Bob, I have to disagree with you on that statement about headlight buckets and number plates, but his earlier statement about headlight buckets was taken out of context. Of course, if the number plate was metal, then that would be a great signal reflector.
I read two magazine articles, one from Car and Driver, the other I think was Road and Track, that were done quite well, with well thought out tests and controls. The main point of the headlight bucket (the test subject was a dual-headlight Suzuki GSXR1100) was that without the bucket, detection range was only about 300-500 feet, but once the bucket was added, detection range increased to about 3000-4000 feet. The parabolic shapes of the two lights reflected a radar guns signal quite strongly. Car and Driver seems to revisit this subject every 3-5 years, and I remember similar tests back to the late 70's. Now, these detection ranges dont make a lot of difference on the race track, but on the street they are a big deal. So the point was not that it was undetectable, but that detection range is greatly dependent on the frontal shape and signal reflection capabilities. The authors also go on to point out how the big trucks can be seen out to about 1.25 miles in flat territory by even cheap radar guns, how Honda Civics are pretty stealthy due to their small size, and how certain cars are naturally stealthy and why: In speaking with a GM engineer that worked on the C4 Corvette (1984-1997?), it was noted that the radiator was angled upwards about 15-20 degrees to deflect signals, and how it was found to be better than angled downwards, and the frontal shape of the engine was changed slightly (timing cover, accessory pumps) to work in conjunction with the radiator to further deflect signals upwards, rather than forward through the air spaces in the radiator. All this substantially reduced the detectable range by about 40% if my memory serves me correctly. There was a great sales rational to the design work on the 'Vette: they draw additional attention from cops (as do all high-performance cars), the owners get a lot of tickets, which in turn causes insurance rates to go up. Making the cars more stealthy would have a long-term affect of either reducing rates, or slowing the rate of increase. If insurance rates are more reasonable, then they can sell more cars. My friend the Chevy mechanic recently bought a 2001 Camaro Z-28, and its radiator is also angled upwards, as is the metal radiator supports. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2002 10:51 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Radar Detectors Having radar'd race bikes that only have number plates up front, the headlight reflector theory is inaccurate. RSRBOB The information contained in this e-mail including any attachments may constitute Corvis Corporation Proprietary Information that is subject to Non-Disclosure Agreement and cannot be disclosed to any other party without the express consent of Corvis Corporation. If you are neither the intended recipient of this e-mail nor responsible for delivering this e-mail to the intended recipient, note that any dissemination, distribution, copying, or retention of this e-mail is prohibited. If you believe you have received this e-mail in error, we request that you notify the sender by return e-mail and then delete this e-mail and any return e-mail immediately.
