Best Android App for Warning on Overspeeding and Fixed Speed and Red Light Cameras

Recently got a very good Android head unit, and now want to add a feature where it alerts me automatically by sound.

Yes there's Waze, Here maps, and Google maps But they are not good in the sense that they don't warn you unless you put an address there and start navigation on the app.

On the other hand, I looked at an app from play store RadarBot Speed camera detector which does alert you of the speed and red light cameras quite reliably (WITHOUT entering a navigation address or starting any navigation to a specific address). BUT this doesn't have the speed alert feature (aka one going over speed), compared to like Here Maps. RadarBot also doesn't need to stay open all the time, it can alert in background.

So I was wondering if people know about other apps that achieve at least some of these purposes (WITHOUT ENTERING A SPECIFIC ADDRESS ON NAVIGATION) :-
1. Alert Speed cameras, Red light cameras,
2. Alert on overspeeding (potentially with the use of road signs image capturing as we travel otherwise recorded database is fine too).
3. Crowd sourced info on RBT, or police vans, mobile speed cameras etc.
4. Alert on any possible school zones

Of course not saying that I don't pay attention on road, I always do, But I just want to add this sorta additional feature to be super cautious, especially when someone else uses our car, we could save that ticket from coming but also importantly to ensure we are abiding by the speed rules and regulation as per the state/territory (that's why here maps is better in that over speeding alert but it only gives that alert when you are in navigation to a certain address)

Thanks

Comments

  • +2

    Waze maybe, didn't Google just buy them tho?

    • "Just"?? TEN years ago!

  • +5

    Waze doesn’t need an entered destination. It’ll follow you around and alert you. Spend some time tuning the settings. It’s the most reliable and up to date option.

    • Really ? waze alerts WITH SOUND while driving (overspeeding, and when upcoming a speed camera) WITHOUT having entered a destination ?

      Last time I tried it wasn't giving me any sound alert like speed camera ahead, or overspeeding by couple Km. (without having entered destination)

      Yes maybe I guess there's some settings to be changed ? I'll try again hope it works without having entered a destination.

      • Waze only alerts to speed cameras if you are currently speeding, that may be what you are thinking of. You can change the level at which the overspeed notification occurs as well, though generally it will alert you the first time, if you drop speed slightly and go over again in a rapid period it won't tell you the second time.

        It won't alert on school zones however, that's just not something it is set up to do.

    • Waze worked now after tinkering with settings

      Alerted on speed/red camera alerts, and over speeding too.

      However I did also found that it requires the Waze app to be open on screen (aka cannot alert in background).

      So just for this reason I think TomTom Amigo is slightly better.

      Otherwise now after tinkering with settings waze is good enough too. (just need to have the app open all time though)

      • Glad it worked for you. Waze does do alerts in background but tends to shut off after 10 or 15 mins in background to conserve battery. Maybe there's a setting for that too somewhere to keep it on in background.

  • Here We Go (the old Nokia Map) have driving mode which doesn't need a destination, its map and traffic data do get updated regularly, and it shows speed limit and warn you about it. Also nice to have a map displayed in case if you need. Have Android Auto too.

    • So far I have honestly found Here Maps to be best in terms of alerting of overspeeding,
      But i think it doesn't tell about speed, red light cameras.
      I think it also needs some destination entered to get speed alerts though? or have to change some settings in that too ?

      • Haven't use it in a good while, I thought it does have a speed warning thing without needing to put a address

  • +3

    Why not just obey the road rules? Also, don't drink or use drugs and drive.

    Pretty simple really.

    • nah need some headset to warn him when he takes drugs and also drink, to not drive!

    • +10

      When you are going down countryside, you may not see speed limit signs for like 4-20 kms honestly. One can simply just forget what the last speed limit sign was. (And no one really there drives @50 Kms/hr (default speed when no speed limit sign is there) on highways when actual real speed limit is like 80 Kms/hr.

      Also quite often when you turn, into a road, you also might not see a speed limit sign for a while, so you might be going @wrong speed till that sign, simply because the speed limit signs are not around all the corners, after some street. So you might again not know speed limit for a few Km's and could get shot of a traffic ticket.

      Othertimes, may be your kids are winging like crazzy, and because of that you missed out on noticing a sign.
      And there's so many other scenarios where having such a app is handy.

      Sure you can control yourself, but you cannot control others driving in your car.

      Pretty simple really.
      yea that's why so people get traffic expiation notices sent out in mail, if its so simple really.

      • -4

        And there's so many other scenarios where having such a app is handy. Yes there are many scenarios, but no mater what is going on in your vehicle you need to concentrate on driving.

        1: no one else drives my vehicle. If they did and were fined for speeding it's not my problem.

        2: people receive traffic fines in the mail because they have broken the law.

      • default speed when no speed limit sign is there

        The default speed is different on unlit rural roads. The default speed is only 50 in urban areas with streetlights.

    • -1

      Anonymous Negs.

      It appears many in here are bad drivers that support Apps that avoiding doing the right thing rather than being responsible drivers in the first instance.

  • +3

    Tomtom amigo

    • Never used it. I'll try using it. thanks

    • Honestly very happy with this one, (better than Waze, as it alerts about overspeeding in Background/without having app open.)
      It alerts with sound. AND IN BACKROUND TOO.
      Alerts both overspeeding and red light/speed camera. (JUST ONE PROBLEM HERE THOUGH, by the time it says "Camera ahead, Speed limit is .. ", it is already too close to actual camera. - Is there a way to increase the alerting distance, so it alert earlier ?

      And navigation is not bad either

      And this all comes in by default no need to change much in settings.

      Although does not show school zones,
      Have not been able to test it showing police/mobile speed camera vehicles, But earlier points are good enough already.

      Definitely seems like one of the best ones in the free apps right now.

      So now Car launcher- Auto start this app, and open whatever we want to while driving.

  • School zones aren’t difficult to see, they are well sign posted.

    You shouldn’t need over speed alarms if you drive under the limit by a few km/h and take note of the posted speed limits. I agree that occasionally the speed limit might be in question, but that’s not usual and you should be able to know the limit without looking at a screen.

    RBT? If you aren’t drink/driving it doesn’t matter where these are, you won’t need to avoid them at all. Why do you need to know?

    Speed cameras? Yeah, it’d be nice to know where they are in advance, but I’d you aren’t speeding and are observant it isn’t necessary.

    These apps just serve to collect your data and provide a distraction.

  • 1: There are signs already for these. Have you tried using them? Alternatively, have you tried to not run red lights or speedng?
    2: I dont know about you, but my car comes with a display that tells me how fast I am going. If the number is higher than the speed limit sign, I slow down, if it is lower than the sign, I speed up.
    3: Why? Intending to drive drunk/impaired? I find the best way to bypass RBT is to not have 3 serves of the devil's lettuce followed up by a few Great Northern chasers.
    4: The best part of school zones is that they usually only exist around schools, in school times, on school days… Oh, and they also are sign posted. Have you tried using the network of posted signs coupled with a clock and calendar of some description?

    • 4: The best part of school zones is that they usually only exist around schools, in school times, on school days… Oh, and they also are sign posted. Have you tried using the network of posted signs coupled with a clock and calendar of some description?

      And they have flashing red lights.

      • Flashing speed signs with amber flashing lights in NSW

        • +3

          Pretty sure it's the same in Vic but I'm normally travelling too fast to take notice. All those bloody kids in the street are distracting me.

  • 3.
    Maybe Op isn't drinking or taking substances and is instead running drugs or firearms?

    • Sometimes you just want to go at speed limit, and not be wanting to be required to slow down to 25Km/hr or to have you checked out. Its just a slower route during those times.

      and yeah that's like your best guess to why i need that kinda info LoL, I am like a pablo escobar version 2.0 haha?

      • All good. Bro.

        I use Waze for the same reasons. You don't know what lies around the corner, and you need to slow down. Could be an accident, car broken down, pothole, traffic issues.
        Thenn when you do stop for an rbt, it may only take 30s, or it could be a blitz.

        • I use Waze for the same reasons. You don't know what lies around the corner, and you need to slow down. Could be an accident, car broken down, pothole, traffic issues. Thenn when you do stop for an rbt, it may only take 30s, or it could be a blitz

          How does Waze know there could be an accident, car broken down, pothole, traffic issues or an RBT around the corner.

          • +3

            @CurlCurl: If you know how to italicise then I'm sure you know how to use the quote function correctly.

            • +1

              @Muzeeb: Sorry I don't but I would like to know.

              • +3

                @CurlCurl: Just add ">" before the text followed by a space. Obviously don't include the quotation marks.

                Have a crack.

  • +1

    Look at OBDII apps (and get an OBD too; the cheap ones on eBay/AliEx do work, despite the naysayers). They work with both the OBD (a direct BT connection to your car's CPU) and GPS. Many have sound alerts.

    • The OBD speedo read comes from the cars speedo reading which to say the least, is normally shockingly inaccurate.

      I have a dedicated GPS speedo. I have passed Highway Patrol cars on motorways that weren't doing the speed limit without being pulled over. At 110kph on my GPS speedo, my dash speedo reads 102kph.

      • The OBD speedo read comes from the cars speedo reading

        Are you sure?

        • Must be magic! You're right

      • The OBD speedo read comes from the cars speedo reading which to say the least, is normally shockingly inaccurate.

        Some OBD apps calibrate the OBD speedo to the GPS speedo. The best free one I found is Car Scanner. I bought BlueDriver and ended up using Car Scanner more. I mostly use BlueDriver only for diagnostics.

  • I've just installed TomTom GO app on my Android head unit which is a $30 annual subscription.
    It will do everything you need but you won't be able to report mobile speed cameras to the community if you haven't entered a destination.
    Importantly for me (because I do a lot of night driving) is that the display switches automatically to night mode.
    Free apps like Google Maps, Waze and TomTom Amigo don't do that and I also had issues with voice notifications being too loud and intrusive when I was playing music through the head unit.
    Also, I had a TomTom GO satnav unit prior to installing the head unit. The paid TomTom GO app is the same UI, so I am familiar with it.

    • Waze switches to night mode for me.

      • @BewareOfThe Dog
        Interesting 🤔
        I tried troubleshooting the issue and didn't find a solution.
        There are other reports about it online and the likely culprit is Android Auto.
        Anyway, I much prefer the TomTom GO UI.

  • Opps. I've got that arse about. 110kph on the dash speedo shows as 104kph on my GPS.

    The OBD reads the speed from the vehicle the same place as the dash speedo. OBDs don't have GPS capability. If they did how would they display it?

    My 4WD has 265/65/17 as standard tyres. When I fit my 265/70/17 mud tyres the dash and GPS speed only have a 2 to 3kph difference.

    • OBDs don't have GPS capability.

      OBDs don't, but OBD apps do.

  • Petal maps

  • The GPS speed can be inaccurate due to the delay in time receiving the signal, especially on slopes.

    I think I heard that from Dr Karl a few months ago.

    • Can be, but it would have to be one decent slope with the vehicle doing a decent speed, but no where as incorrect as the in car speedo

      • Mate… GPS signals travel at the speed of light.
        The difference between 10km/h and 300km/h is nothing.
        The speed of light is ~1,080,000,000 km/h.

    • +1

      While it’s true that slopes affect the GPS speed accuracy, it’s not by enough to worry about. Also the GPS lag is short enough that you shouldn’t need to worry about that either. With a modern GPS a second or three isn’t going to make you loss/more likely to get a ticket.

      Besides, GPS is an auxiliary display, your car will have a speedo that works all the time. Once you’ve ‘calibrated’ it to the GPS, if you do get a GPS glitch you can look at the dash. My car shows 64 when I’m doing 60 by GPS, so when I don’t have the GPS running (mostly) I can know what speed I’m actually goi mg anyway.

      • Speed is not calculated using positional information, it just uses the Doppler effect.
        This is the same principal speed cameras use.

        • That seems like an unnecessary complication. Seems much easier to calculate the time taken between the last point and the current point knowing the distance between them.

          • @Euphemistic: What are you even talking about?
            On modern smart phones an accuracy of 5m is quiet good.
            If you do distance over time per second then you've got a margin of +/- 10m/s that's 36km/h inaccuracy.

            Doppler shift on the other hand is the change in frequency*

            • everything needs to take into consider relativity too.

            Just google it ffs https://www.google.com/search?q=gps+doppler

            • @deme: If you go distance over time and average it you’ll get a fairly reliable number, but yes it appears Doppler is taken into consideration when calculating speed AND position. It’s not as simple as one technique used to calculate, but an algorithm based on position signals, Doppler effect on signals and what the receiver knows is possible to achieve. Ie it filters out errors to assist in accuracy.

              One point at +/- 5m will give you a large error. But several points in a row averaged out will give more accuracy, particularly for speed at ‘normal’ rates.

              Highly accurate GPS receivers for tracking race cars etc will also use accelerometers to further improve their positional accuracy. Ie get a lock, know which way and how fast you’ve moved to improve the accuracy of the next point from the GPS signal.

              • @Euphemistic:

                One point at +/- 5m will give you a large error. But several points in a row averaged out will give more accuracy, particularly for speed at ‘normal’ rates.

                Please stop this is embarrassing.

                This makes no sense, what are you averaging out? A position, or speed?

                https://insidegnss.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/marapr15-S…

                Distance of time has an accuracy in the m/s range. (Like I said above)
                Doppler shift has "a few centimetres per second"

                It’s not as simple as one technique used to calculate, but an algorithm based on position signals, Doppler effect on signals and what the receiver knows is possible to achieve. Ie it filters out errors to assist in accuracy.

                Wait did you just skim an article on the Kalman filter, see the word position and go confirmed?
                lol it's the opposite, Doppler effect is used to increase positional accuracy not speed.

                Highly accurate GPS receivers for tracking race cars etc will also use accelerometers to further improve their positional accuracy.

                We are talking about speed mate, not position you know they are different right?

                • @deme:

                  Speed is not calculated using positional information, it just uses the Doppler effect.

                  lol it's the opposite, Doppler effect is used to increase positional accuracy not speed.

                  You seem to have changed your point. Which one is it?

                  If you know your position at two different times you can easily work out the speed between them.

                  Point being, the system probably uses a combination of speed and position measuring then error checks between them to improve accuracy.

                  • @Euphemistic:

                    You seem to have changed your point. Which one is it?

                    I'll assume the best that you are so blinded by rage you have confused what is going on rather than intentionally misquoting me.

                    Speed is not calculated using positional information, it just uses the Doppler effect.

                    This is correct

                    lol it's the opposite, Doppler effect is used to increase positional accuracy not speed.

                    Let's put that back in context

                    Wait did you just skim an article on the Kalman filter, see the word position and go confirmed?
                    lol it's the opposite, Doppler effect is used to increase positional accuracy not speed.

                    Doppler effect is used for calculating speed, and as part of a Kalman in producing more accurate positional information.

                    I don't know of a single gps chipset you can buy today that uses positional information and the time domain to derive speed. I do know of plenty of chipsets that use speed information to help find a location. Which is what I said in the whole quote, before you misquoted me.

                    If you know your position at two different times you can easily work out the speed between them.

                    You don't know you position well enough, I even quoted https://insidegnss.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/marapr15-S…

                    Distance of time has an accuracy in the m/s range. (Like I said above)
                    Doppler shift has "a few centimetres per second"

                    At 40km/h, your car is going 11m/s lets pretend for your sake you update every 5 seconds, so now you've travelled 55m but the gps will tell you between 45m and 65m which is between 32.4 km/h and 46.8km/h which is worse than your speedo.

                    Can you even explain how the doppler shift is used to derive speed? Answer this first as your arguments make no sense, you ignore any evidence and I think you'd do well to learn something before speaking.

                    • @deme:

                      At 40km/h, your car is going 11m/s lets pretend for your sake you update every 5 seconds

                      But it doesn’t update every 5 seconds and you know that.

                      Can you even explain how the doppler shift is used to derive speed

                      Nope, Im familiar with the physics of it, but don’t really need to know how to actually calculate it but it’s fun watching you get your knickers in a knot trying to explain stuff without doing a very good job.

                      • @Euphemistic:

                        But it doesn’t update every 5 seconds and you know that.

                        You are correct it's every 1 second all the way up to 50 times a second which makes the accuracy of your method far worse.

                        without doing a very good job.

                        Rather than being mad you could prove you are correct if you actually find a GPS chipset that you can buy today that calculates speed using your super inaccurate (as per https://insidegnss.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/marapr15-S… ) method.

                        Here is one that uses the doppler effect that just happens to be used in the automotive industry.
                        https://www.onosokki.co.jp/English/hp_e/products/keisoku/aut….

                        • @deme:

                          which makes the accuracy of your method far worse.

                          I don’t have a method, I don’t manufacture GPS systems.

                          Rather than being mad you could prove you are correct

                          Im not mad and don’t need to prove how correct I am, It’s just too hot here to do anything and I’m bored. Your claims seemed to be contradictory so I questioned it and apparently hurt your feelings.

                          • @Euphemistic: I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling bored and that the weather is making it difficult to stay productive. It's understandable that you questioned the claims made in the forum post, and there's nothing wrong with seeking clarification on something that seems contradictory. However, it's important to remember that words can have an impact on others, and it's possible that your questioning may have come across as confrontational or dismissive to the original poster. It's important to approach discussions with an open mind and a willingness to learn and grow, even if we don't always agree with each other. Let's try to keep the conversation respectful and constructive going forward.

                            • @deme: Good to hear you think discussion is important. Maybe you’ll remember that next time and omit things like ‘what are you even talking about’, ‘ffs’, ‘please stop this is embarrassing’ or other derogatory comments.

                              • @Euphemistic: In the future, it's important to remember to communicate in a respectful and constructive manner, even if you disagree with someone's point of view. Doing so will ensure that discussions remain productive and respectful, and that everyone's ideas and perspectives are heard and valued.

        • +1

          GPS speed?? How so? Pretty sure it's positional over time. And OBD is from axle rotation.

          • +1

            @wisdomtooth: That’s why there is less accuracy on slopes, because many won’t use geographical data for elevation, just assumed based on diameter of the globe.

          • @wisdomtooth: No and No.
            https://www.google.com/search?q=gps+doppler
            https://www.google.com/search?q=speedometer+transmission+box

            The speedometer and by extension ODBII is via a sensor in the transmission box, not the axles.

            • +1

              @deme: Axle rotation is directly proportional to transmission output rotation. Not to mention there are also wheel speed sensors giving feedback to the onboard computer.

              • @Euphemistic:

                wheel speed sensors

                That's used for ABS and if you have one a tachometer not the speedometer.

                Axle rotation is directly proportional to transmission output rotation

                Can you think of a situation where 1 or more axles are turning but the speedometer shows zero?

                • @deme: A tachometer measures engine revs, got nothing to do with wheel speed.

                  My point re axle vs trasmission speed was that they are linked and the previous poster while technically not correct, had the right idea. Yes, you can get one wheel off the ground or bogged in a hole and not be moving nowhere but show a speed on the speedo, but that’s because it’s measuring transmission output speed and calculating for road speed.

                  • @Euphemistic: Oh god.. mate… please just stop.. this is so cringe.

                    A tachometer is a revolution counter, you know how the wheels on the bus go round and round an amount of revolutions per minute.

                    Sure the one for the crankshaft is a tachometer, but so is the one on the wheel.

                    Let's see if you can verify this with a simple Google.
                    https://www.google.com/search?q=wheel+speed+sensors
                    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheel_speed_sensor

                    wheel speed sensor (WSS) or vehicle speed sensor (VSS) is a type of tachometer. It is a sender device used for reading the speed of a vehicle's wheel rotation. It usually consists of a toothed ring and pickup.

                    • @deme: The tachometer display in a car shows engine revs. Why would you even use the word for wheel speed which is not fixed to engine speed when most people would relate it to what they see in the cabin - engine speed. You don’t get a ‘tachometer’ display for wheel speed, that’s a ‘speedometer’.

                      Back in the good old days, it was all simple mechanical speed measurement and the rev gauge was measured using electrical pulse from the distributor. These days the cars computer probably uses multiple sensors to error check before putting something on the display.

                      The wheel speed sensors are used for more than ABS. Traction and stability control as well. Comparing with the throttle, steering and brake positions and probably combined with accelerometers to determine pitch and yaw and correct slides etc.

                      Play semantics all you want but you also need to get it right.

                      • @Euphemistic: @Euphemistic

                        Why would you even use the word for wheel speed

                        This you?

                        @Euphemistic

                        Not to mention there are also wheel speed sensors giving feedback to the onboard computer.

                        • @deme: Looking for flaws in other peoples posts for internet points?

                          Most people wouldn’t use the word tachometer to describe the sensor for wheel speed, they use tachometer for engine speed. Wether this is technically correct doesn’t really matter, we all know that layman speak is often technically wrong, but just what is in general use.

                          There is no tachometer display in a car for wheel speed. The wheel speed sensors (yes, tachometers) input back into the cars computers, but do that behind the scenes and average Joe doesn’t see it nor car what it is.

            • @deme:

              The speedometer and by extension ODBII is via a sensor in the transmission box, not the axled.

              What do you think goes through the transmission box and the transmission is transmitting to?? 😆

              • @wisdomtooth: You could have said that, but instead you showed you didn't know what you were talking about by saying axle rotation.

                • @deme: No. You just felt the need to be superior by getting all snarky saying it was wrong, despite it effectively being the same thing anyway.

    • Can you find anything at all that backs this up?

      https://www.google.com/search?q=GPS+speed+slopes I can't

  • +1

    Sounds like Tomtom Amigo would be perfect for your needs!

    • Yes definitely seems like it, really like it being able to alert both overspeeding, and camera warning while running in BACKGROUND.

      • +2

        You know you can just call it speeding?

        • Or just drive properly with the assistance of cruise control and you don't even have to name it at all.

  • Here We Go (formerly Here by Nokia) used to do this with fantastic offline maps. I'm not sure if it's still good or not, perhaps with a shot.

  • CamSam (Android only)

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