View Full Version : X-band used by a MA statie!!
brick
05-11-2005, 09:06 AM
I had quite a ride into Boston yesterday! Didn't encounter anything in connecticut, but as soon as I got to the toll plaza from I-84 to the Pike I started to encounter an X-band alert. I figured "no big deal, just a sign." WRONG! As it ramped up I got suspicious because there were no signs in site. The only thing there was a marked MA state trooper talking to a trucker at the pull-off after the toll booths. As the signal went to full and I passed him the arrows went from front, to side, to behind just after I went by. I looked around for other sources of a false and there was nothing there. I got no X-band alert when I went through the same plaza later last night. X-band is staying turned on for good!
It must have been a high enforcement day yesterday because I saw a cop every couple of miles for my entire ride down the pike. I saw a pair of bike cops travelling together, which I have never seen in MA before. I also picked up 2 laser hits coming from a black unmarked CV. As I passed it looked like he was focussing on the right lane of traffic, so I don't even know if those hits (both short in duration) were directed at me. I was only doing about 70 in a 65 because I saw him before I got an alert.
kai445
05-11-2005, 10:28 PM
Yeah I dont know why people turn X band off... even if I was 100% sure there was no X band being used I'd think I'd still at least leave it on X-band LO not X-Off.
robert
05-12-2005, 04:16 AM
Yeah I dont know why people turn X band off... even if I was 100% sure there was no X band being used I'd think I'd still at least leave it on X-band LO not X-Off.
that's what I use (X50 allows that for city-only, as you know). does just fine, and I know that X is still used here in MD, and not too far from where I live.
sillyboy
11-14-2005, 07:24 PM
Wow,
I assumed that X was only used in NJ. I trabvel frequently from MA, CT, NY, and get x almost all the way from New Haven to the NY border on 95. I use the pasport x-50, but assummed that all of these were just falses. anyone know if they use x in CT??? I know they use K, Ka and def laser on 95. got lasered the other day on 95 between old lyme and new london.
nomore55
11-14-2005, 07:32 PM
I got no X-band alert when I went through the same plaza later last night. X-band is staying turned on for good!
It must have been a high enforcement day yesterday because I saw a
:shock:
Good spotting! and thanks for this timely report !!
Suf Daddy
11-14-2005, 08:14 PM
The MAss State Police used to have Decatur MVR 724 and the other 71x model. One was X the other K I think. The X put out a signal to the moon. 4,000 feet plus easy.
They mount (used to) those antennas on the rear side window facing backwards. I always wondered what the wind chill factor did to those things........
tjbender
11-14-2005, 08:33 PM
There's no X in use in Arizona at all, according to Roy (who would know), so I have no qualms about turning it off. The second I hear otherwise (or get pulled over by a cop who admits that he caught me with X-band), I'll turn it back on.
I do know that some agencies (I believe in Ohio) are buying lightbar mounted guns that use X band, you think maybe MA's doing the same thing? Or just an ancient piece of junk that they figured they'd dump on the new kid, maybe?
JNewell
11-15-2005, 01:21 PM
Using X band could be a decent strategy? Everyone "knows" that state police don't use such antique equipment, and everyone "knows" that every X band alert is a garage door opener or something like that...it doesn't sound like a bad idea if you didn't draw the Lidar at the beginning of the shift? :shock:
tjbender
11-15-2005, 08:54 PM
Using X band could be a decent strategy? Everyone "knows" that state police don't use such antique equipment, and everyone "knows" that every X band alert is a garage door opener or something like that...it doesn't sound like a bad idea if you didn't draw the Lidar at the beginning of the shift? :shock:
For as often as we bring this up as a really sneaky trick to use, you'd think someone would've tried it by now.
Truth is, it probably wouldn't be that effective. Lots of people who buy RDs buy the low-end Cobras that don't have an X-off feature, nor do they know that X-band hits can be ignored more often than not (with obvious exceptions). To them, an X-band hit means the same thing that a full-blast Ka shot does--slow down.
Suf Daddy
11-15-2005, 09:46 PM
Any radar gun that is certified can be admissable in court.
As a shameless plug my old Speedgun on Ebay: # 7196463798 is an old X band instant on. I can clock ANYTHING with that gun. It'll last another decade.
http://www.quattro123.com/105LeftSideView.JPG
I can keep it "warmed" up until I light you up and NO radar detector will give advanced enough warning if the operator can RESIST laying off the trigger for more than 3 minutes.......that's 3 miles at 60 MPH............
-Suf Daddy