Originally Posted by
nine_c1
These detectors can function at up to 158 F.......after that you have thermal runaway on some of the components and the detector locks up. Exceed 158 F and you also risk possible permanent damage to the detector.
But why leave your $300 - $500 detector on the windshield to cook? Repeated bake cycles will surely shorten the life of the components inside the detector and more than likely take the edge off it's performance over time. One of the biggest issues for designers is keeping the detector in tune with elevated temperatures, so the hotter you run it the tougher it is for the detector to maintain it's tune. You may not notice it until you get stopped because your detector started clipping off some portion of the Ka band or you lose a band entirely.
I always suggest putting it under the seat or inside the center console during the hot summer days.
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