Radar detectors. Do they work?

[NZ CBR]

Im looking though a bunch on Trademe, they all seem to have the same stats etc. yet some go for $100 and others cost the same as a flight to the phillipines and a nite out with a lovely girl named lily tai.

So do they work and if so what do I need to look for??

:scooter: + :Police: = :brick:

[CookMySock]

Watch out, Lily Tai is actually a man.

Steve

[Boob Johnson]

Yes they work.


You get what you pay for ;)


1) Bel STi

2) Valentine One

3) Escort 8500


In that order, anything else is an expensive plastic box with pretty lights.........that won't save you from the not so pretty lights ;)

[NZ CBR]

ohhh ur pushing it!!

next ul tell me santas my dad!

[NZ CBR]

You get what you pay for ;)


I was thinking that, cheers

[Taz]

If the cops are using Instant on and you're the only vehicle in the vicinity (eg not getting any scatter off other vehicles that have been pinged) then they only tell you when you are about to get a ticket. Stick closer to the speed limit on the busy roads and choose your time and place carefully to wind it up. This way you'll limit your contributions.

[awayatc]

I must have paid 4 at least one patrolcar by now....
Does that mean I get It?

Cool!

[NZ CBR]

I think at the end of the day, comon sense, if you use it to scan for active lasers it will help you prepare.

But like you say anthax, if there pointing it at you itl tell you when the silver bullet has already exited you skull (too late)!!

[3umph]

i thgink laser is a wast of time... when that locked you afe fucked...

I just have ka activated... have an escort 8500 x50 with wireless led in the helmet

seems to work well and gives good warnings.... if you are speeding... desclaimer: I dont cause I only have the radar for research proposes :whistle:.... you will have to jump on the brakes as soon it goes off

they are not a gaurenteed I wont get a ticket device but for the speeders I'm sure they will pay for themselves quite quick

[MD]

Yes they work.

You get what you pay for ;)


1) Bel STi

2) Valentine One

3) Escort 8500


In that order, anything else is an expensive plastic box with pretty lights.........that won't save you from the not so pretty lights ;)

Sorry Boob. That's another KBer urban myth.

I used a V1 for a few years. Last year I bought a new Cobra for the kingly sum of $198 and it works just fine. No better, no worse. In fact I prefer the Cobra. It speaks to me in a spunky female voice "train approaching" Ka alert", Emergency vehicle approaching", "Laser alert -get wallet out" OK, she doesn't ask for my wallet. I have named her Brenda and I think our relationship is going somewhere...

Actually Brenda gave me a damn long laser alert a while back. Would have been 1.5km easy. The Cobra must have picked up a lucky mis-aim by the Cop. His marked car was too far away for the eye to spot. I was pleasantly surprised once I got closer and saw what it was and Brenda picked up a second alert once I became his target. She has proven herself very good at picking up radar (Ka) both behind and in front of me. It it by far the easiest to programme i.e. turn on/off X, K and it supposedly detects Detector Detectors. Took 4 seconds to turn the K band on for the new camera vans. It has an external jack as well to run a speaker to your ear.

Mine's a cheap plastic box with pretty lights that works just as well as those expensive plastic boxes with lights. But mine looks better.

I know of another KB who bought one and is more than happy with the performance. Of course we both had to decide what to do with the $800 we saved by not buying an expensive plastic box.

[Boob Johnson]

Sorry Boob. That's another KBer urban myth.

I used a V1 for a few years. Last year I bought a new Cobra for the kingly sum of $198 and it works just fine. No better, no worse. In fact I prefer the Cobra. It speaks to me in a spunky female voice "train approaching" Ka alert", Emergency vehicle approaching", "Laser alert -get wallet out" OK, she doesn't ask for my wallet. I have named her Brenda and I think our relationship is going somewhere...

Actually Brenda gave me a damn long laser alert a while back. Would have been 1.5km easy. The Cobra must have picked up a lucky mis-aim by the Cop. His marked car was too far away for the eye to spot. I was pleasantly surprised once I got closer and saw what it was and Brenda picked up a second alert once I became his target. She has proven herself very good at picking up radar (Ka) both behind and in front of me. It it by far the easiest to programme i.e. turn on/off X, K and it supposedly detects Detector Detectors. Took 4 seconds to turn the K band on for the new camera vans. It has an external jack as well.

Mine's a cheap plastic box with pretty lights that works just as well as those expensive plastic boxes with lights. But mine looks better.

I know of another KB who bought one and is more than happy with the performance. Of course we both had to decide what to do with the $800 we saved by not buying an expensive plastic box.
Well ill be a monkies uncle!

Thanks for sharing that :niceone:

[Ojai]

Sorry Boob. That's another KBer urban myth.

I know of another KB who bought one and is more than happy with the performance. Of course we both had to decide what to do with the $800 we saved by not buying an expensive plastic box.

Brenda, you say? Interesting! I see I'll be off making a purchase this weekend.

[Mikkel]

So do they work and if so what do I need to look for??

Yes they work. Won't save your arse every time though. And with the instant-on capability and the numerous mufties you can never be sure if you'll get a warning before it is too late.

[Taz]

. In fact I prefer the Cobra. It s

What model cobra??

[jaymzw]

What model cobra??

I second this,

Tell me, I must meet her!!!

I mean...I must get it:whistle:

[Ixion]

More importantly, does Brenda do out-calls?

[NZsarge]

Yes they work.


You get what you pay for ;)


1) Bel STi

2) Valentine One

3) Escort 8500


In that order, anything else is an expensive plastic box with pretty lights.........that won't save you from the not so pretty lights ;)

+1 That's pretty much the order of things as I understand it.

[Swoop]

A very good off-axis capability is handy.
Last week I picked up on a tax collector who was on a road 90 degrees from the one I was on. Took a good 30 seconds for him to appear and the STi was going apeshit the whole time.
Thank you again Mr Bel.

[fergie]

I have beenn alerted countless times by my V1 Both on the bike and in the car. It has paid for itself. would not be without one. end of story.

[SMOKEU]

A mate of mine has one in his car. I'm not sure what brand it is but it cost around $200 new off trademe and it works really well, picks up the fuzz from quite a far distance. Also great at picking up automatic door openers.

[LBD]

Really happy with my TPX, was new and is all weather, designed for bikes...



Introducing the world’s first fully-integrated, portable motorcycle radar and laser detection system. No more trying to make automotive radar detectors work with your bike. No more missing the audio or visual alerts. No more searching the earth's ends to find compatible mounts. No more hours of wiring jobs. No more fear of the rain. No more fear of theft. No more microscopic buttons. No more money, energy, sanity and precious riding hours wasted trying to make automotive radar detectors work with your bike.

[awayatc]

TPX? please tell me more.....

[awayatc]

Sorry Boob. That's another KBer urban myth.


I know of another KB who bought one and is more than happy with the performance. Of course we both had to decide what to do with the $800 we saved by not buying an expensive plastic box.

How about mounting them?
They are not designed for bikes are they...?
What about rain?
Don't know much about radars, but unfortunately can't afford not to have "warnings" anymore......

[LBD]

TPX? please tell me more.....

http://www.radardirect.co.nz/new/motorbike_radar/TPX-MAIN/index.html

Have a look at the attached link. More thatn you could pay on Trademe.

I also got a good mounting bracket with it and it sits nicely center stace on my monster. The Bike and mount is in Chch, Radar is not. PM me if you want a look at the bracket on the bike.

[roogazza]

Sorry Boob. That's another KBer urban myth.

I used a V1 for a few years. Last year I bought a new Cobra for the kingly sum of $198 and it works just fine. No better, no worse. In fact I prefer the Cobra. It speaks to me in a spunky female voice "train approaching" Ka alert", Emergency vehicle approaching", "Laser alert -get wallet out" OK, she doesn't ask for my wallet. I have named her Brenda and I think our relationship is going somewhere...

Actually Brenda gave me a damn long laser alert a while back. Would have been 1.5km easy. The Cobra must have picked up a lucky mis-aim by the Cop. His marked car was too far away for the eye to spot. I was pleasantly surprised once I got closer and saw what it was and Brenda picked up a second alert once I became his target. She has proven herself very good at picking up radar (Ka) both behind and in front of me. It it by far the easiest to programme i.e. turn on/off X, K and it supposedly detects Detector Detectors. Took 4 seconds to turn the K band on for the new camera vans. It has an external jack as well to run a speaker to your ear.

Mine's a cheap plastic box with pretty lights that works just as well as those expensive plastic boxes with lights. But mine looks better.

I know of another KB who bought one and is more than happy with the performance. Of course we both had to decide what to do with the $800 we saved by not buying an expensive plastic box.

Maybe we can get Brenda and Trevor (my V1 ) together !!!!! ha ha. See ya at the trackday tomorrow huh ? Gaz.

[CookMySock]

Also great at picking up automatic door openers.Turn K-band off. You only need Ka I think. I get seemingly random Ku detects here and there - dunno what they are.

Steve

[Jantar]

Leave K band turned on, and if you have already turned it off then turn it back on. The latest speed cameras apparently operate on K band rather than Ka band.

Yes, lots of false alarms when going through towns. I have a power switch to my sounder so I can turn the sound off but leave the display active in town.

[awayatc]

More importantly, does Brenda do out-calls?

I can see another night on the couch coming up.....

[CookMySock]

Leave K band turned on, and if you have already turned it off then turn it back on. The latest speed cameras apparently operate on K band rather than Ka band.Bugger. Has anyone seen one of these yet?

Steve

[NZsarge]

Took a good 30 seconds for him to appear and the STi was going apeshit the whole time.
Thank you again Mr Bel.

Amen.
_____

[MD]

More importantly, does Brenda do out-calls?

Clear off! I found her first. I turned X band on just to hear Brenda's sweet seductive voice saying..."X Alert"

Maybe we can get Brenda and Trevor (my V1 ) together !!!!! ha ha. See ya at the trackday tomorrow huh ? Gaz.
Trevor hey. Not sure I like the sound of Trevor. Sounds like he might have eyes for my Brenda's curves.

Leave K band turned on, and if you have already turned it off then turn it back on. The latest speed cameras apparently operate on K band rather than Ka band.

Yes, lots of false alarms when going through towns. I have a power switch to my sounder so I can turn the sound off but leave the display active in town.

Yeah I tested this. It's K band now. Personally I see no need for the radar in town. It's just an open road thing for me, especially when wanting to blast past slower traffic.

Brenda is a Cobra 9440.

[1vanvan1]

So what modes do i need to pick up radars, speed cameras and lazers?

[CookMySock]

So what modes do i need to pick up radars, speed cameras and lazers?K, Ka, Ku?, POP, Laser - all ON. Turn X off.

ALL of these warnings to be taken seriously, except K when near a building that obviously has a door-opener - a slow speed area anyway.

Instant on (POP?) warnings mean brake really hard right NOW, and maybe you will get away with it. I don't see many POP warnings.

Ka warnings can, and usually do give you eons of warning well in advance, but occasionally not.

K and weak Ka? warnings are speed cameras - to be immediately taken very seriously, as the cameras are low power and therefore low range, and are pointed on an angle ACROSS the road, NOT down the road - the result of this is the detector cannot see them until you are right on top of them. You should have SEEN the speed camera vehicle WELL before this though.

Laser warnings - IF the laser is left running, and the operator triggers and swings the beam arbitrarily through the traffic :slap: then you have a good chance of detecting him while he goofs around with it. If he is not using a tripod, and you are on a motorcycle, AND you are greater than 700 meters from him, I think it will be very difficult for him to get a solid lock on you - certainly he is going to flash your detector and reveal himself well before he gets a useable lock - plenty of time to do something about the situation. Basically, its fucking difficult to point and hold a handheld laser on something a kilometer away. Get a laser pointer and try it.


Steve

[_STAIN_]

If the cops are using Instant on and you're the only vehicle in the vicinity (eg not getting any scatter off other vehicles that have been pinged) then they only tell you when you are about to get a ticket. Stick closer to the speed limit on the busy roads and choose your time and place carefully to wind it up. This way you'll limit your contributions.

This is the one situation no detector can beat, your only chance is if you pick up a scatter from a previous speed check / ping.
It is a cat and mouse game and the only detector with stealthing is Bel STi or XR (same). Their game at present is to go out of their way to nab anyone with a detector......Hawk and other radar devises have snoop which enable them to see detectors the same way we can see radars. The cheaper the detector the easier they can see it, alerting them to possible speeder approaching. This is when they go into hide / conceal and use INSTANT ON. As the ticket is handed over you will see them casually glance and then tick their note book. Score another X50, something to gloat about in the canteen tonight. Just google radar detector tests to read more. Eyes are best defense and have run for last 2 years this way as this is better than sending out a beam " speeder approaching"

[_STAIN_]

i thgink laser is a wast of time... when that locked you afe fucked...

I just have ka activated... have an escort 8500 x50 with wireless led in the helmet

seems to work well and gives good warnings.... if you are speeding... desclaimer: I dont cause I only have the radar for research proposes :whistle:.... you will have to jump on the brakes as soon it goes off

they are not a gaurenteed I wont get a ticket device but for the speeders I'm sure they will pay for themselves quite quick

Most do not seem to understand the difference, This is a narrow light speed reflected beam, not radio wave like radar. There is a very slim chance you may pick up a scatter beam. There is no way you can react faster than the speed of light if trigger is pulled directly at you. Only thing that may help in case of suspicious character in a vest partly hiding behind the pillar of the Bank is to put your self into a fast wide weave :). The defence needed is a Blinder, Cloaker or similar that upon detection sends back a falsing beam, completely legal. This is a stand alone unit, your radar detector may "detect laser" but will not send out a falsing beam.

[Ragingrob]

Brenda is a Cobra 9440.

Brenda sure does sound interesting.... The kinda interesting that I like! There are a few about trademe going cheap cheap but only one 9440 right now, I wonder how the other models of this brand stack up.

[_STAIN_]

You get what you pay for ;)

1) Bel STi
2) Valentine One
3) Escort 8500

In that order, anything else is an expensive plastic box with pretty lights.........that won't save you from the not so pretty lights ;)


Sorry Boob. That's another KBer urban myth.

The list should be shortened to this 1st one, "only"

[3umph]

The list should be shortened to this 1st one, "only"

why???? nothing wrong with my escort

[TimeOut]

Sorry Boob. That's another KBer urban myth.

I used a V1 for a few years. Last year I bought a new Cobra for the kingly sum of $198 and it works just fine. No better, no worse. In fact I prefer the Cobra.

I have a Cobra and an STi. Yes the Cobra works very well but the STi picks up signals from a far greater distance (8km is the best) and I don't get any false warnings (that may change when I turn "K" back on after reading this thread) my Cobra would even pick up other Radar Decters!

[gates]

:scooter: yeah have beltronics sti, works bloody well, you still got to be ready with the brakes all the time though. cost $1100 bucks has saved plenty of times ? still lot of coin:gob:

[smoky]

where could I buy a decent mount from?




Not a Mount as in Mt Panorama, nor am I wanting to mount 'some one', nor a picture hook......... a radar mount for my bandit.
Just thought I'd clarify that, after all it is KB

[Swoop]

The list should be shortened to this 1st one, "only"
I've been preaching this for ages around here. Those who will not listen.....$

:scooter: yeah have beltronics sti, works bloody well, you still got to be ready with the brakes all the time though. cost $1100 bucks has saved plenty of times ? still lot of coin:gob:
They do not cost anywhere near that amount. Where did you get told that price for an STi?

[saltydog]

I've got one in the car, hell i couldnt even tell you what type (uniden?) and it has saved me plenty, its also a 'she', her name is 'Mummy'
But what I want to know is the mounting. Stem mounted...to much vibration? or mounted on the fork stem?...or a gay looking Ram mount on the handlebars??
Whos got what and why???
How should i mount mummy?

[Mikkel]

There is no way you can react faster than the speed of light if trigger is pulled directly at you.

Laser guns are range finders operating in the micro-wave part of the electromagnetic spectrum. They measure the distance to an object about once every millisecond, calculate the difference and then return the speed. This is why it is possible to design a laser jammer - 1 ms is plenty of time for good electronics to establish the incoming frequency and start emitting a very noisy background which drowns out the laser's own signal.
Most human beings have a reaction time slightly higher than 1 ms...

Radars on the other hand operate based on the doppler shift for a reflected beam. There's no viable way to jam a doppler radar.

[TLMAN]

I've got one in the car, hell i couldnt even tell you what type (uniden?) and it has saved me plenty, its also a 'she', her name is 'Mummy'
But what I want to know is the mounting. Stem mounted...to much vibration? or mounted on the fork stem?...or a gay looking Ram mount on the handlebars??
Whos got what and why???
How should i mount mummy?

Tank mount

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Parts-for-sale/Other/auction-214185241.htm

[ynot slow]

Bel RX 65 was good till some arse wipe flogged it last guy fawks night,grabbed the RX55 and is as good,these are all in the car though.

Cobra cheapo is reasonable,but our old whistler still goes well.Both not as good as the bel,but not the same price either.

[naphazoline]

Yes they work.


You get what you pay for ;)


1) Bel STi

2) Valentine One

3) Escort 8500


In that order, anything else is an expensive plastic box with pretty lights.........that won't save you from the not so pretty lights ;)


+1

What boob said,in that order.
Got an sti,and it's saved my arse several times now.

In an independent test i found,they rated the Bel' STI 1st,in radar detection,And the Valentine V1 next,But they reckon Escort 8500 is VERY similar to the STI.



You're probably already aware,but i'll tell you anyway,that as good as a radar detector is,you're not bulletproof against getting caught by cops.
They don't have their radar guns on all the time.They turn them on and off.

If there's traffic in front of you,you'll have a better chance at picking them up with a fair bit of warning,as they use the radar on them.But if you're on a lonely highway,you might find that you are the first vehicle they zone in on,and that can be too late.

Also,some radar detectors are not good at picking up laser,but all in all,you're still WAY better off with one.

[NZ CBR]

Laser guns are range finders operating in the micro-wave part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Radars on the other hand operate based on the doppler shift for a reflected beam. There's no viable way to jam a doppler radar.

So you can jam lasers but not radars?

what is the break down on what cops use? mostly lasers??

[TimeOut]

So you can jam lasers but not radars?

what is the break down on what cops use? mostly lasers??

Lasers can only be used stationary, so the cars all have radar.

[Mikkel]

So you can jam lasers but not radars?

what is the break down on what cops use? mostly lasers??

I don't know the exact figures - but there will be at least 10 radars to every laser, 100 radars to every laser is more likely. I've seen a laser gun being used less than 5 times - couldn't begin to put a number on the times I've passed a police car with an active radar.

[NZ CBR]

Cheers,

Think ill just play around with my Rocky mt I was givn, dont expect much from it by the sounds but dont have 1/2 a grand to spend. yet, Ill have to do some more paper runs!!

[smoky]

Brenda is a Cobra 9440.


Brenda sure does sound interesting.... There are a few about trademe going cheap cheap but only one 9440 right now, I wonder how the other models of this brand stack up.

I tried to buy the one on Trademe - out of stock! He's offered me a 9940 for an extra $25 - anyone know if it's a good model

[TimeOut]

I tried to buy the one on Trademe - out of stock! He's offered me a 9940 for an extra $25 - anyone know if it's a good model


Dunno but make sure it has an external speaker socket

[smoky]

Dunno but make sure it has an external speaker socket

yep - he said it had all the same features and more than the 9440
He said it's the model he uses, and he rides a CBR250 - so he can't be a bad bloke:msn-wink:

[roogazza]

Clear off! I found her first. I turned X band on just to hear Brenda's sweet seductive voice saying..."X Alert"

Trevor hey. Not sure I like the sound of Trevor. Sounds like he might have eyes for my Brenda's curves.


Yeah I tested this. It's K band now. Personally I see no need for the radar in town. It's just an open road thing for me, especially when wanting to blast past slower traffic.

Brenda is a Cobra 9440.

yep MD, did a test this morn on a camera van at Plimmerton, parked next to him and proceeded to switch on K band. (took a matter of seconds on the
V1!!) Its going to be a pain in the city but hey you never know where they pop up.

[flyingcrocodile46]

I've been preaching this for ages around here. Those who will not listen.....$

They do not cost anywhere near that amount. Where did you get told that price for an STi?


http://www.radar2go.co.nz/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=10

and trademe.

If you can get them cheaper, please advise

[Swoop]

http://www.radar2go.co.nz/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=10

and trademe.

If you can get them cheaper, please advise
You are on the North Shore! Parallel Imported on Constellation Dr.
Shitloads cheaper.

[boomer]

....
So do they work and if so what do I need to look for??

No, they dont work. Look out for pukekos

[CookMySock]

Laser guns are range finders operating in the micro-wave part of the electromagnetic spectrum. They measure the distance to an object about once every millisecond, calculate the difference and then return the speed. This is why it is possible to design a laser jammer - 1 ms is plenty of time for good electronics to establish the incoming frequency and start emitting a very noisy background which drowns out the laser's own signal.Er, almost. To be precise ;

/pedant Laser guns use an optical laser operating in the micrometer (light) part of the electromagnetic spectrum. It's not radio waves, or microwave radiation. I would be very surprised if LIDAR jammers actually measured the incoming energies' frequency and took active steps against it. I think you will find they simply broadcast a bright modulated light "blinder" on or about the same light wavelength, effectively burying the microscopic laser reflection in a sea of fog.


Radars on the other hand operate based on the doppler shift for a reflected beam. There's no viable way to jam a doppler radar.Correct, but they can be jammed once you know the transmitting frequency, thusly ;

The stalkers' digital displays can only indicate two speeds - the primary target speed, and the maximum speed. These two "speeds" are two doppler reflections (radio frequency signals), so we need to simulate these, or at least mask the one the radar unit should be displaying. The easy way seems to be to (over)modulate a microwave source with a square wave signal of about 1KHz. This should fill the bandspace with multiple targets spaced 1KHz apart, making far more targets than the operator is capable of legally* resolving. Note that it will not conceal your high speed (the stalker will quite likely still pick you out as the highest speed target) but his audio will so absurdly cluttered that either the operator or the stalker will be well into "WTF" mode. I do not think the operator will trust his machine with this much crap coming out of the speaker.

*The judge will raise an eyebrow at the officers' description of the horribly cluttered tone. While the instrument might be content, the judge will not. In case the officer bare-faced lies to the judge and says he had "clean tone" on you, all you do is ask how that could be, since you were jamming him with a wideband squarewave signal, and indicate to the judge that his summary description of the observed tone is infeasible considering the conditions, and watch him suddenly "remember".

Fun fun fun!

edit: disclaimer: I don't advocate speeding everywhere. It's dangerous. Your family (especially your mum and your lovely daughter) will cry when you are dead. Don't do it.

Steve