Tell me about the GPS type of camera detection systems
Discussion
I''m thinking of investing in one, and because I need a new Palm PDA, I was thinking of getting a Traffcam. Now, I''m concerned about the validity of databases, and how much input there is to these systems. I know no-one wants to admit to having one, but can people tell me who owns what type (Traffcam/Geodesy/Other) and how good they are - I am based in S. Yorks - does anyone know how effective they are in this area? 
Nubbin,
I had the same dilemma, my first impression was similar, and that a new palm could be used for loads of other stuff satnav, route finder, contacts, mobile e-mail etc even if i never took it out the car so trafcam looked favorite. (well email in the car would be very sad and no thanks)
However I sent trafcam an e-mail asking for some advise on models of palm etc and compatible gps units. I gave them my phone number asking to be contacted as I had a few questions about things such as reliability of database etc etc. I had a brief email back and no phone call, I emailed again and got no response so not a good start. I basically don't like any company that shows no address, phone number, or any other way of contact other than e-mail and if they can't give good customer service how good will the database service be ???? This did suprise me as the review on ukspeedtraps said they were very "quick to respond" to customer criticism.
Geodesy on the other hand. I phoned got given a good description of their kit and when I asked a bit more indepth ie comparing it to trafcam and about future upgrades, database maintenance etc. sales were more than happy to put me through to "Martin" who actually developed it all and knew the system inside out. I was then reliable informed that any £65 gps system is going to have "refresh rate" so poor ie how often it references to the satilites that its accuracy would be questionable, the Geodesy apparently only uses top notch components. They also apparently are already capable of interfacing the unit to a palm or laptop so you can use it for trafficmaster and sat navigation and have only delayed release until all bugs have been ironed out. They were quiet honest in saying that because they have just expanded to include Europe that the database maintenance is taking all the time of their development people and they aren't yet able to spend the time getting a marketable interface product ready for release ie in a nice box etc !! They couldn't give an accurate date apart from "this year" when it will be done!!
The final plus point is because I only work about 8 miles from where they're based I said rather than mail the unit out I'd come and collect it. I did and got quiet a shock. They basically have developed this all from a large 4 bedroom house that the key people (family i think) lived in. What started as the study has spread out and taken over the entire house !!!! (Garage - stores, Lounge - Telesales, Dining Room - workshop, Study - Database room, Upstairs bedrooms - all now workshops & stores, Backgarden - large tents & sheds etc more stores !!!!! There are cables everywhere and they are desperatly searching for new premises, Honestly these people were unreal they have a fantastic product that is outselling the speed they can grow, so to keep the customers happy they have literally given up their houses !!! The support is first class the people great, the product is so accurate its scarry (it actually alarms at its highest rate about 10 feet from the camera) and gives its first warning a mile away (all adjustable) I havent yet found one they don't know about !!! and can't fault the unit at all. I run it in the cars and on the bike and to coin a phrase "won't leave home without it". It is top draw without a doubt.
I unfourtunatly have no interest in their company (i would given the chance) but have met them and believe it will be or rather is a winner. So to sum up after all that Geodesy get my vote and do I get a nomination for longest post ??
Mike,
Thanks its nice to see a response.
The two emails were fairly recent dated
13/07 & 16/07 and it is a shame I didn't get a response as I did literally just pick up the phone and buy a geodesy 
which is spot on.
On the techie side I don't know enough or understand gps enough to argue but it did sound plausible about getting what you pay for. One other point on your website you say a gps handheld can be stored in the glovebox etc. But having now run a geodesy if its anywhere apart from in "sight" of the sky and not using the external aerial it doesn't work !!!! How do handhelds do it from the glovebox ??
Anyway thanks for your side of it and it was nice to see a response I wish you well with your product and must say the idea is fantastic. I had no axe to grind and my posting was purely from personal experience.
All the best
Mel
which is spot on.
On the techie side I don't know enough or understand gps enough to argue but it did sound plausible about getting what you pay for. One other point on your website you say a gps handheld can be stored in the glovebox etc. But having now run a geodesy if its anywhere apart from in "sight" of the sky and not using the external aerial it doesn't work !!!! How do handhelds do it from the glovebox ??
Anyway thanks for your side of it and it was nice to see a response I wish you well with your product and must say the idea is fantastic. I had no axe to grind and my posting was purely from personal experience.
All the best
Mel 
Thanks
I was also suitably impressed with Geodesy that I bought one - they sepnt ages answering all my questions during a couple of earlier phone calls. Does exactly what it says on the tin too !
Had to buy an external aerial so I can mount it a little more out of sight so ic don't have to remember to hide it from opportunist thieves every time I park.
Did a run around the M25 past heathrow to M3 at the weekend - got a little irritating as there were camera locations supposedly every half mile (especially as it will notify about those on the other carriageway too). My Bel rader detector only indicated 4 cameras to be active though. Some of the gantries didn't seem to have any cameras on them though yet the geodesy still beeped - do they move the cameras between gantries perhaps ??
Dave
Cheers anyway 
Had a good chat with Mike Edwards of Trafcam yesterday - Thanks Mike for taking the trouble. The GPS receivers seem to be largely re-badged stuff made in New Zealand, and are all much the same inside - I notice Geodesy's website advertise a clip-on GPS from Magellan for £99 - I like the idea of Trafcam because it gives an indication of the direction a camera is located relative to your position, rather than simply beeping. Also you get an accaurate readout of your speed - so you know how soon (and how quickly!) to reduce speed. They have several thousand cameras logged and a team of spotters/salesmen log new ones either whilst travelling to sales, or go out specifically to look for them. Since I need a new Palm, I might try this option. And, it doesn't look like a radar detector, and it might be easier to convince plod that you're using it for sat-nav, or a diary, whatever!
I mailed Lara at Geodesy about the number of comments regarding lack of 'rewards' - I have a geodesy myself.
She gave an extremely prompt reply outlining the fact they currently receive between 800 and 1000 'new' reports a week that all have to be checked out - mostly end up being Traffic master or Red Light cameras and I guess this 'clutter' slows down the whole process of rewards which she states can take up to 10 weeks - not suprisingly the priority given to sorting out the wheat from the chaff I guess is bound to have a knock on affect on general communication etc. Heck, I bought the Geodesy to tell me about cameras not to try and earn money from it and it does 'what it says on the tin' - admittedly the odd 50 quid would be nice but I'm not going to lose any sleep over it !
I can't believe there are still muppets out there confusing traffic masters with gatso's etc - still, once the powers that be take over Trafficmaster and instantly create a national SPECS network..........
Dave
Don't worry - a national SPECS network isn't feasible. How would they prove that between a camera on road X and another on road Y, you hadn't taken a short cut so reducing the travel time? I suppose if they put a camera or two on every road in UK, it might work, but would you sit idly by and have your civil liberties infringed in such a way? Or would you just vote that government out of office? 
Anyway, I suspect such fundamental Big Brother tactics might appall even the self-righteous tossers who believe speed is the spawn of Satan, and an immoral plague on society.
Anyway, I suspect such fundamental Big Brother tactics might appall even the self-righteous tossers who believe speed is the spawn of Satan, and an immoral plague on society. Living in Northampton, I've had a Geodesy since November, and also fitted a Snooper 920 Laser Diffuser.As most of my driving is done at night my Geodesy is priceless! Could'nt spot a bright pink/orange camera on a dark road unless it was reflective! Then they would blend in with road signs!
quote:But if you were over the limit for the shortest route (or even not any route, just the distance between the cameras), you wouldn't have any excuse - unless you claimed to have air-freighted your car in the interim. Neil
Don't worry - a national SPECS network isn't feasible. How would they prove that between a camera on road X and another on road Y, you hadn't taken a short cut so reducing the travel time?
It's actually a valid point about SPECS. The lack of speeding convictions since they've installed the system has been attributed partially to people knowing they are there and partly because people have taken to the back roads to avoid them.
Surely questions have to be asked about any system that takes traffic away from the main thorougfares through towns and forces it onto quieter residential roads where there is a greater risk of contact with pedestrians.
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