Snooper Indago
Discussion
Well after much deliberating over the Snooper Indago I finally made the purchase, Over the last few weeks I have posted a few times here to try to gain other users impressions of the Snooper Indago especially of how it compares with other Sat Navs such as those currently on offer from Navman, Tom Tom and Road Angel. I know there are others which I have not mentioned here but I was only considering Tom Tom, Road Angel and Snooper:
For anyone thinking of taking the plunge or just sitting on the fence like I was, you may find my comments hopefully useful. I am not saying that the Snooper Indago is the best unit currently on the Sat Nav market
but my requirement was for a decent Sat Nav with some real safety camera database which would be reliable.
I have been using a Navman Icn 510 for the last two years and to be honest that in my opinion always got me where I needed to go. However the Safety Camera data, and incomplete full postcode support where annoying for me.
I have had the opportunity to try out both the Tom Tom Go510 with trafic ( Not TMC ) and the Road Angel Navigator 6000. As regards the latter product I must say that in essence its a great idea and at the price £169.00 ( 24/02/07 great value for money and I found it fully functional and to a degree I liked it.
The biggest problem I had using it was that it froze up on a number of occasions during which time the screen was locked up and I had to keep powering the unit down and resetting it, highly irritating and disconcerting, could it be that the Road Angels OS windows CE was the culprit ? either way this was enough to put me off of the road angel which otherwise seemed to do what is states it will do.
The Tom Tom Go510 Traffic £ 269.99 was attractive but did a lot of things I do not require and the Saftey camera database seemed hit and miss, missing several mobile cameras and also some static Truvelos which have been up a good while. As I wanted decent Scammera support this seemed to be a compromise in my mind and I also found that the mapping screens seemed to be a tad behind at times with the spoken instructions. The interface is nice and intutitive but the whole thing seemed to be overblown with MP3 player ( which some folks want ( and other tricks which I really do not require.
So then what about the Snooper Indago ? well its a well thought out peice of kit, very WELL made and seems slick in operation and very very stable. Running on Linux OS gives me confidence in its stability and its a great looking product worth the money in my view. As a GPS Sat Nav and Safety Camera product its what the Road Angel should have been but never can manage to be. The unit is simple to operate with clear spoken commands which come at precisely the right time, the screen is never clutered and the mapping by Navteq looks traditional just like looking at well maps in a book. Sat in the screen of my van or car its always very clear to see and installing the software on the computer for the Enigma Database is simple.
The hardware that comes with the product is also quality with a decent window mount although I understand that Snooper are supplying a vent mount which in my case would be useful. Anyone considering the Snooper Indago would do well to check it out, I also had the opportunity to try the Snooper Syrius, nice unit with some small subtle differences like the Qwerty keyboard option ( Not available on the Indago ) widescreen aspect, and more some might say modern apperance. However after looking at the Indago the Syrius in my opinion seeems very lightweight, plasticky, and the screen seems to have far less contrast with small print on the street names, I would also say that the Syrius may not look so good after a year or two say against the metal robust construction of the Indago.
Ok its early days but as yet I cannot fault the Indago from its build quality and operational capabilties and I would say that for a Sat Nav / Safety Camera product this must be as near perfect as you can get at the time of this thread.
Hope this assists,
For anyone thinking of taking the plunge or just sitting on the fence like I was, you may find my comments hopefully useful. I am not saying that the Snooper Indago is the best unit currently on the Sat Nav market
but my requirement was for a decent Sat Nav with some real safety camera database which would be reliable.
I have been using a Navman Icn 510 for the last two years and to be honest that in my opinion always got me where I needed to go. However the Safety Camera data, and incomplete full postcode support where annoying for me.
I have had the opportunity to try out both the Tom Tom Go510 with trafic ( Not TMC ) and the Road Angel Navigator 6000. As regards the latter product I must say that in essence its a great idea and at the price £169.00 ( 24/02/07 great value for money and I found it fully functional and to a degree I liked it.
The biggest problem I had using it was that it froze up on a number of occasions during which time the screen was locked up and I had to keep powering the unit down and resetting it, highly irritating and disconcerting, could it be that the Road Angels OS windows CE was the culprit ? either way this was enough to put me off of the road angel which otherwise seemed to do what is states it will do.
The Tom Tom Go510 Traffic £ 269.99 was attractive but did a lot of things I do not require and the Saftey camera database seemed hit and miss, missing several mobile cameras and also some static Truvelos which have been up a good while. As I wanted decent Scammera support this seemed to be a compromise in my mind and I also found that the mapping screens seemed to be a tad behind at times with the spoken instructions. The interface is nice and intutitive but the whole thing seemed to be overblown with MP3 player ( which some folks want ( and other tricks which I really do not require.
So then what about the Snooper Indago ? well its a well thought out peice of kit, very WELL made and seems slick in operation and very very stable. Running on Linux OS gives me confidence in its stability and its a great looking product worth the money in my view. As a GPS Sat Nav and Safety Camera product its what the Road Angel should have been but never can manage to be. The unit is simple to operate with clear spoken commands which come at precisely the right time, the screen is never clutered and the mapping by Navteq looks traditional just like looking at well maps in a book. Sat in the screen of my van or car its always very clear to see and installing the software on the computer for the Enigma Database is simple.
The hardware that comes with the product is also quality with a decent window mount although I understand that Snooper are supplying a vent mount which in my case would be useful. Anyone considering the Snooper Indago would do well to check it out, I also had the opportunity to try the Snooper Syrius, nice unit with some small subtle differences like the Qwerty keyboard option ( Not available on the Indago ) widescreen aspect, and more some might say modern apperance. However after looking at the Indago the Syrius in my opinion seeems very lightweight, plasticky, and the screen seems to have far less contrast with small print on the street names, I would also say that the Syrius may not look so good after a year or two say against the metal robust construction of the Indago.
Ok its early days but as yet I cannot fault the Indago from its build quality and operational capabilties and I would say that for a Sat Nav / Safety Camera product this must be as near perfect as you can get at the time of this thread.
Hope this assists,
I got it here www.dsldevelopments.com/ You just need the Proclip (not the device holder) - select your vehicle and choose the relevant proclip. The proclip is flat, as is the back of the Indago, so I just got some self adhesive velcro from John Lewis and stuck the softer side to the Indago and the rough side to the proclip. It works perfectly - no wobble or vibration at all.
In terms of the Enigma database, in 6000 miles since I got it it has missed only 1 fixed camera and that was a new one in roadworks - I wrote to Snooper to tell them and they added it within a couple of weeks. The mobile sites are far less reliable.... certainly does pick up plenty of 'high risk areas' which I assume means potential mobile sites, However there are plenty it doesn't pick up. Again I wrote to Snooper and they said that they are doing a major upgrade this year using local camera partnership and police information to add lots more mobile camera sites. Fingers crossed!
Cheers
In terms of the Enigma database, in 6000 miles since I got it it has missed only 1 fixed camera and that was a new one in roadworks - I wrote to Snooper to tell them and they added it within a couple of weeks. The mobile sites are far less reliable.... certainly does pick up plenty of 'high risk areas' which I assume means potential mobile sites, However there are plenty it doesn't pick up. Again I wrote to Snooper and they said that they are doing a major upgrade this year using local camera partnership and police information to add lots more mobile camera sites. Fingers crossed!
Cheers
Thanks for that I will have a look, As regards the Enigma Database I did call snooper and spoke with one of there experts regarding the mobile issues. In my area they have just put up a large Specs system and the Snooper Enigma database gave notification of this system which at present has a temporary licence during major roadworks.
Like you say the mobile sites are a worry and I discussed this with the Guy at Snooper who told me that the Enigma team ONLY list a site when they are able to prove and witness it. ie. one of them must drive the site and see a mobile van for it to be a valid site !
The reason given for this modus operandi is that unlike say the Road Angel Database which is littered with false alarms the Enigma Database deals with proven fact only. The mobile sites are gave as examples are sites in my area all five of them that have been in exisistance for the best part of 4 years ! and during this time not ONE of their Enigma Team has driven any of these sites and witnessed them, Mm worrying if you are thniking of relying purely on Enigma. Certainly a major update is required in this specific department by snooper especially cosnidering the sixty pounds a year subscription.
However none of these databases are perfect they all seem to have strengths and weaknesses in my opinion and I will also have a road angel in my vehicle to augment the Snooper, that way I have the best and worse of both systems. The Snooper Indago is a nice GPS and has taken me to to difficult to find addresses and is simple to operate.
If the people at Snooper ie. Performance Products Snoop this site and forum they would do well to listen to the users of Snooper products who pay a premium price for their products and if they can plug the gap in their Enigma Database with mobiles then the Enigma product would be far more complete and attract possibly more sales.
How bout it Snooper are you listening ?????????????
Like you say the mobile sites are a worry and I discussed this with the Guy at Snooper who told me that the Enigma team ONLY list a site when they are able to prove and witness it. ie. one of them must drive the site and see a mobile van for it to be a valid site !
The reason given for this modus operandi is that unlike say the Road Angel Database which is littered with false alarms the Enigma Database deals with proven fact only. The mobile sites are gave as examples are sites in my area all five of them that have been in exisistance for the best part of 4 years ! and during this time not ONE of their Enigma Team has driven any of these sites and witnessed them, Mm worrying if you are thniking of relying purely on Enigma. Certainly a major update is required in this specific department by snooper especially cosnidering the sixty pounds a year subscription.
However none of these databases are perfect they all seem to have strengths and weaknesses in my opinion and I will also have a road angel in my vehicle to augment the Snooper, that way I have the best and worse of both systems. The Snooper Indago is a nice GPS and has taken me to to difficult to find addresses and is simple to operate.
If the people at Snooper ie. Performance Products Snoop this site and forum they would do well to listen to the users of Snooper products who pay a premium price for their products and if they can plug the gap in their Enigma Database with mobiles then the Enigma product would be far more complete and attract possibly more sales.
How bout it Snooper are you listening ?????????????
Couple of things there - first of all I only paid a one off 99 quid for lifetime subscription to the database.... not sure if this was an offer which has now expired... I bought mine at Christmas.
On the subject of whether a mobile site actually IS a mobile site - I would have thought that rather than rely on the random off chance of a snooper agent physically seeing a camera van, a better source of 'factual' information would be to use the notifications that the police and local camera partnerships are obliged to issue whenever they designate a new mobile camera site... I understand that they must do this to avoid the 'entrapment' defence.
I think it's an excuse by Snooper personally - they should just emply someone to systematically go through each area's information (freely available on web eg. here:www.suffolksafecam.co.uk/) and visit each site and add the co-ordinates. Not rocket science.
On the subject of whether a mobile site actually IS a mobile site - I would have thought that rather than rely on the random off chance of a snooper agent physically seeing a camera van, a better source of 'factual' information would be to use the notifications that the police and local camera partnerships are obliged to issue whenever they designate a new mobile camera site... I understand that they must do this to avoid the 'entrapment' defence.
I think it's an excuse by Snooper personally - they should just emply someone to systematically go through each area's information (freely available on web eg. here:www.suffolksafecam.co.uk/) and visit each site and add the co-ordinates. Not rocket science.
I agree with that entirely Bd, if snooper have this team of dedicated snoopers then accurate mobile site records would benefit all snooper customers as well as Snooper themeselves. Mind you I have checked my local Saftey Camera partnership website but LOL they only publish generalised areas such as towns where mobiles will be located along with the month of the operation.
I was told that Partnerships required permision two weeks in advance to operate a mobile site but my camera partnership reckons they have no legal requirement to publish any details of where they intend operating ?
Anyone know what the legislation is on Safety Camera Partnerships to make this info available at to what degree do they have to provide any detail?
I was told that Partnerships required permision two weeks in advance to operate a mobile site but my camera partnership reckons they have no legal requirement to publish any details of where they intend operating ?
Anyone know what the legislation is on Safety Camera Partnerships to make this info available at to what degree do they have to provide any detail?
Yep, I think that's the question. If the answer is that it's obligitory and must be specific then we have our answer. If it's optional and / or general then unfortunately it's less black and white.
Either way, incorporating this public data (whatever its integrity) has got to be better than relying on the human snooper spotters.
I think Snooper grossly oversell the current mobile site capability... sale of goods act? Trades description?
Either way, incorporating this public data (whatever its integrity) has got to be better than relying on the human snooper spotters.
I think Snooper grossly oversell the current mobile site capability... sale of goods act? Trades description?
I must say that I do agree with this, It cannot be beyond the wit of those at Snooper to address this hole in their database. Mobile Locations present the biggest threat in my view and an early warning even withstanding the possibilty that the site is not live at the time must be better than no early warning.
I have incidentially now taken up Snoopers Trade in Offer so I also get lifetime updates by returning an old product to them under their trade in scheme. I feel more comfortable with this arrangment as it allows me to subscribe to a cheaper or free database which offers far more warnings of these mobile sites.
The Snooper Indago is a great product in my opionion even taking into account the poor mobile support of the much raved Enigma database. I have been using the indago for a few days now and have been taken exactly door to door each time ans the unit is very accurate against what I have used or seen in action thus far. The bottom line of all of this BD is that I was hoping that the Snooper Indago would offer a one stop, one unit solution for my driving needs but at present that seems to elude me and others due to the mobile downfalls, so for me I will use a second device for the mobile sites as the Indago fixed camera support seems to be bang on.
Its an Enigma to me why Snooper have chosen to adopt this position over the mobile sites but if they are not very careful prospective buyers using this site and reading the end users exeriences of the Snooper Enigma Database may well be steered away from Snooper products in favour of other manufactuerers products with more comprehensive all round camera support.
For anyone looking at the Indago its a great unit which is very appealing until you pass that van without any warning and you think christ ! £400.00 quids worth and £ 5.00 a month and they did'nt warn me !
I have incidentially now taken up Snoopers Trade in Offer so I also get lifetime updates by returning an old product to them under their trade in scheme. I feel more comfortable with this arrangment as it allows me to subscribe to a cheaper or free database which offers far more warnings of these mobile sites.
The Snooper Indago is a great product in my opionion even taking into account the poor mobile support of the much raved Enigma database. I have been using the indago for a few days now and have been taken exactly door to door each time ans the unit is very accurate against what I have used or seen in action thus far. The bottom line of all of this BD is that I was hoping that the Snooper Indago would offer a one stop, one unit solution for my driving needs but at present that seems to elude me and others due to the mobile downfalls, so for me I will use a second device for the mobile sites as the Indago fixed camera support seems to be bang on.
Its an Enigma to me why Snooper have chosen to adopt this position over the mobile sites but if they are not very careful prospective buyers using this site and reading the end users exeriences of the Snooper Enigma Database may well be steered away from Snooper products in favour of other manufactuerers products with more comprehensive all round camera support.
For anyone looking at the Indago its a great unit which is very appealing until you pass that van without any warning and you think christ ! £400.00 quids worth and £ 5.00 a month and they did'nt warn me !
Yes, just for the avoidance of doubt, I too think the Indago is a great product and I did a LOT of research before plumpig for it - I still believe it's the best 'all in one' in terms of function, design and build quality. If Snooper improve their mobile site location alerts it will be unbeatable.
With 9 points on my licence I only use the unit as a back up to my religious adherence to the prevailing speed limit anyway!!
With 9 points on my licence I only use the unit as a back up to my religious adherence to the prevailing speed limit anyway!!
Very happy with mine which I've had for long while now. 
I'm really not impressed with mine.
I had to send the first unit back as it was taking over 45 minutes to lock on to the satellites, and the replacement unit is not much better.
It lacks the facility to input multiple waypoints for a route.
I agree that it is easy to use, well made, and eth screen is clear... but that fact that it doesn't know where i am really defeats the object. I am now looking for a suitable replacement.
I had to send the first unit back as it was taking over 45 minutes to lock on to the satellites, and the replacement unit is not much better.
It lacks the facility to input multiple waypoints for a route.
I agree that it is easy to use, well made, and eth screen is clear... but that fact that it doesn't know where i am really defeats the object. I am now looking for a suitable replacement.
E2DJH said:
I'm really not impressed with mine.
I had to send the first unit back as it was taking over 45 minutes to lock on to the satellites, and the replacement unit is not much better.
It lacks the facility to input multiple waypoints for a route.
I agree that it is easy to use, well made, and eth screen is clear... but that fact that it doesn't know where i am really defeats the object. I am now looking for a suitable replacement.
Mine locks on very fast. How do you mean, it doesn't know where you are?I had to send the first unit back as it was taking over 45 minutes to lock on to the satellites, and the replacement unit is not much better.
It lacks the facility to input multiple waypoints for a route.
I agree that it is easy to use, well made, and eth screen is clear... but that fact that it doesn't know where i am really defeats the object. I am now looking for a suitable replacement.
Any reviews might be worth putting into the reviews section: http://www.pistonheads.com/reviews/products.asp?c=...
Nice review by the way
K
Nice review by the way
K
E2DJH said:
Tafia said:
Mine locks on very fast. How do you mean, it doesn't know where you are?
Yes, it doesn't know where i am, for up to 40 minutes after switching it on.It doesn't matter whether i am in the car, at home, or elsewhere. I must be just "unlucky" i suppose.
So, based on what Snooper told me, I suggest you contact their Tech Support and tell them the problem. They might be able to help you.
Cheers
T
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