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BELTRONICS
5442 West Chester Road
West Chester OH
45069 USA
USA 800-341-2288
www.beltronics.com
©2005 BELTRONICS
DIGITAL RADAR • LASER • SAFETY DETECTOR
Made in Canada
Features, specifications and prices subject to change without notice.
Model: STi DRIVER Owner’s Manual
Congratulations Quick Reference Card
The BELTRONICS STi DRIVER is the most • Easy-to-use Programming lets you
advanced radar, laser and safety detector customize up to 9 features.
ever designed, and is ready to use right out • Exclusive AutoScan mode intelligently
of the box with our recommended factory reduces unwanted false alarms.
settings. • Ultra-bright text-display provides easy
The STi DRIVER includes full X, K, to read information from any angle.
SuperWide Ka, and Safety Warning System • Tech Display provides actual H Remove card along perforations H
radar capability, front and rear laser numeric radar frequency for any
detection, dual LNA (low noise amplifier) radar signal.
BELTRONICS STi DRIVER Quick Reference Card
microwave receivers, digital signal • Programmable Bands (on/off).
processing (DSP) for superior range and • Detects and decodes up to 64 Safety There are 9 user-selectable options so you An example
can customize your STi DRIVER for your Here is how you would turn the STi
reduced false alarms, our patented Mute and Warning System messages own preferences. DRIVER’s AutoMute feature off.
AutoMute, audible and visual band alerts, • Includes new coiled and direct-wire The buttons labeled VOLUME/MUTE
and SENS are also used to enter the Program- 1 Enter the Program Mode by holding both
and all the performance you’d expect from SmartPlug, which provides a ming Mode, REVIEW your current program the VOLUME/MUTE and SENS buttons
H
BELTRONICS. convenient mute button right on settings, and to CHANGE any settings as down for 2 seconds. The STi DRIVER will
desired. The abbreviations PGM, RVW, and beep twice and display Program.
In addition, the BELTRONICS STi the plug. CHG are located on the lower part of the
display lens and are highlighted in graphics. 2 Then hold the RVW button down. The
DRIVER contains the following If you’ve used a radar detector before, a STi DRIVER will scroll through the
H
drops below 10.5 volts, or goes times, and return to normal operation). wait 8 seconds without pressing any button.
void the user’s FCC granted authority to The STi DRIVER will display Complete,
above 16.5 volts. Factory Default Settings
operate the equipment. To reset the STi DRIVER to its original
beep 4 times, and return to normal
operation.
factory settings, press and hold the
“VOLUME/MUTE,” and “SENS,” buttons
while turning the power on. The STi
DRIVER’s display will provide a “Reset”
message, accompanied by an audible
1 alert, acknowledging the reset. Programming Details E
Quick Reference Card Table of Contents
H
(Power-on indication) Pilot H Letter: H, A, C, or Cnx
Pilot V Vehicle voltage
ALERT LAMP Alamp ON * Alert lamp on
• Voice 8 • How Radar Works 20
Alamp OFF Alert lamp off
To begin using your STi DRIVER, QuickMount Slot Radar Antenna and Laser Lens Rear Laser Port
Insert STi DRIVER’s adjustable Windshield The rear panel of your STi DRIVER should Receives laser signals from behind the
just follow these simple steps mount into this slot. Page 7 have a clear view of the road ahead. For vehicle.
best performance, do not mount the
1 Plug the small end of the power cord
QuickMount Button STi DRIVER directly behind Power Jack
into the side jack of the detector, and
Press the button, and slide the Windshield windshield wipers or tinted Plug the power cord into this connector.
plug the large end of the power cord
mount into one of its four locking positions. areas. Page 6 Page 6
into your vehicle’s lighter socket.
Page 7
Earphone Jack
2 Mount your STi DRIVER on the
Power Accepts standard 3.5mm mono earphone.
windshield using the supplied
Press the PWR button to turn the STi
windshield mount.
DRIVER on or off. VOLUME/MUTE Button
Press and hold the VOLUME/MUTE button
3 Press the PWR button, located on the
AutoMute (below the display) to adjust the alert
left side of the front panel, to turn the
STi DRIVER’s patented AutoMute volume level.
STi DRIVER on.
automatically reduces the volume level of Briefly press this button to silence the
the audio alert after a brief period. If you audio for a specific alert. (The audio will
4 Press and hold the VOLUME/MUTE
prefer, you can turn AutoMute off. Page 8 alert you to the next encounter.) Page 8
button to adjust the volume level.
Programming Sensitivity Button (SENS)
Please read the manual to fully understand
The STi DRIVER is ready to go, just plug it in Switches between Highway, AutoScan, City
STi DRIVER’s operation and features.
and turn it on. But you can also easily Alphanumeric Display and City NoX settings. In general, we
change 9 features for your preferences. The STi DRIVER’s display will show recommend the AutoScan mode. Page 9
Pages 12-16 Highway, AutoScan, City, or City NoX as its
power-on indication. If you prefer, you can
choose other power-on indications. Pages
12-15
During an alert, the display will indicate
the radar or laser band, and a precise bar
graph of signal strength. Page 10
Note: In the Dark Mode the display will
not light during an alert. Page 9
4 5
Installation
6 7
Controls and Features
Audible Alerts Power Connector Threat Display A few more examples will help you
The STi DRIVER’s power jack uses a Your STi DRIVER’s Threat Display option is better see how the Threat Display works.
For Radar signals: telephone-type connector. This 4-conductor an advanced display for experienced
The STi DRIVER uses a geiger-counter- connector only works with the included detector users. Please use the STi DRIVER K9 X1
like sound to indicate the signal strength coiled SmartPlug or direct-wire cord. for a few weeks to get familiar with its other Here Threat Display shows a strong
and type of radar signal being encountered. features before using Threat Display. K-band signal, and a weak X-band signal.
When you encounter radar, a distinct Signal Strength Meter To use the Threat Display instead of
audible alert will sound and occur faster as The STi DRIVER’s alphanumeric display the bar graph signal strength meter, you Ka1 X9
the signal gets stronger. This allows you to consists of 280 individual LEDs, to provide must select Threat Display in the STi Here Threat Display shows a weak
judge the distance from the signal source an intuitive ultra-bright display of signal DRIVER’s Programming (see pages 12-15). Ka-band signal, and a strong X-band
without taking your eyes from the road. strength and text messages. The STi DRIVER’s Threat Display signal.
X-band = chirping The STi DRIVER’s standard bar-graph simultaneously tracks multiple radar signals
K-band = buzzing signal strength meter only displays and their relative signal strength. Threat Display Details
Ka-band = double-chirp information on a single radar signal. If there Threat Display can help you spot a The band designators (X, K, Ka) will
POP = full double-chirp are multiple signals present, STi DRIVER’s change in your normal driving environment; stay on the display for a few seconds after
SWS = double buzz internal computer determines which is the for example, a traffic radar unit being the signal has passed. This allows you to see
most important threat to show on the bar- operated in an area where there are what the unit detected, even on very brief
For Laser signals: graph meter. normally other signals present. signals.
Since laser signals are a possible threat When STi detects radar, it displays the The Threat Display is actually a
no matter how weak, the STi DRIVER alerts band (X, K, Ka), and a precise bar-graph of miniature spectrum analyzer. It shows what Tech Display
you to these bands at full signal strength. the signal strength. When the STi DRIVER band each signal is and its signal strength. The STi DRIVER’s Tech Display option is for
detects a laser signal, the display will show the experienced detector user. In this
For POP signals: “LASER.” When it detects a POP signal, the Ka9K2X1 mode, the STi DRIVER will display the
Since POP signals are extremely fast K display will show “POP.” Above is the Threat Display if the STi actual numeric frequency of the radar signal
or Ka bursts, and a possible threat no matter DRIVER was detecting a strong Ka-band, a being received.
how weak, the STi DRIVER alerts you to weak K-band, and a weak X-band signal.
NOTE: If you are operating the STi
these bands at full signal strength.
DRIVER in the Dark mode, the display
K 24.150
Tech Display shows one K-band signal
will not display anything when a signal is
For Safety signals: at 24.150 gigahertz.
detected. Only the audio, and the
The STi DRIVER will alert you to these Even long-time detector users will
flashing alert lamp on the SmartPlug will
signals with a double-beep tone, and a require a significant amount of time to get
be seen.
corresponding text message. A complete familiar with this new level of information
listing of the text messages is on page 23. about detected signals.
10 11
Programming Overview of Programming
There are 9 user-selectable options so you An example Press the REVIEW button Press the CHANGE button
can customize your STi DRIVER for your Here is how you would turn STi DRIVER’s to go from one category to change your setting
own preferences. The buttons labeled AutoMute feature off. to the next within a category
VOLUME/MUTE and SENS are also used to DISPLAY Disp STD * Standard display
enter the Programming Mode, REVIEW your 1 Enter the Program Mode by holding Disp INV Inverted display
current program settings, and to CHANGE both the VOLUME/MUTE and SENS buttons PILOT Pilot HWY * Full word: Highway, AutoScan, etc.
any settings as desired. The words PGM, down for 2 seconds. The STi DRIVER will (Power-on indication) Pilot H Letter: H, A, C, or Cnx
RVW, and CHG are located on the front of beep twice and display Program. Pilot V Vehicle voltage
the display lens, and are highlighted in ALERT LAMP Alamp ON * Alert lamp on
colored graphics. Pages 14-16 explain each 2 Then hold the RVW button down. The Alamp OFF Alert lamp off
option in more detail. STi DRIVER will scroll through the categories,
VOICE Voice ON * Voice alerts on
starting with Display (Disp), Pilot (Pilot), Voice OFF Voice alerts off
How to use Programming Alert Lamp (Alamp), Voice (Voice),
1 To enter Program Mode, press and Power-on sequence (PwrOn), signal POWER-ON SEQUENCE PwrOn STD * Standard power-on sequence
hold both the VOLUME/MUTE and SENS strength meter (Meter), AutoMute (aMute),
PwrOn FST Fast power-on sequence
buttons down for 2 seconds. (The unit Brightness (Brt), and Bands (Bands). SIGNAL STRENGTH METER Meter STD * Standard signal strength meter
will beep twice, and will display the word Meter THT Threat Display
Program). 3 Release the RVW button when the STi Meter TEC Tech Display
DRIVER shows the AutoMute item. Since AUTOMUTE aMute ON * AutoMute on
2 Then press the RVW button to the factory setting is for AutoMute to be aMute OFF AutoMute off
review the current settings. (You can on, STi DRIVER will display aMute ON. BRIGHTNESS Brt Auto * Automatic brightness
either tap the button to change from item to (If you accidentally don't release the Brt Min Minimum brightness
item, or hold the button to scroll through RVW button in time, and STi DRIVER goes Brt Med Medium brightness
the items). to the next category, simply hold the RVW Brt Max Maximum brightness
button down again, the STi DRIVER will Brt Dark All dark
3 Press the CHG button to change scroll through all of the categories.) BANDS Bands DFT * Factory default settings
any setting. (You can either tap the button Bands MOD Factory default settings modified
to change from setting to setting, or hold 4 Press the CHG button to change from Turn bands “ON” or “OFF” by
the button to scroll through all the options). aMute ON to aMute OFF.
* Factory Default Settings pressing and holding the “SENS” button
To reset STi DRIVER to its original
factory settings, press and hold the X ON or OFF (default is on)
4 To leave the Program Mode, simply 5 To complete the Programming, simply “VOLUME/MUTE” and “SENS” buttons K ON or OFF (default is on)
wait 8 seconds without pressing any wait 8 seconds without pressing any button, while turning the power on. The STi Ka ON or OFF (default is on)
button, or press the PWR button. (The or press the PWR button. The STi DRIVER DRIVER’s display will provide a POP ON or OFF (default is off)
unit will display Complete, beep 4 times, will display Complete, beep 4 times, and “Reset” message, accompanied by an LSR ON or OFF (default is on)
and return to normal operation). return to normal operation. audible alert, acknowledging the reset. SWS ON or OFF (default is off)
12 13
Details of Programming
18 19
Technical Details
How Radar Works Because intrusion alarms and motion How Laser (Lidar) Works There are limitations to LIDAR equip-
Traffic radar, which consists of microwaves, sensors often operate on the same Laser speed detection is actually LIDAR ment. LIDAR is much more sensitive to
travels in straight lines and is easily reflected frequency as X-Band or K-band radar, your (Light Detection and Ranging). LIDAR guns weather conditions than RADAR, and a
by objects such as cars, trucks, even STi DRIVER will occasionally receive non- project a beam of invisible infrared light. LIDAR gun’s range will be decreased by
guardrails and overpasses. Radar works by police radar signals. Since these transmitters The signal is a series of very short infrared anything affecting visibility such as rain, fog,
directing its microwave beam down the are usually contained inside of a building, or light energy pulses, which move, in a or smoke. A LIDAR gun cannot operate
road. As your vehicle travels into range, the aimed toward the ground, they will straight line, reflecting off your car and through glass and it must be stationary in
microwave beam bounces off your car, and generally produce much weaker readings returning to the gun. LIDAR uses these light order to get an accurate reading. Because
the radar antenna looks for the reflections. than will a true radar encounter. As you pulses to measure the distance to a vehicle. LIDAR must have a clear line of sight and is
Using the Doppler Principle, the radar become familiar with the sources of these Speed is then calculated by measuring how subject to cosine error (an inaccuracy,
equipment then calculates your speed by pseudo alarms in your daily driving, they quickly these pulses are reflected given the which increases as the angle between the
comparing the frequency of the reflection will serve as confirmation that your STi known speed of light. gun and the vehicle, increases) police
of your car to the original frequency of the DRIVER’s radar detection abilities are fully LIDAR (or laser) is a newer technology typically use LIDAR equipment parallel to
beam sent out. operational. and is not as widespread as conventional the road or from an overpass. LIDAR can be
Traffic radar has limitations, the most radar, therefore, you may not encounter used day or night.
significant of these being that it typically can How “POP” Works laser on a daily basis. And unlike radar
monitor only one target at a time. If there is “POP” mode is a relatively new feature for detection, laser detection is not prone to
more than one vehicle within range, it is up radar gun manufacturers. It works by false alarms. Because LIDAR transmits a
to the radar operator to decide which target transmitting an extremely short burst, much narrower beam than does radar, it is
is producing the strongest reflection. Since within the allocated band, to identify much more accurate in its ability to distin-
the strength of the reflection is affected by speeding vehicles in traffic. Once the target guish between targets and is also more
both the size of the vehicle and its is identified, or “POPPED,” the gun is then difficult to detect. AS A RESULT, EVEN
proximity to the antenna, it is difficult for turned to its normal operating mode to THE BRIEFEST LASER ALERT SHOULD
the radar operator to determine if the signal provide a vehicle tracking history, (required BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.
is from a sports car nearby or a semi-truck by law).
several hundred feet away.
Radar range also depends on the power
of the radar equipment itself. The strength
of the radar unit’s beam diminishes with
distance. The farther the radar has to travel,
the less energy it has for speed detection.
20 21
Technical Details
How TotalShield™ Technology Works How Safety Radar Works SWS Text Messages Weather Related Hazards
Beltronic’s TotalShield Technology keeps Safety Warning System, or SWS, uses a Highway Construction or Maintenance 33 HighWind
RF signals from radiating from the detector. modified K-band radar signal. The SWS 1 WorkZone 34 Severe Weather
Unlike other radar and laser detectors, which safety radar system has 64 possible 2 Road Closed 35 HeavyFog
merely move their RF signals (local messages (60 currently allocated). The SWS 3 Bridge Closed 36 Flooding
oscillators) to another frequency (which messages your STi DRIVER can display are 4 WorkCrew Highway 37 BridgIce
will be detectable by future detector-detec- listed on the facing page. 5 WorkCrew Utility 38 RoadIce
tors), this revolutionary design keeps you From the factory, your STi DRIVER is 6 Detour 39 Dust Blowing
unseen by current radar detector-detectors, programmed with SWS decoding OFF. If 7 Truck Detour 40 Sand Blowing
including VG-2 and Spectre. This unique you wish to detect this system, use the 8 MustExit 41 Blinding Snow
design will also keep you unseen from any Programming feature to turn STi DRIVER’s 9 Rtlane Closed 42 Future use
future radar detector detectors as well. SWS decoding ON. 10 CntrLane Closed Travel Information/Convenience
Although the BELTRONICS STi DRIVER Note: Some of the safety messages 11 LeftLane Closed 43 RestArea
is a completely undetectable radar, laser and have been condensed, so that each message 12 Future use 44 RestArea w/servic
safety detector, driving techniques and can be displayed on one or two screens on Highway Hazard Zone Advisory 45 24hrFuel
reactions to alerts can still draw unwanted STi DRIVER’s eight-character display. 13 Police 46 Insp Stn Open
attention. Here are a few examples: Since Safety radar technology is 14 Train 47 Insp Stn Closed
relatively new, and the number of 15 Low Overpass 48 Reduced Speed
1. Hitting the brakes immediately when transmitters in operation is not yet wide- 16 BridgeUp 49 Speed Enforced
the STi DRIVER provides an alert can spread, you will not receive Safety signals 17 Bridge Wt Limit 50 HazMatls Exit
broadcast use of a detector. on a daily basis. Do not be surprised if you 18 RockSlid Area 51 Expect Delay
encounter emergency vehicles, road 19 School Zone 52 10 Min Delay
2. Visible power cords, brackets and hazards and railroad crossings that are 20 Road Narrows 53 20 Min Delay
suction cup marks on the glass can also unequipped with these transmitters. If 21 Sharp Curve 54 30 Min Delay
advertise to others that you have a detector. Safety transmitters become more prevalent, 22 Croswalk 55 1 Hour Delay
these Safety radar signals will become more 23 Deer Crossing 56 Traffic TunRadio
3. Traveling at night with a glow from a common. 24 Blind or Deaf Kid 57 Pay Toll
radar detector’s display visible from outside 25 SteepUse LowGear 58 Trucks ExitRght
your vehicle can also draw unwanted atten- 26 Accident 59 Trucks ExitLeft
tion. The STi DRIVER offers adjustable 27 PoorRoad Surface 60 Future use
brightness, including a full dark mode 28 Loading SchoolBus Fast/Slow Moving Vehicles
which will provide audio alerts, but no 29 DontPass 61 Emerg Veh Moving
visual indication except for the alert LED on 30 Dangrous Intrsect 62 Police Pursuit
the SmartPlug. 31 Emergncy Vehicle 63 Oversize Vehicle
32 Future use 64 SloMovng Vehicle
22 23
Troubleshooting
STi DRIVER did not alert when a • VASCAR (Visual Average Speed Computer and Recorder) a
police car was in view. stopwatch method of speed detection, may be in use. Explanation of Displays
• Officer may not have radar or laser unit turned on.
No display STi DRIVER is in the Dark mode (pages 9, 16)
STi DRIVER did not provide a Safety • Safety transmitters may not be commonly used in your area.
signal while within range of an PilotHWY One of the many programming messages (pages 12-16)
emergency vehicle.
WorkZone One of the many Safety Radar messages (pages 22-23)
STi DRIVER’s display is not working. • Check programming to be sure the STi Driver is not in Dark
Mode. Caution STi DRIVER has detected a Safety Radar Signal, but the signal isn’t yet strong
enough to decode the specific safety message (pages 22-23)
STi DRIVER’s audible alerts are less • STi DRIVER is in AutoMute Mode. See page 8 for details.
loud after the first few alerts.
Service STi DRIVER has failed the calibration test. Contact Beltronics for repair
STi DRIVER bounces or sags on • STi DRIVER is not making contact with the windshield to Required
windshield. provide stability. While holding down STi DRIVER’s
QuickMount button, slide STi DRIVER toward the windshield
so that the back top edge makes firm contact.
STi DRIVER’s power-on sequence • A loose power connection or dirty lighter socket can cause
reoccurs while you are driving. STi DRIVER to be briefly disconnected.
24 25
Service
E If you did not purchase your detector directly from BELTRONICS, please fill out this section and return to us,
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Address______________________________________________________________________
First Name___________________ Middle Initial____ Last Name___________________________
H
If your STi DRIVER ever needs service, For out of warranty repairs, include
please follow these simple steps: prepayment in the amount you were
quoted by the Beltronics Customer Service online:
E If you purchased your detector directly from BELTRONICS, you do not need to fill this out.
1 Check the troubleshooting section of Representative. If the detector has been
this manual. It may have a solution to your damaged, abused or modified, the repair
problem. cost will be calculated on a parts and labor
basis. If it exceeds the basic repair charge,
@
2 Call us at 1-800-341-2288. We may be you will be contacted with a quotation. If
able to solve your problem over the phone. the additional payment is not received www.
If the problem requires that you send your within 30 days (or if you notify us that you
STi DRIVER to the factory for repair, we will choose not to have your STi DRIVER
provide you with a Service Order Number, repaired at the price quoted), your STi beltronics
which must be included on the outside of DRIVER will be returned, without repair.
H
Enclose the following information with your
1.
2.
3.
4.
26 27
Warranty and Accessories
H
pay shipping charges that you incur for sending DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE, MISUSE
your product to us. OR MOUNTING OF THE PRODUCT.
What you must do to maintain this The above limitations or exclusions shall be