Cops use which band more? K or Ka?

rdsport323 · 04-30-2008, 01:17 AM

About 10+ years ago, my brother had a V1 and all he had to pay attention to was the K band chirp... This was before V1 had X, K, Ka on the unit so the only way to tell what was detected was by memorizing the specific chirp of the radar detector.

So nowadays, do police still use K for the majority? or have they moved onto Ka? I'm assuming X isn't used by the police and is only picked up near supermarkets and stuff.

And with a V1, are there a lot of false-positives with K or Ka band? Before, if you heard the K band, it was almost guaranteed a cop was nearby.... has that changed?

Res Ipsa · 04-30-2008, 02:07 AM

It really depends where you are. The only place I've still encountered X band was in small towns/rural law enforcement. Typically, most bigger towns and cities will exclusively use K and Ka band.

e92phreak · 04-30-2008, 02:09 AM

I have noticed that CHP has been using only Ka in my area.

LOLrance · 04-30-2008, 02:26 AM

In my area (and looking at your location is the same area) cops do not use K band. i had my radar detector for 2+ years and i've never had a K band go off where it was a cop. It has ALWAYS been Ka. K was always the automatic door sensors at grocery stores or the "your speed" signs or red light cameras but never police. After a while, i just learned to turn K off.

ren · 04-30-2008, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by l4wr3nc3

In my area (and looking at your location is the same area) cops do not use K band. i had my radar detector for 2+ years and i've never had a K band go off where it was a cop. It has ALWAYS been Ka. K was always the automatic door sensors at grocery stores or the "your speed" signs or red light cameras but never police. After a while, i just learned to turn K off.

Same here. I haven't seen any cops with K band, around here they're using either Ka or Laser. That's why I programmed my V1 not to go off if K is coming from behind, and X band is turned off.

rdsport323 · 04-30-2008, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by l4wr3nc3

In my area (and looking at your location is the same area) cops do not use K band. i had my radar detector for 2+ years and i've never had a K band go off where it was a cop. It has ALWAYS been Ka. K was always the automatic door sensors at grocery stores or the "your speed" signs or red light cameras but never police. After a while, i just learned to turn K off.

whoa... that's weird.. I haven't used a radar in 10 years, and back then it was X that went off driving past supermarkets, and it was K for cops..

interesting, I guess I will have to adjust to paying attention to Ka.

AJayE92 · 04-30-2008, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by l4wr3nc3

In my area (and looking at your location is the same area) cops do not use K band. i had my radar detector for 2+ years and i've never had a K band go off where it was a cop. It has ALWAYS been Ka. K was always the automatic door sensors at grocery stores or the "your speed" signs or red light cameras but never police. After a while, i just learned to turn K off.

K is also used for Automatic Speed Traps, and those Screens that show you how fast you're going

my friend got a ticket in the area cuz he thought the K was just a grovery store or something, low and behold .... rest is history lol

anyways i agree either way... Ka has become the Majority, and many state Troopers here in SoFla Laser,

according to Radar Roy, X is 80% likely to be a False Alarm, K is 35% likely to be a false alarm, Ka is 10 % likely, and laser.... some ridiculously low #

Bubbles · 04-30-2008, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdsport323

About 10+ years ago, my brother had a V1 and all he had to pay attention to was the K band chirp... This was before V1 had X, K, Ka on the unit so the only way to tell what was detected was by memorizing the specific chirp of the radar detector.

So nowadays, do police still use K for the majority? or have they moved onto Ka? I'm assuming X isn't used by the police and is only picked up near supermarkets and stuff.

And with a V1, are there a lot of false-positives with K or Ka band? Before, if you heard the K band, it was almost guaranteed a cop was nearby.... has that changed?

California - KA, Pacing, K, Airborn VASCAR, Laser

Go here

rdsport323 · 04-30-2008, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubbles

California - KA, Pacing, K, Airborn VASCAR, Laser

Go here

Perfect, thanks for the link!

subterFUSE · 04-30-2008, 02:16 PM

I am in Orlando, FL.

I have only encountered cops with either Ka band radar, or laser.
If I hear X band, it is a store's automatic door sensor.
I also ignore K band.

I also get a fair number of laser false alarms. Not sure what causes them. I think some certain kinds of lights cause it, maybe?

AjzRide · 04-30-2008, 06:45 PM

Many smaller towns use K band still. I drive about 40 miles from the city to work every day, and all the small towns along the way are K. most of the city cops and state troopers use Ka. I have turned off X, i've never seen a cop use that.

Nick@aep · 04-30-2008, 06:55 PM

I have X disabled on mine. Never seen it used. Most common REAL alarm is KA band for me. Very seldomly I'll get a K band but its usually on road trips.

CRZ410S · 04-30-2008, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Res Ipsa

It really depends where you are. The only place I've still encountered X band was in small towns/rural law enforcement. Typically, most bigger towns and cities will exclusively use K and Ka band.

+1

ideliver · 05-01-2008, 09:56 PM

All you guys rolling through Ohio with your x-bands disabled...be carefull...many local PD and some Ohio Highway patrols still use this...and it is instant on...they like to hide and drill you as you drive past and are close...old school style

Some are just using Lidar too...but there is still a lot of X band out there is Ohio

04-30-2008, 01:17 AM	#1
rdsport323 Captain 56 Rep 879 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: OC, CA iTrader: (0)	Cops use which band more? K or Ka? About 10+ years ago, my brother had a V1 and all he had to pay attention to was the K band chirp... This was before V1 had X, K, Ka on the unit so the only way to tell what was detected was by memorizing the specific chirp of the radar detector. So nowadays, do police still use K for the majority? or have they moved onto Ka? I'm assuming X isn't used by the police and is only picked up near supermarkets and stuff. And with a V1, are there a lot of false-positives with K or Ka band? Before, if you heard the K band, it was almost guaranteed a cop was nearby.... has that changed?
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04-30-2008, 02:07 AM	#2
Res Ipsa Local LOLyer 6 Rep 303 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 M3 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [0.00]	It really depends where you are. The only place I've still encountered X band was in small towns/rural law enforcement. Typically, most bigger towns and cities will exclusively use K and Ka band. __________________ Audi S5 \| '09 X5 xDrive 30i
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04-30-2008, 02:09 AM	#3
e92phreak General 396 Rep 21,745 Posts Drives: E92 335i TiAg/E46 323i TiAg Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [9.50] 2000 E46 323i [0.00]	I have noticed that CHP has been using only Ka in my area. __________________ 07 E92 335i \| TiAg \| Step \| Padl \| Cmft \| Alum Trm \| PDC \| Nav \| Assist \| Sat \| Lthr \| Prem \| Sprt \| Rear Splr \| RDSport Quads \| iPod \| V1 \| LT Refl \| VS Clear Bra \| OEM Lip \| KWV2 \| Mtec Sides \| BBS LM-R 00 E46 323i \| TiAg \| 5sp \| Sport \| Roof \| RDSport Cams \| RDSport tune \| RDSport Shift \| Volk LE37 \| M3 spoiler \| PSS9 \| SuperSprint \| Brembo
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04-30-2008, 02:26 AM	#4
LOLrance The Law. 314 Rep 14,282 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SF / OC iTrader: (17)	In my area (and looking at your location is the same area) cops do not use K band. i had my radar detector for 2+ years and i've never had a K band go off where it was a cop. It has ALWAYS been Ka. K was always the automatic door sensors at grocery stores or the "your speed" signs or red light cameras but never police. After a while, i just learned to turn K off. __________________
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04-30-2008, 02:16 PM	#10
subterFUSE Captain 1508 Rep 984 Posts Drives: 2023 Audi R8, 2023 Audi S8 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Mt Pleasant, SC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 Audi R8 Quattr ... [10.00] 2023 Audi S8 [10.00]	I am in Orlando, FL. I have only encountered cops with either Ka band radar, or laser. If I hear X band, it is a store's automatic door sensor. I also ignore K band. I also get a fair number of laser false alarms. Not sure what causes them. I think some certain kinds of lights cause it, maybe?
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04-30-2008, 06:45 PM	#11
AjzRide Enlisted Member 0 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 1965 Mustang 351w Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Mobile, AL iTrader: (2)	Many smaller towns use K band still. I drive about 40 miles from the city to work every day, and all the small towns along the way are K. most of the city cops and state troopers use Ka. I have turned off X, i've never seen a cop use that.
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04-30-2008, 06:55 PM	#12
Nick@aep Team Zissou 140 Rep 1,426 Posts Drives: Past: E92 335i 6mt, 996 GT2 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (6)	I have X disabled on mine. Never seen it used. Most common REAL alarm is KA band for me. Very seldomly I'll get a K band but its usually on road trips. __________________ Formerly Known As: Nick@AEPerformance Drive ALL Out Foundation
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05-01-2008, 09:56 PM	#14
ideliver Major 248 Rep 1,247 Posts Drives: E60 M5, E71 X6M, E46 M3 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: At the gas station iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW E46 M3 'vert [0.00] 2008 BMW M5 [0.00] 2011 BMW E92 [0.00] 2012 BMW X6M [0.00] 2003 E46 M3 [0.00]	All you guys rolling through Ohio with your x-bands disabled...be carefull...many local PD and some Ohio Highway patrols still use this...and it is instant on...they like to hide and drill you as you drive past and are close...old school style Some are just using Lidar too...but there is still a lot of X band out there is Ohio __________________ Current: 2006 E46 M3 'vert 6-sp 2008 E60 M5, 2011 E92 328 6-sp, 2011 E70 N55, 2012 E71 X6M
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