How to choose a radar detector for a car

How to choose and what to pay attention to?

When choosing a radar detector, it is important to consider not only its cost, but also the following points::

• equipment - the basic package includes the device itself, a mount, a charging cord and a USB cable for updating software via a computer; some models have a connector on the wire for charging a phone or DVR;
• sound notifications - not all models provide for adjusting the sound volume and turning it off, the notification can be in a male or female voice, the phrase is short or long;
• screen - in some models you can adjust the brightness of the screen, in more advanced devices there is automatic brightness correction, like smartphones;
• frequency range - modern devices support all necessary frequencies, from 10475 MHz to 36000 MHz.

Comparison table: Top 5 radar detectors

ModelBest featuresRangesRadar detectionGPS, stationary base. radarsPrice from (RUB):

SilverStone F1 Monaco GS

The device has a built-in GPS module, which notifies you when you approach the speed control system..

The device operates in the frequency ranges K, Ka, Ku and X. There are modes for the city and highway, as well as adjustment of screen brightness and sound volume.

The device is installed on the screen using a suction cup.

The permissible temperature for the radar detector to operate is from -20 °C to 70 °C.

Characteristics:

• frequencies - 10475-36000 MHz;
• laser radiation detector - 800-1100 nm;
• modes - 3;
• operating temperature - -20 - 70 °C;
• current consumption - 225 mA;
• weight - 121 g.

pros

• low price;
• high-quality assembly;
• excellent radar database;
• Advanced settings.

Minuses

• false alarm in route mode;
• It is awkward to attach and difficult to remove.

SilverStone F1 Monza GS

The radar detector is made of durable materials, therefore it is resistant to deformation and damage.

Retains its original properties even during long-term and intensive use.

It is lightweight and easy to use. Supports K, Ka, Ku and X frequency bands.

A laser detector is provided for 800-1100 nm . The user has access to settings, including the sound alert volume level and screen brightness.

The device can operate in energy saving mode.

Characteristics:

• frequencies - 10475-36000 MHz;
• laser radiation detector - 800-1100 nm;
• modes - 3;
• operating temperature - -20 - 70 °C;
• current consumption - 225 mA;
• size - 68x101x28 mm;
• weight - 121 g.

pros

• budget price;
• excellent selection of modes;
• timely signaling of danger;
• sees all radars and cameras.

Minuses

• false alarms in the city in Smart mode;
• short power cord.

Neoline X-COP 8700s

The model operates in the K, Ka bands and receives radar pulses with a laser wavelength of 800-1100 nm.

Due to this, the device is excellent for city roads and highways. The model is equipped with a 2.8-inch color LCD display.

The device can operate at temperatures from -10 to +60 degrees Celsius.

Equipped with a built-in video recorder for shooting in Full HD, including night mode.

Supports installation of a microSD card up to 64 GB. Motion Control technology has been implemented for control using gestures.

Characteristics:

• frequencies - 24050-36000 MHz;
• laser radiation detector - 800-1100 nm;
• modes - 3;
• operating temperature - -10 - 60 °C;
• current consumption - 280 mA;
• size - 75x127x36 mm;
• weight - 121 g.

pros

• high-quality assembly;
• presence of a video recorder;
• storage box included;
• minimum false positives.

Minuses

• reacts to expensive cars on the highway;
• You cannot update the database from a smartphone.

SilverStone F1 Sochi Z

With this radar detector you can find out about cameras on the road in a timely manner . Due to the support of the X, K, Ka, Ku bands, the device simultaneously detects several signals.

There are 5 operating modes, including Smart.

The model is equipped with a sensor to protect against false alarms and a compass.

Thanks to the GPS receiver and laser wavelength of 800-1100 nm, accurate camera detection is guaranteed.

The model operates at temperatures from -20 to 70°C.

Characteristics:

• frequencies - 10475-36000 MHz;
• laser radiation detector - 800-1100 nm;
• modes - 5;
• operating temperature - -20 - 70 °C;
• current consumption - 225 mA;
• weight - 121 g.

pros

• ergonomics;
• You can update the software yourself;
• adjustable volume and range;
• acceptable price.

Minuses

• sometimes triggers radars in other cars;
• You cannot update the database from a smartphone.

SHO-ME G-1000 Signature

This device will eliminate frequent communication with representatives of the state traffic police and will allow you to avoid fines for speeding in the camera area.

The device promptly notifies you of danger. Frequencies supported are K, Ka, X, Ultra-K.

The model is equipped with a laser radiation detector with waves of length 800-1100 nm.

Several operating modes are provided . Thanks to the GPS module, coordinates are determined with maximum accuracy.

Characteristics:

• frequencies - 10475-36000 MHz;
• laser radiation detector - 800-1100 nm;
• modes - 5;
• operating temperature - -20 - 70 °C;
• current consumption - 250 mA;
• size - 70x30x109 mm;
• weight - 130 g.

pros

• fine settings;
• ergonomics;
• regular software updates;
• informative display.

Minuses

• sometimes it works on auto;
• You cannot update the database from a flash drive.

How to choose a radar detector for a car

Let us repeat once again, but a radar detector is precisely an anti-detector that is permitted for use by the legislation of the Russian Federation. And so you decided to buy yourself such an amazing device, but the question became how to choose it. Let's take a closer look at how to choose a radar detector for your car.

1. The radar detector should not interfere with your view. Many of these devices are installed on the windshield, as is the case with a video recorder, which, by the way, is also not easy to select, and you need to know how to do it. So, the radar detector should not block your view when driving, and, accordingly, select the device optimally for the size of your windshield. In fact, the size will not affect the performance of the device, so you should not take one that is too bulky.
2. There are two types of radar detectors. The first one hits the signal head-on, the second one catches up with the wave that has already bounced off your car. The second option is much cheaper, but it may not always be effective. Do not forget that the development of traffic police technology does not stand still, and your radar detector will not always be able to catch up with the signal. Therefore, it is better to take the one that “hits you in the forehead.”
3. Traffic police radars operate in different ranges, and you will never guess in which one or another will work. Therefore, you should take your radar detector with the widest possible range of exposure. Yes, in this case, size matters, and, as a rule, significantly. But, do not forget that the price of such a device will be significantly higher.
4. Pay attention to the visual functionality of the device. A good one would be one that has a volume control, a light signal control, and also a frequency setting. In addition, pay attention to the fastening; it must be reliable so that it does not fall to the bottom of the car while driving. The price of such a device will also increase, but it is better to buy a good one once than a new one every time.

Using these tips, you can choose the perfect device that will protect you from unnecessary fines and troubles. But, do not forget that violating traffic rules carries with it not only fines, but also someone’s life. Therefore, be careful on the roads!

Neoline X-COP 8700s

In the ranking of the best premium radar detectors, the Neoline X-COP 8700s wins. The new product for the end of 2020 was announced as having the maximum possible “stuffing” with a reserve for the future - that is, the radar detector received support even for those systems that are just beginning to appear on the roads. We are talking primarily about the MultaRadar CT/CD radar systems (M band), but the antiradar has not forgotten the usual K/Ka, for which the EXD Plus module is responsible. Filtering of incoming information is signature-based, as befits a high-end device.

It will not be difficult to understand the ranges with which there is increasing confusion: the manufacturer, in addition to manual settings, has provided an interesting “smart” mode, when the radar detector automatically determines by location which systems it will have to work with in a particular region. That is, naturally, there is also support for GPS/GLONASS, on which the database is also “hung”. Which, in turn, can not only be regularly updated via the Internet, but also independently entered into it “silence zones” (those in which the signal will be turned off) and “danger zones” (when entering which the radar detector will remind you that you need to be more careful ).

In the “expert” mode, the owner can not only disable specific ranges, but also select only unnecessary frequency bands within the range. This is undoubtedly a very valuable opportunity - you don’t need to completely turn off the entire range, remaining completely “blind” to it, if you can remove only its interfering part from the “field of vision”.

Another convenient “feature” is gesture control, which allows you not to fumble the buttons on the body to cancel the warning signal, but simply wave your hand “somewhere there” in front of the radar detector. It’s also worth rejoicing at a sun visor that actually works – radar detector manufacturers often forget about such an undeniably useful little thing.

However, it was not without its drawbacks. The gadget went on sale, as, alas, often happens, with damp firmware. But, fortunately, firmware updates can be uploaded simply from a flash drive via a standard OTG cable.

Main advantages:

• Supports all current speed detection systems
• Decent sensitivity
• Abundance of fine settings
• Efficient signature analysis
• Bright and easy to read display
• Supports 12 and 24 V power supply

Minuses:

• Design for everyone
• Weak standard suction cup

Neoline X-COP S300

The radar detector is by no means a budget detector, but in terms of performance it has gone very far from the usual cheap “boxes”. The manufacturer decided to save as much space as possible, which the radar detector eats up in the cabin, and divided it into three blocks, of which only a compact display with control buttons remains in front of your eyes. The central unit, to which the display, receiver and GPS module cables are connected, can be easily hidden under the dashboard, while the receiver is traditionally installed under the hood for modular systems. This is especially convenient if you have a windshield with heating filaments, which significantly shield the signal.

In practice, the S300 can demonstrate excellent range and selectivity, so here the GPS base is more of a nice addition than a necessity. However, GPS data is used here not only for the operation of the base, but also for automatic adjustment of parameters: when moving slowly, the radar detector switches to the “City” mode, and after acceleration it turns on the “Highway” mode. At the same time, both the sensitivity and the signature filtering algorithm are rebuilt, ensuring effective filtering out of interference.

Main advantages:

• Minimum occupied usable space
• Excellent sensitivity and resistance to false alarms

Minuses:

• Difficulty of installation
• High price

Neoline X-COP 5700

Khomyak liked this radar detector both in appearance and in terms of its characteristics: the receiver here has a decent “range” and selectivity, allowing the device to quite accurately, to Khomyak’s delight, display the distance to the signal source on the display. The display itself is bright and perfectly readable.

The gesture control system introduced by Neoline is also available here. To turn off the sound, you don’t need to take your attention from the road; just move your hand in front of the device. Another “trick” of Neoline is the automatic selection of priority between the radar detector and the GPS base: if a signal is sent to the stationary cameras and meters included in the database, even if the receiver does not detect radiation, then at traffic police posts, on the contrary, the device will only respond to radiation from a hand-held meter.

Main advantages:

• Convenient controls.
• Fast "cold start" GPS.

Minuses:

• On some cars, beveled glass causes glare.

Street Storm STR-5210EX Signature Edition

Well, the main feature of this radar detector is directly described in the name, but what is “tasty” here in principle? The manufacturer offers a 360-degree laser detector, a GPS/GLONASS receiver with a radar database updated via Bluetooth and an adjustable speed threshold for warnings (really, why warn about a radar if you are driving according to the rules?), support for X/K/Ka radio bands.

The radio module is superheterodyne, with double frequency conversion. This initially promises good selectivity, to this we add signature analysis to filter out “nearly similar” signals - and, in general, the output is a good radar detector, but with an “Achilles heel” in the form of the absence of an M-band receiver - that is, for the coming years this radar detector is sufficient, but with the proliferation of systems like MultaRadar it will inevitably be considered obsolete at least for large cities and major highways.

Main advantages:

• Good receiver selectivity
• Laser detector sensitivity
• Easy database update from your smartphone

Minuses:

• Lack of support for the latest radars

What would that mean?

What do all the strange letters and words mean, of which there are so many in the technical characteristics of each radar detector? Basically, when choosing a radar detector, questions arise precisely when reading the list of characteristics:

• K, Ka, Ku, X – frequency ranges in which police radio frequency meters of different models operate.
• Strelka, Robot – modern speed meters with video recording. At the same time as measuring your vehicle's speed, these systems take photographs and recognize license plates. The most advanced models also take a cool photo of your face while driving, which completely eliminates the possibility of blaming the fact of the violation on an unknown thief.
• POP, Instant-On - radars that emit a single short-term pulse and do not “reflect” the rest of the time on the air.
• Laser – the ability of the detector to respond to so-called “laser pistols” - the most modern police measuring systems of the LISD type.
• “Avtodoriya” is a measuring complex, due to which more than one driver’s seat has been burned: it uses two radars on a measuring segment, measuring the average speed of movement. Having slowed down in front of the first one and, out of habit, starting to accelerate again, you will soon receive a “letter of happiness” - the speed in front of the first radar of the Avtodoriya complex has absolutely nothing to do with it.

How does the functionality differ?

The radar detector differs from the radar detector in its operating principle and functions. The principle of operation of the radar detector is to scan the emitted signals of radar systems at the maximum permissible distance and warn the driver. The use of these devices is permitted by the legislation of many countries, including the Russian Federation.

If we talk about the operation of the radar detector, there is a big difference between these devices. The principle of operation of the radar detector is to create interference in the frequency range in which the traffic police radar operates. Detecting a signal from a radar complex, the device creates interference with an oncoming wave at the same frequency, drowning out the radar signals.

The use of this device is prohibited by the legislation of many countries, including the Russian Federation, and its use is punishable by fines and confiscation of the device.

The best radar detectors with the widest frequency range

Police radars operate on different frequencies. The more bands a radar detector supports, the more likely it is to find the radar in time.

Intego GP Bronze

The device is equipped with a one-line character screen, which displays information about the radar range. An indicator of seven segments displays the signal strength level, which allows you to conclude that you are approaching its source.

The volume is adjusted not by a button, as in most models, but by a wheel on the side of the case.

Advantages:

• Seven levels of received signal power;
• Reliable mounting of the device on glass;
• Convenient volume adjustment;
• Four operating modes;
• Charger in the form of a standard cigarette lighter socket.

Flaws:

• The laser beam reception angle is 180°.
• There are no voice prompts.

This model is convenient for determining radar locations within the city. There are no unnecessary functions, but the detector does its main job well, without annoying sound alerts.

Silver Stone F1 Sochi Z

Signature radar detector, with a unique Z-signature filter, which minimizes false alarms. The device has five operating modes, one of which (smart) is configured by changing speed filters.

The detector is equipped with an OLED display with automatic brightness adjustment, which displays the permissible speed on the traffic area and full information about the radars - the succinct name of the detected points is displayed on the screen.

Advantages:

• Good operation and description of cameras;
• Relevance of databases;
• Ability to memorize user points;
• Large selection of sensitivity modes;
• Automatic sound volume reduction.

Flaws:

• False positives occur in the “Track” mode;
• Unreliable suction cup bracket.

The device is suitable for car owners who rarely go on long trips, but more often drive within the city.

Digma SafeDrive T-600

The device detects all types of modern radar systems, including laser ones, and has six signal levels with the ability to adjust them. The detector supports three operating modes. Information about the signals (range, power) is displayed on the screen, with a parallel voice notification.

Advantages:

• Low percentage of false positives;
• Simplicity and reliability;
• High detection range (up to 1000 m);
• Affordable price - about 3 thousand rubles.

Flaws:

• Poor functionality.

The budget model is suitable for drivers who do not plan long trips and who need a device with a minimum number of bells and whistles.

Neoline X-COP 7500S

The Korean manufacturer's radar detector easily recognizes mobile traffic police ambushes outside populated areas using portable radars such as Chris, Arena, Iskra and others at a distance of 800 to 1500 - depending on the landscape.

The device notifies about all traffic control cameras. At low speeds (up to 40 km/h), GPS point alerts are limited to the display and are not distracting.

Advantages:

• Information screen;
• Frequent database updates;
• Z-signature filter prevents false positives;
• Contains police radar points from 45 countries;
• Detection range up to 1.5 km.

Flaws:

• To update the databases, you must connect the device to the PC.

The detector is good for traveling both within the city and on the highway, where its use is especially relevant due to its high range.

Plaime Hard 3

A new efficient radar detector with a laser receiver was presented by a Russian manufacturer of automotive electronics, but the assembly is South Korean. Thanks to signature interference suppression technology, it has virtually no false positives. The device is protected from detection by VG-2 systems.

Advantages:

• Efficiency;
• Minimum false positives;
• When turned off, the specified settings are saved;
• LED display with brightness adjustment;
• Triggers at a distance of 400 to 800 m from the radar.

Flaws:

• Quiet voice notifications.

The device is suitable for motorists who live in megacities or frequently visit them (within city limits, the device operates 400-500 meters before the radar).

Advantages of radar detectors

During operation, radar detectors emit light and sound alerts, therefore warning the driver to reduce speed or perform the necessary maneuver. The devices have numerous advantages:

1. They are able to warn the driver 5 km away, and are guaranteed to show devices at a distance of 300 to 1000 meters. Work depends on terrain and weather conditions. After the warning, the driver has enough time to maneuver.
2. Low cost, thanks to which almost all motorists can afford these devices.
3. Not prohibited by law, so there is no penalty.
4. Compact dimensions make it possible to place the radar detector in any convenient place on the car panel.

Radar classification

Radar is a source of radio waves and is therefore capable of operating at different frequencies. Thus, we choose only a good device that can detect the range of waves emanating from the radar. The following characteristics exist for radars:

• X-band with a frequency of 10.525 GHz.
• K-band with a frequency of 24.15 GHz.
• La-band with laser emitter.

The first type of radar was popular for a long time. Now they have been replaced by modern radars operating in the K-band. The radar detector easily detects a signal of this frequency. Modern radars can detect police devices at a distance of up to 2 km.

Laser radars are not as common because they pose a real threat to drivers. The fact is that the laser beam is small, so it only works with an accurate hit. The reflected signal will have time to give the traffic police officer information about the speed.