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Long Term Tests

AMG SL55

For the last couple of months I've been testing the Road Angel speed camera detector in the SL55 and, compared with other devices I've tried before, we've been getting on just fine. The Road Angel is one of the new-generation detectors that works via GPS, meaning it always knows exactly where it is in the UK and even which way you're travelling. As the unit also knows where all the various types of speed cameras are, plus all accident blackspots, you soon start to realise that when the unit starts flashing red and bleeping it's for real, unlike conventional detectors that seem to pick up every petrol station and automatic shop door going. The unit also displays your actual speed thanks to the GPS system inside, and it's amazing how even modern car speedos still seem to lie; 5-10 per cent over-estimation remains the norm in the cars I've tested it in. The SL55 is one of the better ones, showing 74mph at a true 70mph.

By Harry Metcalfe

February 2003

For the last couple of months I've been testing the Road Angel speed camera detector in the SL55 and, compared with other devices I've tried before, we've been getting on just fine. The Road Angel is one of the new-generation detectors that works via GPS, meaning it always knows exactly where it is in the UK and even which way you're travelling. As the unit also knows where all the various types of speed cameras are, plus all accident blackspots, you soon start to realise that when the unit starts flashing red and bleeping it's for real, unlike conventional detectors that seem to pick up every petrol station and automatic shop door going. The unit also displays your actual speed thanks to the GPS system inside, and it's amazing how even modern car speedos still seem to lie; 5-10 per cent over-estimation remains the norm in the cars I've tested it in. The SL55 is one of the better ones, showing 74mph at a true 70mph.

The actual level of alarm warning that the unit issues can be tailored to your tastes too. I've deleted all accident blackspots on my daily commute, for example, and toned down the demented bleeping when it's spotted there's a camera about. The standard setting is too intense for most people, especially through a SPECS-type speed trap which can lead to several 100 metres of bleeping from the Road Angel. (Bet you didn't know they're just put in SPECS cameras south-bound on the M1 at the M25 exit; Road Angel spotted 'em.)

The nice thing about the Road Angel is that all the information stored in the unit can be kept bang up to date via their website (as long as your computer is a PC and not a Mac) using the software and leads provided. They recommend you do this at least monthly because of the speed at which camera sites seem to be sprouting up at the moment.

Downsides so far are few: it's not the prettiest of units to have stuck on the window for a start; I think Road Angel should change the display colour from red to, say, yellow for accident blackspots, rather than always flashing red for all three types of warning, and it's also a shame there's nothing in the unit to detect laser guns, but this looks as if it's coming soon according to recent reports.

Most of the time it's doing its job perfectly, though - just the sort of mate you want in a car like the SL55. In fact I'd go as far to say there's no way I'd now entertain using a conventional radar detector.

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