Buyer Beware!
Most speed detection avoidance units were designed for US consumption
where trapping methods differ vastly from those used in SA. In the US
laser trapping is not a preferred method and vehicles are seldom
targeted close-up as 50m or from the rear. It follows therefore that
diffusers designed for US conditions would often perform poorly in
countries using different speed detection methods.
The US preferred trapping methods are by various radar (RAdio Detection
And Ranging) frequencies such as: X Band; K Band; Ka Radar Band; Doppler
Principle: Instant On; Cosine Effect on Moving Radar; KA Band Photo
Radar, and others similar to the Vascar method. Radar trapping in SA is
hardly ever used and virtually extinct.
Three types of avoidance units claim to counter speed readings.
Radar / Laser DetectorsThis device is mounted on the vehicle’s dash board. Should the laser gun be activated directly at the detector, it would sound an alarm merely confirming that the driver was caught speeding. As the laser gun monitors a vehicle’s speed within a fraction of a second, the driver cannot counter act in sufficient time. When aimed at the number plate, not even a peep would be emitted from the detector. Excellent against radar for which it was designed, though totally ineffective against any laser speed measurement. Visit Mozambique to try-out your radar detector.
Laser Diffusers.
These lower cost units use IR LED’s (Infra Red Light Emitting Diodes) as in TV remote controls. These diodes emit a wide band of scattered light spectrum; therefore not all of their power finds the 905 nanometre wavelength as used by the laser gun. At least 9 diodes per head are needed to generate sufficient power in confusing the laser gun. Installations vary from four to one per side of vehicle with each head 90mm wide and thus easy for officers to visually detect. Units must be deactivated manually within seconds after activation, not always rapidly achieved allowing the officer to notice an unacceptable delay in speed monitoring. Suspecting a SDA device being used he may stop the vehicle for visual inspection followed by a citation for “defeating the ends of justice.”
Multipurpose Laser Systems
These higher priced units use sensor and transmitter circuits with high-spec industrial laser diodes, often coupled to military technology as used in ranging devices. The power of a laser diode is one hundred times greater than that of an IR LED diode. Thus only one diode is needed per head allowing matchbox sized dimensions, easier mounting and visually less conspicuous. Multipurpose laser systems provide several functions such as Park Distance Control, Programmable and Re-programmable for up-dates to new technology. When activated by a foreign signal, it would rapidly power down within a few seconds, announced by a visual / audible signal and re-boot again after 60 seconds – thus not interfering with other users on the 905 nm wavelength. Static 50m performance from one laser head is roughly 49% greater then than those of two IR LED heads. On moving targets it is 300% more effective on the off-set (distance from centre of road) and lock-on JTG (jam to gun) tested from 600m to 0m.
Buyer Beware - Pirated G8 Systems
Recently, pirated versions of the G8 have entered into the marketplace and do not perform to the advanced specs of the G8. Beware of imitations!