Radar detector with iActiveSense?
- Thread starter AllezDada
- Start date
I don't have a '16, but a '15 with SCBC radar, and my V1's radar gets interference. I had to sacrifice it and turn it off. Me personally, I never need it in my area, and if I did get zapped with radar, it would probably be too late anyways(unless someone got zapped ahead).
Thanks for the info - I figured that might be the case.
Mostly Ka here in Maryland. Some K, but not much. Thinking about a Solo 3 just for convenience (nowhere to really hide a hardwired detector). Interesting thought, though, about disabling the K band.
SCBS is actually a laser. So are most police detectors now. In some applications these are referred to as LIDAR. V1 has a laser detector so it would see the bounce off an object, exactly as the SCBS laser sensor does.
Some of the other systems do use radar for more afar monitoring, like blind spots and the cruise control/forward object warning.
http://www2.mazda.com/en/technology/safety/i-activsense/ explains and, handily, gives the frequencies you can use to check with your detector.
I have installed mine, above the mirror with a custom bent aluminum sheet. No drilling required. Mine is the Redline which has a Magnesium case, not detectable by law enforcement. Not sure if is legal or not in your state to have a detector.
In LA is legal, so no need for special detector.
By reading on detector forums, the conclusion is to get at least an Escort class. The best that you can afford basically. At least the 8500X.
http://www.rdforum.org/showthread.php?t=41593&p=550584#post550584
I can even mirror my phone's Escort app on the Kenwood, that I have installed.
In LA is legal, so no need for special detector.
By reading on detector forums, the conclusion is to get at least an Escort class. The best that you can afford basically. At least the 8500X.
http://www.rdforum.org/showthread.php?t=41593&p=550584#post550584
I can even mirror my phone's Escort app on the Kenwood, that I have installed.
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Any pics of your install? I have a Redline which I hardwired in my other car; it is hidden behind the tint strip. With the CX-5 I don't have a tint strip (I know I could get one) and I don't know if I have the motivation to hardwire another RD. I know the Solo S3 is not as sensitive, but it sure would be more convenient, especially with two other cars in the family.
I have a Solo 3
I also own a Solo 3 and have not had issues. Mine is also attached via a custom Aluminum Rear view mirror mount. Expensive, but I hate those suction cup things.
If you use a Hard-wire with it, it comes close to an Escort in sensitivity. On Battery is where is loses out! <but still ok> BTW: We are infested with KA, and of late some Laser stuff.
I also own a Solo 3 and have not had issues. Mine is also attached via a custom Aluminum Rear view mirror mount. Expensive, but I hate those suction cup things.
If you use a Hard-wire with it, it comes close to an Escort in sensitivity. On Battery is where is loses out! <but still ok> BTW: We are infested with KA, and of late some Laser stuff.
A radar detector is simply a receiver, it doesn't transmit so is legal to own and use in your car in every state except backwards Virginia. They are also illegal in Washington DC and on military bases.
I have two of these (Escort 8500's) and use them all the time. Very excellent!
There must be some amount of EMF emissions put off for a device like this to pick it up.
http://www.stalkerradar.com/spectreRDD.php
On a side note...I thought I remember reading a C&D article years ago on ways to reduce range that a LIDAR gun could pick you up. Bright headlights on and reducing the reflectivity of the license plate. Of course... that is probably the primary reason for the front plate requirement in our state.
In early 90's a friend had this little black box with a red LED on it that would set off X&K bands on radar detectors. I think he got it out of of the back of Popular Science. It even included a game with a points system base on reaction time to tail lights being activated. I think they got pulled from the market years later or perhaps weren't legal to begin with.
EDIT: IIRC device was called the "Highway Zapper"
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You're right, that is what I meant, thanks for the correction, it was a late night [emoji16] My SCBS laser interferes with my V1's laser (LIDAR). No police have laser in my area, only K or KA (Podunk USA)
I don't have pictures with the install.
I have picked that aluminum piece, drilled and tapped the two holes and with trial and error I have bent it into the shape in the picture.
The aluminum piece is pushed in between the top of the car and the bracket that holds the sun glass holder. It stays very sturdy this way.
I have a small sponge, between the windshield and this aluminum bracket. Otherwise, it would touch metal on glass.
It's not hard, to hard wire it at all.
I have picked that aluminum piece, drilled and tapped the two holes and with trial and error I have bent it into the shape in the picture.
The aluminum piece is pushed in between the top of the car and the bracket that holds the sun glass holder. It stays very sturdy this way.
I have a small sponge, between the windshield and this aluminum bracket. Otherwise, it would touch metal on glass.
It's not hard, to hard wire it at all.
There must be some amount of EMF emissions put off for a device like this to pick it up.
http://www.stalkerradar.com/spectreRDD.php
On a side note...I thought I remember reading a C&D article years ago on ways to reduce range that a LIDAR gun could pick you up. Bright headlights on and reducing the reflectivity of the license plate. Of course... that is probably the primary reason for the front plate requirement in our state.
In early 90's a friend had this little black box with a red LED on it that would set off X&K bands on radar detectors. I think he got it out of of the back of Popular Science. It even included a game with a points system base on reaction time to tail lights being activated. I think they got pulled from the market years later or perhaps weren't legal to begin with.
EDIT: IIRC device was called the "Highway Zapper"
I used to work with an older guy who had a background in defense/radar electronics. He hated police radar guns, so had a story of creating a system for a van that would detect the radar gun and then by using a large bank of capacitors and batteries immediately emit the same frequency from behind the front grill, but at a vastly higher power. The radar guns of the day had a simple amplifier circuit to measure the return signal and this would cause them to malfunction or even burn out completely. This is of course totally illegal now...
Just tried out my Escort Solo S3 - no problems with K band interference, but Laser detection gets set off periodically so I've turned that off; I guess by the time you detect laser they've got you anyway. The S3 is definitely not nearly as sensitive as my Redline (I have to get a lot closer to my local Bestbuy's automatic doors to set it off), so I'll have to see if it's 'sensitive enough'.
Yes. all digital electronics emit a small amount of EMF but as long as it complies with FCC limits they are not licensed and regulated as transmitters.
