DRIVESMART GPS & PULSE MASTER DETECTORS Only 1 Left!

[stephendell]

DriveSmart relaunched in new packaging at new low RRP of only £189!!

(Only £159 for RAOC members)

Pulse Master external Laser Detector (including the new stealth guns) RRP £59

(Only £39 for RAOC members)

Review coming from www.pocketgps.co.uk in the next 10 days and they are gong to state that the DriveSmart is the most advanced and innovative product in the GPS market place today.

Also a HUD (heads up display) add on for the DS prototyping later this month. It will be the worlds first full colour HUD and will display loads of cool stuff on the windscreen.

Still no subscription

See below for more details.

http://www.renaultalpine.co.uk/gps_camera_detector.htm

Stephen, have you tested one yet?
The reviews seem to be good, only -ve seems to be the "slightly bigger than others" comments, but as it was designed by/for the military, then the size will be related to the use of more-robust and bigger componants. so should be very reliable indeed.

[stephendell]

Yes

Got mine & it works fine.

Yes it's bigger than the others (see the photo with the phone on top) and it's not the most attractive unit (so should match the GTA dash perfectly ) , but the construction is all top spec and the holux GPS engine is the business.

But the clincher has to be no subscription charges and it works throughout europe.

I don't really care what it looks like. I've got an original Renault in-car phone in my car, screwed to the passenger side of the centre console! Proper Miami Vice Must post a pic of it.

Stephen, if you post a review of it when you get yours, I'll probably take one. I want it more for the speed display because I've no idea how accurate my speedo is!

[stephendell]

I want it more for the speed display because I've no idea how accurate my speedo is!

Likewise for most GTA owners

[stephendell]

Here's the review I think Simon's referring to:

Drivesmart

The DriveSmart unit comes from a military electronics background. Our first impressions were that it was a little bigger than some of the other units on the market but then they are using weapons grade components which can be a little larger but consequently more reliable. The real question is how does it perform on the road? Satellite lock is quick and reliable, volume levels good (and adjustable), and the LCD display is brightly lit and the digital speedo responds quickly. The GPS antenna is on a cable which is a plus if you have a heat reflective windscreen. We adhered the antenna to the top of the unit to make it easily portable between cars.

The big selling point for the DriveSmart is the fact that there are no ongoing subscriptions to pay for database updates, a first at the time of writing (Feb '05). Naturally this would lead its competitors to question the quality of the database so when put to test we were pleased to find that it alerted us to every camera we challenged it with. DriveSmart also goes one stage further by having data for many EU countries also included as it has been designed for use across Europe. Therefore if you are regular travellers in mainland Europe then this unit is particularly suitable for you. One small downside is the use of symbols to indicate settings such as volume and satellite strength, obviously used to be universally applicable across Europe, but if you actually make an effort to read the manual then all becomes clear and you quickly get acquainted with them.

The update software is very easy to use. Rather than connecting to the manufacturers computer to download updates an encrypted database is posted on the website for you to save to your computer and you simply click to add the database to your unit as you would open any file on a Windows PC. The same method is used for you to load any audio/voice warning you like to the system instead of using the standard ones supplied and any .wav file can be used. The unit plugs in using a USB cable and communicates via COM3 port on most PCs. Upload the files, select save to unit and then turn the DriveSmart on, not before, and it will automatically detect and load.

So should you get one? If you do not want to be committed to subscriptions then yes, and if you drive in Europe more than once a year then yes again. You need about 5 square inches of fairly level dashboard to sit the unit on, so the only thing we would not recommend it for is small curvy dashboards.

What we like
Free updates - who wouldn't!
European database coverage


What we don't like
Rather large unit

[stephendell]

You can read the user guide here:

http://www.drive-smart.co.uk/Manual_V7.3_English.pdf

You can even upload your own .wav files for the warning messages

Will it work in Northern Ireland though? I know that Sat Nav over here is sh1t. It doesn't work outside Belfast!

[stephendell]

Hi Liam, I've checked with the manufacturers for you. Will let you know ASAP

[stephendell]

Will it work in Northern Ireland though?

Yes it will work 100% fine in NI and the ROI we have all the latest data for there as well.

Manufactures reviews are one thing, has anybody actually used this kit yet?
If so is it worth the money?

Dave.

[stephendell]

I have one in my car and it works fine.

Better than the Snooper S4 & Road Angel, £££ cheaper than both, no subscription and fully upgradeable.

Bit chunky though!!

Stephen, It's going really well. There is an updated user manual on www.drive-smart.co.uk under support which describes some of the newest features. Also new firmware version 1.1.24
I've not been flashed in a fortnight so far and it has alerted me to at least 2 new camera spots I did not know existed, and sure enough there it was behind a road sign.
I've sent the developers a couple of suggestions which they say will be considered for a future release. One of the great feaures is the configurablity of the warning messages and uploading your own voice, or that of the better half.
I'll be using it in France this week-end on the Le Mans trip and can throughly reccomend it to any one. I may be taking another from you for an M5 friend who is very keen. He is currently looking at a "pilot" but it is more than twice the price and there is a subscription fee annually.
Simon

Simon, be really careful in France, a friend of mine got a £500 fine for using a detector... completely illegal in France.
In towns put it away, as bike mounted or peddy plods will nab you.
Its a Euro750 flat fine.

Thanks rupert.
One of the other advantages of Drive-Smart is that the antenna is on a 1 metre fly lead and the unit can give all output in voice commands. The unit can be on the floor out of sight and still be fully functional. Thanks again.