Got a ticket and front/rear k40 didn't even make a sound - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

tripleD · 5th May 2007, 01:34

There were no less than 6 motorcycle cops and 3 cruisers handing out tickets left and right on I-20 just outside of Atlanta.

Funny thing though, my front/rear K-40 didn't even make a sound before, during and after being pulled over. Is my K-40 technologically outdated as it was installed 7 years ago? If so, would a Valentine have picked up someone being zapped in front or near me before they had a chance to zap me?

Any suggestions/insight on what type of radar he was running and how to best defeat it would be appreciated.

BTW, I was fined for an 80 in a 55.
TripleD

palantirion · 5th May 2007, 01:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by tripleD

There were no less than 6 motorcycle cops and 3 cruisers handing out tickets left and right on I-20 just outside of Atlanta.

Funny thing though, my front/rear K-40 didn't even make a sound before, during and after being pulled over. Is my K-40 technologically outdated as it was installed 7 years ago? If so, would a Valentine have picked up someone being zapped in front or near me before they had a chance to zap me?

Any suggestions/insight on what type of radar he was running and how to best defeat it would be appreciated.

BTW, I was fined for an 80 in a 55.
TripleD

-Why do you assume he was using radar? Did he show you the gun with your speed on it?

www.ticketassassin.com (specifically for CA tickets, but could help your case in GA)

tripleD · 5th May 2007, 01:52

I did not see the gun but the ticket has "radar" handwritten on it.
Also, he and the other 8 or so cops were stationary on the inside left lane of the 12 lane highway, hiding just over the crest of a hill. I'm not sure they gave me the 500 feet of visibility I thought was required of non GA State Patrol.
TripleD

DRM · 5th May 2007, 01:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by tripleD

There were no less than 6 motorcycle cops and 3 cruisers handing out tickets left and right on I-20 just outside of Atlanta.

Funny thing though, my front/rear K-40 didn't even make a sound before, during and after being pulled over. Is my K-40 technologically outdated as it was installed 7 years ago? If so, would a Valentine have picked up someone being zapped in front or near me before they had a chance to zap me?

Any suggestions/insight on what type of radar he was running and how to best defeat it would be appreciated.

BTW, I was fined for an 80 in a 55.
TripleD

Dunno exactly what a 7 year old K40 is capable of detecting, but they've always been considered marginal performers; especially compared to Valentine 1.

Most common cop radar is KA (sometimes K) band; which a V1 will detect in plenty of time (front and rear) for you to slow down. The speed trap you described would've been ricocheting beams all over the place from cars coming and going.

However, if cops were using laser (a point and shoot radar) V1 will sound off but it's almost always too late. Very little ricochets occur with laser. So you also need a laser jammer; like Blinder M40.

Anyway, your K40 is obviously useless, so get a V1 at the very least.

KWP · 5th May 2007, 03:22

That sux!

Were you on the west side or east side of Atlanta?

Need4Spd · 5th May 2007, 03:35

Even the worst detector will sound off once the cruiser has you. Either they were using laser or their radar was working off frequency on an illegal band. Challenge the ticket. www.ticketassassin.com

ard · 5th May 2007, 03:37

Does the K40 give you any alerts?? False alerts are at least a way to tell it is working.

I'd rather have many false alarms as opposed to ONE missed! With my V1 set to ALL alerts, I see CHP Ka band all the time- Occasionally they are running without radars on, but I rarely get surprised.

CDW63 · 5th May 2007, 04:17

I know they have a new(er) technology called POP, quicker on target, still microwave signal. I believe MHP makes these guns. I know I sent my V1 for a $70-$80 upgrade about 6 months ago.

-Craig-

Kelster · 5th May 2007, 05:02

+1 I've had the "old" K40 in my 540i and now my M5 (came with it). I've always believed the radar part of the K40 was crap which is why I've always had a Valentine 1 running alongside it. I'm now planning on totally sh*t-canning the K40 and getting the new Blinder 45(?) system to complement the V1. Just my $0.02

BTW, be sure to read the "Guys Of Lidar" reports at -

http://www.guysoflidar.com/

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRM

Dunno exactly what a 7 year old K40 is capable of detecting, but they've always been considered marginal performers; especially compared to Valentine 1.

Most common cop radar is KA (sometimes K) band; which a V1 will detect in plenty of time (front and rear) for you to slow down. The speed trap you described would've been ricocheting beams all over the place from cars coming and going.

However, if cops were using laser (a point and shoot radar) V1 will sound off but it's almost always too late. Very little ricochets occur with laser. So you also need a laser jammer; like Blinder M40.

Anyway, your K40 is obviously useless, so get a V1 at the very least.

robluvs2xlr8 · 5th May 2007, 07:52

I also have the K40 radar detector.

For some reason the front detector doesn't make any kind of audible signal, only a very very faint one if you put your ear to it. It detects alright I guess, but I don't put full trust into it.