Radar Detectors - Your Honest Opinion Please

[zigga]

Im in WA, I have a 2005 Ba Mk 2 XR6T & I have a Beltronics Pro X65 Professional Series radar detector which was a gift from my brother.

Its saved me a few times from getting tickets (e.g. was doing 110 in an 80 - picked up a hand held; i slowed and was okay); yet the other day it didnt pick up a multinova until the very last second (i slowed from 100 to 88 but got done for 88 in an 80)...

but i have heard time and time again that they are unreliable, inconsistent and give you a 'false confidence'.

Just wondering what everyone else thoughts are in relation to radar detectors - whether you have one, or you've had one in the past and thought iwas good/**** whatever.

Also wondering about other posters experiences with various radar settings eg. city v highway v scan modes.

Any input is much appreciated.

: :eclipsee_

[rayner22]

All i'll say is it worth the fine when you get caught using it?? (and you WILL eventually).

[BeStRaFe]

the answer is.. .dont speed

but previousally and i still have one fitted... they are a good warning system.
but im a verry relaxed driver these days... just good to know when they have a lidar / radar on you

[BeStRaFe]

Originally Posted by rayner22

All i'll say is it worth the fine when you get caught using it?? (and you WILL eventually).

WA = LEGAL for radar detectors

[oneredED]

All i'll say is it worth the fine when you get caught using it?? (and you WILL eventually).

I thought they were actually legal in WA, at least last time I checked they were legal in WA, but WA only.

EDIT: beat me to it, i'm too slow on these darn fangled computer things...

[poolkeeper]

p plater speeding :(

[Jason[98.EL]]

dont speed then you wont need one

[rayner22]

My Bad, didnt read the WA bit... beer o'clock just isnt coming quick today...

[kennys]

Yep legal in WA...i find the weather also affects the effective distance of mine. eg. overcast/raining

[clontarf_x]

Originally Posted by zigga

1) (e.g. was doing 110 in an 80 - picked up a hand held; i slowed and was okay); yet the other day it didnt pick up a multinova until the very last second (i slowed from 100 to 88 but got done for 88 in an 80)...

Also wondering about other posters experiences with various radar settings eg. city v highway v scan modes.

Any input is much appreciated.

: :eclipsee_

RE: 1) You are quite possibly a dick for doing 110 in an 80, but hey I'm not about to be a hypocrite

And yeah, As for radar detectors, the Bell's are OK units, but aren't guaranteed to pick up all Multanovas (depends on the angle of the nova) and most hand-helds will get picked up (due to the fact they move and have a wider beam vs distance)

it:

[smiley]

is it true that cops know when your using a radar cause it scrambles their signal or something?

[Lightning Strike GT]

Originally Posted by smiley

is it true that cops know when your using a radar cause it scrambles their signal or something?

debateable on that one - most do 2 hits a few seconds apart and if you have dropped speed significantly they assume you have a detector

[superpursuit83]

I have a Beltronics pro in the ute. Now I honestly do not speed around, but in these new cars its just too easy to go 5 or 10 over without noticing. I have found that it helps me pay attention to my speed. Every time it beeps I check my speed. It also lets you know when road works are coming up and when emergency vehicles are around you somewhere (great feature when the stereo is on).
They work well, and you learn the different sounds and beeps it makes. You have to remember though that cars around you can hide a cameras signal, even up until you are on top of it and still nab you. But normally they are great for multinovas, Ka Band is always a camera. If you hear "Laser Alert", then its already too late.

As everyone has said, the best thing is don't speed. And definately don't rely on a detector to save you any tickets.

[mcnews]

They work best on the open highways, car mounted radars coming the other way you quite often get a couple of kilometres warning. Speed cameras have a different tone and very little warning but you get to know the tone and know when that one goes off you hit the brakes, you never get false alarms on the camera frequencies either.

[MoreHPformyXR6]

What's multinovas, Ka Band "Laser Alert" all mean?
I was looking at Uniden GPS301 Road Saftey Warning System. It advertises that it provides audible warnings of fixed speed canera & red light cameras. Does that mean it cant pick up hand held laser gun etc?

[Keepleft]

Originally Posted by D1XR2C

p plater speeding :(

Few P platers will afford or buy one.

Heljas wrote: dont speed then you wont need one.

Surveys show a majority of people exceed a speed limit most everday by typically a few kilometres.

These are otherwise safe drivers.

Speed is often enforced on freeway category roads where being a few kays over a limit is not as critical to overall network safety than when compared to a 50km/h residential environment.

I saw NO reason in road safety why we banned radar detector ownership in NSW, and if I have my way politically within 5 years I'd allow ownership again, then I'd have police transmit signals where needed to slow folk down.

Yet, I accept 'speed' is a problem. Radar detectors are not, were not part of this 'problem'.

As I'd advised WA's previous Liberal government to not ban them, I have done the same again with WA ALP, but we'll wait and see.

"No reason" - whatsoever.

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by MoreHPformyXR6

What's multinovas, Ka Band "Laser Alert" all mean?
I was looking at Uniden GPS301 Road Saftey Warning System. It advertises that it provides audible warnings of fixed speed canera & red light cameras. Does that mean it cant pick up hand held laser gun etc?

It uses gps signals to tell you when you are approaching a fixed speed camera or red light camera. If those sites are not listed in the device's database, it wont alert you. It doesnt detect anything (other than gps signals).
Those devices are legal across the country.

[russellw]

Multanova is the brand of speed camera favoured by the WA government - other States variously use the Traffipax (SA/NSW), Gatsometer (Vic/QLD), AWA (Tas) or the latest Lasercam (Tas/ACT/NT).

The principles of operation are similar in terms of positioning and use but they operate on different frequencies. The Multanova is kA Band; Traffipax, AWA and Gatsometer are all K Band and (obviously) the Lasercam is a laser rather than radar device.

Likewise the States differ on their use of hand held and vehicle mounted units with radar gradually being phased out in favour of laser but plenty of K Band Kustom Eagles (WA, Vic, ACT); MPH B3 (NT and also K Band) and the new Ka band Decatur Genesis (WA, QLD) making an appearance at a roadside near you.

The Laser units of choice are the LTI units (WA, QLD, ACT, Tas, NT) or the Kustom Laser (NSW, Vic, SA).

Those who read the websites of the three main distributors in this country will know that there is a lot of claim and counterclaim between them and thus most of the information is buried in the middle of a lot of useless garbage.

I've done a lot of radar based testing over the years having both a K band and Ka band radar gun as I ended up confused by all the bull floating around the industry here.

The bulk of the stuff sold here are US units with various modifications made to allegedly suit our conditions. Having compared some of the circuit level componentry I'd have to say that some of those claims are a complete COS.

Without being too definitive let me say the following:

1. The biggest threat here is actually the Stalcar RDD - sold in the US under alternate naming but this radar detector detector is very effecive and it is being continually update (it's Gen 3 now). It's used only in NSW/Vic/SA/NT although a couple of States still use the old (and useless against late model detectors) VG2 units. I've had the use of a Stalcar for awhile and it easily detects most of the units on the market with a couple of notable exceptions - the Bel XR650, XR950, XR AU/NZ and RX75, Escort 8500, modified Valentine 1's and the ancient Whistler 500 (when modified). The latter unit is all but useless in States where kA band is used.

2. Don't even bother with detecting Laser. Some units claim they can but by the time you do it (if you do) then you are already nailed.

3. Laser units can be defeated with Laser jammers and a couple in particular are claimed to be highly effective in US tests where they do use the same units we are using. I'm waiting on a Kustom Pro Laser so that I can test some of these but they are a little harder to come by than K and Ka band units!

4. Mobile cameras will always be a tough call to defeat - the angle of the beam across the road means you will be reliant on reflected signals from other cars but you do get the warning and need to be quick to respond to it.

5. Lasers take a lot of the inaccuracy out of the actual debate. Radar units are well know for picking up faster/larger targets due to their range and the width of the beam at that range. The laser beam is much narrower and while their effective operating distance is less (typically 400m) their is reasonable certainty that the right target has been chosen.

One day I'll get around to posting the testing results to date.

Cheers
Russ

[Swampy]

Have a Whistler unit but haven't used it for years.

Picks up Multinove but depending on the angle of the beam accross/into the road, you really don't get enough warning as you have to cross the beam (reasonable narrow I suspect) for it to register. By then you are done.

Will also pick up laser but only if they are using it on a car further ahead. IE if the cop just happens to be having his lunch. picks up the laser and you are the first person coming along, you're gone.

The above laser comment also applies to handheld radar guns.

The defence that they are best for is radar that is fixed to an oncoming patrol car and I suspect that is beacause these units are in the "always on" mode".

If you think they are a licence to speed, you WILL lose your licence.

They can be an extra driver prompt or speed check though.

The other point to consider is that I do strongly suspect that the police know you got them. Any time previously that I had been booked with the units on (ie hand held radar) they are not in anyway lenient, in fact rather aggressive and heavy handed (check out rest of the car etc) and go the whole 10 yards. Even if you shove the thing in the console, they do seem to know.

So I don't bother using them anymore, just sit on five clicks above the speed limit most times, no probs, keeps my demerit points, beats paying stupid fines to the gov.

My Thoughts

Swampy.

PS If anyone after reading this still wants one, they can have my Whistler cheap.

[uranium_death]

Originally Posted by zigga

Its saved me a few times from getting tickets (e.g. was doing 110 in an 80 - picked up a hand held; i slowed and was okay); yet the other day it didnt pick up a multinova until the very last second (i slowed from 100 to 88 but got done for 88 in an 80)...

Any input is much appreciated.

If I may so say, I reckon you're an idiot for consciously speeding because you have a tool which helps you detect a percentage of radars.
It's irresponsible and inconsiderate of other drivers too.

Slow down, or frankly, be prepared to die. Speed limits are there to protect fools from killing themselves. I hope your relent and realise that whether you agree with the sign or not, it's there to protect you from yourself, and other drivers from people like you who have a blatant disregard for the rules that make society run.

That is meant to be constructive criticism.

[exrtnz]

Originally Posted by rayner22

All i'll say is it worth the fine when you get caught using it?? (and you WILL eventually).

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[GT-E]

Uranium, You seem to suffer from NFI and believe all the properganda about speed kills.
ofcourse speed kills you in a car, unless you are stopped and an anvil hits you.
Speed DOES NOT KILL by itself, but Excessive speed is dangerous. If the nieve people realised that, and actually taught people how to drive safely we would all be better off.
The ONLY reason the government goes on about speeding is because it can be measured and enforced easily, giving more revenue to the government. If the could book dumb drivers as easily, then they would also target them.

As for Radar detectors, in W.A, do not buy the USA models, buy the European models of the Bel STI or Valentine 1 as they will pickup the multinovas much further than the detuned (for Ka) USA models.

It is funny how many people say do not speed, yet I am sure they have all sped many times themselves. Get of the soapbox and answer the question, do not preach the BS you are fed by the governments about their versions of road safety.
If the governments were serious about road safety, they would teach people how to drive and enforce safer driving, not just target speeding.

[exrtnz]

Originally Posted by ZapXR6T

Uranium, You seem to suffer from NFI and believe all the properganda about speed kills.
ofcourse speed kills you in a car, unless you are stopped and an anvil hits you.
Speed DOES NOT KILL by itself, but Excessive speed is dangerous. If the nieve people realised that, and actually taught people how to drive safely we would all be better off.
The ONLY reason the government goes on about speeding is because it can be measured and enforced easily, giving more revenue to the government. If the could book dumb drivers as easily, then they would also target them.

As for Radar detectors, in W.A, do not buy the USA models, buy the European models of the Bel STI or Valentine 1 as they will pickup the multinovas much further than the detuned (for Ka) USA models.

It is funny how many people say do not speed, yet I am sure they have all sped many times themselves. Get of the soapbox and answer the question, do not preach the BS you are fed by the governments about their versions of road safety.
If the governments were serious about road safety, they would teach people how to drive and enforce safer driving, not just target speeding.

Does anyone know where to get these Bell Sti Driver detectors in aus?
I know they sell em everywhere in NZ and are set up to suit NZ-AUS conditions for about $1000nz

[Green X]

Isn’t the Belltronics Aus/NZ detector Undetectable to any radar detector detector, It’s got no signal leakage so game over for the Authorities. :thebirds:

[XR8-260]

I doubt radar detectors are worth the money. The average driver may take 5 years before he actually starts making a saving. : i've been driving for nearly 2 years and haven't been busted once (and i don't drive like grandma) :

[ThoR_]

I was considering buying one. My mums boss at work and his brother have the same ones and they have picked up every single camera, hand held and everything thats been around. Im not sure what brand they are but im going to find out they saved them many times

[DOC]

Originally Posted by zigga

(i slowed from 100 to 88 but got done for 88 in an 80)...
_

At the track your Cool, On the street your a Fool.

[MoreHPformyXR6]

Originally Posted by ThoR_

I was considering buying one. My mums boss at work and his brother have the same ones and they have picked up every single camera, hand held and everything thats been around. Im not sure what brand they are but im going to find out they saved them many times

It would be great if you could find out mate. :

[FPV GT]

Sounds like a merry-go-round.

The authorities get a radar detector detector.
Someone develops a radar detector detector detector.
Cops develop a radar detector detector detector detector

soon it will be radar detector to the power of 10

Regards
Paul

(driving around with crushed alfoil on bumpers and dash to deflect radar signals) :

[zigga]

OK let me explaina few things...

Firstly, the speed limits in WA are extremely prohibitive and very confusing - and i live here! I have driven in QLd & Vic and the speed limits are much lower here.

Now as for my quote:

Its saved me a few times from getting tickets (e.g. was doing 110 in an 80 - picked up a hand held; i slowed and was okay); yet the other day it didnt pick up a multinova until the very last second (i slowed from 100 to 88 but got done for 88 in an 80)...

The 110 in an 80 was on a section of freeway which changes from 100 to 80. The guy with the laser gun was literally 10 metres from the 80 sign on Farmer Freeway (which if you look up the statistics is the safest road in Australia in terms of traffic volume to fatalities - yet another demonstration of WA police revenue raising and continuing to ignore genuine black spots)

Also the 100 to 88 in the 80 zone is on a stretch of highway over here with three (count em three) speed limits. The 100 drops to 90 and then to 80 before a intersection. This happens numerous times along the highway (Read Hwy for those of you playing at home). Again, the multinova was right behind the sign to change to 80.

Most people exceed the limit by 10 km as i was doing in thoe instances.

Also - its interesting ppl say my radar detector isnt great at laser - it picked up the guy in the first example.

Ive found KA to give me less warning.