K40 Platinum100 Transportable Radar Detector
Execs
Ticket Free Assure
A number of GPS Capabilities
Elective Laser Defuser Safety
Cons
Not totally bought on the distant
No sprint digicam possibility
Affiliate Disclosure: Automoblog and its companions could earn a fee if you buy the merchandise featured on this overview. The Platinum 100 on this overview was equipped by K40 Electronics. The opinions beneath are my very own primarily based on my private expertise with the product.
In an ever-growing market of premium-grade radar detectors, the choice from K40 Electronics tops many best-of charts. One of many firm’s newest choices is the K40 Platinum100 with GPS. Because the title suggests, this unit incorporates a full vary of GPS-enabled capabilities, superior filtering know-how, and radar band selectivity. Moreover, K40 designed the Platinum100 unit to eradicate false alerts.
Different extras embrace the company-backed Ticket-Free Assure. In case you obtain a ticket within the first 12 months of proudly owning (and utilizing!) the unit, the corporate can pay it (after all, some circumstances apply).
Whereas a fast look on the K40 Platinum100’s prolonged listing of options is actually sufficient to pique one’s curiosity, I felt it finest to withhold my ultimate judgment till I used to be in a position to truly put this unit to the check. The next is what I discovered upon putting the K40 Platinum100 in my truck.
What Comes With The K40 Platinum100?
The K40 Platinum100 I acquired included every part wanted for fast, environment friendly, and trouble-free set up. The package consists of the particular Platinum100 unit, its mount, two energy cords, and a distant management (non-compulsory). This package additionally features a set of complete directions for set up and use.
K40 Platinum100 Options
The K40 Platinum100 radar detector with GPS features a broad vary of options that drivers ought to discover useful.
LNA Know-how
The Platinum100 makes use of Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) know-how to extend vary and sensitivity. Equally, each Platinum100 is commonplace with a extra highly effective CPU, permitting the unit to be extra responsive and customizable.
GPS Controls
I just like the in depth array of GPS-based options on the Platinum 100, which streamline operation. One of many first I attempted was the guide Mark to Mute operate. I simply needed to push the “MM” button to mark the supply of non-police radar. That’s the place the “distraction-free” profit is available in. Once you use the Mark to Mute characteristic, the system gained’t provide you with a warning to each automated gate or storage door that dot your travels.
The Mark to Alert operate is the reverse. It allowed me to mark factors of curiosity, together with velocity traps, faculty zones, and red-light cameras. I favored that after I marked these spots, the Platinum100 wouldn’t “alert” at these areas throughout subsequent travels. This button is labeled as “MA” on the Platinum100.
The detector’s built-in velocity monitor tracks your velocity and sounds an audible alarm should you exceed the preselected velocity threshold. That helped me keep acceptable speeds with out glancing away from the highway and down at my speedometer. One other useful characteristic is the Quiet Trip operate. Because the title implies, it silences all alerts if you drive at a preselected velocity. That lets you take heed to music, speak, or simply get pleasure from a leisurely drive with out interruption.
I particularly loved the Auto Filter characteristic that routinely adjusted detection energy primarily based on the velocity at which I drove. As K40 notes, it’s nice for these of us who like a “set it and overlook it” method. At low speeds, sensitivity is lowered to reduce false alerts, whereas sensitivity is elevated at excessive speeds to supply drivers with a lengthier response time.
Superior Filtering Options
K40 outfitted the Platinum100 with a number of filtering capabilities. They embrace:
Ok-band Filter: This filter routinely senses and rejects alerts from safety-based radar indicators, similar to these produced by Collision Avoidance and Lane Departure Warning techniques of different automobiles.
Ka-Band Filter: I discovered this lowered the variety of alerts I acquired from non-police radar sources, similar to these triggered by different radar detectors and satellite tv for pc broadcasts. You may customise the alerts you obtain, too.
Site visitors Sensor Filter: This minimizes false alerts from site visitors monitoring gadgets, similar to people who depend the variety of automobiles by way of specific intersections or on the freeway.
Radar Band Choice
I used to be in a position to customise the detection vary by way of Guide Radar Band Choice. With this useful characteristic, you’ll be able to customise the way you need the K40 Platinum100 to work primarily based on the day, time, and space of your travels. This guide Ok-Band filter makes it potential to hone in on a selected frequency vary related to radar use in a specific space, thereby minimizing false alerts. They’re as follows:
- Ok-Band Slim/Extensive/Prolonged: Customise the frequency vary of Ok-Band radar indicators.
- Ka-Band Slim/Extensive: Customise the frequency vary of Ka-Band radar indicators.
Elective Distant Management
One distinctive characteristic of the K40 Platinum100 radar detector is its distant management. The Platinum100 may be ordered with or and not using a distant. Each hardwired and wi-fi controllers can be found for buy, permitting drivers to customise their interplay with the Platinum100 interface.
The distant management lets you make on-the-fly changes with out taking your eyes off the highway. K40 specifies this as a safety-related operate meant to reduce distracted driving. I didn’t take care of the distant management, which I’ll elaborate on a bit additional down on this overview.
Elective K40 Laser Safety
Just like the non-compulsory distant management, the Platinum100 is suitable with the optionally-installed K40 Laser Defuser Optix. This method may be plugged into the Platinum100, which provides drivers safety in opposition to police lasers. In keeping with K40, the interface can hearth as much as 5 laser diffuser transponders without delay to jam police laser weapons, together with the newest VPR (Numerous Pulse Fee) LiDAR weapons.
The check unit K40 equipped us with didn’t have this feature, however it’s out there for drivers who need an additional layer of safety. The K40 Laser Defuser Optix runs round $900.
Utilizing The K40 Platinum100 Radar Detector
Set up
After taking supply of the K40 Platinum100 radar detector, I rapidly unboxed it, thumbed by way of the instructions, and affixed the unit to its mount. Upon informal remark, the Platinum100 gave the impression to be strong in its design. I discovered it easy to snap in place. In lower than 5 minutes, I headed for the driveway.
Putting in the Platinum100 in my truck was about so simple as one might think about. I rapidly secured the unit’s mount to my windshield, plugged within the included energy cable, and was able to go. The complete set up course of took no multiple minute. In case you can plug in a lamp, you’ll be able to set up the Platinum100 in your car. It’s that easy.
The K40 Platinum100 additionally comes with two cords at no further value. Each the curly and the straight hardwired wire are included.
Settings
Toggling by way of the Platinum100’s numerous settings appeared comparatively self-explanatory. Every operate isn’t solely denoted by an on-screen immediate however can also be audibly voiced by the unit itself. I initially set the unit to its auto setting (i.e. Auto Filter) and hit the highway.
How Correct Are The Alerts?
After a brief jaunt down an area county highway close to my house, I entered the town limits and merged onto the interstate. Roughly one mile into my interstate travels, the K40 Platinum100 began to alert, and I started trying to find what may need triggered its response.
With no signal of regulation enforcement, I used to be perplexed, questioning why the K40 Platinum100 continued to alert. After cresting an increase, practically ¼ mile later, I seen a cruiser touring northbound whereas I used to be within the southbound lane. Upon this remark, the K40 Platinum100 instantly gained my belief.
This was removed from an remoted occasion, as time and time once more, the Platinum100 alerted to radar exercise lengthy earlier than I might visually affirm the supply. This was fairly spectacular and left me with a optimistic impression of the unit’s capabilities.
How The Totally different Settings Carried out
All through my check, I alternated between the Platinum100’s settings, making an attempt to familiarize myself with the nuances of every. From my remark, the Auto setting proved to be most useful. The unit’s different settings required me to precisely match every to its designated function to keep away from a number of false alerts. I didn’t discover this detracted from the Platinum100’s effectiveness. It labored as described.
The Auto setting was probably the most priceless in my specific circumstance. My each day commute to work fluctuates between rural driving, interstate journey, and navigating by way of closely congested site visitors, all in a span of 15 miles. You might discover the K40 Platinum100’s further settings work higher on your particular wants, however for many drivers, Auto ought to work high quality.
I had ample alternative to check the Mark to Mute operate. As luck would have it, the native police division positioned a cellular radar trailer alongside a roadway inside my each day commute. I marked its location and waited to see what would occur.
After two successive weeks of going previous this location twice each day, the cellular radar trailer remains to be in place. The Platinum100 has but to flag its presence once more. For me, this totally validates the Mark to Mute operate’s effectiveness and proves the characteristic is as helpful as it’s sensible.
Ought to I Get The Distant Management?
All through my overview course of, there was one operate that I not often had use for, and that was the distant. Whereas I used the distant every now and then, I felt it simpler to make any vital changes by way of the Platinum100 unit itself.
From my standpoint, it appeared much more cumbersome to look downward on the buttons on the distant management than it was to achieve ahead whereas nonetheless sustaining my line of sight. Nevertheless, that is purely a matter of opinion. One other driver could really feel fairly otherwise upon turning into aware of the distant management, solely by contact.
What Does The K40 Platinum100 Price?
The K40 Platinum100 with GPS retails for $559.95 with the distant management, or $469.95 with out. Whereas this would possibly seem to be loads, this top-tier detector has an array of options and settings. I discover these extras, mixed with K40’s superior buyer help, well worth the worth.
Ought to You Purchase The K40 Platinum100?
With the Platinum100, I consider you may be buying a unit that may cater to your particular wants, irrespective of the place you drive. Nevertheless, there are a couple of benefits different manufacturers have over K40.
Value
In case you are purchasing on a finances however nonetheless desire a high-quality radar detector, the Escort MAX 3 is most well-liked over the K40 Platinum100 with distant management. The MAX 3 unit we not too long ago reviewed retails for about $160 lower than the Platinum100 featured right here however nonetheless provides strong performance.
Nevertheless, the MAX 3 doesn’t have the best magnetic windshield mount, which is problematic on a bumpy highway. In contrast, the Platinum100 stayed on my windshield for the whole thing of this overview.
Sprint Digital camera Possibility
Each Escort and Cobra have K40 beat on this regard as K40 doesn’t provide a suitable sprint digicam for the Platinum100. In case you are seeking to pair your radar detector with a splash digicam, we advise “bundling” them to save cash. In our roundup of one of the best radar detectors with built-in sprint cameras, the Escort MAX 360c & M1 Digital camera and Cobra Highway Scout Elite have been our prime picks.
The Cobra Highway Scout Elite stands out particularly. It retails for about $110 lower than the Platinum100 and is each a radar detector and sprint digicam. When you’ve got even a hunch that you may want a splash digicam sooner or later together with your radar detector, the Cobra is a greater possibility than the K40.
Efficiency & Choices
The K40 carried out properly, and many individuals will just like the distant management possibility. However as an general unit, we choose the Uniden R7, which falls throughout the identical worth vary and gained our Silver award for one of the best radar detector in the marketplace general.
Steadily Requested Questions
The place can I discover K40 customer support?
Whether or not you might be uncertain of a specific setting’s meant utilization or are experiencing operational points together with your unit, we advocate K40’s 24/7 Reside Seek the advice of Assist line. In keeping with K40, their gross sales and customer support employees tenure averages 20 years. This could present customers with the peace of thoughts to know their questions and considerations will probably be answered and resolved.
What’s the warning time for a K40 radar detector?
Many elements decide this, together with the energy of the radar sign, path and placement of the radar gun, and the place the patrol officer is sitting. Thus, an actual measurement by way of time might be unattainable, though we will confidently say the Platinum100 at all times alerted us in time whereas conducting this overview.
My home windows are tinted. Does that compromise the efficiency of my K40 radar detector?
Whereas radar microwave indicators are unaffected by fiberglass, plastic, and glass, they can’t penetrate steel. In case your window tint comprises steel, any radar detector’s effectiveness will probably be compromised, not only a K40 unit.
Will my K40 Platinum100 “jam” police radar?
No. Radar jammers have been banned by the Federal Communications Fee since 1997. The fines for every violation can attain as much as $11,000.
What’s “POP” Mode? Ought to I take advantage of it?
POP Mode detects a specific band of radar often called POP. This comparatively quick transmission sign permits a radar gun to seize a short learn of a car’s velocity earlier than setting the gun to a different band. POP radar doesn’t transmit lengthy sufficient to collect the mandatory data wanted to concern a ticket. As well as, POP Mode is extra more likely to set off false alerts than actual ones.
Is K40 one of the best radar detector?
In case you want to defend your self from incurring pricey rushing tickets, whereas additionally retaining a quiet, distraction-free driving expertise, there are seemingly few higher investments than that of the K40 Platinum100. Whereas there are different top-performing radar detectors in the marketplace, K40 remains to be top-of-the-line.
Josh Boyd is an ASE Licensed technician with over a decade of expertise in automotive restore. When not underneath the hood, he may be discovered within the woods or on the water, pursuing his different passions of searching and fishing.
