Mobile Radar Vans

[TonyPHX]

Hello All,

I have been very happy with my 9500ci and have found it to be the best radar detector I have ever purchased. One area of concern I have though is the very short warning I get when approaching a mobile radar van here in the Phoenix area.

The radar trucks I am told shoot off-axis or horizontally across the road and apparently use very low power K-band. Bottom line, I do not get ample time to slow down and the unit alerts only when I am right on top of it.

Is there anything I can do to improve my detection range for this circumstance?

[EscortRadar]

Depending on your speed where the photo radar vans are typically located, being in "Highway" mode may increase range. While in the "Auto" modes speed sensitivity will reduce your detection range of X and K radar when traveling below 50MPH

Be sure that your radar receiver is totally unobstructed for the greatest possible detection range.

Vertically mounting the radar receiver (putting it on it's side but with it still aimed forward) may increase the range against these mobile photo radars but it will also negatively impact normal radar detection. If your primary threat is photo radar vans then mounting the receiver vertically may be worthwhile.

Importantly, as with any change to your system, be sure to see how the changes you make effect detection behavior before relying on it.

[Nine_c1]

Hello Tony in Phoenix!

EscortRadar already gave you the best advice concerning your 9500ci against the RedFlex mobile radar vans. Here is some additional info on the RedFlex units and Polarization in case you didn't see it down in the General section.

http://escortradarforum.com/forums/s...96&postcount=1

http://escortradarforum.com/forums/s...07&postcount=1

The sad fact is that you cannot have it both ways while running just (1) Radar detector. If you maximize your 9500ci to pick up these radar vans by rotating your antenna, your detection to standard mobile radar units will definitely suffer.

The good news is that the M3 in the 9500ci, STi-R and RedLine seem to be about the best RD's at picking up the AGD340 K-Band Radar used in the RedFlex system. The STi-r might have some advantage over the other two due to the Band Segmentation and RDR features.

One possible way to increase detection range with the 9500ci (without changing the orientation of your antenna) is even more drastic. Turn off Ka Band! This is an even worse solution than rotating your antenna, but it will give you an idea of the possible benefit of having Band Segementation on the 9500ci against these RedFlex systems. With less bandwidth to scan, your 9500ci will spend more time looking at K-Band which effectively juices up the sensitivity on this band. Give it a shot if you run into one of these units and compare the difference with Ka Band detection on vs. off.

Until Escort puts features like Band Segmentation and RDR on all their M3 products, the only viable way of improving detection range against the RedFlex is to run a 2nd detector vertically. At least your 9500ci is known for playing nice with a windshield mount running at the same time.

[TonyPHX]

Thank you's to both of you for the advice and information!! I may get a Redline just for the windshield.

Tony

[Nine_c1]

Originally Posted by TonyPHX

Thank you's to both of you for the advice and information!! I may get a Redline just for the windshield.

Tony

That would give you one heck of a combination and your best defense against the RedFlex.

The other great thing is you'll have an M3 that is portable if you switch cars or rent a vehicle.