The Cordon Multi Target Photo Radar Camera
George Orwell’s prediction of pervasive government surveillance have come true with the introduction of Simcon’s Cordon photo radar system which will track your every move
How To Beat the Multanova Speed Cameras
Both the Multanova and the Redflex photo enforcement camera system are very difficult to detect with even the best radar detector. However, here are a couple tips that you can use to increase your chances at detecting them and to avoid getting a speeding ticket in the mail.
Photo Radar Flash Back Device
A Phoenix area dentist has developed a flash back to defeat photo radar speed cameras. Radar Roy rides along with this dentist testing this device against the various photo radar and red light cameras in the Phoenix area!
Review GPS Angel Red Light/Speed Camera Warning System
The GPS Angel photo enforcement device reviewed by Radar Roy. This ultra small GPS device warns of approaching fixed photo enforcement devices and Roy tests this unit against numerous red light and fixed photo radar cameras throughout Arizona.
Speed Cameras Promote Economic Fascism, Not Safety
Tomorrow Arizona will be activating 10 new fixed speed camera photo enforcement cameras scattered throughout the Phoenix area with plans on installing 100 more as a way to reduce the states deficit on the backs of the taxpaying public!
The Veil Guy has just published his perspective of Arizona’s plan on his blog that I find very informative and a must read for anyone traveling on Arizona’s Highway system. To read Bob’s post, please click here
VF-2 Speed Camera Photo Blocker Scam!
I’m often amazed by the gullibility of distributors, dealers, radar detector websites and those who claim to be “expert reviewers” in this industry, case in point, the VF-2 Photo Radar Jammer.
Several years ago a Canadian company began manufacturing the Equalizer VF2 Speed Camera Photo Blocker. They began by selling their device to the European market and in a short period began receiving rave reviews from various magazines and websites as the first electronic device to foil the traffic enforcement cameras.
During this same period, a Colorado based radar detector dealer found out about the device and obtained the exclusive distributorship for the USA. His first stop was Speed Measurement Laboratories to get their “stamp of approval.”
SML made it clear that he didn’t have access to a real photo radar or red light camera and that the only device they could offer was a commercial grade camera and flash device to test the VF-2. Eager to get the product on the market, the new distributor agreed. Several photographs were taken at close range and the VF-2 did block out the photos. The distributor then “spun” this test as an official endorsement.
Booths went up at SEMA and 12 volt electronic distributors and dealers signed up by droves to carry the first electronic countermeasure device offered in the USA that could foil all photo radar and red light cameras.
Being somewhat suspicious of the claims I obtained my first VF-2 directly from the distributor for my testing and review. Cameras and strobes of the same type as the automated traffic enforcement devices used in Arizona were obtained and I performed my first round of testing. The VF-2 failed to activate on over 100 attempts. I contacted the distributor who found fault in my testing procedures and made several recommendations.
We followed his advice but during the second round of testing we discovered that the power transformer of the VF-2 had failed, so the distributor was contacted and I was shipped another.
Just as the second unit arrived, the City of Scottsdale was in the process of activating eight new photo radar cameras on the 101 loop. During the initial phase of their program they were only issuing written warnings and not citations to violators. I saw this as a perfect opportunity to go out and put the VF-2 to a real world test without the risk of racking up fines.
The following video documents my test against four of their cameras going fifteen miles over the posted speed limit. One week later I received four written warnings from the City of Scottsdale in the mail for speeding.
We posted the results of our test and contacted the distributor and several other websites about the VF-2 failing in a “real world test.”
Two years later we still find these same websites and the Colorado distributor still selling and advertising this product as being effective against ALL TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT CAMERAS.
Radar Detector Photo Radar Testing
Last November the Arizona Department of Public Safety kicked off its new photo radar program with its first of 20 mobile vans. DPS’s plan is to have these vans along Arizona’s highway system, moving them on a frequent basis for the element of surprise.
Yesterday I caught my first peak at their van as they set it up just down the road from my home, along US 60.
What first caught my attention were two portable signs placed across from each other in the shoulder of the divided highway saying “Photo Enforcement Zone”. Glancing down at my speedometer I was a few notches over the posted 65 mile per hour speed limit and I was in the passing lane. Slowing down while pulling into the right lane, I glanced in my rear view mirror seeing a black Mustang that was speeding up passing in excess of 80.
A few moments later my Escort 9500i began alerting K band (24.103) and approximately 1800 feet ahead I observed DPS’s photo radar van parked off the shoulder. As the black Mustang passed I saw roof mounted strobes of the DPS van flash, sure that the driver of the Mustang wasn’t smiling.
The portable photo radar equipment found in vans such as DPS’s are normally at a lower output rating then typical stationary or hand held radar guns used by police and they are also aimed at a greater angle, away from approaching traffic, making them more difficult to detect.
As not to put an opportunity such as this to waste as my cache of radar detectors were only a mile away, I drove home and loaded up to see how other radar detectors would alert.
Each listed detector was tested separately and I marked the locations of the first alert with a Stalker laser gun. As not to create a traffic hazard, and not to arose the suspicions of the officer, I drove off the pavement of the shoulder. The STi-R tested was installed in my motor home and the other units were tested in my SUV. Each of the dash mounted detectors were mounted in approximately the same location on the windshield and the SR-7 antenna was mounted in the grill, approximately three feet lower then the dash mounted units.
Detector
Alert in feet
Bel STi-r
2002
Bel STi
1949
Escort 9500i
1904
Escort 8500 X50
1829
Valentine 1
1827
Bel RX65
1800
Escort SR7
1725
Whistler Pro 78
1102
Adaptiv TPX
1005
Cobra XRS-9930
403
Cobra ZRS-R9G
352
RMR-450c
201
The Arizona Department of Public Safety’s press release regarding their photo radar program relates that their vans’ are programmed to take pictures and to cite whenever a vehicle is clocked 11 MPH over the posted speed limit. Drivers who drive 6 to 10 MPH over the speed limit will receive a warning letter.
Taking account reaction time of a driver of traveling 80 MPH they would have traveled over 176 feet before applying the brakes to slow down.
So “Zonies” take notice, if you’re depending upon a cheap radar detector to save you from Arizona’s new cash cow then you better pay heed of the yellow warning signs “Photo Enforcement Zone” otherwise you’ll have a few unwanted photos taken of you and your car.
Cities Use Radar To Line Their Pockets With YOUR Money
Increasingly, cities in the US and Canada are using photo radar and red light cameras to catch speeders. While you might think this is a good thing, cities often put the cameras in tricky locations where the speed limit suddenly drops unexpectedly.
You may get a ticket and pay a big fine when you had no intention of speeding and didn’t know you were over the limit at the time.
For example, there is a heavily traveled location in my area where the speed limit suddenly drops from 65 miles per hour to 35 mph. The city has cameras stationed there and nabs speeders one after another all day long.
This is no isolated occurrence. Municipalities all over North America have discovered this kind of “speed trap” is a HUGE money-maker. Normally a camera company is hired to set up a detection location, analyze the photos, and sends out threatening citations for the city. The city pulls in big revenue with very little expense.
What can you do about it? Plenty. New photo radar detection units are staying well ahead of the situation. One just-released speed camera and red light camera alert system uses GPS to locate cameras far ahead of you. The tiny unit features a LED display and a voice warning telling you a camera is coming up. It also tells you what speed you’re SUPPOSED to be driving, and what speed you ARE driving.
With traffic tickets and time lost fighting them often amounting to hundreds of dollars, the affordable detection unit quickly pays for itself.
But isn’t this helping people to get away with driving dangerously high speeds? Research shows these types of advanced detectors do two things:
1. These units encourage people to drive the speed limit. Often people speed because they don’t know what the speed limit is or aren’t consciously aware of how fast they are driving. The unit corrects that.
2. Radar and camera detection units allow people to drive faster when conditions safely allow.
This last point is one most consumers aren’t aware of. Experts have long agreed you can safely drive somewhat faster than the speed limit without creating a danger to yourself and others.
Some states and communities take this into consideration, only handing out tickets when your speed is well over the posted limit. But many other municipalities use a low speed limit as a license to make mounds of money, liberally handing out tickets to as many as possible.
What can you do if you wind up in court after being nabbed by a speed camera? Since these cameras aren’t being monitored by a police officer, you can point out the various ways the system could be dishing up faulty information. If you can shed doubt on the validity of the camera’s report, your ticket could be dismissed. See my site for a full tutorial on how this works.
Safe driving is important, but it’s also important for you to avoid getting tickets. If this makes sense for your driving, check out the wide range of photo radar detectors available.
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