Speed Camera detectors
- Thread starter PerryGunn
- Start date
I take it these things are not actually 'detectors' in that they do not dynamically detect the presence of radar devices or anything? Are they simply pre-loaded with known camera locations in the same way that satnavs are?
Each time I pass the sneakily parked van the gits often put at the bottom of a really steep section of straight dual carriageway near me I get tempted to go back with some shaving foam and cover the window in front of their camera device (I don't think the vans are manned once parked up). :evil:
Each time I pass the sneakily parked van the gits often put at the bottom of a really steep section of straight dual carriageway near me I get tempted to go back with some shaving foam and cover the window in front of their camera device (I don't think the vans are manned once parked up). :evil:
No, they're not radar detectors - that's be no good for all the fixed cameras anywayGreyZed said:
They use a proprietary database which contains known mobile hotspots as well as fixed cameras, red-light cameras, average speed zones etc. The subscription rates for the Cheetah database are very good - lifetime updates for up to 3 devices is only £35 and, as long as you have a subscription, you get an email notification from Cheetah when there's a new version available.
Bing said:
I could never get the B2 to stick to the Z dash, so gave up.
In the new car, I will use AA / micro pilot app on the iphone (if it still exists!), as previously in my F10 it put the alerts through the car speakers when using the iphone as a music source...or at least that is how I remember it working!?
I've got a Gem and love that it updates online so I can just leave it in the car unless it nags for a f/w update which it did this weekend. I only took it as my previous Roadangel went wrong and out of warranty it was cheaper to replace on an upgrade offer than to repair.
What I don't like about the gem is that the screen was too dark (until the f/w update) and that it no longer has a remote control that was great on the older model.
What I don't like about the gem is that the screen was too dark (until the f/w update) and that it no longer has a remote control that was great on the older model.
Are there no decent phone apps that work then? I really want to avoid a box sitting on the dash. I really want to not have to see it, either under the dash or if possible - the phone.
Waze just does not work - I tried it again and I had to ask the passenger to tell me were the cameras were as it never spoke if you are under the limit - which I hate.
Waze just does not work - I tried it again and I had to ask the passenger to tell me were the cameras were as it never spoke if you are under the limit - which I hate.
I actually get on with Waze. There are some gotchas in terms of how its configured for audio but generally it's ok.
I also have the tomtom mobile app and that has good speed camera warnings although it's a chargeable app.
I also have the tomtom mobile app and that has good speed camera warnings although it's a chargeable app.
Sometimes with Waze, it just does not shut up and talks about every car on the hard shoulder etc. Other times, I pass camera after camera and it never talks - but shows the camera icon on the screen which I can not see.
My ideal detector would not have a display (I don't need to know my own speed), just a noise when I get near one. As simple as can be.
My ideal detector would not have a display (I don't need to know my own speed), just a noise when I get near one. As simple as can be.
You can mount the Cheetah wherever you like, it's loud enough that you'll hear it - depending on the location it may have difficulties locking onto GPS satellites though, but there's an optional external GPS antenna with a 5m cable so you could fit that anywhere that it can get a signalpvr said:
I have a cigarette lighter socket in the passenger footwell in the side of the console - if I could fit it under the dash there, I can use the lighter connector to fit it there and still easily reach it. I will have to hold yours there to see if it gets a GPS signal, otherwise I can route that up the A pillar passenger side.
I've just checked the manual - it appears that in 'Dark Mode'
One discreet LED will remain illuminated so you know the C550 is operating correctly.
You can get a PDF copy of the manual at https://speedcheetah.com/C550-manual.pdf
Unfortunately, you won't be able to try getting a signal under the dash with mine - I cannibalised the lighter socket power adapter to hardwire the power in the X3 (I bought a second power lead to hardwire the power in the Alpina). If you ask Bing he may be able to try holding his under the dash as we haven't hardwired his yet
One discreet LED will remain illuminated so you know the C550 is operating correctly.
You can get a PDF copy of the manual at https://speedcheetah.com/C550-manual.pdf
Unfortunately, you won't be able to try getting a signal under the dash with mine - I cannibalised the lighter socket power adapter to hardwire the power in the X3 (I bought a second power lead to hardwire the power in the Alpina). If you ask Bing he may be able to try holding his under the dash as we haven't hardwired his yet
I've got a Novus Alpha which has been brilliant and been using it for years. But about 6 months ago I changed company cars and haven't swapped it over, due to the dash & cigarette lighter socket location in the Audi A5 not being ideal or it. its been sat in the garage since. I wasn't going to bother with it, but then I got flashed by a camera the other week in Oxford (Botley Road) , even though I knew it was there, I didn't realise my speed has crept up. So this week I went to install it in the Z4 and first went to get an update installed on it, then seen that updates (or the software) are no longer available and long since been obsolete. So its useless now.
I've decided to also by the Cheetah unit, after reading the Auto Express review and your comments here. And I'll get two mounts and swap the unit between my two cars. In all the 15+ years I've had camera detectors, I've never got caught by one, then in the last few months while not using one, I think I may have two potential problems - just waiting if anything comes in the post! They can very easily pay for themselves. i drive 30-40,000 miles a year, I should go back to having one.
PS. The Cheetah has a single poor review on Amazon, due to the database inaccuracies.
I've decided to also by the Cheetah unit, after reading the Auto Express review and your comments here. And I'll get two mounts and swap the unit between my two cars. In all the 15+ years I've had camera detectors, I've never got caught by one, then in the last few months while not using one, I think I may have two potential problems - just waiting if anything comes in the post! They can very easily pay for themselves. i drive 30-40,000 miles a year, I should go back to having one.
PS. The Cheetah has a single poor review on Amazon, due to the database inaccuracies.
It comes with two mounts anyway - the magnetic on-dash mount and the windscreen mount - the magnetic one seems to suit the Z4 better and the windscreen mount works fine in our X3d3matt said:
Yeah, saw that but it's from Feb and if you search around for other reviews it appears that they've sorted it now - it warns of all our local cameras and, from our trip up to ZedFest, it seemed to pickup all the cameras we noticed (and warned us about several that might have caught us unawares)d3matt said:
