Radar Detectors

[cuppa]

I have started looking for a radar detector and am wondering whats hot and whats not and were to buy.So any info would be well recieved.Its to be fitted to an VTR1000.

[pritch]

I don't yet have one so can't comment. If you do a Google search for motorcycle radar detectors though, you should get something to read while you await replies from the experts.

[saul]

I have started looking for a radar detector and am wondering whats hot and whats not and were to buy.So any info would be well recieved.Its to be fitted to an VTR1000.


Hello cuppa.

I have an escort 8500x50 and it rocks.

I have a mount coming from the stem, very tidy

Has ear phone jack in the side so it is pretty simple to sort.

Really helps me relax when I am riding.:love::innocent:

opps the pic of the R1 is a mistake should have been another shot of the detector

[Blackbird]

A search of this website will find you dozens of posts on detectors and the performance of them.:rockon:

[Leong]

Its to be fitted to an VTR1000.

If you're looking for a stem mount, I have one for sale that probably fits - 19mm Stem mount. http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=33788

I've used a V1 in the cage for years, recently mounted it onto the bike and got a HARD for it. Only been using this 2 weeks. Doesn't false, and picked up 2 radar signals well in advance so far. HARD is good but diff to remember to turn it off

[Swoop]

The search button is your friend.....

Bel RX65 Pro.

[Timber020]

I second the escort 8500- awesome little tax saver

[scumdog]

They're all a waste of time :nya: :wait:

(Where's Lou when you need him?)

[Clivoris]

I think he is ironing his blouse? :blink:

I think they are a waste of time in the sense that by the time they have detected a laser locking onto you the officer has locked it and into the process of pulling you over or noting your plate.

They radar detection doesn't work well when cops adopt the passive scanning technique.

You can't get a wholeproof system that will protect you, it comes down to luck and chance more than anything....and if you decide to speed.

Is it true that they don't pick up laser unless it is aiming directly at the unit sensor?

[StoneChucker]

Even though this has been done before, there are always new people and they don't/can't always search every thread, so I'm happy to add my $2.35:sunny:

If you don't mind paying a little extra, then there is only one choice. It is:

The Beltronics XR AUNZ Series
Price: About $1195.00
Available: A few places, one of which is Radar Direct (Click Here) (http://www.radardirect.co.nz/index2.html)

The Valentine One (V1) USED to be the best detector, but as times change, so does technology. Bel completelly surpassed the the Valentine One with their new Bel XR AUNZ. I got mine a few months ago, and it blows the competition away. I was on ACC funded taxis for about a year, and my regular driver had a V1. It used to chirp / alarm the whole bloody way to work, and the whole way back, and there was never ever any bloody police car or speed van. It was picking up petrol stations, garage doors, other detectors (according to the excuses my embarrased driver used to make up), etc... If you want your own mind made up, go to a shop and ask to look at the two, it's quickly quite obvious which detector is the one to go for, even if you go on looks alone. The V1 looks very tired.

With my detector (When I bought it, it had the full name of the Beltronics STi XR AU/NZ Series), I often drive to and from work (a 60km round trip) without it going off once. That's because the quality and settings make sure that it only goes off when there is a reason to. Most of the time there are no speed traps, and you don't need to have your detector going off constantly to make you feel better! When mine does go off, you can be bloody sure there is a reason to stop! (Ask CrazyLittleShit, he went for a drive with me the other day - heaps of warning and no false alarms).

It is completely user friendly, comes perfectly setup up out the box. You can however change all the settings if you want eg: turn bands on/off, change brightness, make it run in full dark mode (for discretion, although they are legal so I never use that function), change volume, options, everything. You can keep the standard alert setting which flashes the band detected AND gives you an initial voice alert of the detection and what band it is, and shows via a bar what the signal strength is (band = type of radar that is detected i.e. laser, different types of radar bands, etc...). While it detects a "threat", it carries on beeping (beeps speed up as the signal strength increases), but it auto mutes from the good initial volume to a softer volume so you can still hear it but it doesn't drive you crazy. That of course, you can change if you so desire.

It comes in a nice aliminium case, with a winscreen mounting bracket and two sets of suction cups, a cigarette lighter power source and a hard wiring power source. I use the hardwired power source (it's neater and I had it done with the other gadgets I added during pre-purchase) which has a remote mute button and detection alert LED (If you run the detector in full dark mode, only the LED flashes. And, if you turn auto-mute of the alert off, you use the mute button on the remote to mute the detection alert volume when you want it muted). The actual detector is very sturdy, made of a light but solid and sturdy metal, probably aliminium, coated in black. The detector has a quick-release button which quickly (duh!) and easily detaches from the winscreen mounting bracket for secure storage when not in use.

I bought mine from the company linked above (Radar Direct, the Lower Hutt branch), and they are super helpful. As it's such a good (i.e. expensive) item, they gave me a few freebies (like the soft leather carry case which usually costs about $30.00). I don't work for them nor do I represent this item/manufacturer in any way, I just want people to have the facts when buying a good detector.

With regards to the HARD kit (also available from the above link), my time was cut short before I had the chance to have a bike to put the detector on. If I still rode, I would definitely give the HARD kit a go, even if I hadn't heard any reviews of it. And if I still rode, I would buy the Bel XR AUNZ Series before I even bought a bike, it's that good. Hope you find what you're looking for.

Regards,
Dave.

[StoneChucker]

Is it true that they don't pick up laser unless it is aiming directly at the unit sensor?
As far as I understand:

Yes, to some extent. Laser is detectable if the narrow beam falls in your detectors path. This is a cut 'n paste from a reliable site specialising in detectors:

Laser guns 904 nanometer, infrared beam is only 40 cm wide and does not scatterŠ (bounce off objects like radar). If your laser detectors receiver is out of this 40 cm beam width, chances are it will not alert to laser's use. If the laser gun were pointed directly at your detector, it would alert. The chances of getting any advanced warning of laser being aimed at the car in front of you are slim.

You can however seriously increase your chances of avoiding having a speed registered on the cop's laser gun by adding a laser jammer kit. These however are probably not legal, but they are very clever and allow you to detect the threat, adjust your speed and turn off the jammer - this might cause the cop to think his box of dougnuts may have caused an erroneous reading [pt - I like cops, and I like doughnuts - the principle is serious though :rockon: ]

There are a couple of things that neither detectors nor jammers can save you from:
1) Instant on radar or laser - Cop sitting on side of road with laser/radar off. Waits till you're in range and wham! turns it on... Radar detector / laser jammer goes off at the same time your speed registers on cop's device
2) Pace setting of a cop - using his car/bike to judge your speed is admissable in court

[Leong]

I was on ACC funded taxis for about a year, and my regular driver had a V1. It used to chirp / alarm the whole bloody way to work, and the whole way back, and there was never ever any bloody police car or speed van. It was picking up petrol stations, garage doors, other detectors (according to the excuses my embarrased driver used to make up)

Obviously not all V1's are the same. Mine virtually NEVER falses. When I got my HARD, and wanted to try it out I spent ages looking for a cop with radar - there are NO auto doors etc that regularly make it false. Mine was bought thru radar direct and is "tuned for NZ" whatever that means - it works!

I think the HARD system (at least presently) only works with the V1 and the Escort.

[What?]

If you don't mind paying a little extra, then there is only one choice. It is:

The Beltronics XR AUNZ Series
Price: About $1195.00
Available: A few places, one of which is Radar Direct (Click Here) (http://www.radardirect.co.nz/index2.html)

No doubt that it is a good unit Dave, BUT...

1/ It is the same guts as an Escort x50, with a different case (made in same factory by same company).
2/ According to the manufacturers (I wrote to them and asked...), there is no such thing as a NZ spec.
3/ Even if there was, there would not be an Aus spec (detectors being illegal over yonder)
4/ Radardirect are fugginexpensive.

[Lou Girardin]

I'm back scummy. Cuppa you can listen to the cops, or you can search the site for info. I've used detectors since I lost my speeding immunity, I couldn't imagine how much dosh and walking time they've saved me.
Except for lasers, you have to be very lucky to pick up laser scatter off another vehicle before the IRD man targets you, that's why I use a laser jammer.
Contact www.cartertonryan.co.nz for prices.

[Quasievil]

No doubt that it is a good unit Dave, BUT...

1/ It is the same guts as an Escort x50, with a different case (made in same factory by same company).
2/ According to the manufacturers (I wrote to them and asked...), there is no such thing as a NZ spec.
3/ Even if there was, there would not be an Aus spec (detectors being illegal over yonder)
4/ Radardirect are fugginexpensive.

I was in las Vegas a year back at the SEMA show (biggest car show on earth) I spoke to the Bel boys and they informed me the NZ distributor re labels the standard detectors as a marketing ploy, there is no such thing as a NZ spec, you should avoid Radar Direct at all costs. I got my RX65 off trademe, new and sealed for $400 ish, it is perfect, radar Roy gave it 5 out of 5 stars and notes it as the best he has tested ever.
Escort is made by Bel, Bel is the dominant player in the market owning about 90% of the patents for radar detector technology, escorts and bels, great units.
Hard system is a great idea, and Im considering going this way.

[Squeak the Rat]

I believe the STi is same as the rx65 except it is harder to detect with a radar-detector-detector. As they are not illegal (currently) in NZ, I'd save $500 and go with the rx65. In fact I just did last week. And can reccomend cartertonryan (see Lous post).

[Swoop]

Even though this has been done before, so I'm happy to add my $2.35:sunny: As far as I understand...
Sounds like the features on the BEL RX 65Pro to me.


There are a couple of things that neither detectors nor jammers can save you from:
1) Instant on radar or laser - Cop sitting on side of road with laser/radar off. Waits till you're in range and wham! turns it on... Radar detector / laser jammer goes off at the same time your speed registers on cop's device
A laser jammer will jam instant-on laser. A cop does not sit there with the trigger mashed down. An individual "shot" will be taken to get the reading of a vehicle, so your laser jammer will be effective and provide a blank reading on their readout.
Laser jammers are legal in nz, radar jammers are not.


Obviously not all V1's are the same. Mine virtually NEVER falses. Mine was bought thru radar direct and is "tuned for NZ" whatever that means - it works!.
You have two bands turned off to avoid the false alerts.:innocent:


I think the HARD system (at least presently) only works with the V1 and the Escort.
And the BEL...

[Jantar]

I use the Escort X50. As Quasi and What? have already mentioned, the Escort and the Bel are essentially the same unit, and both are currently slightly better than the Valentine. But any of these top end units are all pretty good.

No radar dectector will stop you getting a ticket if the cop is waiting with his radar on standby. When he targets you is when he gets a lock, and your radar detector will only tell you that you are already caught. However, its when he does that to a vehicle a km in front of you that you also get a warning that there is a revenue collector in the area. Then there are some cops who are lazy and just drive around with their radar on all the time. These ones are easy to detect.

Most bikes present a small reflective area to radar and laser, which means you need to be closer to them tbefore they get a lock, This often means you may have an extra second or two to wash off any excess speed.

I mount my detector above the instruments so its read out is immediately in my eye. And rather than use an earplug or a HARD system, I have a 95db screamer made from a smoke detector that I can hear over the wind and engine noise at 130 kmh.

[The_Dover]

I believe the STi is same as the rx65

dunno, I've never been to the doc for an rx65.

[The_Dover]

How do laser jammers work?

They jam lasers.

[Swoop]

They jam lasers.
:first: :clap: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Jantar]

How do laser jammers work?

Here is a note on how the Blinder works:
The BLINDER X-TREME LASER JAMMER is the newest and most effective laser jamming equipment on the market and it employs the fastest digital signal processing technology available in the non-military arena. When you are hit with a police laser gun, the BLINDER X-TREME LASER JAMMER immediately identifies the type of laser equipment and established a series of infrared pulses in front of your vehicle that disrupts the return of the laser pulses to the laser gun. The return pulse, if any, is scrambled, and the speed cannot be calculated. This is the same laser jamming stealth technology employed in the Iraq theater. The BLINDER X-TREME LASER JAMMER sets the highest standard for laser defense systems in the automotive market.

Because Laser uses light waves, not radio waves, transmitting light is legal and hence the jammers are legal. Here is an evaluation report on the effectiveness of laser jammers. It worked on 117 out of 120 tests.

FIELD EVALUATION REPORT
BY SPEED MEASUREMENT LABORATORIES, INC.
Evaluated Product: Laser Blinder
Evaluation Date: 8 August 2003
Evaluation Location: Stan Roberts Senior Road, El Paso, TX
Personnel: Sgt. Victor Araiza, El Paso ISD Police, Officer Patrick Linam, El Paso ISD Police, Carl Fors, SML, Dave Adams E.E., SML, Cory Jensen, SML, Liz Hermida, SML, Torben Andersen, Blinder, Leon Gruner, Blinder,
F. John Turner,
1-Radar-Laser-Jammers-Detectors.com
Conditions: Clear, 92-100 F°
Report Number: SML0803:17
Report Date: 12 August 03
Certifications: Sgt. Araiza, Officer Linam, and Carl Fors Certified Laser Gun Operators, NHTSA, standard

Evaluation Methodology: Blinder produces a laser countermeasure designed to produce no speed readings when it encounters police laser guns. Court president established by New Jersey Superior Court ruling of 1998, Judge Reginald Stanton, dictates laser may not be used for speed assessment at distances greater than 1,000 feet. Current police training programs also recommend no targeting past this distance as the divergence of the laser gun's 904 nanometer, 3 milliradian, beam would be greater than 36 inches producing a likelihood of erroneous speed readings from adjacent vehicles. All laser guns were operated by either Sgt. Araiza or Officer Linam. No speed assessment equipment, i.e. police radar and/or laser guns are ever operated by SML personnel eliminating any suggestions of testing bias. Both Sgt. Araiza and Officer Linam are certified laser operators. They were instructed to operate the laser guns as they do each day in issuing speeding tickets. The following police laser guns were used during the field evaluation: Kustom Pro Laser III, Stalker LZ-1, Laser Technologies Inc. Ultralyte LR 200, and Laser Atlanta Speed Laser.

Officers are trained to aim laser guns at front license plates as the plates provide an excellent retro-reflective surface. Laser needs a flat reflective surface to be effective and can not be aimed at windshields. In the absence of a front license plate, as is the case in seventeen states, officers aim the laser at the headlights of the target vehicle. As is the case with all SML field evaluations, only white mid-sized cars are used as target vehicles. This is the most difficult scenario for laser countermeasures as white is the most reflective color and easily targetable by laser compared to non-reflective black vehicles. Optical physics dictates white reflects all colors, while black absorbs all colors including police laser gun emissions.

Cones were placed on the test course at distances of 1,000 and 500 feet. The test vehicle approached each cone at two different speeds, i.e. 30 mph and then 60 mph. This approximates laser being used in the city and then the highway J setting. Speed is important in defeating laser guns.

The longer the laser beam remains on the target vehicle the greater chance of a speed reading. The slower 30 mph should yield more speed readings.

All laser guns were operated in the constant tracking mode compared to the single shot mode. This is the typical operational methodology used by police agencies as the constant tracking mode shows fluctuations in target vehicle speeds and further substantiates the legality of "visual tracking history" which is necessary for thorough and legal speed assessment.

The vehicle containing the Blinder approached each cone and counted down via a two way commercial radio when it arrived at each cone. The officer then fired the laser. There were two tries at each speed and each aiming point, i.e. first the license plate and then the passenger headlight. Laser guns were operated outside the base vehicle on the shoulder of the same lane as the test/target vehicle.

The test vehicle was first targeted from the front and then from the rear going away from the laser guns. Rear targeting with police laser is rare. Combining front and rear aiming of all four laser guns, Blinder was exposed to 120 laser encounters. Blinder was also exposed to Laser Atlanta's Speed Laser set in the Stealth mode. This mode claims it can not be jammed. For field testing purposes Blinder's transponders were not concealed in the vehicle's front cowling or rear bumper assembly. This mounting neither enhanced nor diminished the normal placement performance. Blinder consists of two front and two rear mounted transponders. Under actual usage, Blinder's transponders would be concealed to avoid recognition. See picture at right for normal, concealed installation.

Results: One of the four laser guns inform the operator if the laser gun is being jammed. Stalker produce jamming codes of E-6 accordingly.

However, these codes can be produced by other outside influences such as direct sun light and road mirages and are often ignored by operators. E 1 code means insufficient data. Jamming efficiency is reported in three forms, i.e. JTG meaning Jam To Gun, J meaning Jam, and N meaning no jamming occurred. JTG further means the laser countermeasure jammed the laser gun from the point of first encounter, 500 and 1000 foot cone, to the laser gun's position. J means countermeasure jammed the laser gun but uncloaked at some distance as is reported as J (210).

The countermeasure jammed the laser gun but uncloaked at 210 feet. Note rear results reported as J or N as Blinder could not JTG going away from gun. Blinder notifies driver with in cabin speaker.

CLICK HERE for Hard Data from the Test Results

Summary: Laser Blinder during its 120 encounters with four laser guns with different aiming points, different speeds, from the front and the rear of the target vehicle failed to jam only four times out of the 120 encounters resulting in a jamming efficiency percentage of 97%. Noted speed reception distances were averaged between the two tries in each category.

Based on the field performance of Laser Blinder, it is awarded Speed Measurement Laboratories Inc. "Performance Certification" as it performed as advertised in jamming all police laser guns.

This "Performance Certification" is awarded for one year from the date of this report. It is confirmed all police laser guns were operated by certified police officers in accordance with standards established by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, IACP, and operational guidelines set forth by NHTSA. All laser guns used during the field evaluation are certified by the IACP as they appear on its web site of www.iacp.org.

The results were witnessed by the attending police officers, SML staff, and representatives of Laser Blinder.

Speed Measurement Laboratories Inc. neither condones nor condemns the use of the products it field evaluates. The results of this field evaluation should not be construed as an endorsement of the product, but as a factual representation of the product's performance. Products were evaluated under ideal testing conditions and individual performance may vary. SML's "Performance Certification" logo is a trademark of Speed Measurement Laboratories, Inc. and may not be used, duplicated, nor reproduced without the expressed, written permission of the company as covered by the copyright law of the United States.



Results Attested To:


Carl Fors. B.S.
President
Speed Measurement Laboratories, Inc.
FCC Licensee RS Radiolocation KNNN392
Certified Radar/Laser Instructor/LES

CF/rd
file
SML Report #0308:17

[Lou Girardin]

They jam lasers.

Simply put, they emit a very wide beam of laser light at the same freq as the Stalker. This disrupts the return signal.
Visualise your laser as a torch and the jammer as thick smoke. Some jammers aren't as smokey as others and the laser beam punches through at short range.

[The_Dover]

I would actually use the analogy of shining at torch in the dark to try and illuminate and object. You see the object by the light that is reflected off it. Now if some smart arse hiding on or around that object, let's call him Mr Jammer, shines a fucking big torch right back at you then you are "blinded" and your eyes see the light he is shining, rather than the light waves reflected off the object you are looking at.

Simple enough for you Piggy? Or would you like me to get my crayons out and draw you an ickle picture?

[Pixie]

I think he is ironing his blouse? :blink:

I think they are a waste of time in the sense that by the time they have detected a laser locking onto you the officer has locked it and into the process of pulling you over or noting your plate.

They radar detection doesn't work well when cops adopt the passive scanning technique.

You can't get a wholeproof system that will protect you, it comes down to luck and chance more than anything....and if you decide to speed.

Ha Ha Ha .....funny cops

[Pixie]

I was on ACC funded taxis for about a year, and my regular driver had a V1. It used to chirp / alarm the whole bloody way to work, and the whole way back, and there was never ever any bloody police car or speed van. It was picking up petrol stations, garage doors, other detectors (according to the excuses my embarrased driver used to make up), etc... If you want your own mind made up, go to a shop and ask to look at the two, it's quickly quite obvious which detector is the one to go for, even if you go on looks alone. The V1 looks very tired.

The idiot had it programmed wrong

You still can't beat the V1's front and rear antennas

[Ixion]

Simply put, they emit a very wide beam of laser light at the same freq as the Stalker. This disrupts the return signal.
Visualise your laser as a torch and the jammer as thick smoke. Some jammers aren't as smokey as others and the laser beam punches through at short range.

Does not this imply, though, that the jammer's emitter must be mounted at pretty nearly the point the laser cop is aiming at? So if he aims at something different the jammer won't "see" the laser beam? E.G. aim at the rider's helmet? (I have considered mounting a radar detector on my helmet. There are problems)

[The_Dover]

E.G. aim at the rider's helmet?

Would be hidden by the tank surely?


(I have considered mounting a radar detector on my helmet. There are problems)

Won't the velcro stick? Or will it not detect thru your pants?

[Pixie]

Does not this imply, though, that the jammer's emitter must be mounted at pretty nearly the point the laser cop is aiming at? So if he aims at something different the jammer won't "see" the laser beam? E.G. aim at the rider's helmet? (I have considered mounting a radar detector on my helmet. There are problems)

The jammer's main efficiency is that it transmits a signal many orders of magnitude greater than the cop's lidar unit's echo.So the echo is lost in noise.
The jammers use IR LEDs not lasers,with a beam divergence of 20 or 30 degrees.

Although the claims for other detectors being better than V1 are technically true, this is a narrow measurement of staight line of sight detection distance.
I've had a > 6km contact on the V1 on a straight road beside a canal,This is largely irrelevant on our winding,hilly roads.

[Lou Girardin]

Does not this imply, though, that the jammer's emitter must be mounted at pretty nearly the point the laser cop is aiming at? So if he aims at something different the jammer won't "see" the laser beam? E.G. aim at the rider's helmet? (I have considered mounting a radar detector on my helmet. There are problems)

Yes. One transmitter unit suffices for bikes, but cars need two and trucks, big 4WD's etc need 4.

The cops aim at the best reflector, reg plate, headlights etc.

[Ixion]

Is a corollary of that , that a cop won't laser you from behind? Only when you're heading toward him?

And the lasers don't work on Doppler, like radar, do they? So how do they handle side on?

[Swoop]

Is a corollary of that , that a cop won't laser you from behind? Only when you're heading toward him?

To get lasered from behind, this means you have ridden past him...

[Ixion]

Or he has sneaked up behind you. Which is the cop I fear, the barstool in a mufti car who drops in behind y' while you're going slow and legal through town, then follows you until you're out of the town and open it up. Is hard to spot a mufti when he's behind you, especially if it's not a Holden. One reason why if there's anyone that possibly could be one following me as I leave town I drop back and let them past. At the expense of maybe having to overtake them a bit further on

Can they not use laser from a moving vehicle? If they can only do it from a stationery vehicle ahead, then the old Mk II eyeball should work pretty well.

[Squeak the Rat]

No, laser is stationary only. Watch for overbridges, bushes etc though.

I too employ the please-overtake manouver. If your car is less than 6 years old you are a cop until proven innocent.

Mr Bel rx65 is another of my judge/jury's...

[Blackbird]

Or he has sneaked up behind you. Which is the cop I fear, the barstool in a mufti car who drops in behind y' while you're going slow and legal through town, then follows you until you're out of the town and open it up. Is hard to spot a mufti when he's behind you, especially if it's not a Holden. One reason why if there's anyone that possibly could be one following me as I leave town I drop back and let them past. At the expense of maybe having to overtake them a bit further on

Can they not use laser from a moving vehicle? If they can only do it from a stationery vehicle ahead, then the old Mk II eyeball should work pretty well.

I believe that all lasers require stationary use for aiming purposes. In the UK, they go as far as setting them up on tripods. Not sure whether this is a legal requirement. Unbeknownst to me, I had a mufti car follow me south on SH1 towards Taupo a while back, presumably intent on doing exactly what you described. I had noticed a car trailing me for some distance a few hundred metres away but didn't think any more about it as I was stricly legal for once. However, a car came the other way at a fairly brisk rate and I just about filled my pants when the mufti went to "instant on" and my detector went off. Sure enough, the car following me peeled off and gave chase. My ticker isn't built for surprises like that:shutup:

[Lou Girardin]

Is a corollary of that , that a cop won't laser you from behind? Only when you're heading toward him?

And the lasers don't work on Doppler, like radar, do they? So how do they handle side on?


It's not doppler shift but similar. It measures the return speed of the laser pulses.Cosine error has little effect because of the speed of lock-on, but it can't be used at 90 degrees to the target.
And they can shoot you from behind, but few seem to do it.

[roogazza]

The cops aim at the best reflector, reg plate, headlights etc.

For that reason I run with the headlight off nowdays (together with those twin streetfighter type headlight thingys ) Why give them extra to aim at ?

In the car this morning at the top of the gorge heading to Wgton I got a very strong Laser signal and hit the picks !! never did see any boogeys ???????
The V1 is magic and although not full proof with laser , I find against radar its hard to beat. I often get 1 km warning....... Gaz.

[Filterer]

It's not doppler shift but similar. It measures the return speed of the laser pulses.

You trying to tell me that they car changes the speed of light, I think not...
I think more correctly it times the difference for succesive pulses to go from coppa to car and back and therefor the distance the car must have travelled over between pulses

[Jantar]

I think more correctly it times the difference for succesive pulses to go from coppa to car and back and therefor the distance the car must have travelled over between pulses
That is correct. And that is why a constant stream of laser light, not pulsed, can jam the Laser speed dectection unit.

[Lou Girardin]

For that reason I run with the headlight off nowdays

On the contrary grasshopper, the IR component of the headlight does slow lock-on. Especially the old tungsten bulb type.

[Lou Girardin]

You trying to tell me that they car changes the speed of light, I think not...
I think more correctly it times the difference for succesive pulses to go from coppa to car and back and therefor the distance the car must have travelled over between pulses

That's what I was trying to say in a hurry.

[scumdog]

For that reason I run with the headlight off nowdays (together with those twin streetfighter type headlight thingys ) Why give them extra to aim at ?


The V1 is magic and although not full proof with laser , I find against radar its hard to beat. I often get 1 km warning....... Gaz.

The ranges I use the laser at I can't distinguish the headlight, best to leave it on and (hopefully) be seen more easily by other road users.

And with 'instant-on' in hilly country you're more easily pinged, be warned!!

[Hellraiser]

Or he has sneaked up behind you. Which is the cop I fear, the barstool in a mufti car who drops in behind y' while you're going slow and legal through town, then follows you until you're out of the town and open it up. Is hard to spot a mufti when he's behind you, especially if it's not a Holden. One reason why if there's anyone that possibly could be one following me as I leave town I drop back and let them past. At the expense of maybe having to overtake them a bit further on

Can they not use laser from a moving vehicle? If they can only do it from a stationery vehicle ahead, then the old Mk II eyeball should work pretty well.

All ways look at the middle of the dash all mufti cars have a control unit for flashers and stuff in the center of the dash which is quite visable from your mirrors.

[Squeak the Rat]

All ways look at the middle of the dash all mufti cars have a control unit for flashers and stuff in the center of the dash which is quite visable from your mirrors.

If they are right behind you maybe. 50 meters back and I couldn't tell squat. Plus a lot of people mount detectors there which can make it look like some coppa-control gear (as can some rear window brake lights).

Listen to scumdog regarding the hills and instant on, but if you don't live in the sticks you have a little more chance of picking up some sort of signal as the coppa zaps one of the 5,432,543 cars in front of you. One of the benefits of living in Auckland I guess :rofl:

[Lou Girardin]

The ranges I use the laser at I can't distinguish the headlight, best to leave it on and (hopefully) be seen more easily by other road users.

And with 'instant-on' in hilly country you're more easily pinged, be warned!!

Unless stalker man is asleep. I been zapped twice now, after I got legal.:innocent:

[Jonny Rotten]

i have the velintine one in my work van..... so far since having it i have not been let down by it once.
i have found that even if im traveling down a road and a cop car is coming down a side road infront of me the valintine one still seems to pick them up some how....

i also had one case when i was driving up the motor way towards silverdale... i had just past the bp station and the radar detector went off so i slowed down....the cop was ages down the road next to the silverdale off ramp....

this seems like along way for one of these detectors to work from.....

how does it pick them up from so far away? is it because it is a large open area...

or does the v1 pick up on the radio signal aswell?

[myvice]

If you’re using the HARD unit can, would, should you mount the detector in a harder to reach less visible spot?
I was thinking along the lines of maybe under the in-fill panels or right at the front of your screen just above/behind the speedo?
It’s all plastic from the bars forward and doesn’t radar look through it?
Repco/Appco can do Bell detectors but not the HARD units.
About $1195.00
Day licence is also about that! Plus your fine, court costs, lawyers fee, day off work…

[Lou Girardin]

or does the v1 pick up on the radio signal aswell?

No. But under ideal conditions you can get phenomenal range. I've picked up a cop at close to 10 k's. Pixie was there too, got the same range. We both thought we had some extraneous signal, until we saw the candy car.

[scumdog]

No. But under ideal conditions you can get phenomenal range. I've picked up a cop at close to 10 k's. Pixie was there too, got the same range. We both thought we had some extraneous signal, until we saw the candy car.

Thars why you believe the detector EVERY TIME.:yes:

[davereid]

Riding in a group helps. Stalker DSR can tell the fastest vehicle in beam, and the strongest signal. But it cant tell which is which. So the cop has to assess that (ie make it up). And if there are multiple vehicles in beam, strictly speaking the radar is out of its technological depth. Thats not to say the courts won't support the ticket, but from a technical pint of view it getting pretty shakey !

see http://www.eslnz.com/radar.html for some more data

[jonbuoy]

headphones way too distrating, and can't wear ear plugs comfortably. Have an escort 8500, its bloody annoying being wired into the bike stopping for gas, quick head turns etc... I was thinking of fitting a great fuck-off superbright LED to shine up from the winshield on alert, have to suss out the output from it first though.

[Lou Girardin]

headphones way too distrating, and can't wear ear plugs comfortably. Have an escort 8500, its bloody annoying being wired into the bike stopping for gas, quick head turns etc... I was thinking of fitting a great fuck-off superbright LED to shine up from the winshield on alert, have to suss out the output from it first though.

If the helmet buzzer and connection is properly designed, you don't know it's there. I tried a variant of the HARD system and found the LED was too easy to miss in some conditions. But I NEVER miss the buzzer.

[jonbuoy]

Its the cable that joins me to the bike thats annoying.

[Quasievil]

Guys Im thinking about this little gizmo, seems to have good reviews and its waterproof, Im just not sue where I will mount it on the 999, not alot of space on the yokes
Anyway check it out

http://www.motorcycleradar.com/radar_screamer.htm

You might be interested in the mounts to, good range and cheaper than most

[BNZ]

I used to use a V1.7 and it never let me down. Even a cop coming towards me then turning his radar on didnt work as it seemed the V1 found his radar got a reading on me. There are manuals on the V1 website explaining how to disable X and K bands. ( I believe you only need the KA and Laser in NZ??)

[jim.cox]

I second the escort 8500- awesome little tax saver

Any impressions of the Escort Solo 2 ?

I've got an original that doesn't seem to work any more = as I found to my cost = and was thinking of updating

[Swoop]

Repco/Appco can do Bell detectors but not the HARD units.
About $1195.00…

Bloody expensive mate.
Try Parallel Imported!!!
http://www.parallelimported.co.nz

[StoneChucker]

Firstly all V1 owners: V1's are good detectors when setup correctly. That's why the new Bel XR works so well, because they are setup correctly AND they are slightly better than the V1's... The Bel XR is expensive, but compared with another Bel XR sold elsewhere, that price of $1195 is not that far off the cheapest you'll find.

I'm sure the RX65 has the same basic components, but it is an older model. Obviously it is going to be a shit load cheaper. The build quality is not as good and its been around for a while. It's KIND OF like the R1 and the FZR1000, both have the same basic engine, the R1 is tuned more and has a higher build quality. Everyone is going to swear their detector is the best, or the best value.

When it comes down to it, the new Bel XR is the best detector money can buy. Bel are slightly better than Valentine in terms of detection ability (as mentioned here by others), the new Bel XR has the newest version/manufacture of the componantry of the Escort RX65 (according to people here) which is supposedly really good, and finally, the new Bel XR has the latest build design with superior quality. The new Bel XR also has a rear facing detector like the V1. I don't think the Escort RX65 even has that feature. Regarding the NZ/AU Series, that simply means that the vendor/seller has set up the device for best operation in the country/region it is sold. By the sounds of it, what everyone here preferrs, is to look on Trade-Me, Joe Randoms Radar shop or any parallel importers. I guess that is fine, but make sure that:
1) It is fully functional in NZ
2) It is fully guaranteed in NZ
3) Parts are available for it in NZ (Valentine 1 supposedly only sells parts in the US, you'll possibly need to get parts online)
4) You know how to set it up for NZ conditions

But I overlooked one big point. The continual consensus around here is to get the cheapest version of anything. So yes, if you're trying to get the cheapest possible detector that works well, go for the RX65. Me, I am a firm believer than new models of good quality devices are usually better in every way. My life motto is "You get what you pay for!", which doesn't only refer to actual money.

In future, everyone asking a similar question should state whether they are after the best device, or whether they are trying to get the cheapest possible but functional, value-for-money device.

Dave.

[Lou Girardin]

Its the cable that joins me to the bike thats annoying.

I know someone who's considering doing an RF based audible helmet warning.
The problem is remembering to charge the power supply, because it's sure to go flat when the IRD are about to zap you.

[Lou Girardin]

Are you sure the new Bel has 2 radar antennas and not just 2 laser sensors? Because Valentine has the patent till next year

[jonbuoy]

Guys Im thinking about this little gizmo, seems to have good reviews and its waterproof, Im just not sue where I will mount it on the 999, not alot of space on the yokes
Anyway check it out

http://www.motorcycleradar.com/radar_screamer.htm

You might be interested in the mounts to, good range and cheaper than most

Thats a good idea. Like you say spay would be a problem.

[Ruralman]

has anyone had any experience with the battery powered Bel946. It reviews OK but some real world experience would help. There is a Trademe seller selling them @ $299. They are meant to be able to be operated either stuck on your screen or in your pocket (??) with a deflector thing that clips toyour helmet. It has an earpiece for the warning. the test showed it was acceptable on Ka and pretty well ignored X band. Meant to have been designed for bike use.
Sounds OK in theory but.................

[rubidor]

I Have been using the Whistler Cruisader with Hard, Seems to work reasonably well, I really lke the Helmet Display.

Specifically for bikes , time will tell, but one things for sure its peace of mind.:scooter:

[Ruralman]

I Have been using the Whistler Cruisader with Hard, Seems to work reasonably well, I really lke the Helmet Display.

Specifically for bikes , time will tell, but one things for sure its peace of mind.:scooter:

Where'd you get it and for how much?

[rubidor]

Radar2go via trademe, $750 was the best price I could find, they generally have plenty of auctions running 4 detectors, just ask the ? of a buy now price for what you want on one of these, Thats how I got mine.
www.radar2go.co.nz