REVIEW COMMENTS: Cyclops

Dave · Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2003 9:09 am Post subject: REVIEW COMMENTS: Cyclops

Please post any comments regarding the Cyclops review here.

anglefire · Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2003 9:41 am Post subject: Cyclops

HI,

I've looked at the review and the RRP there is £299 - so whats the score? Why has the price gone up so much? Ok its now got 12months updates for RRP of £369.

The web site seems to compare the Origin Blue I and has more features than the Origin Blue I. Is that still the case with the B2?

Mark

Dave · Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2003 12:13 pm Post subject:

The price has increased from £299 to £369 as per our news article this week.

The main differences are that Cyclops have now added:-

This now brings the Cyclops up to the same spec to what other manufacturers are offering, and still is lower than most.

We've edited the review now to reflect the new price.

anglefire · Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2003 9:50 pm Post subject: Cyclops

Hi Dave,

Thanks for that. Thumbs Up

Still seems quite a lot extra. 8O

One question that I can't seem to find an answer to from either your review or the official web site. Can the warning tones be turned off when your below the limit. The B2 seems to have this feature - and it seems to be a good one - no point been warning of something that you don't need to know about if your not speeding! Wink

I suppose what is best depends what you want out of it. The B2 seems to have more information on the display. The Cyclops does what it needs to!

Mark.

Dave · Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2003 2:42 pm Post subject:

I've PM'd Darren to answer your questions as I haven't tested the Cyclops or b2 so Darren would be best answering your questions.

Darren · Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2003 7:05 pm Post subject:

The warning tones can be set to alarm only if you exceed the speed limit in force at that camera site yes.

The price increase encompasses a number of firmware and functional improvements including speed readout etc. as well as the inclusion of a 12mth database subcription.

As far as comparisons go it's not really a b2 competitor, it does not have laser alert or radar options and so really ought to be compared with units such as the Morpheous Geodysey when looking at prce and function.#

I liked the Cyclops, looks good, functions well and is simple to operate BUT it has little scope for expansion, does not offer laser detection and cannot drive a PocketPC for Nav functions. You need to weigh these restrictions when making a choice. :|
_________________
Darren Griffin

anglefire · Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2003 8:05 pm Post subject: Cyclops

Thanks for the info.

I've already got a nav system in the form of the iCN 630, so the output doesn't bother me.

The problem with the iCN is that it doesn't have (yet?) user POI's - but even then it would be limited as they wouldn't warn when approaching.

So the Cyclops seemed to be a good compromise in that, as I have just been (Alledged!) nicked at a so called safety camera, it would at least warn of a possible. I did get a radar detector - but it is not very good - only picks up ones that have you have already past or the local Tesco doors!

I'll have to think some more and rattle the change in my pockets! Wink

Mark

PetrolDave · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 12:10 pm Post subject:

One feature of my Cyclops annoys me and my wife.

When you are in a zone where mobile cameras operate Cyclops dispalys alternately the limit in red, the letter m in red and your speed in green - so you can see how fast you're going and what the limit is.

However, when you are approaching a fixed camera Cyclops only displays the limit in red, not your speed. OK if it's not beeping you know you're going under the limit, but it would be nice to be able to see your speed and know how much under the limit you are.

I'd like to think this would be changed in the next SW update.

P.S. I've got a Cyclops because my Road Angel was nicked by a low-life who smashed my car window in Jan 2005 - I got a Cyclops because of the (then) imminent plan to ban laser detectors. But the sunlight visibilty of Cyclops is poor to non-existent, and the display is less informative - and the PC update via a USB-to-serial converter is positively archaic and unbearably slow. I'm seriously considering going back to Road Angel.

Darren · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 12:12 pm Post subject:

Give the Drive-Smart a once over, great device.
_________________
Darren Griffin

PetrolDave · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 12:50 pm Post subject:

Just been to their website http://www.drive-smart.co.uk and run the demo video.

The voice warning sounds like she's about to kill herself, the tone is so depressing! And the beeping is just too much. I couldn't live with it.

Plus the size (4.5" square) and the separate GPS antenna make it difficult to fit.

Think I'll give it a miss.[/url]

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

The voice alerts are fully customisable to suit anyones tastes Laughing Out Loud

:D and so are the alerts types beeps etc and can be turned on/off depending on your preferences.
Aerial is now mounted on the rear of windscreen bracket so install and removal is simple of the whole system.
In the video it is mounted to the windscreen and not the dashboard,what is difficult to fit?
Cyclops is dashbaord mounted so how do you have that installed?

PetrolDave · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 6:23 pm Post subject: Re: Drivesmart

I don't want to have to keep taking the Drive Smart indoors to connect to my PC to keep changing the configuration.

I am used to a single box (i.e. integral antenna) that is velcro mounted on the dashboard (so the fact that the GPS antenna is on the windscreen bracket is irrelevant since I don't use the bracket - the windscreen is a long stretch for me which isn't good for my slipped disc), which can be speedily removed when parked. "Low lifes" find expensive windscreen or dashboard mounted boxes VERY attractive, and leaving the bracket on the windscreen doesn't stop them smashing your window to try and find the box - that's exactly how my Road Angel was stolen, only the bracket was on view.

In the review the size of the Drive Smart is commented upon and it certainly is too big to fit where I have my Cyclops - between the instrument cluster and the A pillar.

When you develop a smaller box with integral GPS antenna that is easier to configure, I'll re-consider my views but the current version isn't for me.

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

width 12cm, height 4cm, depth 10cm Cyclops dims.
Drivesmart is the same width and height as the Cyclops :D
You say you can't see the Cyclops LED in direct sun light,Ours is automotive quality and can be seen in direct sunlight.
Cyclops has no voice alerts at all and our sound configuartion is set via the menu system and not the PC.
Anyway you will have to remove the sytem from your car to update the database on any system.

PetrolDave · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 6:47 pm Post subject: Re: Size

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

Yes our screen is an LCD backlit type not an LED display,Any device with an LED screen is really prehistoric now! Laughing Out Loud

:D

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