Radar Detectors

David_Ward · 22 October 2002 20:28

Having come close to losing my license in one round trip to Cadwell (numerous Gatso’s and two carefully concealed mobile units) I decided it was time to invest in a radar detectorGot it today (Bel 550)and just starting to see how effective it is.It seems to show that not all Gatsos are live as it beeps for some but not for others - I thought they all were all live and flashed but often did not have film (or the equivalent) installed. Or is my detector not operating properly?What other operational things should I look out for - how effective do people find them?Regards - David

system · 22 October 2002 21:10

DavidI’ve a Bell detector too - superb for Gatsos. Most Gatsos are not “live” - the camera units etc cost circa ï¿½20K each, so they move them around from Gatso box to Gatso box.However, there are also other types of cameras/devices to be aware of e.g Laser Guns, Truvelo & Specs. For a full run down, see: http://www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk Don’t forget that unless you have a “Laser Jammer”, you will easily be caught by a Laser Gun - I was done 3 years ago for doing 91mph on the M40 at 2pm on a sunny afternoon with no other cars within 1/4 mile of me!!! The police car was parked totally out of sight up a sliproad.Hope this helps [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]

IDG · 22 October 2002 21:23

Nothing is going to stop the method one of the chaps on the way to Anglesey got nabbed with! The Copper followed him, timing between road markings. Git! (although I believe he was fairly fair with the punishment)Ian [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/frown.gif[/image]ps. The fact the ticket was completely in Welsh and later blew out the window did cause a few giggles! Hope it all worked out.

IDG · 22 October 2002 21:25

quote:Originally posted by Pesky:Don’t forget that unless you have a “Laser Jammer”, you will easily be caught by a Laser GunI thought some detectors picked up lasers in the vicinity? Or is it you just can’t realistically react that quick?Ian

RussT · 22 October 2002 21:41

By the time the detector has registered the hit, you are “done”, my son. I have the jammer as well as my 550.

system · 22 October 2002 23:11

Guys,Be careful with those Gatso’s that don’t give you a warning. Basically Gatso’s can be set up in 2 ways, either the traditional radar method that will trigger a radar detector or by wire sensors sunk into the road (look for the tell-tale tar lines just after the camera. The latter won’t trigger a radar warning - so keep an eye out.God knows but my licence is clean at the moment, but the wife who really doesn’t speed is carrying 6 point for 5 mph over the limit in 40 zones! Justice?

system · 23 October 2002 07:24

quote:Originally posted by Paul Aram:…or by wire sensors sunk into the road (look for the tell-tale tar lines just after the camera. The latter won’t trigger a radar warning - so keep an eye out.Paul, these are the “Truvelo” type of camera. The wire sensors tend to be set in the tarmac before (only a few yards though) you reach the camera. The camera faces you (unlike Gatsos which take a photo from behind))even though they are sited on your side of the road. I should have mentioned in my earlier post that it is also a good idea to invest in a Morpheus Geodessy/Blue Origin/Road Angel GPS thingy, which warn you of all known camera/detection sites. However, you will still need a Jammer to beat a laser gun if it’s aimed at you.Finally, don’t forget that a detector/jammer are illegal in some countries - particularly France, & the penalties can be severe!!

David_Ward · 23 October 2002 08:16

Thanks for all the commentsIt’s a pity that the Bel is unlikley to pick up laser traps before it’s too late, are most mobile traps laser or radar?The trouble with the jammer is that it’s a permanent installation and therefore can’t easlily be swopped between the day car and the ExigeI’ll see how efective the Bel is, even it prevents accidentally missing the Gatso’s particularly the less visible ones, and gives a fighting chance against laser traps, it cuts the risk. We need all the help we can get [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/smile.gif[/image]David

system · 23 October 2002 08:55

On the subject of the Bel550, you will find that the laser detector triggers frequently on motorways and some dual carriage ways. It took me some time to figure out that this was caused by remote sensing units fitted to motorway bridges. These units transmit a laser beam to detect the presence and density of fog and are used to implement the temporary speed restiction signs.I use both the detector and laser jammer and they have saved my bacon/licence several times.

system · 23 October 2002 10:07

Hi Pesky hope all is well. Moving up to your neck of the woods in a few weeks - alas no garage so Exige either has to be sold or go into storage (R400 might squeeze in the barn!!).Re the wire sensors these are being fitted to Gatso’s as well as the Truvelo front facing cameras. Only in the know because we got talking to some engineers who fit the things who said the cost of the wires verse the radar unit was around 40% cheaper. The same old question remains re whether the camera is present or not.How is winter in the north…nice layer of salt on the roads yet???

system · 23 October 2002 23:50

Hi PaulWhereabouts “oop North” are coming to live, & where will you be working?

system · 23 October 2002 15:34

system · 23 October 2002 19:46

being no techie as such, I thought I would give you my thoughts. I have gone down the snooper route + jammer. The Laser jammer only blocks the signal once which is just enough time to slam on the brakes before it bounces back and zaps you for the second time ( and you hope there is nobody behind you when you take this evasive action) . I was at the motor show today and was told some interesting stories including that its not illegal to have a false number plate, its a ï¿½30 fine for mis-representation and no points on your licence. You insure your car with the chassis number not the plate, then your covered if you have an accident. It seemed to me that this was a cheaper route than any sort of jammer. Does any one know if this is correct?

system · 24 October 2002 06:35

new unit at NEC from snooper - ne6 - does GPS and laser/rader - ï¿½499!!!Nice

system · 24 October 2002 09:51

Pesky,We are (touch wood) moving to a place called Trawden, near Colne, hopefully by the end of November. Still will be working midweek in the south [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/wink.gif[/image]. I guess Ribble Valley will be my closest dealer - how do they rate?Have to say if I had a garage (and the money) I think my money would be with a Noble dealer after seeing the pics of the convertable from the motorshow.

Steve · 24 October 2002 12:18

BLIMEY PAUL! There is oop North and oooop North, Trawden is right in them their hills! [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/mad.gif[/image]Guess you have sussed that though.Say hello to Lord Lucan for me… and get some snow chains!Seriously though, lovely place, make sure you check out Wycollar just over the hill - not many “tourists” in winter.LRV 10 minutes away and a good bunch.Watch out for them there ferrets… [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]

system · 24 October 2002 12:32

Regarding Ant Reeley’s comment, I would suggest that he his mistaken in saying that it jams it only once. The jamming signal lasts about 5 secs. This causes the laser gun to display an error code and the operator has to reset the gun. By then I’m in the far distance

system · 24 October 2002 14:34

PaulSteve has said it all. [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]There is a great road locally, which runs between Colne & Skipton [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image] I’m intrigued to learn how you’ve decided upon Trawden - relatives in the area also?Keep us posted as to when you move - us Oop Northeners will organise a get together [image]http://www.exiges.com/ubb/NonCGI/images/icons/grin.gif[/image]

system · 24 October 2002 19:32

Ken, your probably right, I’m not sure of the time span of the ‘jam’. If it 5 seconds ill try and ‘nail it’ passed them next time and see if anything turns up in the post! Regarding my points about the number plate there is still no reply from anyone? Come on boys do some homework, i’m stuck on this one?

system · 24 October 2002 19:58

AntOkay I’ll bite the bullet - I’m not a lawyer nor an insurance broker, so this is only my personal opinion/comment!!!Whilst it may (I don’t know!) only be a ï¿½30 fine etc if your numbers/letters are improperly spaced, or the wrong size, or not in an approved font, I doubt very much indeed that the same penalty would apply if they are completely different to what they should be eg W222 ABC instead of W777 XYZ. In the event of an offence being committed, would you not be “perverting the course of justice”?Who says that an insurance company would not be entitled to “void” the policy in the event of a claim? When completing a proposal form you state the car’s registration number, this also appears on the insurance certificate, & of course also on the Road Fund Tax Disc! My views on people who drive on the road without insurance, or who chance having a voided policy by either misdeclaring, or not disclosing relevent facts, are unprintable. So please, don’t do it.