Spectre IV US Distributor Stalker Elects to Misinform Law Enforcement about its Radar Detector Detectors (RDDs)

UPDATED: 05 Aug 08

A friend of mine from down under (who apparently was the catalyst behind the recent story about the Spectre IV RDD not being able to detect certain radar detectors) has informed me that the US Distributor (Stalker) for the Spectre IV and Spectre IV+ radar detector detectors (RDDs) has decided (likely under "external" pressure) to revise their product information page about the new Spectre IV series of RDDs and remove an acknowledgement that their latest and greatest RDD, the Spectre IV can detect 'all but two' radar detectors (actually it's three/four), the Beltronics STi Driver, its sibling abroad,: the Beltronics STi XR, the Beltronics STi-R, and the Escort Passport 9500ci. Futhermore, the Whistler XTR-695 and Escort Passport 9500i/Escort Passport 9500ix, as well as a number of other radar detectors, also appear to do very well against the Spectre in one particular test: Spectre IV vs. Radar Detectors.

(Note: Craig's test results were apparently based-upon a early Spectre IV model that was directly received from Stealth Micro Systems and may not be representative of other retail purchased Spectre IV RDDs currently available to traffic enforcement.

According to Speed Measurement Labs most recent Spectre vs Radar Detectors tests, conducted June, 2008, it appears that most (with the exception of Cobra) of the major "conventional" radar detector manufacturers: Beltronics, Escort, Valentine, and Whistler have made further strides against the Spectre IV as well, with certain tested radar detector models not exceeding an initial approaching detection range of fewer than 400 feet!—results of which to be posted soon at Speed Measurement Labs' official test website. It appears that both Beltronics and Escort are applying some of what they have learned/achieved with their fully immune-radar detectors to their other product lines, which is a very good thing, indeed! And Whistler and Valentine have apparently been busy, as well.)

What possible benefit can come from intentionally misleading law-enforcement about the [lack of] effectiveness of the Spectre III/Spectre IV radar detector detectors (other than, of course, short-term profiteering for its investors)?

The only "benefits" that I can see is that its likely an indication that Beltronics and Escort have actually won the radar detector detector versus radar detector battle once and for all and that this is a sign of weakness (and ultimate vanquishing) of a long-time nemesis to our industry.

The other "benefit" is, if the US distributor for Spectre wishes to now perpetuate a falsehood about their products' effectiveness to law-enforcement, then we drivers who operate these undetectable radar detectors should be further immune (from undue attention from traffic enforcement—since they can't and don't even exist!).

Either way, it certainly appears that the blokes from down-under have been vanquished by the ingenuity of U.S. engineering!

It's likely only a matter of time before the legendary Valentine One goes stealth, itself, as I have actually used one (a specially modified RDD-immune V1) several years ago while I was tooling around the West at very high speeds in a black Dodge Viper (see pics on right-column) with my same friend from down-under!

UPDATE: 05 Aug 08

It appears that Stealth Micro Systems is now aware of this situation and may attempt corrective action...


References:

• Original Spectre IV Information Page
• Newly Revised Spectre IV Information Page

Related:

Beltronics STi-R, Escort Passport 9500ci, and Beltronics STi XR Score Big Against Spectre IV RDDs Down Under

Veil Guy

Spectre RDD ™ Mk IV and Spectre RDD ™ Mk IV + Radar Detector Detectors

New Spectre RDD ™ Mk IV and Spectre RDD ™Mk IV + Radar Detector Detectors produced by Australian-based Stealth Microsystems Pty Ltd.

The Spectre RDD (radar detector detector) is a highly specialized, very sophisticated, and high performance RF receiver tuned specifically to detect the usage of proximate radar detectors.

The Spectre RDD listens for the faint microwave [LO] emissions generated by all conventional [superheterodyne] radar detectors* and audibly and visually alerts when such a radar detector is operating nearby.

According to Stealth Microsystems Pty Ltd:

The Spectre IV and Spectre IV + are identical, but the later model is optimized for use by Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE) units in regions where radar detectors are legal for passenger vehicles.

Inexpensive, poorly designed radar detectors are commonly encountered in these areas. Many have poorly shielded local oscillators- the component used to generate a reference signal- and emit a powerful signal. The Spectres' extreme sensitivity enables it to detect such radar detectors at very long range, often one mile or more. This can lead to frequent, long duration alerts, often at ranges where positive target identification is impossible to establish.

More expensive radar detectors typically are better engineered and have lower emissions, making them more difficult to detect. The Spectre IV + is designed to automatically reduce detection range when encountering cheap, high polluting detectors. Yet it accomplishes this with out affecting its ability to detect the higher end, low polluting models.

Another attribute of the Mk IV and IV + is its enhanced ability to limit false alerts caused by the microwave signals common to urban areas. These include microwave automatic door sensors, intrusion alarms and other devices operating on the same frequencies occupied by radar detector local oscillators.

Long-established authority on speed-measuring technology and tactics, Craig Peterson has been kind enough to share his exclusive test results (with permission from Stealth Microsystems) of both the Spectre RDD Mk IV and Spectre RDD Mk IV + versus a spectrum of current radar detector models exclusively on Speed Trap Hunter for your reading pleasure. Up until now, these results were closely held.

I would like to express a hearfelt thanks to both Stealth Microsystems and Craig Peterson** for making this information available to us:

Spectre RDD Mk IV, Spectre Mk IV + versus late-model radar detectors

Related Reading:

Spectre IV US Distributor Stalker Elects to Misinform Law Enforcement about its Radar Detector Detectors (RDDs)

Veil Guy

*Note: Both Beltronics and Escort are currently producing radar detectors which have demonstrated to be undetectable by all radar detector detectors. These high-end models currently include the Beltronics STi Driver and the soon to be released flagship models of both companies, the Escort Passport 9500ci and the Beltronics STi-R remote radar detectors. While not technically a "stealth," The Escort Passport 9500i (windshield mount) radar detector is also very hard to detect for the Spectre RDDs.

**Among Craig's many talents, he has authored several books including his latest and most informative: Driver's Guide to Police Radar.