X50 Spec Display

[mjmac01]

how advantageous is it to use the spec display over the other displays that the X50 offers? can and do cops operate their radar on the same frequencies of nearby known falses? can the frequency of routine falses change? from your experiences, do cops in a particular area switch up the frequencies on the bands that they run on?

id like to note that i live in NJ where LEOs use every band except for maybe POP so falses can become a problem. im trying to get better at distinguishing between falses and radar beyond just memorizing where certain falses are. i thought that maybe the spec display might help me do this.

[WRC]

it helps for Ka band, one time I got 34.9ghz on the screen and sometimes k-band when next to this mustang(some sort of pos cobra). Most of the encounters when I can see the leo the spec mode was accurate 35.5ghz, 34.7 etc. But don't rely on it to be 100% accurate

[compu44]

If you get a lot of Ka falses and don't mind memorizing the frequencies, it can an incredibly useful feature. I've had 100% success thus far judging falses from real radar using the frequency display on my RX65.

All real alerts have been within about 50MHz of the assigned frequency (normally within about 25)

Common falses that have never been real are 34.635, 33.700, and 24.050.
I'll see at least a few of those a week.

[AirMoore]

If you get a lot of Ka falses and don't mind memorizing the frequencies, it can an incredibly useful feature. I've had 100% success thus far judging falses from real radar using the frequency display on my RX65.

All real alerts have been within about 50MHz of the assigned frequency (normally within about 25)

Common falses that have never been real are 34.635, 33.700, and 24.050.
I'll see at least a few of those a week.

X2, If you can remember the frequencies that the falses... you can often notice an LEO vs. a false.

The Spec mode isn't 100% accurate... thats been proven (but it seems for my X50 at least to be rather consistant on what #'s it reports)... until you really get well-versed in the operation of your RD and all its features... I wouldn't try using SPEC display, it can be incorrect... but even more so confusing to a newer user who doesn't fully understand whats going on (not saying you aren't capable of using this feature to its fullest extent, just suggestion you make sure you rather well-versed in the rest of the X50 and its features).

I personally don't use it all that much anymore... but was 100% on snooping LEO's from falses (granted it only happened a few times total).

-Officially an 'Old Timer'- 8)

[mjmac01]

im not very knowledgeable when it comes to frequencies beyond the information that is available in the frequency sticky. why is the spec display better for ka band than the other bands? so it does work for falses? u will get relatively the same frequencies on the falses each time u pass them? how close in frequencies are falses to radar on the same band? if someone with a lot of experience with the spec display and radar frequencies could do a pro and con list of using the spec display (with real life examples if possible) i would understand it a lot better.

[jimbonzzz]

Spec/Tech Mode is mostly for fun. But there are a couple of potential uses...

Probably the most useful purpose is to help determine what model of Ka is being used in your area. For example, it it is around 33.8 GHz, that indicates a unit made by MPH industries, and might indicate that there are POP capable units around, in which case you might think twice before disabling POP mode on the detector.

A secondary use might be to help determine if a Ka alert is false. If the alert isn't in the bandpass of one of the Ka radars used in the USA (33.8, 34.7, or 35.5 GHz +/- 100 MHz) then it is more likely to be a false alert. But before you stomp the gas again, be very cautious about relying on this: Tech Mode has been known to be wrong before. Though it is great for a feature in a detector, it isn't a precision frequency counter. Under normal operation, testing has shown that the frequency displayed can be up to 30 MHz off from the actual frequency of the radar source. Two detectors often display a different frequency for the same radar source. And sometimes the detectors can lock on to an image frequency inside the detector instead of the actual radar source, occasionally it even displays a frequency that is completely outside of the superwide police Ka band.

X and K Band police radar uses the same frequency range as microwave motion sensors. So, Tech Mode won't help you too much on these bands. A few users have mentioned that they attempt to learn the displayed frequencies of X and K false alerts on the normal driving routes, so they can tell if something is different. But IMHO this is a risky proposition because the reasons above. Using threat display for this type of driving condition should work great.

Remember: anything the detector alerts to is potentially police radar. Your best bet is to be cautious and look for a source (if possible) before resuming speed.

[mjmac01]

thanks jimbonzzz. you completey cleared up any questions i might have.

[ELVATO]

Since they only use Stalkers here(34.7), use it to see of some long alert is really a LEO. But usually, I jsut keep it in Expert mode.

[Qui-Gon]

[... but was 100% on snooping LEO's from falses (granted it only happened a few times total).

-Officially an 'Old Timer'- 8)

The majority of radar that I see personally (Village of Kenmore and NYS LEO's) are using Stalker 34.7 Ghz. The other day I got a 34.9 Ghz reading from a Kenmore LEO. Thought that was weird. Other than that, SpecMode was totally accurate (34.738 or something like that).

[KnightHawk]

im not very knowledgeable when it comes to frequencies beyond the information that is available in the frequency sticky. why is the spec display better for ka band than the other bands? so it does work for falses? u will get relatively the same frequencies on the falses each time u pass them? how close in frequencies are falses to radar on the same band? if someone with a lot of experience with the spec display and radar frequencies could do a pro and con list of using the spec display (with real life examples if possible) i would understand it a lot better.

When using spec mode, i would do the opposite of what others has said as far as remembering the frequencies. What i did was to remember what frequency LEO is using in your local area to start with and then know the false frequency. I believe it is better this way. Be familiar with what they use - what band and what fequency. This way, there are a few numbers to remember. If you try to remember those false frequencies, it takes time because you also have to remember the location. But if you can do both remember LEO's frequency and know the false frequency and location, the better.

False frequency mostly K band and X band from auto door openers are low powered and will give you lower bar alerts at a distance ulness you are really close and you get a full alert. In my signature, i use spec mode. I did use expert mode for a long time but ended up using spec mode. Jimbonzzz had giving you excellent points as to the benefits of using it. I have done some test for myself as to which mode will be best for me. Here's my findings.

Police K band radars usually operate in 24.150 and you'll get reading close to that frequency and others go even in to the 200's. One way to tell you have false alert is when you pass by that location all the time, you X50 will alert you. When there is a real poice radar around mixed with an alert from a motion sensor, what you will see in your spec mode is the police radar frequency, not the auto door opener frequency. The reason being is because police radar are stronger frequency than auto door opener. In expert mode, you'll see 2 bars indicating 2 radar frequency souces. As far as wanting to know other threats from other bands, i don't see the importace of that. Why, the X50 in my experiment does not prioritize signals. It's alert is base by which signal is the strongest. I did a test with a police k band radar and a modified auto door sensor - police radar frequecy only shows up with both radar source triggered at the same time. Remeber that K band radar has a wider beam pattern - you'll get a full alert before police radar can even clock your speed. So there is a very good amount of time for you to know. I also did a test with police K band and police Ka band radar. The K band radar that was closest was showing in the frequency - did not show Ka band frequency as others was saying that the signals are prioritized which where not true in my simple test. This was repeated at least 2-3 times. Although with a Ka band and K band police radar at the same time, you'll will see shifting of frequency from Ka band to K band depending on which direction the radar antena is pointed. Meaning you will be alerted with both K and Ka frequencies. However, this is a very rare encounter with both police K and Ka band radar close together but can happen.

Some may not agree that spec mode is better but i did found it to be effective. As a newbie, you have to test the waters and get familiar with your X50 - "it takes time". Every alert you get has to be addressed. As others had said, it's not accurate but close. Go by with what you are comfortable with as far as what mode you are to use. Enjoy your X50.