Andy Porter

Hi Guys,

I am going to buy one of the above this week,
as I'm doing lots of miles on unfamiliar roads now.
Does the Beltroincs go off all time ? Driving you mad ? Does it pick up radar traps ?
Is the Goodesy a better bet ? I know it only does cameras but I dont want constant false alarms.
Any advice is gratefully received,
Regards,
Andyp

Neil Smalley

Not got both, just a geodesy.

<B>Geodesy pro's</B>
Very few false alarms
will spot all fixed cameras(including infra red and specs)
<B>Geodesy cons</B>
Won't detect laser
Won't detect mini gatso
Only as good as the database

<B>Radar detector pros</B>
Will detect mini Gatso
Will detect Radar based Gatso
MAY detect laser, even then you'll be lucky not to be got!
<B>Radar detector cons</B>
Won't detect infra red and specs
Lots of false alarms in towns
laser detection is pot luck.

My opinion would be to buy a geodesy and a good laser diffuser, such as the Le850.
IMHO radar detectors usefulness is declining as more and more cameras are using infra red, strips in the road and laser.

PLUS in the event of detectors being banned, the geodesy can't be. As it does'nt detect anything.

[This message has been edited by Neil Smalley (edited 20 August 2001).]

Adam M

My 550 is fantastic.

Works beautifully.

In city all mode, it doesnt bleep continuously until signal strength is well over three bars. Max being 8? bars.

It will bleep once to let you know a new thing has been picked up, then do nothing unless its intesity is significant.

With this on, anything over 3 is normally a valid camera.

In terms of pointing at te rear of the car, I get one light, which I would normally start looking around at, then over three about 100metres before teh actual camera, which is always enough.

Have also picked up lasers, but I reckon not quickly enough.

The best warning from lasers, is cars in opposite direction flashing which almostr always happens.

I keep mine as I am seeing more and more mini gatsos which operate on Ku band.

I think I will be buying a geodesy too though for the peizo and infra red cameras.

Can someone confirm that it will still pick up when mounted in teh recess for the individual cupholder in the HY98 to 00 dash?

I dont want to have to buy the extra aerial.

Andy Porter

Cheers Neil,
andyp

greeny

I bought Beltronics 550 last week.

Comments so far(I've never had a radar detector before):

I pass 3 gatsos on way to work.
1st Gatso 3 seconds warning (from rear) i.e not enough to slow down.
Other 2 Gatsos I get no alert at all in either direction, they are either dummies, not on, or use induction loop/piezo technology.

false alarms: whilst driving in city centre (Leeds) the unit is constantly alerting, open road/suburbia no problem.

Note: It is not necessarily true to say Geodesy cannot be banned. The current consultancy document is to ban ANY warning device, if it's new legislation they can word it however they like.

I've not had long enough to evaluate this properly yet but initial impression is not great. I'd be interested to hear what amount of Gatso warning (from rear) other users of this unit are getting.

Mike Burton

Not had a reading off any of the Gatso's on the A64 into Leeds. Mind you, most of the road is dug up atm, while they install that crappy bus lane. Worked fine on the A40 into London about two weeks ago.

Had a thought last night. If they do ban detectors as such (thus saying it was okay to have one before hand), can I take it along to the local plod station and get a full refund. (aka hand guns, not so long ago)? (can't think of the word

--
Mike

DT

I've got a Bell 550 and yes it goes off all the time in town centres so I mute it or turn it off - and don't speed in town. Bad idea.

On leaving town & open roads its fine and has saved me from a hidden mini Gatso. So well worth it IMO.

nigel s

I Bought a Bel 550 a few weeks back. Saved me twice yesterday going in to W.S.Mare. It bleeps quite a bit in towns though, which can be muted. Seams to give less false alarms than my previous Snooper. Worth the money in my book.

nigel s

I Bought a Bel 550 a few weeks back. Saved me twice yesterday going in to W.S.Mare. It bleeps quite a bit in towns though, which can be muted. Seams to give less false alarms than my previous Snooper. Worth the money in my book.