Speed camera detectors

Detectors

These units have built in radar and laser detection units which actively seek out the radar and laser signals used to calculate a motorist speed. Detectors are ready to use straight out of the box. Simply place them on the vehicles dashboard, in clear line of sight or the road ahead and you’re ready to go. The main advantage of using a detector, apart from there relatively low price, is that there are no subscription fees for downloading up to date speed camera locations. The unit is also able to detect mobile speed camera vans and hand held devices. The down side to detectors is that they cannot detect the latest digital speed trap devices and they are prone to false alarms.

Jammers

Jammers are only effective against mobile detection vans and hand held laser devices. They emit a strong laser signal of their own which temporarily blocks the targeting laser and stops it obtaining a reading. Jammers are illegal in the UK and their use could lead to prosecution for perverting the course of justice (among other things).

GPS Camera Locators

GPS camera locators work on the same principle as portable satellite navigation systems. Networks of over 20 GPS Global Positioning Satellites (GPS) orbit the Earth twice every day approximately 12,000 miles above the Earths surface. They are positioned so that a minimum of 4 satellites are visible at any one time, with most location systems requiring a minimum of three GPS satellites to calculate its position. All GPS camera locators use a GPS receiver to calculate their position on the surface of the Earth. This is then overlaid onto a database of speed camera locators. As you approach a speed camera the locator will warn you of its presence via an audible tone and give you a count down to its precise location. Many locators have small LCD or colour displays which provide the driver with more information such as the vehicles current speed, the current speed limit of the road and type of camera. Many locators only give an audible warning when the vehicle is travelling over the speed limit of the road it is on, avoiding any unnecessary alerts. Locators can also show other accident blackspots where cameras are not present to help maintain your safety while on the road. GPS camera locators are only as good as the information they contain therefore regular downloads are required via a PC with internet access. A subscription charge with a 12 month contract is normally charged for access to these databases.