GPS device etc. from the US ?
Discussion
Merry Christmas One and all,
I have managed to keep a clean license for the last 18 years, but with the increased proliferation of speed cameras etc I feel it’s only a question of time before ending up with 3 points.
I have therefore decided to purchase a GPS based detector but have a technical question, would a detector purchased in the US work in the UK or are they programmed specifically for the market into which they are sold – with respect to both their updateable databases as well as their detection capabilities?
Thanks for any info offered.
Steve
I have managed to keep a clean license for the last 18 years, but with the increased proliferation of speed cameras etc I feel it’s only a question of time before ending up with 3 points.
I have therefore decided to purchase a GPS based detector but have a technical question, would a detector purchased in the US work in the UK or are they programmed specifically for the market into which they are sold – with respect to both their updateable databases as well as their detection capabilities?
Thanks for any info offered.
Steve
The GPS would work fine but the database would update with up to date US locations, hence unless you go on the world's biggest road trip it would remain silent.
I have Cyclops, got it cheap through work at my last job and it is great, travelling on unknown roads is a lot less stressful when trying to make good progress.
I have Cyclops, got it cheap through work at my last job and it is great, travelling on unknown roads is a lot less stressful when trying to make good progress.
The G in GPS does stand for Global but I would think you will have to make sure you can get maps for other countries.
I have an i-Paq and have just got the TomTom kit for it, very nice but now have to find a solution to highlight the SCAMera locations that doesn't cost £79. I added the Camera overlay as a POI (Point of Interest) but it doesn't warn you when your approaching. You need a bit of third party software for that and even that doesn't appear to be as powerful as something like the Road Angel (From what I've read). But the Navigator is very nice, just need to find a suitable sexy female voice to give the directions now!
I have an i-Paq and have just got the TomTom kit for it, very nice but now have to find a solution to highlight the SCAMera locations that doesn't cost £79. I added the Camera overlay as a POI (Point of Interest) but it doesn't warn you when your approaching. You need a bit of third party software for that and even that doesn't appear to be as powerful as something like the Road Angel (From what I've read). But the Navigator is very nice, just need to find a suitable sexy female voice to give the directions now!
parrot of doom said:
xxxxxrich just download and install POIalert, the link is on www.pocketgps.co.uk
Totally free.
I've made this work on my Navman iCN630 - quite handy I suppose.
In my opinion dedicated GPS based detectors are BAD VALUE! Why? Because, although they're highly fit for purpose, they all cost at least £300. And they don't even navigate!
Buy a navigation device, possibly a PDA based system, that also does POI Alerting and the free database and for a similar amount of money you have satellite navigation AND GATSO warnings! RESULT!
And finally.
Yes its nice to get some additional warning about a GATSO coming up. But you know? I've never been caught by one and I've been through LOTS. Why? Because I can SEE them perfectly well and I know what the speed limit is so I'm not going to get caught am I!
Yes - on a business trip in a strange town and in a fluster - I accept that the GPS warning may be useful - and I have actually bothered to load up the database on my machine because of that - but I've never been caught by a GATSO and I don't really expect to be either.
You want to worry about something? Worry about the mobile vans and standalone speed-laser-pistols. Although they may be on their way to being illegal I'd spend my hard hearned on a radar/laser detector. Added to the stunning camera detection device that is the Mk1 Human Eyeball its probably the best defence you can get.
Up until recently I'd have said get a laser jammer as, as the ukspeedtrap guide says, "you could get a warning or you could get a ticket" with laser detection only - but since they'vre started prosecutions for "Perverting the Course OF Justice" carrying a seven year sentence maximum I think I'd rather take my chances with a detection device.
To back up my reasoning it appears that our dear government plan on making radar/laser detectors illegal (again) - I wonder why - well it must be because they work! And yes - before they're unavailable in the shops I think I might be buying one.
parrot of doom said:
xxxxxrich just download and install POIalert, the link is on www.pocketgps.co.uk
Totally free.
Was reading some other threads last night and downloaded CheckPOInt, that looks good, can assign differant wav files to the type of cam. I'll have a look at POIalert also.
Thanks.
princeperch said:
saw in the argos sale they are doing a snooper (cant remember which one) half price at 90 quid. Also halfords are doing the road angel classic for 175 squid. going to see if i can pick one up (to go with my radar laser detector) tomorrow. bloody good price i think
If you are handy with a soldering Iron (actually don't have to be very handy) there's a GPS/PIC system in this months Everyday Practical Electronics ; they reckon a cost of £75 or so to build it.
www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk/
certainly an interesting idea.but am i correct in thinking that the Speed Camera Watch stores the location of the cameras that you record for yourself when you pass by. Nice idea but id prefer to have them all stored on the angel on the dash ready to warn me. or maybe im just being thick?
Use iPAQ GPS and Tom Tom navigation with POI (scamera loactions)
http://poiplace.oabsoftware.nl/index.php
http://checkpoint.oabsoftware.nl/
Back in the UK for Christmas having navigated through Switzerland, Germany, Luxemburg, Belgium, France and of course good old blighty, all with full scamaratzi alert - highly recommended.
Gives potential mobile locations so do not treat as false alarms.
Happy new year
Jenks
http://poiplace.oabsoftware.nl/index.php
http://checkpoint.oabsoftware.nl/
Back in the UK for Christmas having navigated through Switzerland, Germany, Luxemburg, Belgium, France and of course good old blighty, all with full scamaratzi alert - highly recommended.
Gives potential mobile locations so do not treat as false alarms.
Happy new year
Jenks
princeperch said:
certainly an interesting idea.but am i correct in thinking that the Speed Camera Watch stores the location of the cameras that you record for yourself when you pass by. Nice idea but id prefer to have them all stored on the angel on the dash ready to warn me. or maybe im just being thick?
My understanding of the EPE kit is that it does both ; you can upload a list of known scameras into it, and press a button to record the location of a scamera for future reference.
chaps
is the New Snooper S3 a good deal at 150 notes (which ive seen on a number of sites) as I couldnt get a classic road angel for love nor money today at about 10 halfords i tried?
done a bit of homework on the s3 and it looks like a good deal, especially as argos are selling it for 280 i think?
anyone know of a better deal for a gps?
>> Edited by princeperch on Tuesday 28th December 18:07
is the New Snooper S3 a good deal at 150 notes (which ive seen on a number of sites) as I couldnt get a classic road angel for love nor money today at about 10 halfords i tried?
done a bit of homework on the s3 and it looks like a good deal, especially as argos are selling it for 280 i think?
anyone know of a better deal for a gps?
>> Edited by princeperch on Tuesday 28th December 18:07
Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff