Radar Response Distance vs. RD Response

[senfinger]

One more question guys, on the GOL test it shows say the V1 picking up KA at around 1000ft or so on the first freq. and around 1700ft on the second...

My question is how close do you have to be for the LEO Radar to catch an accurate amount of speed? Is it equally to the pickup of the RD or significantly better and by how much feet wise.

[senfinger]

I know that this question is skewed and dependent on many factors; however an approximation on a straight clear road would work = )

[CJR238]

I know that this question is skewed and dependent on many factors; however an approximation on a straight clear road would work = )

Perfect scenario for the LEO: straight clear road, no other cars, running KA. He will have your speed at a couple miles.

Normal scenario for most LEO's: not very strait road, a few other cars, maybe some shrubbery. He will have your speed at 1/4mi to ~5500ft/1mi .

However, he’s got to see you to know if you’re speeding.

[jimbonzzz]

For radar, the maximum possible target range will vary from vehicle to vehicle depending on the radar cross section. For example, here's a Car & Driver test from way back in 1979(!). They used a Kustom KR-11, results are in feet.



But of course, different models etc will have different maximum ranges against the same vehicle.

Here's a more recent study against some current guns. The target vehicle for the Stationary-Mode Maximum Range test was a Special Service Package Ford Expedition. This vehicle was otherwise used as the radar vehicle. For the Moving-Mode Maximum Range and Same Direction Maximum Range tests a Nissan Maxima was used as the target. All guns were Ka band except the Genesis II Directional which was K-Band.

Speed measurement Labs testing has indicated that todays high-end detectors can alert to the radar at over ten miles away from the radar source, on straight, flat, line-of-sight terrain.

So, just about any modern radar detector is technically capable of alerting to police radar at many times the distance at which the radar gun can acquire your speed.

Of course, you don't see such extreme straight, flat, line-of-sight, constant-on situations much in the real-world. Generally, the range is limited by terrain obstructions, aiming, or instant-on. And, no two situations are exactly the same. This is why testing is done to compare the performance detectors against each other, instead of trying to test a specific situation for "lead time". No test will ever tell you exactly what to expect when you drive down your own roads, in your own situations, against your local police. But tests will tell you how different detectors perform in comparison to one another.

Just to rant a little: When people post about getting miles of range from a detector I'm not impressed, since ANY modern detector is sensitive enough to save you from classic constant-on speed traps with the radar aimed at you, per the above. The saves that impress me are when someone get a one-bar Ka blip from instant-on ahead, a tough forward facing situation, etc and slows down avoiding a ticket, while another less sensitive detector would have given no warning.

Having a sensitive detector isn't about getting a three mile alert where another detector would have only given two miles. It's not about getting a 30 second alert while another detector would only provide 20 seconds. The point of having a sensitive detector is that there will always be situations where the more sensitive detector is capable of providing advanced warning, where a less sensitive detecor would not.

[Red Turbo Tegg]

Speed measurement Labs testing has indicated that todays high-end detectors can alert to the radar at over ten miles away from the radar source, on straight, flat, line-of-sight terrain.

So, just about any modern radar detector is technically capable of alerting to police radar at many times the distance at which the radar gun can acquire your speed.

Of course, you don't see such extreme straight, flat, line-of-sight, constant-on situations much in the real-world. Generally, the range is limited by terrain obstructions, aiming, or instant-on. And, no two situations are exactly the same. This is why testing is done to compare the performance detectors against each other, instead of trying to test a specific situation for "lead time". No test will ever tell you exactly what to expect when you drive down your own roads, in your own situations, against your local police. But tests will tell you how different detectors perform in comparison to one another.

Just to rant a little: When people post about getting miles of range from a detector I'm not impressed, since ANY modern detector is sensitive enough to save you from classic constant-on speed traps with the radar aimed at you, per the above. The saves that impress me are when someone get a one-bar Ka blip from instant-on ahead, a tough forward facing situation, etc and slows down avoiding a ticket, while another less sensitive detector would have given no warning.

Having a sensitive detector isn't about getting a three mile alert where another detector would have only given two miles. It's not about getting a 30 second alert while another detector would only provide 20 seconds. The point of having a sensitive detector is that there will always be situations where the more sensitive detector is capable of providing advanced warning, where a less sensitive detecor would not.

Good post.

[Stealth Stalker]

Having a sensitive detector isn't about getting a three mile alert where another detector would have only given two miles. It's not about getting a 30 second alert while another detector would only provide 20 seconds. The point of having a sensitive detector is that there will always be situations where the more sensitive detector is capable of providing advanced warning, where a less sensitive detecor would not.

: pumps fist in "I told you so" victory:

[MEM-TEK]

Jimbonzzz ranting? This is most uncharacteristic of him!

Seriously though, that was one darned good post by The Professor.

[takeshi]

My question is how close do you have to be for the LEO Radar to catch an accurate amount of speed? Is it equally to the pickup of the RD or significantly better and by how much feet wise.

Passive radar (i.e. a detector) always has greater range than active radar. However, as indicated above, range isn't everything.

[ghz1]

One more question guys, on the GOL test it shows say the V1 picking up KA at around 1000ft or so on the first freq. and around 1700ft on the second...

My question is how close do you have to be for the LEO Radar to catch an accurate amount of speed? Is it equally to the pickup of the RD or significantly better and by how much feet wise.

I'm Pretty sure I've read in the V1 owner's Manual or on the VR web site . When the V1 is at max alert (all bars alert) that is about the time you are in range. This is another reason why the ramp up on the V1 is so well liked.

[senfinger]

I know it's already been said... But thanks again for a highly educated response.

It finally hit me the other night, so what we have sensitive detector-

That is one plus but for people like me that don't have radar to play with have 0 concept of detection vs. distance vs. receiving speed.

I have always wondered how fast to alert on.

I agree with you... a good save isn't the 15-20 seconds of hearing a band... it's the 2 or 3 from disbursement ahead of you that you alert on and save.

Thanks again for all that posted... especialllllllly.... Jimbonzzz