"Radar to the side" question

**jettaturboFSI** · 07-27-2006, 03:10 PM

I just have a quick question. I just got my V1 in the mail today; as I read the manual, it seems like they keep on telling the user to ignore the "radar to the side" since the laser or radar cannot get you from the side. So, if I see the "Radar to the side" light flashing, with a high strength and sound, should I just avoid it?

**CactusMan** · 07-27-2006, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by jettaturboFSI

I just have a quick question. I just got my V1 in the mail today; as I read the manual, it seems like they keep on telling the user to ignore the "radar to the side" since the laser or radar cannot get you from the side. So, if I see the "Radar to the side" light flashing, with a high strength and sound, should I just avoid it?

Well I am no expert but from my understanding your speed cant be clocked from the side - there is always the chance the cop could start following you in which case the rear arrow would light up. I better leave this one to someone who knows more than I do.

**AirMoore** · 07-27-2006, 03:54 PM

Originally Posted by jettaturboFSI

I just have a quick question. I just got my V1 in the mail today; as I read the manual, it seems like they keep on telling the user to ignore the "radar to the side" since the laser or radar cannot get you from the side. So, if I see the "Radar to the side" light flashing, with a high strength and sound, should I just avoid it?

No do not ignore (avoid it), for 2 reasons:

1st: That arrow is probably going to move relatively soon to the rear arrow (as Cactus Man said)... as you pass the signal, and with a hand-held unit an LEO could swing the radar gun around and have your speed clocked going away if you ignore the alert.

2nd: The arrows get confused (especially in the city), so just because the arrow says the source is off to the side... it may not be (also remember that since radar reflects off objects, and the arrows simply show the direction of where the V1 feels its getting the strongest signal from [not the source] persay).

**edweird** · 07-27-2006, 04:31 PM

The sideways indicator means the front and rear antennas are both picking up the signal.

I don't ignore it. I slow down (if needed) and look for the source.

Ed

**Switchback** · 07-27-2006, 04:55 PM

radar can only estimate speed when an object or vehicle is either moving towards or away from it. It cannot measure speed any other way. With the "side" arrows illuminated it is most likely that the source of the signal is in a position where it cannot currently measure your speed. radar works by sending out siganls at a known frequency and timing and measures the "time of flight" for this signal to be reflected back to the gun to determine vehicle speed. therfore a vehicle passing a radar gun at a 90 degree angle would only reflect the signal at the same rate because the vehicle is neither moving towards or away at that point. But as you pass it can measure your speed.

The valentine detector uses both the front and rear antennas to triangulate the signal and the arrows display the most likely direction of that source.

Now, if the antennas were farher apart (10 feet or more) this would be an extremely accurate directional unit.

For city driving it would be best to not fully trust the arrows because of several reflections of the transmitted radar signal from other vehicles and buildings. But for open highway the arrows have shown me to be very accurate.

A small tutorial on how radar signals are generated and reflected, and how a radar speed measurement device works in theory, go to the website www.howstuffworks.com and look for police radar. the more you know about it, the more protection you will have. and know what works and what doesn't.

learn your enemy, and the limitations of their weapons.

**jimbonzzz** · 07-27-2006, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by Switchback

radar works by sending out siganls at a known frequency and timing and measures the "time of flight" for this signal to be reflected back to the gun to determine vehicle speed.

I don't know what website you got this from, but it is wrong.
Police radar does not use "time of flight" to acquire a speed, it uses the doppler shift. Also, police radar doesn't used any "timing" of signals, or pulses at all, it is continuous wave.

Laser uses "time of flight" though, it takes a series of distance measurements over time, and calculates the speed.

**Bear-Tweezy** · 07-27-2006, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by jimbonzzz

Originally Posted by Switchback

radar works by sending out siganls at a known frequency and timing and measures the "time of flight" for this signal to be reflected back to the gun to determine vehicle speed.

I don't know what website you got this from, but it is wrong.
Police radar does not use "time of flight" to acquire a speed, it uses the doppler shift. Also, police radar doesn't used any "timing" of signals, or pulses at all, it is continuous wave.

Laser uses "time of flight" though, it takes a series of distance measurements over time, and calculates the speed.

WHAMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**Switchback** · 07-27-2006, 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by jimbonzzz

Originally Posted by Switchback

radar works by sending out siganls at a known frequency and timing and measures the "time of flight" for this signal to be reflected back to the gun to determine vehicle speed.

I don't know what website you got this from, but it is wrong.
Police radar does not use "time of flight" to acquire a speed, it uses the doppler shift. Also, police radar doesn't used any "timing" of signals, or pulses at all, it is continuous wave.

Laser uses "time of flight" though, it takes a series of distance measurements over time, and calculates the speed.

And am I supposed to explain "doppler shift" to someone that is unsure about how radar even works?

Think about it!