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Testing products is a norm when faced with multiple items fitting the same category, and all of them claiming on being able to achieve particular categories of standards. This places into perspective the tests conducted in proving, or "disproving" the manufacturer's claims on their radar detectors. As with all trials, there are some guidelines to take note of. Radar Detector Test Methodology The advantage of having SML conduct the tests is due to their unbiased position. While SML sets the objective criteria and administers the radar detector tests, the company does not directly operate the laser and radar guns. This part is facilitated only by members of the law enforcement agencies, who utilize this type of equipment on a daily basis in their efforts to enforce state and local traffic ordinances. This policy makes certain that the test results are completely unbiased and represent real-world applications of law enforcement techniques applied across the United States. The police officers or operators are properly trained, tested, and certified to efficiently operate the wide array of laser and radar guns used in the evaluation. SML established a collection of 10 separate tests, the X, K, Ka frontal straight line, and over-the-hill during constant, and instant-on modes; six varying X, K, and Ka rear tests; a LIDAR test, the measurement of each product's visibility to radar-detector detection (RDD), and a POP mode test (67 millisecond burst). POP allows officers a quick speed reading that should be followed by a traditional locked figure for issuing a ticket. The objective part of the test adds up to 80 percent of the total result. In every category, the highest-scoring unit receives the maximum number of points, and the remaining units scored against the winner of the category, on a percentage basis. The remaining 20 percent covers the subjective evaluations, which includes features, ergonomics, and overall value of the unit. Among the subjective categories, value, with a possible10 points, is the most important, and the total objective points collected is balanced against the suggested retail price (SRP) of the unit. The actual street prices are used in this regard. Other prices spring from the manufacturers' own Web sites or their advertisements. Detectors used during the tests are anonymously bought at retail or directly from the manufacturers. The manufacturers, in this case would normally shoulder the bill accumulated during the testing and evaluation of their products. During the Tests All the test vehicles begin within the two-and-a-half-mile cone with the radar guns fired in the Instant On and Constant On modes. Each detector is tried with each gun. Next, detectors are moved into the two-mile cone, and then at one-and-a-half-mile cone, and lastly the one-mile cone. To be more definite of the results, a detector must be able to report radar at least five times at the effective normal targeting range of one-quarter mile. These tests of course, vary according to the reviewers conducting the tests. When trying to assess which radar detector to purchase, it is best advised that you not only read on the features of each detector, but also research on theirs reviews, sourcing different evaluators, to get the best possible objective opinion.
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