• Best Radar Laser Detector Review

Editor’s Note: This product has been removed from our side-by-side comparison because it has been discontinued. You can still read our original review below, but Top Ten Reviews is no longer updating this product’s information.

My STi Driver's build code is 4507, and is Rev. As of the time I bought it the 33.8 bug fix was applied, but I had to send it in for the ramp-up fix. I would imagine all current models would have both. Before the ramp-up fix, there were two audible alert levels: slow, and just somewhat faster. Only shipped the detector alone to ohio. Got an email stating that the detector has been received. Got an email stating that the detector has been sent back to me and i have been charged 99.95 received detector 2 days ago in a small box that comes with the black case soft shell. Here's a picture of what i got. Name and serial number has been. So I just purchased an STi Driver on eBay. It should be in the mail tomorrow, and I can't wait to play with it. It's my first radar detector, and I may be driving in a state where radar detectors aren't allowed. I ordered a visor clip as well from eBay as I think this is the most stealthy way to install it. Any suggestions?

Few radar detectors can match the simple but effective design of the Beltronics STi Magnum. The dual-antenna design provides one of the longest ranges available, and the three sensitivity settings are good at making sure you know when a traffic cop is near. And it doesn't require hours of reading a manual or extensive training to use. The interface has few buttons, and the display is as simple as it gets. Its reputation as one of the best radar detectors is well deserved, though its lack of built-in GPS keeps it out the top tier of our lineup. It's an excellent entry-level radar detector.

We looked at thousands of user reviews and consulted with expert radar detector users to determine the general detection performance of this unit. The Beltronics STi Magnum received a B. It's an older radar detector relative to the market, and this means it's on lean side of features, such as Bluetooth and a built-in GPS unit. That said, it is compatible with Escort Live, but you have to purchase the SmartPlug separately.

The Beltronics STi Magnum has three sensitivity settings: Highway, Auto and Auto No X. The Highway setting is the most sensitive because of its sensitive dual-antenna design and lack of any filters, so it'll pick up all radar. The Auto setting is the one you'll use the most. This setting turns on an internal filter that uses digital signal processing to block out radar that isn't from a radar gun. The Auto No X setting tightens the sensitivity further by removing the X-band from detection, because most false alerts are within the X-band range. The more densely populated an area, the more false alerts happen.

When it first hit the market, the Beltronics STi Magnum was the first radar detector to have stealth technology that made it completely undetectable to radar-detector detectors (RDDs). This is still the main feature marketed by Beltronics, and it is effective against all types of RDDs. However, since radar detectors are only illegal if you're a commercial driver or driving through Virginia, the District of Columbia or any U.S. military base, the stealth feature doesn't carry much value unless you're paranoid about overzealous cops out to target people legally using radar detectors.

Since it doesn't have a built-in GPS, the STi Magnum doesn't come with preloaded locations to alert you of red-light cameras, speed cameras and speed traps. You also can't mark potential threats, block out false alerts, or share and receive locations with other users directly. However, you can use the Beltronics SmartPlug to connect to your smartphone through Bluetooth. This allows the STi Magnum to communicate with the Escort Live mobile app, a community-sharing app that alerts you to threats shared by other drivers near you, so long as they're also using the app.

Best Radar Laser Detector Review

The Beltronics STi Magnum is an excellent entry-level radar detector that offers excellent range and good accuracy. It boasts stealth technology that makes it invisible to RDDs. It lacks a built-in GPS, but the SmartPlug has Bluetooth that allows you to connect to the Escort Live app, which uses your phone's GPS to alert you to threats that radar detectors can't find alone.

BELTRONICS, maker of the world's best performing radar and laser detectors, will feature its newest award winning Professional Series STi Magnum™ radar detector at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky March 23–25.

West Chester, OH (PRWEB)March 20, 2012

BELTRONICS, maker of the world's best performing radar and laser detectors, is returning to the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, March 23–25, with its newest ‘completely invisible’ radar and laser detector, the BELTRONICS Professional Series STi Magnum™. The industry’s top-rated stealth detector is the professional driver’s first choice in radar and laser protection. BELTRONICS is also featuring the STi Magnum™’s compatibility with ESCORT Live™, the ultimate real-time ticket protection network. ESCORT Live™ delivers revolutionary radar and laser ticket protection by using real-time, cloud-based threat and information sharing among drivers throughout North America.

Both products will be featured in the BELTRONICS exhibit (Booth 40652, North Wing Lobby). “For over six years uninterrupted, the STi series stealth radar detectors have been rated as the proven best performing solution for professional drivers,” said Don Rich, BELTRONICS Vice-President of Sales. “Again, as in years past, at this week’s MATS show at the Kentucky Expo Center, we will be demonstrating the legendary, state-of-the-art performance of the STi Magnum™ and the GX65 radar detectors,” said Rich. “The STi Magnum™ radar detector is still the world’s best windshield mount detector with test winning long range performance and completely undetectable performance exclusively designed for professional drivers,” he added.

ESCORT Live™, now available directly from BELTRONICS, uses Bluetooth technology embedded in SmartCord Live™ cords and a unique app for the driver’s smartphone. When alerts are detected, they are transmitted to the Live™ “cloud” and then broadcast across the Live™ network, notifying drivers of potential ticket threats. In addition to these live alerts, the app includes the industry leading Defender® database of fixed position cameras and speed traps.

“BELTRONICS can provide the most advanced radar and laser defense on the market by utilizing the power of real-time, cloud-based sharing among drivers,” ESCORT President and CEO John Larson says. “Professional drivers using the STi Magnum™ connected to the ESCORT Live™ social will know about all threats sooner, be able to prepare for what’s ahead long before they are in range, and overall, drive safer and Drive Smarter.”

When it comes to radar and laser protection, BELTRONICS radar detectors stand alone, with innovation and technological improvements spanning multiple decades.

Six years ago, BELTRONICS underscored its leadership position in radar detection technology with the introduction of the revolutionary STi DRIVER™ radar and laser detector. At that time, all radar detectors were susceptible to being discovered by radar detector detectors. The original STi DRIVER™, along with the sister brand ESCORT REDLINE, are the only radar detector technologies that can’t be picked up by radar detector detectors used by law enforcement.

“The STi Driver is the only detector completely invisible to all radar detector detectors, while maintaining blistering sensitivity to all radar bands.” – Speed Measurement Labs

Driving commercial rigs requires professional tools and the STi Magnum™ is the industry’s most advanced radar detection technology tool designed exclusively for professional drivers. Now a part of BELTRONICS Pro Series, STi Magnum™’s dual antenna design with 60% improved performance, assures processing of X band signals separate from the critical K and Ka bands for superior range. By separating, and then specializing each band, the STi Magnum™’s unique dual low noise amplifier, twin antenna, provides category leading X-band range and, superior world-class sensitivity on the difficult higher-frequency K and Ka- radar bands. The STi Magnum™ includes BELTRONICS patented TotalShield™ Technology which simply eliminates all radio frequency emissions which make the STi Magnum™ completely undetectable to any radar detector detector – especially all VG2 and Spectre series law enforcement receivers.

And now the new STi Magnum™ improves both the stealth capability of the original and boasts 60% performance improvement in range – the STi Magnum™ has the best range available for professional drivers in a completely invisible performance package. Add the STi’s connectivity to the ESCORT Live™ network and you have the world’s most complete driver ticket protection package available anywhere.

Visit BELTRONICS at the MATS Show, North Wing Lobby, Booth 40652

BELTRONICS is both familiar with and a friend of the professional trucker. The company has a long-standing sponsorship and presence with WLW radio giant America’s Truckin Network show host Steve Sommers and will be working the MATS show directly with America’s Truckin Network. Steve is the weeknight host for the nationally syndicated radio broadcast and can be heard across the entire United States. Beginning at midnight (ET) and running through the peak heavy truck driving early morning hours, the show is very popular with the professional over-the-road driver.

BELTRONICS is inviting MATS show attendees to visit the BELTRONICS booth and learn all about the STi Magnum™ and MATS Show Specials featuring special packages and free gifts. Truck drivers will also have the opportunity to meet with Steve Sommers along with the experts from BELTRONICS.

Both the BELTRONICS STi Magnum™ radar detector and ESCORT Live™, the ultimate real-time ticket protection network, can be seen at the MATS show (Booth 40652, North Wing Lobby) and can be viewed at BELTRONICS.com or, order direct from BELTRONICS by calling 1.866.468.0322.

About BELTRONICS and ESCORT Inc.
BELTRONICS Inc. is a major brand under the ESCORT name, the leading manufacturer of high-performance automotive accessories including the world’s best performing radar and laser detectors, SmartMirror with built-in GPS navigation, Entourage Personal GPs Security Trackers and Guardian Alert Reverse Obstacle Detection Systems. BELTRONICS manufactures products under the STi Magnum™, BELTRONICS and Vector brands. The company is headquartered in West Chester, Ohio with its principal manufacturing facility located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

Editorial Contact:
Ron Gividen
513.870.8500
press@beltronics.com
513.870.8500

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