DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PORTABLE AND BUILT-IN RADAR DETECTORS
built-in system
The passive built-in system is basically a classic radar detector with a separated radar antenna, placed behind the plastic front bumper, its main purpose is to alert on radar-based speed measurement. The typical example is our GENEVO PRO II.
Pros and cons of built-in system
Pros
+ Passive system, legal in passenger vehicles in most US states
+ Nothing on the windshield
+ Large HDM+ radar antenna
+ Solves the problem with metal-coated windshields
+ Passive system, legal in passenger vehicles in most US states
+ Nothing on the windshield
+ Large HDM+ radar antenna
+ Solves the problem with metal-coated windshields
Cons
- Requires professional installation
- Cannot be easily transferred between vehicles
- Higher price
- Requires professional installation
- Cannot be easily transferred between vehicles
- Higher price
GENEVO PRO II
GENEVO PRO II is a custom-installed radar detector with an HDM+ antenna behind the front bumper and a removable magnetic color OLED display. It detects K and Ka band radar and provides GPS camera alerts for the US and Canada. Firmware and database updates are free for life, with no subscription.Find out more
Portable radar detector
A passive radar detector detects and alerts the driver to the presence of a radar. It receives the microwave signals of traffic radar.
Passive radar detectors do not interfere with speed measurement, and they are legal in passenger vehicles in most US states. They are most often portable and mounted on the windshield, like the GENEVO MAX. You can find out more about how a radar detector works here.
Pros and cons of a portable radar detector
Pros
+ Legal in passenger vehicles in most US states
+ Plug and play - works immediately
+ Compact and practical, can be immediately removed and used in another vehicle
+ K and Ka band detection plus GPS camera alerts
+ Legal in passenger vehicles in most US states
+ Plug and play - works immediately
+ Compact and practical, can be immediately removed and used in another vehicle
+ K and Ka band detection plus GPS camera alerts
Cons
- Range drops sharply behind metal-coated windshields
- Should be taken off the windshield when you park, so it does not attract thieves
- Not legal in Virginia, Washington, D.C. or most Canadian provinces; check the rules
- Range drops sharply behind metal-coated windshields
- Should be taken off the windshield when you park, so it does not attract thieves
- Not legal in Virginia, Washington, D.C. or most Canadian provinces; check the rules
GENEVO MAX
GENEVO MAX is a portable radar detector with US firmware and a GPS database of fixed speed and red-light cameras for the US and Canada. It detects K and Ka band radar, plus MultaRadar CD/CT and Gatso photo enforcement radar used in parts of Canada and in some US cities. Its false alert filtering is tuned for everyday driving. Firmware and database updates are free for life, with no subscription.Find out more
Still deciding between the GENEVO MAX, PRO II and PRO II DUO? Compare the three GENEVO models side by side.