Snooper S2 Any Good?

[klarky]

I wouldn't want anything talking to me constantly either! This sounds good, as long as it picks up mobile cameras... They're the worst thing.

Also, how is it powered? And how do you get the updates on it daily?

It's powered via a lead to the cigarette lighter socket but you could hardwire it to make it neater. You have to download the database via a PC to update.

It does have a built in laser detector - see here:

http://www.sciuridae.co.uk/technology/snooper_s2.htm

Steve

Hmm, don't fancy something constantly plugged in. May aswell have my Sat Nav constantly plugged in... Can't battery power it?

As for the laser detector... Surely it's useless? As by the time it's detected the laser, it's caught you anyway!

your best bet will be to hard wire it, its pretty easy run pop out the ash tray, take a screw off underneath, pull out entire assembly which included the buttons for the hood / seats, solder to the lighter port (with car off and disconnect the lighter fuse, id probably also take the negative off the battery to be safe) and run the cable to your desired place, ive managed to feed my tom tom wire under the trim and out by the door and tucked it underneath the rubber trim before coming out by the dash.

 

[Lotus1]

The plot thickens on the question of whether the S2 has built in laser detection... It seems the ebay item mentioned in an earlier post is for the S2 Neo - here's a link to the user manual which states it does have laser detection:

http://www.snooperneo.co.uk/UserManuals/S2_Manual.pdf

I guess the Neo is an update of the original S2 :dizzy:

Steve

 

[srhutch]

The plot thickens on the question of whether the S2 has built in laser detection... It seems the ebay item mentioned in an earlier post is for the S2 Neo - here's a link to the user manual which states it does have laser detection:

http://www.snooperneo.co.uk/UserManuals/S2_Manual.pdf

I guess the Neo is an update of the original S2 :dizzy:

Steve

looks like as long as it as that clear sensor on the top at has laser detection. Think I'm going to get one for the GPS detection anyway. Often go head on with mobile in the mornings going to work so would be able to test the laser fairly easily, but dont think I would like to rely on it.

 

[klarky]

right as an update ive got mine up and running now, has detected all cameras ive come across so far and warnings are earlier than the tomtom ones. i like it as if you have plenty of time to adjust your speed. ive got it hardwired in today and working fine, but the velcro bit dont stick to the z4 interior well, will have to find a glue that wont destroy the trim, but give a little extra hold.

not come across any laser wielding police yet so cant tell if the detector is any good. updating it is pretty easy, plug into the pc and it does it automatically. time will tell if "lifetime" means lifetime.

 

[srhutch]

klarky, havent got round to ordering mine, must do it soon to get before end of April.

whats the download file like, is it a CSV file or something similar.

 

[Lotus1]

klarky, havent got round to ordering mine, must do it soon to get before end of April.

whats the download file like, is it a CSV file or something similar.

Got mine up and running too - the data file is downloaded directly to the S2 so you don't get to see what format it's in.

Steve

 

[peddy]

Hi,

I've been thinking about getting a speed camera detector.

How was this one?
Are you guys still happy with it?
Are the updates still free?

Pedram

 

[klarky]

worth what i paid thats for sure. yes updates are still free, i only use it on long journeys so maybe only once or twice a month, its never missed a camera, but does seem to pick up known mobile sites which is handy even if nothing is there at this moment, i have the volume down low and just glance at the lights, flashes red when your over limit, blue for under within a set distance of the location. cant comment on radar, dont think ive ever had one pointed at me.

 

[smokedog]

The plot thickens on the question of whether the S2 has built in laser detection...

I can tell you first hand it has laser detection. My detector started beeping on a part of dual carriage way which I thought was weird, as I knew there were no cameras, I look to my left and saw a mobile speed detector van parked up. Which was nice, but it has missed a few fixed cameras.

 

[RX-78]

I was reading up on speed trap detectors:

Many seems to say the only way radar/laser detector can warn you with enough time to slow down is if the radar/laser is bounced off the other cars infront and your detector picking up this bounced signal. Problem with laser detector is, because of the very nature of the laser it tends to be much more directional then a radar and hence not much "bounces" off the other cars.

Which means most of the time by the time it picks a laser signal, its likely it is your car that's been targeted by the police. And this is of course too late to slow down. Also some police has wisened up to the detector and uses laser at level lower then the windscreen - again your laser detector is unlikely to pick this up, being placed on windscreen level. Apparantly you can get external ones that goes around the number plate though.

And some says, although not illeagal, police don't like people who are trying to evade them and hence tend to take a less favourable view when they find a detector sitting in your car when they stop on the road.

I'm not sure if this is true but seems to make sense - I've decided t go for GPS system instead. The novus has a downloadable yearly subscription that can be integrated with tomtom one, and gets a weekly update (via pc) on cameras and high incidence area of mobile units. Another company has one called mini coyote which again is GPS system that gets updated every few minutes, including position of the mobile units. But the latter one costs £199 and £10 subscription each month!

So I've decided to go for the Novus option as its only £19.99/year (and as it is installed into my tomtom, police has no way of knowing I've got a detector) - I'll let you know how I get on on my way home from London on my Z next week!

 

[SirSimon]

Guys,

There is no point about the laser part. As soon as you see the Scamera van, it's far to late (trust me I have been in one of those vans and see them in action).