The question of how often law enforcement agencies should replace RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging) equipment varies depending on a number of different factors, including the type of RADAR technology. The budget of individual agencies is also an important consideration. Generally speaking, police departments try to keep their equipment up-to-date to ensure reliability in speed enforcement.
Below, we will consider the reasons why police departments replace their RADAR systems, how long to expect equipment to last, and a quick look at the benefits of investing in new technology from Kustom Signals.
Common Reasons for Replacing RADAR Equipment
Updated Tech Available – As technology evolves, newer handheld and in-car RADAR systems may offer smaller forms, improved performance, and more features. Police departments may choose to upgrade their equipment to take advantage of these advancements.
Regulatory Compliance – Changes in laws or regulations regarding speed measurement device performance or equipment standards may require police departments to update their RADAR devices to remain compliant.
Maintenance Issues – If RADAR equipment experiences frequent breakdowns and the manufacturer doesn’t offer reliable support, or requires costly repairs, it may be more cost-effective to replace it with newer and more reliable technology.
Budget Considerations – Budget constraints can play a significant role in determining when RADAR equipment is replaced. Departments may plan for equipment upgrades based on budget cycles and available funds, although grant assistance may be available as a resource.
Manufacturer Recommendations – RADAR equipment manufacturers may provide guidelines on the expected lifespan of their devices or recommend replacement after a certain number of years in service.
End of Service Life – Like any electronic equipment, RADAR devices have a finite lifespan. Components can wear out or become obsolete, making it necessary to replace the equipment to maintain effective speed enforcement.
Life Expectancy of Traffic Safety RADAR & LIDAR Systems
As an expert in law enforcement equipment and technology, Kustom Signals estimates the industry and customer expectation of the average useful life of traffic safety RADAR and LIDAR to be approximately seven years, although customers have reported units that are still in use at 20 years or older. Our support team continues to service those units to their original manufacturing specifications. After seven years, the units will commonly require more frequent and more expensive repairs to the point that further repair is no longer economically feasible.
To ensure optimal performance of your equipment, we would recommend evaluating your inventory regularly and planning for the replacement of older units accordingly.
The Benefits of Investing in Kustom Signals RADAR Technology
When the time comes to update your RADAR equipment, the best investment for your agency is to replace it with the most innovative and dependable technology available. Kustom Signals’ Eagle 3 is the first RADAR to provide a method to independently verify the Doppler patrol speed without an electrical connection to the patrol car.
- Smallest moving Doppler RADAR on the market
- Front and rear scan mode
- Introduces a better method of dual antenna operation
- Eliminates the confusion of a five-window RADAR presentation with two Doppler tones
- Scan Mode enables front and rear antennas to be active at the same time
- Presents target speeds and Doppler from one target zone, front or rear
Eagle 3 features the market’s only patented Wireless Speed Sensing and has an integrated antenna that utilizes satellite signals as an independent speed source to verify the patrol vehicle’s Doppler ground speed. Kustom Signals also offers Wireless Speed Sense Module as a way to upgrade old RADAR without complete replacement.
Kustom Signals is a leading provider of law enforcement speed enforcement solutions, including Police RADAR and Police LIDAR. If funding is an issue, grant assistance is available for our industry-leading speed enforcement equipment/upgrade technology. Contact us to learn more.