24 from Thatcham, Berkshire, UK. Please take time to read my Riu Negril (Jamaica) review. Catch yo...
24 from Thatcham, Berkshire, UK. Please take time to read my Riu Negril (Jamaica) review. Catch you soon Scott :)
Member since:18.12.2003
Reviews:47
Members who trust:4
THESE UNITS ARE NOT A LICENCE TO SPEED AND I DO NOT ENDORSE SPEEDING. THIS IS MEARLY A REVIEW OF THE PRODUCT. IT IS PROVEN THAT PEOPLE WHO USE THESE UNITS HAVE 24% LESS ACCIDENTS. BY KNOWING WHERE CAMERAS ARE THE OVERALL AVERAGE SPEED MUST DECREASE.
QUICK OVERVIEW What is a snooper? For those of you that don't know what these great little gadgets are, they are speed camera detectors. Basically they give you a chance of saving some points, your licence and a bit of money (after initial cost). They are aimed at making drivers slow down because they know there is a camera. It's also proven that snooper users have less accidents (it says so on the box at least). Oh and they are 100% legal in the UK.
IN DETAIL Range GATSO Cameras can be detected
upto 75 yards MINI GATSO Cameras upto 400 yards LASER and RADAR Guns upto 1 mile
Ok it depends how much you want to spend. It really is as simple as that. If you've got the money to spend then you may be better off with one of the newer gps units (snooper s4/road angel/snooper s6/etc but don't forget they need monthly or yearly charges). This is a one off payment available for about £180 off the shelf in some shops.
They are so easy to fit and use. All you do is plug it into the cigar lighter then either use the supplied window or dash fix and away you go.
Now the way the units work is on radar scatter - so if your following a car that goes through a gatso (or other radar emmitting camera) it will cause the radar single to "bounce off" and that is what you pick up. This is where you get the full distance which is plenty of time to be aware of the speed camera. However if your on the road on your own you do need to be aware that you'll be a lot closer to the camera by the time it picks it up. Usually this is enough time, but not always. I've had mine for about three years now and never drive without it.
The manufacturers say that snooper users have less accidents. I believe this is true because since i've had mine for three years nearly i've had one accident (and that was a hit from behind).
Also people who read this and think "they are illegal" THEY ARE LEGAL 100% in the UK. Don't believe me? Pop into the local police station and ask them. However they are not legal in France so you will need to check for the country that you are planning to use them (i have a feeling they are illegal in Ireland too, but not sure on that). I know that in France the police will confiscate them.
Also some people don't like them because they say you should be within the speed limit. But don't forget if your in a 40mph zone going into a 30mph zone, and BHAM camera! You've slowed down, but you've not braked because it's safer to ease up but they've nicked you because you didn't see the camera.
Mine has saved me at least 6 points. Whilst driving in rain at night in heavy traffic and through roadworks. I slowed down to the 50mph limit but was just concentrating and keeping up with traffic, then you hear the snooper go off and it reminds you to check the speed. When I found I was doing nearly 60 and would have got 3 points, but didn’t realise and the snooper saved me.
I wouldn't say it's the best on the market by any means because you will get a lot of false alerts. Anything that emits a radar signal will interfere, petrol station automatic doors, traffic light sensors for the crossings and supermarket doors will all trigger the unit. You will get used to where it will and won't go off, but it can still be annoying (even with the smart mute button). You do have the option of City and Highway mode but you'll still get false alerts.
The unit will also detect laser guns. But don't forget it has to be a strong laser signal before it tells you. So your already either on the road where the police are or you've just been nicked.
My advice? If you drive for a living get a snooper or any other detector. Which one? Budget yourself and stick to the budget, go for what you can afford. If your not worried about money? I recently had the chance to briefly test the brand new Snooper S4 - it's gps and it talks to you. It's about £350 plus about £4 a month for updates, but you'll be well covered.
Overall it's a good unit but not the best.
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Fab - just what I needed, I do a fair bit of driving (around 4,000 miles already this year) and had a near miss the other day - starting to get a little worried - not that I am a speed freak, I irritate the hell out of my passengers by not breaking the law - but there are times as you point out.......
Sue
jacqui_1 15.01.2004 10:58
Thanks for the added warning about the usage. Jacqui
mdstone 19.12.2003 15:15
I think you should outline what a Snooper actually is at the start of the review.
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