Speed camera warnings just got cheaper
Talex' GPS-based system costs less -- but are there compromises?
Talex GPS warning system
Talex said its product is a compact, easy-to-use unit that warns drivers of both fixed and mobile safety camera sites, accident black spots, nearby schools and congestion charging zones. This not only helps drivers to anticipate dangerous sections of road but also provides valuable protection against unnecessary fines and – more significantly – licence penalty points.
Unlike laser and radar-based detection systems that are set to be outlawed under the new Road Traffic Safety Bill, GPS-based systems such as Talex will remain 100 per cent legal. Furthermore, the Department for Transport has stated that GPS-based systems, "…complement the Government’s policy to ensure camera sites are visible and conspicuous to drivers, and so help deter excessive and inappropriate speeds on the roads."
Talex said its system takes less than a minute to install, thanks to its ‘plug and play’ operating system. The unit uses a voice announcement to warn the driver when they are within 500 yards of a safety camera, and also confirms what the speed limit is on that section of road. If the vehicle is exceeding the speed limit 200 yards prior to the camera, the system will advise the driver to slow down. Talex also sounds an alert to confirm when the vehicle has safely passed the camera.
The very latest information on new safety camera positions and accident blackspots can be easily downloaded onto the unit, simply by plugging it into a PC using the cable provided and then visiting the relevant section of the Talex Web site. All new Talex systems come supplied with six months’ subscription for updates, which can be renewed for just £29 for 12 months, or £59 for three years – much cheaper than most other GPS-based systems on the market.
"With over 5,000 fixed safety cameras and over 250 mobile units operating at almost 3,000 sites across the UK, generating more than £100 million in fines last year, no driver can afford to ignore this risk to their licence and potentially their livelihood," said sales manager Nigel Carter.
"By introducing TALEX for just £249, we have made the latest GPS-based safety camera detection technology affordable for all motorists, helping them to stay safe and legal on the road."
Its one weakness might be that the company said that "a professional survey team of experienced former traffic police officers continually updates the TALEX safety camera database." The strength of most other systems is that users -- of whom there are many more of course -- update the database. However, PistonHeads will be reporting on how the system works as soon as we can get our hands on one.
You can buy a Talex from selected retailers, by calling 0845 274 1110, or online: www.talex.co.uk
What did you mean by "shortened yellow"? Did you mean that the amber after the green has been shortened from the standard 3 seconds? If so then those signals are probably illegal - they do not comply with the MCE spec (MCE 106 or 108 I think, for signal controllers), or with the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges. Closing ambers have a fixed length of 3 seconds. Any variations must be in the "all red" following that.
"The police have defined and use designated sites for their mobile camera operations. These sites have been chosen because they are considered to be areas with a history of serious accidents. The mobile camera operator cannot simply choose a convenient stretch of road to operate equipment"
As I am far more interested in the ability to warn of mobile cameras rather than fixed, is the above statement correct?
Swoll said:IMO - NO!
Taken from the Talex website
"The police have defined and use designated sites for their mobile camera operations. These sites have been chosen because they are considered to be areas with a history of serious accidents. The mobile camera operator cannot simply choose a convenient stretch of road to operate equipment"
As I am far more interested in the ability to warn of mobile cameras rather than fixed, is the above statement correct?
They'll put them wherever it is most likely to catch those driving over the speed limit - nothing to do with record of serious accidents.
tvrgit said:
RLC = red light camera.
What did you mean by "shortened yellow"? Did you mean that the amber after the green has been shortened from the standard 3 seconds? If so then those signals are probably illegal - they do not comply with the MCE spec (MCE 106 or 108 I think, for signal controllers), or with the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges. Closing ambers have a fixed length of 3 seconds. Any variations must be in the "all red" following that.
When they are doing it i'm too preoccupied with resurfacing the road in A539 to get out a stopwatch so one would suggest that they do not conform
Swoll said:
Taken from the Talex website
"The police have defined and use designated sites for their mobile camera operations.
As I am far more interested in the ability to warn of mobile cameras rather than fixed, is the above statement correct?
No - The police can speed trap where ever they choose and from any vehicle, (car, bike, plane or helicopter, two legs) and from a stationary or moving platform.
Scamera's have guidelines as to where to operate. However, the guideline say only 85% of sites have to conform to guidelines and there is no real penalty for infringement of the "guidelines". You will also find that the SCP will often not release the full details required to determine if a site meets the guidelines quoting exclusions under the FOI act (which they are technically not subject to anyway) and besides, the guidelines mean they only have to be near an accident blackspot not at it, this could mean a different road.
mini1400 said:
Why not get something like TOMTOM navigator? not only is it a navi system, it can also warn you of both fixed & mobile speed cameras, red light cameras (why?) and anything else you want. Best of all, using TTN3 the camera databases are FREE!
Yes but you need a decent PDA, car mount, sat reciever and the software. I bought a similar package for my boss and very good it is too, but it was over £500. You could probably run it on a lower spec PDA but it still isnt cheap. I'm not sure how reliable or up-to-date their database is either ?
>> Edited by jamiet on Tuesday 29th March 15:03
www.globalpositioningsystems.co.uk/viewprod.php?product_id=761&max_cat_id=74&vt=list
Comes with car mount + charger, PDA has GPS built in and the SD card is big enough to hold the UK maps, major roads of Europe map, full UK postcode lookup and the speed camera database. Camera database hasn't missed any static sites that I've noticed so far, harder to tell with mobile ones but all the local ones I know about are there. The more recent databases allow you to set trigger speeds so you're only warned if you're going too fast.
The PDA isn't the most powerful in the world, but by far the most processing intensive thing I use it for is plotting routes and it's plenty fast enough, finds 200 mile routes to the middle of nowhere in seconds. All in all I think it's a cracking piece of kit, with 2 flaws. First is that the speed camera database isn't directional, so you get warnings for cameras pointing in the opposite direction. Second one that I just discovered is don't leave it powered off for too long, went away on holiday and when I came back the battery was completely dead and I had to reinstall everything...
Just need to add a bigger SD card for storing MP3s and it can do the job of an in car MP3 player too.
jamiet said:
Why not get something like TOMTOM navigator? not only is it a navi system, it can also warn you of both fixed & mobile speed cameras, red light cameras (why?) and anything else you want. Best of all, using TTN3 the camera databases are FREE!
Yes but you need a decent PDA, car mount, sat reciever and the software. I bought a similar package for my boss and very good it is too, but it was over £500. You could probably run it on a lower spec PDA but it still isnt cheap. I'm not sure how reliable or up-to-date their database is either ?
>> Edited by jamiet on Tuesday 29th March 15:03
The Tomtom package comes with the bluetooth satellite receiver. If you have a smartphone, you just need £180 for the package, and about £10 for a holder to attach your phone to the dashboard.
That's the system that I use. It also comes with a full GPS navigation package, the speed camera bit is just a small part of it.
discgolf said:
Snooper for sub £300?
Would be very happy to be advised of where I can make such a purchase...
As the rate my Boxster S is going (4000 miles in
about 7 weeks) I'm sure I'll be collecting points soon.
Cheers
JM
The S3 has been available for under £100 for a couple of months.
http://specialreserve.co.uk/Snooper_S3_Neo_4762_r.html
NorthernBoy said:
mini1400 said:
Why not get something like TOMTOM navigator? not only is it a navi system, it can also warn you of both fixed & mobile speed cameras, red light cameras (why?) and anything else you want. Best of all, using TTN3 the camera databases are FREE!
Yes but you need a decent PDA, car mount, sat reciever and the software. I bought a similar package for my boss and very good it is too, but it was over £500. You could probably run it on a lower spec PDA but it still isnt cheap. I'm not sure how reliable or up-to-date their database is either ?
>> Edited by jamiet on Tuesday 29th March 15:03
The Tomtom package comes with the bluetooth satellite receiver. If you have a smartphone, you just need £180 for the package, and about £10 for a holder to attach your phone to the dashboard.
That's the system that I use. It also comes with a full GPS navigation package, the speed camera bit is just a small part of it.
My PDA cost £130, tomtom, including wired GPS was £100, car kit was £30.... total £260
Speed camera database is update daily by the users of the system.
Of corse, the PDA is used for other things as well. I don't see the point in spending £300-£400 on something that just does one thing (snooper etc)
All these units are only as good as the data that they contain and how often the data is updated on the central database.
Have to say that Road Angel out performs the rest by along way. I'd rather pay an extra £50 for a Road Angel classic, than risk having out of date information.
I've got a Road Angel classic and a new one - both share the same data - so you only get additional functionality with a Road Angel 2 - same data
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