Topic update: I tested the 8500 in the glovebox vs. mounted above the front brake lever on a power plate against a fixed "K" band radar speed sign, difference: None. (might be some variance in the state of Indiana though..) I tested both front and rear detection with multiple passes and the detector caught the K band from the same distance with both mounting locations. I'm now looking for a LEO with a Ka gun and a sense of humor to test out the two mounting locations with that band, but from what I've read there is no difference in the two bands only a different freqs.
https://www.copradar.com/preview/xappA/xappA.html If anyone has any details on the difference in penetration capabilities between K vs. Ka bands, post up please. Will report back with the Ka band testing, but I'm guessing it won't have much of a difference. Now... if I can find a LIDAR gun to borrow.
8500 X50 w/ H.A.R.D. transmitter in Gen I glovebox.
Topic Update 5/11/10
Update: Short answer - it works great!
Long answer - A helpful local LEO got his LIDAR and RADAR guns out yesterday to help test my glove box mounted RD theory. We started out in a pouring rain, rode around until we found a straight stretch of road (no rain finally) and set up shop. A two-lane road was used with over a mile of unrestricted visibility with the far end climbing up about a 5% grade that rolls off the other side out of the line of sight.
LIDAR - I rode away from the LIDAR gun with my Escort 8500 X50 on a RAM PowerPlate mounted in the RH mirror mount pointing forward through the windscreen. I did not pick up any LASER alert while riding away from the gun as my body was blocking the rear facing port on the X50. I did receive a LASER alert while riding toward the LIDAR gun at up to a mile away. Interesting enough, the LEO could not get an accurate read on my speed until I was 322' away, which at about twice the distance I was able to see him clearly. He mentioned that conditions were ideal as I was approaching him on a downhill slope with a bit more area presented vs. on a flat road, but he still couldn't get a good read on me until very close. There is speculation that a large flat upright windscreen might help the LIDAR target more easily from the front, but we didn't get to test that theory as we had to finish before the rain started up again. He told me that motorcycles are very difficult to get a reading on when headed toward the LIDAR gun. However, when heading away from the gun, the reflective material on the back of my Stitch', along with the lic plate and reflective material on my bags was used as a target and it was much easier to get a read on the LIDAR gun from a much farther distance.
Radar - a Ka band RADAR gun was used with the X50 still mounted on the Power Plate which gave me Ka alerts both approaching and departing the LEO, as usual up the entire measured mile we were using.
X50 mounted inside the glove box results
LIDAR - No alerts from X50 (as expected)
Ka band RADAR - Alerts from both ahead and behind, no difference between the glove box vs. the Power Plate mounting.
Conclusions -
Ka band - alerts being the same and consistent with the exposed mount lead me to believe there is no advantage to keeping the RD out in the open.
LIDAR - being difficult to target a bike head on, IMHO reduces the chances that I'll miss an alert (by having the RD in the glove box, therefore no LIDAR alerts) any sooner than I'd (hopefully) see the LEO. Also, the use of a smaller windscreen, kept in the down position might help make a smaller target. As mentioned above, I did receive a LIDAR alert with the Power Plate mount at a mile away, but I was being targeted specifically (no errant shots from trying to target other vehicles) and the “money shot” was obtained well after I saw (or should see) the LEO.
The only other issue would be heat build up inside the glove box as others had mentioned previously in this thread. I'm of the opinion that a RD out in the direct sunlight may get about as hot as being in a closed up box in the shade. I realize heat is transmitted into the box, but plan on using a digital temp probe to test this aspect when temps are in the 90s. Stay tuned!
