Emergency vehicle detection system

[Alfie]

There is a new device on the market that provides motorists with the ability to detect emergency vehicles in their vicinity and whether they are getting closer or not. Here is a brief summary of what it does;

The innovative and new traffic safety system Target Blu Eye consists of a central unit, a control display and an external antenna. The system is based on the Airwave (TETRA) network. If an emergency service, e.g. a police car, is nearby, you will be warned in advance with an acoustic and visual alert. The signal strength meter on the control display allows you to see at first glance whether an emergency vehicle is approaching you or moving away from you.

Acoustic warnings
The communication system used by emergency services in your country generates four types of communication patterns. Target Blu Eye recognizes all four patterns and produces four different acoustic signals. All signals indicate the presence of an emergency service close to you. For more detailed information, go to the user manual.

Visual warnings
Besides acoustic warnings Target Blu Eye also generates visual warnings by means of the signal strength meter on the control display. If an emergency vehicle approaches you, regardless from which direction, the signal strength meter gives you an estimated indication about the distance between you and the emergency vehicle. For more detailed information go to the user manual.

Sensitivity mode
Two sensitivity modes can be selected on the Target Blu Eye control display:

1.Highway mode: in this mode Target Blu Eye offers the highest sensitivity, which allows the system to recognize emergency services from a large distance.
2.City mode: in this mode Target Blu Eye offers a lower sensitivity. This mode is recommended for use in urban areas.


As this device is not a camera detector or list of camera locations it doesnt fall foul of the French ruling on camera detecters and their ilk.

It retails at £999 inc VAt but there are some early deals to be done


We have already taken some orders.

 

[Teflonso]

I'll bet every car thief and scroat in town will want one of these.

.

 

[BTB 500]

I'll bet every car thief and scroat in town will want one of these.

They would be using a scanner anyway? But probably helpful for avoiding ANPR cars, if you're likely to trigger an alert.

Although it's a neat idea this will presumably warn for of ambulances / fire engines / etc. - too even if they are stopped. And obviously no help with GATSO, SPECS, or hand-held speed traps.

 

[Alfie]

The unit requires an antenna fixed to the car so its not really portable and a car thief wants to be in and off quickly id imagine.

Most hand held 'safety' systems are accompanied by an officer with a car nearby

I can see an obvious use for habitual speeding offenders and those who operate on the wrong side of the law habitually.

 

[martyz]

I can see an obvious use for habitual speeding offenders and those who operate on the wrong side of the law habitually.

My first thoughts,I wonder how long they will be legal?

 

[markjay]

I don't speed, my Insurance, MoT and VED are all in order, I drive with a clean license and I am not disqualified, I don't drink and drive and I don't carry illegal drugs in my car (or anywhere else, for that matter).

And yet... I want one of these!

Boys will be boys...

 

[MarriedBlonde]

What about the mobile camera vans that are operated by the local authority?

J.

 

[markjay]

What about the mobile camera vans that are operated by the local authority?

J.

Naah... if it doesn't have flashing blue lights and guys (and girls!) in uniform, I am not interested!

 

[NyseriA]

They would be using a scanner anyway? But probably helpful for avoiding ANPR cars, if you're likely to trigger an alert.

Scanners don't pick up Airwaves/Tetra, which are encrypted mobile phone based signals.

Although it's a neat idea this will presumably warn for of ambulances / fire engines / etc. - too even if they are stopped. And obviously no help with GATSO, SPECS, or hand-held speed traps.

Also, Fire appliances don't use Tetra (at least they don't up here) but for ANPR vehicles that usually carry several handsets as well as the in-car set, they'll do well.

 

[NyseriA]

What about the mobile camera vans that are operated by the local authority?

J.

I think it depends where you're based - quite often they will have some involvement with the local police force and might still have a Tetra set. I wouldn't rely on it though, probably best to rely on good observation

 

[Satch]

Does it distinguish between TETRA users?

Since these include Police, Fire, Ambulance, Armed Forces, Highways Agency, HM Coastguard, Red Cross, Transport for London staff and various service function at Heathrow, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow & Aberdeen airports, it might get a bit busy.....

 

[IanA2]

Does it distinguish between TETRA users?

Since these include Police, Fire, Ambulance, Armed Forces, Highways Agency, HM Coastguard, Red Cross, Transport for London staff and various service function at Heathrow, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow & Aberdeen airports, it might get a bit busy.....

I was wondering about that....

 

[Alfie]

Does it distinguish between TETRA users?

Since these include Police, Fire, Ambulance, Armed Forces, Highways Agency, HM Coastguard, Red Cross, Transport for London staff and various service function at Heathrow, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow & Aberdeen airports, it might get a bit busy.....

I would imagine that as these are probably going to be of most use on motorways. The presence of most of those will be confined mainly to Police vehicles. Sure there will be the odd ambulance, fire engine army truck etc but in the main its the police, marked and unmarked, that frequent these roads.

In London who'd want one anyway its impossible to speed and those on the wrong side of the law dont care what else alerts them as long as they get an alert!

 

[flango]

The issue with this is there are too many Tetra users these days that are not police, fire or ambulance. Most critical mobile data solutions run on tetra so there are a whole heap of industries out there that use tetra daily so unless the unit is specific you would be detecting every tetra user. A friend of mine of specialises in detection systems had a tetra detector linked to a scanner and whilst you can't decrypt the transmission you can detect it, the thing was never off always registering a tetra user in the location. I'll follow this thread with interest as I currently run another solution to the problem this tetra detector addresses. If anyone does get one please post your experiences

TIA

 

[BTB 500]

Does it distinguish between TETRA users?

No. From their FAQ

Target Blu Eye does not make any difference between police vehicles, ambulances or fire trucks. You will be warned of all types of emergency vehicles.

Also

Does Target Blu Eye always warn you for approaching emergency services?

All signals transmitted by emergency services will be detected by the Target Blu Eye. However, emergency services do not always transmit (periodical) signals. The system can be switched off or be in direct mode (DMO).

 

[BTB 500]

I would imagine that as these are probably going to be of most use on motorways.

Probably, but I think fewer and fewer forces 'patrol' motorways any more. It certainly doesn't happen on the M25 or M3 (according to a friend of mine who's in a position to know) - if you see a vehicle it will be on its way somewhere specific, and is unlikely to be interested in your speed unless you are doing something silly.

 

[meeeb]

The unit requires an antenna fixed to the car so its not really portable and a car thief wants to be in and off quickly id imagine.

Most hand held 'safety' systems are accompanied by an officer with a car nearby

I can see an obvious use for habitual speeding offenders and those who operate on the wrong side of the law habitually.

Presumably that's the corner of the market you are targeting then? Very public spirited!

In so far as 'speeding offenders' are concerned, I cannot see any use whatsoever for this gadget, other than as an aid to speed limit observance. Anyone using one would at certain times and in certain places hear so many bleeps (or however it warns you) that they would be permanently observing the speed limit. In that respect it would be a road safety aid.

I imagine that the greater part of enforcement these days is by camera, and that penalties issued by a police patrol are very much the exception rather than the rule. Can't remember the last time I saw a patrolling police car on the motorway, although I have on very rare occasions seen unmarked police cars.

An utter waste of money, and anyone who has ordered one, other than burglars etc., hasn't thought it through.

I can't see them being a success.

Wouldn't it be a bit of a bugger Alfie, if someone used one to burgle your house, or nick your car?

 

[Teflonso]

Scanners don't pick up Airwaves/Tetra, which are encrypted mobile phone based signals.

Ahhh, the good old days of police VHF radio.

My old man once got his Ford Corsair nicked, so borrowed another car until it turned up. You used to be able to hear the police radio at the very top end of the VHF spectrum and while listening in he heard his registration number and learned it was stuck in a plie of sand on a buliding site at the other side of town.

When he turned up (bad mistake) it was at the same time as the jam sandwich. Man in flat hat was very interested to know how he knew it was there and, more importantly, if he was one of the gang that had nicked 4 cars in one night and used the Corsair to haul away the engines and other bits they'd stripped out.

Oops!.




.

 

[RST1979]

Sorry, but is it just me who's missed the point of this system. £1,000 to hear a siren or see blue flashing lights coming? We should be aware of that anyway. Or is it another illicit way to promote those who drive outwith the speed limits and help them escape being caught? I suspect the latter.

 

[meeeb]

Sorry, but is it just me who's missed the point of this system. £1,000 to hear a siren or see blue flashing lights coming? We should be aware of that anyway. Or is it another illicit way to promote those who drive outwith the speed limits and help them escape being caught? I suspect the latter.

Or, as pointed out by the vendor of this trash, successfully evade capture after having burgled your house, or knocked off your car from the drive.