Interesting C-Net article.....

[TSi+WRX]

Hey Everyone,

Sorry I haven't been here much lately. Busy starting a new project at work.

Humbling to realize just how little one knows.

OK, so here's something that I came upon earlier this morning, linked via NASIOC (North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club):

Will another car's radar system set off a radar detector? | The Car Tech blog - CNET Reviews

I'd like your thoughts.

Here's mine (my screen-name on NASIOC is "LGT+WRX") :

^ shikatagani and SubaDuba420, indeed, in terms of LIDAR detection, there's quite a lot of stuff that can cause problems:

http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...er-alerts.html
http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...er-alerts.html

But that's another story - that's LASER, not RADAR.

Even so, that C-Net article is far from complete.

Although those specific cruise-control/safety systems will not interfere, there are those - also based on RADAR - which can.

Veil Guy
http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...or-owners.html
http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...xmas-tree.html

To me, it doesn't seem that they've done their homework, particularly as they're doing a big tech-story.

I also don't think that the particular C-Net author(s) of the above article has ever been exposed to the mystery Ka-band falsing issues seen on some newer BMWs:

http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...ka-alarms.html

http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...wont-work.html

As a speed-detection countermeasures enthusiast, I find the C-Net article above rather lacking in critical details, and think that it proves more of a dis-service to its readers.

I scanned the article's comments/replies - and it looks like the two first replies also complain as to the rather "incomplete" nature of this particular C-Net TechBlog.

[Bridge Cables]

Hey TSi+WRX,

I have to respectfully disagree with the CNET review. In 2007 I had the same morning rush hour drive routine as a CL 600 series MB. Every day if he was behind me my V1 X band radar would go off with the rear arrow, 1 bogey. A couple times he passed me and the arrows followed him from rear, to side to front getting reflections from the backs of vehicles ahead of him in rush hour traffic. He would have to get ahead of me quite a distance for the detector to stop alerting. He would also drop his kids off at school and the alert would immediately terminate as he turned into the school parking lot. It was a single bogey alert, although now I have read MB has installed a dual radar system in a single vehicle and no doubt V1 owners will receive a 2 bogey alert per late model MB having those systems. I am unsure of how the Belscort systems work for bogey counts. In the MB web site their radar based system is suppose to reach out 300’ from my 2007 readings and now 500’ currently in 2008 models. In recent review of their 2009 web site I have noted they have taken down the spec info on the radar systems beam range and I do not see any mention of the dual based radar systems as noted in 2008. I did find their “Night View Assist” which uses infrared and detects objects 500’ in front of you, whether cold or warm bodied. Whether that will set off RD alerts I don’t know enough about the technology.

The predominant auto manufacturers trade paper here in the US noted about two years ago that virtually all auto manufacturers will be utilizing either a laser, radar or both based systems for cruise control, collision avoidance and other sales / profit developing ideas. The auto makers would initially install these systems in their high line models and as sales increased and costs decreased would install more systems in lower price point vehicles. Just more nuisance alerts aside from door openers, etc., except all these are mobile.

BC

[takeshi]

Not surprising. I generally find C|Net's articles and reviews to be lacking...

[Lucky225]

I just commented on their article about how their article is about as worthless as an episode of mythbusters.

[noTe]

I know for a fact it sets of falses.

I drove by a cobra user and my arrows changed as I slowly passed them. That and I saw their detector aimed at the sky as well.

[nategr8ns]

Our radar detector sounds a warning when it receives both X and K band signals, the latter being the most widely used by police.

WRX, I agree with your comments
I shall go and post in the NASIOC thread myself.

[Lucky225]

mem-tek thank you for adding that comment below mine, much more clarification.

[MEM-TEK]

mem-tek thank you for adding that comment below mine, much more clarification.

Hehe...I figured that you would check back and notice it. It really is incredible how little the general public knows about police radar and laser, and about radar detectors. And yet the general public seems to be happy blindly paying millions upon millions every year in fines and increased insurance rates. If they only knew what we know.

[Lucky225]

Hehe...I figured that you would check back and notice it. It really is incredible how little the general public knows about police radar and laser, and about radar detectors. And yet the general public seems to be happy blindly paying millions upon millions every year in fines and increased insurance rates. If they only knew what we know.

True that.

[TSi+WRX]

Thanks, guys, for taking up the clarion-call.

I truly hope that those who took the time to read that C|Net review will also take the time to see the "Comments" section, where y'all have made your valuable contributions.

Thanks yet again.