Radar Detector

JeffHorowitz · #1 08-09-2004, 10:43 PM

Hey,

Just got a radar detector. Apparently in my neighborhood they don't use radar. They use timers. They basically automatically time how long it takes for you to get from one point to another. So this radar detector won't too too much good unless I'm on the highway. This is why I bought a fairly cheap one. I was told that pretty much every radar detector will pick up signals on the highway. After reading the instructions, I'm a little confused.
Apparently there are three different kinds of bands that my detector picks up. X, K, and KA. Now what they hell does this mean? Which ones are false alarms? Can all three be cops? I don't know which one I should be carefull of. I guess I'll just have to do the speed-limit until I get used to these bands? Unless anyone can help me out a little bit.

Thanks,
Jeff

korndogg · #2 08-09-2004, 10:52 PM

well first of all i dont know why this post is here but welcome the the forum and ill help ya out. for me...X is always false alarms like stores and stuff. K is always a cop and KA can either be a cop or a false alarm..thats how mine works neway....

Genopsyde · #3 08-09-2004, 10:57 PM

take it back if it doesn't have "L" for laser, which most State Patrol uses now.

Mad'94Z28 · #4 08-09-2004, 10:59 PM

in my area they use those timers now, they put them 5 ft apart

korndogg · #5 08-09-2004, 11:00 PM

mine is an 11 band...it even tells you when trains ...road work...and emergency vehicles are comming..

instantkevin · #6 08-09-2004, 11:14 PM

you just have to learn what cops use in your particular area. After about a week or two of driving around with it, you'll know what is what. Go out on weekend nights and on the highway during the day (or whenever cops are out setting speed traps where you live) and when you pass a cop, if he has his radar on, the alarm will sound and bingo! That is the band he is using. After this happens a few times, you'll see the pattern, and then you can be pretty sure what band they use. When you're driving around town it will go off everytime in particular spots, these are false alarms caused by radio frequencies that around that area, just hit the "shut up" button. Around here cops use Ka band, most of the stationary radar (the ones on the side of the road) use X band, and the State patrol uses X band also. A good detector will detect laser, but I have never been clocked by a cop using laser.
Yes, all three bands can potentially be cops. A lot of people don't realize that a radar detector is not a cop detector, it will only sound an alarm if the cop has his radar on. (Learn about "instant-on" radar).
That sucks that they use time gates where you live.

Mad'94Z28 · #7 08-09-2004, 11:22 PM

is it a cobra safty call? thats what i got. its a good one

caw333 · #8 08-10-2004, 07:31 AM

You will just have to get use to what cops use in your area and where you pick up false alarms. I've noticed in the part of Texas where I live local cops use the X band and the state troopers use KA. Every once in a while but not very often I'll come across a State trooper in a city with laser. And also state troopers don't clock you until your close enough for there radar. That way you can't slow down and its already to late. The best way to detect a cop is to always look at the cars coming toward you in the distance.

Chevyracincamaro · #9 08-10-2004, 09:50 AM

the different bands are the different bandwidths that the police use. x band is a wider fence area, k band is a narrower, and KA is narrow but not as narrow as K band (i think). generally k band is used on the highway so that officers can pick out one car from a pack, and the x band is used more in cities. x band is also used by automatic door openers, which is why the detector goes off around stores and such. for the most part, police are moving away from radar and going to lasers, mainly because of radar detectors (not as many detectors pick up lasers)...

DiabloGT · #10 08-10-2004, 10:33 AM

which one is a good one for a good price?(like not over $500) and has really good range...?

Chevyracincamaro · #11 08-10-2004, 02:16 PM

the one i had i got from a circuit city in Pa (they happen to be illegal in Va, heheh) for like 230 bucks and it had x, k, ka, laser, and emergency, front and rear sensors, and audio alerts. it worked real well...

Chevyracincamaro · #12 08-10-2004, 02:17 PM

oh, it was a beltronics btw...

korndogg · #13 08-10-2004, 02:22 PM

http://www.cobra.com/index.php?page=...be2c4e4119203c

thats mine...best one i have ever had. i had it catch a cop from a mile and a half before.

DiabloGT · #14 08-10-2004, 02:45 PM

http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.js...&oid=91695&m=0
how good is this one?
cause it looks like its their best one...
http://www.cobra.com/index.php?page=...be2c4e4119203c

instantkevin · #15 08-11-2004, 12:57 AM

radar detectors don't have ranges. a lot of people think this too. radar detectors operate on line of sight. detectors don't send out a signal within a particular range, they only accept signals that are sent to it. So for example, if your friend stands in front of you with a flashlight pointed at your face, you can easily pick up that light signal. If you move back a mile or two, the signal becomes weak. but if you can still see the light you can pick up that signal, although it may be very weak at that point. If there was a wall, or grass or something blocking your view of that light then you wouldn't pick up that signal even if your friend was right in front of you. This is how radar works; light is actually a form or radio frequency, it just so happens that we can see this frequency. We can't see police radar, but we can see laser (easier to see when point directly at your eye, although not a good idea). All light is just visible radio frequencies. And yes, I did enjoy my physics classes in high school.

I have a BELtronics radar detector. I work at Circuit City and all the car audio guys recommended me BEL, Cobra is a cheaper brand and doesn't have the reputation that BEL has. Mine is a basic detector: all bands, including laser, safety warning system, cost $100. If I bought another one I would opt to go with one that tells you exactly what the Safety warning system (SWS) alerts are. I'm driving on the highway and the sws goes off and I don't know what it is. it could be a steep hill, sharp turn, construction, a cop on the side of the road, or a lot of other things. I would get the one that reads the exact warning across the LED screen, or one that speaks the warnings to you (BEL has a couple that do these things). I didn't want to pay another $50 for these features when I bought mine, but now I do.

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