How to choose a radar detector

For those who know their own route of movement, the use of all kinds of third-party gadgets seems pointless. However, it is necessary to deviate from the usual route - and you no longer feel safe, and after each sign of "40" or "60" see the traffic police inspector with a radar. Indeed, you never know where you can meet a valiant police officer who “catches” for speed, but to minimize the consequences of such a meeting is easier than ever. All that is needed for this purpose is a high-quality radar detector, which will report in advance about an attempt to fix the speed of your car by an inspector. Those who, on duty, spend a lot of time on the road, say that a high-quality radar detector pays off after 3-4 meetings with traffic policemen, and this circumstance contributes to the enormous popularity of such devices among domestic drivers.

content

1. Top manufacturers
2. Types of radar. What are radar detectors?
3. The main criteria for choosing antiradar
4. Choosing a radar detector with gps navigator
5. Criteria for selecting a radar detector with a DVR
6. Video on the choice of antiradar
   

Top manufacturers

Currently on sale you can find a great variety of devices of this class. Each of them copes with the functions assigned to them to one degree or another, and all that the buyer needs is to determine the characteristics and functional features of the model that suits him, and also to give preference to proven devices from manufacturers that have proven themselves from the best side:

1. Beltronics;

2. Sho-me;

3. Cobra;

4. Whistler;

5. Neoline;

These manufacturers are characterized by consistently high quality manufacturing of their own products, developed by the experimental design bureau and regularly delight users with the release of new firmware and updates for maps that take into account the changing traffic conditions, the emergence of new stationary speed cameras and routes of traffic police crews. Before giving preference to one or another model, it is necessary to study not only the characteristics of the device, but also the feedback from users who had time to test the device in real, "combat" conditions.

Types of radar. What are radar detectors?

Despite the huge variety of devices on sale, without exception, radar detectors have the same algorithm of operation. They pick up a signal of a certain frequency, characteristic of police radar, and signal the driver that he is “caught”. Due to the fact that the radar signal has a sufficiently high power, the radar detectors are able to fix it at a distance of up to 1 kilometer, and therefore the time to brake to an acceptable speed is sufficient for drivers.

Currently, all devices of this class, presented on sale, can be divided into several conditional groups.

Radar detectors made in the monoblock form factor

They are a compact device, the radar part of which, the speaker and the display panel, together with the adjustment buttons, are enclosed in a compact, miniature package.As a rule, such devices are almost always powered by the cigarette lighter and mounted on special suction cups on the windshield or on the panel with a special pad.

Virtues

• Compact size;

• High functionality;

• Democratic price tag;

• Easy installation, configuration and operation;

disadvantages

• Do not "catch" the latest radar and photo camera;

• It is necessary to dismantle at the entrance to the majority of EU countries, in which the use of radar detectors is prohibited at the legislative level;

• Do not work in cars equipped with athermal windshield;

Spaced radar detector

A device consisting of two separate elements - the radar part and the control unit. The first is mounted in the engine compartment of the car, the second is installed in a convenient location of the cabin. Such devices are distinguished by excellent functionality and miniature, they do not hang in front of everyone and do not attract the attention of law enforcement agencies and thieves.

Virtues

• High functionality;

• Allow installation in vehicles equipped with athermal glass;

• Do not attract attention;

• Compact dimensions;

disadvantages

• High price;

• The complexity of installation, installation and configuration;

Signature radar detectors

Novelties that have appeared on the market relatively recently and have won many accolades from drivers who have tested them. The principle of their operation is to work on the principle of signatures - certain parameters of the input signal, characteristic of those or other emissions. Traditional radar detectors respond to all signals in a row, forcing the driver to be constantly on their toes. Signature of their counterparts discard false signals (shop windows, automatic doors, video surveillance) and voice only those signatures that are typical for police devices. Each actuation of such a device means one thing - you are “caught” for speed.

Virtues

• Compact and very functional;

• Thanks to the advanced radar parts, they are able to filter out the radar signal even against the background of powerful and intense interference;

• Constantly updated database of signatures;

• Significantly reduce the likelihood of false positives;

disadvantages

• High price;

• The need to constantly update the database of signatures;

• Slower response due to the need to match signatures with the incoming signal;

GPS radar detectors

Unique devices, the functionality of which consists not only of the radar part and the radio module, but also of a highly sensitive GPS receiver that tracks the location of the vehicle. The latter significantly expands the functionality of the device due to the possibility of using databases of stationary cameras that the radio module cannot “catch” in principle, since they most often “shoot” in the back. When approaching them, the radar detector warns in advance and offers to reduce the speed of your car.

Virtues

• Functionality;

• Constant updating of databases and the inclusion of new, newly installed radars and cameras;

• Unpretentious to use;

• Easy installation and operation;

• Detect all known types of radar, including modern stationary ("Arrow", "Avtouragan");

disadvantages

• High price;

• The need to track the release of updates and database updates;

The main criteria for choosing antiradar

Having decided on a specific type of device, you should pay close attention to its technical characteristics.

1. Range of operation. Modern models are characterized by a range from 1-1.5 to 4-5 kilometers, which is more than enough to warn the driver in advance about the “ambush”. The more powerful the device, the more expensive and more technological it is. In addition, it should be remembered that the quality of signal reception is influenced by many different factors, including terrain, weather and precipitation;

2. Emission rangecaught by the radar detector. The most commonly used ranges are K, X, Ultra K, and Ultra X. In addition to them, the lion's share of devices is “understood” by the Ka and Ku ranges, but in Russia and their neighboring countries there is no need: radiation of this range is typical for video surveillance systems , as well as all kinds of automatic doors and windows;

3. Type of display information displayed. Currently, even low-end models are equipped with sound and symbolic display, which means the type of signal and its intensity. The most advanced models are equipped with a liquid crystal display, which allows you to display another device, its emitting, as well as the approximate distance to it;

4. Ability to work in the ranges of Instant Onwhich is typical for most stationary devices that emit a signal only during the measurement of speed, and POP, the principle of which is based on ultra-frequency pulses used to monitor multiple targets simultaneously. In our country, the POP range is characteristic of the Iskra and Berkut series devices;

5. The principle of detection of radar complexes "Arrow" It is extremely important, because these devices are the "generators of letters of happiness" in our country. When choosing a radar detector, preference should be given to those models that are based on the mixed principle of detecting devices of this class. It consists in the joint operation of the radar part and the GSM module;

6. The ability to change modes between the "city" and "highway" important for those who are constantly traveling and do not want all sorts of side signals to distract him from driving. In the “track” mode, most modern devices turn off unused frequency bands, leaving only those with which a meeting on the highway is possible. In contrast, in the “city” mode, the device starts to work with the largest possible frequency range, providing the ability to track a variety of radar signals.

Choosing a radar detector with gps navigator

In addition to the classic radar detectors, you can also find a large number of various combined devices, the most popular of which are radar detectors with built-in GPS navigator. As a rule, such devices are equipped with a bright and contrast LCD display, with the help of which not only information regarding the presence of stationary and mobile radars is displayed, but also navigation is performed - the device has the ability to plot a route using preloaded maps.

When choosing such devices, it is necessary to pay attention not only to the radar part, guided by the above criteria, but also to the navigation component. In particular, attention should be paid to the following features:

1. Diagonal and display resolution. The higher these parameters - the more high-quality and detailed picture will be at the output;

2. The type of navigation system - Navitel, Yandex.Maps, Garmin, as well as many other, less popular systems in our country can be pre-installed in a particular device;

3. The frequency of updates of databases and updates for navigation maps. The higher - the more accurate and detailed the maps will be and the greater the number of stationary radars and cameras the device will know;

4. The type of navigation system - in addition to classic GPS navigation, the best models have the opportunity to work in the domestic GLONASS satellite tracking system, which significantly improves navigation and makes route construction faster and more accurate;

5. Type of power source. The best devices have the ability to work both from the built-in battery and from the vehicle's cigarette lighter;

Criteria for selecting a radar detector with a DVR

There is another type of combo device - a radar detector, equipped with a built-in DVR. Such devices are also popular, first of all, among those buyers who do not want to drive, hanging the car interior with wires and prefer compact devices of the “all-in-one” series. When choosing devices of this type, one should pay attention not only to the capabilities of the radar detector, but also to the functionality of the DVR:

1. The width of the angle of the lens recorder. The higher it is - the greater the number of items fall into the frame of the device;

2. Write permission. Preference should be given to devices recording video, at least in FullHD;

3. The frame rate of the video. The minimum allowable recording speed is 30 frames per second, a slower picture will be jerky and low quality;

4. The type of media to write to. Devices with their own memory - the last century, where more convenient and functional models that record video on a memory card format MicroSD;

5. The presence of a built-in battery is a definite plus of this class of devices. It can be used to record even when the car’s ignition is turned off;

6. Adhering to the above criteria, you will surely choose a high-quality and functional device for all occasions!

Video on the choice of antiradar

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.