Radar Detectors can offer
great peace-of-mind while you
drive - and not just for the
reason you think.
Today's Radar Detectors can
not only protect you from
traffic violations, but thru
"Safety Radar," warn you of
upcoming hazards, work
zones, and other road
conditions that may impair
your driving.
But while you can now purchase
Radar Detectors that can identify
every form of radar and detecting
device, they still can't sense the
radar if it's off until the last
possible second.
And that's nothing to say of
unexpected road hazards. So,
as always, drive safely and
under control.
How Radar Detectors Work
First, you need to know how a
radar signal registers your
speed.
Radar guns use a
stationary beam (either a
laser or traditional radar
band) that is sent down the
road in a single direction.
When the signal finds an
object, such as your car, it
hits the object and bounces
off, returning to the gun
where, measuring the returning
beam's change in distance over
time, it calculates the
vehicle's speed.
However, radar beams have
limited range. Like a flashlight,
the farther the radar beam
travels, the weaker it is.
This means that while the
radar beam may reach and
bounce off an object far away,
it may not be strong enough to
make it all the way back to
the origination point (the
Radar Gun).
It is on this principle that
Radar Detectors are based.
Ideally, the detectors first
sense these farther, weaker
beams that won't make it back
to the radar gun. Thus,
notifying you well in advance
(typically up to a mile away)
that radar is being used to
monitor speed.
Types of Radar
- X-Band:
The first radar frequency to be
used - around 10.5 GHz.
Can be detected up to 4 miles out.
- K-Band:
The most common radar frequency -
around 24 GHz. Can
be detected up to 2 miles out.
- Ka-Band
(aka "superwide band"):
A newer radar frequency between
33 to 36 GHz that can detect
your speed in 3 to 6 seconds.
This band is also partnered with
"photo radar" that measures
your speed and, if speeding, takes
a picture of the license and
driver.
- Laser (aka Lidar):
This is a "light pulse" laser
system that can gauge your
speed in under a second.
It is a narrower, more
accurate beam that can
pinpoint its target and thus,
be harder to detect
(although there are numerous
of systems that can detect
it).
What To Look For
- 6-Band Detection:
Look for a unit that offers
complete coverage from
All Three main speed
monitoring systems
(X, K, and Ka bands),
- Laser, VG-2,
and especially, the
Safety Alert Traffic
Warning System.
More Laser Detection:
Often, simply detecting only
the traditional 3-radar bands
won't be enough for your needs.
However a detector with
360-degree laser detection can
still give you the upper hand.
- 360-Degree Operation:
Radar beams can come from
in front of you, behind,
or smack dab in the middle
of the bushes to the side.
That's why you should look
for a radar detector that
can detect radar beams
from absolutely any direction.
- High Sensitivity:
This is a measurement of
how accurately a Radar Detector
can sense radar beams -
the more sensitive it is,
the better and earlier
your radar warning will be.
- High Selectivity:
This is a measurement of
how well it can filter Police
Radar Beams from other
microwave beam noise
(such as garage door openers
and security systems).
- VG-2
Alert/Undetectable:
VG-2 is used by law enforcement to
detect vehicles that use Radar
Detectors.
Look for a detector
that will both alert you that
you are under VG-2
surveillance
and shut down or simply
"shield" you from the
detection while continuing to
provide radar protection.
Jammers
- Safety Radar Detection:
This will detect Safety Warning
Messages broadcast by a type
of radar that advises you of
upcoming hazards/road
conditions - ensuring a safer
trip.
- City/Highway Mode:
A helpful prevention against
false alerts.
Some everyday equipment such
as garage door openers and
security systems also emit
microwave beams similar to
radar guns and will wind
up confusing your Radar
Detector -
especially while driving in
the city.
This feature adjusts
the sensitivity and
selectivity of your Radar
Detector to help reduce
these false readings.
- Cordless:
An obvious benefit that
lets you place the unit
wherever you want so
your cigarette lighter remains
free to power your phone or
other car accessories.
- Digital Voice:
A safety feature that
audibly tells you what
the detector has detected
-- allowing you to keep your
eyes on the road instead of on
the display.
- Text Display:
An alpha-numeric screen
that displays in words
what type of radar
it detected as well as
Safety Messages
(such as "work zone").
Installation
While most radar detectors can be
easily installed with a simple
Velcro dash mount or visor
clip, the more advanced laser
detection models require a
more permanent hardwire
installation that can become
more difficult to put in.
That's why CarToys
MECP-certified installers are
here to help.
They'll ensure that it's
installed properly
for optimum performance, even
tucking the unit away in a
non-conspicuous space.
Why not schedule an
appointment today at one
of our over 50 nearby
Car Toys locations in WA, OR,
CO, or TX to see what our
professional installers can do
for you?
Click Here for an Online 10% DISCOUNT
on RADAR DETECTORS!
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