Snooper 715iS Radar/Laser Detector
Snooper 715iS
This is "is a interesting unit", it's
performance is for detection range is as good as the Bel 990 and
Valentine One, its better than the more expensive Snooper 815iS
as well. This unit was tested at the same spots on different days
to the other units in the tests. This was not smallest of the
units tested. Mounting is on Window suckers, the mounting bracket
for the window suckers is firm and stays well clear of the unit.
Power cable was more than long enough and the instructions were
good. You can switch off the X band on this unit. So we did not
expect loads of X band alarms, (Not used any more in the UK) You
just get a Mute Button, City Button, Dark Button. The volume on
the unit is loud enough and the build is very good. Alarms come
in a form of lights and chirps. With lights also displaying the
strength of the signal. On Power up it goes through a test run
sounding off all the alarms and at the same time the appropriate
lights for each alarm flash
As you approach a Gatso the alarm sounds and the
K band light Illuminates, and the field strength meter shows the
strength of the signal. With this unit you get a good warning
of a Gatso.
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 715 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. |
|
|
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
We had the information confirmed by a contact in the Met that
no other Gatso was working within 2 miles, this is important
since another Gatso near the area can effect the results in
a major way since they are mounted so high.
| Approaching Back of Gatso |
Approaching Face of Gatso. |
|
|
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 Snooper 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.
The unit has been tuned to such
an extent that the bands interfered with each other, false alarms
were on the high side with this unit. With the X band off, signals
from temporary traffic lights caused the K Band to alarm, so
they need to looks at the filtering of this unit.
Can we recommend it, YES, I suppose we can
For £199 or less (if
you look around) and you could put up with the bad false alarms then this unit is not bad
giving you almost the same range performance as the Valentine
One and the Bel 990 but at half the cost.
What do
we like. |
What don't
we like. |
- Loud Clear Sounds
- User functions
- Build Quality
- Instructions
- Good choice of mounts
- Warranty
- Value for money
|
- It's performance in filtering
out false alarms
- Display
- No Case
|
|
