Elliott991TS

I appreciate this explanation, now I understand the remote systems, at least to date, are really not upgradable

neil.schneider

So I have the ALP AND the Bel Stir. So I already have the front radar antenna and the front and rear laser shift heads. What I need would be a rear radar antenna and an updated head/brain unit. Is that doable? But I would also need the new display and controller. Forget it. A lot of rewiring and expense.

stealthpilot

You need to distinguish hardware upgrades and software updates. Old detectors had only ability to update software. You couldn't change the hardware at all because there was no OS that could have software to understand a new module.

The old detectors like the Bel delivered radar detection mostly through hardware. Their software functionality was very limited. Most changes required a completely new hardware solution (i.e. buying a new detector). The software updates were limited to two things -
1) Update the camera and speed trap database
2) Minor firmware revisions which could block out segments of bands. So if an entire segment of K band was known to false they could block that out. However it couldn't do anything sophisticated like analyze signal to noise to identify a BSM signature and only block out the signature without losing the ability to identify real Radar in the same segment. They couldn't do this because they were analog and this would require a digital system.

The newer detectors are much more updateable:
1) They actually have an OS so you can update the software to enable new features and new hardware. As an example Escort is planning a new interface box to allow addition of more than 4 laser heads. This would not have been possible on the old system.
2) The software also can be more sophisticated in the way it is programmed to deal with new radar and. lidar threats. You can program variable pulse patterns: different firing sequences, different screening algorithms, etc.

So bottom line is there is a lot that is updateable and upgradeable.

But there are limitations:
1) What if a new type of radar antenna is developed which can provide a lot more data to the CPU (e.g. a patch antenna) and it requires more processing power in the CPU. This would mean a totally new platform would be needed. You can expect this kind of evolution over a decade.
2) Newly licenses police Radar bands might necessitate a new antenna which can read new bands. This may require a partial upgrade such as a new antenna but you could retain the CPU.

stealthpilot

Not sure I understand your setup since you mention laser and radar as if they are integrated.

1) If you are saying your Bel Radar is part of your ALP setup (in which case you don't have the small radar display) then this means you don't have an Escort/Bel CPU but an ALP CPU. In this case you could change your two radar antennae for Net Radar ones which allow you to keep your CPU. But based on my experience I don't think it will give you much benefit.

2) If you have a display and keypad for the Bel Unit then you have a separate system for Radar that has nothing to with the ALP. In this scenario you can switch off or disconnect the Bel, keep using the ALP, and add a windshield unit.

3) A third scenario is buy the Radenso RCM which for $1895 gives you a new CPU that manages both the existing ALP laser hammer heads and will add a new front and rear radar for a fully integrated setup.

Elliott991TS

thank you for that excellent explanation

what radar system do you have?

stealthpilot

In my Turbo S which I bought in 2016 I have the ALP system with Net Radar. While good for laser, the radar falses all the time. I complained multiple times to ALP including posting videos of falses on their forum, and he basically banned me from their forum and denied all of the issues with their product. To be honest I would steer clear of anything sold by "Best radar detectors". This is a company that fails to innovate because the owner believes the customer is always wrong.

In my 2018 E63S I have the Escort Max CI360 with an additional ZR5 package which gives me front and rear radar, with 3 front and 3 rear laser jammer heads. This system is pure gold. Very slick. Displays alerts in the Mercedes HUD. Blocks most falses. And can jam any laser gun - even the dragoneye (which I own a copy of myself for testing purposes)

If I was to do my Turbo S again today, I would either do the Escort, or I would do a Radenso RCM with ALP jammers connected to the Radenso CPU. Both of these give you a solid reliable setup with integrated interface, dedicated display and control pad. Of all the vendors I think Radenso is the most serious about updating their software for false alerts. Uniden is great too but it doesn't create an integrated experience with a laser defense solution and that is not good enough for my tastes.

Elliott991TS

I appreciate your posts, thank you

I will go with the Escort Max ci360 with an additional ZR5

stealthpilot

Good choice. Two things to note:
1) Make sure you don't live in an area with MRCD (eg Canada). I don't think the Escort does MRCD unless you buy the international version which does.
2) Your rear laser will report through the ZR5 and not through the CI360. A limitation until they release the Max CI 8 head adapter later this year. Not a big deal.

Finally look at this. The midcity module is very cool. Will enable alerts to be displayed in the Porsche instrument cluster.

Elliott991TS

My installer says the mid city integrated device is too restrictive, apparently you must be in audio display on the dash to see it.

He does a lot of Porsche's and does a custom mount above the mirror for the display, and the control unit in the ash tray

stealthpilot

It is limited in functionality. You can't navigate all the menus with the mid city. But if you set it up correctly then you don't need the menus.

The setup your installer is proposing though is awesome! I would go with that!

Elliott991TS

stealthpilot

Yes with mid city you can't navigate all the menus. Not a big deal in my opinion because I use the Escort app to configure it. Once it is configured you only need to see display and press mute. That can be done fine with midcity.

Nonetheless the installers proposed approach looks awesome and you get the full functionality of the color display. You're on the right path!

neil.schneider

I have the ALP and the bel unit separate and both displays. I did an hour fast drive today and elected to power down the bel and put my max 360 on the windshield.

Woody7

I'm thinking about the Uniden R7...

For those that have the R3 with a Blendmount, are you using the MirrorTap for power? If so, did you do the install yourself or pay an installer?


Looks like the R7 isn't on the Blendmount site yet but assuming they'll add it soon.

Elliott991TS

I have an R3 using the mirror tap, I had a guy do it for me, there is a thread on this forum with illustrations, very easy install

However tomorrow I'm bringing my car in for the Escort 360ci remote install