The Origin B2 comes in a very discreet white box with plenty of good instructions - but also a kit like that from Blue Peter. The unit cradle needs plugging in to the accessory 12v supply. The GPS unit needs a wire running to its location on the dash board and the (optional and currently ... Read review
Advantages: Base unit is highly portable, visibility of unit in situ Disadvantages: Lots of wires to connect before you can get started
The Origin B2 comes in a very discreet white box with plenty of good instructions - but also a kit like that from Blue Peter. The unit cradle needs plugging in to the accessory 12v supply. The GPS unit needs a wire running to its location on the dash board and the (optional and currently legal) laser detector needs the same amount of wiring. The installation is not for the faint hearted - get someone who is confident to install it for you. The installation ... ...to use/update. The locations of all blackspots, schools and fixed camera sites and highlighted when on the move. The vooice warning is crystal clear reminding you of the speed limit of the area you are in. The schools programming is smart it will only trigger during the danger times (start, end and lunch) and not during august. This is a very good unit - up there with the best with great functions and great database (£50 per year subscription), ease ... more
The Origin B2 comes in a very discreet white box with plenty of good instructions - but also a kit like that from Blue Peter. The unit cradle needs plugging in to the accessory 12v supply. The GPS unit needs a wire running to its location on the dash board and the (optional and currently legal) laser detector needs the same amount of wiring. The installation is not for the faint hearted - get someone who is confident to install it for you. The installation aside, this is one very good unit, clear and easy to use/update. The locations of all blackspots, schools and fixed camera sites and highlighted when on the move. The vooice warning is crystal clear reminding you of the speed limit of the area you are in. The schools programming is smart it will only trigger during the danger times (start, end and lunch) and not during august. This is a very good unit - up there with the best with great functions and great database (£50 per year subscription), ease of use - with the exception of the difficult install.
Advantages: Looks like a solid piece of electronic kit Disadvantages: Didnt notice over half of the many speed cameras near me
I bought one of these but returned it as it didn't recognise most of the speed cameras near me in north London. Maybe that's the price of a free database. I changed to an OriginB2, which was great.
Drive-Smart had awful customer service. The Royal Mail lost the returned unit for a few months, but after that Drive-Smart claimed not to have received it. When the Royal Mail produced a signature, Drive-Smart just stopped answering my letters, emails and phone calls (they always go to a recording machine, not a human). Result: I lost the cost of the unit.
I took them to court and they were ordered to refund the cost of the unit and my costs. It will be interesting to see if they pay voluntarily or whether I have to call in the bailiffs.
For obvious reasons I would not recommend this unit. The database might have improved by now ...
Thog 25.01.2007 (01.03.2007)
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