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Radar
Detector Reviews UK
Radar Detector Reviews in the UK. - Updated 10 July 20006.
Listed below
are the best radar detectors available in the UK today. Rather than include brands
and models available only in the U.S. Or inferior / cheap kit that would only
end up not rated - I've only included ones that actually do what they say. Reviews,
although dated, on Whistler, Cobra, Uniden, Escort,
Snooper S1, et al. can be found in the Reviews
archives. Visit the Links page for UK Suppliers.
Detector List (below) | Evo
Mag. May 2001 Review | Recommended
Bel
550 | Bel
330 | Interceptor Mk3 | Snooper
S5-R | Snooper SD815is | Snooper
SD715is | Valentine One |
| Snooper S6-R | Snooper S3-R Neo | Snooper S4-R Neo |
See the Autoexpress laser / radar detector tests 2003 here
  
Beltronics Target
Euro 550 (Bel 550) - The 550 was designed specifically for the European market.
It's not a modified U.S. Model. The Bel 550 has replaced the old Bel 990. With
a host of new features including LED text display, digital voice alerts and software
upgradability function |
|
Price is approx.
£305. Covers: X, K, Ka, Ku (switchable) bands and Laser. Features:
Developed solely for the UK and Europe. Enhanced bandwidths for European detection.
Claimed Detection Range: Gatso up to 438 yards. Radar & Laser guns
to 3 miles |
Beltronics Target
Euro 330 (Bel 330) - Like the Bel 550, above, the Bel 330 was designed specifically
for the European market and has also replaced the older Bel 980. Main difference
with the 550, above: Marginally better with GATSO, and its settings can be changed
by country. One mile less on Radar & Laser guns. 150m less for GATSO. |
|
Price is approx.
£273. Covers: K, Ka, Laser. Features: Developed solely
for the UK. 'City' and 'Motorway' modes, shadow technology - should be undetectable
by VG2. Claimed Detection Range: GATSO up to 274 yards. Radar & Laser
guns up to 2 miles. |
Snooper S5-R -
Top of the range Snooper laser / radar detector. Incorporates 'Eurotech 2000 Technology'
for use across Europe. An LCD text display provides a clear visual alert, whilst
a built-in piezo beeper gives an audible alert of any impending radar or laser
sources. Selecting can only be done on the three pre-set Logic Modes. |
|
Price is approx.
£160. Covers: X, K, Ka, Ku, Laser. Features: City
mode with Smart Mute - Reduces false reading. Audio and visual indicators. Extended
bandwidths for Europe. Claimed Detection Range: GATSO up to 330 yards.
Radar & Laser guns up to 2 miles. |
Review
of the Above Detectors - (Courtesy of Evo Magazine - May 2001 -
'Our verdict')
Each detector claims comprehensive cover
against police methods of monitoring speed. We were unable to carry out a controlled
test, but the various units were tried out over a period of several weeks. The
Bel units and Valentine One gave ample warning on approach to a GATSO camera.
The directional indicator on the Valentine was also a useful feature. The Snooper
was less sensitive, but gave just enough warning to react. False alarms were not
a problem on dual-carriageways or motorways, but could become tiresome in town.
The Bel Euro 330 and 550 are developments of the 980 and 990 models which cleaned
up in our previous test (issue 015). We've seen nothing to change our recommendation
this time around. Both are designed specifically for use in the UK (and Europe
in the case of the 550) and work extremely well. The Euro 550 performed marginally
better with GATSO, and its settings can be changed country by country. These features
warrant the extra money over the 330, but both are a good buy. The Valentine One
is an impressive looking unit with some good features. However, its US roots show
through with the lack of Ku band detection, and a display angled towards the left
of the cabin. The price also counts against it.
(NB: Since this review -The new Valentine One has a Ku band Detection of Mini
Gatsos, is 30% Smaller and has improved K band performance - Price is still high.)
Morpheous Geodesy.
Does it work? When we tested it across Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire, it
didn't miss a single fixed camera site. The unit proved easy to use and a bit
more stealthy than most Bells-and-whistles detectors. In these times of reduced
manpower, cameras make more and more sense to police forces. Which makes the case
for the Geodesy even stronger.
Recommended
- My Ideal Speed trap Kit
All good radar
detectors will provide safe warning of radar guns and fixed or mobile Gatso cameras.
The new 'undetectable' digital cameras such as SVDD can be detected using satellite
guided GPS systems such as the Geodesy. Laser guns can be detected by most good
radar detectors however the warning is instantaneous and possibly too late so
laser diffusers are popular although if they do detect a potential police laser
gun they will interfere with them and so must be turned off immediately to avoid
interfering with the ability of the police officer to carry out their duty.
If money is no object and for absolutely full protection and the very best equipment
you would go for the Bel LRC 100 Laser Diffuser, a Bel
966R and a Road Angel. For slightly less you could go for the above
but have a Bel 550 / Interceptor instead of Bel 966. The realistic choice with
money
in
mind is the Road Angel with laser alert and Bel 550. Check out the comparison
guide here.
Beware of buying a cheaper radar detector - you'll end up throwing the thing
away with the constant false alarms.
Visit the Links
page for UK Suppliers.
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Unit
Converter - Convert Yards to Meters to Yards to Miles
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