The fines for traffic violations are getting higher and higher every year. Even for headlights turned off during daylight hours, drivers will have to pay several hundred rubles, to say nothing of larger violations. Therefore, they go to all sorts of tricks, trying to minimize contacts with traffic police. Some try to follow the rules, others use anti-radar.
Antiradar is a special device that notifies the driver that a radar is used nearby by traffic police to determine the speed. Thus, the owner of the vehicle has time to slow down and pass the controlled section of the road without any problems. In addition, the function of the anti-radar is to create interference that makes it impossible to accurately determine the speed of the vehicle.
Among existing products, a significant market share is occupied by South Korean models under the Show-Me brand. For 15 years, the company has been launching speed limit warning devices on the CIS market, which have been recognized by experts as the best in their segment more than once.
One of the most popular models produced by this company is the Sho-Me 525 radar detector. Let's take a closer look at its characteristics and features, its advantages and disadvantages, taking into account the opinions of customers.
Description
This is a budget radar detector used to determine all types of radars in the service of the traffic police. The device distinguishes between the operation of Iskra, Sokol, Binar, Vizir, Radis, Arena, Kris-P and more modern laser video recorders of violations Amata and LEDS. This is a compact model that does not take up much space on the windshield. The Sho-Me 525 is 10.6 cm long and 6.7 cm wide. It weighs only 115 g. Unlike many models on the market, this device is able to detect one of the most formidable radars - Strelka, which only automatically measures the speed, but at the same time conducts video recording of the car with the definition of its number.
Ranges
Sho-Me 525 works in all known bands (X, Ultra X, K, Ultra K), including those that are rarely seen on Russian roads (Ka, Ku). The radar detector can also recognize Instant-On, POP, F-POP modes with short-term radar operation. As mentioned earlier, it detects radiation from laser detectors. The viewing angle, like most modern detectors, is 360 degrees.
Modes
As you know, the abundance of different-frequencyradiation within the city is simply enormous. A large number of signals can easily confuse a sensitive radar so that it will work at every corner. That is why some models, including the Sho-Me 525, are equipped with the "City" mode, in which the sensitivity of the devices is reduced, thereby reducing the number of false positives. In this model, 2 such modes are installed at once, set to different levels. And vice versa, on a country road or a motorway, when the probability of catching an extraneous signal is extremely low, the sensitivity of the radar detector should be maximum in order to catch the signals emitted by the traffic police speed controllers. It is for work in such conditions that the “Track” mode is intended.
Features of the model
This model uses a new intelligent anti-falshing algorithmTM. As a signal receiver, supergetardine, a redesigned getardine and a mixer are used, which made it possible to improve the detection characteristics of short-pulse signals. A biconvex sensitive condenser lens is used to detect laser signals.
Appearance
The "Show-Me" anti-radar comes in a plastic case, completely black or with silver inserts. On opposite sides of the case there are control buttons for the device:
- Volume on/off button (located on the side).
- Display with LED icons (located at the end).
- Antenna and lenses for receiving laser signals (withother end).
- Diming the brightness of the panel (on the top plane).
- Button for turning on the "City" and "Silent" modes.
- 12V power cord inlet (side).
Several symbols of different colors are arranged in a row on the display, which help to navigate in the selected modes and ranges of the determined speed clamps.
Meanings of symbols
- The P/L indicator, illuminated in yellow, indicates that the Sho-Me STR 525 radar detector is on. If it flashes during operation, it means that the device has picked up the signal from the laser speed controller.
- The X indicator is highlighted in red - a nearby device is operating in the X range.
- Ku icon glows green - the device has picked up a radar operating in the Ku band.
- K indicator lights up yellow - there is a device nearby that operates in the K band.
- The letters Ka are glowing red - the Sho-Me 525 radar detector has caught a device operating in the Ka band.
- The letters C lit up red on the display - in the "visibility" range of the device, the video recording system "Arrow" was detected.
- The C1 icon is highlighted in red - the "City 1" mode is on.
- The C2 icon is highlighted in yellow - the "City 2" mode is on.
Color marking of the range of identified radars is not limited to the capabilities of Sho-Me 525. The instruction says that when a radar is detected, a sound notification is activated. When two or more signal sources are detected, priority is given to laser signals and only then to signalsradars, including the Strelka complex.
Package
Included with the device are Velcro, a power cable and a bracket for attaching to the windshield with suction cups.
Mounting and turning on
There are 2 ways to mount the Sho-Me 525 radar detector. The instructions say that it can be installed on the dashboard with Velcro or attached to the windshield with suction cups.
In the first case, the protective film is removed from the Velcro. One is glued to the bottom of the radar detector, leaving the serial number open. The other is attached to the dashboard in a place previously selected and cleaned of dirt and dust.
In the second case, put suction cups on the bracket and attach them to the windshield (the bracket can be bent if necessary). They put the device on it, insert one end of the power cord into the radar detector, and the other into the cigarette lighter. In this case, the radar detector will turn on and the self-test phase will begin, which can be identified by a series of sound and light signals. When the self-diagnosis is completed, the P/L icon will turn yellow on the display.
Volume control
Since an excessively loud horn can disturb the driver or annoy, it becomes necessary to make it quieter. Conversely, a person with poor hearing needs to set it to the maximum in order to respond to the signal in time. You can adjust the sound volume using the side wheel: to do this, you need to turn it left and right until it starts to suit you. If necessary, you can completely turn off the signal or turn on the mode.auto mute.
Display brightness control
The backlight of the display in this device can be adjusted in 3 positions:
- Dim (dimmed brightness) - mode recommended for use in the evening, at night or overcast day.
- Bright - Used in daylight.
- Dark (dark) - the display turns on only when the Sho-Me 525 radar detector picks up a signal.
Switching from mode to mode occurs when you press the Dark button.
Reviews
As practice shows, a good set of declared features is half the battle. Often during, so to speak, "field tests" the technique does not show itself in the best way and produces results that are far from expected. Therefore, drivers are primarily interested in how the Sho-Me 525 radar shows itself in practice. Reviews indicate that during the tests, this model performed very well. The tests were carried out both by ordinary motorists and experts from thematic magazines. The Sho-Me 525 anti-radar was tested in urban areas and on highways. Drivers note that the number of false alarms is insignificant, but the device reacted promptly to the active radars at the traffic police posts, warning in advance about the operation of the fixing equipment. The work of the anti-radar to detect the Strelka complex caused criticism. Experts note that it does not always respond to this version of video recorders, rely completely on the anti-radar in this matterit is forbidden. However, most radar detectors on the market work the same way.
However, one control measurement is far from everything. Equally important is how the Sho-Me 525 radar behaves over time. Reviews indicate that this technique performs well over its entire service life. The number of devices that fail before the end of their service life is small.
Ambiguous opinions about the quality of attachment of suction cups. The number of drivers who claim that they stick firmly and firmly to the windshield is about the same as the number of people who say that they constantly fall off. Therefore, in any case, an additional Velcro fastening that comes with the kit will come in handy. Drivers who have repeatedly used the anti-radar and traveled with it for distances of several thousand kilometers note that the device often erroneously reacts to truckers' radios and constantly beeps near trucks. At the same time, lovers of driving on empty tracks note that with the purchase of a radar detector, the number of fines that they had to pay annually has sharply decreased. Thus, the Sho-Me STR 525 radar detector pays for itself in a few months.
How much does this device cost? The cost of the device differs significantly depending on the place of purchase of the Sho-Me STR 525 radar detector. The price for this device at the end of 2014 fluctuated between 3-4 thousand rubles, devices of other brands with similar functions cost about the same. Most owners note that this device is ideal in terms of value for money, and it makes no sense to overpay for more sophisticated models.
