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  1. #1
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    Default POP and Other Band Sensitivity

    Currently I live in Charlotte, NC and as far as I know we do not have POP. I honestly think that they will end up spending our money on Laser instead of going in the POP direction. Although you never know, we may end up with a few POP units and this is where my questions comes in. If Charlotte would implement POP would turning it on decrease any of the other known bands such as X, K, KA . We have the dreaded "Instant On" KA here and they are very good at using it. I'm pretty sure I've read a post somewhere on this forum that states it does decrease certain bands. Anyways I'm just curious and would like to know.

    jimbonzzz, if you know any scientific facts that would be great.

  2. #2
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    Highly doubt it. I'm sure the microprocessor is sized to handle it all and then some.

  3. #3
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    On some detectors, having POP turned on will decrease sensitivity by a couple db (at least on Ka band)...

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by jimbonzzz
    On some detectors, having POP turned on will decrease sensitivity by a couple db (at least on Ka band)...
    Why is this?

  5. #5
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    From my understanding, a detector's ability to detect a band depends highly on how fast the processor is running.

    This is why Ka band is so much harder to detect than K and X, because the band covers a larger range of frequencies and it takes a longer time for our processors to scan them. A better RD has a faster processor (among other things..) that can scan the bands faster.

    If you turn POP on, that's just one more thing that your detector has to worry about, thus adding load to your processor. This may be subjective, but I found a slight decrease in peformance on K and Ka bands with POP on my X50. POP is never used in my area without conjunction with Ka guns so I have it turned off. There are waaay too many falses for my liking as well (a lot of Cobra's set off my POP alert)

    I'm assuming that overclocking the processor in an RD would help it's performance, unfortunately I don't know if it's possible or why nobody has ever tried it before.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Synbios
    From my understanding, a detector's ability to detect a band depends highly on how fast the processor is running.

    This is why Ka band is so much harder to detect than K and X, because the band covers a larger range of frequencies and it takes a longer time for our processors to scan them. A better RD has a faster processor (among other things..) that can scan the bands faster.

    If you turn POP on, that's just one more thing that your detector has to worry about, thus adding load to your processor. This may be subjective, but I found a slight decrease in peformance on K and Ka bands with POP on my X50. POP is never used in my area without conjunction with Ka guns so I have it turned off. There are waaay too many falses for my liking as well (a lot of Cobra's set off my POP alert)

    I'm assuming that overclocking the processor in an RD would help it's performance, unfortunately I don't know if it's possible or why nobody has ever tried it before.
    I know exactly what you mean, but i have now been saved by pop three times with the X50

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bear-Tweezy
    Quote Originally Posted by jimbonzzz
    On some detectors, having POP turned on will decrease sensitivity by a couple db (at least on Ka band)...
    Why is this?
    To a point, a detector is more sensitive the longer it examines the frequency of interest. If you are able to stop sweeping frequencies that aren't a threat, the detector is able to examine the frequencies of interest for a longer duration resulting in a sensitivity increase (without hurting response time).

    For example, some of the Euro Beltronics detectors have "narrow" modes that only examine the photo radar freqs. Same thing with the V1's Euro Mode. These modes cut out most of the Superwide Ka sweep, allowing the frequencies of interest (photo radar) to be examined for a longer duration. As the users of these narrow modes can tell you, sensitivity is greatly incresed in these modes, which is essential to prior warning against photo radar such as weak Multanovas. The same thing goes for USA mode in the BEL RX-65 (accusweep in previous Beltronics detectors). Since it is only sweeping the three frequencies of interest, it is able to examine them for longer durations, resulting in a sensitivity increase.

    With POP turned on, the detector has to do a priority sweep on the MPH 33.8 frequency, hitting it at least once every 67ms. Hitting one frequency that frequently takes away from the rest of the sweep, potentially reducing sensitivity a bit on the other frequencies.

    Some detectors might not change their sweep when POP is turned off, and only turn off the reporting of POP alerts. But, some other detectors DO change their sweep accordingly, and disable the priority POP sweep when POP is turned off. This should result in a slight sensitivity increase. Which detectors work which way is difficult to say.

    My best advice: turn OFF anything that isn't necessary. For example, there is NO Ku radar in the US, so if you have a detector with Ku and you live in the US, turn it OFF.

    POP = personal preference. Depends on if you are annoyed by more false alerts with it on, and want to take the risk of turning it off.

    Jim

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by jimbonzzz
    My best advice: turn OFF anything that isn't necessary.
    Jim
    So Jim, X/POP/SWS all OFF, that gives better performance for K and Ka?
    I'm with the STI (A4M9).
    TIA

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by jimbonzzz
    ...Some detectors might not change their sweep when POP is turned off, and only turn off the reporting of POP alerts. But, some other detectors DO change their sweep accordingly, and disable the priority POP sweep when POP is turned off. This should result in a slight sensitivity increase. Which detectors work which way is difficult to say....

    Jim
    You must be psychic! I was wondering if different RD's actually changed their sweep or just suppressed alerts to POP. Unfortunately, we don't know without inside information from the manufacturers.

    Orbital75: For what it's worth, I think enabling POP on an X50 just adds more false alerts unless you are 100% sure it's used in your area.

    As always, thanks for the info Jim!

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by time2fly
    Orbital75: For what it's worth, I think enabling POP on an X50 just adds more false alerts unless you are 100% sure it's used in your area.
    I agree. At this time, I'm pretty sure we don't have it. I just want to keep my options open in case we do end up getting a few units out there. I've always wondered if it affected proformance and now I know. Thanks guys.

 

 

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