Radar in Brazil

Just returned from Brazil and had brought my Valentin 1 there to test the waters. Well, it only went off one time, when I passed an automatic door. I encountered quite a few photo radars and nada, nothing, zip. It was as quite as a 360 at idle. So, what gives, are they on different frequences or what? So, I googled Brazil Radar Detectors and found a list of detectors that are suppose to work in South America. I contacted on of the companies, Belltronics and the person I talked to had a degree in stupid. He told me that photo radar only worked when you exceed the speed limit, otherwise it's not own. I asked him how the machine knew you were speeding if there was nothing to measure your speed. He then patiently explained about photo radar not working unless you exceed the speed limit. I then just as patiently asked how the machine knew when you were speeding unless there was some detection device. Ok, so I tired of this little game and gave up. What I need to know is what detector will work in Brazil. There has to be some detector that is set up for the particular frequency. By the way, I've purchased PhotoBlocker to spray the license plates and hope that this will cause the photo radar to not get a legible picture of the plates. Are there any other suggestions for what detector might work, or comments on the PhotoBlocker spray??

 

Thanks for the Cobra reference, I'll check. But, Brazil is different in how they post tickets. If I were driving a rental car, they would send the ticket to the rental company and they would track down the time rented and add the ticket to my AmEx car. But, lately I've been driving a friends car, so they just send the ticket to my friend. Additionally, when enough points have been amassed, they then flag the car to have the tags pulled. Again, they do things differently there. There are Road Police that just flag you over from a fixed location and because they are so automated they can quickly tell if your car is on the watch list. If it is, they just impound the car until the fines are paid, or pull the license of the person driving and again impound the car. All fun and games. Is your reference to the Cobra based on knowledge?

 

regarding to your questions about how Brazilian photo radars works , here we go : it has 2 sensors put in the road before the radar tower, so we pass pressing the first , it starts counting time and stops when you hit the second, then it's calculated your speed ....if you are on the limit , a green light flashes , if you are out , the red light flashes and....... smile , the photo of your back is taken ....
That's why the detectors doesn't work against the Brazilian "watchers"....

Thanks for the info. I believe you are referring to the fixed towers, the ones where the road speed reduces suddenly and everyone knows where they are. What I'm generally concerned about are the photo radars that are usually located by bridges or guardrails. Althought lately I've seen them hiding in tall grass. Usually there is an operator within 30 meter or so of the units. Otherwise sure then would be swiped. I've recently purchased PhotoBlocker spray to take to Brazil. Not sure if this will work, but going to give it a try, the testamonials on the web site seem to indicate it will have a positive effect on blocking the photo. But, would still like to find a detector that will effectively signal when I am approaching a photo radar. Guess, I've come to rely on my Valentine 1 here in the states and cannot believe that one of the detector companies hasn't recallibrated a detector for Brazil.

 

Paul,
Thanks for the tips on watching girls in Brazil, but I have one there who watches me like a hawk. Interesting solution to the Jay Walking problem. I agree that Cash is King when dealing with the Road Police, although I would be hesitant to offer lunch money unless I was with a local. Do you have any input on which Radar Detector might work there? PS: I'm telling everyone I know how ugly the girls are there, fat, mean and nothing like what they have been led to believe. No reason to let others know the truth, hell they might want to visit. Besides, some of my friends have wives and they are leary of letting their husbands go to Brazil, hence the story about fat, ugly and mean.

 

Orgininally, I ordered a PhotoBlocker license plate cover, using the European size. Turns out that the Brazilian Plate is smaller, but no matter. They are knowledgeable about license plate covers and they are illegal there. Same for Texas. So, I've recently purchased the PhotoBlocker spray and will be attempting this solution. But, still would like to have a detector, belt and suspenders approach. Surely there is someone who has tried some of the other detectors in Brazil. By the way, I will be trying some of the PhotoBlocker spray on my plates here in Texas. But, photo radar hasn't been my problem, just got nailed Friday morning by an Instant On in F360. 75 in a 60. But, that's what keeps the Ticket Attorney's in business. Happy to help in their support.