I'm a medical courier, and I badly needed a radar detector--a really good one. I tried the Whistler CR-95 but it was inconsistent in its GPS database for photo radar, which is a big problem in the area where I drive. After heavy research, I realized the Radensos are a breed apart, and I settled on the DS1, mainly for the protection feature it has for mobile police radar vans, aka Multaradar--a new type of radar being used against unsuspecting motorists.
The DS1 is relatively small, lightweight compared to other detectors I've tried. It won't stay put if you try to use a dash pad on the dash; it will roll and tumble with every turn of your wheel. The magnetic mount that comes with the detector works extremely well on my windshield. I have the detector mounted one inch below my rear view mirror. The detector has a corner cut on the left side where the mute button is located. That makes it very easy to reach up and mute the detector tho this detector is far more quiet out-of-the box than any other detector I've tried.
My first night of trial, I was driving to one of my stops in Buckeye AZ. As I drove down Yuma Road for 5 miles plus in the dark, a straight arrow to the shopping center, the detector was beeping Ka band radar like crazy but I could not see anything; it was dark outside. I kept my speed close to 50. There were two lanes each direction, very little traffic. I've driven this street many times before in the dark at faster speeds. Tonight tho, the detector was extremely active on a dark deserted road.
The Ka band is blaring--that's police radar. And the K band is going--it can be police or other sources but there's nothing around me. I'm in the last town on the outskirts of Phoenix, and the radar detector is going insane at 10:00 pm on a dark, empty street?! Weird, really weird.
Then, the Waze app announces: "Police ahead in 0.50 miles" or something like that. So, the detector gave me several miles notice of a cop who is now ½ mile in front of me. As I get closer, I see an SUV vehicle on the left side facing towards me, sitting in the dark. The detector is screaming at me: KA BAND!!!. I drive by and see the POLICE decal. He is using a mounted radar gun to pick off anybody who speeds down Yuma Road, and, amazingly, he just leaves the radar on.
That's how you do it: Waze + the world class Radenso DS1 radar detector. No ticket tonight.
On the previous Saturday, in Scottsdale, Waze alerted me to all the photo radar intersections regardless whether the cameras were actually installed or pointed at my lanes. But the detector was choosy: If there were no cameras pointed at my three lanes, it stayed silent. Returning the other way, the photo radar cameras were pointed at my three lanes, and the detector alerted me, in addition to Waze. For photo radar, the DS1 detector uses an installed GPS database (firmware download).
Why have both? Waze is unreliable for mobile police vans equipped with the new Multaradar speed camera. The new equipment uses infrared cameras that don't require a flash to capture your license plate. They use a new type of radar that flips between bands that today's radar detectors cannot detect unless you're using a Radenso DS1 or Pro M. I've seen one such van up on the curb in Scottsdale; I'm not sure what my speed was when I drove past it, and Waze didn't warn me of the mobile van. Waze also cannot fore-warn you if you are driving through an Internet hole--an area with a weak Internet connection.
The DS1 costs more than I wanted to spend but less than a traffic ticket plus court fees. No regrets here.
UPDATE: June 7 2022
The DS1 has an automatic K-band block-out feature wherein the same K-band source, when it is passed three times in not less than 16 hours (and the source is stationary), it is blocked automatically and retained in memory. My DS1 has blocked out most of the Phoenix metro area, and I drive in silence and peace. When the detector does sound off, it's the real thing, not a false alert. Nearly all of the K-band block-outs are either automatic door openers (auto dealerships, grocery stores) or traffic monitoring devices (speed warning signs). Driver safety radar signals in other cars are automatically screened out.
Scottsdale is now using stationary traffic enforcement kiosks on the side of various roads. These kiosks are about 20 inches square, 4½ feet tall, and equipped with a Multaradar (aka MRCD) system that uses an infra-red speed camera (no flash). The DS1 alerts me to these unmarked kiosks sitting on the side of the road. It also alerts me to the similar systems installed in unmarked mobile vans parked on the curb in Paradise Valley.
If you go to the Radenso website, they have an impressive support web page with lots of informative articles on their Radar University page. I"ve used three previous detectors, and none come close to the performance and support of the DS!.
| Brand | Radenso |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Radenso |
| Place of Business | Phone: 1-888-RADENSO (1-888-723-3676) E-mail: support@radenso.com |
| Model | DS1 |
| Part Number | DS1 |
| Number of Items | 5 |
| Batteries included | No |
| Batteries Required | No |
| Human Interface Input | Buttons |
| Includes rechargable battery | No |
| Supports Bluetooth Technology | Yes |
| Manufacturer | Radenso |
| Item model number | DS1 |
| Product Dimensions | 10.92 x 7.62 x 3.05 cm; 662 g |
| ASIN | B09JT4T34R |
