Detector in Glove Box?

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If you guys will just wrap aluminum foil around your wheel spokes, it will defeat the radar, and you won't need detectors. <_<
Trust me....

B)
Aluminum foil won't work - use crystals.

Magnets maybe. Anyone who has taken basic physics can describe the electrical field generated by spinning magnets (remember the right-hand-rule). That might throw off the radar, although it might also make you nauseous and cause cancer.

 
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Magnets maybe. Anyone who has taken basic physics can describe the electrical field generated by spinning magnets (remember the right-hand-rule). That might throw off the radar, although it might also make you nauseous and cause cancer.
Yeah, you'd definitely be nauseous, but it might actually cure your cancer.

To generate a signal in the Ka radar band (26.5 - 40 Ghz.), you'd need to rotate the magnet on the wheel at a minimum of 26.5 billion times per second. With a nominal FJR tire having a circumference of ~74.2", that translates to traveling at 163.9 billion ft./second or 111.8 billion mph. To put this in perspective, this would be roughly 166 times the speed of light, so yeah... you might get just a bit queasy. ;)

 
... To put this in perspective, this would be roughly 166 times the speed of light, so yeah... you might get just a bit queasy. ;)
But you'd arrive before you left, so you'd have a very good alibi.

 
... To put this in perspective, this would be roughly 166 times the speed of light, so yeah... you might get just a bit queasy. ;)
But you'd arrive before you left, so you'd have a very good alibi.
Yes, but that would be proof in and of itself of speeding...and a whopping fine. Warp 166 is definitely going to be a revenue generator. And maybe jailtime.

You do that...you better get the detector...or the aluminum foil.

:)

 
Topic update: I tested the 8500 in the glovebox vs. mounted above the front brake lever on a power plate against a fixed "K" band radar speed sign, difference: None. (might be some variance in the state of Indiana though..) I tested both front and rear detection with multiple passes and the detector caught the K band from the same distance with both mounting locations. I'm now looking for a LEO with a Ka gun and a sense of humor to test out the two mounting locations with that band, but from what I've read there is no difference in the two bands only a different freqs. https://www.copradar.com/preview/xappA/xappA.html If anyone has any details on the difference in penetration capabilities between K vs. Ka bands, post up please. Will report back with the Ka band testing, but I'm guessing it won't have much of a difference. Now... if I can find a LIDAR gun to borrow.
8500 X50 w/ H.A.R.D. transmitter in Gen I glovebox.

RDingloveboxinstall014.jpg
Topic Update 5/11/10

Update: Short answer - it works great!

Long answer - A helpful local LEO got his LIDAR and RADAR guns out yesterday to help test my glove box mounted RD theory. We started out in a pouring rain, rode around until we found a straight stretch of road (no rain finally) and set up shop. A two-lane road was used with over a mile of unrestricted visibility with the far end climbing up about a 5% grade that rolls off the other side out of the line of sight.

LIDAR - I rode away from the LIDAR gun with my Escort 8500 X50 on a RAM PowerPlate mounted in the RH mirror mount pointing forward through the windscreen. I did not pick up any LASER alert while riding away from the gun as my body was blocking the rear facing port on the X50. I did receive a LASER alert while riding toward the LIDAR gun at up to a mile away. Interesting enough, the LEO could not get an accurate read on my speed until I was 322' away, which at about twice the distance I was able to see him clearly. He mentioned that conditions were ideal as I was approaching him on a downhill slope with a bit more area presented vs. on a flat road, but he still couldn't get a good read on me until very close. There is speculation that a large flat upright windscreen might help the LIDAR target more easily from the front, but we didn't get to test that theory as we had to finish before the rain started up again. He told me that motorcycles are very difficult to get a reading on when headed toward the LIDAR gun. However, when heading away from the gun, the reflective material on the back of my Stitch', along with the lic plate and reflective material on my bags was used as a target and it was much easier to get a read on the LIDAR gun from a much farther distance.

Radar - a Ka band RADAR gun was used with the X50 still mounted on the Power Plate which gave me Ka alerts both approaching and departing the LEO, as usual up the entire measured mile we were using.

X50 mounted inside the glove box results

LIDAR - No alerts from X50 (as expected)

Ka band RADAR - Alerts from both ahead and behind, no difference between the glove box vs. the Power Plate mounting.

Conclusions -

Ka band - alerts being the same and consistent with the exposed mount lead me to believe there is no advantage to keeping the RD out in the open.

LIDAR - being difficult to target a bike head on, IMHO reduces the chances that I'll miss an alert (by having the RD in the glove box, therefore no LIDAR alerts) any sooner than I'd (hopefully) see the LEO. Also, the use of a smaller windscreen, kept in the down position might help make a smaller target. As mentioned above, I did receive a LIDAR alert with the Power Plate mount at a mile away, but I was being targeted specifically (no errant shots from trying to target other vehicles) and the “money shot” was obtained well after I saw (or should see) the LEO.

The only other issue would be heat build up inside the glove box as others had mentioned previously in this thread. I'm of the opinion that a RD out in the direct sunlight may get about as hot as being in a closed up box in the shade. I realize heat is transmitted into the box, but plan on using a digital temp probe to test this aspect when temps are in the 90s. Stay tuned!

 
I've been following your thread as I would love to get my RD (Escort Passport, same as yours) out of the weather and away from prying eyes. But one piece of your latest test makes me think that there is still a small advantage to having the RD up in the open on the powerplate.

You said that you got LIDAR warning pretty long before the gun was able to report a speed. This has happened to me in the past, where I got a Laser alert and then saw the cop in the median ahead shooting traffic. I was in the fast lane and doing well over the speed limit (20 over at least) at the time but was able to slow down and didn't get the performance award. I chalked it up to good karma, but your explanation that it is hard to target an oncoming bike fits that scenario perfectly.

Since the LIDAR unit has to be stationary, the biggest likelihood is that you would be riding toward the unit and being targeted from ahead. To target your back side, you would have already had to ride past the stationary unit. This seems to be the biggest positive testimony for Laser detectors on a bike ever.

 
Anyone tried using their Escort 8500 X50 wired to work inside their glovebox? I tried mine tonight and it fits just great with just enough room for my H.A.R.D. transmitter as well. Pretty well shoots the glove box for anything else, but if it worked in there, I'd gladly trade off that space to keep my RD somewhat more secure and dry. I've read of others mounting their RD behind fairings and such so I'd think it would work ok in there. Anybody tried this yet and if so, was the sensitivity affected? I'm going to have to find one of those roadside radar signs to test both handlebar and glovebox mounting for comparison, but if someone has already done this homework, please share.Thanks much.
I installed my 9500ix on a dash shelf using a RAM magnetic plate mount. It is completely out of the weather under the windscreen, although might get damp in a heavy rain, in which case I'd put it away or in a zip-lock baggie. In your glove box will most likely make it ineffective against laser.

I also mounted a slightly modified Marc Parnes Visual Alert on the suction-cup mount with a polyethylene diffuser infront of the LEDs to make them more visible from an angle. One of these days I'll take the VA apart to see what makes it tick.

Here's a pic of the VisualAlert with diffuser (needs the plug changed to a right angle):

escort9500ix.jpg


 
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