What is a speed camera detector and how does it work?
A speed camera detector is a device that alerts you when you’re approaching a speed camera. The idea is that it gives you enough time to ensure you are not travelling over the speed limit, saving you the hassle of incurring fines and points on your licence
Speed camera detectors alert you when you are approaching fixed speed cameras and/or mobile units. They also provide warnings about accident blackspots and congestion zones and display/announce the legal speed limit. They offer LED displays, so as to be easily visible at night, and can be updated online.
How do GPS and radar detectors differ, aren’t they illegal?
There are several differences between radar/laser and GPS detectors. GPS speed camera detectors use a database of fixed camera locations. They also alert you to known accident blackspots and school locations. They work based on comparing your current location to the location of speed cameras on the database, to establish when you are nearing one.
Radar and laser detectors pick up on the frequency of transmissions from police radar and laser speed detection equipment. They then alert you to the presence of this equipment. This means they can pick up the location of mobile detectors, which GPS detectors can’t.
There was a lot of talk a few years ago about speed camera detectors being made illegal. However, a ban never took place. This means it is perfectly legal to use all types of speed camera detector in England.
This isn’t the same in every country. In some countries (Northern Ireland, for instance) it is illegal to use a speed camera detector. If you plan to drive to another country, therefore, be sure to check up on the laws of that country before you travel.
GPS speed camera detectors
This type of detector uses GPS technology to pinpoint the location of speed cameras and lets you know when you approaching one. Newer models use a GPS database in conjunction with this, as some speed cameras are now manufactured to be undetectable to satellite technology.
We recommend …
The Cheetah C550 is a high quality GPS speed camera detector. It’s easy to set up and understand and will give you clear voice alerts when you are approaching a speed camera. It also features a bright LED screen, which is visible even in direct sunlight. It comes with free lifetime database updates, meaning the device will always be up to date with the latest sat nav updates.
Rating – 4/5
Radar and laser speed camera detectors
An alternative to buying a GPS detector is a buying a radar and laser speed camera detector. However, unlike a GPS detector it won’t pick up some newer models of speed camera. Cameras by Truvelo, for example, are undetectable.
It also won’t give you any kind of alert for average speed zones. These feature two overhead cameras, installed 200 metres apart. The cameras measure your speed from the first camera to the second.
This is not the case for all radar and laser detectors – some have now combined both GPS with radar and laser detection, so it’s important to choose carefully.
As a rule, radar and laser speed camera detectors are better at detecting mobile speed cameras. Some models can warn you up to three miles before the camera.
We recommend …
Aguri Skyway GPS/radar/laser detector
This device combines GPS, radar and laser detection. This makes it one of the most comprehensive speed camera detectors available.
With the radar and laser detection giving you great coverage for mobile speed cameras, and the GPS giving you alerts for fixed cameras, you’re effectively covered for all situations.
The Aguri Skyway is quick to set up and works straight out of the box. It also comes with free lifetime updates.
Rating – 5/5
Sat navs with speed camera locations
Sat nav speed camera detection is just as effective as the bulk of dedicated products available. It can also be more cost effective, as the sat nav you already have may be capable of detecting speed cameras. The flaw, though, is the accuracy of the database. When you buy a dedicated GPS detector, the database will be updated frequently (usually every three weeks). However, a sat nav programme will be lucky to get an update once a year! This could result in it failing to inform you about speed cameras. You will also be left in the dark as to the whereabouts of any mobile speed cameras. To rectify this, consider using an additional radar or laser detector in conjunction with your sat nav.
We recommend …
If you want to upgrade your sat nav to one with speed camera detection, we recommend the TomTom Go 5200. It’s the most advanced on the market from a camera detection point of view. It has features like real-time information updates from other drivers and warns you about fixed, mobile and average speed cameras.
Rating – 3/5
Dashcams with inbuilt speed camera detection
A dashcam is a device that mounts onto the windscreen of your car and records footage of the road. In the event of an accident, it provides first-hand evidence for you to call upon. Using a dashcam can bring down your insurance premium and protect you in the event of traffic scams.
Dashcams also have a secondary use, with many models now featuring inbuilt GPS functionality. This means they can give you speed camera warnings, just like a GPS detector would.
We recommend…
This device is great for anyone who wants a high dashcam that also works as a GPS speed camera detector. As mentioned above, a GPS system means you’re covered for Truvelo speed cameras as well as average speed zones. Aguri provides free lifetime updates when you purchase this device, so you will always have accurate alerts.
Rating – 4/5
Or you could obey the speed limits – just sayin’
I do keep to speed limits to the best of my ability. However, when I use SatNav, I am aware that I now have two different speeds indicated; one on the speedo and one on the satnav. Sometimes as much a 2 m.p.h difference at around 30 but more at higher speeds. How accurate are the speedos in different cars of different ages? Are tyre pressures always exactly as they should be? With only 1 m.p.h. tolerance,effectively zero tolerance everyone must now be expected to drive below the speed limit. (Or of course at an appropriate speed which might be considerably lower.)
I too have noticed the difference in speed between the speedometer and the satnav display, or more technically the satnav phone app display. I just changed cars recently from an 09 reg C1 to a 13 reg C1 and the difference is more marked in the newer car.
I believe the app reading over the mechanical speedo any day with the accuracy required even for public GPS – its rubbish in tunnels though!
I believe all car speedos read low by around 10% so as long as you stick to the speed limit. You will always be under. If your car says 30 mph you will only be doing 27 max. If it says 70 you’ll be doing 63. I have been driving a Taxi for 15 years. The Taxi meter records your actual speed accurately and is calibrated every year at its hackney test. I have had about 10 different cars in this time and Speedo is always well under actual. So a speed camera detector is only of use to those that wish to break the law but are trying to get away with it…….Easy solution stick to speed limit and save your money. Oh did you know that those that break the speed limit by an average of 10% over a thirty mile journey only get to their destination 27 seconds quicker. This is because traffic flow will slow them down anyway.
Not if the rules set are unreasonable, don’t make sense to road users, don’t actually reduce accidents or death rate and the fact that these 20mph zones everywhere are more a money taking exercise! Since when did your government and council give a darn about your anyones life? It’s criminal exercise in making money setting these low speed limits which is impossible to maintain on a double carriageway with no pedestrians around anyway! Ridiculous. Time to use common sense and go against these stupid restrictions imo
I was caught on a camera.I knew it as a30mph road,I was doing 30mph but because I was going down hill and took my eye off the speed meter for one second to check the road ahead,I was photographed doing 33mph.
I honestly don’t believe that the speedometer in any vehicle can be accurate to 3.33% i.e. 1m.p.h. over 30 m.p.h. How many drive for example with tyre pressure exactly as prescribed by the manufacturer. Even they will vary according to the load carried. Ensuring you are below 30 by keepiong your eye on the clock at 28/29 m.p.h. will not only be a distraction but will frustrate so many drivers who might be tempted to overtake unsafely.
I believe I am right in saying that speedometers in cars have to be accurate to + or – 10% . Whereas vehicles fitted with a tachograph or. lorries and buses have the tachograph calibrated to + or – 5% and the calibration is checked every couple of years or so. Speedometers in cars always appear to be set to show a slower speed than any set speed something that will show when you find a commercial vehicle catching you up in a average speed check area on motorways or similar. This also explains the myth that you are allowed to exceed the speed limit by 10% .
I have understood that due to the virtual impossibility of items (such as speedos) being mass produced there will always be inaccuracies. Because of this I have also understood that there was a + or – tolerance of 10% plus 2. This onfo I got from a police sergeant. So what are the facts.
While I`m at it I think more people should be aware that under the ENGLISH BILL OF RIGHTS 1689 all fines or promises of forfeitures BEFORE CONVICTION are ILLEGAL. If you are prepared to go to court and fight you could win.
I HAVE AND I WON
Stand to be corrected, but believe GPS signal on St Nav more accurate than Car Speedo, thus trust Sat Nav over Car
Most cars seem to show slightly lower speeds calibration, so stick to speed limits and should be fine
Can always ask fro re-calibration on next Service of car, will cost approx £30 |(much less than speeding ticket)
Or you could obey the speed limits – just sayin’
I do keep to speed limits to the best of my ability. However, when I use SatNav, I am aware that I now have two different speeds indicated; one on the speedo and one on the satnav. Sometimes as much a 2 m.p.h difference at around 30 but more at higher speeds. How accurate are the speedos in different cars of different ages? Are tyre pressures always exactly as they should be? With only 1 m.p.h. tolerance,effectively zero tolerance everyone must now be expected to drive below the speed limit. (Or of course at an appropriate speed which might be considerably lower.)
I too have noticed the difference in speed between the speedometer and the satnav display, or more technically the satnav phone app display. I just changed cars recently from an 09 reg C1 to a 13 reg C1 and the difference is more marked in the newer car.
I believe the app reading over the mechanical speedo any day with the accuracy required even for public GPS – its rubbish in tunnels though!
I was caught on a camera.I knew it as a30mph road,I was doing 30mph but because I was going down hill and took my eye off the speed meter for one second to check the road ahead,I was photographed doing 33mph.
I honestly don’t believe that the speedometer in any vehicle can be accurate to 3.33% i.e. 1m.p.h. over 30 m.p.h. How many drive for example with tyre pressure exactly as prescribed by the manufacturer. Even they will vary according to the load carried. Ensuring you are below 30 by keepiong your eye on the clock at 28/29 m.p.h. will not only be a distraction but will frustrate so many drivers who might be tempted to overtake unsafely.
I believe I am right in saying that speedometers in cars have to be accurate to + or – 10% . Whereas vehicles fitted with a tachograph or. lorries and buses have the tachograph calibrated to + or – 5% and the calibration is checked every couple of years or so. Speedometers in cars always appear to be set to show a slower speed than any set speed something that will show when you find a commercial vehicle catching you up in a average speed check area on motorways or similar. This also explains the myth that you are allowed to exceed the speed limit by 10% .
I have understood that due to the virtual impossibility of items (such as speedos) being mass produced there will always be inaccuracies. Because of this I have also understood that there was a + or – tolerance of 10% plus 2. This onfo I got from a police sergeant. So what are the facts.
While I`m at it I think more people should be aware that under the ENGLISH BILL OF RIGHTS 1689 all fines or promises of forfeitures BEFORE CONVICTION are ILLEGAL. If you are prepared to go to court and fight you could win.
I HAVE AND I WON
Yep. And apparently if you turn your back on the judge he’s not allowed to pass any sentence 😀
Stand to be corrected, but believe GPS signal on St Nav more accurate than Car Speedo, thus trust Sat Nav over Car
Most cars seem to show slightly lower speeds calibration, so stick to speed limits and should be fine
Can always ask fro re-calibration on next Service of car, will cost approx £30 |(much less than speeding ticket)