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WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT IT?
Very comprehensive database - probably the best of the lot. It's FUTURE
PROOF. New Features can be easily added into your unit, via the internet.
Whenever a new or improved feature is developed by the manufacturer, you
can simply add them into your own system at home, without having to return
the TR20 to the factory.
In fact, you can even upgrade the TR20
to the TR30 by simply paying the difference in price and updating the
software via your PC. You can mount it more discreetly in the car. It
doesn’t have to be on the dashboard or windscreen. Looks great. It
comes with a gun-metal grey fascia, or as optional extras, you can buy
a brushed aluminium one or even a blank one you can paint any colour to
match your interior. User Friendly – it’s very simple to use
with a simple clear menu structure. You can select your own warning distance
or time to the camera. If you choose to be warned by time, the TR20 will
take account of your current speed and provide the warning at whatever
time you set it for. (Now that’s clever.)
It’s got an Over-Speed warning and
it tells you the speed limit at the camera. The audio levels are the best
of any of the GPS systems and you can actually hear the voice warnings
clearly. It can be hardwired for a faster satellite lock than any other
system.
WHAT COULD BE BETTER?
Although it lacks the best features of the TR30, it is still a brilliant
unit and excellent value for money. It’s funny when you think about
it, that the only minor gripe we had against the TR units is that the
database is too good. It’s so comprehensive, particularly on mobile
sites, that it could get annoying if there is no safety camera van using
the location that day.
However this point also demonstrates why
we think this is probably the best GPS system on the market. If you are
relying on a GPS system to tell you where mobile speed traps are possibly
going to be, then logically you want a database to tell you where all
the potential mobile sites are. Until now, no other system that we have
tested came close to having all the mobile sites listed.
The only other systems that even genuinely
attempted it were the Cyclops and the Origin B2. Side by side tests however
over 8000 miles show that the TR units far outperforms any other GPS alerts
system for mobile site coverage. The database is being constantly added
to to include 99% of mobile sites listed by the safety camera partnerships.
HOW DO I USE IT?
When you are driving along normally, there is a highly accurate speedometer
in the centre of the display to show your current road speed. You can
set the overspeed warning to any amount and if you go over it the OVERSPEED
Alert comes on the left of the display. There is a compass heading on
the right hand side. When you approach a camera, the TR20 will display
what type of camera is up ahead and let you know the speed limit in force
there and loud bleeping will start. Then when you drop below the speed
limit, the TR20 goes into Soft alert mode (the audio is muted.) Speed
up and the full alert comes back on.
Once you’re past the camera, it returns
to normal operation. It can be hardwired to the accessory position on
the ignition key switch. That is well worth doing as it allows the TR20
to operate immediately. On some other GPS systems you need to wait a long
time to get satellite lock before they start working. That makes a huge
difference if you’re just going on a short trip and want to be protected.
In common with all other GPS systems, you need to update the unit fairly
regularly as the location of safety cameras is constantly changing with
new ones being added all the time. We recommend doing it at least once
a week (more frequently if you are a high mileage driver. If you are going
on a long trip to a new area you’re best to update it the night before.
HOW DO I UPDATE IT?
You need a computer to update it. Updates are best done on your home PC,
via the internet. It can sometimes be tricky to do it from an office PC
because of security settings on the firewalls of some office networks.
The TR20 connects to you PC via the USB port using the cable provided.
WHAT DOES IT COST TO ACCESS THE DATABASE
UPDATES?
The first 6 months are free with your initial purchase. Thereafter, a
year’s subscription is £50
HOW DO I FIT IT IN MY CAR?
It’s actually very easy to fit this yourself. The basic kit comes
with the mounting cradle that the TR20 sits into. You can position this
mounting cable wherever you like in the car. So you can have it positioned
in the central column, etc. rather than mounted on the dashboard. It makes
it much neater and discreet. This is linked to a central control hub and
you can power this hub from the Cigar lighter socket, but we recommend
that you hardwire it into the ignition, so that the TR20 can keep satellite
lock. All you would have to have on your dashboard is a small GPS antenna,
tucked away in the corner somewhere.
HOW DO I MOVE IT BETWEEN CARS?
You do need to buy an extra car kit. It includes a mounting cradle, control
hub and GPS antenna for the other car and the charge is £99, Once
you have this, it’s incredible easily to switch and only takes seconds
to do.
I drive a car with a UV Reflective windscreen
– Will it work?
If you drive a Citroen, Peugeot or Renault that was made after 2001 or
a Vauxhall Zafira, then for many other GPS systems you would need to buy
an external GPS Antenna to get them to work properly. NOT SO WITH THE
TR30. The cable to the GPS Antenna is 4 metres long - which means that
you could fit the TR20 Antenna on the rear parcel shelf and it can see
the satellites through the back window (which is not Athermic glass like
the front windscreen.)
Can I use it on a motorbike?
It’s not really designed for this but it's just as good as any other
GPS Alert System on a bike.
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