New Spectre IV, Spectre IV + Radar Detector Detectors
I’ve tested both new
Stealth Microsystems Spectre RDD ™ Mark IV and Spectre RDD ™ Mark IV + (Stalcar outside the States) and found them each to be the best RDD ever.
The North America-only version Spectre Mark IV + differs from the Spectre Mark IV supplied to the rest of the world. It has enhanced filtering to automatically reduce detection range of the gross polluters from BG Tech (sold by Cobra, Early Warning and others) that set off the Spectre Mk IV constantly, due to their omnipresence.
This is a non-issue outside the U.S. where detector use is often illegal and there are few of them on the road. And the changes work: the Spectre Mk IV+ still detects the zillions of the noisy BG Tech models but at less range, making it far easier to live with. The VG-2, by comparison, is extraordinarily quiet. I can drive 500 freeway miles and only get half a dozen alerts. The reason is simple: it can’t detect any radar detector manufactured after the mid-nineties.
Both new Spectre/Stalcar RDD models were tested side by side to quantify differences in detection range. This showed which detectors are the easiest and toughest to detect. Keep in mind that the Mk IV tested had not yet been programmed to detect the new Whistlers. The Spectre Mk IV+ had the latest software, however.
| Radar Detector versus | Spectre Mk IV | Spectre Mk IV + |
| Beltronics (BEL) RX-65 Pro | 542ft (174m) | 722ft (233m) |
| Beltronics (BEL) STi Driver | 0ft (0m) | 0ft (0m) |
| Cobra 9110 | 4813ft (1604m) | 299ft (96.5m) |
| Cobra 9330 | 1264ft (408m) | 30ft (9.7m) |
| Escort Passport 9500i | 35ft (11.3m) | 33ft (10.6m) |
| Escort Solo S2 | 1395ft (450m) | 232ft (85m) |
| Valentine 1 (V1) v3.863 | 171ft (55m) | 150ft (48m) |
| Whistler Pro 78 | not tested | 434ft (140m) |
| Whistler XTR 690 | not tested | 419ft (135m) |
| Whistler 1763 | 4828ft (1557m) | 4810ft (1552m) |
| Whistler 1788 | 282ft (84m) | 289ft (27m) |
Copyright © 2008 Craig Peterson
by exclusive permission of Applied Concepts, Inc. and Stealth Microsystems PLC
The new Spectre RDD ™ is a beautifully engineered piece of gear. Since its 2000 introduction and my first experience with it in Australia in early 2001, each model I’ve tested has been a refinement over the previous one. The latest versions are by far the best.
My advice to drivers illegally using a radar detector: choose your detector with care. Or be prepared to meet a guy wearing a gun and badge.
Craig
PS: For those interested in seeing how the Beltronics STi Driver and the Valentine 1 stacked up against the Spectre Mk IV's predecessor, the Spectre Mk III, please refer to the following article: Bel STi and Valentine 1 vs Spectre III. 
Spectre IV RDD/Stalcar Mark IV, Spectre Mark IV + vs. radar detectors 
Remember you have to compare apples to apples. Use two radar detectors that have this feature to defeat the spectra III. No disrepect towards you, but I've only noticed the Bel Sti has this feature. Do the cobras or whistlers have the same software that the Bel sti has or is the Bel the only stealth to the spectra III's?? 
Linear Mode
