Saphe Drive Mini traffic alarm | real-time speed camera detector and warning system | Car Alarm System | Colour display | Works across all of Europe | The Car car electronics starts automatically

Product Information

What it can't do well at all however, as least in the UK, is mobile speed traps. It relies on other users pressing a button to record the location of a speed trap in much the same way that Waze relies on other Waze users to report them. The difference is that Waze has absolutely loads of users and Saphe seemingly has very few. So in reality Waze almost always knows about a mobile speed trap and Saphe almost never does. If only Saphe could tap in to Waze's data. The Snooper looks like a traditional portable satnav device, and clearly displays your current speed alongside the actual speed limit on its clear, 5in touchscreen; here the emphasis is clearly on prevention. At the other end of the scale is the Road Angel Pure One. This neat bit of road safety tech includes too many features to list (many available via subscription), but some of our favourites are the bright LCD display, live speed camera information, traffic and roadwork alerts, modem, over-the-air updates, a smart motorways feed and access to a road speed library. Because new speed cameras pop up regularly, your radar detector will need to be constantly updated. The very best models will offer automatic updates but may require a paid subscription. Mid-range models will need to be plugged into a computer and updated periodically, which is a bit of a pain. Are they legal to use in the UK?

In the UK, it’s perfectly legal to use a speed camera detector, although it’s a subject that often comes up for debate in Parliament. Nevertheless, while detectors – units that alert the driver to speed traps – can be used, radar jammers are strictly forbidden. Drivers using a jammer could be charged with perverting the course of justice, a crime that can carry a custodial sentence and/or a large fine. Can I use a speed camera detector abroad? The award-winning Saphe One+ Speed Camera Alarm, for example, starts up automatically with your car and allows you to tailor the traffic alerts to your exact needs. The system collects traffic data from over 8 million motorists in Europe, works throughout Europe itself, and will alert you about any accidents, hazards or dangers ahead that might hamper your journey.Key specs – Size: 60 x 36 x 15mm; Cameras detected: Fixed and mobile, traffic light, average speed; Updates: OTA; Power source: Rechargeable battery; Accessories supplied: Adhesive pads, mounts A Saphe speed camera detector is a tool to avoid speeding fines and increase your safety in traffic. A Saphe speed camera detector is a camera detector for all types of speed control. Saphe will alert you of fixed speed cameras throughout Europe. Saphe speed camera detector has registered more than 100,000 fixed speed cameras in the world. You can change the alert volume and type for every single warning. There are eight to choose from, with the lowest three being less intrusive beeps rather than wailing sirens. Look for a clear display so you can read the information clearly without having to take your eyes off the road. Some will sound an alarm, too, which is a useful additional feature.

You can change the time before you’re alerted on the accident and congestion alerts, but the speed camera ones remain fixed.

What’s it like?

For all its simplicity, the Saphe Drive Mini works brilliantly and is easy to use. That latter part is vital, as it’s meant to be a tool that you’ll bring with you on every commute. The best experience that I was able to exploit out of the Drive Mini is keeping my phone by my side during the drive. For starters, the app can be used just like a regular satnav. You can thus preview warnings far in front of you. As I mentioned earlier, I have noticed battery usage increase while using the Saphe devices; on my most recent two-hour drive around the edges of London to Sussex, the Saphe Link app used roughly an extra 20% battery, I left home with 100% and got to my destination with around 70%.

The reason I proceeded, in the Q&A another UK user claims Saphe uses Waze data, and they verified by reporting a ghost speed camera on Waze, and then passing the location a few minutes later and alerted on the Saphe. I tried the same, and I am sad to report that doesn't happen.As you drive along, you can report incidents so that other drivers could see them. But instead of having to tap clumsily at your phone, Saphe makes this process a whole lot easier. This, I think, is where its USP can be found compared to mapping software or your satnav screen. On the Saphe Drive Mini, you ought to see two buttons flanking its small, yet crisp, display. You can spot the outlines. As its user base grows and continually report incidents to its databank, the alerts will continue to get better. You, on the other hand, will benefit massively from being left more informed of the things going on around you. It can keep your wallet happier from speeding fines, and you could spend more time outside of a jam. Saphe’s Drive Mini may even keep you out of getting into an accident, too. As smartphones become more sophisticated, the apps to help you avoid speed traps get better too. This means that separate devices become less necessary, but might be preferred by some drivers.