Everyone has a bit of a lead foot every once in a while. Radar detectors are electronic gadgets used by drivers primarily to identify police who are monitoring their speed. With this device, drivers can immediately reduce their speed to avoid being ticketed. Although these helpful devices are seemingly foolproof, they can only detect Doppler-based devices. It is important to know how exactly how radar detectors work.
Radars use radio waves to distinguish objects and tell you how far away these objects are. In simple terms, the radar releases a radio wave and listens for an echo. If there is an object in its path, the radar detector can calculate its distance based on how long it takes for the radio wave to bounce back.
Radars also detect frequency, due to the principle known as Doppler Shift. So if the car is moving away from the radar gun in the cop’s possession, this frequency will constantly change. The radar detectors pick up this frequency as well, and will alert you. Very basic detectors however, will only pick up at very limited distances and are not reliable for distinguishing overlapping signals.
When police use a radar gun to detect someone’s speed, the gun projects a beam across the road. These beams are broadcasted across a band—X, K, or wide Ka bands. The cop’s radar gun can calculate your speed based on how much this frequency changes. This, my friends, is how you get caught.
Be aware that your device can only detect these Doppler radar-based devices, and some can detect LIDAR sensors. . Policemen have other means to measuring your speed, such as VASCAR technology which is commonly used in aerial speed enforcement and in areas where radar and LIDAR are prohibited.
Call DeDona Tint & Sound at (336) 851-1300 for additional information on purchasing a radar detector for your vehicle.