Road Angel or Origin Blue 2

[Alex Foster]

With all this talk of Road Angels on the other threads I was wondering whether anyone has considered the Origin Blue 2?

The reason I pose this question is that it would seem to be the latest GPS system on the market and came top in an Autocar test a few months ago.

I know that it is more expensive than the Road Angel (£425??) but seems to have more features. Unfortunately I am no expert on these things and wondered if anyone else had a view?

 

[evoke]

Alex, Origin b2 was my first choice for a while. It has a very nice LCD screen and copes with the Congestion Charge zone. However, after ringing around a dozen suppliers, only one recommended the Origin b2 over the Road Angel.

It definitely looks better than the Road Angel and is more discreet but I decided on a tried and trusted unit in the end.

Now, although the screen on the Origin b2 is far more comprehensive than the Road Angel, I would suggest that it would be harder to see and understand than the Road Angels (just my opinion) as it is LCD based. The Road Angel screen is simple - green and you're okay - red and you should slow down.

They both essentially do the same job using the same technology (GPS and laser detector) so I guess it's down to price and aesthetics.

At the price level of the Origin b2, I would also consider the Snooper S6-R Neo.

 

[John Sims]

Following recomendations of others I purchased a Road Angel.

So far, I am very pleased with it, the digital speedo being worth £100 of the overall price for a start. I do however have 3 reservations:-

1. It alerts you to a speed camera site whether you are speeding or not.

I know that is what it is supposed to do, but the down side is, being someone who doesn't speed [], you almost become blasse about the warning. I don't know if the Origin Blue 2 is speed sensitive but, if it is, this would be a better feature, only warning you when you were in the wrong.

2. The Road Angel only has a serial port for updating the unit. My principal internet connection is through my lap top, which only has USB ports. I now need a £30 cable (or hub) to allow the two to talk.

3. The unit must sit on top of the dash so it can see the sky, unless you get the extra £65 radiating aerial. In this hot weather the unit gets very very hot and I am concerned that it may effectively overheat.

As a further comment, the unit has a lazer detector add-on pod. This is quite ugly and obtrusive. Noting that it only works if you get zapped, in which case it is probably too late, I am considering taking it off any way.

Not much help, but perhaps food for thought.

 

[tony stokes]

I am also considering a detector and trying to work out the best buy.Initially I chose the Road Angel but someone pointed out that it would not detect radar.I then learnt off the forum that we could get the Snooper s6-r neo for£369 which is a great deal seeing that the original price was about £499.This unit is said to pick up everything including radar and laser and is a gps unit. This appears to be the best unit for the price.Anyone else recommend it?

 

[Andrew Killington]

John
I'm with you on the laser detector point; can anyone explain how it might be of use??
otherwise you're right it is obtrusive and appears to serve little purpose if it can only give you a warning at the point the laser reaches the vehicle. (or am I missing something[8|]
Andy

 

[John Sims]

appears to serve little purpose if it can only give you a warning at the point the laser reaches the vehicle

After further consideration, the lazer detector has come off. The whole thing looks much nicer now and can be covered by a strategically placed duster when not in use, so as to give some protection from the heat and divert the attention of the theiving scum bags.

I have little doubt that local plod wouldn't be over impressed with the blattant display of speed trap counter measures, and such things could perhaps invite a more "robust" approach from the boys in blue if spotted having commited a small error.

I have secured the power cable, out of sight, between the windscreen and dash with some little foam rubber wedges and now feel it is more part of the car rather than an expensive cheap add on. I may still go for the aerial, but I'm happy at the moment.

 

[evoke]

John, i've just purchased the Road Angel + Laser Alert and am very happy with it. Like others, I do not see much benefit in the Laser Alert add-on. I will be removing mine tonight and just leaving the GPS base unit installed. It will look much nicer.

Tony: I just spoke with a couple of suppliers to compare the Snooper S6-R Neo with the Road Angel. Now, the S6-R can do GPS, radar and laser. However, and this is a biggy, the radar and laser detector is in an external unit that is somewhat unsightly. It looks best mounted under the bonnet. Furthermore, the number of mobile radar guns is diminishing rapidly as the vast majority are now laser-based.

The laser alerting on most units is pretty much redundent (as others have commented).

The most important development in terms of speed cameras at the moment are the 'average speed' cameras (also known as SPECS cameras). These give off no detectable radiation (radio or laser). These cameras take a picture of your car at the first camera and then another picture is taken by a second camera some distance further along the road. Your average speed is calculated and you automatically get a speeding ticket if your average speed is over the limit. Hence, a GPS-based system is your best bet for these (if the database knows the location). Of course, you could just avoid speeding!

 

[A Clift]

I bought a Snooper in May. I'm now on my 3rd unit, both the others developed the same fault. My main criticism (apart from this remarkable reliability) is that camera sites don't seem to be removed from the database when removed from old roadworks for example. Overtime this will get to be a major nuisance.

 

[pncarrerars]

I have recently purchased a Road Angel & so far it works very well. Perhaps the point with the laser detector that people are missing is that in areas like where I live mobile police detector vans are very common but they usually park at the same places. If you get a laser alert (because you failed to spot the police or are new to the area) put it into the unit as a personal blackspot so next time you will be reminded to watch out.

Now for the rant! I bought the Road Angel because in my opinion the number of speed cameras & the way in which they are used is currently the biggest threat to road safety in this country & in the long term will probably cause more accidents than they are supposed to prevent. One example near me is a derestricted road that now has mobile cameras. Prior to the cameras traffic flowed at 50-60 mph with few hold ups or accidents. Now many drivers seem to be afraid to go more than 40 mph & a long queue builds up behind them. Most people won't overtake for fear of being "done" for speeding & eventually someone from the back of the queue tries to overtake to whole queue narrowly missing the oncoming traffic.

Many drivers, such as myself, now have to spend far to much time watching out for hidden cameras & obscure speed limits instead of watching the road & anticipating potential dangers. The Road Angel lets me concentrate on driving.

 

[Guest]

Go for the Road angel.


A month ago i did a lot of comparing and i went for the Road angel.


I bought one unit at 340 with delivery.


If we can get five or ten you guys could make it 300.

I think it is a better unit and has been recommended by various dealers.

The Comany behind it are better at updating the cameras.


It can also conect to a PDA and be used as part of a Sat Nav setup. Cable are available for all PDAs


The point of the laser detector is this.



Firstly it may detect laser scatter , if the coppers are beaming onto other cars you may get a warning.

Coopers need to make two seperate laser readings to make a speeding fine stand. Hopefully you will slam, brakes and slow down.


I leave mine on

I drive along a46 most days and a mobile van is at the stoneleigh island and my road angel warns me a mile off. I dont know whether this is scatter or a beam on me.




The only thing that will save you against a laser gun is a laser jammer. These are legal to own but illegal to use. However the road angel can easily conect to two major ones the snooper and LRC 100 jammer.

 

[Guest]

I think it's useful that the B2 can tell you the speed limit as well. Half the time you know there's a camera coming up but there's no sign telling you what the limit is.

 

[Guest]

Prices for road angel
"Discount for bulk buy" minimum bulk buy for discount would be 10 at
£350, 20 at £325 etc.

 

[Guest]

You sure about price of a Road Angel as i had a Z4 four weeks ago and was speeding so much i decided to buy just the one.


I rang arond and for one unit was quoted 340 including delivery vat and the laser alert.


Youre offering a dud deal if selling at 350 with a bulk buy!!!!!


I have just rang the same people i bought it off and the others who offered it at 340 and got it for £300. all in.

 

[mikecolquhoun]

Can you mail me a contact number or site .... I am sure you noted it somewhere, but can't find it again!

 

[Mr968]

Hi,
Radar Detector Shop has a £6 price beater policy we also have an advert in the Porsche Post with a price regardless of quantity but you'll need to quote the reference number from the ad.

 

[Andy Tims]

I have a spare Laser Detector to go with a Road Angel so if anyone wants to make me a sensible offer?

Andy Tims

andy_tims@turntown.co.uk