There are a plethora of speed camera systems set against the motorist in the UK and we describe many of them in our speed cameras explained article. In this buyers guide we'll talk about each type of system to combat the traps and show which are effective against fixed (GATSO, red Light Cameras, Specs) and mobile systems (Radar, Laser).

Radar Detectors

The first solution and the oldest on our list, originally imported from the good old US of A the Radar detector works on the simple principle that if the police radar gun is pushing out radar we can detect it and warn the driver. This is in fact a good principle as most Police Radar guns are big blunderbuss type devices that spit out so much Radar in the K and Ka band (sometimes Ku) they can be detected miles away.

The first batch of Radar detectors to arrive in the UK were straight off the shelves of Radio Shack in the USA and these did detect Police Radar guns along with many other things including, shop door openers, traffic lights and car alarm remotes.

So this brings us to the first thing to consider with a Radar detector, check it is made for European markets or at least has a UK profile. An example of this is the Bel 550 Euro which has profiles for each country which suppresses Radar bands not used by Police and used by TopShop!  Any UK system should only detect K and Ka band, anything with X band is bad news.

Next you need to consider that a fixed Gatso puts out very little Radar, in fact just enough for it to work and all of it away from the oncoming car. So for a decent warning you are looking for a detector that has been optimised to pick up K and Ka band in very small amounts, systems that have had this done normally boast about it so they are easy to spot.

Many will go on about their cloaking ability as if you were part of the Klingon army, what they mean is that in the USA police started to detect the detectors and prosecute users. Apart from the UK police not having the systems to detect the detectors they aren't even illegal to use anymore. A UK court ruling tested the government using the wireless telegraphy act to make intercepting of the Radar the equivalent of listening to police radio, the law was over turned and they are legal to own and use.

However forthcoming legislation seeks to outlaw any device that specifically detects speed cameras and allows drivers to avoid them, add this to the fact Police have switched almost entirely to Laser Guns and Radar is now confined to Gatso and Mobile Gatso systems and you have to wonder if Radar detectors have had their day.

Good for - Fixed traps, GATSO, Truvelo and limited mobile Gatso systems.

Poor for - Laser traps, Specs, Police Patrols

Laser Jammers / Detectors

Laser systems are preferred by Police forces across the UK for their accuracy and sneakiness, they can catch motorists for further distances (up to 2 miles away) and do so within 3 seconds. It is for this quick capture rate that you can immediately ignore any system that has laser detection, by the time the alarm goes off you are already caught.

So Laser jammers are the only realistic form of defence, however they are most definitely illegal to own and operate. Do they work? the good ones yes, numerous independent tests show that Laser guns can be disrupted and rendered unable to take a reading. So choosing one you've seen a reputable test of is critical as is selecting one that is not a Laser Jammer at all but a garage door opener.

In order not to be blatantly breaking the law the Jammer systems are now packaged as Garage door openers that are just a bit too powerful and happen to upset Laser guns. Of course you may also want to have a garage in case the powers that be want to check that you are using the device to open your garage door!

Good for - Fixed laser traps, Laser Guns / mobile systems

Poor for - Radar traps, Specs, GATSO

Backflash

Backflash was a limited device that used a simple principle which many claim to have thought of. Many photographic flash systems link the individual flash guns with light sensors that trigger each flash when they see another flash go off, these triggers happened very quickly and enable the flash on the camera to set off many more around the subject. Backflash was a simple idea to trigger flash back at the camera (GATSO) using the same light detection mechanism, thus overexposing the picture taken by the camera.

The system mounts alongside the number plate, the idea to illuminate the plate and overexpose that portion of the photo making it impossible to read. Sadly it just didn't work and those who purchased still got tickets.

Good for - Fools with money to burn

Poor for - Keeping your license clean

License Plate Covers

Like the Backflash system above another set of old wives tales revolve around covering the number plate with films and substances that diffract light making the pictures taken by cameras difficult to read. Again there is substance to the idea as a prism may refract light and allow it pass from one direction while blocking or reflecting another. Sadly the use of hairspray never achieved this effect and was easily spotted by the Police. A number of systems are still on the market, none of which have been proven to work 100%.

Good for - Keeping your hair in shape

Poor for - Staying out of the picture.

GPS Systems

The latest technology to be used within speed camera detectors is GPS or the global positioning system, it allows a detector unit to know its position within 10 meters which when combined with a map and database can form an effective warning system.

This method was first employed within PDA based GPS navigation software, speed camera locations were added as points of interest and these could then be tagged to an alarm sound. This practice continues today with PDA and all in one SatNav systems which all have POI and many now offer a downloadable database of camera locations for a small price.

Then there are standalone systems like the Road Angel, which perform no other function than warn of fixed camera locations by comparing the database to your position. These systems appear to have better databases which is the key area to check on as a warning system with a poor database is like an antivirus system that has not had an update for 6 months.

Recently a new brand of cheaper systems have arrived in the shape of Talex, Indic8tor and Toad Inforad these follow the exact same principle as the road angel with a few less extras.

When purchasing a GPS based system check the cost of the database updates for future years and how much subscription is included in the base price. Also check that you don't have a heat reflective windscreen or heated front windscreen that may affect the GPS signal. Also a few basics, check that any warning is directional, you don't want to know about cameras on the other side of the road, check that the audio level is sufficient to be heard over the car radio.

Lastly some of the GPS systems also store locations of Specs the new video based speed systems and commonly used mobile locations, while mobile locations may provide some false positives they can help bridge the gap between the Radar systems and the database driven ones.

These system will remain legal under the new legislation as they are so similar to GPS navigation products.

Good for - Radar traps, Specs, GATSO

Poor for - Laser Guns / mobile systems

For reviews of the many types of system listed here check out the Lordpercy.com Speed Camera Detector Reviews.

Published - 25/06/2006

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