Difference between Garmin red light subscription and POI Factory red light file

I didn't know that garmin had a red light camera file. My locations are updated every wednesday from data that is send in by users of this site and by research that I do on my own through government websites.

Miss Poi

I looked on the Garmin website and I couldn't find where they offer the red light subscription directly from them. Can you pass on where you saw this information?

I saw that the site lists custom POI searches and from that list, other sites offer subscriptions. (http://www8.garmin.com/products/poiloader/POISource/) It looks like a few sites offer it for the US and other countries in the world. Are you comparing this site to one of those sites perhaps?

I'm curious to see what Garmin is offering in terms of service. Personally, I think this site is great, and I enjoy not only the services (like red light camera and POI files) but interacting with other people who are interested in their GPS and related techology. Thanks.

Below is what Garmin offers and their prices. The database does not cover the US. I do not know the coverage of poi factory red light enforcement subscription but I guess it does not cover european countries. The Garmin details are below which you can see on MyGarmin:

Belgium + Luxembourg 29.00 GBP 44.00 EUR

France 29.00 GBP 44.00 EUR

France + Benelux 49.00 GBP 75.00 EUR

Netherlands 29.00 GBP 44.00 EUR

Spain + Portugal 29.00 GBP 44.00 EUR

United Kingdom 39.00 GBP 55.00 EUR

Garmin also offers a 90-day trial subscription for safety camera updates, included with compatible Garmin devices.
I am unable to take advantage of this offer because I do not live in Europe.

bak276 said it already. It is on the "myGarmin" website that you can access after registering your unit.
Of course I missed the fact that this service is only available in Europe.

Thanks for the comments and answering my question.

(As noted in other posts - the regions covered are not the same.)

The Garmin database is supplied as a .GPI file that is locked to an individual unit. The alerts generate slightly different 'banners' to those created with POI Loader and are directional. Possibly the "Content Toolkit" will allow this type of alert database to be built (when it is finally released).

In the UK at least, the quality of Garmin's data is not particularly good (when compared with the competition) and it is expensive (especially if you have more than one unit).

for the UK. The speed cameras are all over the place so the alerts were constantly going off.

I have a Garmin SP 550C and would like to upload Red light location where do I find them I already uploaded Garmin POI Installer.

Joe

Located on this site. See the tab at the top of the page. Cost is $5 unless you have been an active member of this site.

We now have a $20 yearly subscription option also along with the $5 for a month option.

Miss Poi

Thanks for ther info looks like a great site

anyone know why they do not include the US?

Miss POI, Does a $20 subscription give me a years access to the red light camera file? If so, I'm signing up today!!! (The file alone is worth more than that....and the cool info on the rest of the site is priceless.)

yup it gives you all access to the red light file for a whole year.

Miss Poi

...thanks for this, the red light file ! It's really worth the price of admission. It goes off before you ever know you are approaching a RLC.

JMKThird

great help

All the safety and red light cameras started in Europe. It's not that wide spread in the U.S. Just give them time, they will not miss an opportunity to make more money.

Hi. I'm new here and have a question regarding the data for this file. Where I live we recently had a ton of cameras installed that the authorities say are NOT for red light enforcement but, instead, are used to switch the lights rather than using the under-the-road pressure plates which were in place prior to extensive road work.

How do you ensure that the data sent in by folks and then incorporated into your file is correct? I already have a small red light camera POI file but I would definitely be interested in adding to it. However, I wouldn't want to have alerts going off all the time for cameras that aren't actually red light enforcement cameras.

I am a pretty good investigator and have many different resources that I use to verify the locations. I usually know ahead of time which cities are looking at getting red light cameras so when a new city comes through that I have not been researching I will do an investigation.

Miss Poi

hi
i am new here, i have few locations with red light cameras.
cameras are in vancouver, Richmond, delta and surrey

I saw that i can earn active status so i can download the updated red light camera files in here

so is it better for me send you one by one so i can earn the active status or i send you at least 10 locations all together ?
and then i can download the updated red light camera file?

i am still trying to find more location because i havent be able to find any website with red light cameras for BC canada
I already collected more than 20 locations.

Highlander,
You can also earn active member status just by joining us in our discussions here in forum land like you just did:) You can send them any way you would like to the report a enforcement camera link to the right of your screen.

Welcome to the site;)

Miss Poi

garmin is selling files for EUROPE ONLY, not US

Hi: just a quick word about garmin files; Im sure they are good, great,etc however, they can't privide the excellent information and personal support from the great members of the poi factory website!!

i believe the Garmin camera lists are speed camera in Europe

Is it legal in Europe and not legal in USA and canada to load the safety cameras files? I still do not understand why Garmin doesn't offer this for North America!

Would be nice to have a POI file for intersections and road segments with higher than average accidents.

Jen

In Kingsport TN if you look at the 6 intersections that have red light cams in place - they are also the intersections that over time have had higher than average accidents - when they looked at putting the cams in that was the biggest thing they looked at - so if other cities where cams are, used that to place cams we may already have the POI file for intersections with higher than average accidents.

Oh and just a side note 5 more red light cams coming to Kingsport soon

I can just see it...

"Local law enforcement officials recently confiscated a truckload of GPS units that were configured to identify speed enforcement cameras/sites and cheat local jurisdictions of their right to a cash grab of loads of money from motorists using red light & speed enforcement cameras."

Bad enough to be in one of the largest per capita redlight & speed enforcement camera cities in North America without some ... polition trying to confiscate GPS units!!!!

Vis

Does your file contain both speed & red light cameras?

yup, we actually have 2 files available for subscribers / active users. The speed camera file is a new item we started earlier this year.

Miss Poi

miss poi-
I was looking for the speed camera file but I didn't see it. Is the file included as a part of the red light camera file (and maybe I just haven't passed a speed camera yet)?

If you could point me in the right direction. Thanks!!

It is part of the package that you download now that you have active member status. Both files are in the download together.

Miss Poi

If I want to report new speed/safety camera location and want to make sure I don't mention previous one that is already on your list how can I confirm if I don't have the package you provided here?

Go ahead and use the report an enforcement camera link to the right of your screen and let me know which intersection it is in. It may be one that I already have but that is ok, it is nice to have a visual confirmation of them.

Miss Poi

This thread got me thinking. Do any cities use portable speed cameras? Like the portable trailers that display your speed to you, with a camera attached?

The city of Fullerton, CA does have such trailers, they move them around. They display your speed and the speed limit. A waste of tax money if you ask me. They don't photograph or issue tickets. I think that is illegal in California, at least so far.

Also, I noticed in the news the state of Arizona has just contracted for 5 portable speed traffic enforcement cameras. They are run by a contractor (probably Redflex), are expected to create very significant revenue for the state, and are installed in Hybrid Ford Escape SUVs.

This is after a freeway speed camera test in which Scottsdale, AZ earned $20 million in less that a year.

Personally I like to face my accuser, and this is a great reason to wear your glasses with the fake moustache and big rubber nose while driving, at least in Arizona.

As for red light cameras, it just makes sense to put your hand up in front of your face when you pass the limit line just in case. Heh.

Yeah, I've considered wearing a gorilla mask while driving in Ventura and Oxnard.

I imagine the portable speed units would generate more money. After a while the set ones would be known to all the locals and you would mostly just catch out if towners. The portable ones would get everyone....at least until the description of the Escape started getting around.

The Illinois State Police have portable speed cameras that are used on the tollways in construction zones. The City of Chicago has a lot of permanent red light cameras installed throughout the City. I know...my wife received a ticket in the mail for turning right on red when she shouldn't have.

Yep, they actually have a bunch of them now. I hope they have at least figured out a way to power their equipment other than having the vehicle running at idle all day adding even more pollution to the already polluted air around here.

In my area the GPS would be lighting up all the time with accident prone areas AND red light cameras. Doh!

Here in Albuquerque they use Redflex for redlight/speed cameras as well as mobile units called the REDFLEXspeed Mobile System. http://www.redflex.com.au/html/usa/prd_M_Speed.html The city purchased (or leases) four of them. They used one outside of my neighborhood for a couple days before moving it on. It looks like any other white van you would see parked on the side of the road so it gets lots of people by surprise.

Is there any way to get informed when this file is updated?

If you are asking about the POI Factory Red Light Camera file, it is updated every Wednesday. If you go to this page: http://www.poi-factory.com/node/1352 you can see if your state has had updates.

Miss Poi

It's updated weekly

Missed by a minute...

Hey there. I'm new to the site and want to say hello first of all.

Are usual mobile locations covered in the file? I live in Edmonton Alberta and there are known locations for speed traps. When they are in these areas, they are always parked in the same general area. Just curious as to whether these are included.

As for the idling the vehicle comment, they just passed a bylaw here that your not allowed to idle your vehicle or you could receive a fine...yet the photo radar vehicles idle for hours. Funny.

Wecome to the site
POI Factory tracks fixed location red light and speed cameras; not temporary speed traps.

If the same several locations are used on various different days, a POI file could still help to remind of where the traps might be. Not a great situation, but better than nothing.

Aren't Texas Speed Traps in that category???

Fred

Europe???????????????

And I have both, poi has a lot of false alerts, I can imagine it's like anything else (take area codes), it grows and grows and it's easy to add new locations, but is somehow difficult to edit i.e. remove non-existent locations. With Cyclops, I've never knowingly had a false alert, never. Whether it's missed a location, I can't say as I've not experienced it (doesn't mean it doesn't happen).

Poi imho would seriously need people who live in Dallas, NYC, DC, to report the false alerts otherwise it will just be the way it is. I've told myself better to have a false alert than none at all, though I'm beginning to wonder about that...