Radar detector signal interpretation

**Blackbird** · 15th August 2005, 10:32

I’ve just replaced my old radar detector with an Escort 8500 X50 and am currently coming to grips with signal interpretation. I’m looking for feedback from other users of top line detectors. I’ve disabled X and K bands to eliminate signals from security systems etc.

I stuck the detector in the car for a trip to Hamilton at the weekend. About 5km north of Cambridge, it went off in Ka POP mode (a form of “instant on”) and I nearly had heart failure, despite driving at strictly legal speeds. There wasn’t a cop in sight although there was a line of traffic coming towards me. I assumed that a mufti car was somewhere in the line. Coming back, the same thing happened and I looked hard for a mufti car but didn’t see anything which remotely resembled one. I’m pretty sure that it was close to, or at the same spot that the detector went off on the way north. This made me wonder whether there was anything a bit more covert going on (paranoid, moi???). I emailed one of the KiwiBikers who has a Valentine detector to see what experiences he has had along these lines. He said that he gets the occasional false alarm from agricultural equipment. Apparently, some tractors and similar equipment imported from the USA have a safety communications system fitted to them which can cause the odd problem. Must keep my eyes peeled in future.

Does anyone else with a top detector get the odd non-obvious source signal?

Cheers,

Geoff

**oldrider** · 15th August 2005, 10:59

Hi Blackbird, because of the all out attitude of the government and their collection agency (Police) these days, I threw away my radar detectors and bought a smaller bike. The smaller bike has less tendency to go fast without thinking about it and it's more versatile. In other words I go where plod isn't. Another reason for the smaller bike is I now have a smaller bank balance. Besides her on the back is a lot happier. Shit I think I must have surrendered.

Oh well, Cheers John

**Blackbird** · 15th August 2005, 11:05

Hi John - nice to hear from you.

I'm 58 in October and keep wrestling with the same dilemma! The 'bird makes illegal speeds so effortless and it's such a great all-round machine that I'm not ready to make the hard call that you've made quite yet. We're planning to move permanently to Coromandel in a couple of years and with the nice twisty roads up there, maybe that will be the time to get a lighter, more agile machine where top speed isn't so relevant. In the meantime, I want to get the most out of the detector, haha

Cheers

Geoff

**Gixxer 4 ever** · 15th August 2005, 12:41

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Ka POP mode (a form of “instant on”)
Geoff

Turn the "POP" off. Not needed in NZ yet. You will not regret the purchase. It will save you a lot of money.

**Blackbird** · 15th August 2005, 12:47

Cheers Gixxer

It's way better than my old model from experience already - picked up a camera van a huge distance away and yesterday, I’d been a good boy working in the garden so was allowed to go and play for a while in the afternoon. Took the bike up to the top of the Kaimai range towards Tauranga and then came home on SH1 via Tirau. The detector went off on Ka band whilst I was coming through Tirau although there was nothing in sight. As I crested the hill at the southern end, there was a Merc parked about 100 metres down the hill on the other side with a patrol car parked right up its chuff with lights ablaze. The distance when I first picked it up must have been about half a k which I thought was excellent considering all the buildings, traffic, terrain and the Merc masking the patrol car.

**Drunken Monkey** · 15th August 2005, 13:03

If it goes off in the same place all the time, its typically a false alarm. I get about 99% less falsies on the Escort than I did with the Uniden.
Its detection is so good, sometimes you think you've got a false alarm, but it was a cop car 2 blocks away, or going down a parallel street.
The only thing the Valantine does better is tell you if it's in front or behind (useful to know sometimes!)

**Gixxer 4 ever** · 15th August 2005, 13:15

Originally Posted by Drunken Monkey

The only thing the Valantine does better is tell you if it's in front or behind (useful to know sometimes!)

Yep but 200+ $$ more. I just put my hand over the back of the X50 to cover it. If it stops then it is behind, If not then it is in front. They are so good you do not always see the cop.

**Lou Girardin** · 15th August 2005, 17:15

I wouldn't turn POP off, it's super sensitive to Ka band and may save your butt one day.
On the Valentine, if a POP alert is interpreted as a false it will flash J in the read-out.
If you only have Ka activated, I'd treat the slightest alert as a tax audit and hit the picks until you're sure.

**myvice** · 15th August 2005, 18:32

Looking at getting a Valentine, been quoted about $950inc through a mate, good price?

**Blackbird** · 15th August 2005, 19:42

Got my Escort for ~$500 through Ryan Gounder at DiscountBay (info@discountbay.co.nz). I think Ryan does the Valentine too. Performancewise, these 2 detectors are currently at the top.

**Warr** · 15th August 2005, 20:23

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Got my Escort for ~$500 through Ryan Gounder at DiscountBay (info@discountbay.co.nz).

Ryan has been doing well out of us KBers. Havent had mine a month yet, and Ryan was a great guy to deal with.
Still have it in the car just to get used to the signals ... and yes it replaces a Uniden. Nice to be able turn off K band.
Previously you'd be on the speed camera before you got a warning, the X50 is definitely more sensative.

**Pixie** · 15th August 2005, 20:36

Originally Posted by myvice

Looking at getting a Valentine, been quoted about $950inc through a mate, good price?

I think Lou got one from discountbay for less than $900

**Gixxer 4 ever** · 15th August 2005, 21:22

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

I wouldn't turn POP off, it's super sensitive to Ka band and may save your butt one day..

Experience tells me you can turn it off. I always hit the brakes hard and drop to the limit as soon I hear a beep. But up to the owner.

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

If you only have Ka activated, I'd treat the slightest alert as a tax audit and hit the picks until you're sure.

As you should.

**Holy Roller** · 15th August 2005, 23:03

I keep getting a Ka alert heading out of Whakatane by Gateway drive. It seems to be coming from the car sales place. I get full signal after leaving Tony Rees shop. Sweet after the 100kph sign.

**Da Bird** · 16th August 2005, 00:00

Originally Posted by Gixxer 4 ever

Yep but 200+ $$ more. I just put my hand over the back of the X50 to cover it. If it stops then it is behind, If not then it is in front. They are so good you do not always see the cop.

... and the Stalkers are so good, they will pick up the speed of oncoming cars before I see them...