Visual or Audio Alerts

[asianfire]

Which do you depend on more. I tend to depend on audio alerts more then visual alerts. I can tell by the sound how close I am to the source.

[Zaltekk]

I don't think anyone can argue that visual alerts are better to rely on than audio alerts, although they are almost a necessity for tracking multiple signals. I always recognize the band and the strength when my detector(x50) sets off an audio alert, but after beginning to decrease speed(if necessary) I check to confirm what I heard as well as to check for other signals. I would actually prefer to operate my detector in all dark mode, but I am always afraid I will miss a second signal that could be a cop. You also can't tell when a muted signal is gone if you have visual alerts off.

[CactusMan]

In my opinion the only usefulness in the audio is the gradient sound to see how close you are to the source. As to what type of radar is being used I rely on the visual mode.

[asianfire]

I don't think anyone can argue that visual alerts are better to rely on than audio alerts, although they are almost a necessity for tracking multiple signals. I always recognize the band and the strength when my detector(x50) sets off an audio alert, but after beginning to decrease speed(if necessary) I check to confirm what I heard as well as to check for other signals. I would actually prefer to operate my detector in all dark mode, but I am always afraid I will miss a second signal that could be a cop. You also can't tell when a muted signal is gone if you have visual alerts off.

Well, my detector, 895, can only do one at a time. Which ever is the strongest. So that doesn't apply to me. BTW, how does a detector show that there are two radar sources?

[StandingCow]

I dont look at it unless I get an alert, then I check to see if its the 2 bar K band that I can ignore (if it does the K band beep), any other sound I pay attention too, but I always look.

[Zaltekk]

The Passport 8500 X50 has a feature called "Expert Mode", which divides the screen into vertical bars. There are two Ka-band, two K-band, and four X-band bars. This allows you to check for LEOs near strong falses of the same band(usually K). It also lets you check for strong signals of "lower priority" than the signal causing the audio alert. You could have an extremely low Ka alert that you are currently ignoring and have a full K band alert without knowing it until you look at the detector. The V1 also has its own system of showing multiple signals, but I'll let someone that owns a V1 explain how that works.

[spankyaf]

Was riding back home last Sunday (+30/40 kmh) using earphones and my Sti. After I rolled into the driveway I discovered that my earphones were shot .

Caught a break on that one.

[AirMoore]

The V1 also has its own system of showing multiple signals, but I'll let someone that owns a V1 explain how that works.

The V1 tracks multiple signals simply by showing the number of them (by literally using a number on the display)... and the band indicator lights up for each signal present. The most important (band) signal (according the the V1) will be blinking, and the arrow will be blinking in the direction that its in.


The only problem(s) with the V1 Bogey count include: The fact that the V1 determines what signal it feels is the most threatening and displays it, so if its incorrect and you go by it... you could be in trouble, however in nearly all cases I have encountered it has been correct.

Also it does not tell you how many of (each) band is present, it basically just leaves you guessing... by only telling you the overall number present.

The V1 also does not give any relative strength displays like the X50, the X50 keeps you in tune to all the signals and the signal strength at that moment.

It does however excel in the respect it has the arrows.

Personally owning both, I enjoy the X50 much more, I feel it gives much more information to all of the signals present.