Comparison Supra DRS-i30ST vs Stinger Car Z3

The types of pulse signals that a radar detector can detect. Modern police radars, usually, do not use a constant exposure mode, but short (fraction of a second) pulses, and even if the detector supports the appropriate range, it does not mean that it will be able to detect a pulsed signal in this range.

Here are the main types of such signals that are relevant for modern radar detectors:

— Instant On. Name for the general mode of operation used in most modern police radars. A radar operating in this mode emits radio waves only directly when measuring speed, for a very short period (less than a second).

— P.O.P. Mode of operation used primarily in K- and Ka-band radars (see above). Provides a single pulse of extremely short length — about 0.07 s.

— Ultra-K (K-Pulse). The standard pulse mode of operation of the radar in the K band. Unlike POP, it provides measurement using several pulses and a longer total measurement duration — up to 0.4 s. Thus, the requirements for detectors under Ultra-K are somewhat softer than under POP, however, for correct recognition, support for this mode must still be claimed directly.

— Ultra Ka. The standard pulse mode of the radar in the Ka band. In terms of its main features, it is completely similar to the Ultra-K described above, differing only in operatin...g frequencies.

— Ultra Ku. The standard pulse mode of the radar in the Ku band. In terms of its main features, it is completely similar to the Ultra-K described above, differing only in operating frequencies. It occurs very rarely, due to the gradual exit of the Ku range itself from use (for more details, see "Ranges of operation").

— UltraX. The standard pulse mode of the radar in the X band. Like the X band itself, this mode is considered obsolete and is provided more “just in case” and as a tribute to tradition than for practical reasons.

Models of police radars that are guaranteed to be able to recognize the detector.

In addition to general characteristics (range, pulse length and configuration, etc.), different radar models may have various specific features that make detection difficult. In addition, manufacturers indicate this parameter for marketing reasons: choosing a radar detector for compatibility with specific radars is easier than delving into the details of ranges and pulse modes.

Here are some of the most popular models of modern police radars:

— Autohurricane. An automated system, the main component of which is video cameras — according to the data from them, Avtohuragan can even recognize speed and record violations of the speed limit. The radar itself in the Avtohuragan systems is used optionally, so even if compatibility is claimed for the detector, this is not a guarantee of detection (the complex can work without a radar). Some models may have a database of Autohurricane coordinates and automatic GPS-based warnings (see below), but this is also not perfect.

— Arrow. A fairly advanced automated complex with a detection range of about 1 km. It is this complex that is often associated with "letters of happiness" — written notices of violations and fines, which began to be sent to drivers in some countries. "Arrow" can operate at frequencies that differ from the standard, which makes...it difficult to detect by traditional radar detectors; for a guaranteed response to Strelka, such a possibility must be explicitly stated in the characteristics.

— Robot. Automated devices that originally appeared in the EU countries. They are colloquially referred to as "birdhouses" for their characteristic shape and installation mainly on poles. Like the Strelka described above, the Robot radar operates in its own range, which is not related to the standard ones.

— Avtodoriya. An integrated system for obtaining road information, which provides, among other things, speed control. When measuring the speed, the car is fixed by cameras of two sensors — at the beginning and at the end of the control section; the speed of movement is calculated by the time it takes to pass this section, and the video allows you to recognize numbers. The Avtodoria system does not use radars, so the only way to "oppose" it is to use databases with coordinates of control areas. In some detectors, such databases can be automatically updated, including according to data from the marks put on the map by other drivers.

— LISD. Radars operating in the laser range ("laser speed and range metres"), with a wavelength in the range of 800 – 1100 nm. Can be supplemented with photo fixation blocks. Note that for many detectors that are claimed to be compatible with LISD, the recognizable wavelength range may be narrower; therefore, even such devices do not give an absolute guarantee from the laser metre.

— Gyrfalcon. Complex systems (usually stationary) combining a video camera and a K-band radar. Usually, they are mounted on poles or other similar supports, at a height of several metres.

— Chris. A photoradar system including a K-band radar. Usually used from a tripod mounted on the side of the road.

— Arena. A photoradar complex used both stationary and mobile — from a tripod or even from hands. Works in K-band. Installation at a distance of up to 1.5 km from the main post is possible, with data transmission via a wireless channel.

— Vizier. One of the most popular complexes for measuring speed and photographic fixation in the countries of the former USSR. Uses K-band radar.

— Spark. A hand-held radar with a characteristic shape ("hair dryer"), operating in a pulsed mode in the K-band; one of the few models in the CIS that operate in POP mode (see "Support for pulse signals"). The range is about 800 m, but in fact it is limited by the accuracy of pointing the device.

— Falcon. An obsolete X-band handheld radar, discontinued in 2008 but still in service in some countries. Range — up to 600 m.

— Berkut, Radis. Popular hand-held K-band radars, with a range of up to 800 m.

— Binar. A hand-held device that combines a radar with a photofixator for two cameras — wide-angle and "long-range". The radar module operates in the K-band.

— Rapier. Stationary device used both separately and as a component of other systems. Equipped with a camera and a highly focused K-band radar.

— Amata. A laser speed metre with a photofixator, similar to the LISD described above, but surpassing it in "range" (up to 700 m).

Type, more precisely — the principle of operation of the receiver used in the radar detector. Initially, classic direct amplification receivers were used — simple, inexpensive and not giving extraneous radiation, which completely excluded the detection of such a radar detector by police technical means. However, direct amplification does not achieve high sensitivity and is not well suited for multi-range devices. Superheterodyne receivers are deprived of these shortcomings, thanks to which they gradually replaced classical tuners and are by far the most popular option. However superheterodynes are noticeably more complicated and expensive, and besides, they are easily fixed at a distance by technical means like VG-2 or Specter (for more details, see "Functions").

The signal processing method used by the radar detector.

Initially, inexpensive radar detectors used analogue processing units, digital ones were installed in advanced equipment, and digital-analogue "hybrids" were a compromise option. However, today, thanks to the development and cheapening of technologies, the vast majority of models use digital processing — it is the most accurate and provides the most opportunities.

The current nominally consumed by the radar detector during operation. Usually, with a regular connection to the cigarette lighter socket with the engine running, this parameter does not play a special role — even the most advanced models do not “eat” so much that this noticeably affects the operation of the on-board network. In fact, current consumption data may be useful only in some specific situations — for example, battery operation.