Escort 8500ci/9500ci or Beltronics STiR on a new Model S?

[tornado]

Hi there,

I'm selling my 2013 Model S (131,000 miles on it!) with the old nosecone that so helpfully housed my 8500ci these past 4 years, and getting a new Model S.

Short question - I'm not sure where to put the 8500ci's radar/laser receiver with the new Model S lacking the nosecone!

Has ANYONE here mounted an 8500ci or 9500ci or Beltronics STiR on a newer fascia Model S (Or Model X For that matter)? If so where did you put the receiver?

Thanks!

Joe

 

[SailorDave]

I am also interested to know as my Model S arrives next week and I have a STI-R waiting to be installed. I have not found any videos on how to get into the front of the car since the redesign. Any experience would be appreciated,

Thanks
Dave

 

[tornado]

Well I have the car, and I have the 8500ci in hand. I asked at the Tesla service center - they didn't have a lot of suggestions other than going into the bumper where the air grille is (below the old nose cone area). Not sure what screws I should use for that section but I do think that could work. I'll report back when I've done more legwork on this...

 

[byt]

I'll be following the tread as well, considering a K40 system like I had in my P85

 

[SailorDave]

I put mine in the bumper but used Lori of double sided 3m mounding tape. Seems to be working well so far.

 

[BestRadar]

Beltronics Sti-R Plus is discontinued, K40 does not perform well. If you want laser and radar protection get an AL Priority System with the Net Radar add on package. We will be building a demo ALP/Net Radar Model S in a few weeks. Just picked up the Model S on 12/28.

 

[tornado]

Going to try the 3M molding tap that SailorDave recommended. Don't feel great about putting holes into the front of my car but I've read good things about the 3M tape. Will report back.

 

[HankLloydRight]

Beltronics Sti-R Plus is discontinued,

The Escort 9500ci which is essentially identical to the Sti-R Plus, is still available.

 

[whitex]

If you take the frunk tub out you should be able to get to the old "under the nosecone" area from there. That said, unless you are certain STiR is what you need, I'd consider other options as mentioned by another poster. Personally, I installed a Stinger VIP system with both front and back antennas and it's performed very well for me. Laser install is a bit more tricky with Stinger as it's more sensitive to placement and alignment (took me 3 tries to get it right), plus it's harder to test, but when installed properly it does a good job and it's a lot more stealthy (exposed heads are much smaller). Stinger also comes with a screen so you don't have to use your phone for visual alerts.

 

[Trunk Gap]

Beltronics Sti-R Plus is discontinued, K40 does not perform well. If you want laser and radar protection get an AL Priority System with the Net Radar add on package. We will be building a demo ALP/Net Radar Model S in a few weeks. Just picked up the Model S on 12/28.

Looking fwd to this!

 

[whitex]

Beltronics Sti-R Plus is discontinued, K40 does not perform well. If you want laser and radar protection get an AL Priority System with the Net Radar add on package. We will be building a demo ALP/Net Radar Model S in a few weeks. Just picked up the Model S on 12/28.

Who is "we" ? Is it a group of RD enthusiasts? Are you planning to publish pictures, review, test results? It would be nice to know how ALP looks and performs on a Model S.

 

[HankLloydRight]

comes with a screen so you don't have to use your phone for visual alerts

Not sure what this means, but if you're implying that the Stir+ or 9500ci need a cell phone to see visual alerts, that's totally not true. They have their own stealthy display unit.

When you actually compare units, the Stir+\9500 delivers the best bang for the buck. All other solutions cost thousands more to buy and install and only offer laser or radar but not both. If your cash is unlimited, sure, go for the $5000+ solutions, but most people don't want to spend that much on radar/laser protection. I got my full Stir+ system bought and installed for less than $2000.

 

[whitex]

Not sure what this means, but if you're implying that the Stir+ or 9500ci need a cell phone to see visual alerts, that's totally not true. They have their own stealthy display unit.

I was comparing to ALP, which does require a cell phone for most advanced functions.

When you actually compare units, the Stir+\9500 delivers the best bang for the buck.

That is up to each individual to decide. That's what I love about an open market My neighbor got an amazing deal on StiR+ last christmas, he got it on some Mega Christmas/Black Friday sale which was more than 50% off and free install, so ~$1000 installed with front and rear laser - he's very happy with the deal he got, even though he ended up having to reinstall the rear-laser himself because the store didn't do a great job.

All other solutions cost thousands more to buy and install and only offer laser or radar but not both.

The second part is not true at all. My Stinger VIP installation includes both front and back radar and laser jamming - all beautifully integrated in one system. ALP also offers an integrated solution with both front and back NetRadar and laser. There is even a third radar antenna option to cover MRCD detection, something Stinger covers already with just 2 antennas.

If your cash is unlimited, sure, go for the $5000+ solutions, but most people don't want to spend that much on radar/laser protection. I got my full Stir+ system bought and installed for less than $2000.

I agree that everyone needs to make their own decision what is best for them in terms of cost vs. benefit. There are radar detectors starting at $50 out there. STiR is the entry level remote mount (vs. windshield mount which doesn't work in most Teslas). I was just agreeing with the other poster since STiR came out a few years ago and doesn't get updated very much in terms of latest laser or radar guns and in testing doesn't do as well as ALP or Stinger. I invite to check out rdforum.org to see results from independent tests. You can get in touch with other enthusiasts there as well and maybe even attend one of their local test, so you can see for yourself how well your installation performs against others. Any radar detector offers some protection. On an open desert highway most of the radar detectors behave the same. Where the difference comes in is when you get into challenging terrain (turns, hills, city), or how well the falses are filtered out (especially with all the Blind Spot Monitoring radars in new cars). Laser also seems to be cat and mouse game, new guns come out, detectors and jammers need to be updated or they don't protect you. To give you an example, I'm pretty sure STiR will not jam VPR guns such as the DragonEye.

Bottom line, I am not criticizing your choice by any means, just pointing out to other forum readers that there are other choices that offer more benefit for more money, that's all. You yourself paid a bunch more money for P85+ (as per your signature) than people who got an S60. I had a 2013 S60 and loved it, but I wouldn't accuse you of having unlimited money just because you shelled out $30K+ more to shave off a couple of seconds off of the 0-60 and get a sport suspension. People shell out more money for higher end radar/laser protection for the same reasons, to get more performance/protection and just like with Performance Model Tesla's, not everyone needs it or is willing to pay for it (just like not everyone buys a Tesla - a Toyota Corolla arguably gives you much more bang for your dollar as far as most people's transportation needs).

 

[BestRadar]

For laser defence AL Priority is by far the leader in the industry and its far ahead of all other manufactures and is constantly first with updates to keep users protected against every slight change gun manufactures make.

For radar there are several options. Out focus is on the Net Radar and we actually designed the system ourselves. It's a $499.95 Front radar add on if you have an ALP System and $899.95 if you want front and back antennas.

There are several Tesla installs but I am away at CES and don't have access to my office PC but a Google search should help find some of them.

The ALP System was designed to be completely canceled and in the cabin all you have is a multicolor LED which lights up different colors for direction and a small controller with an LED and 2 buttons.

BT option is available if you want to use your phone as a Controller and gives you greater detail and the ability to download updates directly from your phone to keep the system always updated.

I bought a new 90D which will be my new demo car which will be done in a few weeks.

 

[HankLloydRight]

You yourself paid a bunch more money for P85+ (as per your signature) than people who got an S60. I had a 2013 S60 and loved it, but I wouldn't accuse you of having unlimited money just because you shelled out $30K+ more to shave off a couple of seconds off of the 0-60 and get a sport suspension.

Actually, my P85+ was a year-old inventory car with 8k miles and some paint chips, so I actually paid a bit less than people were paying for new, non-P cars at the time, which was basically my other option at the time.

 

[whitex]

Actually, my P85+ was a year-old inventory car with 8k miles and some paint chips, so I actually paid a bit less than people were paying for new, non-P cars at the time, which was basically my other option at the time.

And had you picked up a year old inventory or CPO S60 you could have spent thousands less, and still gotten a Tesla car, just a bit slower. The point I was trying to make is that there are options which vary in price and functionality. Different people see different value in different options. If you imply you must have unlimited money to buy a $5K radar detector, why not say the same about people who buy 21" wheels? They are bout the same price. Unless you fall for the "oh, $5K compared to the price of the car is nothing" camp that somehow see spending $5K at the time of the car purchase differently than spending $5K the day after, the answer is probably your personal perception of value. People who buy $100 detector probably think people who spend $2K on radar have unlimited money, as probably do people who buy Corollas think people who buy Teslas.

 

[whitex]

For laser defence AL Priority is by far the leader in the industry and its far ahead of all other manufactures and is constantly first with updates to keep users protected against every slight change gun manufactures make.

For radar there are several options. Out focus is on the Net Radar and we actually designed the system ourselves. It's a $499.95 Front radar add on if you have an ALP System and $899.95 if you want front and back antennas.

There are several Tesla installs but I am away at CES and don't have access to my office PC but a Google search should help find some of them.

The ALP System was designed to be completely canceled and in the cabin all you have is a multicolor LED which lights up different colors for direction and a small controller with an LED and 2 buttons.

BT option is available if you want to use your phone as a Controller and gives you greater detail and the ability to download updates directly from your phone to keep the system always updated.

I bought a new 90D which will be my new demo car which will be done in a few weeks.

Do you work for ALP, or have an install shop?

 

[HankLloydRight]

If you imply you must have unlimited money to buy a $5K radar detector

I'm saying paying that much more, for ever so slightly improved performance isn't worth it. That doesn't hold for S60 vs P85+ or 19" wheels vs 21" wheels or whatever other red-herring you try to throw out there that doesn't really apply. Notice in my initial post, I said "bang for the buck".. not just "bucks".

Also, the difference in performance between a $100 detector, and the Escort/Bell is huge (as is the cost).

The difference in performance between the Escort/Bell and the ALP and the other $5000+ systems is marginal and at the extremes, but the cost differential is still massive.

If you absolutely need the best, and can afford it, then by all means, go for it.

But the bottom line is that the difference in the number of speeding tickets you get, and the number that I get will be asymptotically approaching zero. But you paid thousands more for the privilege.

And as a side note, I've avoided most potential speeding tickets by using situational awareness and noticing cues and behavior long before any detector would pick up a threat. I use radar/laser detectors a backup method of detection.

 

[BestRadar]

Do you work for ALP, or have an install shop?

Send me a message with your zip code and I can tell you if there are local dealers who can sell and install a system for you.

 

[ecobon]

I use detectors and jammers for entertainment and educational purposes only. Seriously. Sounds like a joke, but I don't speed much (relatively). I just like to recognize how my local and state tax contributions are spent.

VIPER fiber diffusers are the only ones small enough to go undetected when a trooper pulls you over because you're the first car that was shot with LiDAR that couldn't pull a reading and also witnessed you passing by a bunch of other cars on the road. It's good to have a black matte background to your plate (albeit ineffective) to have the officer focus on why he couldn't pull a reading off of your car.

Inside front bumper just like other cars without nosecones would be my best guess for a remote system. I like having the controls embedded into the rear view mirror to achieve a clean integrated look with the rest of the car.

The extra LCD screen for the VIPER detracts from the clean interior of the Model S. Big LCD, mobile phone, dash cam, radar LCD can all get overwhelming and start to make our cars look like a patrol vehicle. I remember the days when people wore their phones on their belts and some had multiple phones. Like the bat utility belt. Now we just place them in our pockets and slowly roast our jewels.