I seem to be passing camera vans on an increasingly regular basis. In light of the fact that my father, who views himself as a pillar of the law abiding community and had a clean licence for 40 years, received a ticket the other day I think it is inevitable that I will get one at some point. As a result I am thinking about buying a Road Angel 2. I see that they have an inbuilt laser detector and as an option you can get additional sensors to fit on the number plates but from what I can gather this element of the system is likely to be banned under forthcoming legislation. I have visited the various speed detector web sites which are quite informative but wondered whether any of you have experience of these on the road and if you think they are a wise investment. Does anybody know whether you are required to inform your insurers if you get penalty points and if so, what sort of impact this has on premium? Many thanks for any thoughts you are able to share.
Speed Cameras
- Thread starter TRW40
- Start date
jasonld
Member
Hi
I have a "Classic Road Angel" and it's great! I have never had any false warnings and every time it has gone off, it has been spot on. I'm very please with the unit. The "Classic Road Angel" not only looks better then the "New Road Angel" (IMHO) but does not have a built in laser detector "¦it has a detachable laser detector ...So if the law does change I can just unplug the sensor without loosing my investment. [
] I believe the manufacture is now shipping a new versions of the "New Road Angel" without a laser detector ..just in case the law does change.
These are the "type of danger" warning it can display:-
â– FIXED For permanently sited Gatso, Truvelo, Watchman and Speedkerb cameras.
â– MOBILE For temporary mobile cameras (often motorway roadworks) or user known laser sites.
â– AVERAGE For SPECS average speed detection cameras
â– BLACKSPOT Police and Local Authority designated repeat accident areas - take extra care
It uses the latest Global Positioning Satellites to locate fixed cameras. It gives you advanced warning when approaching a known danger zone, the LCD display turns from green to red and the type of danger is highlighted. The bar counter starts to count up as the danger area gets closer. An audible tone is emitted, the frequency increasing with proximity. Once the location is passed the unit returns to standby.
The unit is easy to update with the supplied software to verify new locations and delete obsolete ones. The first year of updates is free of charge with an annual subscription thereafter of £49 for one year, two years at £79 and for a lifetime subscription the cost is £99.
Regarding points on your license you are required by law to inform your insurer ..so long as its within the last 5 years I believe? I don't know how much effect it makes on your premium ..sorry, but it will go up that's for sure.[]
I hope this helps
-J
I have a "Classic Road Angel" and it's great! I have never had any false warnings and every time it has gone off, it has been spot on. I'm very please with the unit. The "Classic Road Angel" not only looks better then the "New Road Angel" (IMHO) but does not have a built in laser detector "¦it has a detachable laser detector ...So if the law does change I can just unplug the sensor without loosing my investment. [
] I believe the manufacture is now shipping a new versions of the "New Road Angel" without a laser detector ..just in case the law does change.These are the "type of danger" warning it can display:-
â– FIXED For permanently sited Gatso, Truvelo, Watchman and Speedkerb cameras.
â– MOBILE For temporary mobile cameras (often motorway roadworks) or user known laser sites.
â– AVERAGE For SPECS average speed detection cameras
â– BLACKSPOT Police and Local Authority designated repeat accident areas - take extra care
It uses the latest Global Positioning Satellites to locate fixed cameras. It gives you advanced warning when approaching a known danger zone, the LCD display turns from green to red and the type of danger is highlighted. The bar counter starts to count up as the danger area gets closer. An audible tone is emitted, the frequency increasing with proximity. Once the location is passed the unit returns to standby.
The unit is easy to update with the supplied software to verify new locations and delete obsolete ones. The first year of updates is free of charge with an annual subscription thereafter of £49 for one year, two years at £79 and for a lifetime subscription the cost is £99.
Regarding points on your license you are required by law to inform your insurer ..so long as its within the last 5 years I believe? I don't know how much effect it makes on your premium ..sorry, but it will go up that's for sure.[
]I hope this helps
-J
PGAdamopoulos
New member
Tim
I bought the new Road Angel the moment I got my Porsche.
I have been using these type of devices since they first came to the market, and I have used nearly all of them over the years; some of them even specially imported from the States.
The RoadAngel is the best by far and well worth every penny.
One word of advice, it will NOT communicate/download through a Mac. You either need a Win pc or a stand alone modem.
As far as I know they are legal to use in the UK, but illegal in France, regardless of the configuration.
Cheers
I bought the new Road Angel the moment I got my Porsche.
I have been using these type of devices since they first came to the market, and I have used nearly all of them over the years; some of them even specially imported from the States.
The RoadAngel is the best by far and well worth every penny.
One word of advice, it will NOT communicate/download through a Mac. You either need a Win pc or a stand alone modem.
As far as I know they are legal to use in the UK, but illegal in France, regardless of the configuration.
Cheers
Guest
New member
Hi,
I've had a Snooper radar/laser detector for some years now and swear by them, though as I now have 2 cars I'm thinking about purchasing a GPS & laser detector to save having to swap my current one between cars all the time. I think I've seen a new Snooper GPS based device for approx. £130 which I'm going to investigate.
As for points on your license - I believe you're obliged to tell your insurer if you get any points on your license, though when I got 3 points a few years back it didn't effect the policy much (up about 5%).
Regards
I've had a Snooper radar/laser detector for some years now and swear by them, though as I now have 2 cars I'm thinking about purchasing a GPS & laser detector to save having to swap my current one between cars all the time. I think I've seen a new Snooper GPS based device for approx. £130 which I'm going to investigate.
As for points on your license - I believe you're obliged to tell your insurer if you get any points on your license, though when I got 3 points a few years back it didn't effect the policy much (up about 5%).
Regards
peterarcher
New member
If you want to avoid speeding fines become a copper they seem to be able to dodge them easy enough.
Seriously, I have used detectors but I find the best method is stay focused and have 20/20 vision. Make sure you see them before they see you. At night you stand no chance so stick to the limit. The biggest risk at night is unmarked cars and as they now seem to measure your speed over a distance of about 100 yards, you don't get long to work out who they are.
Am I jaundiced about this subject, you bet I am. The last time I was stopped the copper lied through his teeth in court and guess who they believed.
My apologies to everyone for this emotional outburst.
Its OK I'm better now.
Good luck and stay clean.
Peter [&:]
Seriously, I have used detectors but I find the best method is stay focused and have 20/20 vision. Make sure you see them before they see you. At night you stand no chance so stick to the limit. The biggest risk at night is unmarked cars and as they now seem to measure your speed over a distance of about 100 yards, you don't get long to work out who they are.
Am I jaundiced about this subject, you bet I am. The last time I was stopped the copper lied through his teeth in court and guess who they believed.
My apologies to everyone for this emotional outburst.
Its OK I'm better now.
Good luck and stay clean.
Peter [&:]
Thanks for that chaps. After I posted my question I found an earlier thread where some people seem to be advocating a sat nav system. I need to do a bit more research but they seem to be using ipaqs with sat nav software or a sat nav system called Tom Tom - apparently the Road Angel picks up cameras on your side of the road whereas the sat nav system can be updated free of charge and picks up cameras on both sides of the road, which some consider to be an advantage given the possibility of backward facing cameras. In light of your comments thus far I am still keen on the Road Angel but I think I might explore the others you mention and the pros and cons of the sat nav system before shelling out.
I know what you mean Peter about the need for 20/20 vision and staying focused but the authority seems to be extending the length of speed restriction zones and changing the the limits around where I live on a regular basis - we now have a 20mph zone, 30 mph zone and 40 mph zone all within a one mile stretch and I can envisage myself happily approaching a camera van one day doing 40 mph without realising that I have just entered the 30 mph zone.
I know what you mean Peter about the need for 20/20 vision and staying focused but the authority seems to be extending the length of speed restriction zones and changing the the limits around where I live on a regular basis - we now have a 20mph zone, 30 mph zone and 40 mph zone all within a one mile stretch and I can envisage myself happily approaching a camera van one day doing 40 mph without realising that I have just entered the 30 mph zone.
Guest
New member
I am happy with my Road angel 2. If the camera is able to be pointed the outer way then it will alert you which ever direction you are traveling. The data base seems to be updated regularly. Unlike the GPS inforad, it let you know when your out of the SPECS section of road. The Laser part can be disabled via download should the law ever require it.
I'm in a similar position havn't yet bought a detector(sorry a 'road safety system' )but after getting two tickets in 1 month I know that A. You MUST tell your insurance co, and most do not increase your premium with two tickets - they do with 3. several of the safety system companies now offer an insurance policy that covers you for legal fees, or a chaffuer driven car in the event of losing your licence , for get the exact ones, but try searching for St. Christopher on insurance realted sites.
Race you to Le Mans on Thursday
Gary
Race you to Le Mans on Thursday
Gary
Alan Walker
New member
Peter, Thanks for your posting.
This sounds very interesting. I'm curious to find out if there is anyone out there with legal experience who can advise as the likelehood of success using this approach. I'm also amazed that there have been no other questions or replies. Do we have a forum of drivers who never digress from the straight and narrow?
This sounds very interesting. I'm curious to find out if there is anyone out there with legal experience who can advise as the likelehood of success using this approach. I'm also amazed that there have been no other questions or replies. Do we have a forum of drivers who never digress from the straight and narrow?
Johnny C
New member
I was under the impression that the PACE didn't apply to Speeding offences as it's not a criminal offence - am I mistaken?
The rozzers certainly don't caution you about the right to silence etc.
I was also told that submitting your licence at the roadside constitutes an admission of guilt - is this correct?
The rozzers certainly don't caution you about the right to silence etc.
I was also told that submitting your licence at the roadside constitutes an admission of guilt - is this correct?
937carrera
New member
The s172 notice procedure is also under judicial review in the European Court of Human Rights..............and the signs are that it will be found in contravention of the European Convention on Human Rights
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