1. Radar Detectors
2. GPS Devices
3. Laser Detectors
4. Laser Diffusers
5. So What to Buy?
6. The Costs
7. Other Products We Feel No Need to Sell and Why
8. What Guarantee do I Get?

1. Radar Detectors
The oldest and most common type of device. If you’re approaching a fixed camera that uses radar your detector will alert you. If you’re approaching a mobile radar gun you will also be alerted. However, many fixed cameras no longer use radar and will therefore go undetected.

Almost all mobile speed traps use a laser gun (not radar) and will therefore go undetected. Other traps, such as those timing every vehicle between two points and checking the average speed, will also go undetected.

Another big problem with radar detectors is false alarms. They can start bleeping at traffic lights, automatic doors, and, many would say, microwave ovens! This becomes very annoying and most drivers would turn their unit off, making it a complete waste of money! However, some of the later, more expensive models can differentiate between radar frequencies thus dramatically reducing false alarms. [top]

2. GPS Devices
Now the most popular purchase. Your unit will link up with satellites and alert you to fixed camera locations. You won’t get any false alarms and so long as you regularly update your unit via a pc, you’ll be alerted to the vast majority of traps. Depending on the product you may also get an array of other features regarding your current speed, type of camera, direction of travel etc. The downside to a GPS system is it won’t alert you when a mobile camera is round the corner, and it requires annual subscription for your pc updates. [top]

3. Laser Detectors
In a nutshell, these are virtually useless. A laser gun, as used by most mobile traps, fires a single laser beam at your vehicle. At this point, your laser detector will bleep and you’ll have approximately a third of a second to reduce your speed to the desired level – impossible….and very dangerous. The technology required to detect a laser is inexpensive and therefore many GPS devices now include a laser detector. Ignore this feature, it will do nothing other than alert you to the fact you’re about to receive a speeding fine in the post! [top]

4. Laser Diffusers
This is the only protection available to mobile laser guns lurking round the corner. They usually comprise of a little black box (or two), about the size of a pack of cards, located at the front of your vehicle perhaps in the front grille. Whilst this technology is claimed to be used for opening electric gates and garage doors, it will also distort an oncoming laser thus giving a failed reading. The legality of this type of product is ambiguous. [top]

5. So What to Buy?
Given that over 90% of speeding fines are issued from fixed camera locations, a GPS device makes the most sense. You’ll get no false alarms and the most recent designs will sit smartly and discreetly on your dashboard. Our choice would be the micro RoadPilot simply because it is easy to use, competitively priced, does everything you would expect, and, due it being the smallest product available, looks great in any car. All units will simply plug into your cigar lighter to work. However, we would recommend a professional ‘hard wire’ fit for a cleaner, less cluttered, look on your dashboard.

For virtual complete protection, add a laser diffuser to your car. Whilst you could install a diffuser to the front and rear of your car, front protection will cover almost all situations. After all, it’s unlikely you would be travelling above the speed limit having just passed, and therefore seen, a mobile police speed trap. We recommend the LE30 because it requires only one ‘black box’ at the front of your car and it will automatically switch off once it’s diffused an oncoming laser.

As mentioned above, not all mobile traps use laser some use radar. Therefore, a quality radar detector in addition to your GPS device will help in some cases. It’s also likely that UK police forces may sway towards radar guns in the future making this a wise choice if budget is no object. [top]

6. The Costs
For the ultimate in protection, go for the micro RoadPilot with Radar at £659 and the LE30 at £349. Including professional fitting this will total around £1090+.

For a slightly less extravagant solution, delete the Radar option from your shopping list and you’ll spend around £780+ including professional fitting. With this combination installed, you would still be protected against 99% of potential speed traps.

For an effective lower budget solution go for the micro RoadPilot on its own – it will save you nine times out of ten. Or, the brand new Snooper S3 at just £248 – now the cheapest GPS devise available in the UK. With the S3 you’ll lose many features associated with the micro RoadPilot and Snooper S4, but it will still keep you warned and is fantastic value for money.

Whilst there are many detectors available for less money, these are primarily just Radar detectors which cannot differentiate between frequencies. Your false alarms will become so annoying you’ll turn it off and have wasted your money! [top]

7. Other Products We Feel No Need to Sell and Why
Cyclops
Great unit, does everything pretty well, but given that’s larger than the micro RoadPilot and missing some features, and there’s virtually no difference in cost – we would recommend the micro RoadPilot.

Road Angel
Like the Cyclops, this does everything just fine and is a very big seller due their considerable marketing. It also includes a laser detector, but as previously mentioned, these will do nothing other than let you know a speeding fine is on its way! It’s pretty large too, in comparison to the ones we recommend and therefore doesn’t look quite as neat on your dashboard.

Origin b2
Similar to the products above, the Origin b2 is a comprehensive all rounder including the rather pointless laser detector. But as above it can not compete with the design of the micro RoadPilot.

Road Pilot
Great system from Morpheous – if you’re after something that’ll make the tea! In essence, too big, too complicated, too expensive.

Snooper S6
Good in it’s day, but like many other products, it’s now been superseded by smaller, more stylish units, with more functionality and a better price.

Snooper SLD920X
A strong competitor to the LE30 laser diffuser. Although it requires two diffusers placed at the front of your vehicle instead of one and needs to be manually switched off each time it’s activated.

Various Radar Detectors
Despite being considerably cheaper, you can pick one up for under £100, they will give you so many false alarms that you’ll end up switching the unit off – wasting £££! [top]

8. What Guarantee do I Get?
All products come with a minimum 12 month warranty, many are 24 months. In addition to this, we offer our own unique guarantee. [top]