Common Speed Camera Types
DS 2
Detected by all Snooper GPS Speed Camera Detectors and Sat Nav Systems
DS2 / Speedmaster / Autovision are names for a very similar system, which is a semi-permanent type site. There are usually 3 piezo
strips in the surface of the road, accompanied by a short grey post on the verge. These sites by themselves
are harmless and again warning is only given using a GPS system. They require additional equipment which is usually found in a
camera partnership van or unmarked car.
SPECs Average Speed Camera
Detected by all Snooper GPS Speed Camera Detectors and Sat Nav Systems
SPECs systems operate in pairs or more of cameras usually over a mile or two. The system
will focus on a vehicle number plate and then as the vehicle passes subsequent cameras, the average speed is
calculated based on the length of time taken to travel over a set distance. Due to the fact that they use digital recording they
are always active and as they do not use radar or laser, you will need a GPS system to detect them.
Gatso Speed Camera
Detected by all Snooper GPS Speed Camera Detectors, Sat Nav Systems and Radar Detectors
Gatso cameras are by far the most common safety cameras on todays roads, however they will be detected by all our detectors in
the Snooper range. Gatso cameras are typically yellow in colour and are accompanied by a series of white lines painted on the
roads surface. A Gatso camera will face the rear of a vehicle and calculates speed by emitting a constant K-Band Radar signal.
When a vehicle passes through the radar faster than they should be, a photograph is taken.
Speed Curb
Detected by all Snooper GPS Speed Camera Detectors and Sat Nav Systems
The Speedcurb camera is very rare at the moment and they are also known as "Monitron" or "Tri-eye" cameras.
Due to the fact that they operate with two sets of piezo strips in the road surface rather than radar or laser emissions, you
will need a GPS system in order to detect them.
Laser Camera Vans
Detected by all Snooper Laser Detectors
Mobile camera vans (including safety partnership camera vans) normally have a laser device mounted within the vehicle or a device
that can be mounted on a tripod outside of the vehicle. Unlike the older style radar guns the laser has to be targeted at a specific
vehicle. There are a number of sites throughout the UK where these are used frequently and they are classed as 'Risk Zones' on
our Enigma database.
Watchman
Detected by all Snooper GPS Speed Camera Detectors, Sat Nav Systems and Radar Detectors
The Watchman camera is currently on trial awaiting type approval prior to a national installation programme. Like the Gatso, a
constant stream of radar is emitted and speed is calculated as a vehicle passes through, triggering the camera. The difference
with this camera is that it can monitor the speed of a vehicle before you pass it. There are also two types of camera built into
the head unit. One is used to take an overview of the road and the other is used as a Number Plate Recognition System. You will
see these cameras often accompanied by a "speed board" which displays the speed limit for that stretch of road.
Mobile Laser Guns
Detected by all Snooper Laser Detectors
These types of laser devices can be either mounted on a tripod or can be hand held. Unlike the older style radar guns which were just directed towards oncoming traffic the laser device has to be targeted at a specific vehicle to obtain a reading.
Truvelo Speed Camera
Detected by all Snooper GPS Speed Camera Detectors and Sat Nav Systems
Truvelo cameras, whilst they may look similar to the traditional Gatso device work in an entirely different way. The camera doesn't
use radar or laser to determine speed, instead speed is measured through two independant sets of piezo strips in the road surface.
Once the speed is calculated, a picture is taken of the front of the offending vehicle. In order to be alerted to this type of
device you will need a GPS based system.
Traffic Master Camera
These are NOT speed cameras. All Snooper GPS Speed Camera Detectors, Sat Nav Systems, Radar and Laser Detectors
do not detect these.
COMMON MISTAKE!
This is an AA Traffic Master monitoring system. These can very easily be confused with a SPECs system. Consequently
they are not included in the Enigma database.
Peek Speed Cameras
Detected by all Snooper GPS Speed Camera Detectors and Sat Nav Systems
It is still possible to see the older style Peek cameras in use. These work by vehicles driving over three piezo strips situated
in the surface of the road. This type is also accompanied by lines on the road similar to the Gatso type cameras. Please note:
They can also be used as Red Light Cameras which are not included in the Enigma database.
Red Light Cameras
These are NOT speed cameras. All Snooper GPS Speed Camera Detectors, Sat Nav Systems, Radar and Laser Detectors
do not detect these.
COMMON MISTAKE!
Although made by Gatso, this camera is not for speed detection, but for the jumping of red lights. This type
of camera is not included in our Enigma database.
Enigma Speed Camera Safety Database
Only Snooper speed camera detectors utilse our unique ENIGMA database. No other system allows you to download live updates 24 hours a day, ever day. Other 2 in 1 sat nav systems such as Tom Tom, Garmin, Road Angel and other GPS speed camera detectors are cheaper lower quality products which usually only give you the opportunity to download a database 4 times a year. This means that your system can be up to three months out of date before your next update. If you get caught out by a new speed camera you didn’t know about, you’ll have no-where to turn. With ENIGMA, if a new speed camera appears, it will be live on our database within 48 hours. GPS location systems are only as good as the information they store, therefore it is essential that your system uses the best there is. ENIGMA is absolutely the best automotive Speed Camera Safety database.
No one likes speed cameras but they are here to stay and, rest assured, there will be more. Snooper Sat Nav and GPS speed camera detection systems keep you more aware of the stretch of road you are on. Your Snooper will let you know the speed limit and alert you to all fixed cameras including the new MCS (Multi-Camera System) or “The Daddy” as it is unaffectionately known.
Some cameras are calibrated to activate even if you are only driving a couple of miles an hour faster than the limit. One flash and there are at least three points on your license. It only takes a couple of brief lapses in concentration and you could be facing a ban. Snooper are here to keep you on your toes.
All Snooper GPS Speed Camera Detector and Sat Nav’s are driven by our ENIGMA database, the most comprehensive database of its kind. The vast database now comprises the widest number of locations imaginable – see below for a full list of cameras and speed detection systems and how they work. ENIGMA also alerts you to Accident Hotspots, High Risk Zones, Digital Cameras, Congestion Charge Cameras and Scools (optional). It incorporates many thousands of cameras, all types of fixed point speed traps and many mobile sites throughout Europe (of you chose a European upgrade). Plus the database includes the speed limits at all these locations ensuring that your Snooper will never let you down.
Snooper have long been the pioneers of speed safety camera detection, so it’s no surprise that the ENIGMA database leads the way in accuracy and consistency. No other GPS speed camera detection and sat nav company operates a system as unique and comprehensive as this. The ENIGMA data collection team operates in 10 countries across Europe, maintaining a database that consists of well over 100,000 co-ordinates. The speed at which Snooper’s ENIGMA team works is equally impressive. For instance, the target for adding new camera sites to our database is just 48 hours, however most are logged and updated within 24 hours. Even when temporary cameras are installed in stretches of motorway roadworks, the ENIGMA team will have them plotted almost immediately. Often, of course, these temporary cameras move along with the roadworks, but our data collection team moves along with them, re-plotting on a daily basis if necessary. This expansive database enables you to update your system 365 days a year and because we update it daily – the second we add a new speed trap to our database, you can download it to your unit.
As well as the UK and Southern Ireland, the ENIGMA database now covers most of Europe as an additional option. Included in our system are locations in Germany, Holland, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Luxembourg and all Scandinavian countries. So from Helsinki to Madrid and Manchester to Monaco you will always be protected.
