The Independent - Evolution

26/04/2005
Sean O'Grady, The Independent

Snooper Evolution, Great name for a speed camera detector. Actually, not a speed camera detector as such because they're illegal now*. You can only legally use GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) based devices that tell you where cameras are supposed to be. If the authorities suddenly decide to move or install one overnight, or to point a mobile or hand held one at you then there's not much one of these can do for you. But within these legal strictures, Snooper snoops for you pretty effectively. Most of these speed camera warning systems do that, but Snooper also tells you the relevant speed limit.

The key point about Snooper is that having snooped an upcoming camera it makes such a noise about it al that you really cannot fail to slow down, in my case to well below the limit**. At times I felt as though I was trying to appease a nagging spouse, and just like the real thing, it takes no notice of you even if you've done what it wants. So it just keeps on beeping even if you're going dead slow***. Still, if it saves you're license you will love it.

Snooper comment:

* Camera detectors are still 100% legal to own and use. Whilst there may be plans to restrict the use of radar detectors, no law has been passed to make them illegal.

** When the "Smartmute" function is active, the Evolution will give just a visual alert when travelling below the posted speed limit. You will receive audible AND visual if you are travelling over the limit.

*** If the user activates the "Automute" function, the volume automatically drops to volume three after five seconds rather than continuously beeping at a higher level.