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.
FWIW it's probably also worth noting that WhiteX and those in California / Silicon Valley have slightly different dilemmas too. For example, the 2 quotes I got to install any grill mounted radar detector in CA start at $2000 on my MS. The going rate for labor is between $150/hr and $200/hr. That dramatically changes whether or not the incremental costs of the system matter relative to the probability of you having to rip out the system and replace it again.
The big weakness of the M3R detectors right now (including the STI-R and the 9500ci) is that they are terrible at filtering out K-band noise from blind spot radar systems used by non-Tesla cars, including just about every car made by GM and Acura within the past few years. Those will drive you up a wall if you live in areas where K band detection is required but folks drive newer cars.