GPS speed limit detectors

Bigphil1474

OP, there's a road I drove down regularly that Google maps told me me had a limit which changed from 40 to 60 to 30 and back to 40 within about a mile. I've moved so not sure if it has been fixed, but the signs always said it was 40 throughout. You are really looking for a solution that won't work I'm afraid. Hate to sound all superior, but as a driver you should always know the speed limit without needing a dash device.

Cruise control doesn't need you to put your foot on the heavy pedal, whereas limiters allow you to put your foot down as much as you want. Different solutions for similar issues. I've only used the limiter once in my car and that was to see if it worked. It's fine on a long road where the speed limit never changes, but otherwise I find it pointless.

CliveOfIndia

Bigphil1474 said:

Cruise control doesn't need you to put your foot on the heavy pedal, whereas limiters allow you to put your foot down as much as you want. Different solutions for similar issues. I've only used the limiter once in my car and that was to see if it worked. It's fine on a long road where the speed limit never changes, but otherwise I find it pointless.

My last car had a limiter, and I did find it very useful on occasions - mostly where there were long stretches of roadworks on the motorway with a temporary speed limit and PCs with speed guns lurking at various random points.

Means you can set the limiter then concentrate totally on the road/traffic without having to keep checking your speedo.  Cruise control is no good in that situation as the speed of the traffic is varying constantly - but the limiter means you can slow down/speed up as necessary and not worry about drifting over the limit.  It was slightly disconcerting when the limiter kicks in, though, put your foot on the accelerator and nothing happens, you think something's wrong with the car.

So yep, I agree it's not something I used every day, but I did find it handy in some situations.

EssexHebridean

Another one here who uses my limiter quite a bit in average speed limits and as above particularly in roadworks. One thing I will suggest for anyone who is starting to use one of these devices for the first time - you MUST ensure that you know how to override it fast, and that includes in a circumstance where you don't wish to move your hands on the wheel or take your eyes off where they are looking - in my car it is a single hard stamp on the accelerator - so literally stamp it to the floor - and that cancels the limiter and allows you to accelerate as normal. 

Nasqueron

I use the cruise control, not a limiter in average speed areas, paired with GPS

Typically 52mph (50 on GPS) in a 50 limit, I pass loads of people

62mph on the motorway inside lane works well for me for fuel efficiency 

EssexHebridean

Poor old OP - we've strayed right off their original question here haven't we!

I think the TL:DR on this is "probably not worth bothering with the devices you are talking about as there is to much risk that they might not be correct anyway"

Hebrews12

Wow, that's escaleted a lot since I last looked.

Just to clarify, the question was asked not because I had no intention of using my eyes and that I was going to rely on such a device and do whatever it said but more about something to assist me.  Sometimes, you can miss signs and wonder what the speed limit is where you are and having some kind of guide could be helpful.  Thanks for your replies.

gtr_jonathan

Try something like a Saphe Drive Mini or Pro device.

Mildly_Miffed

Hebrews12 said:

Just to clarify, the question was asked not because I had no intention of using my eyes and that I was going to rely on such a device and do whatever it said but more about something to assist me.  Sometimes, you can miss signs and wonder what the speed limit is where you are and having some kind of guide could be helpful.  Thanks for your replies.

Don't forget that there's a REALLY simply rule of thumb that will infallibly tell you the speed limit on ANY road in the UK within a couple of hundred metres, just by asking yourself a few simple questions.

1. Are there regular repeaters? If so, that's the limit.

2. No repeaters - but are there streetlights? Yes? Default urban limit.
2a. Are you in Wales? Yes? It's 20. No? it's 30*. 

3. No repeaters, no streetlights? It's default extra-urban limit, NSL.
3a. Count the carriageways. 1? 60. 2? 70.

* (with the exception of 20 zones that are "self-policing" through traffic calming.

It really is that simple. You learned this for your driving test.

As for relying on passengers... my driving instructor drummed that one out of me. He used to lie and say yes when it wasn't... If you come to an angled junction where you don't think you'll see clearly, square-off the angle you approach the junction to give yourself a better line of sight.

lincroft1710

Hebrews12 said:

Wow, that's escaleted a lot since I last looked.

Just to clarify, the question was asked not because I had no intention of using my eyes and that I was going to rely on such a device and do whatever it said but more about something to assist me.  Sometimes, you can miss signs and wonder what the speed limit is where you are and having some kind of guide could be helpful.  Thanks for your replies.

The trouble is that the signs you're likely to miss e,g. temporary speed limit at roadworks won't appear on GPS or permanent changes along frequently used roads may not have been updated.

Arunmor

Jellynailer said:

  In town I only ever set it at 20 due to bad signage + traffic congestion anyway.  

You must be a joy to be at the front of the train of cars stuck behind you.  Do you drive an EV that is of the "F" brand?