Detector Advice

[Fer]

Posting on behalf of my dad, who is now the less than proud owner of 6 points. He has asked me to locate a device to assist him with keeping his licence! (Yes, I know that the Mk1 Eyeball should be up there...) I was thinking about something that combined GPS with a detector, to try and cover as much as possible.

I have told him he is looking at £300+ but since his licence is his livelyhood he is willing to do what ever it takes.

Can anyone recommend or comment on the various options. I have looked at the one that clips to your mirror which looked like a good option, since less "obvious". If it makes a difference, the car is a 1yo Toyota Avensis.

Thanks,
Fer

(Edited to add: Ease of use will be a big factor in the final choice!)

>> Edited by Fer on Monday 20th June 13:36

[Darth Viper]

Road Angel, or something similar - notifies of all fixed speed traps, and laser guns from mobile sites. Ideally, a laser jammer too, but that may be beyond the law - depends on how far you want to go, I know how far I do.

[993SC]

Inforad - £80. About as simple as they get. Beeps and flashes near a camera, is quiet when not near one.

No fancy LED screens - not needed and it's what you get used to anyway.

I believe that Woolworths now sell them too.

www.gpsinforad.co.uk

[docjan]

Serious suggestion, if the licence is his livelihood the most valuable investment will be free, just make sure you keep below the limits.
Annoying but in that situation he will need the self control.

[parrot of doom]

I suggest he takes some form of advanced motoring course, and learns to become more observant.

If he was nabbed by vans, get a laser diffuser, just don't take the piss when passing them by speeding through the traps all the time.

[Fer]

Thanks for the comments - the advanced driving suggestion might be a good idea. He is 10 months off retirement, and drives many thousand miles a year, so could be put to good use.

Was not sure about the Laser Diffuser, what does this entail?

[Mr Whippy]

Best to just get some random plates made up.

Then you can just do what you like within reason until a police car FINALLY decides to enter the public highway and actually decide to stop him

Scary, but it's easier than ever these days with no Plod about...

Dave

[parrot of doom]

Laser diffuser stops scamera vans with laserguns from getting a reading for a few seconds, allowing the driver to slow down. Upon detection of the incoming laser beam, the diffuser alerts the driver with a loud beep, the driver then slows down, a few seconds later the diffuser turns off so the van can get a reading, hey presto within the speed limit, no offence.

Get a diffuser that has tranducers on the front and back of the vehicle.

Normal advice is to remove the diffuser when you get home, if it has been triggered. Leave it off for a few weeks and drive more carefully, before re-installing it.

You risk a charge of perverting the cause of justice if caught with one, but thats unlikely unless you constantly speed through traps. The charge above has yet to be proven in court, AFAIK every case so far has seen a guilty plea.

[driver]

Radar detectors are OK if you drive in the countryside/suburbs but they go off all the time in town centres and when you go past a petrol station. Also, they may be banned soon and they don't detect Truvelo, and only give you about 300 yds warning of Gatsos. That's if you get a good one (£300+). I understand the cheap ones are a complete waste of time.

Best bet is probably a Road Angel or b2 which work on GPS.

[A2Z]

The best bet I think is to go for the many GPS versions, I know that there is one for about £80 that is getting some good feedback on this site. I have some free software www.pocketgpsworld.com that runs alongside my Tom Tom sat nav so if your Dad drives mega miles he may be able to kill 2 birds with one stone.

I did a bit of poking around before I bought mine and I was told that the laser detectors are pretty useless (jammers are slightly on the wrong side of the law) The bill banning detectors was overturned but I don't think that it has gone away just yet so GPS may be the way to go. Also, on laser detectors, I have heard that the laser is not permanently on and only gets fired at you when it looks as if you are speeding (from the van) The laser is only on for a few seconds to get your speed. By the time that the detector has warned you, they already have your speed!

Some good stuff on www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk

p.s. I concurr with the comments above regarding altering driving habits before getting a detector.

[hiasakite]

Best bet is GPS based system plus advanced driver training to become more observant- ie if its your livelyhood keep to the limits...

Never believed I'd post that- but its the way it is- if the licence is that important, keep to limit and use something to help you in case you miss a limit sign/sneeze at the wrong moment..

[smeggy]

POD’s comments are spot on. Add a GPS based system and you’ll almost have complete protection, the only realistic exception being VASCAR enforcement which only your eyes/brain can spot.