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pghstochaj
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 Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 12:30 am Post subject: Living with the Inforad K1? |
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I am considering buying an Inforad K1, what are they like to live with? Any annoying problems on them?
Thanks in advance. |
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JockTamsonsBairn
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| Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 3:55 am Post subject: |
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There have been a number of threads discussing the K1, I'm sure a quick search will find them. The biggest complaint seems to be the ear splitting volume of the alerts.
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Jock
TomTom Go 940 LIVE (9.510, Europe v915.5074 on SD & 8.371, WCE v875.3613 on board) |
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pghstochaj
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| Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 2:06 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks - I have seen some but the comments vary from "You must have this item" to "Don't ever think about buying this stupid item". It's a massive range from hate to love. |
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BigPerk
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| Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 2:47 pm Post subject: |
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In which case, I guess you'll get the same variety of views now, depending on who replies 
But one of the 'favourables' seems to be Darren Griffin himself. I think if I was trying to decide, and fairly new to this forum, I'd be tempted to go first by the views of the professional 'staff' members on this site. You might like to check his comments.
And of course there are other forums - someone mentioned GPS Review.net recently, though I haven't looked at it. Plus google for product reviews?
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David
(Navigon 70 Live, Nuvi 360) |
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pghstochaj
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| Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 3:39 pm Post subject: |
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| BigPerk wrote: | In which case, I guess you'll get the same variety of views now, depending on who replies
But one of the 'favourables' seems to be Darren Griffin himself. I think if I was trying to decide, and fairly new to this forum, I'd be tempted to go first by the views of the professional 'staff' members on this site. You might like to check his comments.
And of course there are other forums - someone mentioned GPS Review.net recently, though I haven't looked at it. Plus google for product reviews? |
Thanks for the response.
Of course I have googled but review sites tend to use devices like this for 1 mile and comment solely on a few very simple items. I want to know what people think of it after living with it for thousands of miles. My inbuilt sat nav system doesn't accept speed cameras and I am hoping to find a device that can back it up.
I hear people complaining about the loud siren for going too quickly - fine but does this ever go off when you are 70 mph on the motorway and it picks up a 30 mph limit nearby? (For example). |
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Darren
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Location: Hampshire, UK
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| Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 7:25 pm Post subject: |
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I still use mine regularly but struggle to love it.
Pros:
It's small, unobtrusive and easy to charge and update.
Cons:
The alert tone is very loud and there is not enough configuration options.
I too have a love/hate relationship with it. It has much promise, great data  and a great design. But I would dearly love an option to reduce the volume or the harshness of the alerts.
These are all possible within the limits of the design. But I have to say that currently, bargain though it is I couldn't use it every day as all too often I end up switching it off because the alerts are so annoying!
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Darren Griffin |
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pghstochaj
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| Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 7:47 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Darren. Would it be possible to put some tape over the sound output to sort out the volume?
Does it often go off for cameras off (for example) a motorway and it not shut up? That's one thing that worries me, having passengers shocked that my car is beeping like mad for no reason.
I am still left without a decent solution! I tried an alerte GPS and the data upgrades are non existant, the device is otherwise very reasonable. I tried Novus Talisman on my tomtom which is good but my tomtom doesn't auto on/off which means I can't hardwire it like I want to. I tried the Road Angel Compact which was a poor device in my opinion for various reasons.
As I am going for a concealed installation I was happy to go with the K1 as it is small enough to put near the mirror.
My search continues I guess 
| Darren wrote: | I still use mine regularly but struggle to love it.
Pros:
It's small, unobtrusive and easy to charge and update.
Cons:
The alert tone is very loud and there is not enough configuration options.
I too have a love/hate relationship with it. It has much promise, great data and a great design. But I would dearly love an option to reduce the volume or the harshness of the alerts.
These are all possible within the limits of the design. But I have to say that currently, bargain though it is I couldn't use it every day as all too often I end up switching it off because the alerts are so annoying! |
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Darren
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| Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 7:51 pm Post subject: |
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| pghstochaj wrote: | | Thanks Darren. Would it be possible to put some tape over the sound output to sort out the volume? |
It's a piezo speaker so I doubt tape would make much difference.
| Quote: | | Does it often go off for cameras off (for example) a motorway and it not shut up? That's one thing that worries me, having passengers shocked that my car is beeping like mad for no reason. |
Not had that issue but the camera alert 'all-clear' does not occur until too long after you pass the location, too long in my opinion and not adjustable.
| Quote: | | I tried an alerte GPS and the data upgrades are non existant |
We may have some news on the alerteGPS front shortly
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pghstochaj
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| Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 8:01 pm Post subject: |
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So does that mean that it only affects you if you want to speed away after the speed camera? I don't speed (no, really...!) so if so, that wouldn't be a problem. Or is it a case that the actually warning that a camera is coming up simply too loud?
Are you serious re: AlerteGPS? I bought the G200 9 months ago and am so annoyed at them for not living up to their "lifetime updates offer". I don't use the device, it's just a waste of money to me and I have started looking at getting my money back. Apart from the irritating Canadian accent and no updates, the device is very good. It has an external antenna input, turns on and off with power, gives a vocal warning for a camera and has a reminder if you are speeding and has an all clear as you pass the camera. They advertise so many different items including PDA/phone applications it seems silly to have no updates in the UK.
| Darren wrote: | | pghstochaj wrote: | | Thanks Darren. Would it be possible to put some tape over the sound output to sort out the volume? |
It's a piezo speaker so I doubt tape would make much difference.
| Quote: | | Does it often go off for cameras off (for example) a motorway and it not shut up? That's one thing that worries me, having passengers shocked that my car is beeping like mad for no reason. |
Not had that issue but the camera alert 'all-clear' does not occur until too long after you pass the location, too long in my opinion and not adjustable.
| Quote: | | I tried an alerte GPS and the data upgrades are non existant |
We may have some news on the alerteGPS front shortly |
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Darren
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Location: Hampshire, UK
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| Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 8:44 pm Post subject: |
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| pghstochaj wrote: | | So does that mean that it only affects you if you want to speed away after the speed camera? I don't speed (no, really...!) so if so, that wouldn't be a problem. Or is it a case that the actually warning that a camera is coming up simply too loud? |
No, the alert continues to sound after you have passed a camera for a pre-defined period. Very annoying and unnecessary
| Quote: | | Are you serious re: AlerteGPS? |
Yes but until we have confirmed everything I can say no more.
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Darren Griffin |
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pghstochaj
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| Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 8:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Darren wrote: | | pghstochaj wrote: | | So does that mean that it only affects you if you want to speed away after the speed camera? I don't speed (no, really...!) so if so, that wouldn't be a problem. Or is it a case that the actually warning that a camera is coming up simply too loud? |
No, the alert continues to sound after you have passed a camera for a pre-defined period. Very annoying and unnecessary
| Quote: | | Are you serious re: AlerteGPS? |
Yes but until we have confirmed everything I can say no more. |
Thanks, so the K1 is no good then if it is annoying. I hope the AlerteGPS thing is weeks and not years away  Thanks again. |
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Darren
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| Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 8:53 pm Post subject: |
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| pghstochaj wrote: | | Thanks, so the K1 is no good then if it is annoying. |
As I've said, it's not useless, some find the alerts perfectly adequate and at the price it is excellent value. I certainly wouldn't write it off.
If the alerts could just be toned down and given more scope for adjustment then it would be a great deal better.
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Darren Griffin |
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pghstochaj
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| Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 6:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Darren wrote: | | pghstochaj wrote: | | Thanks, so the K1 is no good then if it is annoying. |
As I've said, it's not useless, some find the alerts perfectly adequate and at the price it is excellent value. I certainly wouldn't write it off.
If the alerts could just be toned down and given more scope for adjustment then it would be a great deal better. |
That's what I struggle with. Even if it is £1, if it's difficult to live with then I don't see the use of it. Looking on youtube, it warns more than once as approaching the camera (without any need) and I guess this is what is annoying? I might try the small Novus device next, unless you can whisper something about AlerteGPS ;) |
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john877
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| Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 7:59 pm Post subject: |
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Really just to support Darren`s view !! its not perfect by a long way but for the price and the convenience of just slipping in your pocket its hard to beat !!
As I have a built in sat nav I find it a great solution but if I did not have the built in sat nav I would go the sat nav route rather than the K1 |
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Darren
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| Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 8:18 pm Post subject: |
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| pghstochaj wrote: | | I might try the small Novus device next |
Do you have money to burn? Their database is very poor in comparison to ours.
I can't say anymore re. AlerteGPS but if you want to throw money away on a Novus, donate it to the Haiti appeal and at least put it to good use.
I have only ever used InfoRad's K1, I don't know if their other units all operate in the identical fashion.
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