Beltronics STi-R Review: Ultimate Custom Installed Radar/Laser Detector

Veil Guy's Beltronics STi-R Review

After spending nearly a year, accumulating an obscene amount of miles through more states than I care to count, behind the wheel with this awesome remote, I am pleased to be able to share my formal review of the Beltronics STi-R custom installed radar detector.


Beltronics STi-R, Escort Passport 9500ci, Valentine One (V1) versus 34.7 Ka


STi-R, 9500ci, V1 vs CO 34.7Ghz Ka Away

Every once in a great while, a product comes along that is so special, so outside the established norms of the time, that its very existence redefines its own category. The Beltronics STi-R custom installed radar detector (along with its sister the Escort Passport 9500ci), is such a product.

• Beltronics STi-R: Ultimate Custom Installed Remote Review

Installation video of the Beltronics STi-R into my vehicle to follow, along with a long-term review of the Escort Passport 9500ci, which was installed into my vehicle at the same time, last year.

Even though the Beltronics STi-R and Passport 9500ci are related, they really are two separate kinds of systems which do not directly "compete" with one another.

The Escort Passport 9500ci is a combination radar/laser detector, laser jammer (Escort calls it "laser shifting"), and an advanced GPS detector which alerts to the ever growing presence of photo-enforcement systems.

On the other hand, the Beltronics STi-R is a dedicated radar/laser detector, one specifically tailored to those driving enthusiasts who can appreciate its virtues and specialized feature-set.

Although, the Escort Passport 9500ci is based-upon the same undetectable platform developed by Beltronics as the dash-mount Beltronics STi Driver and the Beltronics STi-R remote, the Escort Passport 9500ci is sufficiently different to merit its own dedicated review in the future.

Happy and safe motoring!

Veil Guy

Online Discussion of Beltronics/BEL STi-R at SpeedTrapHunter.net:

• Beltronics/BEL STi-R Custom Installed Remote

Blinder M27/Blinder M47 Xtreme: New Extreme Laser Jammers

Blinder M27/Blinder M47 Xtreme: New Laser Jammers with Extreme Performance

For those of you familiar with Blinder, this Danish-based company has a long-established history of producing highly-regarded (and often imitated, but not equaled), top-quality, high-performing, cool-running, and long-lasting LED-based laser jammers (including the M10/M15, M20/M40, M25/M45). With each newer model series, Blinder users have become accustomed to increased capabilities and performance over their previous models.

For 2009, Blinder has taken the performance of their Xtreme laser jammer series to an even higher level.

So what can fans of Blinder expect to see with the new Blinder M27 X-TREME (two-head) and Blinder M47 X-TREME (four-head) models? The manufacturer claims the following improvements.

Blinder M27 X-TREME and Blinder M47 X-TREME, at a glance:

• Improved laser jamming efficiency
• More powerful platform
• Improved laser/lidar detection
• PC software updateable (via USB port on control module)
• Multi-function/IR transponders (can be configured as a parking sensor/garage door opener)
• Separate US and European versions (support of more lidar guns seen in each market)
  
• Same price points as M25/M45 ($429 for 2-head M27 & $679 for 4-head M47)
  

Physically the US and European versions are identical, the differences are in the software/firmware. The European versions support lidar guns only experienced in those markets, including the advanced Traffipatrol XR and the new LTI-TruSpeed with advanced anti-laser jamming circuitry (which is a new algorithm specifically to designed defeat laser jamming attempts, not merely detect them). The U.S. versions support all currently used police lasers approved by use by the IACP including the U.S. version of the LTI-Truspeed.

We expect the new M27 and M47 to become available in about two weeks from today. Knowing the dedication of Blinder's engineering development team, these new multi-function laser jammers should prove to be very compelling systems regardless of price.

I can't wait to try them out on my vehicle coupled with Veil G4. I suspect this combination will be extremely difficult to beat^* at any price!

Happy and safe motoring.

Online Discussion (Speed Trap Hunter):

• New M27 and M47 Blinder Laser Jammers for 2009
  

^*Note: We do not condone the use of any countermeasure for the purposes of JTG. We believe countermeasures such as a radar detector, laser jammer, or Veil should only be used to safely adjust speeds, if needed, to the extent these systems (either individually or in combination) allow.

Veil Guy

Whistler Pro 78SE, XTR-695SE, XTR-690SE Review

New for 2009: Whistler Pro78 SE, Whistler XTR-690SE, Whistler XTR-695SE

The SE, may officially stand for Special Edition. But, what it really stands for is MAX(imum) Ka Performance

I am very pleased that the much anticipated new Whistler Pro-78SE, Whistler XTR-690SE, and Whistler XTR-695SE models will soon be making their way to your favorite radar detector retailer.

For 2009, these three related Whistler radar detector models are especially noteworthy for their improved Ka and laser reception performance.

As has been the case in the recent past, Whistler has afforded me the privilege of an advanced look at their new flagship model line-up.

I have taken each of them for an extended drive and pitted them against a bunch of real-world traffic enforcement to ultimately determine how improved the new Whistler XTR-695SE, Whistler XTR-690SE, and Whistler Pro-78 SE models really are.

Were they worth the wait? Well, here's what I found:

Whistler Review: XTR-695SE, XTR-690SE, Pro-78SE

Veil Guy

We're watching you Janet Napolitano.
Orwellian's dark nightmare may soon be a stark reality.

Napolitano's ambition becomes clear for us to see
as a Supreme Court Justice, remake the country in her image.

Published: 02 may 09
Updated: 14 may 09, 0604

©2009. All rights reserved.
No portion of this article be reproduced without expressed consent of author.

Janet Napolitano Supreme Court Justice Appointment

Potential Setback to Individual Liberties and Constitutional Values

The appointment of Janet Napolitano as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice—former Arizona Governor & Arizona attorney general, and now current Director of Homeland Secretary—may further serve to undermine our individual civil liberties.

Janet Napolitano has been a long-time advocate of an Totalitarianistic institution (involving the joint collaboration with certain domestic law enforcement and multi-national private industry) which, among other things, has driven the proliferation of due-process robbing, civil-rights' eroding, and hugely profitable photo enforcement systems.

To achieve this end, Napolitano has sourced government and/or industry-related funded traffic highway 'safety' studies, comprised of 'biased-statistics' (both cognitive and attributional) replete with error.

These studies "conclusions"—and often promulgated by surrogates of certain social-agenda-driven funded institutions of 'hire' learning— have already been predetermined, conjured , or fabricated by domestic and/or foreign institutions of government/education/industry (which adhere to different societal rule-sets than those of our own nation (IIHS Status Report: Speed—Effect of Speed Camera Enforcement).

Using the conclusions from reports such as these or other similar documents which share similar agenda-driven conclusions, has enabled former Arizona governor, Janet Napolitano to build the framework in Arizona for a police state by encouraging the huge proliferation of automated photo-enforcement throughout Arizona's highway and roadway systems (outsourced for profit to the very same private or foreign/multi-national industry that had either direct or indirect influence on the conclusions put forth by these very same reports).

Furthermore, Napolitano's cabal has undertaken Orwellian-like tactics including the dissemination of disinformation and use of double-speak.

Napolitano's past public outreach "safety" campaigns, were neither concerned about enhancing highway safety, nor "public" in their outreach.

Through the likes of law-enforcement organizations and the very private-institutions standing to profit, Napolitano has resorted to coordinated efforts of reporter intimidation, media management, and agenda-driven public opinion shaping/influencing.


I believe it is self-evident that a Janet Napolitano appointment as a Supreme Court Justice would most certainly be championed by these very same (often foreign-owned) companies and their paid lobbyists to influence (through campaign financial contribution) key political insiders who could ensure a rapid confirmation process of Janet Napolitano to the Bench.

These companies include, RedFlex (Australia-based) and American Traffic Systems, among others, most of them foreign-based.

Barely a 100 days have elapsed since Janet Napolitano was nominated to head Homeland and already she may be packing her bags for an even more-lasting and Supremely impactful position, if fast-tracked into the High Court (where the constitutionality of automated photo enforcement systems may ultimately be determined).

Isn't it ironic that much (media) coverage has been given, over the years, to the "deprivation of rights" of certain individuals who have shown themselves to be enemies-of-the-state and yet very little (if any) substantive new coverage (by the media) given to the individuals, groups, or enterprises who have been steadily working to together to further erode our own U.S. citizens' individual liberties (for the sake of corporate profiteering and alternative taxation?)

To be clear, I respect, understand, and support our nation's need to establish new security "rule-sets" ("rule-set reset") in a globalized post-911 Internet-connected world, however I am compelled (as a U.S. citizen being protected by both sets of rule-sets) to draw the line (firewall our existing long-established rights: as codified in our young nation's Founding Documents from portions [of these] emerging rule-sets) when [that security] need leads our society to connect globally certain technologies and systems which can or do encroach upon our long-established and sacred individual rights or collective society's rights—by tasking automated computer systems to act as a witness, judge, jury and "executioner" and by doing so, usurping our established rule-of-law and by extension of that usurpation, undermine the very fabric of (our Constitution) that our government leaders (and their appointees) have sworn an oath to the Almighty, to protect before being permitted the assumption of their respective elected (or appointed) offices.

President Barack Obama being administered the oath of office
by Chief Justice John G. Roberts
20 jan 09

Regardless of where you fall in the political spectrum, if you oppose Janet Napolitano's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court on this basis alone, please exercise your 1st Amendment right to free-speech by expressing your voice of objection to your state's senators: U.S. Senators, the current administration, and most importantly to the Chairman, Patrick J. Leahy (Vermont) and the Ranking Member, Jeff Sessions (Alabama) of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

What will a future United States be like...in the next 100 days...or the next 100 years?

Is it not up to US citizens to decide, today?

Despite these expressed concerns, I remain very optimistic about our nation's (and our world's) future, I simply wish us not to forget the very principles that have so faithfully guided this great nation of ours to this point in history and I trust into the future: a 'future worth creating,' for us all...


Veil Guy

PS: If we were to take President Obama's articulate speech at face-value, it would appear that Janet Napolitano would not meet his standard (full transcript):

Except:

"... I will seek somebody who is dedicated to the rule of law, who honors our constitutional traditions, who respects the integrity of the judicial process and the appropriate limits of the judicial role. I will seek somebody who shares my respect for Constitutional values on which this nation was founded, and who brings a thoughtful understanding of how to apply them in our time..."*

President H. Obama, 1 May 09, 1623

*Note: Emphasis is mine.

Recommended Further Resources:

United States Founding "Rule-Sets":

The Constitution of the United States of America

Emerging Global "Rule-Sets":

• Beyond Peace, Richard M. Nixon
• Lexus and the Olive Tree: Understanding Globalization, Thomas L. Friedman
• The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century, Thomas L. Friedman
• The Pentagon's New Map: War and Peace in the 21st Century, Thomas PM Barnett
• Blueprint for Action: A Future Worth Creating, Thomas PM Barnett

Global "Rule Sets" Coordinating Organizations:

• The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)
• Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs
• National Intelligence Council
  
• Trilateral Commission

Emerging Globalized "Rule Sets": A Grand Strategy Revealed

Online Townhall:

• Open Discussion Forum

Cobra XRS 9960G Review: Cobra Kicks it Up a Notch

Cobra XRS-9960G Alerting to Red-light Camera Photo Enforcement

I've said it before and I'll say it again: these are, indeed, exciting times for the radar detector industry.

And, there have been some important new product categories recently created, including GPS-enabled radar detectors and the possibilities the marriage of these two different technologies create is most enticing. What we have come to expect today in the latest high-tech radar detectors was virtually unimaginable, just several years ago.

For the 2009 driving season, Cobra has released several new GPS-enabled or GPS-capable radar detectors, the Cobra XRS 9960G (and its radar detector only equivalent, the Cobra XRS 9955) and two internal remote equivalents, the Cobra XRS R10G (and its radar detector only equivalent, the Cobra XRS R8).

These new radar detectors come with new GPS modules which are much smaller than the previous model year and provide an elegant updating-via-PC solution for those wishing to keep their Cobra GPS-enabled radar detector's Aura photo enforcement database frequently up to date.

We pitted these new flagship Cobra models against real-world traffic enforcement speed traps where we encountered X-band, K-band, Ka-band, and police laser in addition to a series of red-light camera enforced intersections.



Beyond our real-world performance testing, we examined what it's like to actually live with this new radar detector from Cobra.

We determined, while not quite in the same performance league as higher-end (and higher priced) GPS-enabled radar detectors from Beltronics (Pro GX-65) and Escort (Passport 9500ix), there is still a lot to like about these new Cobras and we expect them to be a success with consumers of Cobra retailers, despite the recent down-turn in our global economy.

Trustworthy Purchasing Souce(s):

• Buy Radar Detectors (Cricket Ventures)

Read how the new XRS-9960G (and its platform related XRS-9955/R10G/R8) faired:

• Cobra XRS 9960G Review

Online discussion of the new XRS-9960G/XRS-R10G at Speed Trap Hunter:

• Cobra XRS-9955/XRS-9960G & Cobra XRS-R8/XRS-R10G Reviewed

Veil Guy

Visit to Escort, Inc to Discuss their Flagship Escort Passport 9500ci

Escort Passport 9500ci Installation Review

Examining our Escort Passport 9500ci Installation with Escort, Inc.

In early February 2009, my wife and I speed trap hunted to West Chester, Ohio—a suburb of Cincinnati—to meet with the manufacturer of the benchmark-setting remote Escort Passport 9500ci, nearly a year after I had one of the very first available Escort Passport 9500ci models installed in my personal BMW Dinan 5 series sports-sedan, which also had a fresh application of Veil G4 on its headlights and foglights.

To refer to the Escort Passport 9500ci as simply a remote radar detector, is to not do the unit justice, as the Passport 9500ci not only detects both police radar and police laser, but also alerts to the locations of red-light and speed camera photo enforcement while also being capable of effectively jamming police laser from both the front and the rear. (Escort refers to this latter function as "laser shifting").

During our visit to Escort, the greater Cincinnati area got quite a snow storm which managed to dump about eight inches of the white stuff on the surrounding area and created a helluva mess on the roads as Cincinnati was completely unprepared for it (even the local news missed the severity in their forecast of the storm).

Fortunately for us, we spent most of our time staying warm and indoors at the Escort facility in which Lisa and I were treated to a very special day—courtesy of the fine folks at Escort, Inc.

We both had an opportunity to meet with some of the developers and lead engineers of the Passport 9500ci and had them personally confirm the integrity of our professional installation, which was originally performed by World-Wide Stereo, a high-end custom automotive electronics installer/retailer located in my area of residence in Pennsylvania.

Lisa and I would like to express a heartfelt thanks to everyone at Escort who shared a day with us that we both won't soon forget!

Where to purchase:

Escort 9500ci Remote Installed Detector

Further Reading:

• Introduction: Escort 9500ci Remote
• Video: Escort 9500ci Installation
• Online Discussion: Escort 9500ci Post-Installation Review by Escort
  

Lisa & Bob

Escort C65: A High Performance Radar Detector for the Masses

Escort C65 looks like a black-version of the Beltronics RX65

Escort C65: A High Performance Radar Detector for the [Shopping] Masses

If ever there was an argument to be made about a product being produced by the "Belscort" company, the new $349 Escort C65, is it.

The Escort C65 is a radar detector designed specifically for shopping at "club wholesalers" such as BJ's Wholesale Club, Costco, and Sam's Club. Escort has no current plans to provide the C65 through other retail/Internet sales channels (although the Escort C65 does appear on their own corporate website and could conceivably appear on these mass retailers' websites).

For those already familiar with the Beltronics line of radar detectors, you'll immediately recognize that the Escort C65 appears very similar to a Beltronics Pro RX65, only its case is black.

The Escort 65 is essentially a hybrid product of both Beltronics and Escort and is expected to provide performance levels similar to both companies' (now considered) mid-range (priced) level of radar detectors, such as the Escort Passport 8500 X50, Beltronics Vector 995, or Beltronics Pro RX65. All of course are very good.

The current top-windshield-mount models are the Beltronics GX65, Beltronics STi Driver, and Escort Passport 9500ix.

It appears to me that by creating another model that doesn't include the name Passport in it, Escort is attempting to minimize [Passport] brand-erosion, while at the same time creating another sales distribution conduit for their [Escort-named] products (like Beltronics' Vector versus Beltronics Professional series), perhaps in the wake of Circuit City's recently declared bankruptcy (a large national Beltronics retailer).

I may be wrong, but it feels as though that could be a challenging task as the naming and appearance of the Escort C65 may confuse the consumer with Escort's or Beltronics' premium name-brands or may tend to blur the distinctions between each brand identity.

Perhaps it would have been better to refer to this new radar detector as a Cincinnati Microwave C65 by Escort, instead of an Escort C65.

I suspect Escort will rely on a sophisticated POP (point-of-purchase) display piece to convey the benefits/distinguishing characteristics of their new Escort 65 model as compared to other retail-packaged consumer-level radar detectors available at generalized large chain retailers.

I can only imagine some of the dialog one may hear at the electronics department of one of these stores. Perhaps it would go something like this:

Would-be consumer: Can the Escort C65 detect all 15 bands?

Wholesale club salesperson: Ah, I dunno...What's it say on the box?

Will such mass retailers adhere to an established MAP? What happens to "overstocks" if and when they should occur? What impact could a precipitous price drop or "blow-out" sale (by an otherwise unsuccessful mass-retailer) have on the overall lines of either Beltronics Professional or Escort Passport premium brands or their long-established specialized dealer networks?

Whether or not the Escort C65's launch will be successful for the long-term may largely depend on how well the these organizations understand such a product.

Radar detectors, especially higher-end models like the Escort C65, are very specialized versions of consumer electronics and consequently require a high-level of knowledge to sell effectively, best provided by specialized retailers, especially those models at a price point of the Escort C65 or beyond.

At this point, this particular Escort feels like it's more tactically than strategically positioned (and something that may have ultimately been better suited by the long-established and very fine Beltronics Vector series).

Online discussion:

Escort C65: A Radar Detector for the Shopping Masses

Veil Guy

MPH Ranger EZ: Ranging Directional Police Traffic Radar for the 21st Century

MPH Ranger EZ: Ranging Directional Police Traffic Radar for the 21st Century

It appears that the future of police radar traffic enforcement has finally arrived with the MPH Ranger® EZ, the first police traffic radar speed measurement device capable of simultaneously measuring both the speeds of and ranges to other vehicles on the roadways.

Although the technology has been around for a long time and I have heard over the years that police traffic radar manufacturers had been potentially developing radiolocation technology for traffic radar enforcement purposes, MPH is the first to successfully bring the technology to market and at a price point that is competitive with other manufacturers' traditional top-of-the-line police radar models.

Announced at the San Diego IACP Conference in November 2008, the MPH Ranger EZ is the first traffic radar that is capable of providing four key measurements simultaneously: speed and distance of the strongest target and speed and distance of the fastest target in either the opposite or same direction of travel.

The MPH Ranger EZ has been designed to overcome a long-standing "limitation" to police radar traffic enforcement and speed measurement—one that has since been effectively addressed by another traffic enforcement technology, police lidar. That limitation was the lack of an ability fo traffic radar to accurately identify the vehicle(s) responsible for the speed reading(s) displayed.

With conventional traffic radar on lightly to moderately traveled roads and/or at close range, this really isn't too much of a practical limitation. However, at greater distances and/or with a higher density of traffic, this limitation may be experienced by traffic radar operators as they must carefully visually determine which vehicle(s) are actually responsible for the speed(s) displayed.

In certain targeting scenarios, the radar operator may have to make an "educated guess" and it is possible that in certain special circumstances, the wrong vehicle could be selected by the officer, meaning some hapless individual could potentially and improperly be cited for speeding.

Since operators of police lidar specifically target one vehicle before the trigger-pull, the potential for mis-identification of a speeder with laser is substantially lower at the outset.

Historically, proper training and imposed distance limitations [by the courts] served to mitigate such circumstances, but with the Ranger EZ, MPH now offers a technical solution to this radar targeting dilemma.

And while police laser provides its own compelling solution to speed measurement traffic enforcement (especially during heavier traffic densities), it has two limitations that the MPH Ranger EZ does not:

1. speed measurement with police lidar can only be made from a stationery position.
2. speed measurement with police lidar can only be made one vehicle at a time.

With the MPH Ranger EZ, speed measurement can be made while the patrol vehicle is either stationery or moving, of either either opposite or same direction of traffic, and provides the measurement of multiple vehicles in the radar beam path.

MPH has developed their radiolocating technology (square-wave modulated, circularly polarized CW) to be either used at the ubiquitous and relatively inexpensive to produce K-band frequency (24.05-24.25 Ghz) as well as the wider and more expensive Ka-band (33.4-36.0Ghz) , but pending ultimate FCC approval, the MPH Ranger EZ will initially be available in low power K-band at a nominal frequency of 24.125Ghz, is expected to be readily detectable by radar detectors, and uses conventional doppler shifting to determine speeds as to conform to already approved methods of traffic radar operation.

Retail pricing has been established at $2900 for a dual (front and rear) antennae system—which places in the same field of other top-of-the-line models from Kustom, Stalker, and Decatur. Unlike the Stalker DSR 2X, the Ranger EZ is designed to operate on only the front or rear antenna one at a time, but not both and should therefore be a bit easier to operate effectively.

The effective range of the ranging system has been limited to 1000 yards. Anything beyond those distances will indicate that the officer needs to get closer to the target(s) before obtaining a speed lock which can be used to issue a traffic citation. This was done intentionally to conform to emerging procedural targeting guidelines.

The approximate range to both the strongest and fastest targets is indicated by two light indicators at the lower base of the control module at 100 yards resolution, but resolution can be further increased to just 10 yards with the LED display windows.

A novel safety feature afforded by the ranging ability of the MPH Ranger EZ is Officer Safety Alert™.

During a traffic stop the officer can set the unit to alert to rapidly approaching vehicles in close proximity that fail to adhere to the "Move Over, Slow Down" laws or guidelines.

If an approaching vehicle exceeds distance and speed thresholds preset by the officer, the Ranger EZ will alert with a loud and distinctive signal through the patrol vehicle's external speaker system. This feature alone can help ensure that an officer would be less susceptible to injury or death during a routine traffic stop due to inattentive driving of passing vehicles.

I suspect this feature alone could be worth the price of admission for departments wishing to ensure the safety of their traffic patrol force, during any type of traffic or emergency assistance stops, in a world where driver distraction and inattentiveness rates are at their all time high.

This novel feature may potentially serve a role at enhancing traffic safety at highway construction sites, school zones, school buses, busy redlight-controlled intersections , toll-booths, and pedestrian crosswalks—incorporated into radar drones.

The ranging and officer safety enhancing features of the Ranger EZ appear to be a much more practical and compelling alternative to the growing popularity of police laser than MPH's POP™-enabled traffic radar units at bringing traffic radar enforcement into the 21st century.

Further reading including technical specifications of the MPH Ranger EZ can be found at the following:

MPH Ranger EZ: Ranging Directional Traffic Radar [pdf]

MPH Industries can be contacted at (888) 689-9222 and online at: mphindustries.com

Online Discussion:

MPH Ranger EZ: Ranging Directional Traffic Radar Enforcement for the 21st Century Police Department

Veil Guy

X-band Police Traffic Radar: Reports of its Demise, Greatly Exaggerated

MPH K-55 X-band Police Radar Unit (Photo Taken: 01 Jan 09)

MPH K-55, MPH Python II®, MPH Python III® X Band Radar Units in Service with Police and Traffic Enforcement

I recently received an email question from a reader of my blog asking me whether or not it was safe to turn off X-band detection in a radar detector since X-band radar was 'not being used any more' and since it only serves to make a radar detector 'false' more frequently.

Surprised at the certainty of the sender's statement that X-band police radar was no longer being used, I responded with a question of my own: What leads you to believe that X-band radar is no longer being used?

The response I received referred me to a page found at SpeedZones, specifically what was written in the summary section at the bottom of the page:

The last state to use X band radar guns was New Jersey. They took them out of service. Fifty of the fifty states use K or Ka band radar guns with forty-one (41) states standardizing on Ka band at the following frequencies: 33.8 GHz, 34.7 GHz, 35.5 GHz. The predominant frequency is 34.7 GHz. With 99.99% accuracy you will not encounter X band radar guns in the United States or Canada. Of the four American makers of radar guns, no one makes X band anymore.

Needless to say, I was surprised to be reading such authoritative commentary, especially since I frequently encounter X-band traffic radar while traveling through my neighboring state of New Jersey—the latest encounter ocurring just several weeks ago on NJ Highway 42 just north of the Atlantic City Expressway.

In fact during my last visit to Ohio, I too had encountered X-band on I-70 East of Columbus. I have also encountered X-band radar in other Southern states such as North Carolina and Mississippi during my participation in the FireBall Run cross-country rally, last year.

In each of these encounters, had X-band been disabled on any of my radar detectors, I would have potentially been subject to an unexpected and unpleasant traffic stop.

Just in case I had missed a recent development in New Jersey, I decided to spend a part of my New Year's day off by taking a quick trip up to Warren County (located in northwest NJ) and a NJ State Trooper barracks located close to I-78 to see for myself what the absolute current status of X-band usage was in the state of New Jersey.

This is what I found:

Of the 10 NJ state patrol vehicles parked (one with its engine running), 60% (six of 10) had radar units mounted inside, 100% (six out of six) of these units were MPH K55 X-band traffic radar units.

It seems that reports of X-band's demise have been greatly exaggerated.

MPH K55 X band Police Traffic Radar Unit (Photo Taken: 01 Jan 09)

A subsequent discussion with a senior on-duty state trooper confirmed what I already believed: that while police laser (lidar) offers distinct advantages to troopers monitoring speeds on heavily traveled highways and interstates, such as the adjacent I-78, MPH K-55 X band radar units still have a place for moving patrol vehicles especially on secondary highways and roads throughout New Jersey, particularly, given their faithful and reliable multi-decade record of service.

To be sure, Ka-band traffic radar is steadily making in-roads into New Jersey, especially with local municipalities (such as Hamilton County's Hammonton Twp. patrol vehicles), as is police laser (lidar).

But, it has only been recently that the New Jersey State Police have begun giving consideration to Ka-band as a reliable alternative to the tried-and-tested MPH K-55 X-band police radar unit.

In 2007 a test was undertaken, at the cost of $53,000, to determine the scientific reliability (and subsequent court admissibility) of Ka-band usage as a means of speed measurement and enforcement under varying weather conditions (Affect of Weather on the Performance of Ka-band Traffic Radar).

Perhaps one day X-band traffic radar will no longer be seen in states like New Jersey (and Ohio), but that day has not yet come and I was reminded by MPH Industries that X-band radar is still specified on the IACP's CPL and that there are plenty of MPH K-55, MPH Python II® and MPH Python III® X-band radars in service as of today.

MPH K55 X-band Radar Unit (Photo Taken: 01 Jan 09)

Upon further examination of the SpeedZone's summary paragraph, there appears to be more factual errors:

Inaccurate Statement #1: The last state to use X band radar guns was New Jersey.

Factually Correct Statement: as of 1 January 2009, New Jersey still deploys X-band radar. X-band which can also be found—in varying degree—in Ohio, North Carolina, Mississippi, Quebec among others.

Inaccurate Statement #2: They [New jersey] took them out of service.

Factually Correct Statement: Based-upon my empirical observations, this statement is 100% wrong.

Inaccurate Statement #3: Fifty of the fifty states use K or Ka band radar guns...

Factually Correct Statement: See #1

Inaccurate Statement #3: With 99.99% accuracy you will not encounter X band radar guns in the United States or Canada.

Factually Correct Statement: Based-upon my empirical observations, this statement is 100% wrong.

Inaccurate Statement #4: Of the four American makers of radar guns, no one makes X band anymore.

Factually Correct Statement: MPH continues to produce and offer X-band police radar with their latest MPH Python III®.

I am surprised to see that of the six sentences making up the first paragraph of SpeedZones' summary, that five of them are patently inaccurate.

I have a lot respect for what Speed Measurement Labs has done over the years, but in response to the question posed to me by my blog reader, I felt compelled to set the record straight for his benefit (and others who may be pondering the same question: whether or not to outright disable X band radar reception on their radar detector).

I am afraid that it is this kind of assertive thinking which may be contributing to the continued de-emphasis of X-band reception by the radar detector manufacturers with the majority of windshield-mount radar detectors (with some notable exceptions such as the Beltronics STi Driver and the Valentine 1).

By de-emphasizing X-band radar (and even K-band radar to some extent) sensitivity, certain radar detectors can simply and inexpensively be made "quieter" and less-prone to "falsing" (because they are less sensitive or slower to respond) as opposed to utilizing more advanced (and more expensive) filtering techniques, while maintaining higher degrees of sensitivity and quickness, such as the Auto Sensitivity modes of Beltronics and Escort—provided on certain of their high-end GPS-enabled radar detectors like the Beltronics GX65, Escort 9500ci, Escort 9500i, and Escort 9500ix models—which provide real-time variable sensitivity based upon actual vehicle speed and/or the ability to permanently lock-out known stationery locations of X band (and K band) falses.

There is one police radar band that I would certainly recommend leaving off—particularly if you drive throughout North America. That band is Ku radar.

Several years ago, around the time that Cobra was pronouncing their ability to detect 12 bands (Ku-band being one of them), there was a "claim" (also by SpeedZones) that Ku band was on its way to the U.S. (I even blogged this some years ago).

As it turned out Ku-band never did materialize even though [some of] the other radar detector manufacturers re-engineered several of their flagship radar detector models (at a not inconsequential expense) to play "catch-up" (if only in appearance) with Cobra's marketing-claim of the day.

Now Ku-band is a radar band that hasn't been produced for many years and I suspect that the number of Ku-band police radar units still in use today (throughout the entire world) is fewer than the number of X-band units currently operating in the state of New Jersey, alone. Furthermore, Ku band radar nor any police radar equipment operating with Ku-band doesn't appear on the IACP CPL of approved speed measurement devices.

To be clear: yes, as a percentage of overall radar encounters, X-band traffic radar will likely be small number (that is if you don't routinely drive in a state like New Jersey or Ohio), but I would strongly recommend that one be absolutely certain as to what forms of police radar are being used along one's individual driving route before disabling any one them completely.

As a driver who actually does use radar detectors to enhance driving safety, the last thing I would want another fellow radar detector user to do is disable reception to a band that could potentially prove hazardous to one's motor-vehicle abstract.

Happy New Year and Safe Motoring!

Veil Guy

Cobra XRS R10G, R8 & Cobra XRS 9960G, XRS 9955 GPS-Enabled Radar Detectors

Cobra XRS 9960G & Cobra XRS R10G

Cobra XRS R10G/Cobra XRS R8 & Cobra XRS 9960G/Cobra XRS 9955 New GPS-Enabled Radar Detectors

Update: 08 MAR 09

Our Full Review: Cobra XRS-9960G Review

It's clear to me that GPS-enabled radar detectors—able to alert to the presence of nefarious speed cameras and red light cameras—are here to stay and Cobra certainly gets this as evidenced by their introduction of new gps-enabled radar detectors, including the Cobra XRS R10G and Cobra XRS 9960G.

For 2009, Cobra will continue following the lead established by Escort (two years ago with the Passport 9500i) with the introduction of newer, smaller, and more capable GPS-enabled radar detectors than previous Cobras, including their new flagship Cobra XRS R10G and Cobra XRS 9960G.

These new detectors, like the Cobra XRS 9960G ($389) and Cobra XRS R10G ($469), will feature Cobra's proprietary and extensive Aura^™ photo enforcement (red light camera & speed camera) database covering the United States, Canada, and Europe with claimed 100% verification of fixed speed cameras, red light cameras, known speed trap locations, and dangerous intersections.

The accretive Aura Camera and Driving Hazard database is the latest incarnation of the former U.K. company Performance Products Limited's technology—whose highly regarded Snooper^® European GPS models were equipped with the enigma database—which was acquired by Cobra in 2006.

Like other gps-enabled detectors offered which utilize another proprietary and highly regarded Trinity database (Beltronics GX65, Escort Passport 9500ci, Escort Passport 9500ix, Cheetah GPSMirror, Cheetah C100), these new Cobra models promise to provide a much higher level of accuracy and lower false rate as compared to those offered by devices relying on hobbyist provided data, since proper identification and classification of photo enforcement technology really requires trained professionals to do well.

These new GPS detectors will utilize newer, much smaller, and easier to use/update GPS modules that directly connect to the detectors and is a far more elegant solution as compared to the earlier Cobra XRS R7/Cobra XRS R9G and Cobra XRS 9950 models which required a separate cable and windshield-mounting location for their larger external GPS modules.

These smaller GPS modules (RDA GPSL55) offer the convenience of being directly connectible to your PC (via a direct USB port connection) for automated updating (SYNCing) from Cobra's online web portal on as frequent as a daily basis without the need for the entire radar detector to be removed from the vehicle, to do so. (Beltronics and Escort models have their GPS capability built-into the detectors themselves to take up less space on the windshield and are a "cleaner" approach as a result, but require the complete detector to be connected to the PC for updating).

A total of 10 radar detectors will be able to benefit from the incorporation of the Aura camera database: Cobra XRS 979, Cobra XRS 999, Cobra XRS 9845, Cobra XRS 9945, Cobra XRS 9955, Cobra XRS 9990, Cobra XRS 9860G, Cobra XRS 9960G, Cobra XRS R8, and Cobra XRS 10G.

The three Cobra models ending with a G designation, the Cobra XRS 9860G, Cobra XRS 9960G, and the Cobra XRS 10G include the GPS module and come with a lifetime subscription to the Aura camera database at no additional charge, a very nice feature, indeed.

The other seven models, the Cobra XRS 979, Cobra XRS 999, Cobra XRS 9845, Cobra XRS 9945, Cobra XRS 9955, Cobra XRS 9990, and Cobra XRS R8 will require the purchase of the GPS locator which retails for $99.95 and will require an annual subscription fee of $29.95 for continued database updates after the initial 12-month period of free updates, expires.

If you expect the need for GPS detection anytime in your future (you should), then I would recommend the purchase of one of the G designated models as the cost savings, over time, will be signficant.

Cobra's Information-Packed OLED Displays: Industry Class Leaders

Several of these Cobra radar detectors are in a class by themselves when it comes to display panels with the incorporation of the latest advancements in display technology—the OLED—which can be easily configured to suit the color schemes of most vehicles.

I only hope that the high-gloss display (which has been far too reflective)—on the windshield-mounted radar detectors—gives way to a more low-glare surface that will be easier to view in a wider variety of lighting conditions.

Cobra will also join the ranks of Beltronics, Escort, and Whistler with the augmentation of voice alerting into several of their new models.

Getting A Lot Of Things Right

If these new Cobra models continue to show real-world performance improvement with police radar, police laser detection and false-rejection (not an unreasonable expectation considering the somewhat lofty price points) I would expect them to have the potential of being compelling offerings.

In any event:

GPS-enabled radar detectors are the wave of the future.

Frankly, everything else is beginning to feel outmoded.

Happy and Safe Motoring!

Trustworthy Purchasing Source:

• XRS 9960g at BuyRadarDetectors

Related Discussion:

• Cobra XRS R10G, Cobra XRS R8 & Cobra XRS 9960G, Cobra XRS 9955 GPS-Enabled Radar Detectors

Veil Guy