Hot Spot Audio Alerts

SIMPLE OPERATION:

Open app. Click “Start Driving” to enable hot spot alerts. Obey the alerts. Click “Stop Driving” when you arrive.

HOW THEY WORK:

  • Audio alerts are for trap hot spots, NOT active pins on map. Active trap audio alerts aren't built yet. (They're complex)
  • Hot spots are permanent alert zones which will warn 100% of red light cams, 97% of mobile photo radar zones, and many other frequent traps like stop sign traps.
  • Hot spots are predictive, and will warn even if a trap hasn't been reported by a user yet.
  • Hot spots are updated, added, and removed as current trap trends change.
  • Make sure you have the updated hot spot file by clicking the menu in top left, then the rotating refresh button in that menu.
  • You can enable/disable alert categories at your own risk, to reduce false alerts.

OPERATION FUNCTIONS:

Clicking “Start Driving” enables audio alerts:

-GPS will begin constant pinging your location to find if you're in a hot spot.

-GPS ping causes battery drain. It's built well, but ensure you have a car charger.

-Map screen will follow your location, at any zoom you prefer.

Clicking “STOP Driving” upon arrival will end audio alerts:

-GPS stops pinging, and battery drain stops.

-Map screen stops following you.

-You can use app to pan and search traps like previous versions.

THE ACTUAL ALERTS:

An audio alert will trigger upon entry of a hot spot, and upon exit of the zone including:

Type trap:

-Red light cam: enforces red light stops and speed. Alerts only occur in enforcement direction.

-Photo radar: Mobile photo vehicles. Wait for exit alerts as they hide and have extended range.

-Police trap: Frequent officer operated police traps ahead. Demerits accompanied.

-Stop signs, other: The alert will caution you of the applicable trap.

Applicable speed limit:

-Speed limits will auto change based on time. Accurate limits for construction zones will play. When 30 is applicable, you'll hear 30. When 50 is applicable, you'll hear 50. No guesswork.

WHAT THEY DO NOT DO:

  • They DO NOT guarantee traffic ticket avoidance!
  • They DO NOT play audio for active traps (the pins on the map). That isn't built yet.
  • Hot spots DO NOT show visually on the map. Even though you can't see them, they're still there.
  • They DO NOT play for ALL school zones. Only the ones known to be enforced, at the times they're known to enforce them. This reduces false alerts.
  • They DO NOT alert photo radar past 10pm, because photo goes to sleep then.
  • They DO NOT alert red light cams in unenforced directions. Only applicable directions.
  • They DO NOT warn if photo is not known to enforce there. Fewer false alerts.


WHAT THEY DO DO:

  • They DO alert for 97% of photo radar zones, 100% of red light cams, and many other hot spots.
  • They DO play in the background so you don't need to look at your phone while driving.
  • They DO play in the background simultaneously while using other navigation apps.
  • They DO play via phone speaker or car speaker on bluetooth/AUX, just like phone music.
  • They SHOULD play in background on Android Auto and Apple Car play, when phone connected.
  • They DO interrupt background phone music, so you can listen to both at once.
  • They DO play correct speed limits at the correct times in enforcement zones.
  • If on zone boundary, alerts may go in/out/in/out. Happens when driving slowly. Bug to be fixed later.


KNOWN BUGS:

  • ANDROID: Audio crashing without warning. Click "Start Driving" again to re-engage. Working on fix.
  • ANDROID: Trouble playing audio in background/lock screen mode. Use foreground for now. Investigating.
  • ANDROID: Rare "late exit" alerts have been reported. Should be rare. Investigating.
  • IOS: Trouble playing background mode. Use foreground for now. Investigating.
  • IOS: Apple Car Play issues. App not fully compatible with ACP. Use phone audio if having issues.
  • IOS: One crashing/freezing issue reported. Restart the app. Investigating

If you experience these bugs and find known ways of replicating them, please tell us to help us fix easier.


TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE:

DO NOT REINSTALL APP! App will have to re-download hot spots. Try the steps below first:

  • Do you have "Start Driving" button on app topbar? If not, update your app. You have an old version.
  • Is your phone media/sound turned on? Press the “Sound Check” button in menu, a sound should play.
  • Did your phone auto connect to a bluetooth device without your knowing?
  • Did you refresh your hot spots in the menu?
  • Are you connected to Wifi or Data while refreshing? Internet connection required for hot spot update.
  • Are alert loaders reaching 100% on bottom of screen? If not, alerts haven't downloaded.
  • Do alert categories (Red light cams, etc) appear in the menu? If not, alerts haven't downloaded.
  • Do you have available storage space? Hot spots store on your phone like a file. No space=No hot spots.
  • Have you turned on the alert categories you wish to receive (Red light cams, etc)? Check the sliders.
  • Did you remember to press “Start Driving” to turn alerts on?
  • Did a sound play when you pressed "Start Driving"?
  • Is your GPS enabled? This is a GPS reliant service.
  • Is your phone time correct? If phone time is wrong, alerts will trigger incorrectly. Use automatic time.
  • Is sound working in foreground but not background? Use foreground only for now.
  • If this doesn't solve, try force stopping the app and restarting it.


If this still doesn't solve it, contact TrapSpy on FB messenger here with:

-A detailed note of the issue you're experiencing.

-The time, day, location and direction of travel this occurred (some alerts are time and direction sensitive and may be working correctly).

-As much detail of how to replicate the issue you're experiencing.