Aliexpress radar detectors

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nickb800

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Topic # 215198 16-Jun-2017 14:50

Looking at Aliexpress radar detectors - some are as cheap as USD 10

Of course plenty of Aliexpress stuff is rubbish so keen to hear anyone's experiences

There are lots of online reviews, but not sure how relevant they are to NZ context?

Cheers

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Reply # 1802158 16-Jun-2017 15:03

Cue opinions on why you shouldn't need such an item...

Senecio

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Reply # 1802161 16-Jun-2017 15:08

Use Waze on your phone. Added advantage of being routed around traffic.

nickb800

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Reply # 1802175 16-Jun-2017 15:38

Dratsab:

Cue opinions on why you shouldn't need such an item...

Lol yes I was thinking that, fortunately previous radar detector topics have been well moderated

nickb800

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Reply # 1802177 16-Jun-2017 15:40

Senecio:

Use Waze on your phone. Added advantage of being routed around traffic.

Hadn't thought of that - will give it a go. Probably more interested in cars rather than vans or fixed cameras TBH

tripper1000

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Reply # 1802192 16-Jun-2017 15:50

I can't answer your question sorry, but I too was looking at Aliexpress radar detectors a couple of months ago. I noted some sellers had warnings that the cheap ones don't work as well as the expensive ones so don't complain. If the seller is telling you the (cheap) radar detector isn't too good, it must be true!

I'm not even sure which bands the NZ Police are using at the moment.

I have heard that the latest speed camera's are even harder to detect than the old ones, which were themselves difficult to detect at any practically useful range.

tehgerbil

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Reply # 1802197 16-Jun-2017 15:57

nickb800:

Senecio:

Use Waze on your phone. Added advantage of being routed around traffic.

Hadn't thought of that - will give it a go. Probably more interested in cars rather than vans or fixed cameras TBH

I've used Waze for a long time, if you're keen, you're best to set it up on an old Android/secondhand Gs4/5 (large 5" screen) permanently plugged into charger.

Do not use a modern device as it will a) eat your battery - 30 minutes = 20% battery and b) your phone gets very warm, which will naturally degrade the battery.

Added bonus: you can use it like a dash-cam with DailyRoads Voyager (my personal favourite!) with a cheap 2deg sim card.

shk292

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Reply # 1802201 16-Jun-2017 16:01

tehgerbil:

I've used Waze for a long time, if you're keen, you're best to set it up on an old Android/secondhand Gs4/5 (large 5" screen) permanently plugged into charger.

Do not use a modern device as it will a) eat your battery - 30 minutes = 20% battery and b) your phone gets very warm, which will naturally degrade the battery.

Added bonus: you can use it like a dash-cam with DailyRoads Voyager (my personal favourite!) with a cheap 2deg sim card.

How's the traffic routing on Waze these days? I used it for a few months, 2-3 years ago and found it pretty hopeless compared to Google Maps, in directing away from congestion. I always leave the northern motorway when heading south in rush hour because East Coast Road is much faster, but Waze was constantly telling me to get back on the motorway.

frankv

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Reply # 1802208 16-Jun-2017 16:04

I have a cheap radar detector (not from AliEx) which I don't use. Although it did seem to pick up a cop once or twice, it gave far too many false warnings to be useful.

Downside of Waze is that it's using your network bandwidth, and not working where there's no network.

nickb800

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Reply # 1802349 16-Jun-2017 19:15

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Yeah gave Waze a go tonight, not much use for me. There were a couple of notifications of an upcoming traffic jam, but that always happens in that spot at that time on Fridays. I don't have alternative routes, so just have to suck it up. Saw a cop parked at the side of the road opposite the traffic jam - this didn't come up in Waze

nickb800

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Reply # 1802351 16-Jun-2017 19:17

frankv:

I have a cheap radar detector (not from AliEx) which I don't use. Although it did seem to pick up a cop once or twice, it gave far too many false warnings to be useful.

Downside of Waze is that it's using your network bandwidth, and not working where there's no network.

Did you try tweaking the frequencies? Sounds like some people tweak them for the specific frequencies in use in NZ. Not sure how flexible the cheap AliEx ones are in terms of changing frequencies

ilovemusic

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Reply # 1802685 17-Jun-2017 18:54

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nickb800:
Looking at Aliexpress radar detectors - some are as cheap as USD 10

Of course plenty of Aliexpress stuff is rubbish so keen to hear anyone's experiences

There are lots of online reviews, but not sure how relevant they are to NZ context?

Cheers

save your money.

get a name brand from a reputable dealer.

yes, latest mobile digital cameras are back on k-band, same band as door openers etc.

but they are usually in a van parked on the side of the road.

so don't rely too heavily on any detector.

use your eyes too, lol

richms

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Reply # 1802722 17-Jun-2017 18:56

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I get a lot of falses on K band from other cars now. Just leave mine off most of the time around town.

Richard rich.ms

nickb800

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Reply # 1802747 17-Jun-2017 19:28

richms:

I get a lot of falses on K band from other cars now. Just leave mine off most of the time around town.

Is that using a good one or a cheapie?

richms

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Reply # 1802762 17-Jun-2017 20:20

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I have a dated beltronics in the toyota that came with it since its built in, that is a constant stream of false alarms on K and does nothing on the mobile speed cameras.

Friend has an aliexpress cheapie that is basically a door opener and other car detector as well. So for that uselessness they are equal.

However on Ka with the actual cop cars the beltronics is way ahead of the cheapie, which is the only reason I still have it fitted. Cameras are just a fine, so not a huge deal, whereas cop cars are demerits. No way I have found to turn off K on the one I have but the friends cheapie had a menu of sorts to turn it off.

Richard rich.ms

nickb800

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Reply # 1802770 17-Jun-2017 20:39

Alright in that case then I think I'll flag it altogether. For $20 I'd give it a go, but not prepared to drop $150+ on one given that I've never received a ticket.

I don't do anything silly, just sometimes creep 5-10kmh over when I pay too much attention to the road instead of the speedo. Would take a long time to pay off a proper radar detector at that end of the spectrum

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