UK Speedtrap Guide. Radar, GPS and Laser radar detector guide.

BTST Radar / Laser Detector

Above: The BTST

This simple unit priced at £150 is hard to beat for value. I have been using it now for 5 weeks and its worked very well.
It is not going to warn you about every type of speedtrap out there. However when it does warn you of a speed trap it can detect, it does a great job of it.

In the box is the BTST unit, Power Cable, Windscreen Mount and Instructions. Its simple to set up, fix it to the screen power it up and away you go.

The technical spec of the unit is as follows.

5 Band Radar Detection & Laser Detection
Ability to switch Radar Detection off and use only Laser
Detects Gatso Cameras: Up to 200 Meters Advance Warning
Detects Radar Guns: Up to 2 Miles Advance Warning
Detects Laser Guns: Up to 2 Miles Advance Warning
360 Degree Total Protection
Audio and Visual Alerts
Remembers your preferred settings
Stealth Technology, means the unit is un-detectable
Audio Quite Mode
City Mode (cuts out unwanted false alerts in built up areas)
2 Year Manufacturers Warranty

In use the warnings are clear but can be missed if you are in a noisy environment because the limited volume, the display is basic but to the point giving you details of what band its detecting and its signal strength.

So what tests did we do?

The most important one is the Gatso Test. We have a section of road that we use for all Gatso tests, it has one of the lowest radar scatter fields making it more of a challenge to Radar Detectors it also allows us to do the national speed limit if we want to. All the Radar detectors are tested in the same vehicles and in the same position on the windscreen. The BTST was subjected to three passes using a stopwatch to time the unit from the first beep to the point of passing the Gatso to establish an average warning time . Speed was 60mph. Please note warning times can vary subject to conditions.

Times for the Gatso Test. Roadside FIP

Approaching Back of Gatso	Approaching Face of Gatso.
Average 8 seconds	Average 15 seconds

Times for the Gatso Test. M25 Gantry Gatso.

Important Note: The Gatso Used was a solo Gantry Gatso on the M25 Motorway. Speed was 80mph

Approaching Back of Gatso	Approaching Face of Gatso.
Average 21 seconds	Average 26 seconds

Laser Gun Test.

The Laser gun was used in two ways, the first test was directly at the car with the detector in it, although the detector worked and was instant on alarm, if the officer used the first reading you were in trouble. However they often take a few readings so you may have a chance to slow. The second test was to have two cars in front and the operator target the first car and see if there was enough scatter for the third car to get an alarm, it was not a problem for the BTST we had an alarm in all three runs. In our opinion you could get a warning or you could get nicked when it come to the Laser alert mode.

False Alarm Test.

False alarms exist on this unit but are quite low. You still get the problems of automatic door openers and some mobile phone masts but then every other radar detector has the same problem

Can we recommend it, YES, we can

For £150 this unit represents very good value for money.
You get the same range and performance you would expect from
a higher priced unit but at half the cost.

What do we like.	What don't we like.
Simple to use It's performance Warranty Value for money	Not much Customer Service

Review April 2005