The RDD threat: does it concern you?
To go UNDETECTABLE or not? It's the starting point in figuring which PORTABLE radar detector (RD) to choose. For "Oz", the decision should be a "no-brainer". If the intention is to drive in any other state than WA, the Beltronics STi XR "AU-NZ" is the only logical choice. With Radar Detector Detectors (RDD's) established or increasing in numbers in the "controlled" states, an electronically UNDETECTABLE Radar Detector with "full coverage" is essential.

Anti-detector Laws: more to come?
There are restrictions against Radar Detectors in all states except WA. There is no impediment to a current or future Western Australian government legislating to ban radar detectors and other similar devices. In fact, the federal inspired "Australian Road Rules" suggest that it is an amazing anomaly that WA has not already fallen into line with all other states. With that in mind, is it worth buying a "detectable" radar detector for WA? Only a brand/model that has a history of being "upgradable". Valentine Research is rumoured to be working on an "undetectable" solution. That makes the "V-One" the best alternative to the STi - but only for WA.

Radar Detection: full coverage - or not?
Some words of warning! If you are planning to drive in other states in the future, be cautious about RD's marketed as "Australian Radar Detectors". Just because Australia and Radar Detectors are "linked" does not mean the product is designed for use in the 6 states and 2 territories. The models we have assessed do not detect all "radar" speed traps. In fact they are X/K radar detectors modified to eliminate the old X-band frequency not used since 1989. New South Wales is the only mainland state to use K-band exclusively. The single band PORTABLE "ARD's" are only useful within an extremely limited area. With no scanning of the higher frequency Ka-band there is no detection of the Multanova Speed Camera used extensively in WA. No detection of the Ka-band Genesis Mobile Radar in Qld either? In other words - these "ARD's" are obsolete!

Stealth: does that mean "undetectable"?
The ARD's detectors only claim "immunity" to one type of RDD - The Stalcar/Spectre marketed by Stealth Micro Systems. But how immune? Not very! One variant we assessed included the warning, "Turn OFF when in close quarters".

The sellers of these ARD's detectors cannot guarantee that the devices will remain stealth. Apparently they need to be serviced to stay immune to the Stalcar RDD. A statement on the "technician's" website makes this claim!

"There is no Electronic Device that will remain Stealth unless serviced periodically in a Microwave Lab!".

And this "updated" statement in mid-June 2007 - still pushing the nutty notion that only a 1984 radar detector design continually "tinkered with" can defeat the Stalcar RDD.

Undetectability is not forever. Servicing is required in a Microwave Lab!

Still nonsense and still hiding the fact that the detectors are unable to detect many radars used in Australia. Pity the "devices" cannot be "serviced in a microwave lab" to detect Australian Ka-band radars!!!

How often does "the device" need to be serviced? What happens if the user is late for a service or has not been notified? How much do the services cost? It's never mentioned. How can this statement be true when there are detectors available that do not need to be serviced to "remain stealth" - undetectable?

Upgradable: fact or fiction?
Despite assurances of being "upgradable for future threats", the ancient "ARD's" detectors cannot even detect current radar threats (Ka-band) and are missing Laser detection. Do not be misled by the "Aussie" inferences. The so called "Australian Radar Detectors" are actually based on mid-1980's American Whistler designs.

Why would anyone consider buying these "obsolete" products? Radar Detectors have been "outlawed" in most parts of Australia since 1991. From the turn of the century, several cunning "radar technicians" terrified motorists with a fear campaign about the Australian Stalcar RDD. Amazingly they had unrestricted access to a device that should only be in the possession of police and the manufacturer. These lucky stiffs promoted an RDD solution. It comprised buying a detector that needed to be constantly upgraded to maintain "stealth". Unfortunately, the process prevented detecting the higher frequency Ka-band. By not mentioning this "fault" and ignoring (concealing?) the emerging Ka threat, consumers were deceived into thinking the product was "full coverage" for Oz. These are the very same units that have not been upgraded to detect the Ka-band mobile radars introduced in late 2004. How long does it take for a self-proclaimed engineer to complete this necessary modification? Forever or never?

Avoiding the "detector deceivers"
How then to spot sellers of these "half-blind" "ARD's"? Avoid any brand or model that refuses to publish "detection" specifications. There is no logical reason why the ability to detect certain radar frequencies (or lack thereof) needs to be hidden from consumers. Which radar bands can be detected has no bearing on stealth secrets. This "subterfuge" is more likely a way of selling an inferior and obsolete product.

Undetectable: what is the standard?
A final tip. Some RD's have a feature called "VG-2 Undetectable" or "VG-2 Immune". Because the old imported RDD is obsolete, this is useless. The Australian made Stalcar Mk3 is used throughout Australia. As far as "portable" detectors go, only the Beltronics STi with TotalShield Technology provides "full coverage" and remains 100% undetectable.