How To Choose The Best Radar Detectors
The last thing anyone wants is a speeding ticket, which is why radar detectors have become so popular and affordable. The technology in used in radar detectors has advanced considerably in the last few years in an effort to keep pace with the technology used by law enforcement.
Radar detectors, as their name implies, are used to detect radar. The police use radar guns to detect motorists speed. Radar guns work by reflecting a microwave signal off an object and then measuring the shift in frequency between the original and reflected signal. The radar gun, in theory, gives a precise reading of the vehicle's speed. A radar detector is used to detect the use of a radar gun so motorists can slow down before the police see them.
It has been a constant back and forth game between the manufacturers of radar guns and the manufacturers of radar detectors. X-band was originally used in radar guns. After radar detectors caught up with this, K-band and Ka-band was then used. Again, radar detectors caught up with this technology. Currently, many law enforcement agencies are using LIDAR, or light detection and ranging devices. These devices can measure the speed of an object much faster. Newer models of radar detectors are now coming out with ways to detect LIDAR, although it is still significantly more difficult to detect this than traditional radar.
There are several different styles of radar detectors. Some mount on the dashboard of your car and have cords that need to be plugged in to your cigarette lighter. Other models can be mounted on your windshield and don't require the cord. The most advanced type of radar detectors are mounted in the front of a vehicle behind the grill and have controls mounted within view of the driver. These are more effective at detecting LIDAR.
Some states have bans against radar detectors. To enforce this, police officers now have radar detector detectors. As you probably already guessed, the manufacturers of radar detectors have come out with models that detect the radar detector detectors. Before purchasing any radar detectors or before traveling, make sure you know the laws of the states you will be driving in.
Radar detectors are only one way to reduce your chances of getting a ticket. Check out other areas of this site for more tips.
