Advice on detectors
Discussion
I am looking into buying a detector and would appreciate some advice on which types to buy. I am looking at a detector to pick up all the normal forms of radar. There are so many availible and it is rather confusing. I would rather be prewarned about Gatsos etc , rather than looking in my rear view mirror when I have passed a camera, or looking at motorway bridges rather than the road ahead!!
Plenty of other threads on this subject, so do a search as well.
Last Nov, I bought a Bel 550 radar detector after getting advice that the Bel and the Valentine were the best on the market in terms of radar detectors. I did not want to have the hassle of having to regularly update a GPS based system all the time. It didn't take long for me to realise that I'd made the wrong choice, as the Bel550 won't pick up Specs, Truvelo or anything non radar/laser based.
As such I've now upgraded to the Origin b2, and the update of the data base is a piece of cake. It picks up everything and I'd generally recommend it... there's a review in the review section on it, which I would concur with.
A friend has a Road Angel which he is equally impressed with. An Autocar review a couple of months ago rated the Origin b2 as their top choice.... in general I would just say that a GPS based system with updatable database IMHO is the way to go.
>> Edited by tony_996hasgone on Wednesday 1st October 11:08
Last Nov, I bought a Bel 550 radar detector after getting advice that the Bel and the Valentine were the best on the market in terms of radar detectors. I did not want to have the hassle of having to regularly update a GPS based system all the time. It didn't take long for me to realise that I'd made the wrong choice, as the Bel550 won't pick up Specs, Truvelo or anything non radar/laser based.
As such I've now upgraded to the Origin b2, and the update of the data base is a piece of cake. It picks up everything and I'd generally recommend it... there's a review in the review section on it, which I would concur with.
A friend has a Road Angel which he is equally impressed with. An Autocar review a couple of months ago rated the Origin b2 as their top choice.... in general I would just say that a GPS based system with updatable database IMHO is the way to go.
>> Edited by tony_996hasgone on Wednesday 1st October 11:08
s and it won't detect them
One point of difference in terms of practicality to note between the Road Angel and the Origin b2 is that whilst the RA is comparatively quite bulky (6"x4"x3" at a guess) it can be moved from car to car quite easily as the antenna is in the unit itself. The Ob2 is much smaller (i.e. pager size), however it fits into a cradle system much like a mobile phone, and has a separate antenna. This cradle unit and antenna are not easily moved from car to car, as there is more wiring, so if you want to use the Ob2 in different cars then you have to buy additional cradles and antenna.
2ba 355 said:
Tony,
Radar Zone are selling the OB2 at £424.00( is that a good price?) I can't find networx on the web? Also do you need to Purchase a separate modem aswell or do you connect it to your laptop/computer?
James
£429 seems to be the new purchase price. I traded in my Origin Blue i to get it. Fantastic piece of equipment. You only need a modem if you haven't got a PC with internet connection to do the downloads. Plug a cable into a serial socket, and connect to the b2, plug in the supplied power lead, install the software on the PC, and click update. Very, very simple, and quick.
Couple of pics:
LB
206xsi said:
Only got one car, and as it has a thin metal sheet to reflect the sun's heat in the windscreen my 550 is only about 50% efficient. Need to replace!
You'll potentially have the same issue with the antenna for a GPS unit, so with the RA you might have to buy an extenal one and put it on the rear parcel shelf. With the Ob2 the wiring that comes as standard would allow you to put the antenna on the rear parcel shelf.... this is common issue and the user guide specifically refers to it.
Has anyone seen the new GPS unit from Morpheous (Micro Road Pilot)? GPS aerial and a tiny backlit display unit which looks like it would be really easy to install unobtrusively. I wonder how that compares to the Origin and Road Angel - any one know?
I have a Geodesy unit at the moment, but that's got no external displays and lacks some of the features of the newer products. Of course, it seems to be built like a brick outhouse so can't really justify spending money on a new toy.
I have a Geodesy unit at the moment, but that's got no external displays and lacks some of the features of the newer products. Of course, it seems to be built like a brick outhouse so can't really justify spending money on a new toy.
just got rid of my Road Angel for the Origin B2
Quite frankly one cant begin to compare the two systems.
The RA is the most basic form of GPS detecting gatsos and specs and it is very good at that.
The problem is that there are many things is does not detect, ie ds2 sites and when approaching a site the RA bleeps infuriatingly during the entire run up period to the hazard. Also no radar
The things with the origin B2 is that you can set it to only sound an alert if you are OVER the limit. It supports a jammer directly and whats more it will have intelligent radar added in a few months.
The problem with radar detectors is that one gets far to many false alarms( a camera on the opposite side of tyhe road for example. With the radar option it is integrated into the GPS system so should be good!!
Quite frankly one cant begin to compare the two systems.
The RA is the most basic form of GPS detecting gatsos and specs and it is very good at that.
The problem is that there are many things is does not detect, ie ds2 sites and when approaching a site the RA bleeps infuriatingly during the entire run up period to the hazard. Also no radar
The things with the origin B2 is that you can set it to only sound an alert if you are OVER the limit. It supports a jammer directly and whats more it will have intelligent radar added in a few months.
The problem with radar detectors is that one gets far to many false alarms( a camera on the opposite side of tyhe road for example. With the radar option it is integrated into the GPS system so should be good!!
I have a Road Angel Laser, and am very impressed with it. I haven't experienced any mobile laser devices so can't comment on that side, but it picks up all the fixed cameras and accident blackspots without a problem.
I particularly find the digital speedometer useful, as it is more accurate than the car speedo, and I tend to look at it all the time.
Also I like the fact that I can easily use the same unit in my girlfriends car, and any other vehicles I may use as part of my job.
The GPS receiver is very sensitive and normally receives 7 satellites at one time.
Also I connect it to my Ipaq PDA with TomTom Navigator 2 software, using a serial cable, and this gives me GPS road navigation with voice prompts.
The RA is very easy to use and recomend it
I particularly find the digital speedometer useful, as it is more accurate than the car speedo, and I tend to look at it all the time.
Also I like the fact that I can easily use the same unit in my girlfriends car, and any other vehicles I may use as part of my job.
The GPS receiver is very sensitive and normally receives 7 satellites at one time.
Also I connect it to my Ipaq PDA with TomTom Navigator 2 software, using a serial cable, and this gives me GPS road navigation with voice prompts.
The RA is very easy to use and recomend it
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