View Full Version : Photo Radar
sethy
03-06-2005, 12:52 AM
How does photoradar work? I know it takes a pic of your license plate, but does it use radar? laseR? can we pick it up before its to late?
Crash
03-06-2005, 02:05 AM
They use radar, at least in the US, while in Europe some are using laser nowadays, such as the Leica XV2. And you canīt jam it because itīs on a different frequency. But the V1 does pick up the signal.
A normal photo radar is pisitioned at a 22° angle across the road so you have to be very close for it to get your speed but it also means that youīll probably get the signal a lot later than with a radar gun (weak beam). Usually works on K- and Ka-bands, some mini Gatsos here also work on Ku band.
BiGeAsYgUy
03-06-2005, 02:32 AM
I don't think photo radar is really used in the US that much Sethy probably way less than POP radar.
Sethy over here we have vans that rock around and set up in any location. they always run at 34.6 ghz aimed 22.5 d across the road.deadly dude only a very few rds can get them in time.i herd that the 34.6 ghz is really hard for rds to detect something to do with x band? however my 990i had trouble with them the rx65 was alot better but the one i have now kicks butt big time! if you get that kind of photo radar in the states i wish you all the luck. We also have fixed mouted on a white pole with pads in road they suck too gps is good for them or a gun
Flitsservice.nl
03-06-2005, 05:02 AM
For 34.6 Ghz, the Bel 975 is very well suited with the Ka Narrow function. Any detector with only Ka , or Ka wide will suck on 34.6 photoradar.
Photoradar is used a lot in Europe. Check my site, we have thousends of pictures of photoradar setups.
The radar is sent in a narrow beam across the road at a 20, 22 degree angle. The car drives through this beam, radar calculates the speed and the camera makes the photo. It is able to get flashed driving towards the radarbeam and from behind. Look at the pictures and you will get a generally good idea.
In Germany, they HAVE to take the picture from the front, because they have to prove who was driving (driving license points). In Holland on the highway only from behind and on local roads the radar is set for both ways. In Holland we have license plate liability.
they get us front and back here in NZ no points YET
Radar Roy
03-07-2005, 09:02 AM
Photo radar is used ALLOT in Arizona
Scottsdale, Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Tempe, Mesa to name a few all use it.
compu44
03-07-2005, 04:58 PM
Roy-
how much warning can one expect with the RX65 on the photo radar setups they use there?
Flitsservice.nl
03-08-2005, 03:57 AM
I can only speak for the Dutch situation; on K band 1 to 500 meters and Ka 34.6 Ghz 100 to 300 meters. Based on that the radarbeam is pointed forward, not towards you.
A lot depends on the setup of the site. A radarbeam that shoots over the road in the nothing will have a lesser distance than a radarbeam that can reflect on metal, houses, tree's.
brick
03-08-2005, 05:12 AM
I can only speak for the Dutch situation; on K band 1 to 500 meters and Ka 34.6 Ghz 100 to 300 meters. Based on that the radarbeam is pointed forward, not towards you.
A lot depends on the setup of the site. A radarbeam that shoots over the road in the nothing will have a lesser distance than a radarbeam that can reflect on metal, houses, tree's.
Sounds to me like we should start finding excuses to erect big metal signs in the path of the radar beam. "We need a speed limit sign right here."
The 34.6 ghz sucks, with my old 990i (which i love) i got about 1/50m from the front and 1/150m depends on traffic and houses etc open road forget it you can see it with your eyes anyway. With my V1 its 1/300 from the front and up about 800m+ from behind its a great way to test ka thats how i picked my radar detector. They cant hide photo radar here yet (New Zealand) like in Aus eg in wheely bins!!!!!!! nice cops eh :lol:
Radar Roy
03-13-2005, 10:09 AM
Well both my SR7, X50 and RX65 will alert me when I am about two blocks away of a photo radar van in Scottsdale.
Remember, photo radar uses low power and the angle of the gun is more extrreme then normal radar
im sure they do. But in a low built area eg the country side with nothing for the angled (22.5) beam to bounce off its a real different story. Roy i would love to see one of your great tests on the Van ka 34.6 doctor even the top 3 will have trouble (I BET).Regards
jbird
03-13-2005, 10:15 PM
im sure they do. But in a low built area eg the country side with nothing for the angled (22.5) beam to bounce off its a real different story. Roy i would love to see one of your great tests on the Van ka 34.6 doctor even the top 3 will have trouble (I BET).Regards
On fixed sites a metal object positioned in the beam's path and should substantially increase everyone's warning of radar speed traps. A simple inconspicuous paint can in the right spot could reflect the radio waves back towards approaching drivers a lot sooner. If the mobile vans are unoccupied while recording speeds and taking pictures, a can of spray paint for the camera lens or some well placed aluminum foil could work magic. :twisted: Of course, I can't recommend that you do this, but it would save at least a few people some headache from a ticket in the mail.
Flitsservice.nl
03-17-2005, 03:46 PM
I had a k band fixed camera site here in my neighourhood in which i had 1 km distance. On another only 300 meters.
In Poland they still have old X band radarguns. That you receive miles away.
the Ka 34.6 ghz seem to be the tuff ones to detect. I wish we had k band here in New Zealand!
RacerX
03-19-2005, 11:25 AM
Roy,
Photo radar is used ALLOT in Arizona
Scottsdale, Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Tempe, Mesa to name a few all use it.
Since they're photoing the back plate, what's your recommendation to cover/protect the rear plate? you have a few different things listed over at radarbusters, what's my best bet?
laserblaster
03-24-2005, 06:25 PM
i'd have thought that by now revolving number plates would be the norm!
surely this would be a very easy way to deal with the gatsos, and other number plate reading photoing cameras!
one side you have your LEGAL PLATE the other THE FAKE PLATE!
when the cops pull you or get behind you your plate looks normal!
and no one even knows that it can revolve!!
there are sprays but at night they make the plate glossy and this reflects lights of a police car behind you!
in your state the sprays may be legal but the cops will pull you if they see youve used a spray!