Well, these radar detectors do indeed slow one down

[Ixion]

Qite a lot.

Having finally gotten round to mounting the thing on von Klunken, and venturing out for a couple of trial trips on SH16 and SH2

(1). There are a bloody sight more cops out there than I thought.
(2). The thing definately does have the effect of slowing one down. Thing is, the range seems to be at least several kilometres. So it goes off quite often. Every time it does I think "Oh shit, someones got a radar lock on me !" and slam the brakes on down to 95kph. Then I'm too traumatised to risk getting back up to cruising speed for at least 10 kilometres, before which, like as not, there's another of the buggers (they're all Ka signals too so I don't think they are false alarms). Could be a cunning plan for the cops, just plant radar emitters every few kilometres.
(3). Most of the bastidges are CHEATING and using that standby mode thing. Which means the detector ain't so much good for high speeds, cos in effect you are relying on the plod pinging someone else before he pings you (otherwise the first ping you detect is the ping that pings you ). And high speeds implies not much other traffic around to get him to break cover. But, on the other hand, when there's not much other traffic the Mark 1 eyeball is at its most efficient

Even picked up one along the Thames coast , just out of the big 50kph zone, after the Boomerang place , going Thamesward. Wouldn't have thought there would have been much picking for him there, hardly any of the cages manage to get up to 80 let alone break the limit. Must have been a mufti too.

Wonder how long it will be before that stretch is all 50kph zoned, its well along the way already. Pity.

Stopped for a beer and feed at the Royal Oak in Tapu, BTW. Haven't stopped there for a few years, used to be a bit rough but friendly enough. Mistake that was, haven't encountered such rudeness and 'get fucked' attitude since the 1960s. Good old Kiwi hospitality, NOT. Not recommended.

And 'Hi' to the dude on the other white BMW if you happen to be a KBer.

EDIT. Apropos of (3). In onw way is a good thing that the plod are now under instruction to ticket anyone 11kph over.Cos if they only pinged , say, 130+ and if they cruised around in standby mode, only flicking it on when they saw someone going really fast, odds are it'd be us they caught, and there wouldn't be any other "targets" they'd bother with, cos its easy by eye to tell if someone's 30kph over the limit, and most traffic isn't. But 11kph, y'cant tell by eye if someone is going 105 or 115, so they need to ping a lot of possibles, and that alerts those with detectors.

Also makes the pilot fish scheme even more valuable. Before I had to keep close enough to the fish to be able to see him get stopped, but not so close that I got nabbed too. Not easy. Now I can let the fish run a kilometre ahead, and pick up the ping that gets him.

[Drum]

Contraption sounds like a waste of time. Still, I don't ride 16.

[Biff]

Mine rarely goes off without very good reason. So, like you, it takes me farquin ages to get back up to 'speed' after it goes off.

It's a conspiracy I thunk. I blame the small people.

[Karma]

It's a conspiracy I thunk. I blame the small people.

The lilliputians or the oompa lumpas?

[Grahameeboy]

Odd society when you think about it.

The Govt allows us to by bikes that can break the speed limit and gets GST.
But if you break the speed limit you are breaking the Law.

It is legal to buy a radar detector and the Govt gets GST.
So we can avoid the Law.

You can buy a packet of cigarettes
Which has a Govt Health Warning.

Get my drift?

Have thought about radar but only my credit card can afford it and even after my 3 month holiday, still not sure. Worried it can give you a false sense of security, will not pick up hand helds in all cases so would rather learn from my holdiday.

[rok-the-boat]

Where is a good place to get detectors in Auckland? It'd be good to compare several.

[Gixxer 4 ever]

They are the best investment I have made. No tickets for two and a half years. When it goes off slow down fast and stay down for a few k's Look for the cop. Then pick the speed up again. Could be different for you big city boys but out here in the slow parts of the country they are great. I have gone from 140 down to 90 with instant on and got away with it. I have trained myself to hit the brakes very hard when ever it beeps in the ear. You must always know what is behind you cos the cage will run you over. I know I will get a ticket in the near future because I will slip up but it has saved me so much money and "no" licence time. It is worth every $$ spent.

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Where is a good place to get detectors in Auckland? It'd be good to compare several.

There was someone on here selling them. Look in the online shop area. The Escort X50 is the one you want. it is the best for the money spent. It was around $520.00 a few years ago. Or trademe.

[Smokin]

Damn, This thread just makes me want one even more.

[DMNTD]

Where is a good place to get detectors in Auckland? It'd be good to compare several.

There was someone on here selling them. Look in the online shop area. The Escort X50 is the one you want. it is the best for the money spent. It was around $520.00 a few years ago. Or trademe.

I bought my Escort X50 from TradeMe for $300(3 months old) odd but then needed to buy the hard wire for the battery,radar mount and also chose to buy weather proof plastic thingy for the radar to sit in. All in all it owes around the $700 mark.
I have found it priceless for commuting/touring...not so great if being a "bit" naughty as it doesn't pick up the blue boys quick enough once at assertive pace. I think maybe a jammer is in order for such rides...
From what I gather a Valentine1 is a better product but you'll pay top $$$ for one but when you factor how much one saves in tickets and walking....

[WarlockNZ]

Something else to consider,

There is no way in hell you will be able to talk your way out of a ticket if the cop sees that you have a detector mounted on the bike.

With the advent of the catch and release (standby) method by police .. radar detectors became pretty much useless.

I took my detector off and replaced it with a video camera... LOL

[pritch]

Where is a good place to get detectors in Auckland? It'd be good to compare several.

You don't really need to compare too much, there seems to be a degree of unanimity among the better suppliers as to which brands work and which don't.

Here is the website of an Auckland supplier (a motorcyclist):
http://www.challengermotors.co.nz/Web-Pages/radar_detectors.htm

Here is the website of what I understand to be the cheapest supplier:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Stores/Contact.aspx?member=338700

And here is information as to what works and what doesn't:
http://www.radarbusters.com/default.asp

[WarlockNZ]

I think maybe a jammer is in order for such rides...


Don't let Mr Plod catch you with one of those!! .. they are a massive no no and you are likely to have the book chucked at you.

[MD]

Welcome to the dark side Ixion.
To those interested in buying a detector go to www.cartertonryan.co.nz or check out his store on Trademe. Silly bugger doesn't have an email? I need to replace my H.A.R.D. It just stopped working the other day and changing batteries has made no difference. Typical, just past warranty. but in defence of the V1 it survived a crash that the bike didn't and kept working despite missing chunks of the metal casing etc.. Tough stuff indeed.
They wont save you all the time and rarely from a hand held laser- although I did get a long advance laser warning in the car once. Probably just a lucky miss-aim on his part sent a signal further down the road to me.
In the end mine has easily paid for itself. You want proof go cruise the Desert road at 120+kph without one. I've had so many advance warnings as I'm about to overtake someone, pulled back in, waited 5 seconds, then hey presto a HP appears in view! Without it I would have been in full overtake pace and done.
I feel naked with mine out of action now.

[DMNTD]

Don't let Mr Plod catch you with one of those!! .. they are a massive no no and you are likely to have the book chucked at you.
LOL true but speeding is a no no too. Installed discreetly should save any major prob's.
Just have to find out which is the better model to buy now

[boomer]

Something else to consider,

There is no way in hell you will be able to talk your way out of a ticket if the cop sees that you have a detector mounted on the bike.

With the advent of the catch and release (standby) method by police .. radar detectors became pretty much useless.

I took my detector off and replaced it with a video camera... LOL

one weekend we got let off twice and both rozza's saw teh detector ;) one actually commented on how slow it was to react

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Something else to consider,

There is no way in hell you will be able to talk your way out of a ticket if the cop sees that you have a detector mounted on the bike.

LOL

Even being nice and quiet I couldn't get off the tickets. We had a batch of pommy pricks in the traffic cars here in Hawkes Bay 2 years ago and they just wouldn't use discretion. So F$%K em my detector is out in the open and it can stay that way.

[sAsLEX]

LOL true but speeding is a no no too. Installed discreetly should save any major prob's.
Just have to find out which is the better model to buy now


Most of the commercial model "jammers" don't jam radar, you could make one though.....

The Blinder works well on laser but that aint used that often in this country.

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Welcome to the dark side Ixion.
To those interested in buying a detector go to www.cartertonryan.co.nz or check out his store on Trademe. .


This is were I got mine. $520 got me the hard wire for the bike car kit including 2 screen mounts and case. Top man to trade with. I don't think the H.A.R.D kit is as good as ear plugs. I find my reaction are better with the audio. The only problem with the X50 is the out plug for the head set is mono. I got a mono to stereo plug so I had it in both ears.

[The_Dover]

Bel RX65 and Escort 8500 are all but the same thing. The Bel is cheaper.

Both outperform the V1 in Ka band detection which is what the NZ pigs use.

I paid 450 for my Bel and it has repaid me many times over.

However, some people are just too fuckin dumb to avoid tickets and a phonecall from the police giving them ten minutes notice probably wouldn't help them avoid one.

[Fatjim]

On a bike they greatly reduce the chances of getting done by a snake on the move. An oncoming copper would have to be quite far off to have the time to slow down, get your plate, turn around and chase a bike doing 140k+. Obviously if there's another just up the road then you might be toast, but in the wops it's rare. ***Tip, if your radar displays the frequency, turn this feature on so you can tell that there's more than one around. BTW when there's more than one around, it's commonly referred to as a bed, pit or nest.

Anyway, coppers in my experience around the kapiti/horowhenua area tend to be REAL close when they they ping you using the "catch and release" method.

Question for the snakes on here: I've noticed that when I get pinged close up I get a real low power reading, is this because of the way the radar works, or is this because he's in standby, I've heard the radar ground pulses to get an accurate reading of the cop cars speed.

Also on a bike, other traffic is rally useful, I tend to ride faster when there's traffic, as I'm more confident that I'll get an early reading and have time not to be noticed. Radar is also a lot harder (not impossible) to get a pinpoint on me with when there's other cars around. Mind you, there's nothing to stop the cop making an assumption, and presenting it as fact.

When there is no traffic, thats when I keep below 120kph.

There are a still a lot of coppers out there who leave their radars on longer than they need to, knowing a coppers up ahead tends to stop you doing what they may consider a dodgy maneuver.

[MacD]

Odd society when you think about it.

The Govt allows us to by bikes that can break the speed limit and gets GST.
But if you break the speed limit you are breaking the Law.

It is legal to buy a radar detector and the Govt gets GST.
So we can avoid the Law.

You can buy a packet of cigarettes
Which has a Govt Health Warning.

Get my drift?



Not really. It's just the political application of the concept of free will (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_will_in_theology)which you should be familiar with.

[TygerTung]

Maybe if you get pulled over put ya helmet over it so the coppas can't see it?

[eviltwin]

if you got pulled over for speeding, does a cop have the right to look at or confiscate your video camera?
There could be incriminating evidence of speeding especially if your speedo is in view.

[bugjuice]

Don't let Mr Plod catch you with one of those!! .. they are a massive no no and you are likely to have the book chucked at you.
apparently, it's legal to own, illegal to operate. Go figure..


if you got pulled over for speeding, does a cop have the right to look at or confiscate your video camera?
There could be incriminating evidence of speeding especially if your speedo is in view.
only if they have reason to suspect, otherwise it's none of their business what is on it or what you're doing with it.

been meaning to get a radar for a while now, just trying to save!

[nodrog]

apparently, it's legal to own, illegal to operate. Go figure..

lol... just like a bong!
:doobey:

[geoffm]

Better than American Express - don't leave home without it.> I have had a Valentine for years, and it has paid for itself well and truely. It is not a magic bullet, and speed cameras can be hard to detect if there is nothting for the angled signal to bounce off.
I found the HARD display very unreliable (on no. 3) and expensive. I now use an earphone, which is much cheaper and troublefree. I use the earphone that fits over your ears from Dick Smiths. $20 and doesn't fall out of your ears and is not uncomfortable.
I would buy an Escort X50 if I had to replace the V1, as it has a built in earphone jack.

Can anyone confirm that the Kustom Hawk radars have been replaced, so all the cop radars are now Ka band? If so, I will turn K band off and will have no false alarms.
Geoff

[Ixion]

I am still brooding on the earphone thing. I am using the standard earphone that came with the RX65, and I have just tucked the earpiece into the lining of the helmet. That works well, as far as it goes, but is awkward with the cable "tethering" me to the bike. The cable gets whipped around a fair bit by the wind (I could use a longer cable and run it inside my jacket, but that increases the hassle and tether factor). And I suspect I will end up ripping the cable out, I almost did so yesterday when I dropped a glove - went to bend down to pick it up, realised just in time.

There is a massive need for some effective way to carry communications into helmets. I have the same problem with cellphones. I don't want to use the phone whilst riding, much too hard and risky, but I DO want to know when it rings. GPS devices would have the same issue.

At the moment the mounting is in plain sight. I would like to hide it , but the problem is that (a) you really want to be able to see the screen ; and (b) the cable into the helmet would be pretty much a give away anyway. And it needs to be high up and not behind metal . And horizontal and forward facing. Options are limited

I may revisit the mounting.

[scumdog]

Car coming towards me last night, locked on at 122kph. and getting faster for a second or so after locked speed on.

Roadside discussion "Why didn't my radar detector pick you up when you were coming towards me before you locked my speed"

Obviously never heard of instant-on.

I'll save my money for important things like skull masks rather than waste it on fripperies like radar detectors.

But that's down here, maybe up in the busy part of NZ they're worth it.

[slopster]

I'm convinced that my V1 isn't working properely. I get maybe 100 metres warning for mobile cameras (you've got to be a retard to not see them anyway) and generally not much warning for patrol cars. They might be using instant on but I should have picked them pinging the cars well ahead. Even when they are left on I don't get much warning. I have had some exceptionally long warnings on occasion though - 8km once. Incidentally I have set it to only run on Ka and laser but I believe that thats all thats used in NZ. It has never false alarmed except for laser alerts outside the neon lights at burger king. I don't really trust it but wouldn't want to be without it either.

[scumdog]

They are the best investment I have made. No tickets for two and a half years. When it goes off slow down fast and stay down for a few k's Look for the cop. Then pick the speed up again. Could be different for you big city boys but out here in the slow parts of the country they are great. I have gone from 140 down to 90 with instant on and got away with it. I have trained myself to hit the brakes very hard when ever it beeps in the ear. You must always know what is behind you cos the cage will run you over. I know I will get a ticket in the near future because I will slip up but it has saved me so much money and "no" licence time. It is worth every $$ spent.

Don't be TOO confident - down here anyway there are several cops who allow a bit more 'latitude' with bikes and you may think it was your detector that saved you getting pulled over - all you need is one cop who is a bit meaner than the rest and he'll have you.

[NighthawkNZ]

Don't be TOO confident - down here anyway there are several cops who allow a bit more 'latitude' with bikes and you may think it was your detector that saved you getting pulled over - all you need is one cop who is a bit meaner than the rest and he'll have you.

yup i got pinged for 55 in a 50k zone... :(

[Ixion]

Car coming towards me last night, locked on at 122kph. and getting faster for a second or so after locked speed on.

Roadside discussion "Why didn't my radar detector pick you up when you were coming towards me before you locked my speed"

Obviously never heard of instant-on.

I'll save my money for important things like skull masks rather than waste it on fripperies like radar detectors.

But that's down here, maybe up in the busy part of NZ they're worth it.

CHEAT!

That is why a pilot fish is invaluable. I suspect that may end up being the main use of mine.

[scumdog]

CHEAT!

That is why a pilot fish is invaluable. I suspect that may end up being the main use of mine.

Often found the last car in the line is the fastest one, especially if there is a bit of a gap between the second-last and it, at times don't check the 'pilot fish' (leave radar on 'instant-on) but wait until last vehicle in line is 'in my sights'.

Get a few like that.:yes:

[Ixion]

That's why I said about not being so close to the fish that I get copped too. Knew about that trick.

But with a detector I reckon I can let the fish run ahead clear out of sight. So the cop spotting the fish won't see me, just a single target. But I'll hear the ping as he pings the fish.

[scumdog]

That's why I said about not being so close to the fish that I get copped too. Knew about that trick.

But with a detector I reckon I can let the fish run ahead clear out of sight. So the cop spotting the fish won't see me, just a single target. But I'll hear the ping as he pings the fish.

Done the same myself however, like I say: Don't count on him going for the 'fish' ALL the time, for various reasons he may not have a 'go' at that one but decide to try you instead, cops can be random people at times...

[Ixion]

True enough. And on a bike there's the possibility of encountering a cop who just hates "those damn dangerous things".

But it is all a matter of reducing the odds. Motorcycling is a dangerous business, no getting round that. If we wanted to be quite safe, we would drive Nissan Micras. So some degree of danger , we have to live with. But we can push the odds in our favour in various ways Anything, like radar detectors, that helps reduce the danger, even if it doesn't eliminate it, must be a good thing.

[Lou Girardin]

Ixion may be getting false alerts from other detectors. Usually this manifests itself by a low freq alert, it's quite easy to pick the difference from that or when Plod zaps you.
I've used detectors for 20 years now, AND I've been let off a ticket with the Valentine in plain sight.
The three tickets I've had in that time were due to me not paying attention rather than the detctor not doing it's job.
I'll take the chance on aggravating a cop's attitude with one rather than riding unprotected thanks.

[sAsLEX]

apparently, it's legal to own, illegal to operate. Go figure..



You need a license to transmit in the radio spectrum hence them not being allowed to be used by the unlicensed

[MaPeXi]

Can somebody please explain the "fish" and "instant-on" terms to me?

[sAsLEX]

Can somebody please explain the "fish" and "instant-on" terms to me?

The "pilot fish" is letting someone faster in front of you and following behind them in the hope that they get pinged by the cop instead of you.


Instant on is a radar mode that allows the cop to basically only "shoot" individual vehicles rather than leaving his radar emitting. This is so there is only brief bursts of radar from him to try avoid being picked up by radar detectors.

[pritch]

Can somebody please explain the "fish" and "instant-on" terms to me?

I assume "pilot fish" to be what I have called a rabbit. You find a guy who wants to travel at roughly the same (illegal?) speed as you and you just sit back somewhat behind him hoping if anybody gets a ticket it's him.

Instant on is the kind of radar the cops are using now. They don't drive around transmitting all the time, only when they want to check the speed of a particular vehicle. One of them could explain that bette though...

[rwh]

There is a massive need for some effective way to carry communications into helmets. I have the same problem with cellphones. I don't want to use the phone whilst riding, much too hard and risky, but I DO want to know when it rings. GPS devices would have the same issue.


I'm tempted by the Nolan helmets with their N-com system - allows for bluetooth headset and other audio functionality in the helmet. The helmet's rather pricier than my current (HJC) one, though ($599 vs $260 IIRC), and the required kits for my phone (basic kit plus bluetooth kit) added up to another $3-400. And the bike shop people don't really know the details of the bluetooth headset features I want, so I'd have to dig further. And I haven't actually tried on a Nolan helmet, so I don't know if it would fit my head ...

On the other hand, I've discovered I can hear my phone ring much better if it's in the map pocket on my tank bag than when I carried it in my jacket pocket.

Richard

[MrMelon]

I just got myself an old escort 8500 a few weeks ago and its paid for itself a few times over already. I was just cruising at 120ish out of Havelock the other day and picked up radar from an oncoming line of about 6 cars, so I hit the brakes quick. There was a silver commodore in the middle of them that put his lights on and pulled over, but he never turned around to chase. Don't know what the deal was but I'm sure I just slowed down in time for him to not get a lock. I would've been toast without it.

I'm just using it with a set of headphones at the moment. I ran a headphone jack down so it comes out beside the seat and it's not too much of a pain but I'd really like to have some sort of screamer so I can wear earplugs again!

I made a real rangi mount out of sheetmetal and made some power wires up myself so in the end it just cost about $5 to get it all set up after buying the detector.

[sinned]

Radar Direct in the Hutt have a screamer set up to demonstrate. They imported it after I made enquiries and bought a Beltronics STI. The screamer works with the STI. Havent set up the detector on the bike yet but used it a fair bit in the car and it works well. However, in some situations (cop around a corner with a bank on inside) there is little warning. I am still thinking about fitting the detector to the bike and with a screamer. Has anyone got a screamer fitted and how effective is the screamer at highway speeds?

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Don't be TOO confident - down here anyway there are several cops who allow a bit more 'latitude' with bikes and you may think it was your detector that saved you getting pulled over - all you need is one cop who is a bit meaner than the rest and he'll have you.

All you say is true. I find I ride with my eyes open and all senses alert all the time. A ride for me is not a Sunday walk in the park but a hard out down hill sprint. I assume the instant on still has to check the road to assess your car speed. That would be when we get our first warning of your presents. So extreme breaking on a Gixxer or similar bike should make a lock down harder for you. Anyway I know a fine is coming but I still recon they are great.

I hear tractors in the States have a radar transmitter on them. That would be great to warn of the hazard. Also you guys should leave your radar units on when at an accident site. It would warn of troubles ahead for other motorists. Or do you?

[NighthawkNZ]

Actually I noticed my speedo was 5 or 6k out on my trip to Kaikoura... hmmmmm

[sAsLEX]

I hear tractors in the States have a radar transmitter on them. That would be great to warn of the hazard. Also you guys should leave your radar units on when at an accident site. It would warn of troubles ahead for other motorists. Or do you?

Earlier radar detectors had accident warning systems built in that they use somewhere to do exactly that, a little accident warning comes up on them....

[Gixxer 4 ever]

I am still thinking about fitting the detector to the bike and with a screamer. Has anyone got a screamer fitted and how effective is the screamer at highway speeds?

It is my opinion that a screamer would never be as good as an ear piece. You need to react in a split second. It would take longer to react to a screamer. When the plug is in your ear it is instant. I understand that we all use the detectors differently. Some just want to know who is around and some want to avoid the fine and still enjoy a hard ride. I, personally, want to enjoy a fast ride and enjoy the challenge of beating the system. I understand the risk and know I will get a ticket at some time but the detector has evened the odds, or better, in the last two and a half years.

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Earlier radar detectors had accident warning systems built in that they use somewhere to do exactly that, a little accident warning comes up on them....

The warning is sent by who?

[sAsLEX]

The warning is sent by who?

Ambos etc I guess ....... since they also have the ability to change light phases over there ...

[Lou Girardin]

The warning is sent by who?

It's called SWS, in NZ you'll find tractors fitted with it. But the ones I've seen were K band.

[sAsLEX]

It's called SWS, in NZ you'll find tractors fitted with it. But the ones I've seen were K band.

hmm just read through my X50 manual and it doesnt seem to mention it Lou, though I have seen it on other detectors....


EDIT:

Anyone know of a radar repair place? Mine got a little damp and the screen no longer works?

[boomer]

the guys at radardirect are at st heliers..

maybe worth a try here (http://www.radardirect.co.nz/index2.html)

[NinjaBoy]

All the bits for my Radar setup arrived just after Christmas. Today was the third time out.

The first time used in anger I think I probably saw the HP car before it went off. Instant on is going to be a tricky one.

And today on a ride up North I got a False alarm... i think..

I now know what people mean by slower responses with Visual alerts compared to audio. Anyway, I need a few more outings before deciding whether the HARD kit is the go.

[car]

I assume "pilot fish" to be what I have called a rabbit. You find a guy who wants to travel at roughly the same (illegal?) speed as you and you just sit back somewhat behind him hoping if anybody gets a ticket it's him.

I've always referred to this, in my head, as the guy in front "clearing the baffles". Just a bit bit of misappropriated Tom Clancy terminology, there.

[scumdog]

. I assume the instant on still has to check the road to assess your car speed. That would be when we get our first warning of your presents. So extreme breaking on a Gixxer or similar bike should make a lock down harder for you. Anyway I know a fine is coming but I still recon they are great.

Get the remote for your TV.
Hold it in your hot little hand.
Imagine the no.1 on the remote is the button that turns the radar on (when on instant-on mode).
Imagine the no.3 is the 'lock' button that locks on the speed on the screen.

Now imagine you are driving down the road in your cop-car and your thumb is hovering over button no.1
Imagine 'ol Scumdogs hog is hooning towards you at warp factor 3 (C'mon man, IMAGINE!)

Now press no1 to turn on your radar.
Say 'ka-ching quickly.
Now hit button no.3 quickly.

THAT is how long you have to react to your detector going off and peel away your speed.
If the cop is day-dreaming (Mmmmm, doh-nuts) then you MAY have up to two seconds from 'instant-on' to 'lock'
Action beats reaction baby!!

[The_Dover]

Action beats reaction baby!!

we don't all have the reactions of a blind, deaf pensioner though scummy

[Lou Girardin]

If the cop is day-dreaming (Mmmmm, doh-nuts) then you MAY have up to two seconds from 'instant-on' to 'lock'
Action beats reaction baby!!

Had that happen two or three times now, once in the cage. See Plod, nail the brakes, check speed, then the detector goes off.
A reaction time measured in minutes. I guess they get lazy up here with all the easy pickings.

[ceebie13]

It's simple really...don't speed. (Says me, who is as guilty as the next man!)

[Ixion]

,,
Now imagine you are driving down the road in your cop-car and your thumb is hovering over button no.1
,,

Hm. I do hope that cops are not in the habit of permanently driving with only one hand on the steering wheel?

However, in practice in many cases the cop also has to factor in a reaction time PLUS an assessment time . He is tootling along and comes round a corner. Oh , there's a vehicle coming - he must not only react to the presence of the vehicle , he must also make an assessment of whether the speed of the vehicle appears to be such as to warrant bothering to ping it. (If he's pinging everything he sees, then the detector has probably picked him up long ago - defeats the instant on idea). The biker knows he's speeding - so he only has to react to the "shit cop" message.

[sAsLEX]

Hm. I do hope that cops are not in the habit of permanently driving with only one hand on the steering wheel?


Well they didnt ban cellphones............

[scumdog]

we don't all have the reactions of a blind, deaf pensioner though scummy

Yeah right!


We ALL day-dream at times, nobody rides/drives like a fine-tuned machine 100% of the time.

Well not going by the number of "Oh, I never noticed I was going that fast officer" explanations we get.

But maybe you're the exception eh laddie???

[sAsLEX]

Yeah right!


We ALL day-dream at times, nobody rides/drives like a fine-tuned machine 100% of the time.

Well not going by the number of "Oh, I never noticed I was going that fast officer" explanations we get.

But maybe you're the exception eh laddie???

Would you rather people concentrated on the road or the dash a few feet below them?

It is actually rather easy to creep above the speed limit if you are not constantly looking at the speedo, which in itself is rather dangerous specially as one gets older as the huge difference in focal lengths between the dash and the road mean eyes start to take quite a while to adjust....... but as long as your not speeding you are safe.....

[scumdog]

Would you rather people concentrated on the road or the dash a few feet below them?

It is actually rather easy to creep above the speed limit if you are not constantly looking at the speedo, which in itself is rather dangerous specially as one gets older as the huge difference in focal lengths between the dash and the road mean eyes start to take quite a while to adjust....... but as long as your not speeding you are safe.....

On a motorbike I CAN understand that (and that's why I am easier on them).

But in a cage? I go for ages between checks on the speedo - and I can't remember the last time I had an "Oh shit" moment and was much over the speed limit.

Ya don't HAVE to be constantly scanning the speedo to stay within the "under ticket" speed.
And you don't have to 'read' the speed all the time so focal length is a non-issue, don't talk to ME about 'as one gets older' sunshine!!!!!

[Ixion]

Well, that is where the detector has an advantage over the Mark I Eyeball.

That shriek in your ear is LOUD. And prompts an inmmediate, adreniline fueled , very fast reaction , even before one has time to consciously work out what the noise is. Just an instinctive grab for the anchors. "OMG. WTF. Wozzat? Oh the detector"

Happens just the same even if I KNOW I'm actually under the speed limit. (rather annoying that , actually)

Which is a lot faster than the "Car coming - shit it's a cop am I speeding" conscious thought process necessary for the Eyeball.

(EDIT: If one has a needle type speedo, not digital, it is easy to note the angle of the needle through peripheral vision - you don't need to read the numbers, just note how far round the needle is. Why I don't like digital speedos)

[Grahameeboy]

On a motorbike I CAN understand that (and that's why I am easier on them).

But in a cage? I go for ages between checks on the speedo - and I can't remember the last time I had an "Oh shit" moment and was much over the speed limit.

Ya don't HAVE to be constantly scanning the speedo to stay within the "under ticket" speed.
And you don't have to 'read' the speed all the time so focal length is a non-issue, don't talk to ME about 'as one gets older' sunshine!!!!!

I think he is feeling his age at 22 eh?

[GSX-RJIM]

Cool, if I ever pay off my speeding tickets I may be able to buy my self one.

[Lou Girardin]

And you don't have to 'read' the speed all the time so focal length is a non-issue, don't talk to ME about 'as one gets older' sunshine!!!!!

You must have youthful eyes youngster, I do have a focussing delay from infinity to the speedo. Not much, but enough to make me focus more on the road ahead and let Mr Valentine warn me of tax assessments.

[ldnz]

On the KR, my modified sack of $30 shit of a uniden works wonders. Modded so its Ka only and with a big stuff off superbright red led (the oh shit light!) pointed right at my eyes. Fair call on the KR i'm generally open road cruising at no more than 120 and the crap unidens reaction time isn't a problem though.

Sensitivity is pretty good and my main use for it is assessing the situation before starting an overtaking manuoevre. Saved me a number of tickets (speeding as well as dodgy overtaking of mufti cars that I hadn't noticed).

One day when my KR grows up into the big bike it sees whenever it looks in the mirror, i'll upgrade to one of them fancy x50's or whatevers good at the time.

[sAsLEX]

On the KR, my modified sack of $30 shit of a uniden works wonders. Modded so its Ka only and with a big stuff off superbright red led (the oh shit light!) pointed right at my eyes. Fair call on the KR i'm generally open road cruising at no more than 120 and the crap unidens reaction time isn't a problem though.

Sensitivity is pretty good and my main use for it is assessing the situation before starting an overtaking manuoevre. Saved me a number of tickets (speeding as well as dodgy overtaking of mufti cars that I hadn't noticed).

One day when my KR grows up into the big bike it sees whenever it looks in the mirror, i'll upgrade to one of them fancy x50's or whatevers good at the time.

ahh Middy I know who you are now......

[ldnz]

I'm sure i'd told you...

[sAsLEX]

I'm sure i'd told you...

I'm sure I forgot.... you want a partly working X50? Could frankienstein it up as I think its jsut the screen that dont work.

[ldnz]

Yep i'm up for it. How much?

[sAsLEX]

Yep i'm up for it. How much?

Well make me an offer, you back up at OTS yet? or on leave till the 15th?

[ldnz]

Yeah im back, pm

[Clivoris]

On a motorbike I CAN understand that (and that's why I am easier on them).


So how do you target the instant on at specific vehicles? I've always held the delusion that if I'm in a line of traffic I'm safeish because it's the front two vehicles being checked. Also try to keep the fish between me and oncoming traffic too.
Another delusion I've had is that there is safety in numbers. That is, it is more difficult for one or two to get picked out of the crew.

[davereid]

So how do you target the instant on at specific vehicles? I've always held the delusion that if I'm in a line of traffic I'm safeish because it's the front two vehicles being checked. Also try to keep the fish between me and oncoming traffic too.
Another delusion I've had is that there is safety in numbers. That is, it is more difficult for one or two to get picked out of the crew.

You are right.. see http://www.eslnz.com/radar.html to understand it. LIDAR is different though.

[sAsLEX]

So how do you target the instant on at specific vehicles? I've always held the delusion that if I'm in a line of traffic I'm safeish because it's the front two vehicles being checked. Also try to keep the fish between me and oncoming traffic too.
Another delusion I've had is that there is safety in numbers. That is, it is more difficult for one or two to get picked out of the crew.

They cant as they only have a speed display and its the cops "discretion" who he pulls over for that speed.

Nice good radar can track seaguls and waves......

[Clivoris]

You are right.. see http://www.eslnz.com/radar.html to understand it. LIDAR is different though.

What a great link...Will it stand up in court:lol: Where can I get a Lidar detector?

[davereid]

Most new radar detectors can detect laser (Lidar).
Its not very good against bikes - small target area. The new number plates are designed to be good laser reflectors, but you dont have one on the front of your bike. Headlight ON may help, white light actually goes all over the spectrum, all the way up to 900nm where Laser works. You can also buy LEDS at 900nm wavelength. If I get my hands on a laser gun, I'll test to see if LEDS at the right wavelength reduce or intefere with laser.

Would the web page stand up in court ? Dont think you can introduce a web page as evidence. ! But the FACTS would be admissible.

Often if a cop tickets a group of riders, he will write the time he writes the ticket, instead of the time you were speeding. This is because he knows he should not be writing tickets with multiple vehicles in the beam, so he writes them all down 5 mins apart.

[sAsLEX]

Would the web page stand up in court ? Dont think you can introduce a web page as evidence. ! But the FACTS would be admissible.

Often if a cop tickets a group of riders, he will write the time he writes the ticket, instead of the time you were speeding. This is because he knows he should not be writing tickets with multiple vehicles in the beam, so he writes them all down 5 mins apart.

Ah but basic Doppler radar theory could, just go find it in the library

[Clivoris]

Most new radar detectors can detect laser (Lidar).
Its not very good against bikes - small target area. The new number plates are designed to be good laser reflectors, but you dont have one on the front of your bike. Headlight ON may help, white light actually goes all over the spectrum, all the way up to 900nm where Laser works. You can also buy LEDS at 900nm wavelength. If I get my hands on a laser gun, I'll test to see if LEDS at the right wavelength reduce or intefere with laser.

Would the web page stand up in court ? Dont think you can introduce a web page as evidence. ! But the FACTS would be admissible.

Often if a cop tickets a group of riders, he will write the time he writes the ticket, instead of the time you were speeding. This is because he knows he should not be writing tickets with multiple vehicles in the beam, so he writes them all down 5 mins apart.

:rofl: My mistake. I assumed Lidar was when the fine administration officer "indulged in fantastical musings as to the occurances in factuality".
That's another good tip there tho.

[davereid]

:rofl: My mistake. I assumed Lidar was when the fine administration officer "indulged in fantastical musings as to the occurances in factuality".
That's another good tip there tho.

fantastical musings as to the occurances in factuality ?
Thats called the evidence yer honour

[ldnz]

Those blinder units work bloody well against laser, especially on a bike as you can often get them right under the headlight.

[The_Dover]

the best way to slow yourself down with a radar detector is to stick the fucker to your screen with the suckers that come with it.

that way you'll be too fuckin scared to go fast incase it falls off and your hard earned goes bouncing down the road.

works for me. (#1428 in "Dover's Book of Excuses)

[ldnz]

Hahaha thats brilliant. Mines held on with all the sticky power of warehouse velcro. Its only very marginally better than the suction cups

[Jantar]

Hahaha thats brilliant. Mines held on with all the sticky power of warehouse velcro. Its only very marginally better than the suction cups I use Velcro and the suction pads. :yes:

[Ixion]

Velcro here. 3 dots and a strap.Seems pretty secure.

[Karma]

So if it's illegal to broadcast a signal (i.e. radar jammers) without a license, what does it take to get a license? Would this even be legally possible if there are other things designed to use that frequency?

[Big Dog]

14 years of biking, 17 years cage driving. All weather and 500,000kms combined.
I have had 3 car tickets all 11km over $60 each.
1 Bike Ticket for 11km over $80.
Maybe I'm lucky, maybe I am just not so obvious in my speeding.
Don't have an answer but at the going rate I am getting taxed at I would need a radar detector to last 20 years to justify purchase.
But then by all accounts I am a bit if a nana.:third:

[ldnz]

I didn't realise there was a commercial radar jammer that actually worked?

[sAsLEX]

I didn't realise there was a commercial radar jammer that actually worked?

They don't for specifically that reason above that one would require a license to transmit in the spectrum at the required power.

Know a radar tech that reckons he made one up, and technically it would be too hard though I don't know how frequency agile the Stalker is.

[slopster]

I did see a commercially made radar jammer on the web somewhere. It was effective but impractical taking up the whole dash of a car and illegal in most places. I think it worked up to about 100m away when the cops radar was powerfull enough to overcome the jammer. It only worked on K band too.

[metric]

interesting thread this... a bit of clarity for me though, the hand held guns, they're laser right? do they have the 'instant on' capability? or are they in cop cars...

[Biff]

There is no way in hell you will be able to talk your way out of a ticket if the cop sees that you have a detector mounted on the bike.



I have. :yes:

[scumdog]

interesting thread this... a bit of clarity for me though, the hand held guns, they're laser right? do they have the 'instant on' capability? or are they in cop cars...

Laser has instant on too.

[Ixion]

No detector is going to help against laser. Unless you are VERY lucky and the cop has a very unsteady hand, and misses the vehicle ahead of you and you pick up the by beam. Very unlikely.

But, laser is line of sight. *And* I don't think it can be used from a moving vehicle. So the Mk I Eyeball should be a good defence. If you, as a biker, don't spot something the size of a police car (and they're not allowed to deliberately conceal themselves , though it's amzing what can be interpreted as "unobtrusive") then I fear you will not survive long anyway. And anyway, cops are only going to lie up with a laser when theres a good stream of targets. And in such conditions you should not be fanging it anyway.

The cop I fear is the one in a mufti, mixed in with scattered traffic. Light enough to justify a brisk pace. Heavy enough that one cannot adopt a "any other vehicle in sight and hit the picks" approach.

In those conditions the detector is the best defence. Eyeball is not at it's best, takes too long to evaluate oncoming traffic and the muftis can hide in a bunch of cars behind a slow driver. But in theory they should be sampling the other vehicles ahead of you and you should pick that up.

[Biff]

Instant on widgetry should be made illegal.

Give us half a chance eh?

Snot fair.

[Ixion]

Thatz wot I say, 2. 'tis CHEATING thaz wot it is.

AND, the plod are starting to lurk on double digit state highways, when they know full well that by the rules of the game they are supposed to keep to the single digit ones

Play fair, chaps.

[twister]

Anyone owned a Rocky Mountain 320 RADAR DETECTOR/ LASER SCRAMBLER"? Seem pretty reasonable price <$200, are they suitable for bikes?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Car-parts-accessories/Radar-detectors/auction-83789774.htm

[scumdog]

Thatz wot I say, 2. 'tis CHEATING thaz wot it is.

AND, the plod are starting to lurk on double digit state highways, when they know full well that by the rules of the game they are supposed to keep to the single digit ones

Play fair, chaps.

Yeah but youz guys have 'tectors AND ya don't go so fast on main roads no more....

[Ixion]

Anyone owned a Rocky Mountain 320 RADAR DETECTOR/ LASER SCRAMBLER"? Seem pretty reasonable price <$200, are they suitable for bikes?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Car-parts-accessories/Radar-detectors/auction-83789774.htm

General opinion seems to be that performance suffers from not insignificant deficits (or, in simple terms, theyz crap) .

[davereid]

I published a design for a legal radar jammer on here a few months back. I'll look for it later. Just need to borrow a radar unit to tune it...

[Karma]

If you, as a biker, don't spot something the size of a police car (and they're not allowed to deliberately conceal themselves , though it's amzing what can be interpreted as "unobtrusive") then I fear you will not survive long anyway.


They're not supposed to, but since when has that stopped them? Gotta get those quotas.

Worst one that's been seen was along Quay Street in Aucks heading for the CBD. Great long straight line to get a reading, the car was parked around a corner and the copper was hiding behind a tree, no shit!

[scumdog]

They're not supposed to, but since when has that stopped them? Gotta get those quotas.

Worst one that's been seen was along Quay Street in Aucks heading for the CBD. Great long straight line to get a reading, the car was parked around a corner and the copper was hiding behind a tree, no shit!

WE are not suppose to hide???
Well YOU are not supposed to speed!

What d'ya think the real world IS? an extension of the school-yard where you can go "pax, not fair, you're hiding, it's not allowed"???

I use any hunting tichnique I can when doing traffic...

EDIT: In reference to the post below - I do NOT target passing lanes. (anybody whose met me would realise that).
Not saying I was accused of it either but just clearing up that idea.

[Karma]

WE are not suppose to hide???
Well YOU are not supposed to speed!

What d'ya think the real world IS? an extension of the school-yard where you can go "pax, not fair, you're hiding, it's not allowed"???

I use any hunting technique I can think off when doing traffic...


My mistake, I always assumed that the carrot was better than the stick.

Isn't traffic duty supposed to be about preventing people from speeding rather than punishing them in places where speed isn't an issue. ticketing people for 60-70kph on a 50kph road that in any cililised society would be an 80kph limit road is just a joke. There's nothing there to protect against, and I've never seen an accident on that road before as visibility is great.

Same as the reason the HP sit at the end of passing lanes, real dangerous those. Why not instead hang outside the schools to get people speeding with kids around, or on roads like Tamaki Drive on a Friday night / Sunday lunchtime when all the fuckwits come out to play.

Don't try and tell me that ticketing speeders is about safety, but I can tell you're an ok guy, and I suspect that (like the rest of us) you're merely doing as you're told.

[Pixie]

Something else to consider,

There is no way in hell you will be able to talk your way out of a ticket if the cop sees that you have a detector mounted on the bike.



I've had it happen to me, the cop commented on my detector mount

[Pixie]

I hear tractors in the States have a radar transmitter on them. That would be great to warn of the hazard. Also you guys should leave your radar units on when at an accident site. It would warn of troubles ahead for other motorists. Or do you?

This is the SWS ( safety warning system ) some US built tractors will have them in NZ
http://gtresearchnews.gatech.edu/newsrelease/SWS.html
If your detector goes off for no apparant reason,you may be passing a John Deer in a paddock.
The NZ police were offered SWS beacons for use at accident sites,for free,but turned down the offer.
Not giving tacit approval to radar detectors was more important than having a road safety tool.

[imdying]

They're not supposed to, but since when has that stopped them? Gotta get those quotas.I'm picking that their quota is fairly easy to fill hiding or not. If I was a cop, I'd be looking for ways to amuse myself too.

[scumdog]

The NZ police were offered SWS beacons for use at accident sites,for free,but turned down the offer.
Not giving tacit approval to radar detectors was more important than having a road safety tool.

Not true - it's just because they are too stingy, they would have sussed out that even at'free' there would have beena money sucking catch, everything is on the cheap cheap cheap like a bunch of chickens.

[boomer]

yeah cos the coppas cant afford it huh???!!!! i wonder where all my tax is going???

robbing fucking thieves.. my safety first and others THEN think about 'other' past times.. cos pullin people over doing 10-20k over the speed limit AINT saving anyones lives.. don't try tell me otherwise..

robbing cunts

[NighthawkNZ]

Ahhh... I just (try) and stick to the speed limit... thats the cheapest option :innocent:

but yeah I will be honest :innocent: sometimes it has creeped up on me with out noticing... and murphy being murphy... thats when I usually get pinged and stung... :(

But I was a good boy all the way to Kaikoura and back :yes: :innocent:

[Squeak the Rat]

I never speed, and never will. And I've only been caught once.

Question about the instant on.... if I am heavily decelerating when the radar's turned on will it get a lock?

[ArcherWC]

They got me in my cage once by working as a team.

First coppa was pinging all the cars, got a warning from my detector so he didnt get me. But he radioed to his mate 5 mins down the road and he instant on'ed me. Busted, but not as badly as it could have been as i wasnt fully up to speed yet.

PS: the second cop confirmed that the first one had radioed him and givin him the heads up.

[slopster]

I was out a couple of days ago in Tauranga and saw what appeared to be a tradesmans van with ladders and stuff on the roof rack. As I came up behind I saw a couple of those flashing lights like the muftis have in the back window and when I went past saw that there was indeed a uniformed cop driving. I hope they don't use these for traffic stuff cos you would never pick them. I'm guessing not because I didn't see any radar thingie majigs in on the dash.

[ArcherWC]

I was out a couple of days ago in Tauranga and saw what appeared to be a tradesmans van with ladders and stuff on the roof rack. As I came up behind I saw a couple of those flashing lights like the muftis have in the back window and when I went past saw that there was indeed a uniformed cop driving. I hope they don't use these for traffic stuff cos you would never pick them. I'm guessing not because I didn't see any radar thingie majigs in on the dash.

I have seen this type of thing on the motorways in aucks

[scumdog]

They got me in my cage once by working as a team.

First coppa was pinging all the cars, got a warning from my detector so he didnt get me. But he radioed to his mate 5 mins down the road and he instant on'ed me. Busted, but not as badly as it could have been as i wasnt fully up to speed yet.

PS: the second cop confirmed that the first one had radioed him and givin him the heads up.

A good way to catch those with radar detector - eh Dangerous??:dodge:

[ArcherWC]

A good way to catch those with radar detector - eh Dangerous??:dodge:


not playing fair, ganging up on me :crybaby: i need a :hug:

[pritch]

i wonder where all my tax is going???


Well a frightening amount of it goes to pay for all the Mickeysoft stuff on all the Government computers. Every single desk has another copy of Windows and MS Office and....

I was in the bank today and noticed the Manager's computer was using a Linux system. If the Government computers all changed to Linux we could have a tax cut right there.

[Wenier]

As i understand it now a good detector will save ya most of the time, and the best one i can find from a lot of reading is the Bel XR (STI) followed by the Bel RX950 and V1.

Cant save ya from a Laser thou.

[Lou Girardin]

I think some people put too much weight on so-called range in detector tests. 50 metres is neither here nor there, what matters is the detectors response time. The quicker you get the warning the more chance you have.
Some of the so-called independant US testers are known to have links with certain brands.
There was one test of the V1 which made you wonder if he'd actually used the unit or just read the manual. (Badly)

[MD]

I have had some amazingly long warnings from the V1.. and some damn short alerts.
As I mentioned under the 1/4 mile sprints thread back in Oct 06, the local HP sat at the end of the perfect straight using his car dash system (whatever it's called) aimed straight at the fast approaching sprinters. What, pleasantly may I add, surprised me was how close a bike had to be before he got a reading! I asked him about that and he said bikes were hard to pick up. I watched several approach with one eye on his read out. To labour the point he was stationary with a clear view to the bikes with no road elevations, trees or anything between him and the bikes, but still we had to be within 250m maybe before picked up! Bloody great. just hope it wasn't just his dud set.
I've dropped my V1 and HARD set in to RadarDirect to get fixed. Hope I don't have to fork out for a new one. A detector is like sex, once you've tried it, you wouldn't go without it again.

[Fatjim]

I watched several approach with one eye on his read out. To labour the point he was stationary with a clear view to the bikes with no road elevations, trees or anything between him and the bikes, but still we had to be within 250m maybe before picked up! Bloody great. just hope it wasn't just his dud set.


Shame you didn't get a video, it could be used to raise "reasonable doubt" in the small mind of a district court judge.

[Deviant Esq]

Someone told me once, think it was my old man, that radar detectors are legal, and using them is also legal, but it's an offence to act on the information gained from one. Scumdog?

I wouldn't mind a detector if it was given to me, but I'm pretty careful about watching my speed anyway (read: slower than your mum), so I'm not really too worried about it. But as someone said earlier, can't be arsed checking who, even us nanas exceed the limit every now and then, whether it's passing someone or just grumpy at having been held up... and speed does also creep up now and then when you're concentrating more on the road than on your speedo.

No point of a detector on my little bike though, they're more use on the open road, which is where mine can't really get far over the limit anyway. Maybe on the next bike? I've been pinged in the cage four times, and I'm hardly ever over the limit. Feels like I'm being watched because the few times I've had a bit of a go I get nabbed, while my girlfriend always seems to be over the limit and has never been stopped. Some people have all the luck.

[avgas]

I have seen this type of thing on the motorways in aucks
Seen that clapped out mazda bongo - made me laugh so hard i nearly got a ticket:dodge:

[scumdog]

I have had some amazingly long warnings from the V1.. and some damn short alerts.
... surprised me was how close a bike had to be before he got a reading! I asked him about that and he said bikes were hard to pick up. I watched several approach with one eye on his read out. To labour the point he was stationary with a clear view to the bikes with no road elevations, trees or anything between him and the bikes, but still we had to be within 250m maybe before picked up!

Don't count on it, I can pick 'em up a ways further than that -and for a lot of the time 250m is all it takes.:yes:

[Pixie]

If I get my hands on a laser gun, I'll test to see if LEDS at the right wavelength reduce or intefere with laser.



Yes,when pulsed at 4 MHz

[Pixie]

My mistake, I always assumed that the carrot was better than the stick.

Isn't traffic duty supposed to be about preventing people from speeding rather than punishing them in places where speed isn't an issue. ticketing people for 60-70kph on a 50kph road that in any cililised society would be an 80kph limit road is just a joke. There's nothing there to protect against, and I've never seen an accident on that road before as visibility is great.

Same as the reason the HP sit at the end of passing lanes, real dangerous those. Why not instead hang outside the schools to get people speeding with kids around, or on roads like Tamaki Drive on a Friday night / Sunday lunchtime when all the fuckwits come out to play.

Don't try and tell me that ticketing speeders is about safety, but I can tell you're an ok guy, and I suspect that (like the rest of us) you're merely doing as you're told.

Poor naive little grasshopper.
It's all about revenue collection

[Pixie]

Not true - it's just because they are too stingy, they would have sussed out that even at'free' there would have beena money sucking catch, everything is on the cheap cheap cheap like a bunch of chickens.

I thought chooks went book book book

I just realised I made a funny

book book book lol

[scumdog]

Poor naive little grasshopper.
It's all about revenue collection

Only from losers that get caught.....:dodge:

[JT.]

Don't count on it, I can pick 'em up a ways further than that -and for a lot of the time 250m is all it takes.:yes:

They probably deserve a ticket if they can't smell a pig at 250m. Either they're sleeping or they're covering more ground than is safe on our poor excuses for roads.


As i understand it now a good detector will save ya most of the time, and the best one i can find from a lot of reading is the Bel XR (STI) followed by the Bel RX950 and V1.

Cant save ya from a Laser thou.

Na mate, a dectector is only as good as the person using it. With instant on and other tricks, they catch out the idiots who rely only on a dectector.

And yes they can help save you from laser, bikes have a good advantage with their size. The smaller surface area of the bike makes it a lot harder to get a reading, so more time to slow down. Laser traps are no where near as common as radar though.


Laser has instant on too.
It's no good any other way. Or do you do just set up a tripod and tape the trigger down? :bleh:

[MD]

Get the remote for your TV.
Hold it in your hot little hand.
Imagine the no.1 on the remote is the button that turns the radar on (when on instant-on mode).
Imagine the no.3 is the 'lock' button that locks on the speed on the screen.

Now imagine you are driving down the road in your cop-car and your thumb is hovering over button no.1
Imagine 'ol Scumdogs hog is hooning towards you at warp factor 3 (C'mon man, IMAGINE!)

Now press no1 to turn on your radar.
Say 'ka-ching quickly.
Now hit button no.3 quickly.

THAT is how long you have to react to your detector going off and peel away your speed.

Scumdog has a very good point here. I can vouch for it. I went out of my way to prove it even last weekend.
First, the radar has saved me dozens of times over and several times that day when the taps were fully opened it gave me enough notice to drop from 'start walking now!' to 'why's that bike sitting on 100? But I am the first to admit it is only a matter of time before luck smiles on the other fella.
So here I was rolling down the Desert Rd in really thick fog. Bit of a bugger because it was the long straights where normally you can see for miles and know with 100% certainty that you can give it full berries. So I'm thinking ...this is cop territory, can't see more than 250m ahead, the A1 GP traffic patrols will be heavier than usual, totally reliant on any HP having their radar on...umm, better slow down. So I cruise at about 125 to 130-ish but just as I enter a heavier bit of fog and again think, bugger this better back right off soon..whooaa, out of the mist there he was, coming at me like a great white shark with it's radar off! It was like a scene from a classic old western. The sheriff comes unexpectedly face to face with the villian at high noon for a quick draw. It was dive, dive, dive. He dived for his TV remote - channel 1 then 2. I went for the brakes and as the forks dived, off went my detector! Oh great, now you bloody see him. I only scrubbed a few Ks off.
So I'm forever doomed to ride the demerit roller coaster- points build up, up, up, some points drop off..some more points climb on board. Just one year I would like to have a clean slate! And without a forced 3 month clean up I mean (touch wood, never happened so far).
He did say my speed was pretty reasonable considering the road and nothing like what he normally comes across. Friendly enough and cut me some slack if you know what I mean. He rides a 600 even. How big was the shark, a 20 pointer no less.

[tipper]

interesting thread this... a bit of clarity for me though, the hand held guns, they're laser right? do they have the 'instant on' capability? or are they in cop cars...

lasers emit such a narrowbeam, that by the time it gets to your detector, you've already been pinged. I have a blinder on my cage, and it works OK, but lasers really aren't used a lot (in my experience).

I find 'eyes' are still the best copper detector out there ('cept for the lazy ones that leave it on) - many years on the open road means I can almost 'smell' them:sick:

[slopster]

Does anyone know how a laser gun would respond to putting an IR filter over one headlight?