Best unmarked cars/speed gun etc detectors?
Discussion
I despair of PH sometimes.
The smartphone app waze is probably the best solution, and it's free. You get warnings of all fixed cameras, and users report speed traps and camera vans which actually works really well.
Radar/laser detectors such as the valentine one are very good at detecting whether motorway gantry cameras are active or not, but they're not much use in town as they're too sensitive and get set off by all kinds of radar devices.
Garmin sat navs have a database which includes common mobile camera sites - it's quite useful, but can be a bit over cautious - you tend to get warnings practically everywhere you go.
Beyond that, you can buy laser jammers disguised as garage door openers/parking sensors etc, but you can get into a lot of trouble if they prove you've used them to avoid prosecution.
The smartphone app waze is probably the best solution, and it's free. You get warnings of all fixed cameras, and users report speed traps and camera vans which actually works really well.
Radar/laser detectors such as the valentine one are very good at detecting whether motorway gantry cameras are active or not, but they're not much use in town as they're too sensitive and get set off by all kinds of radar devices.
Garmin sat navs have a database which includes common mobile camera sites - it's quite useful, but can be a bit over cautious - you tend to get warnings practically everywhere you go.
Beyond that, you can buy laser jammers disguised as garage door openers/parking sensors etc, but you can get into a lot of trouble if they prove you've used them to avoid prosecution.
So you think there is a magic machine out there that can detect an unmarked police car following you using just its calibrated speedometer?
Good luck.
Just as a pointer on that one, if you are speeding and there is a vehicle behind you keeping pace then assume it's a police vehicle & modify your speed accordingly. Caught enough over the years with fully liveried ones both during the day and at night! So it's Mk1 eyeball and frequent use of rear view mirror.
Good luck.
Just as a pointer on that one, if you are speeding and there is a vehicle behind you keeping pace then assume it's a police vehicle & modify your speed accordingly. Caught enough over the years with fully liveried ones both during the day and at night! So it's Mk1 eyeball and frequent use of rear view mirror.
I have a road angel, connected. It's very good and has clear warnings etc. Shows speed on any road you are on and gives warnings if you are over it. It doesn't always keep up to date as good as it should. The a50 from m1 junction 22 heading to leicester changed the road speed limit and it took the road Angel ages to catch up (I'm talking months)
There nearly all laser not radar today. The beam is probably a few cm wide at 1km a way. So there is no scatter to pick up.
Once it hits you it's got you, a detector is too late.
Mk1 eyeball and waze app are all I use.
Radar detector wise you might get lucky and pick up some reflections off another car. Again though radar is becoming old hat. Waste of money.
Once it hits you it's got you, a detector is too late.
Mk1 eyeball and waze app are all I use.
Radar detector wise you might get lucky and pick up some reflections off another car. Again though radar is becoming old hat. Waste of money.
paintman said:
So you think there is a magic machine out there that can detect an unmarked police car following you using just its calibrated speedometer?
Good luck.
Actually yes there are. There are several devices which will detect the transmission of Airwave band signals from any emergency vehicle and give you range and position based on that transmission. As Airwave/Tetra is essentially an "always on" system then it does indeed allow you to detect the position and range of an unmarked car. Good luck.
Target Blue Eye is one such device http://www.targetblueye.co.uk/ in a consumer package but many variants have been built both home brew and professionaly to detect range and position of transmissions on 380 - 385 Mhz and 390 - 395 Mhz which covers all UK Public service i.e. police, fire and ambulance vehicles. With a decent reciever and antenna package this will give you a 1KM - 1.5KM 360 degree view of vehicles, persons and fixed positions using Tetra/Airwave. More than enough to detect if the vehicle following you is an unmarked car.
No magic to it, it's just Radio! The interesting thing will be what happens in 18 months when Airwave is supposed to be replaced.
JoeMarano said:
Anyone use one they can recommend?
It's not to street race or anything just wanting to protect my licence
I've used a Belltronics laser and radar detector for the last decade, that has saved me a number of times. It detects GATSO and laser devices. Both work very well. Nothing more satisfying than passing a wooden top with a radar gun, when you both know he's failed to nick you.It's not to street race or anything just wanting to protect my licence
Some rules -
I never drive fast in built up or residential areas. You will often find a queue behind and me in 30 zones.
I always drive to the conditions. Sometimes the posted speed limit is too fast.
I never tailgate and always leave myself 'options' if the unexpected happens.
My car is carefully maintained. My tyres are changed when they get to 3mm of tread.
The best defence against unmarked police cars is vigilance.
Agreed. I've only ever been clocked by static cameras that have been hidden or just unseen because it's Dar or raining etc in an area I don't know.
Unmarked cars have pulled me though and they are the main worry if I'm honest. Because every now and then I'm human and decide to play when I believe it is safe (doesn't matter if it is or not the law will not care, they just want o enforce it)
Unmarked cars have pulled me though and they are the main worry if I'm honest. Because every now and then I'm human and decide to play when I believe it is safe (doesn't matter if it is or not the law will not care, they just want o enforce it)
I am absolutely paranoid about unmarked cars and keep the Mk1 Eyeball in use at all times, together with a bit of common sense and awareness. If I'm tanking on in lane 3 in light traffic and someone starts to keep up, and I can't visually verify the occupants I will often move into lane 2, let them past and take a look, and then let them run interference in front of me.
Many is the time I've gone down to 0.8 leptons while I pass a silver 3 series or Skoda vRS in lane 2!
Many is the time I've gone down to 0.8 leptons while I pass a silver 3 series or Skoda vRS in lane 2!
NNK said:
Good job I used the search facility before asking for radar detector info on here, not much love by the sound of it.
Oh well, I wouldnt be without mine (fitted to all vehicles) and will be ugrading one soon.
Personally I wouldn't drive without my laser / radar detector.Oh well, I wouldnt be without mine (fitted to all vehicles) and will be ugrading one soon.
With so many speed traps now blatently set as revenue raisers rather than safety driven it's a must.
Gassing Station | In-Car Electronics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff