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The Test - [ HOME ]
Britain has gone speed-trap crazy and, with most police forces now recouping cash from fines to pay for more, the grey forest of cameras is set to grow ever thicker.
It's no surprise, then, that more drivers are seeking to avoid the fines and penalty points, and obey the law by using radar detectors (fully legal since 1998) plus, more recently, Gatso locators, which pinpoint camera positions via GPS.
Both types are becoming more acceptable after research showed that claims of detectors being a licence to speed were unfounded. Sales figures show that these gadgets are bought mostly by older, experienced motorists with clean licences and substantial insurance discounts. And a recent UK MORI poll showed these drivers had 24 per cent fewer accidents.
The argument is even further weakened by the fact that detectors cannot warn of every type of trap. Virtually all UK hand-held and Gatso radars use K band signals; X band is generally used for things such as mobile phones and roadworks traffic lights, and most detectors can spot both. But hand-held laser guns are a different story, as they are accurate and hard to spot. If one sets off your detector, it's too late - you've already been caught.
Also, there are two types of cameras which can't be detected - Truvelo devices, which use sensors in the road, and the digital SPECS, which measure average speed.
Another aid to keeping a clean licence is a GPS locator - a small computer with a speed-trap location database (updated for a fee via the Internet) connected to a GPS antenna. As you approach any fixed trap (including Truvelo and SPECS), the device sounds a warning. However, heated screens and some with anti-glare coatings can interfere with the signal, so you may need to attach an extra aerial to your car.
(Click on images below, to enlarge)
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| Bel Euro 330 |
Rating: 
Price: £329.95
Type: Radar detector
Bands: L, K, Ka
While the casing is good quality and identical to the 550's (below), the 330 detects fewer bands than its sibling. This one could be customised, while signal strength was displayed by a red bar graph. Various beeping tones indicated the bands received. Only K bands are required for the UK, although the 330 would fall short in some European countries because it recognises only two variants. Radar gun detection was decent, though, and as we approached the Gatso from behind, the unit alerted us to its presence at 100m. Overall, a very good performance.
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| Bel Euro 550 |
Rating: 
Price: £359.95
Type: Radar detector
Bands: L, X (4), Ku, K (2), Ka (4)
It was hard to resist Bel's current top dog, which can detect 12 bands and set itself up for a dozen countries. The gun test was passed with ease and the unit spotted the Gatso 140m away as we approached it from the rear. Programming the 550 proved simple and, at only £30 more than its lower-spec sibling (above), it's worth the extra cash. Our Recommended radar detector.
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| Bel 966R |
Rating:
Price: £439.95
Type: Radar detector
Bands: L, K, Ka, Ku
This is the only permanent-fit detector we tried, and the radar sensor slots behind the grille, while the laser detector sticks to the windscreen. The console is small, neat and easily removable. Bands are selectable, while LEDs - and increasingly frantic beeping as we got close - indicated signal strength. Picking up the Gatso 100m away from the rear was great, but it's pricey.
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| Interceptor Mk1 |
Rating: 
Price: £99.99
Type: Radar detector
Bands: L, K
The brand's entry-level unit is the same price as the Snooper S1 (above right). Features are limited, while the display comprises five LEDs: on/off, city or motorway mode, with the remainder indicating signal strength. It did quite well in the radar-gun test and, considering the cost, better than expected at the Gatso, beeping gently 40m away from the back of the camera. But it didn't get really excited until we were in the photo zone.
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| Interceptor Mk3 |
Rating:
Price: £269.00
Type: Radar detector
Bands: L, K, Ka
Newly available through MotorWorld, the Interceptor impressed and was well priced. Quality is good and we liked the digital compass, display-ed when the detector is not in use. The readout could be mounted on a sun visor, while the unit has vocal warn- ings plus signal-strength readouts. Gatso performance was nearly as good as that of the Bel 330. Best Buy of the radar detectors.
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| Valentine 1 |
Rating: 
Price: £529.95
Type: Radar detector
Bands: L, K, Ku
This is the new 2002 Generation 2 model, which is compact - but also the most expensive on test. We liked the large display with 10 LEDs for signal strength, a num- eric readout and a selection of illuminated arrows to show the direction of attack. The technology is impressive, al-though we had to rely on one of only three modes. Nice unit, shame about the price.
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| Snooper S1 |
Rating: 
Price: £99.99
Type: Radar detector
Bands: L, X, K, Ka
Although it's joint cheapest here, you can't switch off the X band, which picks up unwanted signals. The S1 could be attached to the dashboard or the windscreen, but visual warnings are limited to a single LED for each band and the cigar lighter plug lead is quite short. Performance was good on the radar gun test and reasonable heading towards the Gatso, but from behind, the Snooper remained silent until level with camera.
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| Snooper SD715IS |
Rating:
Price: £199.99
Type: Radar detector
Bands: L, X, K, Ka, Ku
As with the S1 (above), this is from Halfords. It offers more bands, but has no option to delete those not required. The K bands share three LEDs, which light to show signal strength. Again, the fixing is a bit poor. Radar gun performance was good, as was head-on to the Gatso. But, approaching the camera from behind, we were only 20m away before the unit woke up, and that's way too late.
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| The Bel 550 is the best detector, but most buyers won't need its extensive spec - and the Interceptor 3 has all you would want at a much better price.
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