Radar detector models nowadays are the result of combining trouble-free ergonomic designs with state-of-the-art technology. They provide motorists with inexpensive, much needed protection from troublesome speeding tickets and hazards on the road.
How are radar detectors able to this?
From the name itself, radar detectors detect beams that usually come from police radar, which measures the speed by which vehicles are traveling on the road. A radar detector will provide a warning signal even before the police radar can measure the vehicle's speed, buying the motorist some time to adjust his driving speed and be saved from a speeding ticket.
What should you look out for a radar detector?
The Type. A radar detector has three types, namely remote-mount, corded, and cordless.
A remote-mount detector is mounted permanently to your car, ensuring an installation that is clean and almost undetectable by thieves.
A corded detector is usually mounted on the car's windshield using suction cups and is considered to provide the best kind of protection.
A cordless detector, on the other hand, is easily transported between cars, and gives an installation that is cleaner than its corded counterparts.
City Mode. City mode is a very important feature because it lessens the sensitivity of your radar detector, especially in the city, such that you get a lesser number of false alerts.
Laser Detection. A radar detector with a laser sensor detects beams in front of the car, but not on your sides or behind. Three hundred sixty degrees of laser detection, on the other hand, assures you of more protection since there are a couple of sensors to watch out for pulses on your sides, as well as the rear. It is more reliable, but of course, more costly.
Spectre and VG-2 Protection. These shielding features are important since they inform the motorist if the police have a Radar Detector Detector (RDD). Spectre is considered as a more sophisticated RDD technology and is being used by several Canadian states. Some detector models provide Stealth, a kind of protection that warns the driver and turns off the radar detector. Pricier models provide Invisible, a kind of protection that shields the radar detectors from Spectre, VG-2, or both, such that they will continue working without being traced.
Digital Voice Alert. More modern versions are equipped with digital voice alerts that will inform the driver of any laser, beam, or pulse that they were able to pick up. No need for the hurried motorist to take his eyes off the road and examine the display of your radar detector.
Instant-On Protection. The truth is you can no longer defend yourself if Instant-On radar has already been aimed at your vehicle. Your speed will already have been measured by the time you are alerted by your radar detector. However, if another vehicle was the target of radar, a radar detector with Instant-On Protection will be more K-band receptive and sensitive, such that you will be alerted right on time to slow down. It is this K-band receptivity that allows manufacturer promotion of Instant-On Protection from radars.
There you go - everything you need to know about the benefits of using radar detectors, how they work, as well as the features that you should look out for in them. Go ahead. Make yourself and your vehicle safe.
(From an article by By Mario Chompass )
