NavAlert Video 1
This video shows the power up and
welcome message of the NavAlert.
GPS safety warning system. The
NavAlert has both voice and tone
alerts, as well as a digital display
that shows you everything from
your current speed to the distance
from the camera as you approach
NavAlert
Video 2
This video demonstrates how the NavAlert
warns of a fixed Red Light / Speed Camera
ahead. Note how the unit first alerts at 200m
away from the camera, then counts down
on the display the distance in meters until
passed, before going back to displaying your
speed in km/h
NavAlert
Video 3
This video shows another approach
to an intersection camera in Australia.
NavAlert
Video 4
This video shows a
close up
of the NavAlert as it passes
a camera at an intersection.
The video is a little dark to see
the screen, but the next video
(number 5) shows the screen better
Navalert
Video 5
Demonstrates the
Navalert warning
of a user pre-saved "Point Of Interest"
(POI), which can be
anything from a
known black spot accident area,
possible mobile speed camera
area etc.
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REVIEWS - see all our
reviews here
Having read many glowing reviews on the NavAlert system
in the US, I was excited to hear the database for Australia was finally
available. What's appealing about the NavAlert system for
Australian drivers is that unlike radar detectors, the NavAlert system
is 100% legal to own and use anywhere in Australia!
The
NavAlert kit includes everything you need to get started, including a
magnetic mount, power cable that plus into your cigarette lighter
socket, USB cable for downloading updates from the Internet, instruction
book and the installation software for your computer.
The software you install on your computer enables the
NavAlert to communicate with your computer via a USB cable (supplied)
and receive speed camera location updates as required. There is no
external GPS antenna, as the NavAlert has one built in. Also
included are cable ties and double sided tape to ensure all cables are
neatly and safely secured in your vehicle.
The first thing that caught my attention was the tiny
size of the unit. It seems much bigger in the pictures (even the
pictures on this site) but holding one in your hand is tiny, with the
unit only measuring 95 x 55 mm. This is great if you don't like
the idea of large objects cluttering your dash board. The second
thing you'll notice is the build quality. These units are built to
a high standard and have a nice feel to them.
Aside from the power and USB download sockets, there are
only 3 buttons on the NavAlert. A volume control wheel, a menu
button and a settings button. The settings button allows you to
select between "downloading mode", "camera only mode" or "safe mode".
When you are updating the NavAlert's database from the
Internet, you plug in your USB cable, set the switch to the middle
(download) position and immediately download the latest database.
When you are actually driving, you can select between "Camera only mode"
(which will only alert to speed / red light cameras) or "safe mode"
which alerts you to everything, including school zones and safety areas
etc. As a side note, we were so eager to test this unit, that in
our haste, forget to switch the unit back over to (either "safe" or
"camera") mode and left it in the "download" position. Needless to
say, the unit still reported cameras, until we realized our error and
switched it over. Very good fail safe in case you did the same
thing!
As we hit the road to test this unit on our pre-mapped
out drive that would take us past 17 fixed Red Light / Speed Cameras, I
noticed how quickly the unit acquired enough satellites to start
reporting our speed. From a cold start it only took approximately
6 or 7 seconds to come on-line, and after we turned the unit off and on
again a few times, it only took 2 or 3 seconds. Once the NavAlert
has acquired enough satellites, it displays your speed on the front LED
screen. If you are not moving, it will display the time.
The NavAlert can also report your exact Latitude and
Longitude, your heading (a compass) or your altitude. On top of
this, it can provide your total trip distance (in km) since power up,
your total trip time in minutes since power up, average speed on your
journey and maximum speed for your journey..."see officer, there is
no way I could have been doing that speed you say"
Currently the software for Australian drivers is set up
so that the unit alerts you when you are within 200m of a red light or
fixed speed camera, in any direction. The NavAlert warns you (see
videos above) with a voice warning "camera ahead" then shows your
distance in metres from the camera, and chimes once you have past it.
In the near future, the software will not only warn you as above, but
will ONLY warn you if you are travelling in the "correct" direction that
could get your picture snapped - in other words the direction the camera
is facing. This will mean zero false alerts; something radar
detector owners only dream about.
Furthermore, the new software will not only warn you of a
camera ahead, but will tell you the current speed limit (which the
camera enforces) and keep warning you until you are driving below the
actual speed limit! Once you drop below the posted limit, the unit
automatically mutes itself. Very cool. This software is
already operational in the US, and will be available to Aussie drivers
shortly.
Lastly there is the school zone alarm. The NavAlert
will warn you (again with voice alerts) when you are approaching a
school zone that has a lower speed limit during school hours.
Currently the NavAlert will warn you as you approach the school zone,
but again, the next software update will only warn you when you are
approaching the school zone during school hours, from Monday to Friday!
All these software updates are simple to download to the
NavAlert by connecting your unit to the Internet via the supplied USB
cable - no having to send your unit away for updates!
We all the functionality of the NavAlert in such a small
unit, at such a reasonable price, and being 100% legal to own and
operate, we highly recommend this unit for the Australian Driver.
It is an extremely useful safety device that will undoubtedly save you
money, and quite possibly save a life.
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PRODUCT TESTS
We have tested the Navalert in Australia and found it to work
as advertised. It acquires satellites quickly, and not once did it
lose signal during our 3 hour drive.
On approach to a fixed speed / red light camera, the unit
warns with a voice alert "camera ahead" and then proceeds to count
down the distance to the camera until you have passed, in which in then
chimes to let you know.
We also programmed in a fictitious "point of interest" (POI)
which can be anything from a black spot area, to possible mobile speed
camera location. To save your own POI is as simple as pressing the
menu button at that location. The NavAlert stores this in its memory,
as a "user saved" position. To delete this position later on if
required, you simply press the (same) menu button when the unit is alerting
to this threat.
After saving a position of interest (POI) into the NavAlert
at the beginning of our journey, we came back to this location at the end of
our test. At 200m away, the NavAlert alerted us to this position as
seen in video 5 above.
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TECHNICAL DETAILS
The NavAlert
speed camera detector can store around 150,000 positions in its
database. The speed camera locations can be divided into different data
sets, to distinguish between such positions as fixed speed cameras,
possible mobile camera positions, red light cameras, schools, and high
collision areas.
The Navalert GPS speed camera detector can also sub divide some of these
groups by speed limit, and allocate a voice alert.
The tiny NavAlert unit has an LED display on the front of the unit,
which provides additional information to the voice announcements. While
driving normally it will display the current speed. When a warning is
triggered, a chime is heard followed by an announcement such as "camera
ahead limit 60" , the speed limit at the camera site will flash , before
going back to displaying the vehicles speed. This will typically happen
at 500 meters from the camera position, . A second chime is heard at 200
yards from the camera site, and if the vehicle is still over the speed
limit, a continuous warning is heard "reduce speed" + warning sound
until the vehicle speed drops to the speed limit, or the camera site is
passed at which time a all clear chime is herd.
Features
Detects to Gatso, Truvelo, SPECS, Speedmaster, DS2, traffic light
cameras, high traffic collision areas and all other permanent safety
cameras, The detector will give an over-speed warning in close proximity
to the camera if exceeding the speed limit, but will automatically mute
when within the speed limit, The driver is advised of only cameras on
the road they are driving along, thereby negating false alerts, The
driver is advised as they approach high collision areas, GPS
speedometer, Announces close proximity to schools Monday - Friday 07:00
- 4:00, (school zones can be switched off) Displays the current location
as Latitude and Longitude, which can be relayed to the emergency
services or breakdown authorities.
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The Navalert GPS unit does not require professional
installation, and takes minutes to set up. Simply load the software
onto your computer, update your Navalert system with the latest database,
and then it is ready for installing in your car.
The NavAlert is easy to install. In the box there is a small
rubberized magnet, with a peel off sticky base. The user simply has to
remove the sticker cover, and position the magnet on the top of their
dashboard. Insert the power jack into the cigar lighter, and plug the other
end of the lead into the NavAlert unit, then place on top of the magnet. It
is now ready to use.
