Speed Camera database - won't be free much longer...

SilverScooby

angelcake - this is an "add on" that works with most Satellite Navigation systems. SatNAv systems usually have a facility for you to load in "Points of Interest" and to display these on the map, and give you an audible warning when you're near them. The speed cam database makes use of this facility.

identitymismatch - I'm not condoning speeding, but with speed limits that keep on changing it's sometimes hard to remember exactly what the speed limit of bit of road you're on is, and there are so many sites for mobile speed cameras that this software reminds you very regularly.


barjam - I don't want to give you duff instructions that might lead to you deleting something important by mistake. It is straightforward, but best to look on the pocketgpsworld forums for expert advice: http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewforum&f=93

exil

Don't buy that "speed limits keep on changing" stuff. If it's a built up area, it's 30.

Are people here not really wanting to know where the cameras are - so they can zoom along at 50 or 60 where there aren't any cameras?

balsingh

Not sure if charging for this database is a good thing or not. I have a version installed on my TomTom and find that even though it is generally very good, it does sometimes alert you of cameras that no longer exist (moved or removed). The system relies on the user to feed information back to Pocket GPS when new cameras are added, moved or removed. Now if we have to pay for the database and still have to feed back to them to keep the database up to date, it seems a bit unfair. On the other hand, if the charge was used to allow Pocket GPS to maintain the database themselves through other means, then I appreciate that it would be worth it.

I agree that the charge is more likely to introduce piracy of the database.

RufusA

exil wrote:

Don't buy that "speed limits keep on changing" stuff. If it's a built up area, it's 30.

Are people here not really wanting to know where the cameras are - so they can zoom along at 50 or 60 where there aren't any cameras?

I don't think anyone has difficulty identifying the 30 limits in a built up area. However the problem is that lots of dual carriage ways, a long distance from built up areas have had their speed limits reduced.

For example near me there's a dual carriage way that leads off the M25. A few years ago it used to have a standard 70 dual carriage way limit. They then installed crash barriers in the central reservation etc. and reduced the speed limit to 50 (and then 30). There is IMHO no reason or risk for it not remaining a 70 stretch of dual carriage way.

Needless to say, it is an area where the speed limit is actively enforced, and I know of at least 2 visitors to me who unwittingly have gained 3 points on their license by not realising the unexpectedly low speed limit. A POI database would have warned them that they were in excess of the speed limit and encoraged them to drive legally.

In Dorset when I last caught a Taxi the driver was bemoaning the fact that loads of roads away from villages had been reduced from 60 to 40 without rhyme or reason. As an experienced driver who travels the roads daily he managed to aquire a few points on his license, and his insurance doubled in the process.

I'm not condoning speeding, but anything that helps reduce the likelihood of speeding (and fines) is a good MSE tip IMHO. Gone are the days when you could predict a roads speed limit by it's character and surrounding area.

YMMV - Rufus.

exil

If you don't notice a big sign saying "40" are you going to notice a camera warning on your navigation system? Or is the navigation system itself going to take your attention from the road in front?

Ok - how about this for an idea - taken from railway technology.

All speed limit signs to have a gizmo that sets off an audible warning in your car if you're going faster than the limit. (In fact, on trains this goes a bit further - the brakes are applied if the driver ignores the warning!)

I have seen signs that flash if the driver ignores the limit - but I'm afraid these are ignored by 90% of drivers. Which makes me rather sceptical about your post. It seems that the only way to make drivers slow down is to use a big financial stick. This means a few drivers who make genuine mistakes now suffer.

RUBBERSAUSAGE

Does this work for Tomtom 300? i have downloaded Cameras about 1year ago from a different site and im unsure what i need to delete / install to update? Please could someone advise?

Road_Hog

identitymismatch wrote:

Here's a new scheme for avoiding being caught out by speed cameras, it's easy to use and free.

Don't speed!

Yawn........... I bet you're exciting at parties.

^opm^

exil wrote:

If you don't notice a big sign saying "40" are you going to notice a camera warning on your navigation system? Or is the navigation system itself going to take your attention from the road in front?

Bit hard to notice a big 40 sign if u travel a road near me which used to be a 40 limit-first they took all signs down and then reduced limit to a 30 without telling anyone, then put a camera there to catch all the locals who presumed it was still a 40 road.
Still no signs there to say what limit is.........

tomstickland

I don't think anyone has difficulty identifying the 30 limits in a built up area. However the problem is that lots of dual carriage ways, a long distance from built up areas have had their speed limits reduced.

For example near me there's a dual carriage way that leads off the M25. A few years ago it used to have a standard 70 dual carriage way limit. They then installed crash barriers in the central reservation etc. and reduced the speed limit to 50 (and then 30). There is IMHO no reason or risk for it not remaining a 70 stretch of dual carriage way.

Needless to say, it is an area where the speed limit is actively enforced, and I know of at least 2 visitors to me who unwittingly have gained 3 points on their license by not realising the unexpectedly low speed limit. A POI database would have warned them that they were in excess of the speed limit and encoraged them to drive legally.

In Dorset when I last caught a Taxi the driver was bemoaning the fact that loads of roads away from villages had been reduced from 60 to 40 without rhyme or reason. As an experienced driver who travels the roads daily he managed to aquire a few points on his license, and his insurance doubled in the process.

It's the same round here. Big open dual carriageways with no houses on them have the limits reduced overnight. It's very frustrating when you're out at off peak times. Because loads of people crashed whilst over the drink drive limit last year then they're probabyl going to have some crazy limit reduction plan in the Forest soon too. I think a bit more balance is needed. Don't drive like a **** in urban areas etc, but when the road is clear get on with it.

MyUserNamesTaken

Those complaining about people using this database can't see beyond their own blinkered eyes. They assume that the only reason to have this is to avoid speed cameras. WRONG. I've got this on my garmin - I don't speed. However, it's very useful for me to have this because it helps me know that the idiot in front of me is going to suddenly brake and drop tp 40 when he spots the 50mph speed camera. Believe it or not, many people brake when they spot a speed camera. This just gives me a warning in advance that this is likely to happen.