GPS detectors = incomplete databases?

[sjn2004]

Last week I bought a GPS based Safety camera detector. The first day I found two fixed Gatso's that have been around for 3 months or more that weren't on its database(I updated the unit the day before from their website). If these detectors are that poorly updated, how you trust them?

[tvr_nut]

Which particular type of detector?

Saying that, I have yet to work out how to safely input a new camera/delete a removed mobile camera from my RA2 whilst driving past it. There are too many menus to navigate whilst simultaneously staying on the black stuff.

Thus I probably contribute to the incompleteness, as I doubt new cameras are investigated unless uploaded by a user.

If I am wrong, let me know - and any RA2 user tips welcome!

[sjn2004]

I thought the local authority had to provide a list of all camera sites, and this was where the GPS companies got their data from. I remember a year or more back, some used to offer £50 or so for every camera site you found that wasn't in their database.

I emailed them and am awaiting a reply.

[jezzaaa]

Hi Sjn - I've got an Origin B2 and it's never missed one yet.....even in deepest darkest north wales.

Slightly off topic, but I think you're right about the local authorities having to publish the locations. And i'm guessing that the next change in the law will be to stop publishing the locations, thus rendering the GPS devices considerably less reliable.

[Ratspants]

My RA Mk1 is utter rubbish in South London. It was fine for years until I went south of the river in the Brixton area and it missed about 60%. It's also pants for ones in roadworks but I have all the A1(M) ones in for now.

Do personal ones ever get uploaded then checked and redistributed out for others to share?

Ben

[MR2Mike]

Ratspants said:

Do personal ones ever get uploaded then checked and redistributed out for others to share? Ben

That is the intent of the updating process. IIRC the original Morpheus Geodesy system used to offer some kind reward for being to first to report a new camera lcoation. Don't know if this is still the case though.

[320td]

I am in the market for one of these devices at the mo' and would appreciate knowing which device it is that seems to have a poor database (since this is somewhat critical to the effectiveness of the device...)

Thanks

Andy

[Jinx]

My Ra2 seems to work quite well (I did like the warning for the specs on the M6 bridge after J19) and to put in a new camara position I just pressed the select button three times (I hadn't updated for a while and spotted one).

[jwo]

micro roadpilot is the business - hasn't missed one yet, and they people that actually drive around too.

[sjn2004]

My unit is a Road Angel 2, as I said above it has missed two cameras very near to me.

BUT WHAT MAKES THINGS WORSE is that I emailed Blackspot with this info together with the location of the sites and they never bothered to reply or acknowledge.

Guess I should have got an Origin B2...

[ledaig]

Whilst cameras are reversible, some spend most of their life pointing in one direction, as a result the only time my RA2 has not notified me of a camera has been if I am travelling in the 'wrong' direction for it, any chance this has been the case with you?

[CB-Dave]

iirc there aren't as many people at blackspot to update the database as there are at snooper etc. Take into account the millions of units all updating with more locations in, then having to wait till they get more than one update with the same location, then check it, verify it and put it into the database - that's why it's not an instant process!

[quasimodo]

I use Tom Tom on an old iPaq with CheckPoint for the cameras. Checkpoint relies on other Checkpoint users to add cameras and I think I have only found a new one about twice in the year or so I've been using it. Found a few mobile van scameras thugh and added them in. The idea being that everyone does this then the camera database gets updated automatically by every user. Deletions work the same way - i.e. f you find a non existent camera (does that make sense?) you can delete it and the deletion is also replicated to everyone. So far so good too and free whats more (i.e.no expensive subscriptions and the checkpoint software is free too)!!! Great way to rejuvenate an old iPaq....

[sadako]

Snooper = win

[xxxxxxrich]

quasimodo said:

I use Tom Tom on an old iPaq with CheckPoint for the cameras. ....

Same here. I find it very good although it does pick out a few odd cameras that don't apply and doesn't know when they are on the wrong side of the road.

The only other thing that I found a bit poor was the lack of voice files to go with CheckPOInt so I got a load recorded, sounds good now.

For SatNav TomTom is fantastic, i use it all the time.

[Tafia]

MR2Mike said:

[quote=Ratspants] Do personal ones ever get uploaded then checked and redistributed out for others to share? Ben

Road Angel /Blackspot told me some time ago they do not load personally entered mobile sites onto the database.

[ledfoot]

quasimodo said:

I use Tom Tom on an old iPaq with CheckPoint for the cameras. Checkpoint relies on other Checkpoint users to add cameras

Too many non-existant cameras in the TomTom POI file.
The information is put in by people that do not know what a camera looks like, but generally it is ok. I use my RA if using my own car.

[bluepolarbear]

jezzaaa said:

Slightly off topic, but I think you're right about the local authorities having to publish the locations. And i'm guessing that the next change in the law will be to stop publishing the locations, thus rendering the GPS devices considerably less reliable.

No listen carefully I shall say this only once (again). Camera's and van locations do not need to be published, partnerships do not need to have a website, they do not need to make their accounts publically available, they do not need to answer FOI queries, they do not need to make their camera's or vans visable, they do not need to paint them yellow and they can prosecute for 1mph over the limit (taking into account accurancy of the device). They can operate anywhere and not at accident blackspots and can be illegal parked when they do so. You will not be sucessful in any court arguing that your ticket is invalid because they didn't follow the "rules".

Any apprarent following of wildely held believes is a reflection of the sucess of their spin and not the law.