Looks like AirNav has launched a branded DVB-T USB stick selling for GBP £59.95. Similar devices can be purchased elsewhere for a tenth of the price!
The W&S listing doesn't explain what software is included, if any? Maybe all one gets is access to RadarBox24.com and the "free software" just feeds the network?
Mind you, this must be the first ever DVB-T device "designed by professional pilots". Another AirNav "First". ;D
http://wsplc.com/airnav-radarbox/micro-radarbox.html
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Wouldn.t it be nice if they sent you one to trial.
Quote from: mhm on February 23, 2015, 08:12:38 AM
Wouldn.t it be nice if they sent you one to trial.
Elvis will be seen performing live on the moon before that happens. ;)
The more I think about this, the Micro RadarBox is just a standard DVB-T "dongle" selling at ten times the normal price.
The Waters & Stanton blurb with (very poor spelling):
"The package comprises a "dongle" style reciever (sic) together with USB lead and antenna. You need to have your own radvar (sic) display. Download the free software with no password or registration needed. All you need is a Windows based PC or laptop."
This suggests that the packgae is just a standard DVB-T receiver and the free, downloadable software is to feed the AirNav network.
To view local aircraft requires "your own radar display", such as PlanePlotter or VRS.
Looks like another smoke and mirrors AirNav product release.
Can anyone who (is daft enough) buys one please post a review of how you set it up and your first impressions?
Is it just an absolute rip-off (more than likely knowing Brandao) of the standard DVB-T dongle, or a 1090MHz dedicated device??
The link on the package Radarbox24.com/micro to download the software doesn't go anywhere to do that!
Looks like a standard dongle judging by the antenna (not tuned for 1090).
I see Brian has caught up with the news and posted one of his renowned, in-depth and balanced assessments of the new Micro RadarBox.
How does he do it? ;)
Others might choose the easy option and just copy and paste content from another website. But not our Brian.
http://www.radarspotters.eu/forum/index.php?topic=8299.msg54042#msg54042
It is looks exactly the same shape as the one I have on my bench which I got from Cosy Cave over a year ago for about £7 including postage
Surely no-one, in their right mind, will buy one of these?
The fact that it has the 'Brandao stamp of Approval' associated to it will make most informed radar spotting types running for the hills.
Quote from: Sun Worshipper on February 24, 2015, 11:19:58 AM
Surely no-one, in their right mind, will buy one of these?
The fact that it has the 'Brandao stamp of Approval' associated to it will make most informed radar spotting types running for the hills.
There were enough mugs who paid £400 + for an airnav box when they first came out. I paid the lower price when they sold of the old stock. Having bought a dongle from cosycave years ago I would not by that thing from airnav at its price now.
When discounted in a few years time when sales fall maybe. Anyway whos to say it will work in a years time when windows updates to win10
QuoteThere were enough mugs who paid £400 + for an airnav box when they first came out.
Me included, seduced by a pack of lies. >:(
QuoteWhen discounted in a few years time when sales fall maybe. Anyway whos to say it will work in a years time when windows updates to win10
That's the point I was trying to make. Few people in the know who have encountered the Air Nav experience, will touch another product from that company with a sh***y stick! A few years could become a few months. :D
Hope you are feeling a bit better. :)
Quote from: Sun Worshipper on February 24, 2015, 01:40:28 PM
Hope you are feeling a bit better. :)
Reading mhm's signature, he should avoid any treatment. ;)
:)
Just had an on-line "chat" with W&S here's the transcript:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
You are now chatting with Dan Thomas (Sales)
Dan says:
Welcome to Live Help, how can I help you today?
Dan says:
Hi there Tim how can I help?
Tim says:
I am a bit confused about this Micro Radarbox product - surely it's just a RTL2832U+R820T Dongle?
Dan says:
bare with me two minute Tim I am trying to confirm exactly what the specifications are
Tim says:
OK thanks - I've just taken a phone call, so no rush at all.
Dan says:
From what I can gather, the information is a little limited at the moment, the main difference with this model is its high quality filtering for airband use. The filters basically will stop you being bombarded with excess signals that will interfere with it.
Tim says:
Airband use? That's not the 1090 MHz frequency.
Dan says:
I am not currently certain which frequency it operates on but I would assume 1090 MHZ
Tim says:
OK understood, I hope it will be 1090 MHz otherwise it's not much use for virtual radar use.
Tim says:
Anything further to add please Dan?
Tim says:
When will it be available?
Dan says:
we are currently in negotiations with the supplier as to the delivery date, they website will be updated as soon as they come into stock, sorry I cannot be more specific than that at the moment
Tim says:
OK no problems - thanks for the information you have provided.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So there you have it - it apparently has high quality filters - that must justify the exorbitant price. I've been running my £5 - or was it £6 dongle that came on the slow boat from China a couple of years ago with my RPi and I don't seem to be suffering from "being bombarded with excess signals that will interfere with it".
Somehow, I think someone has let a male cow into the room and it has defecated.
Tim
Quote from: Triple7 on February 24, 2015, 03:47:54 PM
Somehow, I think someone has let a male cow into the room and it has defecated.
8) 8) 8)
I cannot see the business justification in taking a DVB-T receiver that costs a couple of dollars and changing the spec to include "high quality filtering for airband use".
Since there must be thousands of DVB-T receivers being successfully used for 1090 MHz, even Brandao isn't that dumb.
QuoteFrom what I can gather, the information is a little limited at the moment, the main difference with this model is its high quality filtering for airband use.
How many more times, you must NEVER use the term quality and/or Radar Box/Air Nav in the same sentence. Blimey, hope they've learnt their lesson from installing crap components into the Radar Box.
Quoteeven Brandao isn't that dumb.
He's probably desperate for another revenue stream to replace the cash cow that was Radarbox and, cough, cough, Radarbox 24 (mwhahahahahah).
Latest of the Latest Product Release for Plane-spotting.
Announcing the release of the "Cat's Tail 1090 MHz ADS-B Dongle Receiver.
Cheapest: USD 0.99 each, including shipping.
- designed by taikongnauts, professional pilots ( which pilot is not professional ?), and .... hot-air balloons pilots( AirNav Boss )
- no power or USB connections needed
- just put your cat's tail on the window facing the airport and enjoy live view of all aircrafts with fantastic range of 500 nm.
- make sure the cat's tail is facing upwards.
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Quote from: Anmer on February 23, 2015, 08:16:57 AM
Quote from: mhm on February 23, 2015, 08:12:38 AM
Wouldn.t it be nice if they sent you one to trial.
Elvis will be seen performing live on the moon before that happens. ;)
The sun will rise in the West and set in the East.
Quote from: birdie on February 25, 2015, 02:36:51 AM
Latest of the Latest Product Release for Plane-spotting.
Announcing the release of the "Cat's Tail 1090 MHz ADS-B Dongle Receiver.
Cheapest: USD 0.99 each, including shipping.
- designed by taikongnauts, professional pilots ( which pilot is not professional ?), and .... hot-air balloons pilots( AirNav Boss )
- no power or USB connections needed
- just put your cat's tail on the window facing the airport and enjoy live view of all aircrafts with fantastic range of 500 nm.
- make sure the cat's tail is facing upwards.
Birdie! Please tell me that's not a real cat's tail :o ! Otherwise, you need to go and lie down in a very dark room for a very long time and not think about AirNav.....ever.....period :'(
Quote from: Bethsalem on February 25, 2015, 11:51:12 AM
Quote from: birdie on February 25, 2015, 02:36:51 AM
Latest of the Latest Product Release for Plane-spotting.
Announcing the release of the "Cat's Tail 1090 MHz ADS-B Dongle Receiver.
Cheapest: USD 0.99 each, including shipping.
- designed by taikongnauts, professional pilots ( which pilot is not professional ?), and .... hot-air balloons pilots( AirNav Boss )
- no power or USB connections needed
- just put your cat's tail on the window facing the airport and enjoy live view of all aircrafts with fantastic range of 500 nm.
- make sure the cat's tail is facing upwards.
Birdie! Please tell me that's not a real cat's tail :o ! Otherwise, you need to go and lie down in a very dark room for a very long time and not think about AirNav.....ever.....period :'(
hahahahaaaa ... at USD 0.99 including FREE Shipping ... You expect a REAL Cat's tail ?
Another happy AirNav customer. >:(
I'll post the forum message here just in case AirNav deletes the post.
I recently ordered and received a RadarBox24 Micro USB device. For the first five days, the online software installation system was completely inactive in any of my four browser options. I submitted contact forms asking for help, but more than a week later, no response at all. However, on the sixth day, suddenly the software installation site was in operation and the software was downloaded and installed.
However, it appears that the only way to do anything other than Demo activities is to sign up for the free 15 days of database tracking, which is impossible, since the signup requires inclusion of the Radarbox serial number. The RadarBox24 Micro has no serial number! Again, I have sent contact forms, and again, absolutely no response.
I am now trying to find the address to which I can return this apparently useless big of instrumentation. A very annoying and disappointing experience, I must say.
Am I surprised? No.
http://www.airnavsystems.com/forum/index.php?topic=8465.msg116285#msg116285
Quote from: Anmer on October 27, 2015, 05:33:30 PM
Another happy AirNav customer. >:(
I'll post the forum message here just in case AirNav deletes the post.
I recently ordered and received a RadarBox24 Micro USB device. For the first five days, the online software installation system was completely inactive in any of my four browser options. I submitted contact forms asking for help, but more than a week later, no response at all. However, on the sixth day, suddenly the software installation site was in operation and the software was downloaded and installed.
However, it appears that the only way to do anything other than Demo activities is to sign up for the free 15 days of database tracking, which is impossible, since the signup requires inclusion of the Radarbox serial number. The RadarBox24 Micro has no serial number! Again, I have sent contact forms, and again, absolutely no response.
I am now trying to find the address to which I can return this apparently useless big of instrumentation. A very annoying and disappointing experience, I must say.
Am I surprised? No.
http://www.airnavsystems.com/forum/index.php?topic=8465.msg116285#msg116285
Actually, AirNav's Strong Point of NO RESPONDING to their Customers & Potential Customers SAVED me from Financial Disaster !
When South East Asia / Asia was nothing but "empty Airspace without much flights displayed" - I was toying with the idea of importing 10 RadarBoxes for sale.
After 1 reply from Airnav, it was 'radio silence" -
- their USA retailer ( R & L Electronics in Hamilton, Ohio ) was no better than AirNav - it took me more than 1 year to buy the RadarBox from them - ( at that time, I should have bought SBS-1 ).
- R & L Electronics used all methods on earth to prevent me from buying - including " not shipping International, not accepting overseas credit cards, only Advance Bank Payment but when asked for their Banking Details - no response, even when I made International phone calls to R & L - their answer was negative "
Finally, when I succeeded in buying the RadarBox from R & L Electronics ( I was ripped off USD 180 Courier Service for a box that weighs less than 500 gm ) and connected it into my PC - disaster strike - I need not repeat it !
Now, South East Asia ( esp Singapore ) is an empty airspace.
Four days on and the Micro RadarBox customer (is he tyhe only one?) isn't making much progress:
27th October 2015
Hi lpj97007,
Firstly big sorry for the trouble caused and we will get you up and running with RadarBox24 Micro as soon as possible.
We haven't received any of your contact messages, if you do not get a ticket number it means the contact message either hasn't got to us or it was blocked due to spam.
We have your email address and you will be contacted direct.
28th October 2015
Thank you. It's nice to know that there are human beings at the helm somewhere!
I've checked my spam folders, and no responses were there (and also no ticket numbers).
I'll wait to hear from you directly.
lpj97007, please contact support@airnavsystems.com with your email address to allow direct contact. Airnav tried the email address they had and it was rejected.
Many thanks
Alan
30th October 2015
Have done so two days ago, but no response. Is anyone home?
I will recontact them, what is your ticket ID number please. Send me your email address and I will pass it on alanmcnight@btinternet.com
Alan
31st October 2015
Done, Alan. But I have no ticket number, having never had a response to any of my contacts--including trying to establish a ticket number.
Thanks for your help.
Larry
email address passed on and I have replied to you
Alan
http://www.airnavsystems.com/forum/index.php?topic=8465.msg116285#msg116285
I have one of these as a sample and I am impressed with it. If you wan't to know my thoughts then please let me know.
Please go easy on me, this is my first post here!
Quote from: Rocket on March 14, 2016, 02:22:36 PM
If you wan't to know my thoughts then please let me know.
Welcome. Please let us know what impresses you.
Is this your website?
http://www.rocketradio.co.uk/
Quote from: Anmer on March 14, 2016, 02:28:20 PM
Quote from: Rocket on March 14, 2016, 02:22:36 PM
If you wan't to know my thoughts then please let me know.
Welcome. Please let us know what impresses you.
Is this your website?
http://www.rocketradio.co.uk/
Yes that is my website.
The RadarBox Micro is at home so I will post later with some screenshots and more thoughts on it. First thing I would say is that the price quoted earlier in this topic is wrong (or at least not what I would sell it for) It should be about £39.95
It may be an RTL2382 dongle but AirNav have flashed it with their Product and Vendor ID's so you just plug it in and download the RadarBox V6.0 software and it just works. Far easier than installing drivers and software on the RTL dongles and that's what's impressed those who I have demonstrated it to.
I know it's more expensive than the RTL dongle you can get for a tenner but like I say it works and is hassle free (apart from the server delays downloading the software but hopefully that will improve)
Thanks.
Some might think your impressions may be biased if you're a Micro Radarbox vendor but don't let that put you off sharing them.
As for the quoted price, that's what it was advertised for when the message was first posted.
I too can see the advantage of a "plug and play" solution but surely one can achieve that with a DVB-T costing a lot less than GBP £40, maybe just GBP £10?
https://www.radarbox24.com/addcoverage
Alternatively there's FlightAware's free PiAware which is available as a fully configured SD card which can feed decoded data to a wide range of tracking software. Plus it also offers unblocked MLAT plotting which I don't think the Micro RadarBox can do? And FlightAware throws in a free Enterprise account which is worth a lot more than RadarBox24 Elite.
Just a few of my impressions. ;)
https://flightaware.com/adsb/piaware/build
OK my apologies for appearing biased, I am a retailer yes but don't hide it. But I use it myself the same as I do my original RadarBox as I have done for years and live feed them to flightradar24.
I've just seen this slated just about everywhere and don't think it deserves it.
Quote from: Rocket on March 14, 2016, 04:36:29 PM
I've just seen this slated just about everywhere and don't think it deserves it.
From what I've seen, the only reason it's "slated" is its grossly inflated price. After all, it's just a DVB-T SDR receiver, albeit with RadarBox software that collects the owner's data to resell in the RadarBox networks.
I just don't see how AirNav can justify charging GBP £40 when an equivalent device can be can bought for less than GBP £10, But that's Brandao for you, always out for a quick buck.
In my opinion, there are cheaper and better options and, judging by the lack of global coverage on RadarBox24, many others agree.
Quote from: Anmer on March 14, 2016, 05:04:20 PM
I just don't see how AirNav can justify charging GBP £40 when an equivalent device can be can bought for less than GBP £10
Yes, almost half that if you are prepared to wait a few weeks and it's the T2 version....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/351486586927?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Tim
Quote from: Rocket on March 14, 2016, 02:41:07 PM
The RadarBox Micro is at home so I will post later with some screenshots and more thoughts on it.
Any further thoughts?
Quote from: Rocket on March 14, 2016, 02:41:07 PM
The RadarBox Micro is at home so I will post later with some screenshots and more thoughts on it. First thing I would say is that the price quoted earlier in this topic is wrong (or at least not what I would sell it for) It should be about £39.95
Hmmmm. He never did post his impressions as promised (http://radarspotting.com/forum/index.php/topic,4968.msg28573.html#msg28573) and I see he reneged on his selling price, after claiming the quoted price was wrong.
http://www.rocketradio.co.uk/airnav-radarbox-micro-546-c.asp
I do wish suppliers wouldn't try and pull the wool over my eyes.
By the way, has anyone bought a Micro RadarBox?
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Quote from: Anmer on February 23, 2015, 08:16:57 AM
Quote from: mhm on February 23, 2015, 08:12:38 AM
Wouldn.t it be nice if they sent you one to trial.
Elvis will be seen performing live on the moon before that happens. ;)
Mdm Chang'e - the Chinese Moon Goddess of Immortality will be very happy to see Elvis perform .
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-Autumn_Festival
I always thought Mark at Rocket Radio was a good guy, just goes to show even selling Air Nav products makes you tell porkies. Shame on you sir >:(
Quote from: Triple7 on March 15, 2016, 07:03:52 PM
Quote from: Anmer on March 14, 2016, 05:04:20 PM
I just don't see how AirNav can justify charging GBP £40 when an equivalent device can be can bought for less than GBP £10
Yes, almost half that if you are prepared to wait a few weeks and it's the T2 version....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/351486586927?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Tim
USD 7.10 including FREE SHIPPING to Singapore.
You might get free shipping to UK also.
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Digital-USB-TV-Stick-FM-DAB-DVB-T-RTL2832U-R820T-Support-SDR-Tuner-Receiver/32556148843.html?spm=2114.01010208.3.37.9brM33&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_0,searchweb201602_2_10037_10017_507_10032,searchweb201603_11&btsid=9ae91694-0409-44bb-aeaf-0a77c1834762
I see AirNav (aka Andre Brandao) is undercutting its own retailers now.
Sales must be bad. ;)
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Hi everyone i bought the Airnav Micro ADSB it took a while to get going but Mark was very help full and truly worth it and wrapped with this product went to my local airport devonport
tasmania australia with its original antenna distance reached so far is 177 nm and this is in a leveled area also have the flightaware dongle with filter antenna is a zmx beam with a yaesu rotator and an elak amplifier and a kinetic sbs-3 antenna is a zmx adsb vertical.
Regards Lino.
How does it compare to your FlightAware Pro Stick on performance (and price).
I still can't convince myself to spend GBP £34.00 for a DVB-T SDR.
Hi Anmer well havent tried the flightaware mobile yet but did with the airnav micro just came back from a few spots that we went to not far from my place with its original small antenna got 216 nm distance very happy with that.
Regards Lino.
Quote from: Turbo68 on August 25, 2016, 12:11:54 PM
Hi Anmer well havent tried the flightaware mobile yet but did with the airnav micro just came back from a few spots that we went to not far from my place with its original small antenna got 216 nm distance very happy with that.
Regards Lino.
Hi, I took the plunge this week and purchased the Micro RadarBox, well worth the £34 I paid for it. I cannot see windows 10 drivers appearing any time soon for the ANRB. What has surprised me with this little dongle and its small antenna is what I receive.
Quote from: Jacobite9428 on October 23, 2016, 02:00:37 PM
Hi, I took the plunge this week and purchased the Micro RadarBox, well worth the £34 I paid for it.
You could have paid a lot less for a FlightAware Pro Stick with built in filter.