Article: Affordable Radar Detector Testing - 3/15/2015

[Vortex]

I wasn't attempting to complicate the inquiry, but rather pointing out the transmitted power level difference factors between the various models which could affect range.

Nominal / Maximum output power:
MPH Bee III: 12-30 mW / 50 mW
Stalker II: 15 mW / 50 mW
Kustom Golden Eagle: Not in manual, but should be comparable with others
Decatur Genesis II: 5 mW (Interesting! This is lower than usual. I didn't know this.)

I've heard that the Bee III isn't as sensitive as some of the other units when it comes to receiving a return signal and so they amp up the output power, making things easier for detectors to pick up on which is why 33.8 often tests well for detectors.

The Genesis II has historically been a tougher unit to detect. I had assumed it was just because it's 35.5, but its output power is also a fraction of what the others generally put out. I don't have the numbers on the KGE to compare that to.

EDIT: I'm sorry, I just realized that the documentation I was looking at for the Genesis II covers the linearly polarized K band antenna, NOT the circularly polarized Ka antenna. I don't know the power output for the 35.5 antenna.

[RedRocket]

Yeah, those output numbers are typical of what I remember for all units except Decatur.
My Stalker II was 11 or 12mw when I got it 3yrs ago & have no idea what it is today. The majority of the time in use it's w/ the +12v cord when Testing to ensure max power out so it's within 3db of its big brother the DSR to near duplicate State Patrol (for detection distance purposes when testing friend's RDs) agencies using the DSR in NewEngland States.

I had no idea the Genesis II was only 5mw...wow. No wonder I hear complaints about sniffing that one out. Same goes for the FalconHR @ only 8mw.

One day I would like to see you report on absolute max range (flat road) for all of the above you are using on for cars only, not Semi trucks. I believe the DSR can do almost 2mi.
I think we've flogged your 34.7 short distance results w/o reaching any conclusive answer I'm afraid.

[Vortex]

My Stalker II was 11 or 12mw when I got it 3yrs ago & have no idea what it is today.

Were you able to measure that yourself or was it on the certification documentation? It'd be fun to test that out manually and not have to send it out.

The majority of the time in use it's w/ the +12v cord when Testing to ensure max power out so it's within 3db of its big brother the DSR to near duplicate State Patrol (for detection distance purposes when testing friend's RDs) agencies using the DSR in NewEngland States.

That's a good idea. Battery life on these units is pretty excellent and while I assume that the output power on battery should be comparable to a power cable, I have no way of verifying that. Skimming through the documentation, I see no mention of output power being dependent upon the power source.

One day I would like to see you report on absolute max range (flat road) for all of the above you are using on for cars only, not Semi trucks. I believe the DSR can do almost 2mi.

The terrain that we have here isn't conducive to those sorts of tests. In fact it's one reason why I love seeing other people's tests where they have long flat straightaways. It's all curves, hills, and trees here. Finding a straightaway of even a mile or so typically requires driving way out of the way, and even then you have other cars which'll be driving around and so I won't be able to test the full length of the course to test out maximum range. So there's some tests that I can do here and some that are tough at best. It sounds like that may be a test that you'd be able to conduct more easily than I would.

I think we've flogged your 34.7 short distance results w/o reaching any conclusive answer I'm afraid.

haha, well while I've seen detection range against Stalker be just fine in other tests which would lead me to believe there's not something wonky about this unit in particular, I really appreciate you also taking a look at the different possibilities and variables that could be leading to these results *independent of* the sensitivity of the RD's. It's something that's absolutely critical to testing and I love that other people may think of possibilities that never crossed my mind. It's kind of like open source radar detector testing.

[RedRocket]

Were you able to measure that yourself or was it on the certification documentation? It'd be fun to test that out manually and not have to send it out.- (No mini-test chamber as required,nor a wattmeter for GHz freq. for that Power level)... I got it for a reasonable price (knowing what they typically sell for) & had a Calib. Lab do a full Certification on it just to be sure all ok.



That's a good idea. Battery life on these units is pretty excellent and while I assume that the output power on battery should be comparable to a power cable, I have no way of verifying that. Skimming through the documentation, I see no mention of output power being dependent upon the power source.- Simple formula for Power...P= EI & as battery handle drains voltage starts decreasing & you're not able to sink same level of current either to maintain full output.



The terrain that we have here isn't conducive to those sorts of tests. In fact it's one reason why I love seeing other people's tests where they have long flat straightaways. It's all curves, hills, and trees here. Finding a straightaway of even a mile or so typically requires driving way out of the way, and even then you have other cars which'll be driving around and so I won't be able to test the full length of the course to test out maximum range. So there's some tests that I can do here and some that are tough at best. It sounds like that may be a test that you'd be able to conduct more easily than I would.- Not even outside Metro areas,within 25mi away ? That's where I have to look to find 2-3mi straightaways. I only have 1 K-band & 1 Ka-band radar, not the collection of Models you own. I splurge all my benjamins on Lidars. We share the same sickness, just the other side of the coin.



haha, well while I've seen detection range against Stalker be just fine in other tests which would lead me to believe there's not something wonky about this unit in particular, I really appreciate you also taking a look at the different possibilities and variables that could be leading to these results *independent of* the sensitivity of the RD's. It's something that's absolutely critical to testing and I love that other people may think of possibilities that never crossed my mind. It's kind of like open source radar detector testing.

I'm kinda surprised that a few more didn't chime in here,too. Lemme also add that you've really earned my respect & admiration over the years for the quantity & especially professional QUALITY brought to the game for the benefit of the CM community.

[Salty]

Wow. Excellent testing and write up! I watch all of your vids on youtube, and enjoy them greatly. Thanks for continuing to put out quality work Vortex!