for my BMW 335i convertible. I don’t have a great place to mount the gps sensor. I have plastic front fenders and was wondering about mounting it under one of them. Any thoughts if this May or may not work?
Roy, I am pairing the STiR + with the AL Priority Multipurpose system. Am I correct in thst they are stand alone units and do not connect to each other in any way? Also, if you were to get Blockers for the Bel STiR+ would it enhanse the protection of the combined units, detract from it, or just be wasted $$? Thanks
If you get this module: https://www.radarbusters.com/AL-Priority-Radar-GPS-Module-p/alp-gpsmodule.htm
along with the GPS antenna: https://www.radarbusters.com/AL-Priority-GPS-Antenna-p/alp-antenna.htm
You can integrate into one unit. However personally I would prefer two separate units, that way Bel isn’t going to bitch about some warranty issue by interfacing their equipment with something it wasn’t designed to interface with.