My Beltronics STi-R Plus Installation - Work in progress

[MrTranxD]

Wow that is a really clean setup. Will look into doing it this way if i ever do get a radar detector. Thanks!

[J-Money]

Money isint a issue to me. What is the best Mirror Radar Detector with the farthest output? I like the one you got but is there one with stronger capabilites or is this the one>

[xjohnx]

Originally Posted by J-Money

Money isint a issue to me. What is the best Mirror Radar Detector with the farthest output? I like the one you got but is there one with stronger capabilites or is this the one>

Basically when it comes to remote detectors like that, it comes down to the Beltronics STi-R Plus or the Escort 9500Ci. They're almost exactly the same detectors (they both use the same M3 model antenna), however the STi-R Plus allows Ka band segmentation which results in slightly better performance. The 9500Ci comes with ZR4 laser jammer heads, but they don't perform nearly as well as Laser Interceptors. The general consensus is that the STi-R Plus and then adding on Laser Interceptors for laser jamming is the best bet.

You can't go wrong with either of those two though.

Here's a review of the STi-R Plus: http://veilguy.blogspot.com/2011/03/...for-those.html

[Acree]

Excellent job.

-Acree

[jonnyozero3]

@xjohnx - how is the performance of the setup with the unit behind the fascia? Are you still pleased now that it's been awhile?

[xjohnx]

Originally Posted by jonnyozero3

@xjohnx - how is the performance of the setup with the unit behind the fascia? Are you still pleased now that it's been awhile?

Definitely pleased with it. I think the next time i have the front fascia off i may move it so it's peaking out of the lowermost grill slot with a direct line of site to compare performance, just out of curiosity.

[takethecake]

You inspired me to do the same install. I'm a little new to this kind of stuff, and was wondering, where did you mount your GPS antennae and main control unit? It seems the best place would be under the dash near the windshield, but I haven't been able to figure out exactly how to get under there. Pulling out the radio isn't too bad though, so if I can access a good spot by doing that maybe that's my solution?

I've been scouring google for "dash removal" tutorials, but I can't seem to find anything other than removing the instrument cluster or radio. The service manual isn't a ton of help either for a newbie like me :/


Everything else I think I'm gonna emulate almost exactly like you did! Just got power connected to everything to test the components, and I'm installing 2
LI jammers in the front as well. Let me know if anyone wants pics.

And btw, I'm also in the DMV area...definitely not the most radar detector friendly... haha

[xjohnx]

Originally Posted by takethecake

You inspired me to do the same install. I'm a little new to this kind of stuff, and was wondering, where did you mount your GPS antennae and main control unit? It seems the best place would be under the dash near the windshield, but I haven't been able to figure out exactly how to get under there. Pulling out the radio isn't too bad though, so if I can access a good spot by doing that maybe that's my solution?

I've been scouring google for "dash removal" tutorials, but I can't seem to find anything other than removing the instrument cluster or radio. The service manual isn't a ton of help either for a newbie like me :/


Everything else I think I'm gonna emulate almost exactly like you did! Just got power connected to everything to test the components, and I'm installing 2
LI jammers in the front as well. Let me know if anyone wants pics.

And btw, I'm also in the DMV area...definitely not the most radar detector friendly... haha

I mounted the GPS antenna on top of the dash with a piece of double sided tape, next to the passenger side dash speaker grill. The wire is routed from the glove box, up through the removable side panel and around to the dash, if that makes sense.

The control unit is in the glove box at the moment, haven't permanently mounted it yet, but will likely mount it somewhere in that general area permanently.

[takethecake]

Okay cool, I gotcha. So after taking off the trim panels on the passenger side and center, and removing the radio, I saw a spot kind of on top of the glove compartment that looked pretty nice for mounting the control unit - at least for now. I also put both speakers under the driver side dash, just mounted on top of this flat plastic piece with double-sided tape, facing away from the driver.

I've got a bunch of cables going from under the driver's side dash behind the radio to that compartment above the glove box - so far it's good, but I think I'm gonna have to run more wires back there, and it might get a little tight...

Next step is to put my control piece in the center console and somehow route that past the shifter and up behind the radio...no idea how I'm gonna do that haha; and then I still have to mount all the sensors, which will require taking off the bumper... big day ahead of me today...

[xjohnx]

Originally Posted by takethecake

Okay cool, I gotcha. So after taking off the trim panels on the passenger side and center, and removing the radio, I saw a spot kind of on top of the glove compartment that looked pretty nice for mounting the control unit - at least for now. I also put both speakers under the driver side dash, just mounted on top of this flat plastic piece with double-sided tape, facing away from the driver.

I've got a bunch of cables going from under the driver's side dash behind the radio to that compartment above the glove box - so far it's good, but I think I'm gonna have to run more wires back there, and it might get a little tight...

Next step is to put my control piece in the center console and somehow route that past the shifter and up behind the radio...no idea how I'm gonna do that haha; and then I still have to mount all the sensors, which will require taking off the bumper... big day ahead of me today...

If you haven't taken the front bumper skin off yet, don't! I found an easier away to mount the sensor behind there that won't risk your bumper lining up right once you're done. I wish I had known about this before I installed mine.

Follow this front lip spoiler install guide to remove the trays from underneath:

http://koruworks.com/blog/project-br...r-install-diy/

[takethecake]

Oh man that's awesome thanks; I didn't get to the bumper today! Do you think I'll have enough access to install the LI jammer heads tho?

As a warning to anyone else undertaking this, I wasted 3 hours today running around trying to find RJ22 jacks and a crimper (eventually found the jacks at an Ace Hardware and the crimper at a home depot), and those [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Dash-Removal-Plastic-Yellow/dp/B0057DHMFG/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top"]plastic auto detail[/ame] tools. I should have planned ahead and just ordered everything online; some of those specific car/electronics parts are tough to find locally.

[xjohnx]

Originally Posted by takethecake

Oh man that's awesome thanks; I didn't get to the bumper today! Do you think I'll have enough access to install the LI jammer heads tho?

As a warning to anyone else undertaking this, I wasted 3 hours today running around trying to find RJ22 jacks and a crimper (eventually found the jacks at an Ace Hardware and the crimper at a home depot), and those plastic auto detail tools. I should have planned ahead and just ordered everything online; some of those specific car/electronics parts are tough to find locally.

Yep, you should have plenty of room to get the jammers mounted as well from accessing below.

Escort sells a "Cool Trick Install Kit" for $29 that includes crimpers, RJ22 jacks, etc. The description says RJ11 but they definitely include the correct jacks with the kit.

https://www.escortradar.com/store/co...stall-kit.html

[shiro]

I will have to upload a form on the install I did for the Escort 9500ci. It's pretty tight and works great.

[takethecake]

Originally Posted by xjohnx

Escort sells a "Cool Trick Install Kit" for $29 that includes crimpers, RJ22 jacks, etc. The description says RJ11 but they definitely include the correct jacks with the kit.

Man I gotta start running things by you ahead of time haha. It's been so outrageously hot I've been reluctant to finish my install, but I think I'm gonna give this a go today...