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Program:
CamerAlert
Developer:
PocketGPSWorld
Platform:
Apple iOS and Android
Cost:
Initial cost £0.59; Annual UK subscription: £19.99
Devices used in review:
Apple iPad and Apple iPhone 4
Note that the screenshots in this review are a mixture of those from the iPhone and iPad versions of CamerAlert.
Note also that this program will not work with the WiFi only iPad or the iPhone models without GPS.
With thanks to Darren Griffin of PocketGPSWorld for providing the review program and database subscription.
Introduction
PocketGPSWorld (PGPS) have been involved in the support, reporting and reviewing of all things pertaining to mobile navigation and GPS for a number of years. They have built a solid reputation for reliable advice. A few years ago they released a subscription based database of speed cameras that could be imported into a number of different satellite navigation programs.
As a consequence of the popularity of this add-on, PGPS developed the program under review, CamerAlert, to offer the same alerting functions without the need to run a full navigation program. This is consequently a much smaller program and it costs a lot less than most satellite navigation programs. The Apple iOS version is a Universal App, which contains code for native iPad and iPhone installations. Both the iOS and Android versions can be obtained via the respective marketplace links on the devices.
Concept
Many of us remember the introduction of fixed speed cameras some years ago. Initially envisaged to be deterrent devices in high risk areas they evolved to include punitive and revenue generating functions. Variants have included front facing, rear facing and more recently average speed cameras. To promote the road safety element of these cameras, the name has changed from 'speed cameras' to 'safety cameras' and in the pursuance of the safety element we have seen the introduction of cameras monitoring traffic lights and railway crossings. There are currently nine different types of fixed cameras in use in the UK.
In addition to the fixed cameras, the police also use a variety of mobile cameras, either hand held, tripod mounted or vehicle mounted. In total there are currently about 6000-7000 safety camera sites in the UK.
As the number of cameras has increased, facilities have evolved to avoid being caught by one. Obviously the best way is to drive within the speed limit at all times but this can be difficult especially in unfamiliar areas and where the road signage is poor. At first we saw the publication of paper maps showing camera sites. These soon became obsolete as the number of sites grew. Next we saw the 'radar detector' type of in-car warning but many of those were poor at detection and some of the newer cameras could not be detected by this method.
With the surge in popularity of mobile GPS devices, it became possible to map camera sites and incorporate these into the 'Points of Interest' data of many satellite navigation programs. This is how the concept behind CamerAlert came about. PGPS started producing a database of camera sites that could be imported into many of the popular satellite navigation programs. As the number of users increased, the facility for 'community feedback' was added. Users could report new camera sites, changes to speed limits or discontinued sites. To guard against the possibility of accidental or deliberate misreporting, all changes need to be corroborated by other members or PGPS staff. This has resulted in the current weekly update of the database.
CamerAlert is an evolution of the original idea and is a stand alone program solely concerned with alerting the user to safety camera sites in the vicinity. It does not include any navigational facilities nor warning of potential cameras on a planned route. It does include the facility to view your current locality using Google Maps with camera sites overlaid as push pins.
Installation
As CamerAlert is obtained via the marketplace facility on each device, initial installation is largely automatic. Apple users can also use iTunes to download and install the App and Android users can download the apk file from the PGPS website for local installation. The installation file contains an out of date version of the camera database, but the price includes a single download of the most current file. A subscription to further weekly updates costs £19.99 per annum.
On using the program for the first time, it is necessary to register and download a current data file. Select Settings/Manage Cameras to access this facility. This does need a valid data connection to complete so doing it at home via WiFi is the best method. As we mentioned, the program as downloaded contains an old version of the database. The initial cost includes one fresh update, but users with a new or existing annual subscription can also link the app to their account. A single subscription can be accessed by up to three devices across the supported operating systems.
The initial registration request takes the user to a registration page using the device browser. Returning to the program enables the download to be accessed. Users with an existing subscription can then link the device to their account using the existing user name and password.
When this step is completed the user can tap the download button to access the latest database build. As this is a text file the download is swift and uses little data. Once downloaded the new data is written to the program. The program automatically checks for a new database at startup and if one is detected the user receives a voice and visual warning of the advisability of updating, which is done as for the initial download, by accessing Settings/Manage Cameras/Download database. I would prefer to see an option for subscribers to have the updates downloaded and installed automatically.
Interface
I am using the iOS version but the Android version is pretty much the same. On opening the program for the first time you are presented with a full screen Google Map of the UK with speed and satellite status displays at the top left and right of the screen respectively and an icon bar with five icons at the bottom. You will also hear a verbal warning that the camera data is out of date. Once on the move with a valid GPS fix, the map will zoom into your current location.
The various display elements function as follows:
- Speed Display: shows your current speed. If you are in the vicinity of a camera and are within the speed limit, the digits display in green, but if over the limit they are red. Touching this display element turns on the average speed function- useful when driving within an average speed monitored section of road. Your current speed remains in the left part of the readout and the average speed displays on the right. Again, this is red if over speed and green if within the limit. The average speed feature is automatically invoked when the cameras are included in the available data, of which more later.
- Status Display: This normally shows as a red or blue satellite pictograph. It is red when a GPS fix has not been obtained and blue when a fix is valid. When approaching a safety camera above the speed limit this display changes to show the applicable speed limit. Tapping this icon brings up a dialog box allowing the program to be terminated.
- GPS Icon (bottom left): turns the GPS receiver on or off. Obviously this should normally be left on otherwise position detection cannot be achieved. Turning off the GPS allows the map to be dragged and zoomed to view areas other than your current position, which is useful when needing to verify or modify camera site details.
- List Icon: Switches the display from the map to a list of cameras in the vicinity and their relative position to your current location.
- Camera Submission: This is the centre icon of the bottom row and is used to submit details of a new camera or update an existing camera site.
- Music Icon: Touching this icon pops up a large volume slider which controls the volume of audio alerts and music playing via the iPod app. If iPod is active the artist and track name show below the volume slider with pause, previous and next buttons at the bottom. There is also a sound routing button to select between remote audio (bluetooth or headphones)and the device speaker.
- Settings Icon: Self explanatory, and covered later!
Although the Google Map display is the default, as described above the List button switches to a list of cameras within range. This can be useful if you don't have a sufficient data plan to allow continuous updating of the map. As the map is a Google Maps facility, the map segments are downloaded in real time rather than being cached on the device. The list view however uses the saved database so needs no data connection. The program itself does not require a data connection as the satellite data is gathered by the GPS receiver and manipulated by the program for display.
Taking all things into consideration, my preference is to use the List View for normal driving. This ensures that data download is kept to a minimum and it is somewhat easier to read at a glance. It also avoids the annoying 'grey tile' display when the data stream is unable to keep up with the map segment requirements. Upcoming cameras are listed about one mile ahead though the actual warning only activates when all the trigger parameters are met- distance, vector and camera direction etc. I have enabled the map to display when a warning is activated, giving a more precise indication of its location. This reverts to the list once the camera site is passed.
While in either display, nearby cameras are marked on the map or in the list with icons according to their type. The list view is ordered by distance to each camera and each entry has an arrow icon showing the camera's position relative to your current position and heading. Tapping a camera icon opens a screen showing details of the camera type, precise location, applicable speed limit and whether it is monitoring the same, opposite or both carriageway directions. There are further screens allowing corrections to be submitted to PGPS.
When the GPS is turned off the map can be scrolled and zoomed at will; switching to the list display will list cameras relative to the map's current position.
The warning system in use
This is the core function of the program and its purpose is the give adequate warning of safety cameras in the vicinity. The 'look ahead' time can be adjusted within the settings but 30-40 seconds would seem to be adequate.
The program is intelligent enough to limit warnings to those cameras valid on your route; so for instance a camera only monitoring the opposite direction would be listed but no warning would be given. The 'geometry' of the warning system can be adjusted in the advanced camera settings though these are best left at their default values to avoid the risk of false negative or false positive warnings.
On approaching a valid camera, a red bar is shown on the screen displaying the distance and time to the camera, the camera type and its speed limit. There is also a range of audible warnings which can each be turned on or off. An example would say " Mobile Camera Zone; speed limit thirty miles per hour" . The time and distance readings decrease as you approach the camera. The satellite pictograph at the upper right of the screen changes to display the speed limit if you are exceeding it and the upper left speed display turns from green to red if you are over the limit. If 'warn when speeding' is selected in the Sounds settings, the current speed limit will be spoken at regular intervals as long as you are exceeding the limit. Note that this pertains to the camera site itself not your current position, so it is possible that you will get an over speed warning even if you are within the limit at your current location. This is most noticeable where there is a camera just inside a change from a national speed limit to a limited zone; you could be warned of being over speed for much of the look-ahead time.
Once a camera zone is passed there is an optional 'all clear' verbal notification.
The volume of the audible warnings is set using the volume slider in the sound setting, accessed by pressing the sound button on the icon bar. This is a composite setting which controls warning sounds and iPod music volume. A vagary of the iOS system is that if no music is playing, the hardware volume buttons only control the phone ringer volume; if music is playing the buttons control music and warning sound volume. There would appear to be no way to increase warning sounds without increasing music playback volume.
We are seeing a fast increase in the number of average speed cameras, both temporary and permanent, and CamerAlert has a useful feature for dealing with these. Users submitting new camera sites can select whether a camera is at the start, intermediate or end of a sequence. Once in the database, the program will automatically commence the average speed reading (displayed at the top left of the screen) and stop it at the end of the sequence. If you should turn off before the last camera, the average speed calculation can be stopped by tapping the readout area.
Notification of new or modified camera sites
As mentioned earlier, one of the strengths of the PGPS database is the ability for users to notify changes to camera sites. This facility requires the user to be a current subscriber to the database update system. A nice incentive for users to make notifications, is that the first to submit a new camera site that is successfully verified may be awarded a lifetime membership of PGPS and its database updates.
There are a number of ways to prepare for a new submission depending on whether it is safe to process and submit the necessary parameters. If one is the only occupant of the car, the safest and simplest method is to tap the camera icon in the bottom bar. This commits the current latitude, longitude and direction of travel to memory and opens the New Camera screen; this can be left open until it is safe to process the required information prior to submitting the data. Alternatively, in Armchair Mode the map can be scrolled to the required position, and the camera icon tapped to invoke the new camera screen. This method can also be used to update details of an existing camera site.
Once a site has been selected for submission, the method is the same for new cameras as well as updating existing sites. The first screen selects the camera type and also has the facility to fine tune its position. This is achieved by tapping the 'expand' arrow at the bottom right of the small map square. The map can then be zoomed and dragged while a small cross remains stationary in the centre of the screen. Simply move the map until the cross is over the exact location then reduce the map again. Now select the relevant camera type. This opens a screen listing available speed limits (except Red Light cameras which omit this screen); once selected the camera direction screen opens. This also has options for including a voice note of up to eight seconds and a photo of the camera site. The iPhone version includes the ability to take a geo-tagged picture, but all devices can also select from an existing photograph. These options increase the accuracy of submissions. Once all the data is correct, press the Submit button to send the data to PGPS. The submission will be confirmed by an automated email message. Average speed cameras have an additional screen for selecting where in the sequence the camera is situated.
Settings
The program settings are accessed via the icon in the bottom bar. These control program updates, notification, map display and general program options.
Manage Cameras
This was covered in the Installation section.
Sound Warnings
There is an overall setting for sound on or off selected by a slider, but tapping the menu item opens the detailed settings. This includes the 'look ahead' time, the type of warnings to use, whether to fade or mute if the music player is active and tick selection to enable or disable warnings for the various camera types.
Map display
This includes options for the different types of Google Map display, whether or not to display the map. For those wanting to restrict mobile data usage the map can be set to off all the time, or to only show in the vicinity of an active camera site. Other options allow device rotation and control the zoom level.
Miscellaneous
There are currently five options in this section:
- Prevent standby keeps the device awake- used mainly if a power supply is connected.
- Use night colours selects a more subdued text display for night driving. Note that this does not affect the map display as Google Maps does not have that option. My preference at night is to switch to Night Colours in List mode, with the map set only to show 'near cam'. There is no facility for automated night switching.
- Mirror display is interesting; if your vehicle has a large flat dashboard, you can place the device flat and use this option to project a reversed 'head-up' display onto the screen.
- Units of measure: Imperial or Metric.
- 'On startup also run' allows another program to be invoked whenever CamerAlert is started. This makes use of the operating system's multitasking to allow CamerAlert to run in the background but continue to deliver audible warnings. Typically the 'also run' program would be a full satellite navigation application, leaving CamerAlert to handle to safety camera warnings. This is a new option and the list is not exhaustive- my own satellite navigation favourite, iGO 2010 is not listed, but I can still open it manually when required.
Pros and Cons
Ease of use Comprehensive and frequent updates Community based database updates Initial cost
None of major importance! No automatic night mode No automated data download No independent control of warning sound volumeConclusion
I have been using CamerAlert on my iPad and latterly my newly acquired iPhone4 for about six weeks and have been very impressed with the way it operates. In conjunction with iGO 2010 I can have either program in the foreground giving visual cues while the other one remains in the background giving audible instructions.
CamerAlert's interface is simple and easy to read, and warnings are given in good time.
Database updates are frequent and they download fast. It would be nice for subscribers to have the option for automatic downloading. I would also like to see an option for automatic night mode such as most navigation programs use- the data is already included in the GPS data stream.
The community element of this concept is superb. The sheer number of users and the responsiveness of the site staff to submissions means there is unlikely to be much risk of being caught out. The weekly updates for subscribers at £20 per annum is good value, though the basic program with its single update may well suit those who do not drive much- the majority of camera sites do not change very often though the current political situation had seen more variability in active and suspended sites.
This has become one of my most used programs - in nearly 40 years of driving I have never had a speeding conviction, and I'm hoping CamerAlert will help prevent it for the foreseeable future!
