Radar Love

[Rincewind]

Hello Peeps

Just got my second ping for speeding in six months,both for hard acceleration past a car on an uphill short passing lane,actual terminal speed was approx 120 but the laser said 127 so 200 bucks please and lots of points.
My latest one is outrageously over at 136,my actual terminal speed was 125,so this time 400 bucks and 50 points......for speeding for approximatley 100Mtrs ouch....

My opinion about overtaking does not concur with the authorities however and I will continue to indicate from well back as I approach the vehicle from behind,accelerate crisply past and indicate back into the left hand lane and return to the legal limit if I have had to exceed it.
This has worked for me for over 40 years of riding and in my opinion gives everyone a clear indication of what you propose to do and allows the driver of the vehicle you are passing a good chance of watching and predicting your manouver from start to finish.
How many times have you had a vehicle try to pass you doing 1 KPH more than you for half a click,at some stage you lose him in the mirror and have to start looking around for him,then you find you are closing on the vehicle in front and have to drop back and move out behind him and slow down to get some braking distance back arrggghhhh...

Anyway what I want is some good Radar advice,because I'm going to have to bite the bullet now and buy a critter.One more strike and I am out,I'm not going to change my driving style just because some tart has a laser gun and plays hide and seek to catch someone out for doing 25 KPH over the limit for a hundred metres or so(Has anyone else noticed the increase in female Pokie machine drivers operating on SHY 1) ohh sorry its all about road safety isn't it,nothing to do with revinue gathering..no.no I hear you all say !!

Well come on lets have the low down,because I know youve all got one,please dont preach to me about the impending illegality of owning or using one,I'll cross that bridge when the time comes,I drive and ride approx 60,000 Ks a year and up untill I moved to NZ four years ago I had never had a ticket, this year I get two so the Law of averages says that unless I alter my 40 year old driving style I'm going to get busted again real soon.
Before someone gets on their high horse about me being a compulsive speeder and a danger to the Human Race,I comply with the speed limit in the normal way for the majority of the time,I may sometimes keep up with the traffic flow on a single lane carridgeway if they are doing a few K over (I can't now though...ping)
And I have never been involved in an accident....

Kind Regards

Rincewind Tech Rep to the unseen university

[beyond]

Bel STI XR. Awesome unit and undetectable in operation to the cops as well.

[scorpious]

I use a escort passport x50, only time i got a ticket was when I didn't have it with me. this thing has probably saved me thousands

http://www.radardirect.co.nz/new/frameset/

p.s I also recoment buying brand new. made the mistake of going for a cheepy on trademe and it was pakarued. oh and the waterproof cover is well worth the money :)

[Gremlin]

Sounds like you're having fun meeting the local cops aye? :yes:

Couple of things, RD, if you want the best (some will disagree) its either a Valentine 1 or Bel STI Driver (aka Bel STI XR or something, different markets). V1 has the advantage of direction indicators and rearward facing sensor, Bel is undetectable (if you decide to look like you don't ah, have one :shifty:)

I have a Bel STI, others have had problems, mine has survived more than a year of riding, over 30,000km probably, been dropped a couple of times and survived a couple of bins. Others have had big problems with overheating etc.

Second issue... if you truly think you are going less than the cops are claiming (not sure how you know for sure) then I suggest you also get a GPS. Unless you have an amazing witness in terms of character etc, your next best idea is to have satellite backed evidence of your speed, only way to really beat the cops claim (Yep, one reason I have mine most of the time).

[flyingcrocodile46]

3rd vote for the Bel STI No false alerts, never misses a radar. oh yeah! Bike friendly. You need it in the feild of vision or it ain't worth squat, or a remote audio or flashing light for your helmet. A connection jack is required. I am not sure on this but have been led to believe that only the bel sti, Valentine and latest escort have jacks for remotes.

[mowgli]

My Triumph uses a magnetic pickup on the front hub to measure speed. After accelerating to a known RPM there is noticeable (1-2s) lag before the indicated speed catches up to the expected speed. If I accelerate hard then decelerate just as rapidly in a passing manoeuvre I've noticed that the indicated peak speed is less than the speed I would get if I maintain the peak RPM over time. This may explain the discrepancy between the OP's indicated peak and the alleged infringement.

Second issue... if you truly think you are going less than the cops are claiming (not sure how you know for sure) then I suggest you also get a GPS. Unless you have an amazing witness in terms of character etc, your next best idea is to have satellite backed evidence of your speed, only way to really beat the cops claim (Yep, one reason I have mine most of the time).
Just curious if you've tried this? I imagine that for it to be admissible as evidence you'd have to surrender the GPS receiver to the cop at the roadside to prove that you've not messed with the data file.

Another potential glitch is that GPS captures your average speed not your instantaneous speed. If you were accelerating/decelerating fast as described by the OP then the GPS data is likely to grossly under state the peak speed unless the sampling rate was very high. It should be very easy for the prosecutor to discredit the GPS derived average speed in favour of the instantaneous speeds witnessed by the radar or laser.

[flyingcrocodile46]

I understood that you were allowed to exceed the speed limit by up to 20kph while overtaking if it is required to complete the maneuver in a safe manner. Not sure how this applies to overtaking lanes but the principle is much the same. Of course what I understand and what is fact aren't necessarily the same thing

[vindy500]

I understood that you were allowed to exceed the speed limit by up to 20kph while overtaking if it is required to complete the maneuver in a safe manner. Not sure how this applies to overtaking lanes but the principle is much the same. Of course what I understand and what is fact aren't necessarily the same thing

dont think thats the case in nz

[Jantar]

....Just curious if you've tried this? I imagine that for it to be admissible as evidence you'd have to surrender the GPS receiver to the cop at the roadside to prove that you've not messed with the data file.
.....
That isn't neccessary. You can download the data file and your computer will store the time and date of the download. As long as you don't also delete the active log file, then the origional will still be on the GPS should the police wish to view the origional. Any tracks uploaded to the GPS will not have the date/time stamp, and are imediately obvious as NOT origional.

[caseye]

Mourn the loss(read, ripping away from the sensible officers) of discretion once again.
A long time ago to exceed the speed limit by up to and including 20 K's per h was something that the attending officer could allow.Today I'm not sure.
I'd go with the thought these days, that most of the people in cars doing traffic duty have no discretion as that would get in the way of their quota's.
This makes for a very one sided conversation roadside and does nothing for Police-citizen relations in general.
The higher ups have stuffed their troops relationship with the general public to a dangereous degree over the last few years.I seriously don't know how many of our finest officers put up with the crap from above as well as what comes along on the road and or street.

[mowgli]

That isn't neccessary. You can download the data file and your computer will store the time and date of the download. As long as you don't also delete the active log file, then the origional will still be on the GPS should the police wish to view the origional. Any tracks uploaded to the GPS will not have the date/time stamp, and are imediately obvious as NOT origional.
I hear what you're saying but there are some clever pricks out there who hack iPhones and other hand held devices. I wonder how hard it would be for them to flash a GPS unit with a tweaked log file?

[sinned]

My opinion about overtaking does not concur with the authorities however and I will continue to indicate from well back as I approach the vehicle from behind,accelerate crisply past and indicate back into the left hand lane and return to the legal limit if I have had to exceed it.
This has worked for me for over 40 years of riding and in my opinion gives everyone a clear indication of what you propose to do and allows the driver of the vehicle you are passing a good chance of watching and predicting your manouver from start to finish.

40 years of safe driving practices don't count any more.



How many times have you had a vehicle try to pass you doing 1 KPH more than you for half a click,at some stage you lose him in the mirror and have to start looking around for him,then you find you are closing on the vehicle in front and have to drop back and move out behind him and slow down to get some braking distance back arrggghhhh...

This never happened 5 - 10 years ago. Now 95% of drivers keep below the limit even if it means taking a k passing lane to complete a passing maneuver and pissing others off.

Speed detectors: They won't save you from a Laser.

[mowgli]

Speed detectors: They won't save you from a Laser.
Actually the good ones do these days. Works on the same principle as radar though. You're trying to detect scatter as the copper interrogates other vehicles. If you're the only vehicle on the road then your chances of early detection go downhill fast. Then it's up to Mr Mk1 Eyeball.

[paddy]

I understood that you were allowed to exceed the speed limit by up to 20kph while overtaking if it is required to complete the maneuver in a safe manner. Not sure how this applies to overtaking lanes but the principle is much the same. Of course what I understand and what is fact aren't necessarily the same thing

Noooo..... :-) The limit is the limit. It is suggested that officers apply discretion if you are less than 10 KM/H over the limit but even then I believe that is just current operating policy rather than something that the legislation or common law provides for.

[Rincewind]

Hello Peeps

Just got my second ping for speeding in six months,both for hard acceleration past a car on an uphill short passing lane,actual terminal speed was approx 120 but the laser said 127 so 200 bucks please and lots of points.
My latest one is outrageously over at 136,my actual terminal speed was 125,so this time 400 bucks and 50 points......for speeding for approximatley 100Mtrs ouch....

My opinion about overtaking does not concur with the authorities however and I will continue to indicate from well back as I approach the vehicle from behind,accelerate crisply past and indicate back into the left hand lane and return to the legal limit if I have had to exceed it.
This has worked for me for over 40 years of riding and in my opinion gives everyone a clear indication of what you propose to do and allows the driver of the vehicle you are passing a good chance of watching and predicting your manouver from start to finish.
How many times have you had a vehicle try to pass you doing 1 KPH more than you for half a click,at some stage you lose him in the mirror and have to start looking around for him,then you find you are closing on the vehicle in front and have to drop back and move out behind him and slow down to get some braking distance back arrggghhhh...

Anyway what I want is some good Radar advice,because I'm going to have to bite the bullet now and buy a critter.One more strike and I am out,I'm not going to change my driving style just because some tart has a laser gun and plays hide and seek to catch someone out for doing 25 KPH over the limit for a hundred metres or so(Has anyone else noticed the increase in female Pokie machine drivers operating on SHY 1) ohh sorry its all about road safety isn't it,nothing to do with revinue gathering..no.no I hear you all say !!

Well come on lets have the low down,because I know youve all got one,please dont preach to me about the impending illegality of owning or using one,I'll cross that bridge when the time comes,I drive and ride approx 60,000 Ks a year and up untill I moved to NZ four years ago I had never had a ticket, this year I get two so the Law of averages says that unless I alter my 40 year old driving style I'm going to get busted again real soon.
Before someone gets on their high horse about me being a compulsive speeder and a danger to the Human Race,I comply with the speed limit in the normal way for the majority of the time,I may sometimes keep up with the traffic flow on a single lane carridgeway if they are doing a few K over (I can't now though...ping)
And I have never been involved in an accident....

Kind Regards

Rincewind Tech Rep to the unseen university
Thank's Guys,looks like we are all on the same page...which leads me to where should I go for the best deal on either of the two winning devices...

[paddy]

I hear what you're saying but there are some clever pricks out there who hack iPhones and other hand held devices. I wonder how hard it would be for them to flash a GPS unit with a tweaked log file?

It would be reasonably difficult for most I suspect; however, in reality you would have to spend a lot of money in court with expert witnesses and the like to demonstrate the veracity of the data. Even then it's admissibility may be questionable. It wouldn't be worth the effort for a speeding fine unless you were really keen on proving a point.

[paddy]

Are they actually illegal in NZ? If so, does anyone know what legislation they are illegal under?

[mowgli]

Are they actually illegal in NZ? If so, does anyone know what legislation they are illegal under?
Aunty Helen was keen on banning them. I'm pretty sure that the proposed legislation died with her government....but for how long?

[Gremlin]

Just curious if you've tried this? I imagine that for it to be admissible as evidence you'd have to surrender the GPS receiver to the cop at the roadside to prove that you've not messed with the data file.

Another potential glitch is that GPS captures your average speed not your instantaneous speed. If you were accelerating/decelerating fast as described by the OP then the GPS data is likely to grossly under state the peak speed unless the sampling rate was very high. It should be very easy for the prosecutor to discredit the GPS derived average speed in favour of the instantaneous speeds witnessed by the radar or laser.
Not sure if you've seen a data file pulled from a GPS onto a computer? Data can be as accurate as down to each second (ie, if the point changes in avg speed etc, from the previous point, a new entry in the file is made). For each of these lines in the file, you've got elevation, depth, temperature, leg length, leg time, leg speed, leg course and position over the point (I haven't seen many much longer than 20 seconds and 1 sec is common). The Zumo can't do it, but you can turn on 1 sec track logs on some GPS.

Basically, doctoring the file and making it still look real... well, good luck. On top of this, you have the file modification dates, so re-saving it is going to alter the date, unless you modify your computer's date, plus the log also has the time of each leg etc.

Ultimately, I know people who have been done by the cops, completely unfairly, some of them have had large amounts of evidence to the contrary, and still lost. The cops word carries too much weight (especially in front of JP's), and this is the best shot, should something happen. Hopefully, I'll never need to test the theory.

[LBD]

Heres one vote for the TPX detector, built specifically for MC...I swear by mine even after I had a play with a radar and laser weilding cop mate....

[davereid]

Ultimately, I know people who have been done by the cops, completely unfairly, some of them have had large amounts of evidence to the contrary, and still lost.

Laser and radar are both capable of errors, unfortunately the operator comes to trust the readout, even when it contradicts his own senses.

Laser suffers badly from an error called slippage... let me explain.

Laser doesnt actually measure your speed. It measures how far away you are. Then a little later (commonly 1/100th sec) it measures how far away you are again. It can then calculate your speed.

This creates an error called "slippage".

Lets say you are stationary.

The FIRST laser shot reflects from the back of your headlight reflector. You are 100m away. The second laser shot reflects from the front of your headlight reflector, as it has "slipped" up the headlight reflector.

You now appear to be 80mm closer than in the first shot. You therefore have a speed of 8 metres per second, or about 30-35 km/hr.

Laser manufacturers are aware of this problem, and will usually run an algorithim in software to try and detect it has occured.

They don't publish this algorithim, so you have to take their word for it that it works. !

For example, they may use a third pulse to see if you remain at a constant speed.

[MarkH]

Are they actually illegal in NZ? If so, does anyone know what legislation they are illegal under?

Radar detectors are perfectly legal in NZ. If they did make them illegal then a Bel STI mounted where it would not be seen would still be legal, because you wouldn't get caught - it's only illegal if you get caught doing it!

[MarkH]

Basically, doctoring the file and making it still look real... well, good luck. On top of this, you have the file modification dates, so re-saving it is going to alter the date, unless you modify your computer's date, plus the log also has the time of each leg etc.

Altering the file modified date of a file is trivially easy, I have several applications that include the option to change the file creation date and/or the file modified date. This can be done in a few seconds and I can set any date I like.

[Kiwi Graham]

Bel STI XR. Awesome unit and undetectable in operation to the cops as well.

This gets my vote Bel Sti XR/Driver (there the same model with different stickers on) from Radar Direct. Undetectable by the cops, wireless helmet gizmo, rain cover and hard wire kit = $1,600.

[The Stranger]

Has anyone else noticed the increase in female Pokie machine drivers operating on SHY 1

No. I avoid SH1 like the plague. If I must use it I simply go into zombie mode and drive like (most of) the rest of the retards that frequent it.

The number of cops is inversely proportional to the SH number.

[What?]

I understood that you were allowed to exceed the speed limit by up to 20kph while overtaking if it is required to complete the maneuver in a safe manner.

Nope, never was. Once upon a time the plods were allowed to use discretion and leniency, but these days they are largely gone, because exceeding the posted speed limit is now more dangerous than driving on the wrong side of the road. Apparently.

[mowgli]

Copper friend of mine explained as follows.

"The problem with letting people off is they tell their friends and then when their friends get stopped they get grumpy because they get a ticket and their mate didn't and they make sure they tell the cop that! It makes it easier and fairer I suppose if there are boundaries."

[Rincewind]

Copper friend of mine explained as follows.

"The problem with letting people off is they tell their friends and then when their friends get stopped they get grumpy because they get a ticket and their mate didn't and they make sure they tell the cop that! It makes it easier and fairer I suppose if there are boundaries."

Oh yea a cop let someone off (Yea Right)

[slofox]

Speed detectors: They won't save you from a Laser.

Not absolutely sure I agree with you on this one, sinned. As I see it (and hear it) a lot depends on how quickly the plod can get a fix on your bike. If he/she is skilled enough to get it almost instantaneously, you're fucked. But if he/she has to hold you for as bit to get a reflection (and remember laser is light and reflects at angles from curved surfaces) you just might just get enough warning to save your arse.

Recently on d'Aucklands South Western m'way, my radar detector gave off its laser warning. I was surprised just how long it read the signal for - especially given that we were in the cage. I reacted as soon as I heard the warning but the signal kept coming for several seconds after that. Whatever, I was not stopped - but then I wasn't hooning anyway...well, not by much.

[CookMySock]

Stop thinking like a cager. On a motorcycle, you dont need to speed to pass. Just add +5-10kph and slide quietly up the white line.

Steve

[jono035]

Laser detection is a pretty hit or miss matter. I've been lasered 6 or 7 times with my detector (ticketed once) and none of those have been in situations where the splash off another car would save me. That said, RM's picked up laser splash from the car in front on the motorway. Laser sources are also getting better all the time meaning less splash. It is a nice bonus but don't rely on it, if you're worried about lasers, get a jammer!

Davereid - I would have thought slippage would be relatively easy to account for? All speed measurement devices read at whatever the lower bounds of their accuracy is anyway, they have to or they wouldn't be admissable. They aren't getting reflections from a specific point either, it'll be a relatively disperse pulse that gets back, they will just time off the leading edge.

Don't by a second hand radar detector, and buy one from somewhere that will actually honour the warranty, they can (and do, frequently) go dead when they fail a self-test.

GPS - worthless, no court anywhere is going to accept any form of digital 'evidence' of where you were or how you were travelling. There are too many ways to fudge the data easily, and the gps 'speed' is calculated as an average of your movement speed. It will have smoothing algorithms applied to it as well.

[slofox]

On a motorcycle, you dont need to speed to pass.

But but but...that's the whole POINT of having a motorbike! Dropping it down, cranking shit out of the throttle and screeeeaming past those evil cages in a big looping run!!...eeeeheheheheheeeehahahaarararararrrrrrr!!! !! oops..er...i mean...beg yr pardon..coughcough

[CookMySock]

But but but...that's the whole POINT of having a motorbike! Dropping it down, cranking shit out of the throttle and screeeeaming past those evil cages in a big looping run!!...Hehe, yeah this is true, but actually I have much more fun slipping through little gaps, using my cunning and experience, and just twisting the throttle. Anyone can twist the throttle and hang on. Not everyone can split and filter.

Also I think it's really dangerous running a large speed-differential in dense traffic. Anything can and will change in front of me, and if I can't get my speed back pronto, I end up being a part of someone elses' bumper.

Steve

[Rincewind]

Laser detection is a pretty hit or miss matter. I've been lasered 6 or 7 times with my detector (ticketed once) and none of those have been in situations where the splash off another car would save me. That said, RM's picked up laser splash from the car in front on the motorway. Laser sources are also getting better all the time meaning less splash. It is a nice bonus but don't rely on it, if you're worried about lasers, get a jammer!

Davereid - I would have thought slippage would be relatively easy to account for? All speed measurement devices read at whatever the lower bounds of their accuracy is anyway, they have to or they wouldn't be admissable. They aren't getting reflections from a specific point either, it'll be a relatively disperse pulse that gets back, they will just time off the leading edge.

Don't by a second hand radar detector, and buy one from somewhere that will actually honour the warranty, they can (and do, frequently) go dead when they fail a self-test.

GPS - worthless, no court anywhere is going to accept any form of digital 'evidence' of where you were or how you were travelling. There are too many ways to fudge the data easily, and the gps 'speed' is calculated as an average of your movement speed. It will have smoothing algorithms applied to it as well.

O K would someone like to enlighten me as to what a jammer is,sounds very illegal....ish

[Swoop]

O K would someone like to enlighten me as to what a jammer is,sounds very illegal....ish
Something that makes laser detection a little more difficult:whistle: and is also legal.

[CookMySock]

O K would someone like to enlighten me as to what a jammer is,sounds very illegal....ishIt can hardly be illegal - it's just a bunch of ultrabright LEDs. All you are doing is using it as a countermeasure. If you were deliberately blocking police measuring cars with it, likely they'd charge you with obstruction.

Even a microwave jammer isn't illegal. The Ka band is for public use IIRC. Certainly X band is, and there are door minders everywhere transmitting on K band.

Steve

[jono035]

O K would someone like to enlighten me as to what a jammer is,sounds very illegal....ish

Like DB said, it is basically a set of high-brightness IR LEDs that attempt to decrease the useful signal that the gun receives back by swamping it with higher strength signals. They don't just turn on and stay on, they are modulated and frequency swept I believe (at least some of them are...). It isn't illegal and anything anyone speculates they can charge you with such as obstruction should surely affect radar detectors too? There are laser guns now that can detect that they are being jammed and alert the officer, but like I said, it isn't illegal...

There are also ir-absorbent coatings you can buy (like veil) for painting your number plates and head light reflectors but I've never had a chance to test those personally, although there is data out there indicating they do help a little bit. Using a projector style headlight with less reflective area would be a bonus too. Once LEDs become common then that will be even better, no reflector needed at all.

http://www.guysoflidar.com/ has good test data on the different radar detectors and laser jammers available. They test in a lot of different ways vs a lot of different radar/laser units. Interesting stuff.

[ckai]

Thank's Guys,looks like we are all on the same page...which leads me to where should I go for the best deal on either of the two winning devices...

For what it's worth, Bel STI all the way and I got mine from Radar Direct as well.

On another note, has anyone else noticing that the STI doesn't pick up the camera vans anymore? I was thinking it's something to do with the latest camera's they've got. Can you actually update the software in the detector to pick them again?

Oh and a warning if you're looking at getting an STI, because they're made from a lot of metal that blocks signal leakage, don't leave them out in the sun when you're not riding/driving. It causes them to play silly buggers for a little bit because they get so hot. Throw them under the seat in the car and of course on the bike you'll take it with you.

[dipshit]

http://www.guysoflidar.com/ has good test data on the different radar detectors and laser jammers available. They test in a lot of different ways vs a lot of different radar/laser units. Interesting stuff.

From looking over sites like that and many other detector reviews - i see a common general pattern.

Top of the range; Valentine and Bel STi. (with prices well over 1K)

Midrange; Escort 8500 X50 and Bel's 940, 955, 965 etc.

Bottom range; Cobra, Whistler.

I ended up going for a Bel 940 for $350 (brand-new) off trademe. Most of the Bel' have an earphone jack.

[jono035]

From looking over sites like that and many other detector reviews - i see a common general pattern.

Top of the range; Valentine and Bel STi. (with prices well over 1K)

Midrange; Escort 8500 X50 and Bel's 940, 955, 965 etc.

Bottom range; Cobra, Whistler.

I ended up going for a Bel 940 for $350 (brand-new) off trademe. Most of the Bel' have an earphone jack.

Yeah, I went Escort 8500 X50 and I've been happy with it ever since... Same deal with the earphone jack. You can also hook it up so that it flashes a warning light from the same connection as the power cable.

[Naki Rat]

3rd vote for the Bel STI No false alerts, never misses a radar. oh yeah! Bike friendly. You need it in the feild of vision or it ain't worth squat, or a remote audio or flashing light for your helmet. A connection jack is required. I am not sure on this but have been led to believe that only the bel sti, Valentine and latest escort have jacks for remotes.

Superbright red LED panel aimed at eyes and run out of earphone jack on Bel 65. Works for me :2thumbsup

[roogazza]

On another note, has anyone else noticing that the STI doesn't pick up the camera vans anymore? I was thinking it's something to do with the latest camera's they've got. Can you actually update the software in the detector to pick them again?

Activate K band (I think it is ?) They changed cameras apparently. My V1 now is a pain in built up areas but thats the game we play . Gaz.

[davereid]

If he/she is skilled enough to get it almost instantaneously, you're fucked. But if he/she has to hold you for as bit to get a reflection (and remember laser is light and reflects at angles from curved surfaces) you just might just get enough warning to save your arse.


Yep, I have taken a couple of steps to give me extra time to slow down, (not that I speed). I have described them here before and plod laughed - but they are effective at delaying (not stopping) laser lock, for the reasons I described in my post on Laser slippage.

My car is black, really non reflective and it has a limited number of places that will provide a reflection.

One is the number plate, which I have mounted on an angle, rather than perfectly vertical. This causes slippage and delays laser lock.

The second good reflector is a DVD I have in the windscreen. DVDs had billions of dollars spent on them to create a surface that is a good reflector of laser. This will work exactly the same way, as it is at a very steep angle, any laser will suffer slippage if its most reflectve target is the DVD.

The third is on both my bike and car.

I have three cats eyes reflectors facing forward. They are one behind the other, spaced at 2 and 3 cm.

The idea is that viewed from in front of the vehicle, the cats eyes appear to be virtually in one place. But a laser reflecting off them will get 2-3-5 cm variance over only a few fractions of a minute of angle. This is enough to delay the laser lock on, until the MK1 eyeball has found the operator.

Does it work ?

Seems to. I have driven past a laser operator on the road into Shannon who seemed very frustrated with his gear, and was attempting to get a lock until I was only 100m away by which time I was at a very safe speed.

The principals of operation are sound, all we don't know is how the software in the laser tries to compensate for slippage error.

[Swoop]

On another note, has anyone else noticing that the STI doesn't pick up the camera vans anymore?
You need K-band activated. I did a few passes of a stationary cameravan to test out the bands. No problems detecting them.

[Gremlin]

Activate K band (I think it is ?) They changed cameras apparently. My V1 now is a pain in built up areas but thats the game we play . Gaz.
As he said... and be prepared to hear the warning of K Band... god it drives me nuts. What are the cops playing at? How unsporting :lol:

[Swoop]

god it drives me nuts.
Not being driven nuts, has saved me three times already...:2thumbsup

[dipshit]

You need K-band activated.

This is why I settled for a the basic Bel 940. No fancy bells and whistles for selecting individual bands... city/highway mode should do me fine. I live and travel on mostly rural open roads. Am not worried about stealth as they aren't illegal in NZ yet.

All I want is some adequate range on picking up radars on the open road.

[ckai]

Superbright red LED panel aimed at eyes and run out of earphone jack on Bel 65. Works for me :2thumbsup

I'm thinking of doing this to mine, but I'm looking at some red and blue [sic] LED's either side of the screen (can only be seen by rider) :2thumbsup: I thought that would be appropriate.


Activate K band (I think it is ?) They changed cameras apparently. My V1 now is a pain in built up areas but thats the game we play . Gaz.


You need K-band activated. I did a few passes of a stationary cameravan to test out the bands. No problems detecting them.


As he said... and be prepared to hear the warning of K Band... god it drives me nuts. What are the cops playing at? How unsporting :lol:

Thanks you lot, I'll give it a whirl.


All I want is some adequate range on picking up radars on the open road.

Best mine's done is 2km around corners. The least amount has been about 900m around real tight corners. I thought that was "adequate" enough.

[slofox]

Hehe, yeah this is true, but actually I have much more fun slipping through little gaps, using my cunning and experience, and just twisting the throttle. Anyone can twist the throttle and hang on. Not everyone can split and filter.

Also I think it's really dangerous running a large speed-differential in dense traffic. Anything can and will change in front of me, and if I can't get my speed back pronto, I end up being a part of someone elses' bumper.

Steve

I don't do it in dense traffic - I ride out of town mostly...


RE DIGITAL SPEED CAMERAS: I asked Radar Direct about the new digital cameras and the frequency they operate at. Reply, as I remember it, was sort of as follows...The new digital speed cameras work in a a different part of the K band - frequency about 24.0GHz instead of the more usual 24.125GHz (I think he said) - a lot of radar detectors are not equipped to respond to the frequency that is now being used. So it is suggested that you check with the maker to see if it will actually warn you or not. I haven't come across one yet so have no idea whether my buzzer will work...

[Rincewind]

Bel STI XR. Awesome unit and undetectable in operation to the cops as well.
Where did you buy your unit from..

[Little Smurf]

I've been told by the local cop or 2 that passing in a passing lane you may exceed to 118km, not anymore.

I use a Bel STI XR and fantastic saved me many times and thousands of $$$$. Haven't had any problems with mine it's been mint.
My partner has a Valentine and swears by it, personal preference I say would depend on the $$$ you have and want to spend. Would not be without them, every bike and vehicle are all wired to accommodate either brand.