Radar detectors, NZ tuned? [Archive]

puddytat

31st July 2007, 00:08

Does a radar detector need to be N.Z tuned? Im looking at getting one on ebay from the states (Bel rx 65Pro) for 350 incl. freight,and it seems to cover all the n.z bands, but I see several on trademe with "N.Z tuned"...is that for real or a cunning ploy?

slopster

31st July 2007, 01:23

Cunning ploy. You only need Ka and laser band here so you can turn of the X and K bands. Its only a matter of pushing a few buttons

Swoop

31st July 2007, 08:10

I have a Bel RX65 Pro. Simply turn off the bands not required here, as Slopster has said.
The Bel also has an extra (unused) band which will be rather handy if the NZ:Police: upgrade their systems... :whistle:

TLMAN

31st July 2007, 08:56

Cunning ploy. You only need Ka and laser band here so you can turn of the X and K bands. Its only a matter of pushing a few buttons

Are you sure???
Ive had a few X band warnings then shortly after ive seen a cop car, the first was an unmarked mazda on the motorway then the second was a traffic commonwhore on Northcote Rd!!

Blackbird

31st July 2007, 09:07

Are you sure???
Ive had a few X band warnings then shortly after ive seen a cop car, the first was an unmarked mazda on the motorway then the second was a traffic commonwhore on Northcote Rd!!

He's correct. The HWP had X band years ago and I'd be very surprised if there are still any about. Ka is the standard microwave band, plus laser also. Scumdog or Bykey Cop should be able to confirm this. POP mode may be under test but not in use in NZ as far as I know. If you have POP mode turned on, I understand that some types of acricultural equipment will sometimes trigger it. I have POP mode enabled for no good reason and have occcasionally got a warning in the countryside which I put down to agricultural equipment.

Delphinus

31st July 2007, 09:09

Are you sure???
Ive had a few X band warnings then shortly after ive seen a cop car, the first was an unmarked mazda on the motorway then the second was a traffic commonwhore on Northcote Rd!!

Really? Thats interesting. I was told to turn X of as well. It goes nuts anywhere in town otherwise for me. I wonder if X had higher priority over Ka ie it didnt show Ka as it was showing X?

How long ago was that TLMAN?

TLMAN

31st July 2007, 09:17

Really? Thats interesting. I was told to turn X of as well. It goes nuts anywhere in town otherwise for me. I wonder if X had higher priority over Ka ie it didnt show Ka as it was showing X?

How long ago was that TLMAN?

Yesterday when I went for a blast to test out my new radar detector.

Blackbird

31st July 2007, 09:26

X band is commonly used for things like automatic door openers in town and some of them seem to have a fair bit of range. I had lots of X band warnings on my old detector as I wasn't able to turn it off.

TLMAN

31st July 2007, 09:38

Just had a dig around the net and came up with the attached pic below.

All i know now is that i dont fully trust my radar detector because i am positive that it was the cop car that set it off.

I wonder if the radio communication frequency the police use has anything to do with it??

What?

31st July 2007, 09:56

Does a radar detector need to be N.Z tuned?
Despite what some companies here will tell you, there is no such thing as NZ Spec radar detectors. All these people do is switch off X and K bands, and in some cases alter or replace the packaging.
Example - Bel somethingorother AUS/NZ model sold by a certain company in Auckland (who do provide good, if expensive service). I wrote to the manufacturers, who responded with:

It is good to hear from you! We do not ship outside the US and legal
provinces in Canada, and we have no distributors over-seas. You could
place the order and ship to a friend in the US or Canada, and they could
forward to you.
We do not monitor the frequencies used in other countries, and can not
guarantee our detectors will pick up everything being used. If you can
find out what is used, the Passport 8500 X50 and our other current
models will pick up the following:
X- Band = 10.525 GHz +/- 25 MHZ
K-Band = 24.150 GHz +/- 100 MHz
Ka-Band = 34.700 GHz +/- 1300 MHz
Laser is 904nm, 33 MHz bandwidth.

And the speed detection equipment makers also do not make NZ Spec gear - the market is just too small.
So, what works in Merka will work here.

Homy

31st July 2007, 13:40

Ive got 2 X50's and a V1 from the states as well as a V1 from Radar Direct(nz spec...whatever)
they all work the same the only difference is RD turn off X and K on the V1...which you can do yourself ...easy as(for the V1 that is..havent got around to much playing with the X50's...)
:rockon:

Delphinus

31st July 2007, 13:56

X50's are easy as to turn off too

pritch

31st July 2007, 15:25

I just followed the instructions that came with the unit and turned off what wasn't needed. It works fine.

As others have said he "tuned for NZ" thing is simply to milk money from the ill informed.

Don't overlook cartertonryan on TradeMe as a source... Brilliant!

NinjaBoy

31st July 2007, 17:27

I've configured my X50 to display the actual freq it is picking up and have been using it in the car a lot recently. All mobile and mobile speed camera's consistently read as 34.7xx Mhz. I also get false alarms at 33.xxx Mhz and this is in the Ka band range. Quite a handy feature.

QMOTO

31st July 2007, 19:54

Was at Sema car show a couple of years back and the Beltronics dude told me there is no such thing as a nz spec radar and said they just say so for the NZ distributor.

Southmotian

31st July 2007, 20:49

Don't overlook cartertonryan on TradeMe as a source... Brilliant!
Agree 100%, link (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Members/Listings.aspx?member=338700&mcat=0001-0877-)to store. He can sort out heat proofed hardwire kits, techmounts and waterproof covers. All are at very sharp prices :rockon:

TLMAN

31st July 2007, 21:12

Agree 100%, link (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Members/Listings.aspx?member=338700&mcat=0001-0877-)to store. He can sort out heat proofed hardwire kits, techmounts and waterproof covers. All are at very sharp prices :rockon:

As for installation I highly recommend Calvotech on Henry Rose Place in Albany. They stung me 50 bucks to hardwire, plus they have mounts in stock for just about any bike!

Southmotian

31st July 2007, 21:26

Are you sure???
Ive had a few X band warnings then shortly after ive seen a cop car, the first was an unmarked mazda on the motorway then the second was a traffic commonwhore on Northcote Rd!!

Yep, about 4 years ago I sent an email off to the enquiries address on the police website asking what bands of radar they use. I got a response back 2 days later saying there are no longer any X or K units on the road, only Ka and Laser:yes:. Nice one guys:grouphug:

jafar

31st July 2007, 21:28

Southmotian

31st July 2007, 21:36

I have had a quick look at detectors before & came away more confused than when i started , which ones are ok for a bike & which ones are not ?
Is it worth getting a scrambler unit?
Where do you get the bits to fit it to the bike & the weather covers?
Follow the link or you can contact Ryan on info@discountbay.co.nz. Escort 8500 x50 is the best value top end detector imho and very reliable. I dropped my last 8500 onto the footpath, it got scratched up but still worked fine! Have an x50 now and it is great. V1 is arguably marginally better but double the price.

He can help with everything needed to fit to a bike, very easy to fit yourself and wiring is as simple as finding power at 12v and earth.

Blackbird

1st August 2007, 07:02

Is it worth getting a scrambler unit?

You can get a "Blinder" brand laser jammer which actually works but be wary of other brands, many of which are a rip-off. No such thing as a Ka band microwave jammer unless you're towing a truck full of electronics.

slopster

1st August 2007, 14:44

You can get a "Blinder" brand laser jammer which actually works but be wary of other brands, many of which are a rip-off. No such thing as a Ka band microwave jammer unless you're towing a truck full of electronics.

Unless you buy this:
http://www.radarscramblers.com/product_scorpion_ka.htm

Blackbird

1st August 2007, 15:46

Unless you buy this:
http://www.radarscramblers.com/product_scorpion_ka.htm

I was being cautious as a number of companies (most notably Rocky Mountain) have made similar claims which have been discredited in independent tests. I haven't seen the Scorpion before though and would like to see a truly independent evaluation. Caveat emptor!

RantyDave

1st August 2007, 15:47

mbazza

17th August 2007, 20:20

Interesting thread with useful info and links. Thanks. Cheers.:gob:

shafty

17th August 2007, 20:38

I have had a quick look at detectors before & came away more confused than when i started , which ones are ok for a bike & which ones are not ?
Is it worth getting a scrambler unit?
Where do you get the bits to fit it to the bike & the weather covers?

Hi Mate - check this thread: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=50811&highlight=radar

But in summary and to agree with postings so far

X50 Escort 8500
Carter Ryan are the best service and price and can help with leads etc
RAM Mounts are great
Carter Ryan can also assist with waterproof covers at a price no one else matches

PM me if any questions regardless how simple they may sound. My Escort is in my co. car during the week, and on the bike weekends

puddytat

17th August 2007, 20:45

Well all thats a relief then, thanks all! I have got the hardwire thru Cartertonryan & rangied up a mount out of some 3mm alu sheet & a dyna bolt...Cheers

Idubbs

9th September 2007, 14:46

Hey, while we're having another radar detector thread ... and by some miracle Sniper hasn't appeared to act as the repost police ... does anyone have any opinions on these - http://www.radarbusters.com/motorcycle-radar-detectors/motorcycle-radar-detectors/whistlercruisadermotorcycleradardetector.cfm

Dave

Yeh, I'd be interested in hearing anyone that's used one of these! Whistler Crusier radar detector- I believe they were sold in NZ a couple of years back, though I think the NZ distributor has changed??? Question is that, assuming you can still get them - has the firmware been kept up to date, and how do they fare compared to the industry leaders?.....

Pumba

10th September 2007, 08:02

Yeh, I'd be interested in hearing anyone that's used one of these! Whistler Crusier radar detector- I believe they were sold in NZ a couple of years back, though I think the NZ distributor has changed??? Question is that, assuming you can still get them - has the firmware been kept up to date, and how do they fare compared to the industry leaders?.....

www.radardirect.co.nz advertises them on his website, so one would presume you can get them from him. As for the quality or how effective they are I wouldent have a clue. I dont see the point in spending that much money for something I cant put in my car when I need it.

Idubbs

10th September 2007, 23:50

Pumba

11th September 2007, 08:20

Hey Pumba - you must have a different www.radarsdirect.co.nz to me. No longer listed on their site. ...... you can buy them for USD $199 from www.buyradardetectors.com. The problem then becomes whether you have enough places on yer bike to fit the parts......Question remains, how reliable are they?::confused:

Sorry mate, last time I was on there site they defently had them listed, looks like they have redeveloped it a bit and removed them from there line up.

Maybe the fact he no longer sells them answers the question of popular they were, and possibly an indication of there efectivness as well.

Wheeliemonsta

11th September 2007, 08:43

Gidday All,
If any of you don't feel up to fitting (hardwiring) your Radar Detectors I'm happy to sort, wire & fit them for you...

My old XR 950 Pro is hard wired to the bike, but it's just a simple phone jack type plug which allows you to use it in a car also...

I can also have stainless steel mounts fabricted to suit individual bikes for around $60.00 (average price only, actual price will be on a bike by bike basis...)

Might I also suggest any of you looking to purchase a detector look at a H.A.R.D (Helmet Assist Radar Detectection) kit, I.M.H.O these little units are worth there weight in gold

P.M me if your interested (West Auckland based...)

Cheers

:rockon:

tel

12th September 2007, 20:49

Hi there, I would appreciate a picture of your mount: looking for ideas on a Bel detector

puddytat

12th September 2007, 21:33

Here's what I came up with...

shafty

12th September 2007, 21:37

...........or RAM

pritch

14th September 2007, 12:51

Whistler Crusier radar detector- has the firmware been kept up to date, and how do they fare compared to the industry leaders?.....

There is a fairly significant advantage the other detectors have that the Whistler model mentioned here doesn't have.

The Escort X50 comes with a rubber suction windscreen mount and a power cord that fits a cigarette lighter. I assume Bel and V1 are similar. On my infrequent trips in a work vehicle I just stick the detector on the screen and plug it in. I'm not sure what the official policy on that is but it's my licence...

You can't do that with the Whistler!