What is a speed camera detector / red-light camera detector?

In the UK & Europe, cameras are extensively used for speed enforcement. In the USA the emphasis is on red-light running, although that is now beginning to change to include speed enforcement too.

Wherever you are, governments, police and local councils instal speed cameras and red light cameras on streets and intersections with a bad record of accidents, in order to try to reduce the number of accidents on our roads. They want drivers to know where these cameras are, so that speeding and accident figures are reduced.

This is what camera detectors do - they provide advance warnings when drivers are approaching one of these accident zones. Camera detectors help you to become a safer driver by making you more aware of your speed and reminding you about areas where you need to make sure you are paying attention.

But I don't run red lights or speed...why do I need one?

Nobody can fully concentrate for 100% of the time. All of us have occasional lapses which could easily result in an accident or a fine and licence endorsements. Collisions, fines or penalty points can all result in increased car insurance premiums to say nothing of the implications for personal safety.

80% of auto accidents involve driver distraction.* When speed cameras are placed in accident blackpots, using a camera detector makes sure that you are not distracted at a vital time, i.e. when you're driving along that stretch of road that has a bad history of accidents. Camera detectors remind you to be paying attention when you need it most.

Almost 60% of red-light running in the USA is caused by drivers not paying attention or becoming confused.** A camera detector makes sure you won't accidentally run a light yourself by drawing your attention in advance to the dangerous junction approaching. It gives you time to think, concentrate and plan ahead safely.

33% of red-light running is intentional.** Red light cameras are placed where they are most likely to catch red light runners so being reminded to pay extra attention at these junctions will not only help you avoid a fine yourself... it may even help you avoid a reckless driver!

Camera detectors are not niche products designed for speeders or red light runners. They are genuine road safety systems that help improve a responsible driver's situational awareness.

Is it like a radar detector?

No. Speed camera detectors work in a different way to radar detectors and use a completely different technology.

A regular radar detector cannot detect modern speed cameras or red-light cameras because these enforcement cameras do not emit any radar signals for it to pick up. A speed camera detector uses the same GPS technology as a navigation unit to work out where you are all the time. Then it compares your location against the camera locations stored in it's memory and when you get close to one, it will alert you. Using GPS location also means that camera detectors do not suffer from all those annoying false alarms that plague radar detectors.

Why is the GPSmirror better than other camera detectors?

The GPSmirror is not just a speed camera & red-light camera detector, it is a complete driver safety system.

Most people will use it as a stand-alone GPS detector. As it's built into an elegant mirror unit that just clips over your car’s existing rear view mirror, it keeps your dashboard and windscreen clutter free. The wide angle mirror helps to eliminate blind spots. It also lets you keep an eye on traffic and any kids in the back seat at the same time. The NIGHTblue anti-glare coating provides better night vision than most auto-dimming mirrors, so you can still see what's going on without being dazzled.

If you're a "road warrior" who already uses a radar detector, the Cheetah GPSmirror covers all the cameras that your radar detector cannot pick up. It is the only camera detector that can integrate with and enhance your existing products by becoming the central warning device for any of the high-end radar detectors and laser defence systems. The GPSmirror is the first and only GPS camera detector in the world with Wireless Datalink Technology, a radical breakthrough invention by Cheetah, that enables it to relay alerts from standard radar detectors and laser jammers. It is also the first GPS detector in the world to offer F.A.S.T. - False Alarm Supression Technology that eliminates false alarms in town by cutting out low speed alerts. More

Does it cover the cameras in my area?

All Cheetah GPS products use the Trinity speed camera database. For the full list of all the countries that are covered, please click here.

Database coverage is increasing all the time so if you don't see your coutry listed here, please email us to register your interest so we can notify when your country has been mapped by our database team.

Is it legal?

Absolutely 100%!

GPS-based speed camera detectors have been widely used throughout Europe for over 6 years. Many countries ban the use of radar detectors but encourage the use of GPS based devices because they "act as an electronic extension of the existing road signage." Drivers who use GPS speed camera detectors are made more aware of their surroundings, particularly in areas where accidents are more likely, and are therefore less likely to have an accident, and less likely to receive fines or points on their licence.