Uniden GPS301

Good – value for money, Uniden support as always pretty OK. Works as advertised, today it would be a nice backup to have laying around works as advertised buttons a bit agriculturally designed and use could be simpler

Terrible – A total waste of money, save up and buy a real GPS, not a pretend one. Who cares if they are only actually doing 95kph when the speedo reads 100kph anyway? It does tell me which direction I am heading, whacko! If I don't know my north from south by now I shouldn't be driving at all. If it had changes to speed zones and mobile speed camera locations it would be of great use. Fixed speed cameras and red light cameras locations are of little use to a safe driver anyway. Very cheap, but it would want to be for what it does: Checks your speedo, tells you direction, warns of FIXED cameras only. Does not warn you when changing speed zones. Even after downloading upgrades it still thinks that 100kph is the limit in Victoria. Once you know how much your speedo is out you never need it again.

Good – Overall, I like this thing. I obtained this device immediately it was released, and was impressed with how quickly it reminded me of the local speed cameras. It also informed me immediately that my speedo was 10% optimistic. (Which explained why I was always being tailgated...) It's small(ish) and light, and comes with a "fixed" power lead for wiring into the vehicle's electrical system, and also a cigarette lighter lead in case you want to unplug it and use it temporarily in another vehicle. It also comes with an AC adaptor to power it while updating the database through the PC cable.

I found the best way to mount this device was via stick-on "Velcro" (the proper stuff) under the "hood" over the speedo/tacho etc. Try not to block the ventilation holes though. And if there is much metal in there, it may block the GPS signal. Try it and see...

The navigation system is not a "street-by-street" system - it just indicates the direction to your destination; but the destinations database is very comprehensive. And you can add your own.

Mostly this thing just sits there telling you (exactly) how fast you are going, and in which direction.

The Alerts work well, but there are some changes I'd like to make if I could.

Firstly, the "quiet" setting just turns the alerts into an irritating buzzing sound. (You can adjust the volume of the normal alerts though.)

Secondly, the overspeed alert (you set the speed) just keeps going forever once you exceed your preset limit. That makes it worse than useless in most situations. Fine if you never leave the city, just an irritating nuisance otherwise.

The camera and black spot alerts work well enough, but go on too long. And the screen changes to a scrolling "alert" display, with distance and direction to the camera (why?) just when you'd really prefer the thing to tell you how fast you're actually going... (By this stage you've abandoned your normal speedo).

Do NOT buy this if you haven't access to the internet! Out of the box, it missed at least FIVE long-standing speed / red light cameras in Wollongong. Once the database was updated via the net, it hasn't missed one. And I travel a lot...

I would have really liked it to include school speed zones, but it doesn't. On the other hand, the "RoadAngel" which does, costs more than twice the price. Fair enough.

Overall, I like it, and now wouldn't drive without it. There are just a few irritating niggles one hopes will be rectified in the next model. Reasonably low price for what it does. Does what it says it will. Easily transferable from one vehicle to another. Database updates available from the internet. Continuous true speed and direction indication. Useless if you don't have an internet connection to update the database. Alert signals for cameras, speed etc, continue longer than necessary and interrupt speed indication. Can be irritating. Speed alert never cuts out as long as you are exceeding your preset limit. Database does NOT include school speed zones.

Excellent – At less than $100 in some stores this product represents outstanding value for money even 3-4 years after its release. size,features for the money paid, lets you drive without silly navigation distractions,general ease of use. no school zone warnings, updates would solve this and then it would be a five star item.