Radar Detectors: Radar Only Or Radar And Laser?

A lot of radar detectors will work only if the police are using radar devices. 'Of course', you might say, 'why not?' Well, because the term radar detector is so well-known, people often refer to them when they mean laser devices. So you must make sure that you know the specification of the device you are thinking of buying.

Radar is a method where the speed of a vehicle is measured by radio waves from the detection gun that bounce off the car back to the detection device. The speed at which they do this is measured and then the vehicle speed is calculated. Radar detectors can detect the radar gun being used by the police because the radar gun sends out signals over quite a wide area.

Now, it is important that the radar detector you buy is sensitive enough to detect a gun quite a way away - at least 500 yards, and preferably 800-1,000 yards - but not so sensitive that it picks up all sorts of electronic devices that emit signals

They may use lasers

In some areas laser guns are used. This system is called LIDAR but people usually refer to laser detection. Instead of radio waves, pulsed light - just like the laser beams used to scan bar codes on your shopping in a supermarket - are used.


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These lasers send out pulses, which detect the speed, but they no are no more accurate than the radar machines. They are often easier for the police to use, but are more expensive for police departments to use. Yet, many of them are using them because they are being funded to the police department from the insurance companies. There are radar detectors that work with these products, but they are often much less effective.

One product that has shown promise are those that help by not allowing the laser lights to bounce off them. Instead, they absorb the light instead of reflecting it. One of the prime spots that police officers target is that of the license plate simply because it is quite reflective. These laser veils or screens can be placed over it to help them to absorb the light instead of reflecting it back. The police office cannot get a reading them.

In any event, because a radar detector can help you avoid those fines and keep your licence intact, it is a good idea to buy one. But do make sure that you buy the type you need in your area, and any places you go to regularly that are further away. Before you buy, make sure it is legal in your area to use a radar detector.


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