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Uniden GPS 501 Road Hazard Alerter

Do you have trouble with School Speed Zones? - Here's an answer

Don't know about you but I have real difficulty remembering when the 40Km/h limits apply and when not. A while back I got booked for 53km/h in a school zone while driving to work. I knew the zone was there, and I knew it had a camera, but the old brain just didn't register that it was after 08:00. Cost me about $130 and 3 points, which was very disappointing.

There have been a number of GPS based alert systems, but all expensive, and all limited.

I think I've found an economical answer now, and recommend it to anyone who has the same sort of trouble as me.

Uniden GPS 501

Uniden, the phone people, have just released their GPS 501 road monitor.

Alerts me by voice message and gong as I approach a school zone,

but only during school zone times! Outside of the 0800-0930 and 1430-1600 slots it keeps quiet (sorry, doesn't know about school holidays).

• The arrow in the compass rose points towards the hazard
• Alarm display stays up as long as you are in the hazard area
• Alarm cancels automatically as you leave the area
  = Built-in database =
  It knows, and alerts (by voice, etc.) about
• red light cameras
• fixed speed cameras (and as far as I can tell, it alerts you
• if you are going to fast too. The one near Toyota's on Captain Cook Drive always alerts me that I am doing more than 50km/h. I assume the database is a bit wrong here. I expect if I approach a camera in a 70 zone at 80km/h it will tell me I am doing more than 70, but I'm not going to try the experiment for obvious reasons!)
• black spots

GOTO

It also has a database of locations (eg, just about all Australian towns and suburbs) and a GOTO feature to give you general guidance. It has no map, so don't expect "turn right now into Smith St".

Tracking

It can, however, track a complex route that you might need on occasions, then guide you with voice prompts on the way back, or when going the next time. Great for that few-times-a-year trip across the city.

Other

• can be used hand-held too (2 x AA cells, throw-away or rechargeable)
• For the money, you get:-
  • the GPS 501
  • universal car windscreen mounting bracket
  • car cigarette lighter power cable
  • 12 volt power cable for permanent wiring, if you want to do that
  • USB cable so you can update the database from Uniden's web site (for free)
  • instruction book.

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