The popularity of radar detectors is increasing year by year. Even disciplined drivers note that without them they are nowhere when traveling long distances. Indeed, you can keep the speed limit all the way, and in a short section, when trying to overtake a slowly moving truck, get under the radar. That is why the radar detector is one of the most popular holiday gifts for men.
When choosing a suitable device, buyers try to choose the best option from the price-quality ratio. That is why many people choose the Sho-me STR 530 radar detector. For the second decade, the Sho-mi company has been promoting goods to Russian markets and neighboring countries. At the same time, its products have been repeatedly recognized as the best in their segment.
Description
This is a compact lightweight radar detector in a silver or black rectangular plastic case. The thickness of the device is 33 mm, its width is 71 mm, and its length is 112 mm. Such a model will not take up much space on the front panel and will not interfere with the driver's view. The weight of the device is only 128 grams. To their -the most common ranges in Russia in which the Sho-me STR 530 radar detector operates. Reviews indicate that it also catches a signal in the ultra-short ranges Ultra X, Ultra K, detects laser signals and detects the operation of the Strelka stationary complex in advance.
Device Features
- Recognizes Instant-On radars.
- Modern design, made of high quality materials.
- Consumes minimal electricity.
- There is an adjustment of the sensitivity level.
- Warns of low battery.
- Bright display with mode indicators.
- Smart anti-false positive algorithm.
Cost
Sho-me STR 530 is not a cheap radar detector. Prices for it in mid-2015 fluctuated between 3.5-4.5 thousand rubles.
At the same time, it can not be called too expensive, since it is affordable for most middle-class buyers. Of course, there are devices with similar functions and cost less than the Sho-me STR 530. The price of such radar detectors, as a rule, is reduced due to the deterioration in quality: they often “freeze”, give false signals or miss the work of some radars. Those who find the cost of the device too high should not forget that fines for speeding start at 500 rubles and end at 5,000. Thus, a radar detector, the prices for which fluctuate in the range of 3-4 thousand, can pay off in one trip. Whereinyou can use it for more than one year.
Package
Included are two Velcro fasteners for attaching to the front panel, a bracket with suction cups, with which the device can be hung from the windshield, a power cord, the Sho-me STR 530 radar detector itself, instructions.
Reviews
First of all, motorists are interested in how the Sho-me STR 530 radar detector performs in practice.
Reviews about this model are the most favorable, most owners agree that it surpasses some detectors of a higher price category in many ways. The viewing angle of this device is 360 degrees, which means that it picks up radars located not only along the path of the car, but also behind it. Consequently, the driver will be protected from video recording devices aimed at the "back" of the vehicle and designed to register the rear license plates of violators. The owners note that the device notifies about the presence of such installations 100-200 meters away. This distance is enough to slow down and not run into a fine.
However, some drivers criticize the Sho-me STR 530 radar detector. Feedback from these owners indicates that this model often gives a false positive signal within the city, reacting to literally everything, despite the presence of protection against false positives. The radar emits a sound signal when the car passes the doors of supermarkets, gas stations, reacts to the protection of supermarkets and houses. However, the same problemalmost all such devices have it.
On the track, the Sho-me STR 530 radar detector shows itself in a completely different way. Reviews indicate that it warns of the presence of traffic police speed fixing devices for 500-800 meters. What is important, unlike many models, it determines the Strelka complex with great accuracy.
Display
From the end of the radar detector there is a display with a number of symbols that help you navigate the signals caught and the operating modes of the device.
- The P/L indicator illuminated in yellow indicates that the radar detector is on. A flashing symbol means it has picked up the laser signal.
- The X/Ku indicator illuminated in red means that a device is operating nearby in the X/Ku bands.
- Icon ST is green - the device has detected the work of the Strelka complex
- K indicator is amber - there is a device nearby that operates in the K band.
- The letters Ka are glowing red - the anti-radar has caught a device operating in the Ka range.
- The battery icon is red - the battery is low.
- The C1 icon is red - City 1 mode is on.
- C2 icon glows yellow - City 2 mode is on.
The "City 1" and "City 2" modes are designed for use in metropolitan areas with a large number of third-party signals on the same bands.
In these modes, the sensitivity of the device is reduced, the reception of the radar signal is limited, without affectingdetection of lasers and stationary cameras. "City 1" and "City 2" differ in the level of sensitivity. When the device is turned on, the default mode is “Route”, while the detector recognizes the operation of radars in the X, K, Ku bands. Reception of signals in the Ka band is connected separately. "Route" is designed for driving on highways and expressways, where the probability of detecting false signals by the Sho-me STR 530 anti-radar is minimal. "Arrow" is also included in the list of detected signals in this mode.
The sequence of turning on / off the device, changing modes can be found in the instructions. This document describes how you can adjust the sensitivity of the device, change the intensity of the Sho-me STR 530 sound signal. The manual also gives recommendations for troubleshooting and installation of the device.
Testing on the roads
Sho-me STR 530 anti-radar has been repeatedly tested by both ordinary motorists and experienced experts. Most of the checks took place in Moscow and the Moscow region, but he was also checked in other regions.
As a result, it was found that he reacted to Strelka radars 20 meters before the post. To the most common K-signal radars in Russia within the region - for 400-500 meters. In front of the Moscow Ring Road, he began to notify about traffic police posts 200 meters away, but on the Kievskoye highway, he did not react to the Strelka stationary complexes. According to the research results, from 80 to 100% of the speed clamps encountered are recognized by the Sho-me STR 530 device. The test also showed that the accuracy of the recognized signals largely depends on the location of the radar detector. When placed on the windshield, the efficiency of the device is maximum. When mounted on the front panel, there may be problems with determining the signal due to the angle of the radar detector or the movement of the wipers. Also, during the test, the drivers noted that the Sho-me STR 530 gives a false positive result when the column is moving
Installation
To improve the signal quality, the antenna of the device should be directed towards the road. The radar detector should not interfere with the driver's view. The sensors and antenna must not be blocked by metal parts (such as pillars) and wipers.
You can install the device in 2 ways: using suction cups on the windshield or using Velcro on the dashboard.
First way:
- Insert the suction cups into the bracket.
- Bend it to the right angle.
- Attach suction cups to glass.
- Insert the power cord into the appliance.
- Connect the appliance to the bracket.
- Plug the power cord into the cigarette lighter socket and turn on the radar detector.
Second way:
- Choose a suitable place on the dashboard and clean it of dust and dirt.
- Remove the protective film from one of the Velcro and stick it on the selected area.
- Remove the film from another Velcro and attach it to the device, bypassing the serial number of the device.
- Connect them together, plug in the power cord and start the anti-radar.
Additional features
Unlike the previous model,"Sho-mi 520", this radar detector is equipped with a low battery warning function. What is it for? As you know, not only radar detectors work from the cigarette lighter, but also registrars, heated seats and other devices. Therefore, due to the employment of the socket and in the absence of a tee, it can
there will be a need for autonomous operation of this device. Sudden shutdown of the device while the camera density is high may result in a fine. Therefore, it is so important to be aware of a low charge in advance. When the battery voltage drops, the battery icon will light up on the display and a beep will sound three times, which will repeat every 5 minutes.
Faults
When the radar detector does not turn on, turn the wheel to turn on the device, check if the wire is connected correctly. If these measures do not help, check the cigarette lighter fuse and replace it if necessary. Also possible causes of malfunctions: there are problems with the wiring of the car itself, debris has accumulated in the cigarette lighter socket (in this case, it is enough to wipe it and clean the cord).
