Slightly worried!

[Tom.M]

So tonight I was driving with my 9500ix, mounted on one of the escort cup mounts, mid windshield. I knew I was coming up to a spot where there is often a photo radar van, however this would be my first encounter with him. As I approached coming towards the back of the van, which was parked on the side of the street, I had zero ramp up, not even a single bar. As soon as I got to him tho max strength KA. Why did I not have any pre warning for this encounter, any insight would be greatly appreciated?! Thanks guys

[sweetlou122]

could have been qt, or instant on. Referred to here as i/o. Basically the radar shoots a quick burst that most rds wont pick up, or if they do, too late

[Tom.M]

Yeah I just don't see how a photo radar van shoots I/O? And wouldn't I have picked up reflections of a car in front?

[focalcivic]

If you were approaching the back of the van chances are the photo radar antenna was pointed straight or sideways? if that is the case that is like severe off axis and will not get good warning until you are right up on the source. The only case you might get better warning is if the radar bounces off objects etc.

[Tom.M]

Yeah it would have been pointing straight forward so as you pass he gets the speed, and snaps a picture. I just thought I would have got some bounce of other cars ahead of me.

[Tom.M]

Is it possible for a van like this to shoot I/o? Or would I have been relying on bounce?

[Tom.M]

He was there again today, and I got the same results.

[focalcivic]

He was there again today, and I got the same results.

The best way to test is to go the other direction and see if the signal is stronger. Another factor is some of those vans put out a very low output, I know in AZ RacerX noted that.

[Silver Bullet]

He was there again today, and I got the same results.

The best way to test is to go the other direction and see if the signal is stronger. Another factor is some of those vans put out a very low output, I know in AZ RacerX noted that.

+1 ^ These photo radar vans put out an extremely low wattage signal, plus they're off-axis which is extremely difficult to detect until you're almost in the beam. Us AZ drivers experience multiple encounters with photo radar vans on a daily basis (I bet I see 4 or 5 per day). My results are the same as yours...nothing and then full strength as you pass the van Every once in a while I'll get an alert before passing the side but its rare

[OldGoat]

He was there again today, and I got the same results.

The best way to test is to go the other direction and see if the signal is stronger. Another factor is some of those vans put out a very low output, I know in AZ RacerX noted that.

+1 ^ These photo radar vans put out an extremely low wattage signal, plus they're off-axis which is extremely difficult to detect until you're almost in the beam. Us AZ drivers experience multiple encounters with photo radar vans on a daily basis (I bet I see 4 or 5 per day). My results are the same as yours...nothing and then full strength as you pass the van Every once in a while I'll get an alert before passing the side but its rare

interesting material showing increased range with a 9500 against the Multanova-6F Ka photo setup [used by Redflex] with vertical mounting of the detector. Nothing is free; the compromise is slight a loss in off-axis. The demo is at 3:20

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIPa6rduehU]YouTube - Vertical Mount Radar Detector Bracket[/ame]
similar range gain with a V-1 on K-band - conclusions at the end
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhyvfmSE-p0]YouTube - Valentine One V1 Vertical mount bracket / Horizontal mount bracket vs. K band radar[/ame]
dig little deeper, and you can find comparisons with a re-mounted Bel STi-R