1. What are X, K, Ka and Ku bands ?
2. Which unit does everything ?
3. What should I look for when choosing a detector
?
4. What is sensitivity ?
5. What is selectivity ?
6. What are the minimum features I should look for ?
7. Why is audible band ID important?
8. Why is band ID so crucial?
9. What are some other desirable features ?
10. What is VG-2 protection ?
11. Why Buy one ?
12. Are they Legal ?
13. Where do they go in your car ?
14. What do they detect ?
15. What is SWS ?
16. What is Radar ?
17. What is a GATSO ?
18. Are There Problems with Heated Windscreen Elements and Detector
Effectiveness ?
19. I am getting a lot of false alarms with the Snooper S6-R
For more information on our products please see the Product
Comparison & Speed Camera
Types pages
Back to Questions
Q. What
are the X, K, Ka and Ku bands ?
A. There are 3 main
sets of frequencies used by the manufacturers of speed trap equipment. These are
known as X, K & KA. The majority of traps use K band (e.g. GATSO cameras and
most hand held guns). X band is the oldest and is used by some older gun based
systems, it is also the band where most false alarms occur since other pieces
of equipment use this frequency range. KA band is used by the new 'Stalker' radar
guns and is one of the most popular, having been extended twice since 1991. The
Ku band is little used at the moment in the UK, but they do use it in Northern
Ireland, and some parts of Europe.
Back to Questions
Q. Which
one does everything ?
A. The Snoopers S6-R Neo will detect all known current devices. In picking
the correct device you need to decide if you are looking to protect against radar
guns and fixed and mobile Gatso cameras, or against the new 'undetectable' cameras
such as SVDD or against laser guns.
All good radar detectors will provide safe warning of radar guns and fixed or
mobile Gatso cameras. The new 'undetectable' digital cameras such as SVDD can
be detected using satellite guided GPS systems such as the S3, S4 & S6 Neo.
Laser guns can be detected by most good radar detectors and GPS units, however
the warning is instantaneous and possibly too late so laser diffusers are popular
although if they do detect a potential police laser gun they will interfere with
them and so must be turned off immediately to avoid interfering with the ability
of the police officer to carry out their duty.
.
If you feel you need a combination and can't decide which then please call the
team on 0161-456-3000 for further advice.
Back to Questions
Q. What qualities should
I look for when choosing a detector?
A. In order of
importance: sensitivity, selectivity, good audio/visual alert systems, features
and user-friendly operation.
Back to Questions
Q. What is sensitivity
?
A. Sensitivity
determines how far away it’s able to detect a radar, often referred to as
radar range. More range is generally better, although some hypersensitive models
can have you slowing prematurely for threats you may not encounter for several
more miles if at all, since an officer with moving radar may well have bagged
someone else before you meet him.
Back to Questions
Q. What is selectivity
?
A. Selectivity
is the crucial ability to reject non-police radar signals, equal in importance
to sensitivity. A detector that constantly cries wolf is as worthless as one that
fails to warn you at all.
Back to Questions
Q. What are the minimum
features I should look for ?
A. Audible band ID (separate audio tones for each of the three radar frequencies plus laser), visual band ID (individual lights or icons for each band), memory (retains preferred settings between uses), manual mute (silences audio alerts during extended radar encounters).
Back to Questions
Q. Why is audible band
ID important?
A. Distinctive
tones to identify the nature of the threat means you won’t have to study
the detector for this information, allowing you to attend to more important matters,
like keeping the car on the road.
Back to Questions
Q. Why is band ID so crucial?
A. By knowing the
radar’s frequency you can respond appropriately to the threat. For example,
a weak, short-duration X-band alert in town hardly merits standing on the brakes
since the source may well be a microwave oven in a nearby Mcdonalds. But K- and
Ka-band alerts — and most laser alerts — are probably warning of an
approaching speed trap and demand instant attention.
Back to Questions
Q. What are some other
desirable features ?
A. Auto mute reduces
or silences the audio alerts after a brief initial blast to get your attention.
Dim/dark mode lowers or extinguishes the status lights for low-profile night-time
operation. Upscale models often have tutorial mode that cycles through the repertoire
of audio/visual alerts to speed acclimatization. User-selectable features allow
you to tailor the detector to your preferences. These include alternate sets of
audio tones, an abbreviated power-up self-test sequence, optional visual displays,
lower sensitivity on one or more radar bands for quieter operation in extra-noisy
environments and the enabling/disabling of VG-2 (See Below.) Facility to store
your own data (accident blackspots).
Back to Questions
Q. What is VG-2 protection.
A. The "Interceptor
VG-2"is a microwave Receiver used by some police forces to detect signals
radiated by the local oscillator of a radar detector, in simple terms it's a "Radar
Detector Detector" VG-2 is only used in a small number of countries such
as the USA, Canada, France and Switzerland. Most new radar detectors have anti
VG-2 features.
Back to Questions
Q. Why Buy one ?
A. Speed cameras and speed traps are growing more common by the week. Whilst most drivers are law abiding, it is easy to now and again creep above the speed limit as well as finding yourself having to drop to a reduced speed limit in a matter of yards. This can result in loss of licence and even loss of livelihood. Many motorists feel they are easy prey compared to tax and insurance dodgers. These detectors can help save your livelihood and lives.
Back to Questions
Q. Are they Legal ?
A In January 1998 the Queen's Bench Divisional Court stated that radar detectors
had in fact never been illegal in the UK , contrary to popular folklore and the
repeated claims of the police.
We would recommend you check your own countries laws if you are outside the UK.
Countries such as France, Belgium and Switzerland continue to take a very dim
view of anyone found in possession of a radar detector. Confiscation of equipment
and an instant fine is normal. In the Republic of Ireland it is legal to own a
radar detector but illegal to be found using one.
Most police officers don't know they are legal so watch out. It seems that there
are still quite a few police officers that still think they are illegal. It is
NOT against the law to own a unit.... you can go back an claim it back if they
take it from you.
Quote the following....
"A judgement of the Queens Bench Divisional Court dated 29th January 1998
makes it clear that the use of Radar Detectors is not unlawful as has hitherto
been claimed by some. In the past a few prosecutions have been brought by claiming
the use of radar detectors was contrary to section 5(b)(I) of the Wireless Telegraphy
Act 1949 as amended by section 3 of the Post Office Act 1969. However the Acts
refer to the interception of wireless communications for the purpose of obtaining
information as to the content, sender or addressee of any message. The Court concluded
that the radar transmission was not communicating a 'message' and therefore equipment
designed to detect the presence of the transmission could not decode any such
message. It was further stated that section 1(1) of the Act, which requires a
licence for the reception of radio signals, has been superseded by the Wireless
Telegraphy Apparatus (Receivers)(Exemption) Regulations (SI 1989 No123) which
exempts radar detectors and similar equipment from the need for such licences."
Are they Legal ?
A In January 1998 the Queen's Bench Divisional Court stated that radar detectors
had in fact never been illegal in the UK , contrary to popular folklore and the
repeated claims of the police.
We would recommend you check your own countries laws if you are outside the UK.
Countries such as France, Belgium and Switzerland continue to take a very dim
view of anyone found in possession of a radar detector. Confiscation of equipment
and an instant fine is normal. In the Republic of Ireland it is legal to own a
radar detector but illegal to be found using one.
Most police officers don't know they are legal so watch out. It seems that there
are still quite a few police officers that still think they are illegal. It is
NOT against the law to own a unit.... you can go back an claim it back if they
take it from you.
Quote the following....
"A judgement of the Queens Bench Divisional Court dated 29th January 1998
makes it clear that the use of Radar Detectors is not unlawful as has hitherto
been claimed by some. In the past a few prosecutions have been brought by claiming
the use of radar detectors was contrary to section 5(b)(I) of the Wireless Telegraphy
Act 1949 as amended by section 3 of the Post Office Act 1969. However the Acts
refer to the interception of wireless communications for the purpose of obtaining
information as to the content, sender or addressee of any message. The Court concluded
that the radar transmission was not communicating a 'message' and therefore equipment
designed to detect the presence of the transmission could not decode any such
message. It was further stated that section 1(1) of the Act, which requires a
licence for the reception of radio signals, has been superseded by the Wireless
Telegraphy Apparatus (Receivers)(Exemption) Regulations (SI 1989 No123) which
exempts radar detectors and similar equipment from the need for such licences."
GPS based units are completely legal and at the moment there have been no indications
to suggest otherwise.
Back to Questions
Q. Where do they go
in your car ?
A. Nearly all are
attached to the windscreen by suckers on a mounting bracket and run either off
the cigarette lighter or on their own power supply. Its important to note that
Heated windscreens and heat reflective windscreens will effect the range of some
units. This can be overcome by fitting remote detectors, these have a remote radar
sensing head and IR. unit, that fit in the grill of the vehicle. A control unit
sits inside the car.
Standard units should be mounted on the windscreen in a position that gives them
a clear view ahead. But in a position that is not easily seen from the outside,
even though they are now not illegal, by having one you can easily provoke some
Police. When choosing a detector for your car please check if you have a windscreen
with heating elements or if you have a solar type windscreen, this can have an
effect on the efficiency of dashboard mounted radar detectors, if you do have
this type of windscreen then we would advise that you look at a built in type
of radar detector or go for a GPS system with an optional antenna. Some of the
units, if used with the optional antenna can be mounted wherever you feel comfortable
with as long as the antenna can see the sky.
Back to Questions
Q. What do they detect
?
A. World-wide there
are ten sets of frequencies used for speed monitoring. In the UK only to radar
frequencies used, K band and Ku band (in a very limited way). Coverage of other
frequencies other than these bands will cause the detector to false alarm, devices
such as traffic lights supermarket doors, mobile phones and transmitters often
operate on the X band.
All will detect radar, to different levels, some give detection ranges of as little
at 0 metres for a Gatso Camera right up to 350 metres, depending on which make
and model you buy. Some will detect Laser from 1 mile to 3 miles. Some will and
some wont detect Mini-Gatso.
All can detect Muniquip from 1 mile to 3 miles.
Most false warnings will be on the 'X' band. Gatso's on the K band ... give more
of a problem, the radar used is quite weak, since Gatso Cameras also face away
from you the radar beam is going away from you as well, so your detector is relying
on a reflected signal making Gatso's are harder to detect. However a good detector
will give you a warning. The Ku band is little used at the moment in the UK, but
they do use it in Northern Ireland, and some parts of Europe.
The GPS systems will alert you to ALL fixed camera systems as long as you keep the database up to date.
Back to Questions
Q. What is SWS ?
A. SWS or Safety Warning
System is starting to feature on more radar/laser detectors. Manufacturers of
the detectors designed the system as a way of combating the bad image of radar
detectors. SWS is currently being installed in police cars all over the US. When
a police car is attending a roadside accident the SWS transmitter is switched
on. Owners of radar detectors received a warning in advance of a dangerous situation.
The new generation of smart SWS detectors use text messages and sometimes voice
messages as well.
Some radar detectors offer nearly 70 text and voice messages ranging from, accident
ahead, school crossing ahead, ice on road, moose crossing and so on. Currently
SWS is only used in some parts of America and Canada. Germany has recently been
granted a licence for its use, plans are now in the advanced stages and SWS can
be expected to be in use by 2001. A British company is also currently in discussions
with the manufacturer to bring SWS to the UK. SWS is without doubt one of the
best safety features for a driver to have fitted in his car, and the sooner it's
use becomes world-wide the better.
Back to Questions
Q. What is Radar ?
A. Radar stands for
Radio Detecting And Ranging. The system operates by transmitting radio waves at
certain frequencies which reflect off objects and are picked up by the receiver.
When the beam reflects off a moving object, a measurable frequency shift occurs
which is then converted into miles per hour to determine the object's speed.
Back to Questions
Q. What is a GATSO
?
A. GATSO is the name
given to the Dutch made "photographic trap" system used in the UK and
Europe. The GATSO traps are unmanned and take a photo of the rear of the speeding
vehicle. GATSO traps operate on K band and are therefore detectable by most good
detectors. The majority of GATSO cameras are inactive - the average ratio is one
"live" camera site for every ten boxes. Even "inactive" sites
will appear to take photographs of passing vehicles by flashing at them, but since
no photographic equipment is installed no photographs can be taken. If the GATSO
system is fully loaded it is transmitting K band signals constantly monitoring
the speed of every vehicle that passes.
Back to Questions
Q. Heated Windscreen
Elements and Detector Effectiveness ?
A. When choosing a
detector for your car please check if you have a windscreen with heating elements
or if you have a solar type windscreen, this can have an effect on the efficiency
of dashboard mounted radar detectors, if you do have this type of windscreen then
we would advise that you look at a built in type of radar detector.
A customer with a heated windscreen, wrote to us recently: "I can confirm
that the Snooper S4 neo appears to work perfectly well in a Renault Laguna II
".
As mentioned previously, optional antennas can be purchased for GPS based units and are long enough to reach from the rear of the vehicle to the dash or can be mounted externally.
Back to Questions
Q. I am getting a lot
of false alarms with the Snooper S6-R
A. It is advisable
to place the GPS and Radar units at least 50cm apart to avoid unnecessary false
alarms.
