Unanswered Questions....
Discussion
All,
During my period of reading PH`s - I am missing the answers to a few speeding questions. If you would be so kind to oblige...
What are the differences between, Laser/Radar Speed traps? I am specifically talking about the "white vans" seen on bridges, SPECS systems and TruVo cameras.
Do these systems be operated at night?
How common are laser traps?
I have seen discussion about "Digital" cameras - what detection system do they use? Radar or Laser?
Does anybody know what the effective operating distance of the portable "white vans" are?
Cheers !
Hazzer
During my period of reading PH`s - I am missing the answers to a few speeding questions. If you would be so kind to oblige...
What are the differences between, Laser/Radar Speed traps? I am specifically talking about the "white vans" seen on bridges, SPECS systems and TruVo cameras.
Do these systems be operated at night?
How common are laser traps?
I have seen discussion about "Digital" cameras - what detection system do they use? Radar or Laser?
Does anybody know what the effective operating distance of the portable "white vans" are?
Cheers !
Hazzer
Matey,
I believe that every one should know whats out there and what it does !
I have answered these questions before but I don't mind doing it again to help spread the word.
The types of systems out there are not as many as you'd think. SPECS, Gatso, Truvelo and Laser are the main types.
I'll start with Gatso, this is the most common and set to become even more so. Those grey box cameras at the side of the road send out a microwave frequency called 'K' band. This signal can be detected by all Radar detectors but the quality of the detector determins how much warning you will get. Because a Gatso is a permanent unit a GPS (Geodesy, Blue-i etc) will also alert you. These cameras only have to be painted yellow if the police opt take take a portion of the fines, this is called 'netting off'. So don't be fooled by people who say all Gatso have to be painted, THEY DON'T ! A Gatso will detect you only when you enter the painted white road markers.
SPECS, is the digital system you talk about. This little beasty reads your number plate at one camera and then again at another. It then calculates how long it took you to get from point A to B. No signal hence nothing to detect but because they are permanent, GPS will warn you. The cameras look like CCTV with 2 spotlights. Specs is unclear about the range it will detect your registration from.
Truvelo is easy to spot, the cameras are blue and face towards you. Now these units do flash but it's IR so you can't see it, so it won't blind you, so it can face you, so it can get a face shot, so you can't get away with it. It detects speed by inlays in the road surface and again give off no detectable transmition. GPS will alert. Truvelo will only detect your speed as you pass over the road inlays, which look like thin black lines painted on the road infront of the camera.
Mobile units can either be 'K' band or Laser. The Laser unit is the hairdryer style you talked about. A laser is bounced off your can back to the gun and the lenght of time this takes tells the gun how fast you are going. Because these units are mobile, GPS will not alert but Radar detectors will. You could also go as far as fitting a Laser jammer, this bounces the Laser back at the gun causing it to error and Plod will be unable to take your speed. However if you get caught it will be a trip to see the man in the white curly wig. Mobile units detect your speed from a hundred metres to a thousand metres.
Lots of different makes of detectors, most of the GPS are similar offering similar features. Radar detectors however range from £99 upto £600 and believe me you get what you pay for. At £99 they make a great paperwieght, but if you look at the £300 to £500 range you won't better the Beltronics detectors.
'K' Band and Laser are the only two types of detection allowed by the DTI in th UK. If the police wish to use a new frequency they would have to go to the DTI and apply for it, which would take years and be very costly. So Plod will be unwilling to change from the system as it is.
The distances mentioned will vary dependant on the weather, road conditions and the siteing of the unit.
Hope this helps answer your questions.
Priest
>> Edited by Priest on Thursday 3rd October 16:06
I believe that every one should know whats out there and what it does !
I have answered these questions before but I don't mind doing it again to help spread the word.
The types of systems out there are not as many as you'd think. SPECS, Gatso, Truvelo and Laser are the main types.
I'll start with Gatso, this is the most common and set to become even more so. Those grey box cameras at the side of the road send out a microwave frequency called 'K' band. This signal can be detected by all Radar detectors but the quality of the detector determins how much warning you will get. Because a Gatso is a permanent unit a GPS (Geodesy, Blue-i etc) will also alert you. These cameras only have to be painted yellow if the police opt take take a portion of the fines, this is called 'netting off'. So don't be fooled by people who say all Gatso have to be painted, THEY DON'T ! A Gatso will detect you only when you enter the painted white road markers.
SPECS, is the digital system you talk about. This little beasty reads your number plate at one camera and then again at another. It then calculates how long it took you to get from point A to B. No signal hence nothing to detect but because they are permanent, GPS will warn you. The cameras look like CCTV with 2 spotlights. Specs is unclear about the range it will detect your registration from.
Truvelo is easy to spot, the cameras are blue and face towards you. Now these units do flash but it's IR so you can't see it, so it won't blind you, so it can face you, so it can get a face shot, so you can't get away with it. It detects speed by inlays in the road surface and again give off no detectable transmition. GPS will alert. Truvelo will only detect your speed as you pass over the road inlays, which look like thin black lines painted on the road infront of the camera.
Mobile units can either be 'K' band or Laser. The Laser unit is the hairdryer style you talked about. A laser is bounced off your can back to the gun and the lenght of time this takes tells the gun how fast you are going. Because these units are mobile, GPS will not alert but Radar detectors will. You could also go as far as fitting a Laser jammer, this bounces the Laser back at the gun causing it to error and Plod will be unable to take your speed. However if you get caught it will be a trip to see the man in the white curly wig. Mobile units detect your speed from a hundred metres to a thousand metres.
Lots of different makes of detectors, most of the GPS are similar offering similar features. Radar detectors however range from £99 upto £600 and believe me you get what you pay for. At £99 they make a great paperwieght, but if you look at the £300 to £500 range you won't better the Beltronics detectors.
'K' Band and Laser are the only two types of detection allowed by the DTI in th UK. If the police wish to use a new frequency they would have to go to the DTI and apply for it, which would take years and be very costly. So Plod will be unwilling to change from the system as it is.
The distances mentioned will vary dependant on the weather, road conditions and the siteing of the unit.
Hope this helps answer your questions.
Priest
>> Edited by Priest on Thursday 3rd October 16:06
Priest
That is great - thank you very much, a whole load of information for me to digest!
Just a couple more points (sorry)
You didn`t mension about the portable vans in your reply - they are getting quite common in Norfolk where I am based, but I don`t know much about them.
Secondly - I have been told that laser detectors are not effective beause the laser has such a narrow band - by the time the detector has picked it up, you have already been caught..
FYI - I run a Geodsey with the Radar attachement- very pleased with it
Look forward to your reply!
Haz
That is great - thank you very much, a whole load of information for me to digest!
Just a couple more points (sorry)
You didn`t mension about the portable vans in your reply - they are getting quite common in Norfolk where I am based, but I don`t know much about them.
Secondly - I have been told that laser detectors are not effective beause the laser has such a narrow band - by the time the detector has picked it up, you have already been caught..
FYI - I run a Geodsey with the Radar attachement- very pleased with it
Look forward to your reply!
Haz
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