Speed Trap Locators Test

July 2008

More than two million drivers each year pick up a speeding ticket, so it pays to take a few precautions to stay safe on the road – and keep on the right side of the law. There are now more than 6,000 speed traps on the UK network, making it all too easy to collect a fine and points on your licence.

Many portable sat-navs now boast safety camera warnings, but that’s no help to drivers whose cars have a built-in unit. For them, the only option is a trap locator – many of which are made by firms that supply data to the portable sat-nav manufacturers.

All the products tested here use GPS technology plus a database to locate traps and provide warnings. Some also include laser detection, although they allow this to be deactivated when the imminent ban on such devices becomes law. Which locator will protect your licence best? We hit the road with 10 to find out.

The Test

Accuracy is crucial here – on our 14-mile test route, false alarms are as bad as no warning at all. Plus, we wanted the alert to stop as soon as the danger passed.

To keep distraction to a minimum, we preferred the locators to have voice warnings, backed up by a screen display. The spread of prices was wide, particularly when database updates were factored in, so we looked at purchase costs, and how much each system would set you back over two years.

Verdict

If money is no object, then you will love the self-updating Road Angel Professional Connected. But the Novus GPS Rider is much better value for money, and wins our test comfortably. It’s well priced at £99.99, and provides accurate visual and voice warnings.

The Road Pilot Micro Go claimed second place, while in third was the stylish, battery-powered Snooper Sapphire.

Contacts

Halfords (Micro Go, Sapphire) 0845 762 6625, www.halfords.com
Novus GPS  0845 659 0959, www.novusgps.com
Pogo  0115 959 6485, www.pogo-gps.co.uk
Road Angel  01327 855586, www.roadangel.co.uk
Road Pilot  0870 240 1701, www.roadpilot.com
Snooper  0870 787 0700, www.snooperuk.com
Snooper Direct (Evolution)  0800 019 0416, www.Snooperdirect.com
TTW Partners (Micro RP)  0115 959 6485, www.roadpilotgps.co.uk

Top 3

1. Novus GPS Rider
2. Road Pilot MicroGo
3. Snooper Sapphire

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