What speed trap detector?

What speed trap detector?

Author
Discussion

booster

Original Poster:

717 posts

237 months

Tuesday 15th February 2005
quotequote all
I currently have RAC Trakstar+ but the speed thingummy is CRAP! It only warns of static cameras and is out of date as you have to wait for RAC to update their database rather than downloading one yourself etc. What do you chaps recommend? I was thinking of getting the Road Angel 2?

V8HSV

2,457 posts

259 months

Tuesday 15th February 2005
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I have both Road Angel versions,the latest is very good indeed. I think you have to wait 6 months before you an get lifetime membership for £99 thogh (first 6 months free)

alfienoakes

296 posts

241 months

Tuesday 15th February 2005
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My brother is selling his Road Angel 1, which has been as good as gold. mail me for details.

A57 HSV

1,510 posts

237 months

Tuesday 15th February 2005
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I use the Road Angel 2, although i have to position the unit away from the small panel in the centre of the dash (just below the windscreen) as something under this panel affects the ability of the unit to recieve a signal from the sats. I have Smartnav fitted and the GPS reciever also had to placed away from this panel. I guess it is something to do with the HSV security system?? I have a HSV GTS VX & my previous VT was the same,may not apply to later models though!
Very pleased with the Angel, but be aware that Camera Vans may not be detected,as they often target vehicles at short distance,aiming at the no. plate. Radar at this range has a very narrow beam and detectors will not be activated.To counter this you need a jammer,but it seems it maybe illegal to use these.Check out the site ukspeedtraps.co.uk for all relevant info.

Aussiedude

164 posts

243 months

Tuesday 15th February 2005
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I have an Origin B2 Unit, still in the box never used. Am looking to sell it as well...Any reasonable offer would be appreciated.

I have however registered it in my name, will have to have a look into how I go about changing it.

comm_SS_V8

310 posts

239 months

Tuesday 15th February 2005
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I'm also looking to get the Road Angel 2 (New Road Angel). At the ACE I saw a lot of you had the original Road Angel with the optional sensors. I've read good reviews on the RA2, but haven't found anyone with one yet to allow me to test it.

With the new laser based mobile speed guns I guess by the time you know about it, it's too late but the rest should be detectable. RA2 used GPS based knowledge so you have to get updates regularly at an additional cost. I believe you can get optional number plate sensors which give added protection. Anyone got these fitted?

Dan_the_man

1,087 posts

246 months

Tuesday 15th February 2005
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Another thumbs up for the roadangel, I'd suggest a lazer jammer behind the number plate too as those sneaky camera vans are everywhere fleecing motorists.

I actually saw one today marked "safety camera van" - yeah like it will really make the roads safer when all drunk/untaxed/uninsured/unroadworthy drivers pass it without being stopped. However stray a couple of miles an hour over the limit despite an empty motorway and you are stung. BA5TARDS !

A57 HSV

1,510 posts

237 months

Tuesday 15th February 2005
quotequote all
Sorry,I meant Laser not Radar for the "Safety" Camera Vans. You can get a no.plate sensor for the Angel 2 it costs £50. My understanding is that the Vans must get a minimum of 2 speed readings. So if you are just over the speed limit,you might be able to slow down quickly enough to get on or below the speed limit. I think the no. plate sensor would be a good idea,for this reason.
I visited the Road Angel HQ, which is near the Silverstone track and played with their Laser gun,all the staff were very helpful & informative.
Some of these Vans are really sneakily positioned,but we all know why. Revenue raising, not safety, is in my opion the main reason for these vans. Would not mind if they were outside schools etc. at the relevant times,but who has ever seen that happen?

tiler

693 posts

243 months

Tuesday 15th February 2005
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I have the road angel 1. But you need a laser diffuser as well. This is one of the best around. Thay offer to pay fine if you ever get done and a money back GUARANTEE!!!!!!!!!!!!

booster

Original Poster:

717 posts

237 months

Wednesday 16th February 2005
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Great responses tnx! Does the Road Angel have rear sensors too? Also, isn't it illegal to have no. plate jammers? Not that I care.

Dan_the_man

1,087 posts

246 months

Wednesday 16th February 2005
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to be honest the sensors on the RA are crap because they hang from the windscreen and the scamera operators aim at the numberplate to get a good reflection for a speed reading hence you may not get a warning.

Thats where the no plate jammers/diffusers come into their own, when they receive a signal they instantly beam one back that gives an error reading.

Technically a laser jammer is illegal but if you have automatic garage doors at home and use this product to open them then theres not a lot plod can do. Also the chances of ever being caught are like millions to one as scamera operators regularly get error readings.

booster

Original Poster:

717 posts

237 months

Wednesday 16th February 2005
quotequote all
So many questions. Sorry.
Does anyone here have electric garage doors? If you get caught with one of these "garage door openers" but with it switched off - is that illegal? Or is just having it fitted without having electric garage doors enough to fall foul of plod?

Road Angel 2 still seems a good option though I notice that it can't spot the mobile mini-gatso - actually the very device that caught me out. Snooper S6R seems to catch just about everything. Thoughts?

A57 HSV

1,510 posts

237 months

Wednesday 16th February 2005
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The website Ukspeedtraps.co.uk has the best info. that I have found relating to all this,in particular the lastest views on Jammer use.
I can vouch for the effectiveness of the Target LRC100 Laser Jammer. If you decide to get a jammer get one that has a seperate on/off switch. Then, if you spot a Camera Van or Police speed trap, you can switch it off, thus not arosing any suspicion, if they do target your car.
Mini Gatso uses Radar & if it is a mobile one (on a trailer) a Road Angel which uses GPS to identify fixed sites would not detect it. In practise, Road Angel has a Blackspot warning feature & often these Blackspots are known sites for Mobile Gatso,Police traps & Camera Vans.
Your best weapon is constant visual awareness, but we all know it only takes a momentery lapse in concentration and you could get nicked.
A friend with 11 penalty points sticks religiously to the speed limit, which is quite an art in itself and he is the cause of a lot of dangerous driving as drivers behind him bunch up and attempt dangerous overtaking.

tiler

693 posts

243 months

Wednesday 16th February 2005
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Ihave an electric garage door. And was followed back to my work place. And the police man just laughed. And let me on my way.

island boy hsv

726 posts

246 months

Wednesday 16th February 2005
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I have a Snooper S6 Neo for a couple of reasons. I got a deal by getting together with 9 other guys and doing a deal ( we saved 100 pound each). Also it has a separate GPS antenna that I have mounted on my rear parcel shelf, which gives good performance. The box itself has a nice clear display and sits on top of my dash. The only thing I would say about it is to remember to download before going anywhere new so as to get the most up to date info.

The time it was most valuable was a trip I did to London, it gave me 500m warning of all the temporary cameras in a section with major road works.

booster

Original Poster:

717 posts

237 months

Wednesday 16th February 2005
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Does anyone have a snoooper S6R? I can't decide between that or an RA 2

booster

Original Poster:

717 posts

237 months

Wednesday 16th February 2005
quotequote all
Island_boy, how easy was it to fit the snooper?

island boy hsv

726 posts

246 months

Thursday 17th February 2005
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The install was dead easy. I mounted the min unit on top of the dashin the right hand corner using the windscreen mount bent to the correct angel. Then mounted the radar detector in front of the rear view mirror. The cable neatly went into the head lining and down the pillar to the main unit. The power for the main unit I got from the mobile phone connector in the passenger footwall, and passed it under the dash and up to the main unit. The GPS antenna was mounted on the parcel shelf by drilling a small hole to pass the wire through. This wire then went down the back of the rear seat under the rear set base and under the carpet to the front of the car. The reason I mounted the GPS antenna at the back because the further it was away from the glass the better it seemed to pick up the satellites.

Hope this helps.