Questions and answers concerning radar-detectors 

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Your question about radar gun,  Your question about radar-detector

• What is a radar-detector and what is an antiradar?

Antiradar is a device that prevents the speed measuring of a car. So, antiradar places an active noise. Some of them provide the indication on a radar gun the given speed. A radar-detector is a radio receiver, that is adjusted on radar gun frequency.

• What is single-, double- and many range radar-detector?

In accordance with different radar gun frequencies, the radar-detector must receive signals in different frequency ranges. In Russia single range radar-detectors are more spread, that are adjusted on X-range (according to radar guns in Russia). Double range radar-detectors work with two ranges (X,K). Many range radar-detectors work with all accessible ranges (Õ-, Ê-, Êà-, and laser). As a rule, more ranges, the price is higher. In Russia it is better to use double range radar-detectors (X,K), that correspond to used radar guns.

• What are the types of radar-detectors?

Different models of radar-detectors can operate in different frequency ranges. Models, that operate in laser range, can have a sensor to receive a signal from behind. There are some model constructions that have antenna block outside the car salon, and control panel and - inside. Hidden models of the radar-detectors are interesting too, for example that are hidden in back-view mirror. There are some radar-detectors that combine inside several functions, like radar-detector, clock, Safety Alert, voltmeter and even tachometer. Most of foreign radar-detectors use superhet receiving method, that provides high sensitiveness and noise immunity. However, in some case (with ISKRA-1 operation) these devices lose before the radar-detectors of direct amplification.

• What are main radar-detector characteristics?

The radar-detector sensitiveness is measured in dBm/cm². In practice it is better to use relative distance of radar gun signal revealing. With ideal conditions (good weather, smooth road, precise orientation of radar gun and radar-detector) the sensitiveness of 98 dBm/cm² corresponds to 5 km revealing distance. Noise immunity is one of main radar-detector characteristics, that is more important that sensitiveness. It is measured experimentally. There is no completely noise defended radar-detector. When the impulse mode of a radar gun is used, such important characteristic as processing speed is considered. Some service functions are not so important, but they make the radar-detector easy to use. Indicator brightness change, digit indication of relative distance to the radar gun, possibility to switch on/off sound or Safety Allert signals are very important consumer parameters.

• How to avoid false abrasion of a radar-detector?

There are many in-range (on radar gun frequency) and out-range (on other frequencies) noises. You can avoid false abrasion from out-range noises (mobile phones, industry noises, etc). But it is impossible to avoid false abrasions from in-range noises, like microwave sensor from car security systems, door open sensors, etc. However, it is possible to learn how to distinguish false noise from right signal by signal character. In some modern radar-detectors there is a mode that increases noise immunity along a little decrease of sensitiveness. It is better to use this mode to avoid city noises.

• Is it possible to use the absence of radar-detector signal as a proof with the police?

Sometimes drivers that were stopped for speed exceeding say that the radar-detector have no indication and that the police officer haven't use radar gun. It is better to keep in mind that there is no radar-detector that dives you 100% guarantee of signal receiving. Also it cannot be used as an evidence. It is better to ask for timer and radar gun measuring.

• What is round view in laser radar-detector for?

In microwave ranges the signal is received from all sides (from behind it is lower). But laser is spread in one direction. So to provide the receiving the signal from behind some of radar-detectors have additional sensor of laser receiving. Its effectiveness is small because behind signal usually reflected from salon elements. It is better to place one more laser sensor near back window.

• Is there round view in not laser radar-detectors?

Additional arrangements to have round view in radar-detectors are not necessary, because such radar-detectors receive signals from all directions, however the sensitiveness from behind is low. Keep in mind that control from behind is held from small distances and then the information about violator is send to the next police station.

• Can a radar-detector receive a signal through a barrier?

Electromagnetic waves in microwave range have no possibility to avoid barriers. However they can reflect from some objects along with decreasing. Thus it is possible to receive a signal reflected from buildings, cars, etc.

• How to choose a radar-detector?

Until now in Russia X-range radar-detectors were used. However, lately K-range radar-detectors appear. Along them radar gun ISKRA-1 has an important place, that is detected by saperheterodyne radar-detectors. So it is better to use direct amplification XK range radar-detectors.

• Who to place a radar-detector correctly?

Most of radar-detectors have monoblock construction. It is better to place such radar-detectors behind the windscreen, such a way that forward part of the radar-detector was placed along car moving direction. There can't be any objects before the radar-detector, that bar the view. The radar-detectors that are placed on the back view mirror are really popular. In this case you don't care about precise direction of the radar-detector, because the angle of the mirror is corrected with angle inside the radar-detector.

• Does toning and safety stripes influence on radar-detector performance?

Toning is possible only if it doesn't include metal.

• The largest world producers of radar-detectors

They are: BEL, WHISTLER, COBRA, SANYO, ENFORCER, UNIDEN. Some models are produced in Russia (Saver, Stealth, Multitronics, Winder). You can see more information about our radar-detectors on the pages of our site. SIMICON is one of the first producers of radar-detectors in Russia

• Is it possible to dispute with radar gun measuring?

o be sure that a radar gun shows your speed you can ask for timer measuring (time since measure is started). Then, indicator of moving direction should coincide with your direction. Ask for the logbook with calibration mark of ROSTEST. Calibration is given for one year. The radar gun must have a stamp, serial number must coincide with number in the logbook. If everything is right, it is useless to dispute. 

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