Talex Lite Speed Cam Detector £59.99 in Aldi - Hurry!!

safeandsecure

sco0ter wrote: »

The are EXACTLY the same apart from the cosmetic changes..

They will be using the same database as Novus GPS has aquired TALEX under TALEX Technologies. Only difference is the TALEX Lite does not come with an update cable so it costs another £20-£25

sco0ter

Just so you are aware there has been a long standing dispute at Talex between the 2 directors resulting in the sale of the company after it was placed into administration owing thousands of pounds. The database at Talex was the first to suffer and all the survey team quit (all ex coppers). This has meant the data has not been updated for months. Some parts of the country have not been checked for over twleve months. £59.99 is not good value when you look at the data support because without it anyting else is just eye candy for the dashboard.

anewman

safeandsecure, I suppose that also explains the expected update frequency. In two minds whether to take mine back now. It doesn't mean that eventually new people just as good can't be re-employed, but it doesn't look good does it?!!!

safeandsecure

anewman wrote: »

safeandsecure, I suppose that also explains the expected update frequency. In two minds whether to take mine back now. It doesn't mean that eventually new people just as good can't be re-employed, but it doesn't look good does it?!!!

anewman,

I am aware that some Talex Lite owners are considering taking action via trading standards because of the database issue. To be honest I dont see it being resolved it will just get more messy. The free updates link was just a ploy to steal Talex customers and get then over to Novus. The only people who will lose out will be those who buy thinking they are getting a quality product. I would encourage people to return the products to Aldi explaining why they are being returned. I know that Aldi were told of the problems.

anewman

Thanks again safeandsecure. Probably better to take it back, get the money back and wait till everything clears up and people praise them again rather than leave it as £60 down the pot.

Anyone know if I can return it to any ALDI store? Purchased from one 218 miles away and don't fancy a special trip to return it. Suppose I'll have to try anyway

Angelina-M

I was going to buy one of these tomorrow until I read SafeandSecure's post. Thank you for taking the effort to register and let us know.

safeandsecure

Angelina-M wrote: »

I was going to buy one of these tomorrow until I read SafeandSecure's post. Thank you for taking the effort to register and let us know.

Hi

You are welcome. It will be interesting to see how this goes. It is a shame really because the products have always been good but the Talex database has now been allowed to fall in to disrepute and the unit has only one function and that is to warn the driver of speed cameras and up todate information on blackspots etc.

fubar_2

Considering the limited information available about what Novusgps plans are or who are actually running the business, I think it is too early to start speculating that data updates are going to be few and far between.

to be honest with you although safeandsecure may only be trying to pass on information that he thinks people should know, who is to say that he is not in the speedcamera game himself and trying to scupper a new company before it has had chance to prove itself, he could be one of the ex-directors from Talex, we wouldn't know hell it could even be someone from Pocket GPS or some other supplier concerned that someone is offering life time free subscriptions for something that they themselves charge for

My advice,

If your interested in the product from Aldi then buy it you could always return it for a refund within 30 days if things dont look as though they are going to work through novusgps, or sit back and see how it pans out then maybe kick yourself because you can't buy one from Aldi any more, or even look at some of the alternative options available that are on paid for subscription.

I'd like to see more information on the Novusgps site myself but can see the domain was only registered Nov so they may still be in the building stage for their website, I have never seen the Talex website to know what they offered their users, but the very least I would like to see from Novusgps is a user forum where we can discuss any issues in the open, not just a sales page with minimal links.

anewman

fubar, better £60 in my pocket than ALDI's if it all goes tits up. Something's obviously wrong, the company is in dissarray with the new Novus existing and a placeholder page on the Talex site now wanting to sell updates after they previously e-mailed all subscribers to tell them updates would be free from Novus. Basically, everything safeandsecure says makes sense. If they couldn't be profitable with the previous business model, how can they be in the future?!

I have sent the following e-mail to Novus.

Novus GPS,

I have just read about the alleged placing of Talex into administration and the Talex database being in dispute, with all the original update staff consisting of ex-police quitting. If the original set-up with subscription updates was not a viable business model, how can Novus’s free updates keep at the same sort of reasonable quality – and Novus GPS remain profitable?

I have tried to ask Talex about their apparent U-turn on a transfer to free updates from Novus, as their new site states they want to sell subscriptions. They have not replied to my query as yet.

There seems to be quite a lot that doesn’t add up over the whole Talex/Novus debacle, and the consumer is the one who’ll be suffering – and consequently Novus’s profitability. I am sure you can appreciate that the device itself is useless without updates of a reasonable quality. I believe that Novus in the past has stated the updates will be of the same quality, and by the same people, which just does not seem possible if they all quit, and ownership of the database is in dispute.

Unfortunately, due to what appears to be misinformation by both Talex and Novus GPS, I am considering returning the Novus GPS Rider to ALDI under their 30 day money back guarantee – and wait until reviewers rate the quality of the unit before re-purchasing. And with the information I have read, feel motivated to encourage others to do the same. £60 is quite a bit of money to throw away on technology with poor future updates.

What assurances can you offer your customers? Bearing in mind no reply is not exactly assurance.

sco0ter

safeandsecure wrote: »

sco0ter

Just so you are aware there has been a long standing dispute at Talex between the 2 directors resulting in the sale of the company after it was placed into administration owing thousands of pounds. The database at Talex was the first to suffer and all the survey team quit (all ex coppers). This has meant the data has not been updated for months. Some parts of the country have not been checked for over twleve months. £59.99 is not good value when you look at the data support because without it anyting else is just eye candy for the dashboard.

The database was last updated on the 17th NOV 2007. This is verified due to the fact that it deleted temp cams from near me that had been taken down on the 14th and one camera that had just been put in (not up and running yet) is also included. The NOVUS GPSRIDER is in fact a talex lite on the inside and it is only cosmetic changes that have taken place this is why they were offering the updates as the units are basically the exact same. If you look at all the NOVUS products they are just talex rebranded... Even their ALPHA is just a renamed TALEX ELITE. I dont know if anyone else updated from the NOVUS site when it was offered but that had the last available update (NOV) and was newer than the one on the talex site and also came as a standalone file.

anewman

But you must admit everything looks a bit suspect sco0ter, the updates may well be fine, but all this stuff going on with them isn't very confidence boosting - sorry to say. I'd rather have my money back and buy if autoexpress turns out to praise it again.