Radar Devices

Until the mid-1970’s, X band (10.50~10.55 GHz) was the only frequency used by most police radar devices. Early radar detectors needed only to listen for X band radar. But in 1976 police radar devices using K band (24.05~24.25 GHz) were introduced, leading to the development of the first dual band detectors able to receive both frequencies (X and K).

Then, in 1987, a proliferation of police radar devices using KA band frequencies began with the introduction of photo radar (34.3 GHz), followed by the Stalker (34.2~35.2 GHz) in 1991 and the BEE 36A (33.4~34.4 GHz) in 1992. The introduction of KA band photo radar (34.3 GHz) led to the development of tri-band detectors able to detect X, K, and a small portion of KA band. A fourth category of “wide-band” radar detectors capable of detecting X, K, and wide KA (34.2~35.2 GHz) bands reached the market following the introduction of Stalker radar.

Finally, in response to the BEE 36A, a new generation of “superwide-band” radar detectors was developed. They detect all police radar devices operating on X, K, and superwide KA (33.4~36.0 GHz) bands. All RadarHAWK™ radar/laser detectors are superwide band receivers. When radar detectors proved easily capable of detecting radar from miles away, radar device manufacturers responded by developing “instant-on radar.” In the instant-on mode, the radar’s transmitter is placed on hold, ready to fire but not yet producing a signal for detectors to hear. The officer waits until his target is very close, releases the radar from stand-by mode, and gets a speed reading within a second or so.

In this situation, no detector can offer much warning. But some radar detectors are designed to display an "INSTANT" alert when an instant-on signal is detected, followed by the name of the detected radar band. When an “INSTANT” alert is displayed, we highly recommend that you promptly reduce your speed if you’re driving faster than the speed limit.

Laser Devices

Laser devices transmit an invisible light beam at a frequency (more accurately a “wavelength”) of 904 nanometers. A nanometer is how a light wavelength is measured. Different laser devices operate at different light pulse rates and some manufacturers call them “bands.” All RadarHAWK™ radar/laser detectors can detect all current laser devices in use.

Less than 1,000 laser devices are in service in 45 states at present. Most are used by city police on urban multi-lane roadways. The use of laser devices for speed monitoring is expected to increase, but will remain limited due to their high cost and limited attractiveness to agencies that favor the convenience of conventional moving radar. Currently, laser guns account for less than 5% of the total number of speed monitoring devices (radar and laser) sold in the U.S. annually; during the next five years, this figure is expected to remain under 8%. Laser devices will likely be in service in every state within a few years.

Laser devices can measure the speed of a target vehicle only when it is up to 1,500 feet away in line of sight. This means that when a “LASER” alert is displayed, the speed monitoring system is nearby. When a “LASER” alert is displayed, we highly recommend that you promptly reduce your speed if you’re driving faster than the speed limit.