Do they tell you if a cop is around, or just if a cop is using radar?
2006-10-09 11:17:06 · 10 answers · asked by m1ndless 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
They detect radar by homing in on the doughnut that the cop is holding in his other hand.
2006-10-09 11:59:18 · answer #1 · answered by stevewbcanada 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They only detect the microwave radio signal transmitted from the radar transmitter and let you know that radar is being used! Detectors also sometimes also detect the infrared beam used by other police speed meters which older radio type detectors cannot detect!
The police use vascar which is a system which uses a computer and computes the time it takes you to go between a point and say when you pass them if you are come toward them and when they pass the point where they observed you! They also measure you from marks on the road from the air! Also they just use the plain old following you in a unmarked car!
Police do not generally give a break to a speeder if they see a radar detector! All Officers still have the option of giving a warning ticket if you have a good attitude and were not reckless!
Stay within 5 miles of the posted limit!
APS
2006-10-12 23:51:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cops use radar to measure you speed with radio just like they track planes at the airport. However, since the signal they send must bounce off your car and go all the way back to them to detect, you can detect the weak signal that will get to your car but isn't strong enough to read your speed. Therefore you can adjust your speed if it has drifted a bit high. This will save you a lot in increased insurance premiums. Another way your speed is measured is using a light beam. They usually reflect it off your front license plate. Remove your front license plate!!! Put one of those Redneck plastic plates from your favorite team/beer/car manufacturer. Radar detectors also detect some automatic door openers for stores like the supermarket. It is great to turn into the parking lot and be able to tell if the store is open before you park and walk up there. Cheap radar detectors can be detected because the way radar detector works is to produce a frequency near the radars frequency and when a radar signal is mixed with this frequency it's easier to trigger an alarm. It is called super hetrodyning. If you want the best detector, get an Escort. Every year Car and Driver magazine tests a bunch of the best detectors and Escort is very high in the ratings. There is another device which will detect police cars not using radar. It is a scanner that picks up the frequency used by the police to transmit from the police car to the police officer. It is low power and transmits only about 2 miles. I have a scanner by Bearcat that can detect this signal and issue a warning. The drawback is that the officer must be receiving some radio transmissions for you to detect it, either from the main office or another officer. In a large area like LA, this is no problem, but if you were driving through Kansas, there might not be much for the cops to talk about.
2006-10-09 18:54:39 · answer #3 · answered by Dennis K 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They tell you if a radar device is being used in your area. However, they also, give off a signal that in some states police can detect and if they are illegal for you to have you can be caught. They are just like a radio only using higher frequencies, the detector receives a signal and lets you know about it when it does.
2006-10-09 18:26:52 · answer #4 · answered by redhotboxsoxfan 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
http://www.radarbusters.com/overture/default.asp?wcw=overture
They detect police radar, and those devices that open the door at markets, which are radar.
They work best when you are far enough away from the gun that the beam is too weak to bounce back to the source.
They also work even when you are behind a truck, as the beams bounce off bridges, trucks, buildings etc etc.
Don't buy a cheap one. It's wasted money, and don't be surprised if you STILL get tickets. They are helpful, not a cure all.
2006-10-09 20:23:55 · answer #5 · answered by Trump 2020 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They detect the radar signal which then bounces off your vehicle and back to the cop telling them how fast you are going.
2006-10-09 18:21:14 · answer #6 · answered by All hat 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They may detect radar, but only if it is actually operating. It will not detect the instantanous on/off unit until it has detected you. They have one use, and one use only, and that is to make it less likely you will get a speeding ticket.
2006-10-09 18:44:10 · answer #7 · answered by Fred C 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They detect radars
2006-10-09 18:24:57 · answer #8 · answered by russell 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
they tell you if a cop is using radar
2006-10-09 18:20:57 · answer #9 · answered by Aaron A 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
the page below will answer your questions. Only if he is using radar.
2006-10-09 18:22:43 · answer #10 · answered by oklatom 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋