Radar

**wkid_one** · 1st January 2004, 23:54

I believe this thread was more about if radar detectors are any good and which one JR should look at - we seem to have digressed (again).

**Marmoot** · 2nd January 2004, 06:51

While we're on it, unlubed (dry) chain can cause falsing as well. As metal friction causes noise (pretty big issue in remote-control helicopter toys), if the frequency is high enough it can cause small electromagnetic-like signal. This can happen if you're travelling at (ahem....) above legal speed limit.
It happened to me a few times. Once I was riding up Hikuai way when the detector registered Ka signal for more than 10 minutes. No other detectors in our group got the signal at all, only me. My chain was dry at the time.

In RC Helicopter, this kind of interference can cause signal distortion and loss of control. It only needs a single unfastened metal screws or unlubed joint in the rotor to make this happen.

That's one more good reason to lube your chain.

**What?** · 2nd January 2004, 07:37

Originally Posted by Coldkiwi

they don't need to cost $900. you can get (read, I have) the 8500 off the net in this country for just over $600 all inclusive

Try www.motorcycleradar.com

Works out (at .645 exchange rate) at $710 NZ for the 8500 including a screamer and mount (handlebar - stem mount is cheaper) and including postage. That is effectively alot cheaper than $600 here.

**wkid_one** · 2nd January 2004, 08:53

Originally Posted by What?

Try www.motorcycleradar.com

Works out (at .645 exchange rate) at $710 NZ for the 8500 including a screamer and mount (handlebar - stem mount is cheaper) and including postage. That is effectively alot cheaper than $600 here.

You don't need the screamer as the 8500 is already wired for audio out, meaning it is a piece of piss to wire for a helmet

**What?** · 2nd January 2004, 09:18

True - unless you don't want / like having a wire running to your lid. I hear the screamer is aptly named, too...
btw - what sort of audio device did you use and how did you fit it into your lid? Earphones do not appeal to me at all, but I am personally not averse to a bit of wire.

**wkid_one** · 2nd January 2004, 12:18

Talk to CK - he did his the same as mine. Small mono speaker from Jaycar did the trick

**XRNR** · 2nd January 2004, 14:33

My Thanks to what & Jackrat, $29USD courier costs and the current low USD.

I have found this thread most usefull, (even with the little deviations). (Glad to hear timber020 you are not Mr Plod, A guy like you would really P*** Me Off if you were handing out traffic tickets!).

I hope the Escort 8500 lives up to my expectations. Just got to find the room on the old XR's handle bars.

13jan,

Yay, got it today. Came into the country on the 9th though!

**wkid_one** · 2nd January 2004, 19:22

Originally Posted by spudchucka

Hey wicked,

I'm not trying to start an arguement but,

you are working on the assumption that the cops run their units 'properly'. With many one cop HWP vehicles - they are often too lazy to do this.

How can you qualify a statement like this, have you any experience on the other side of the red & blue flashing lights?

I have to dissagree most Highway cops take their job very seriously and are totally professional. The poor old general duties cop on the other hand is racing around refereeing domestics etc and will usually just leave the radar on constantly and chance it to luck.

Spud - my comments are based purely on the fact of the number of HWP cars I pass that that detector goes mental on. This is good enuf for me. I have literally NEVER passed a HWP car that isn't blasting me with Ka way before I see him. Maybe they are professional etc...however I bloody well know they are coming when I am running the detector. I tend to follow what my experience shows me. I will physically applaud the first HWP car who surprises me. It sounds like your 'experience' is somewhat brain washed by the whole cop 'we are holier than thou' campaign of righteousness.

Try running a radar detector and actually SEEING and EXPERIENCING what they are actually doing - versus what one is told they are doing. You'd be surprised how many of your professional and serious HWP Officers are not running the units properly.

I have driven all over the lower north island - and have only been caught short by police operating laser....never by radar. Luck - maybe. But it certainly discounts your argument.

**wkid_one** · 2nd January 2004, 19:35

Originally Posted by XRNR

My Thanks to what & Jackrat, $29USD courier costs and the current low USD.

I have found this thread most usefull, (even with the little deviations). (Glad to hear timber020 you are not Mr Plod, A guy like you would really P*** Me Off if you were handing out traffic tickets!).

I hope the Escort 8500 lives up to my expectations. Just got to find the room on the old XR's handle bars.

XRNR - you'll love it. Best investment I made.......other than the jammer that is.

Other option is hard mounting it in the front of the fairing ahead of the instrument cluster - most bikes have shit loads of room in here. Gr8 option unless you plan on running in a car as well. You then just run a speak wire with socket to the cluster so you can plug your helmet in.

Also - it means no shagging around when you stop for a coffee having to disconnect it so some degenerate doesn't help themselves to it.

**spudchucka** · 2nd January 2004, 22:32

Originally Posted by wkid_one

Spud - my comments are based purely on the fact of the number of HWP cars I pass that that detector goes mental on. This is good enuf for me. I have literally NEVER passed a HWP car that isn't blasting me with Ka way before I see him. Maybe they are professional etc...however I bloody well know they are coming when I am running the detector. I tend to follow what my experience shows me. I will physically applaud the first HWP car who surprises me. It sounds like your 'experience' is somewhat brain washed by the whole cop 'we are holier than thou' campaign of righteousness.

Try running a radar detector and actually SEEING and EXPERIENCING what they are actually doing - versus what one is told they are doing. You'd be surprised how many of your professional and serious HWP Officers are not running the units properly.

I have driven all over the lower north island - and have only been caught short by police operating laser....never by radar. Luck - maybe. But it certainly discounts your argument.

Fair enough, all any one can do is base their opinions on their experience. I'll stick to using the common sense, eyes open method that has served me well for a long time. All it takes is a little discrection on the riders part as to where and when to let the bike stretch it's legs. $600 - $900, whatever, I'd still rather keep the cash in my pocket.

By the way, I might be a techno phobe but brain washed I aint.

**wkid_one** · 2nd January 2004, 23:37

Common sense is wonderful - however the opportunities to 'stretch the legs' of the bike are fast becoming fewer and fewer. Especially if you consider how fast the bikes can stretch their legs - with many sports bikes more than capable of sub 4 sec 0-100s and cruising speeds of easily 140-170kph.

Fuck common sense - I will use technology to its best advantage. Why bother guessing when something can take the guess work out of it. My detector (and jammer) have MORE than paid for themselves - and what I can't quantify is the 'de-stressing' value of them. No longer do I have to concentrate on the horizon - I can just enjoy the trip.

**XRNR** · 3rd January 2004, 07:55

Originally Posted by wkid_one

Common sense is wonderful - however ...

It probably works quite well around Manawatu (common sense), but around Auckland & other big centres that have oodles of spare cops floating around. It won't work for long.
Also I don't have the advantage of having a Police ID sitting next to my drivers licence (or fireman's one, firefight!).

**SPman** · 3rd January 2004, 10:16

Having used the 'common sense" and "intuition" method for the last 30 odd years, I've come to the conclusion that, over the last couple of years, things are getting out of hand, ticket issuing wise.
Now, with the limit being lowered (and who's to say they won't lower it to 30k over....or less, in the future) it looks like a detector is looming hard on the horizon.So, like JR, when I fork out me dollars, I want one that works...well!
Thanks for the info guys.

**Marmoot** · 3rd January 2004, 10:48

Common sense don't really work well with speed-creep. I have a leadfoot, slow brain and tired eyes so I'd rather not stare into the speedo to much. They hypnotize you they do.....

I also heard speed-staring induced drowsiness is not a defence option in the event of crash.

anyway, back to detector topic for jackrat, try Trademe. There are some good deals for Valentine1 or escort8500 there. Also, Paralel Imported Ltd (Albany) sells Escort8500 for $600 (or $650?) brand new. Pretty well worth it.

**XRNR** · 3rd January 2004, 11:56

Originally Posted by Marmoot

There are some good deals for Valentine1 or escort8500 there. Also, Paralel Imported Ltd (Albany) sells Escort8500 for $600 (or $650?) brand new. Pretty well worth it.

I will have to check them out & see what other stuff they have.

Parallel Imported Ltd
7/59 Paul Matthews Rd Albany Auckland
0-9-442 2090