Snooper Syrius

GJF · Frequent Visitor Joined: Feb 08, 2007 Posts: 894

Thanks Nuttynurse, very helpful, have added links in case others are interested -

Review at - http://www.yournav.com/content/review/219/Nuvi_660_should_TomTom_be_worried.html

Forum at - http://www.yournav.com/forum/lofiversion/index.php/f44.html

99% sure now that i will get this, then its down to comments on testing.
_________________
TomTom Go 60
Garmin Nüvi 660, Firmware v4.90
Drive-Smart GPS with Loader v1.4.16
HTC Advantage X7500 MS 6.1 Tchart Speed Sentry
Satmap Active 10, Software v1.16
Fuzion 32 HUD Bluetooth GPS receiver

Karlosuk · Occasional Visitor Joined: Feb 13, 2007 Posts: 8

Hi guys, thanks to nuttynurse I have a chance to keep up with you guys from the sadly defunct Drivesmart forum.

I have tried many times to contact the DS team to no avail, they appear to be a spineless bunch who could not even summon the guts to let us know they have closed up shop. You don't even get the "prove you are human" response from emails to sales anymore. Sad they were very good units, and it was the support that sold me on them. :x

I need a PSU for the car but DS don't want to sell me one so if Maplins/Tandy cannot help it's going to be the bin for it. Anyone have a PSU they fancy flogging me? Laughing

If I have to buy a new camera detector I just need the gps detector. I have a separate satnav unit that has never let me down, so don't want one that does both. Which one do you rate best overall value with ease of use etc?

Looking forward to maintaining contact with you all, and thanks again Nuttynurse 8)

nuttynurse · Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 9:13 pm Post subject:

Hi Karlos,

I'm keen on the Snooper at the moment, there are two models, the "Syrius and the Saphire". The Syrius is a combined satnav and speed camera database, whilst the Saphire is more what you are looking for i.e. a speed camera detector. As it is a snooper unit it should be a reputable one and retails around the £189/199 mark. On top of this you do have to pay a premium for updates though there are various offers including a free life time subscription if you send in an old camera detector. You will have to shop around for this though. I've seen some going on ebay.

If you read back on this thread you will see that "rantipole" formerly "Sealiedog" on the DS forum has passed on his experience of the "Snooper" I haven't so far heard from anyone else on their experience of the Snooper other than this. I did look at the Saphire in Halford's today and its amazingly compact compared to the DS, shirt pocket size!

"rushkins" formerly "Tim Stilgoe" on DS, I hope I'm remembering and spelling all these names right, is away on his hols this week and is going to test out the pocketgps camera database on his TT710 and feed back on this forum his verdict. If your own satnav, what make is it?, can upload POI such as this database then this might be a cheaper option for you as it costs £19 per year and I think, free, if you notify them of a camera they don't already know about.

Just a thought on the power supply unit. If its just the plug, cigarette lighter end, that faulty, why not just obtain a replacement plug and splice in a fuse line to this. If I remember right you did'nt want to wire it in permanently did you? You haven't for instance got an old device that used to run from you cig lighter you no longer use?

GJF · Frequent Visitor Joined: Feb 08, 2007 Posts: 894

Hi Karlos, I have two cigarette lighter ends of a DS unit cable (I cut the original cables to hardwire, so have the cig' end left) if you want one PM me with address, i will send it to you FOC - and any one want the other one i will send FOC as well?
_________________
TomTom Go 60
Garmin Nüvi 660, Firmware v4.90
Drive-Smart GPS with Loader v1.4.16
HTC Advantage X7500 MS 6.1 Tchart Speed Sentry
Satmap Active 10, Software v1.16
Fuzion 32 HUD Bluetooth GPS receiver

nuttynurse · Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 9:55 pm Post subject:

Karlos

If you go on the ebay site and enter the following Item number: 280079076597 this will give you a description of the Syrius under this sale. In this description however, you will be able to follow a link to the trade-in I mentioned above. Also you will be able to follow a link to the Saphire and a brief review from MSN

I hope this helps. 8)

nuttynurse · Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 8:49 am Post subject:

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/products/205113/speed_camera_locators.html

A review in the Auto Express mag this month covering speed camera detectors if anyone is interested and hasn't already seen it. 8)

GJF · Frequent Visitor Joined: Feb 08, 2007 Posts: 894

Interesting Nuttynurse there was no Drivesmart, what does this mean, they don't even get a mention?

Auto Express.

nuttynurse · Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 10:55 am Post subject:

Hi GJF,

I only ever remember reading a review of the DS on this site actually! Still haven't made my mind up yet. Nuvi still a favourite. I like the Becker 7916 primarily because it has a feature that alerts you when you exceed the speed limit for any given road, so if you go over a 40 limit say by a pre-defined setting of 3mph it will beep a warning to tell you, and the same if you then move into a 60mph limit. I remember suggesting this idea to DS who actually pooh, poohed it suggesting if I wanted to sit down and enter all the varying limits to get on and do it! IF however, we are required to put a black box in our cars and end up being fined for exceeding the speed limit as monitored and recorded by satellite this feature will be essential. I have put an offer on one on ebay. Seemingly it new, opened only for taking a picture of contents. I'm sure my offer will be rejected but as they are for sale on Handtec at £279 I wasn't prepared to go above £200+£10. p&p on an item that had no come back, but thought I might as well give it a go to see if bargains do exit on ebay! I would have then used the pocketgps database with it. Trouble is you can never find an independent review on this model and no one has fed back on any personal experience of one this either. IF THERE IS ANY BECKER USERS OR FANS OUT THERE, PLEASE, GIVE US YOU VIEWS.

The "Talex Lite" gets a good write up doesn't it as a DS replacement? Which Karlos might be interested in..

I have been trying to find more about the Blaupunkt Travelpilot 5.2 as this seems to have the same feature as the Becker. 8)

GJF · Frequent Visitor Joined: Feb 08, 2007 Posts: 894

At the present time I don't intend to replace the DS, assuming that good updates are available, although i really don't like its cumbersome method of fixing, it's almost impossible to remove easily, so i tend to leave it in the car which i know is asking for trouble.

I haven't yet found a speed camera locator that has the in-built "Specs" calculator, (or do you know different) which i feel is its best part. I don't intend to jump lanes to miss Spec cameras, as it's still risky, so i will replace this gadget when a suitable replacement is available.

I will also go down the road of using a Sat Nav with speed locator AND an extra "specialist" locator, as two must be better than one.

I'm sorry but i don't know anything about the Becker.
_________________
TomTom Go 60
Garmin Nüvi 660, Firmware v4.90
Drive-Smart GPS with Loader v1.4.16
HTC Advantage X7500 MS 6.1 Tchart Speed Sentry
Satmap Active 10, Software v1.16
Fuzion 32 HUD Bluetooth GPS receiver

dav_dump · Occasional Visitor Joined: Feb 05, 2007 Posts: 5

Hi guys.

The Becker sounds really useful, I often have no clue what the speed limit is and all the signs just say "Watch Your Speed" with a Question mark in a circle underneath!! very clever!
However the lack of support from forums etc. would bother me.

I have infact just been bought a Garmin Nuvi 310D for my birthday. So I've not been able to use it yet! I went for the 310 rather than the 6xx as I read a review on a 660 i believe and it said if the widescreen was the only reason for getting it over a 3xx then dont bother. and its increased unit size would be a negative too.

The syrius' spec impressed me, and it was highly recommended by a local store however they had none in stock and it was £400!
But again I didnt like the lack of Support Available and lack of suppliers (Halfords etc.)

So I'll have to wait till my birthday and hope I chose correctly!!

David.

GJF · Frequent Visitor Joined: Feb 08, 2007 Posts: 894

Hi Dav_dump,

I saw that review re: the screen size on the 660 too, but there is a whole lot more added, - Europe maps, Safety camera alerts, real time traffic alerts, voice turns by street name, are just a few and when driving I feel the extra screen size does make a lot of difference - can’t wait for HUD to be released by a manufacturer.

I agree with you help on a Forum is a must, as your mate always seems to have a different unit than you so there is no help around when you want it.

Since coming to this forum I’m amazed at the amount of “experts” available on every different Sat Nav, so here seems to be the only forum to use.

Wish you success on your 310 and keep us all up to date on how you get on with the likes and dislikes.
_________________
TomTom Go 60
Garmin Nüvi 660, Firmware v4.90
Drive-Smart GPS with Loader v1.4.16
HTC Advantage X7500 MS 6.1 Tchart Speed Sentry
Satmap Active 10, Software v1.16
Fuzion 32 HUD Bluetooth GPS receiver

dav_dump · Occasional Visitor Joined: Feb 05, 2007 Posts: 5

Hi GJF.

I didnt realise it had voice turns by street name, I imagine this could be very useful. Would be a great reason to get it!
The 310D comes with Traffic alerts and Camera Warnings, and I dont require European Maps.
So if its just the wide screen I couldnt really justify the extra money.
What is HUD by the way?

I agree with this forum being extremely helpful!

I will let you know how I get on with my 310, Thanks.
David.

nuttynurse · Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 7:01 pm Post subject:

Hi GJF and dave_dump,

I'm not intending to dispose of the DS but I wonder how long the database will continue, if at all. Just before the forum was closed there was some discussion about installing the pocketgps database into the user's poi section which may still make it useful (life after death). I don't know of a system that has the specs average feature of the DS but as long as I had an accurate warning that I was approaching this area, as with other camera's, its then down to me to be a bit more careful I guess. Currently I just encounter static and mobile sites living in a more rural location. I believe there are new Specs camera's near the Exeter end of the M5 my heading when I go to Cornwall. Reminds me, I need a new pair of "Specs"

I receivered the following reply to question posed to a Becker Registered Supplier on Ebay who said:

nuttynurse · Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 7:17 pm Post subject:

Re the "Heads Up"

This was one of the innovative features that the DS team were working on and demonstrated a prototype of at the Basinstoke Show (Pocketgps World) in November 2005. Basically it reflected the digitally read outs of the Drive-smart camera i.e. speed, alerts, etc as an image onto your windscreen in front of the driver. The type of thing you would see, I believe in combat planes and high end S class Merc's. It became one of the many features promised by the Drive-Smart team, encouraging much excitement and debate before fizzling out into the Ether! 8).

alan195 · Lifetime Member Joined: Jan 06, 2007 Posts: 35

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