Speed Camera Locators

March 2006

The chances of getting caught by a speed camera are increasing, with nearly 6,000 units now lining our roads. Around two million drivers got flashed in 2004, and as roughly half the sites are in 30mph zones, it's all too easy to let your speed creep up a few mph - and get three points and a fine.

So it pays to invest in a camera locator, especially with prices falling. The going rate is now about £200, and some units are cheaper still.

Whatever the cost, they all work much the same way. Using global positioning satellites (GPS), the de-vice knows exactly where you are and where the speed trap is - and warns you, using a flashing light, a beep or voice, when you get close.

Obviously, these devices are only as good as the databases they run from, which can be updated online. All but one included free updates for six months, before charging a subscription - usually annual.

Some units claim to locate regularly used mobile trap sites, although databases differed. Five of our samples had laser sensors to pick up the guns police employ at such sites - but remember that the Road Safety Bill seeks to ban these. So which is the best for your licence and wallet?

Verdict

Most of our speed cam-era detectors fell into the mid-range as price balanced performance. However, picking a winner from this group proved very easy.

The Talex Lite may not be the most attractive pro-duct to have on your dash, but it provided brilliant performance at a superb price. And the news gets better for Talex, as it scores a one-two in our test, with the Lite's higher-spec big brother coming second.

If you want something more stylish, check out the TDS TR20 Lite. Not only does it look good, it's also crammed with features -and worked perfectly.

Top 3

1. Talex Lite
2. Talex
3. TDS TR20 Lite

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