Drive-Smart GPS Safety Camera Detector & Datalogger

Darren · Last edited by Darren on Sun Jan 22, 2006 11:58 am; edited 1 time in total

We've just received a Drive-Smart unit in for review (Click the pic for the completed review). It's a fully user programmable system whose camera database is subscription free and covers much of Europe and can be used to supply GPS data to a PC or PDA.

It also stands out from the crowd in having additional features such as a datalogger that can store directions, speeds etc which can be exported in .csv format for use in other applications such as Autoroute.

The voice alerts are .wav files which can be customised by the user, custom POIs can be recorded and there are additional options such as external laser detectors (which actually work!). Initial impressions are very good, the team behind it have some future plans which are very interesting and the system is such that extra features can be added via software updates.

I'll be reviewing this in detail in the coming weeks but in the meantime if you need more information on this device visit their website at www.drive-smart.co.uk.

Addendum 18 Jan 06: The review is now available here
_________________
Darren Griffin

Darren · Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2005 10:05 am Post subject:

This is such an unusual unit that I thought it would be a good idea to blog my findings as I proceed through the evaluation and review.

Firstly, the unit is big, much bigger than any other device but personally I think this is a plus, it means there is room for a decent display for one.

I haven't installed the optional 'Pulse Master' external laser detector yet but this little gadget greatly improves the unit's ability to detect laser traps and is designed to install under the number plate or behind the grille. Drive-Smart claim this unit can even identify the type of laser gun being used as each model has a characteristic signature!

Now I've written in the past that laser detection is a waste of time because the beam is so small thet it rarely sets off detectors mounted in the car but this might actually work. Drive-Smart have some laser guns and later on I'll take them up on the offer of a demonstration, I'll bring along some other units and see how they compare!

One novel idea is the unit will automatically record the location if a laser alert is triggered. Because this pulse master unit only detects lasers that have a pulse rate of 904nm it should guarantee the exclusion of false alerts. A future feature being discussed is the possibility of the display actually telling you what type of laser targetted you!

Drive-Smart also have a thriving forum where users can make suggestions for new features etc, the unit has already seen some additional features deployed and there are more in the pipe line so this could be the first device that is actually future proofed and gets better over time!
_________________
Darren Griffin

DriveSmart · Regular Visitor Joined: Sep 10, 2005 Posts: 60

http://www.drive-smart.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=296

DriveSmart · Regular Visitor Joined: Sep 10, 2005 Posts: 60

If you follow the link one of our forum members has posted up a test video of the laser detection in action on the Pulse Master and pulse rate laser detection system built into the Drivesmart unit. :D both systems tested at close range.
He will be doing other videos soon and is doing comparisons of our technology to the market leading laser detection system.

imprator · Occasional Visitor Joined: Sep 19, 2005 Posts: 1

Hi Darren.

I am thinking of getting a Drive Smart; any more news on the testing?

In particular, I have heard that the volume is low and more easily missed in a noisy environment than other detectors. Is there any truth to this?

Thanks.

DriveSmart · Regular Visitor Joined: Sep 10, 2005 Posts: 60

No this is not true at all,We have infact the loudest warning volume of any safety system right now. :D

DriveSmart · Regular Visitor Joined: Sep 10, 2005 Posts: 60

I think the person who said this about our system and made derogoritry remarks about it also said how great the RA navigator was and it was the best system etc(He would say this as he works for them! Wink

)
And basically he has totally discredited himself and mislead people as it can clearly be seen from this forum and others that RANAV system has problems.
It would also show why they have not sent a unit in for review to the pocketgps guys?

Darren · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2005 12:56 pm Post subject:

Nords · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2005 1:27 pm Post subject:

This looks like an excellent bit of kit, however I would just add that laser detectors are not the answer to mobile traps. By the time you realise a laser is targetting you, the operator has your speed and "you're nicked sonny". It isn't like radar which will 'spread' for want of a better term over the brow of hill as you approach etc. Lasers, just as people imagine from films etc, keep their coherence of beam (in general terms before I get shot down by some techie) and so you will not detect the guy 5 cars in front being lasered (or over the next hill for radar traps etc).

Mobile laser traps can only really be negated by active measures such as the Target LRC100 or the newer version, whatever it called. The legal position of emitters (garage doors openers as they are sold as) is of course another kettle of fish!

That said, this inability is common to all laser detectors and hardly a failing of the Drivesmart unit. If it takes laser detectors, the guys may be working on the integration of LRC100 type units?

Good luck guys! What about a bike mounted version? Happy to trial it!

DriveSmart · Regular Visitor Joined: Sep 10, 2005 Posts: 60

If you come and have a look at our forum you can see what we are working on and have in testing right now. :D
Everything is designed and developed in house by ourselves.
We have some other projects on going that we will release information about real soon that will excite the GPS community and also an innovative product that can be added on to the Drivesmart and also our future products. :D

TradingDirect · Occasional Visitor Joined: Sep 27, 2005 Posts: 1

We have been selling DriveSmart units for about 6 months now (having first reviewed it outselves before adding it to our range) and I can confirm the product works well and customers are generally impressed and are attracted by the fact that there are no ongoing subscription fees.

We are also impressed at the response from the manufacturer in relation to a program of continuious improvements to the unit. When all these devices are software driven I am surprised that other manufacturers are not upgrading the features and adding other data and options as they become available.....both in the case of Sat Nav units and Camera detectors.

While there are some bucket shop manufacturers out there that are pushing what is essentially an "off the shelf" product from the far east with there logo on the DriveSmart guys do seem to be active in adding value to the product even after purchase free of charge which helps keep the product future proof.

Regards
Steven

DriveSmart · Regular Visitor Joined: Sep 10, 2005 Posts: 60

To prove that our laser detection system really is as good as the GPS side we sent a sample unit to the US to be tested with all the latest laser guns available.
One of these guns is called an ATLANTIC SPEED LASER,It is in use in some parts of the UK(Its home office approved) and has a very unique setting available on it called a "Stealth" mode.
This was designed so laser detectors and jammers had no detection capabilities against it.
The Drivesmart detected the "Stealth mode" and all the other guns that were tested against it.
The PULSE MASTER external detector is the unit being targeted in the video.
http://www.radarbusters.com/resources/flash-videos/drive-smart-test.html
It means we have the worlds only dedicated laser detector system that can detect and alert for the "Stealth" mode and everything else that is used against our system.
All other GPS manufacturers claim their laser detectors work and detect laser from safety vans,This is actually untrue as they do not detect any laser at all.

Darren · Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 4:56 pm Post subject:

I've been using this system in anger over the last few weeks and love it. Side issues aside (it's a personal thing, I like it but others don't) it ticks every box and does a great job.

The big appeal for me and others is the support from the Drive-Smart team. They run a forum over at their website and are completely open about bugs and very receptive to suggestions for new features from users. Even better they act on them and in the short space of time I have had my unit they have released a firmware update that has added new features. So you actually have a system that gets better and more capable over time, something unique in this sector.

For the first time ever I had a 'Laser Alert' travelling along the A31 yesterday. On the dash was another laser capable device, the Snooper S4 which remained silent throughout. Because I was travelling at the legal limit I cannot say if the alert would have been enough to save me from a fine but i had not spotted the Safety Camera Partnership van before receiving the alert.
_________________
Darren Griffin

Privateer · Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 5:15 pm Post subject:

Sounds a very interesting piece of kit.

Will Drivesmart be at the next PocketGPSWorld.com GPS meet in Basingstoke?

Regards,
_________________
Robert.
iPhone 6s Plus, iOS 14.0.1: iOS CamerAlert v2.0.7
TomTom GO Mobile iOS 2.3.1; TomTom (UK & ROI and Europe) iOS apps v1.29
Garmin Camper 770 LMT-D

Darren · Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 5:23 pm Post subject:

	PocketGPS
	Web