My Beltronics STi-R Plus Installation - Work in progress

[xjohnx]

I'm in the process of installing my STi-R plus and thought I'd post some photos as I work through the installation.

The main goal of this install is to be as stealth as possible (even if it means the sacrifice of some radar detection performance) as I'm in an area that isn't terribly friendly to radar detectors.

I decided that I didn't want the radar antenna to be visible at all. I removed the front bumper cover and was hoping to be able to install it next to the intake inlet, however after trying numerous different locations, there didn't seem to be a good spot that where the antenna would fit and be able to me secured. After eyeballing it for quite a while i decided to mount it behind the middle of lower grill lip. Mounting it behind the plastic facia does sacrifice laser detection, but that isn't a concern for me as I will be installing separate jammer heads in the future. Radar performance should not be noticeably impacted as long as it is not behind metal. I spoke with Bel/Escort for confirmation on this.





On the interior, I had radar-mirror.com install the STi-R's display behind my Homelink auto-dimming mirror. Completely invisible unless it's powered on. Here's a terrible shot of the display during the detector's startup sequence:



Tomorrow I plan on finishing up the wiring inside. This will include mounting the control unit, GPS antenna, speaker, and most importantly a kill switch. I found a cool touch sensitive toggle switch that looks just like a panel blank. I'll be using that as the kill switch. Trying to decide between installing it on the plastic panel by the drivers knees, or on the inside of the small cell phone pocket next to the start button. Currently leaning toward the latter.

Kill switch photo:


Video of the kill switch in action (in this video the youtuber is using it to control LED lights, but it will work just the same to kill power to the detector)

[civicdrivr]

In for updates. I have my AFR gauge and the V1 remote mount in the rear view mirror of my other car. Its cool, but for radar, I think Id rather have it mounted lower just so the person behind me can't see it.

That touch button looks cool as well. Is there a way to wire it so the LEDs on the button itself dont illuminate? Id put it in that little pocket you mentioned too.

Edit - Just noticed you got the mirror from Scott Wheeler too. He was great to work with. One thing I forgot to mention though thats pushing me even further from the integrated mirror is that you lose the auto dimming feature. In my other car it isnt a big deal, but Ive come to rely on it in this car.

[xjohnx]

Originally Posted by civicdrivr

In for updates. I have my AFR gauge and the V1 remote mount in the rear view mirror of my other car. Its cool, but for radar, I think Id rather have it mounted lower just so the person behind me can't see it.

Initially I was worried about that, but it really just looks like part of the compass from behind the car (if you can even see it with the adjustable brightness levels + window tint). Then again, it's a little easier to be discrete with the Escort since they don't have the big flashing arrows.

There is also a multicolored alert LED that i'll be mounting on the gauge hood or steering column.

That touch button looks cool as well. Is there a way to wire it so the LEDs on the button itself dont illuminate? Id put it in that little pocket you mentioned too.

I'm not sure, i was thinking that I would just cover the LED portions of the switch with electrical tape, since it will be out of sight anyway. If I get motivated enough I may pick up a second of these switches to see if it's possible to remove the front plastic panel without destroying the switch. If so, I'll do that and paint over the LED's with black fingernail polish.

[xjohnx]

got it all finished up yesterday. i'm waiting on a crimper and some rj22 ends from escort so i can trim down the miles of excess wire and finish mounting the box that everything plugs into.

ended up mounting the speaker in the glovebox:



and the control unit in the center console right above the cigarette lighter. the wire is not visible from any angle. sorry for the terrible iPhone pics. I can get some better ones later if anyone is interested.




I decided to hold off on wiring the kill switch until i get a warm weekend.

[Flat Black VW]

Looks good! If you want to save room in the glovebox I was easily able to fit my speaker under the dash. Also not sure how big your kill switch is but you may be able to fit it where the USB/Aux port currently is:


I added a black trim piece around it to fill in the gaps and put the USB aux in the glovebox where I have a dedicated ipod that never leaves the car.

I think I already showed you some of that in PM but wasn't sure what and figured others may find this thread and find it useful also.

Display looks awesome, Im trying to decide if I should get an auto dimming mirror and throw mine up there, Im also trying to find a Bel display to switch with my escort one so I can have red lights instead of blue. Blue lights in the rear view mirror tricks me into constantly thinking im being pulled over.

[xjohnx]

Originally Posted by Flat Black VW

Looks good! If you want to save room in the glovebox I was easily able to fit my speaker under the dash.

Nice! I might do that, it's a little quite in the glove box. Where did you end up mounting the unit that everything plugs into?

Also not sure how big your kill switch is but you may be able to fit it where the USB/Aux port currently is:

Actually it would probably fit perfectly in the spot you placed your kill switch, but i want it completely out of sight (just in case). I'm going with mounting it inside the cell phone pocket so it's out of sight and i just have to touch it to kill power.

Display looks awesome, Im trying to decide if I should get an auto dimming mirror and throw mine up there, Im also trying to find a Bel display to switch with my escort one so I can have red lights instead of blue. Blue lights in the rear view mirror tricks me into constantly thinking im being pulled over.

I'm pretty sure you can do it with non-autodimming mirrors as well. I got mine done by radar-mirror.com. They offer the option of choosing your display color when ordering, so that might be worth looking into.

[mobiusrain]

How's the performance with the receiver behind the bumper fascia? Are you still getting good range for radar detection? I'm not concerned about laser since it's pretty much game over if you're popped by laser.

[xjohnx]

Originally Posted by mobiusrain

How's the performance with the receiver behind the bumper fascia? Are you still getting good range for radar detection? I'm not concerned about laser since it's pretty much game over if you're popped by laser.

That was my exact reasoning as well. I've only had a couple encounters thus far, but in that small sample set i'm getting 3/4-1 mile warnings on Ka band. Way more than I'll ever need. I'd like to get a little more seat time with it before giving it my final seal of approval, but so far, so good.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Super clean. Will emulate if I decide to go through with getting the STI-R.

[xjohnx]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

Super clean. Will emulate if I decide to go through with getting the STI-R.

Thanks. I'm not too far away if you ever want to check it out.

[rhoyle]

Now that you've had this a while how do you feel about the location you mounted the controls? That's the last thing holding me back, I'm not sure where I want to put it...

I'd appreciate better pics of that area if you have them!

[xjohnx]

Originally Posted by rhoyle

Now that you've had this a while how do you feel about the location you mounted the controls? That's the last thing holding me back, I'm not sure where I want to put it...

I'd appreciate better pics of that area if you have them!

I'm okay with the location of the controls, but not in love with it. I put it there out of necessity to be stealth, it's not as easy to reach as I would like, but not a huge pain or anything. With the GPS the false alarms really are minimal, so having to touch the controls is a rarity. I'll get some more pics today.

[xjohnx]

As requested:

[xjohnx]

Here are some better shots of the display:

Startup:


When Running: