Hi all - just quick question : Has anyone on here got or had experience with an Origin B2 Laser/Camera detector?
Got mine (It's fantastic by the way!!) but I keep getting false alerts every time I flash my headlights or wash my windscreen (pulling back to activate main beam or window washers)...
Seeing as this unit is not hard-wired to the car, the only electrical connection being the cigarette power outlet, Im confused as to why Im getting them!.
Ive emailed Origin but as yet no reply, just wondering if anyone else has experienced anything similar?.
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If anyone was wondering, this Detector is the best by far - beats the Road Angel hands down (due to extensive testing between myself and friend).
Any questions about its functionality or perfomance I'd be happy to let you know!...
Been using mine and before the Bluei for around a year now. No problems at all, no false alerts either.
Only problem with the B2 is that is 4mph slower than your speedo. They reckon its more acurate than the Bluei
Quote from: "cstevens"Only problem with the B2 is that is 4mph slower than your speedo. They reckon its more acurate than the Bluei
Yes, but a GPS based speed device is more accurate than your speedometer s:wink: :wink: s:wink:
Quote from: "cstevens"Only problem with the B2 is that is 4mph slower than your speedo. They reckon its more acurate than the Bluei
My GPS shows a constant 5mph less than the speedo.
I think it's a europe-wide conspiracy to slow us all down and get away with dodgy road repairs.
Yes - I must admit that the B2 Speedo doesnt match up with the MR2 dial, I also think that is sometimes takes longer than 1sec to catch up after acellerating or slowing down.
As it long as it tells me where the cameras are - I think I'll still be looking at my Mr2 speedo for my speed - just incase the B2 hasnt caught up!
Quote from: "silvermr2"Yes - I must admit that the B2 Speedo doesnt match up with the MR2 dial, I also think that is sometimes takes longer than 1sec to catch up after acellerating or slowing down.
I don't know about the specifics of the Origin system, but it's quite probable that being GPS based, it only updates speed every 1sec (or more). Bear in mind that GPS systems can
only calculate speed by measuring absolute position every <n> seconds, and deriving speed from that mathmatically. For instance, handheld Garmin GPS receivers only do so every 1 or 5 seconds (in "battery saver" mode).
As such, they're only telling you your
average speed over that period; if you accelerated or slowed significantly during that period, the indicated speed
will be wrong. Likewise changing direction suddenly will throw out speed calculations for the same reason; the GPSr assumes you've travelled in a straight line between the last two position reports, so if the time between those two positions is sufficiently long, the distance travelled (and hence speed) will be wrong.
Of course, this process normally works to a GPSr's advantage; since any single position fix can be out by a few meters (or more), the averaging works to cancel these errors out, leading to highly accurate figures if moving at a constant speed in a straight line.
All that said, I'd still trust a GPS to give me a more accurate speed than the onboard electro-mechanical speedo. The latter is allowed to overread by upto 10%, and mine (almost) does.
I think that is wise, I always use the speedo to judge. That way at least you know for sure that you are doing the limit or just under for the cameras (not that you would be doing over - check the avanta).
I looked at this a few years ago when building a kit car, and IIRC the speedo must NOT under-read under any circumstances, but is allowed to over-read by up to 10%, so thats the margin manufacturers aim for when building your car.
Hence you speedo will always be a little over...
But none of us here ever speed do we? s:wink: :wink: s:wink:
Quote from: "silvermr2"But none of us here ever speed do we? s:wink: :wink: s:wink:
Of course not! None of us would dare! s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
When manufacturers produce the vehicle they are allowed -zero +0/5 mph tolerance on speedo readings. They would not get EE conformity were they to break the zero tolerance. So i guess it is a European conspiracy. s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
Also if you change the size of your wheel you alter the validity of your speedo, add to that if you drive at high speed and then check again its further out. something to do with what racing techs did years ago to calibrate the speed of the race cars before Motec etc.
An oem speedo will over read by aprox 5% as a general rule. If you compare the speed registered by a GPS system such as sat nav with the speed shown on an Apexi RSM which is connected directly to the speed pulse wire from the ECU they will usually be almost the same.
The OEM speedo does get its input from the speed pulse wire in a similar manner but of course it is then displayed via a needle under the tension of a spring. The mechanics of this cause the oem speedo to be less accurate the faster you go, consequently 7% out is usual around the top end.
6 of us from the UK Celica Club went on a road trip around Europe in May and checked our speedo readings agianst each other and our GPS/RSM readings, we all recorded the same deviance from oem speeds at top wack. (145mph by GPS/Sat Nav)
On the OB2 there have been a bad batch of these recently, the Celica Club had a group buy on these a few months back and some of the guys have been having problems locking onto satelites etc. But to give the supplier credit they have replaced cradles etc in an attempt to rectify this.
cheers
Sounds about right.
Both the 2 and the focus appear to be exactly 4mph out. Does that mean all us lot with GPS or B2 can drive an extra 4mph over the limit then?
Quote from: "cstevens"Sounds about right.
Both the 2 and the focus appear to be exactly 4mph out. Does that mean all us lot with GPS or B2 can drive an extra 4mph over the limit then?
Don't think I'd want to risk it....
Quote from: "cstevens"Does that mean all us lot with GPS or B2 can drive an extra 4mph over the limit then?
I do that... just not past a speed camera.
Quote from: "Slacey"Quote from: "cstevens"Sounds about right.
Both the 2 and the focus appear to be exactly 4mph out. Does that mean all us lot with GPS or B2 can drive an extra 4mph over the limit then?
Don't think I'd want to risk it....
Er... That's what I do... s:oops: :oops: s:oops:
75mph on the GPS, 80mph on the speedo, and I'm pretty certain I'd still be within the 10% + 2 for SPECS (that
is what they set SPECS at, right?)..
Mind you, for fixed speed cameras (GATSO/Truvelo) I usually drop down to 70mph on the speedo, just in case..
Which reminds me to put my detector in the 2, as it's not doing much good in the shed! s:oops: :oops: s:oops:
Weird huh?
I had a Bluei and it seemed to pretty well match the speedo.
However, my B2 is around 4 to 5 mph out at normal speeds and up to 8 mph out at high speeds (constant speed on motorways - high speeds on foreign motorways)
I did ask Origin about the inconsistencies between models and they told me that it was down to the B2 being much more accurate.
Quote from: "Jonny Turbo"I did ask Origin about the inconsistencies between models and they told me that it was down to the B2 being much more accurate.
Same response here when I asked them. Apparently it is, and not just BS!.
Has anyone wired up the laser yet? I havent bothered yet
Quote from: "cstevens"Quote from: "Jonny Turbo"I did ask Origin about the inconsistencies between models and they told me that it was down to the B2 being much more accurate.
Same response here when I asked them. Apparently it is, and not just BS!.
Has anyone wired up the laser yet? I havent bothered yet
Yeh (which what my posting was originally about!) My washers and headlight flash sets it off!!!. - Weird!.
Not been past any plod to know if it truly works though - Ive only had it about 1 week.
I will install it in the focus first. Apparently it is quite sensitive when installed in a softtop. Where did you mount it, have you tried to put it in a different position?
Ive installed right above the rear view mirror as suggested, wire runs along and right of the windscreen and wires are tucked down in the recess behind a panel in the drivers footwell.
B2 Unit is installed on the flat dash section to the right of the dash dials, right.
Ive not moved the sensor at all, but might try a different location (theres not many left!) - My electric mirror adjustment set it off this evening!!.
Quote from: "silvermr2"If anyone was wondering, this Detector is the best by far - beats the Road Angel hands down (due to extensive testing between myself and friend).
Any questions about its functionality or perfomance I'd be happy to let you know!...
Well, since you said... s;) ;) s;)
Do you know if it signals the Specs cameras as well as Gatso/Truvelo?
Other than that - any thoughts on the best place to get one from?
Ta,
Aaron
SPECS are fixed, so they are available on the GPS database.
It warns you of the first and then subsiquent SPECS cameras, then gives you the all clear.
It also warns you of timed speed limits (such as outside schools) as well as conjestion charge zones!
I am not so sure the laser warner is of much benefit as if you are over the limit as it goes off, they have more or less got you.
You would really need to go the jamming/shifter/diffuser route if you want to defeat a laser which I have been sucking my teeth over s:? :? s:? due to cost/installation/legality.
EDIT****
My Bluei (when it has caught up) consistantly reads 2mph below my speedo.
Quote from: "Lusaka"You would really need to go the jamming/shifter/diffuser route if you want to defeat a laser which I have been sucking my teeth over s:? :? s:? due to cost/installation/legality.
I had one on my 300 (and it's now living in the shed, along with a lot of bits of 300ZX! s:lol: :lol: s:lol: ).. I can't really vouch for how well it worked though - I never went past a speed trap in all the time I had it.. Or if I did - it never went off..
I will say, though, that installation would be a piece of cake - all it needed was three wires.. Permenant earth, switched positive feed, and signal wire back to the buzzer, all the electronics were housed in the two dooberrys that went either side of the numberplate..
The B2 covers all cameras, GATSO, SPECS, TRUVELO etc - and is directional so it wont go off if your travelling in the opposite direction.
I got mine from radargirl.com (cheapest at time £349).
There is loads of info on the net about it - just use Google to get the info!.
The best thing it has over the Road Angel is that it knows the camera speed limit and advises you of the speed you should be doing - ideal when in an unknown area with little or no speed signs.
Quote from: "Lusaka"I am not so sure the laser warner is of much benefit as if you are over the limit as it goes off, they have more or less got you.
This is common myth that the Police love.
To visualise it a bit clearer, think of it as if the laser light were a piece of string.
It has a start and it has an end.
But how long's a piece of string? I hear you ask!!!
Well, the police are not going to use a high powered laser (as these can be harmfull), which would mean the string was more of less infinate. They will use a lower powered (Class 3 IIRC - one you can safely shine in the eye for short periods), the same as in barcode readers and laser pointers. These lasers have an effective range of 1 mile.
So the string is one mile long. It must leave the emmitter and return to the receiver after bouncing off a car. For that to work your car must be within 1/2mile of the laser gun - the halfway point.
That's why Police with laser guns will try to sit within 1/2 mile of a bend.
But the advantage is that you can pick them up at the full range of the light and this will always be double the distance the Police can read your speed.
And as for the argument that laser light does not scatter this is myth as well. The only time there is no scatter, or minimal scatter, is with industrial lasers in controlled rooms. The air is fill of dust and water droplets, all of which reflect and refract the laser light, even by a tiny amount. Then you have the roadfilm on peoples windscreens which will add to the effect.
But the police say that they are accurate and don't get near the windscreen. Of course they do, imagine the outcry if people started thinking that the laser gun was pointing at their eyes, even if it is for a fraction of a second. The fact is these lasers are safe, if not most people who work at supermarkets would be blind by now. Added to that if the police could hit your numberplate, each and every time, without missing and at 1/2 a mile away, they wouldn't be traffic cops, they would be among the best police marksmen!!!!
I've been behind a car that was targeted by laser. There was no way that they could have had a direct shot at my car. Yet my detector went wild. The only way this could have happened is if scattering took place.
Quote from: "Lusaka"You would really need to go the jamming/shifter/diffuser route if you want to defeat a laser which I have been sucking my teeth over s:? :? s:? due to cost/installation/legality.
Legally wise this is a bit of a toughy.
Laser jammers effectively work by producing laser light and shining it at the gun. This cancells out the laser from the gun (wavelength, frequency etc). As of yet there is no legal requirement for a license to produce light (otherwise Christmas would be a bit of a bummer with the number of lights I use).
It's the same with detectors. There is no need for a license to receive radio waves, only to send them.
And as for GPS signals!!!
So equiptment wise you are pretty much covered (unless you have a radar jammer).
All you could be prosecuted for is knowingly and willingly perverting the course of justice.
Thanks about that detailed infor on the laser Peter!. I will certainly be fitting my B2 laser this weekend then. I really thought up till then it was pointless because of :-
A) it would have to be situated wherever the police target
B) if they lasered you it was too late anyway.
Cool!. Will stick mine near the rear view mirror also. Wont bother trying to wire it near the number plate.!
I will just add a few scenarios, just in case:
Scenario 1) You are driving along and get targetted by laser and end up getting stopped for speeding. IIRC they can only do you for speeding and not for perverting the course of justice. Why? Beacuse they have actually stopped you for speeding and you have not avoided the course of justice, whether your detector is on or off.
Scenario 2) You are driving along and get tragetted by laser. Your detector goes off and/or the jammer and you slow up. PC plod decides to pull you over as they strongly believe you are speeding. He looks in and sees the detector switched on. Now IIRC you can be done for perverting the course of justice and not for speeding.
Scenario 3) You are driving along and get tragetted by laser. Your detector goes off and/or the jammer and you slow up. Before you come to a stop you sneakily unplug and/or remove the detector and/or jammer. PC plod decides to pull you over as they strongly believe you are speeding. He looks in and sees the either no detector or the detector switched off. This is where it can be complicated as they must now prove "beyond any reasonable doubt" that you were perverting the course of justice and didn't just slow up when you saw the cops. This is difficult for them as they need to prove that the detector was turned on.
Peter - surely this would only be the case in the event of a jammer?
Using the laser detector on the B2 is legal I thought?.
detectors are legal, although they dont like them (guess why??? less money for them!) but jammers are a big no no!
I'm with Kris on this.
Fifth Gear did a thing recenlty on detectors and jammers, they had either a serving copper, or an ex one on.
As Kris says, detectors are legal, they simply present the driver with information. They can in no way be considered to be perverting the course of justice or anything similar.
Jammers however, are illegal.
Which is what Kris said (sorry for repeating you mate).
Cool - back on with the plan to setup my laser "detector" on the B2 then.
Cheers boyz
Quote from: "phil4"Jammers however, are illegal.
Entirely true of course.. but then.. so is speeding... s;) ;) s;)
Quote from: "aaronjb"Entirely true of course.. but then.. so is speeding... s;) ;) s;)
Touché s:D :D s:D
Quote from: "aaronjb"Quote from: "phil4"Jammers however, are illegal.
Entirely true of course.. but then.. so is speeding... s;) ;) s;)
Yes, and its so much easier to catch speeding motorists than all those drug dealers, robbers, rapists, murderers, etc etc. Plus when they do bother to catch "serious criminals" then they dont make any money, so thats probably why they dont bother.
Quote from: "cstevens"Yes, and its so much easier to catch speeding motorists than all those drug dealers, robbers, rapists, murderers, etc etc. Plus when they do bother to catch "serious criminals" then they dont make any money, so thats probably why they dont bother.
Ooh, you cynical so-and-so! s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
Quote from: "aaronjb"Quote from: "phil4"Jammers however, are illegal.
Entirely true of course.. but then.. so is speeding... s;) ;) s;)
s:D :D s:D
Quote from: "cstevens"Quote from: "aaronjb"Quote from: "phil4"Jammers however, are illegal.
Entirely true of course.. but then.. so is speeding... s;) ;) s;)
Yes, and its so much easier to catch speeding motorists than all those drug dealers, robbers, rapists, murderers, etc etc. Plus when they do bother to catch "serious criminals" then they dont make any money, so thats probably why they dont bother.
Indeed.. the only reason they 'caught' the guy that broke into my house was because he 'asked for it to be taken into consideration during the proceedings of another case'.
And they never caught the people who broke into my 300ZX.. Or the people who broke into my Renault 19 16v s:evil: :evil: s:evil: s:evil: :evil: s:evil:
"You live in Slough, what do you expect?" were the words of one copper..
Quote from: "cstevens"Quote from: "aaronjb"Quote from: "phil4"Jammers however, are illegal.
Entirely true of course.. but then.. so is speeding... s;) ;) s;)
Yes, and its so much easier to catch speeding motorists than all those drug dealers, robbers, rapists, murderers, etc etc. Plus when they do bother to catch "serious criminals" then they dont make any money, so thats probably why they dont bother.
Too bloody true; did you see the facts on Top Gear the other week about the worst blackspots in Britain have no cameras even on them, and the areas that cameras being used have not decreased deaths etc. So their point was that they are being used inappropriately to raise money and not for the intended saftey reasons s:!: :!: s:!: s:!: :!: s:!: s:!: :!: s:!:
http://www.abd.org.uk
Quote from: "phil4"http://www.abd.org.uk
Going
wildly off-topic now (mods: feel free to split this!), but has the club considered affiliate membership of the ABD? For £75/year the club can support this (IMHO) worthy cause, and club members can personally join the ABD at a preferential rate?
Quote from: "pmdye"Quote from: "phil4"http://www.abd.org.uk
Going wildly off-topic now (mods: feel free to split this!), but has the club considered affiliate membership of the ABD? For £75/year the club can support this (IMHO) worthy cause, and club members can personally join the ABD at a preferential rate?
Following the detour. I think this sounds like a good idea.
Quote from: "phil4"Quote from: "pmdye"Quote from: "phil4"http://www.abd.org.uk
Going wildly off-topic now (mods: feel free to split this!), but has the club considered affiliate membership of the ABD? For £75/year the club can support this (IMHO) worthy cause, and club members can personally join the ABD at a preferential rate?
Following the detour. I think this sounds like a good idea.
I joined last year, very informative
QuoteBut the advantage is that you can pick them up at the full range of the light and this will always be double the distance the Police can read your speed.
I am afraid I disagree with Peter due to a different understanding on the tactical use of the laser gun, in that the laser is not being continously fired down the road but fired in a short burst by the user. It is precisely because they are waiting till you come closer e.g. 1/2 mile and then zap you, typically using a scope on the gun (if it is van unit) for an accurate shot, that you will get little opportunity for your detector to protect you.
Sparkle/scatter is a different matter and is probably your best chance of your detector protecting you - hence always be the 2nd fastest thing on the road s:wink: :wink: s:wink:
PS Sorry I have no idea why your B2 is being set off.
Quote from: "Peter Laborne"Scenario 3) You are driving along and get tragetted by laser. Your detector goes off and/or the jammer and you slow up. Before you come to a stop you sneakily unplug and/or remove the detector and/or jammer. PC plod decides to pull you over as they strongly believe you are speeding. He looks in and sees the either no detector or the detector switched off. This is where it can be complicated as they must now prove "beyond any reasonable doubt" that you were perverting the course of justice and didn't just slow up when you saw the cops. This is difficult for them as they need to prove that the detector was turned on.
This is way its now illegal in most of europe to have such a dfevice in your car. Out here you can get your car impoundec by having a detector.
Quote from: "cstevens"Quote from: "phil4"Quote from: "pmdye"Quote from: "phil4"http://www.abd.org.uk
Going wildly off-topic now (mods: feel free to split this!), but has the club considered affiliate membership of the ABD? For £75/year the club can support this (IMHO) worthy cause, and club members can personally join the ABD at a preferential rate?
Following the detour. I think this sounds like a good idea.
I joined last year, very informative
Bump.