Cops & Radar these days...

[viperct2001]

I've owned a Valentine1 for about 7 years and it has saved me countless times. It had certainly paid for itself many-fold. However, I have noticed over the past few years that cops have been doing a lot more "instant on" and I think they are reducing the power output on the radar gun.

7 years ago, the V1 would give me 1/2 mile up to almost 2 miles warning (not exagerrating on the 2 mile warning!) Nowadays, it seems like the radar guns are set to a much lower power with shorter range - only 50 feet to 500 feet warning. I assume this is to avoid detection by radar detectors.

It ***** that the warning time has been greatly reduced. Has anyone else noticed this "trend" and that "instant on" is used a lot more than years ago.

Do the cops still have to "flick a switch" to perform "instant on radar", or has the technology gotten to the point that it's automatic - i.e. maybe a computer sends an infrared signal to detect motion, then fires up the the radar gun?

Maybe cops are just more annoyed with radar detectors and thus enjoy snagging a car that has one. I'd be curious to any insights on this.

The V1 still "saves", but the margin of error has been greatly reduced... Maybe I should also upgrade my 7 year old model. I wonder how improved the sensitivity is...

 

[MannyC]

I have 3 Valentine Ones, and every single one of them gives me about 5 seconds warning before I "see" the cop, so what you say might have some merit. Like you, my V1's used to give me a good 1/2 mile to 1 mile notice. Now it seems that if I am going fast, unless I hammer my brakes, I don't have enough time to slow down. I usually notice this on the freeway. In town, we have some long stretches of road and the city cops I can pick up at a pretty good distance.

-Manny C

 

[Sam 01 RT10]

The new Passport 8500x50 has a feature that detects the brief "POP" signal that is now being used. That is, a cop can shoot a very brief, low power radar beam to get a "sample" of the speeds he is viewing. If he sees your car, he must then get a full instant on burst to be able to write the ticket, but by that time, you are so close it is too late. Many detectors can't pick up the brief "POP" signal, therefore the only warning you get is that blip from the instant on as you are right on top of the radar gun.
I just purchased the 8500 about a month ago, and it has picked up the pop signal several times. Nevada Highway Patrol has become one of the biggest purchasers of the new guns, doh!
All kinds of good info here:
http://www.radartest.com/
http://www.speedzones.com/

 

[DodgeViper01]

Upgrading the radar might be a good idea but the instant on is being used like crazy now a days. Unfortunately, cops are getting smarter. DARN!!

 

[Lawrenzo]

Unfortunately, cops are getting smarter. DARN!!

Not likely, just greedier for our "tax" dollars

 

[DodgeViper01]

TRUE!!!!

 

[jcaspar1]

I don't know about smarter cops here in California. Most of the Highway Patrol Motorcycles (CHiPs) leave there radar on all the time. Gives us great notice.

Regarding the V1, I have disabled the X band due to so many false alarms. I am thinking of disabling the K also. It seems the only K signal I get that are real (1 in 100) are from stationary radar stations, the ones that say "Your speed is". Ka seems 100% true bogeys. Has anyone seen cops using K, particularly in California?

 

[Sam 01 RT10]

I drive to Barstow once a month, and notice the CHP out along the I15 uses Ka. True, there is a speed sign outside Baker that uses K, but that's about it. It also just blinks two dots if you pass it going over 99mph, BTW.

I've also disabled X band on my 8500, but leave K on, since the local (LV Metro) police use K and Ka.

 

[Vic]

Has anyone seen cops using K, particularly in California?

Nope, just Ka. CHP has front and rear looking radar on some units.

Dozens of times, I get a bogey from the opposite lanes of traffic, but only very rarely from behind. Almost dissapointing!

 

[RX VIPER]

Go to the V1 site and put in your serial #. It will show you the upgrades that are available. I think it's $285 for the upgrade. I have not noticed much of a difference in warning time with the newer model.

 

[93vette]

jcaspar1-I was not aware the X-band could be disabled on the V-1. I would love to know how b/c this is the only complaint I have with my Valentine, so many false alarms with the X.....please explain more!

 

[93vette]

I actually found it: http://www.valentine1.com/lab/MikesLabRpt3.asp

Wow, I feel a little silly. I never knew about this feature! That is the one thing I missed about the 8500 Passport, but now my V-1 has no useless X warning!

 

[Bigot Bledsoe]

The new Passport 8500x50 has a feature that detects the brief "POP" signal that is now being used. That is, a cop can shoot a very brief, low power radar beam to get a "sample" of the speeds he is viewing. If he sees your car, he must then get a full instant on burst to be able to write the ticket, but by that time, you are so close it is too late. Many detectors can't pick up the brief "POP" signal, therefore the only warning you get is that blip from the instant on as you are right on top of the radar gun.
I just purchased the 8500 about a month ago, and it has picked up the pop signal several times. Nevada Highway Patrol has become one of the biggest purchasers of the new guns, doh!
All kinds of good info here:
http://www.radartest.com/
http://www.speedzones.com/

Is there a difference between the 8500 and the 8500 X50?

 

[joe117]

I think that the new tactics might be used at actual dedicated radar speed traps.

Here in southern MD, I still see many cops driving around with the radar on all the time. And these guys will make a u turn and come after you if you are going too fast in a Viper.

As far as them reducing power, I'd say that probably isn't going to have much effect on getting a good enough warning time.
Remember, their signal has to be strong enough to bounce off a target and return to them.
In order to do that, it must be quite strong. The bounce takes a lot of power away from them. All you need to do is pick up a little of it to get a warning.
There's not much they can do power wise that will really change the warning time.

Quick turn on and no emission unless they pull the trigger. Those are the ways that they can reduce your warning.

 

[Andrew2KRT10]

Nothing beats a friend on the job. The loyalty among P.O.'s is amazing.

 

[Cop Magnet]

Anyone see the empty police cars parked on the side of the highway? They do this all the time around Chicago, sometimes even with the "dummy" cop inside. Frankly, I am surprised people don't vandalize these cars. The reason I mention this is I think it's the same as leaving thne radar on all the time. Gets people to slow down with more donut time, less work involved.

 

[slaughterj]

I see very little in the way of cops leaving their radar on in VA or NC - mostly they just use instant-on. Also, in our area, I get hits on all the bands - the cops here still use X band, so don't deactivate it unless you are sure your area does not, or you won't need it when traveling elsewhere.

 

[99t1]

around here they use close proximity laser
valentine does not do much to help
instant on will still get you every time valenitne or not...by the time your valentine goes off they have the speed...you need soomeone else to be shot right before you for any warnign

http://www.radarjammers.com/

 

[Cop Magnet]

...you need soomeone else to be shot right before you for any warnign

http://www.radarjammers.com/

Another advantage of drafting

That Rocky Mountain Radar stuff is nonsense, isn't it? I last looked into this a few years ago, but a "reflective distortion" sounds like you've already been tagged.

 

[cayenne]

Hmm...must be in the bigger cities up north with all the fancy stuff. I live in New Orleans...and I tell ya, the mostly STILL use X band down here. I just have to memorize the areas I drive with automatic doors and such...and be sensitive to when my V1 goes off in a different area...and then, it is usually a cop.

Mine is a few years old...and do get LOTS of false alarms from other peoples detectors, do ya'll experience this?

I hate the fact that speeding tix fund the police. I wonder if we took the 'profit motive' away from them, by NOT giving them the funds from speeding tix, if they'd start spending their time looking after more violent crimes...

I say, lets pool all the money from traffic violations, especially speeding tix...and give them out to the general public that didn't get a ticket that year.

My $0.02,

cayenne

 

[pullshard]

Where I live, the cops hang out in places that are right next to shopping malls. Thus nabbing people who think that the signal is coming from automatic doors.

 

[joe117]

"Anyone see the empty police cars parked on the side of the highway?"
Yes, in Leonardtown Maryland and with a dummy inside.
I always thought it would be fun to place a box of donuts on the hood.

The reason some detectors set off your detector is due to leakage from the other detector's local oscillator. It's very near the frequency of the cop radar.
Not much you can do about it.

 

[Cop Magnet]

Here's what we need: a quantum leap forward in radar detection that integrates the car, detector, and outside technologies fully.

Have a radar detector that is mated to the car electronically; it knows how fast you are going all the time via the car's real-time data. It also knows where you are based on a link through GPS. When you come across
"false alarm" areas that you always get signals at, you program in that location and the device ignores signals there from that point forward. If you are at a stop or only going 15MPH, and radar is detected, the alarm does not go off because it knows you are not "speeding" and don't care (or if you just like to know there are police around, program it to tell you all the time). One step further would be to program through GPS the various speed limits of the roads we travel. Hey, they already have just about every road mapped out via GPS, so this would be a minor step when you think about it. If you are not exceeding the speed limit, no warning sounds unnecessarily. Finally, build the damn detectors into the car as an option--why should we have to stick something on the windshield at all?We get someone to do this (wake up Valentine!) and you can count on your radar detector to be a completely different animal. Sounds when you want it to, shuts up when you don't need it. Less unsightly, too.

Now all I need is a patent lawyer...oops too late

 

[joe117]

That's a good idea. A valid warning could cause the car to slow to a reasonable speed near the limit.
Use the cruise control for that.

Many of the military warning receivers have a voice that speaks out the threat. This unit could speak the threat band and give an opinion of the validity and danger.

"Ka, Ka, forward, danger five, valid, auto speed engaged"

"X, X, forward, danger one, alert only"

 

[Cop Magnet]

Better yet:
"Threat alert, ECM deployed, automatic missile launch engaged...Fox one!"

 

[Viperfreak2]

"Anyone see the empty police cars parked on the side of the highway?"
Yes, in Leonardtown Maryland and with a dummy inside.
I always thought it would be fun to place a box of donuts on the hood.

Good idea! BUT you better make sure it doesn't have cameras in the car. The cops would show up later at your house with the empty box and then fine you for improper approachment of an unattended patrol unit. Code BR549

 

[Bonkers]

Hey, they already have just about every road mapped out via GPS, so this would be a minor step when you think about it.

I was looking at setting up a system where you could use GPS to visually track cops radaring. You pass a trap and mark it on the GSP then everyone else in the system would know well in adavance where the trouble is lurking. A speeder's tracking system if you will.

Buy I agree 100% with the power lowering techique. I can hear a town cop miles away because they generally keep the power up for instant response. The staties cruise around and by the time you realize they're tagging you it's way too late to react. They got me that way on my last infraction.

 

[BobK898]

I've only seen Ka and laser here. If you get hit by laser, might as well get your story prepped because it's over.

 

[99 R/T 10]

That's a good idea. A valid warning could cause the car to slow to a reasonable speed near the limit.
Use the cruise control for that.

Many of the military warning receivers have a voice that speaks out the threat. This unit could speak the threat band and give an opinion of the validity and danger.

"Ka, Ka, forward, danger five, valid, auto speed engaged"

"X, X, forward, danger one, alert only"

Yeah, but lets use a voice that is more understandable than the computer generated voice please. The one in use now blows

 

[MannyC]

I don't know about smarter cops here in California. Most of the Highway Patrol Motorcycles (CHiPs) leave there radar on all the time. Gives us great notice.

Regarding the V1, I have disabled the X band due to so many false alarms. I am thinking of disabling the K also. It seems the only K signal I get that are real (1 in 100) are from stationary radar stations, the ones that say "Your speed is". Ka seems 100% true bogeys. Has anyone seen cops using K, particularly in California?

I don't have the manual anymore -- how does one completely turn off the xband on the V1 100%? I have it in the logic mode (small L) and it still picks it up.

Manny