Well, once it’s paired to your phone, it’ll access your phone’s GPS to figure out where you are. Perhaps most importantly, it can also gauge where you’re heading to. From there, it can then aptly warn you if you’re about to drive into danger. Be it a traffic collision or a cheeky speeding camera hidden in the bushes. In the UK, it’s perfectly legal to use a speed camera detector, although it’s a subject that often comes up for debate in Parliament. Nevertheless, while detectors – units that alert the driver to speed traps – can be used, radar jammers are strictly forbidden. Drivers using a jammer could be charged with perverting the course of justice, a crime that can carry a custodial sentence and/or a large fine. Can I use a speed camera detector abroad? The phone wasn’t doing anything else, no music streaming, wasn’t being used for maps; it was just sitting in the central armrest. The short version, if you want it for established fixed cameras get it. However if you want it for mobile cameras and very new installations Saphe just do not have the critical mass of users in the UK and the chances of notification are slim to non, therefore Waze is the better choice. You can change the time before you’re alerted on the accident and congestion alerts, but the speed camera ones remain fixed.

An informed driver is a safe driver. There are lots of ways that you can help to keep yourself informed and safe out on the roads (and keep others safe too). To find the best solutions on the market, we tested four dedicated speed camera detectors and four smartphone apps that claim to do the same job. How we tested them

The best thing about all the Saphe products is that there’s no ongoing subscription fee. Most other camera alert devices have monthly or yearly fees with them.

Key specs – Size: ‎75 x 40 x 60mm; Cameras detected: Fixed and mobile, traffic light, variable and average speed; Updates: OTA; Power source: Rechargeable battery; Accessories supplied: Mains plug, USB adapter, USB cable, dash mount Alerts are actually delivered via your mobile smartphone, which uses its GPS to detect your location and speed while the Saphe One+ effectively acts as a Bluetooth speaker with added flashing lights for the app. This makes for very simple operation, and many drivers appreciate not having any additional touch screens to distract them from the road. That is where the Road Angel and Saphe’s live-updating databases establish their value (a value which Road Angel are not shy about charging for). The Alpha X allows users to update their database by connecting to a Windows computer via USB lead, but that’s not a tempting option for Apple devotees. Here the GTX80’s addition of Bluetooth, from which iPhone users can make free database updates whenever they choose, makes a convincing case for this option over its competitors. Update: The legal situation for the passenger has changed. There is more information about this HERE Key specs – Size: N/A; Cameras detected: Fixed and mobile, traffic light, average speed; Updates: Real time; Power source: N/A; Accessories supplied: N/ASome police forces consider using a laser jammer to be perverting the course of justice, which comes with a hefty fine and even jail time in severe instances.

Therefore, limit the use of your phone and handling of equipment. Look up, be aware of the traffic around you and keep an eye on your speed. Alert distance can be changed for the accident and congestion warnings, but the speed cameras can’t. Come on Saphe, please speed up both this critical update and the time it takes to update other areas of your database (eg. the M4 Slough area average speed road works were removed weeks ago and yet the database is still claiming it’s 50mph when it’s not. Pretty annoying after 20minutes of false alerts...We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the alarm not sounding at stationary cameras. We will investigate this issue to ensure that our device functions as intended. They also help us to form better general driving habits by making us more aware of the limits around us and driving safely within these limits will help to eliminate the risk of speeding fines. Set the cruise control to the current speed limit and enjoy the ride. We recommend using cruise control on the motorway and highways. With cruise control, you can focus on the road and traffic, while avoiding a potential speeding fine.

Saphe will alert you of fixed speed cameras throughout Europe. Saphe speed camera detector has registered more than 100,000 fixed speed cameras in the world. The Snooper looks like a traditional portable satnav device, and clearly displays your current speed alongside the actual speed limit on its clear, 5in touchscreen; here the emphasis is clearly on prevention.

Before driving overseas, you should familiarise yourself with the rules of the road in the country you’re in. This includes the use of speed camera detectors; they’re legal in some countries, but not in others. An added layer of complexity is that it’s legal to have a detector, but the use of one isn’t permitted in some countries. The Saphe Drive Mini sounded its alarm while its bright clear visual colour display symbol (of a speed camera) flashes up – reminding me of my speed and the distance to the next camera. Remember that miniature screen in the middle? Not only is it sharp, but it’s also rather bright. This is good news, seeing that we can read its prompts clearly even under direct sunlight. As you’re driving along, reports from other users will proactively appear on this display. It keeps you informed if you’re about to drive into a speed camera or an accident. It’s a speedy thing, which updates every second. While that keeps prices of the units down as they don’t have to have complicated GPS chips, radar and laser scanners as some bespoke speed camera devices do, you’ll notice how much phone battery you’re getting through. More on that later though.