And how does GPS work for detecting Speed Traps ?
GPS stands for “Global Positioning System” and is a satellite based radio-navigation system owned by the American government and operated by the United States Space Force.
It is a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) that gives geolocation and time information to a GPS receiver anywhere on or near the Earth where four or more GPS satellites can be seen without obstruction (line of sight). Mountains and buildings can obstruct the GPS signals, which can be relatively weak.
GPS does not require the user to send any data, and it works without the use of telephony or the Internet, however these technologies can improve the accuracy of GPS positioning data. Military, civic, and commercial users all across the world rely on the GPS for crucial positioning.
It's importance is impossible to overstate.
So how is GPS used for Speed Camera Detection ?
Over the last couple of decades, speed trap locations have been conclusively logged to various speed camera databases by various companies and enthusiasts. Each camera location is logged along with it’s location and speed limit.
When you power up your GPS speed camera detector, it locks onto the GPS satellite and remains in constant contact, logging your location. At the same time, it cross references your location against the speed camera locations, logged on the database. So anytime you are approaching an area that has a speed camera location logged, you will be made aware of this, along with the speed limit at that particular location.
Think of it as the perfect heads up and the best way to lower the statistical probability of getting a speeding ticket.
How does Live Detection differ from GPS Speed Trap Detection ?
Live speed camera detection uses in-built laser and radar detectors to sense the speed cameras being fired in real time by sensing the signals aimed at your vehicle. Anything mobile, like the police car at the side of the road or local authority vans, the signal is instantaneous.
Because if this, if you are the first car in the line of traffic, live detection will offer you no advance warning. However, they are designed to sense the laser signals bouncing off the vehicles in front of you. This “Laser Scatter” is picked up by the live laser detector and will give you a heads up.
Live detection for Radar speed cameras is much more accurate and dependable. Live radar cameras will emit a constant signal, like a radio wave, so as soon as you enter a location that is emitting the signal, the detector will sense it and trigger an alert. Think of it as the way your radio will suddenly pick up the radio waves from a new radio station when you drive into a different area.
How often should I update my GPS Speed Camera Detector ?
Speed camera databases are updated regularly, but the frequency of the updates will always depend on the manufacturer of the speed camera detector. We recommend updating at least once a month, depending on your mileage. If you drive for a living, and are regularly driving long distance into different areas of the country, it would be worth updating more frequently.
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