Saving ones licence

[P47ThBolt]

I know this has been discussed before, but I was wondering what peoples experience with the main brands of 'Accident blackspot detectors' was like.

Seems Road Angel/Snooper are most well known used. Greatful for any feedback as I really need to buy one - too many close shaves recently especially with b****y scamera vans!

[Well_Fans]

watch out with snooper - I've had hell of a lot of problems getting a satellite signal in any of the vauxhalls I've had recently - vectra, corsa, signum, monaro - they really dont like the solar reflective windscreens. you'll almost certainly have to install a booster aerial. Or do what I've done and get a tracker installed that comes complete with optional camera warning system :-)

[booster]

I have RAC TrackStar isntalled but I am ditching it as I pretty much know all of the locations of fixed cameras in my area. It doesn't detect mobile cameras which is the biggest problem and the ones that are most likely to nab you. I'm considering the Road Angel at the moment as it has had some very good reviews. The RA2 detects fixed and mobile units although, as I understand it, to be nearer to 100% sure, you need to install an extra sensor on the front of the car.

[bennno]

P47ThBolt said:

I know this has been discussed before, but I was wondering what peoples experience with the main brands of 'Accident blackspot detectors' was like. Seems Road Angel/Snooper are most well known used. Greatful for any feedback as I really need to buy one - too many close shaves recently especially with b****y scamera vans!

i have got an ipaq with tom tom nagivator 5, with this you can load speed camera locations so in addition to sat nav it will warn you of traffic light, specs, temp and perm speed cameras.

you can load the same software on to a Tom Tom go - why just have a GPS 'blackspot' device when you can have this combined with nav for the same cost.

combine then above GPS based systems with a bell 550 radar & laser detector and fingers crossed you should be well prepared!!

Regards

Bennno

>> Edited by bennno on Saturday 1st October 12:19

[eliot]

bennno said:

i have got an ipaq with tom tom nagivator 5, with this you can load speed camera locations so in addition to sat nav it will warn you of traffic light, specs, temp and perm speed cameras.

Have they updated the software yet so it knows what direction your'e traveling in? - I found iratating telling me about speed cameras on the other side of the road.

[yorkkie]

My experience of both TomTom and RA2 is that RA2 is better, I have had both. Laser detectors work on the RA2 but by the time you have detected it you are got anyway (found out to my cost). RA2 also gives positions of temporary camera sites, useful in areas where you are not familiar. It is also good for SPECS in contraflows.

[bennno]

yorkkie said:

My experience of both TomTom and RA2 is that RA2 is better, I have had both. Laser detectors work on the RA2 but by the time you have detected it you are got anyway (found out to my cost). RA2 also gives positions of temporary camera sites, useful in areas where you are not familiar. It is also good for SPECS in contraflows.

Both just work by warning you of a GPS co-ordinate, so both are only as good as the user base reporting the location of cameras.

The very latest tom tom 5 with the traffic cam free data base has alerted me to every camera and SPECS thus far...

Bennno

[A57 HSV]

New Road Angel navigator looks very neat. Will do everything that R/A does (but no laser detection as this is likely to be outlawed in the near future) plus sat. nav.
I'm going to get one soon, when I transfer the Smart Nav. from the HSV to the Saab.
www.blackspot.com/

[V8HSV]

RA2 best IMAO but with eleven penalty points....

>> Edited by V8HSV on Saturday 1st October 19:37

[P47ThBolt]

Thanks Chaps. RA2 possibly with SatNav looks the way to go. Been talking to family who are legal eagles and Magistrates and the laser detectors look certain (fairly obviously) to be binned unless you have electric garage doors but something about frequency might get around this possible loop hole.

Been warned perverting the course of justice might be used to nobble people now if the believed offence is severe enough.

[yorkkie]

In the RA 2 you can switch off the Detector element The manufacturers have also stated that they will issue a free update to disable the detector when they are made ilegal..

Radar jammers are ilegal (unless you have garage door openers... I know some on the forum have tested this and have not been prosecuted).