PogoAlert by Origin...

[RedRobin]

Superbly compact and with many options on how you personalise your settings. This is a dedicated GPS sourced speed camera/blackspot/school/etc device - I already have an excellent Alpine SatNav/Audio 6" touch screen system, so didn't need a combined SatNav/SpeedCamAlert. I'm finding it much easier to know my speed and drive accordingly.

I previously had a New Road Angel and so have come to know exactly what I seek in such bits of kit. Road Angel themselves (they're not allowed to call themselves "Blackspot" anymore!) recommended that the PogoAlert would suit my needs and that my model of RA no longer would. Road Angels are very good but my VW speedo is both unacceptably inaccurate (13%) and has very poor graphics - The Audis are far superior. Consequently I want the biggest and best mph/kmh display I can get and the PogoAlert's is so good it's like having a windscreen heads-up system. You even have a choice of five different speed numeral colours, and whether to display small or large (as in my pic). As expected, the unit has all the brightness and contrast controls.

The pic below shows how perfectly a driver (me!) can clearly see the road, the GLF signage, and mph, all at once.



If I start writing about all the settings it'll end up the same as the 25 page manual except without its excellent illustrations. It's got just about everything you would expect, except perhaps data on 'possible mobile camera locations', but I've heard that that is probably coming and will be downloadable on existing units. It's faaaar more customisable than any Road Angel. If I have any criticism it's that when you are in a camera zone there's a lot of info to read on a small screen, but it doesn't stop you from driving within the designated speed limit.

It comes in the box with a windscreen sucker bracket as well as a dashboard mount - Which is what I switched to once mine was hardwired. The windscreen mount is excellent with a pressure bar and vibration free. Whichever mount is used, the unit itself is infinitably adjustable in both plains, so you can angle it perfectly. I find that tilting it down slightly helps reduce light interference across its screen from outside. The unit is extremely well finished.



A laser 'eye' is supplied which is easy to clip on or off by being attached to the windscreen bracket. You would need a small extra accessory ot fit it to the windscreen when the Pogo is dashmounted like mine. It's a bit naughty though, because on the box it says "Includes Laser Detection" - Yes, but what use is that when it's too late when the Pogo detects the laser hit?

If travelling to a country where any kind of GPS-based camera device is illegal, then it's very easy to remove everything except the plastic dashboard mount as my pic below. The other lump is the aerial for my Alpine SatNav.



TSNer Helfinger sells the PogoAlert and his web site is: HERE There are a lot of good illustrations and images on his web page.

I bought mine from: HERE Where I was able to part exchange my Road Angel.

Origin's techsupport is immediate and high quality.

[RedRobin]

Went up to GTI International yesterday - A round trip of 409 miles on all sorts of roads. I've got used to the small screen now and it communicates clearly. TSNer LeeR has one and is also enthusiastic about it.

I'm able to watch my speed much more easily with the PogoAlert [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/169144-ok.gif[/img].

[gizze]

What I don't get with these devices is why they don't make the power attacthment connect to the base/bracket, so it is just a case of sliding it in/out. Having to hook up the power cable too is a pain.


I wish they would also do one with a small display, so the sreen and the brain is seperate, you could mount this very neatly in a position where you could leave it in the car all the time.

I am thinking of mounting my Roadpilot MicroGo inside my rear view mirror, I would need to acid etch out the mirror backing but it would fit and look very, very neat.

[RedRobin]

[ QUOTE ]
What I don't get with these devices is why they don't make the power attacthment connect to the base/bracket, so it is just a case of sliding it in/out. Having to hook up the power cable too is a pain.

[/ QUOTE ]

....The PogoAlert does exactly that. I need to take and add another pic. The power base slides and locks into the mounted plastic base, and the unit slides in and out of the power base.

[dogbucket]

You can separate the Pogo from the 'power base' as well but this leaves behind the tilting stand. Robins picture is with that bit removed as well.

[nordberg]

[ QUOTE ]
What I don't get with these devices is why they don't make the power attacthment connect to the base/bracket, so it is just a case of sliding it in/out. Having to hook up the power cable too is a pain.


I wish they would also do one with a small display, so the sreen and the brain is seperate, you could mount this very neatly in a position where you could leave it in the car all the time.


[/ QUOTE ]

I had the Origin B2 years ago and that had such a connector. Problem is it was rubbish and I had to send it back 3 times. Maybe they learned their lesson.....

[helfinger]

If any one is interested i do offer TSN discounts on these units so let me know if your interested>

Pogo Alert

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/169144-ok.gif[/img]

[RedRobin]

Here's the pic I didn't shoot earlier and which now shows the powered base. The knurled bar is for adjusting the angles.

[RedRobin]

[ QUOTE ]
If any one is interested i do offer TSN discounts on these units so let me know if your interested>

Pogo Alert

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/169144-ok.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

....The only reason I didn't buy from you was because I got a fair price on part exchanging my Road Angel [which reminds me I need to send it to them!].

I'm doing my data updating through a good friend of mine who has a Windows PC....Until Mac support is launched.

Thanks for all your advice about the PogoAlert on the phone [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/169144-ok.gif[/img].

[LRR]

I agree with Robin, the PogoAlert is a brilliant little device [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/169144-ok.gif[/img] I previously brought a PogoDrive (reviewed elsewhere here) which caused my 'other half' nothing but trouble and was finally refunded (I replaced it with a snooper Syrius which works flawlessly). This device (for my car replacing my "Road Pilot") is on a whole new level Origin / Pogo have really got it right this time I can't sing it's praises enough.

My only criticism is it doesn't have a carry case for when you remove it from the car.... I can see the screen getting scratched in my pocket, or if placed in 'other halfs' hand bag [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

Brilliant job Origin [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/169144-ok.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/169144-ok.gif[/img]

Lee