Blackbird
25th October 2006, 07:05
For most bikes, the normal audio output of a radar detector is masked by wind noise and ear plugs, necessitating alternative methods of alerting the rider. One method is to connect the detector to a small speaker in the helmet. This is the system I employed until I got the screamer. It works really well, and only costs a few dollars to make. The downsides are the risk of accidentally disconnecting yourself whilst moving about on the bike (I’ve done it more than once without noticing), potential wire breakages and the slight inconvenience of plugging yourself in and remembering to disconnect yourself when you get off.
I have no experience of the HARD system which transmits a signal to LED’s on a helmet-mounted stalk within line of sight. However, human physiology dictates that an audible cue provokes a quicker reaction than a visual one, even if the difference is slight. I also understand that you have to remember to switch the battery pack on and off!
The Screamer is a piezo emitter similar in principle to a smoke alarm which plugs into the audio output jack of a radar detector. In standard form, they come with either 2.5 mm or 3.5 mm jacks suitable for the Valentine or Escort detectors, although it would be no problem in adapting it for other makes. The emitter is switched for mute, low volume or high volume settings, the highest being a 108 dBA shriek! Installation only takes a couple of hours. Power take off is from a switched lead from the fuse box - I connected it to the power lead for the detector for convenience. Self-splicing connectors are supplied although I soldered the power connection to be absolutely sure. The power lead is fitted with 3 snap lock connectors for the emitter, the small control pack and the switch. All cabling and the control pack was routed under the tank and makes for a tidy installation. I taped over the snap lock connectors to provide additional weather protection. The emitter is fixed to the top fork yoke with adhesive-backed Velcro. The attached photo shows the installation. Incidentally, the control on the left of the fork yoke is for heated grips, not the screamer.
Does it work? I’ll say it does! Doing a test on the lowest setting at a “bit” above the speed limit coming to work showed how easy it was to hear. It would still be easy to hear at “a lot” above the speed limit, even on the lowest setting! Are there any disadvantages to a screamer? Well, when it cycles through its checks when starting the bike, the noise could certainly attract attention if anyone was around. The same applies if it goes off when going through town but pressing the “cancel” on the detector or hitting the screamer mute button is no problem. Not that it really matters but the emitter only has one tone and you therefore can't determine whether you've been pinged with a laser or microwave radar (Ka band) unless you look at the detector display. Although it has yet to be used in anger, it appears to be an excellent alternative to a helmet speaker or the HARD system.
Price is US$99.95 from www.motorcycleradar.com, plus postage. Delivery takes less than a week. If you think that the cost is a bit much, KB’er Jantar made his own from a smoke detector and it works superbly. A search will find his post on the construction.
Cheers
Geoff
I have no experience of the HARD system which transmits a signal to LED’s on a helmet-mounted stalk within line of sight. However, human physiology dictates that an audible cue provokes a quicker reaction than a visual one, even if the difference is slight. I also understand that you have to remember to switch the battery pack on and off!
The Screamer is a piezo emitter similar in principle to a smoke alarm which plugs into the audio output jack of a radar detector. In standard form, they come with either 2.5 mm or 3.5 mm jacks suitable for the Valentine or Escort detectors, although it would be no problem in adapting it for other makes. The emitter is switched for mute, low volume or high volume settings, the highest being a 108 dBA shriek! Installation only takes a couple of hours. Power take off is from a switched lead from the fuse box - I connected it to the power lead for the detector for convenience. Self-splicing connectors are supplied although I soldered the power connection to be absolutely sure. The power lead is fitted with 3 snap lock connectors for the emitter, the small control pack and the switch. All cabling and the control pack was routed under the tank and makes for a tidy installation. I taped over the snap lock connectors to provide additional weather protection. The emitter is fixed to the top fork yoke with adhesive-backed Velcro. The attached photo shows the installation. Incidentally, the control on the left of the fork yoke is for heated grips, not the screamer.
Does it work? I’ll say it does! Doing a test on the lowest setting at a “bit” above the speed limit coming to work showed how easy it was to hear. It would still be easy to hear at “a lot” above the speed limit, even on the lowest setting! Are there any disadvantages to a screamer? Well, when it cycles through its checks when starting the bike, the noise could certainly attract attention if anyone was around. The same applies if it goes off when going through town but pressing the “cancel” on the detector or hitting the screamer mute button is no problem. Not that it really matters but the emitter only has one tone and you therefore can't determine whether you've been pinged with a laser or microwave radar (Ka band) unless you look at the detector display. Although it has yet to be used in anger, it appears to be an excellent alternative to a helmet speaker or the HARD system.
Price is US$99.95 from www.motorcycleradar.com, plus postage. Delivery takes less than a week. If you think that the cost is a bit much, KB’er Jantar made his own from a smoke detector and it works superbly. A search will find his post on the construction.
Cheers
Geoff