Range

**bigshow** · 12-30-2006, 08:53 PM

Me and my dad have a cobra XRS 797, and from what I read in this forum somewhere is that a cobra will reach up to 1/8th of a mile. Now if mine reaches up to 1/8th mile and no more then is it possible that the 2 same radar detectors together will pick each other up, because we where right next to each other right as we were leaving the house and we r like a mile away from the interstate and we live on a gravel road and there is NEVER any cops on it.

**spankyaf** · 12-30-2006, 09:03 PM

I'm not sure what you're asking here... but Cobra's are notoriously leaky with radio interference so yes they could have detected each other.

My Sti pickes them up from a 200 feet

**jimbonzzz** · 12-30-2006, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by bigshow

is it possible that the 2 same radar detectors together will pick each other up

yes

**ELVATO** · 12-30-2006, 09:32 PM

I dont think that a radar detector has a cut-off in it's range. It will all depend on the terrain and surroundings. Of course, some detectors will detect a signal farther than others.

And yes, the two Cobras were probably detecting each other.

**bigshow** · 12-30-2006, 10:27 PM

ok guys thanks. i think that it does reach farther then 1/8th of a mile because i know i was father away then that and picked up the local cop. and that reminds me when i pick up a cop it says "x, k, ka" or any others it says 1 then as u get closer it goes 2, 3, 4, and 5 is like when ur right on him. now when 1 or 2 comes up can they read my speed?

**RadarRick** · 12-30-2006, 10:57 PM

Yes, quite possible

RR

**ELVATO** · 12-31-2006, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by bigshow

ok guys thanks. i think that it does reach farther then 1/8th of a mile because i know i was father away then that and picked up the local cop. and that reminds me when i pick up a cop it says "x, k, ka" or any others it says 1 then as u get closer it goes 2, 3, 4, and 5 is like when ur right on him. now when 1 or 2 comes up can they read my speed?

The numbers should be the relative strenth of the signal the RD is recieving. So, quite possibly, yes he could. But there is a possibility that he isnt. Usually, cops are supposed to only give a radar ticket from 1000 feet or less, but you never know.
Ka is especially hard to detect, more so with cheaper detectors (like Cobras.)

For example if there was to be a cop a mile down the road with his radar pointed at you. Let's say that if there was no traffic or any other factor that would bounce back the radar signal, your Cobra starts giving you a 1 on signal strength for Ka at a mile out. The signal strength should start to ramp up as you get closer since the signal is getting stronger. Normally, though, cops don't make it so easy on you, by means of parking at an angel and other tactics that try to keep the amount of radar signal being reflected all over the place to a minimum. Heavy traffic and other things can reflect so much of the signal back, that the amount that actually makes it to your Cobra maybe minimal, even though he may have clocked you by then.
Ideally, your RD should give you some sort of advanced warning to the presence of a radar source, but sometimes (more so for Cobras and other cheap RDs) the amount of sensitivity and alert time they have aren't the best, or even existant.