Novus Alpha User manual

Manufactured under license by: GPS Location and Timing Ltd.
Unit 15, Henfield Business Park, Shoreham Road,
Henfield, West Sussex BN5 9SL
www.novusgps.com

Introduction 3
Specification 4
Quick Start 5
Operation 6
Remote Control functions 7-8
Operating & Warning Screens 9-11
Event Types 12
Vehicle Profiles 13-14
Troubleshooting 15
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2
3
4
5
The Novus Alpha offers a new concept in GPS
based speed camera detectors.
All Novus based products use a comprehensive
database. The Novus Alpha adds a unique feature -
‘Vehicle profiling’.
It is surprising the number of drivers who do not
realise that the speed limits on dual carriageway’s
and motorway’s is different for different types
of vehicle.
For database updates please visit
www.novusgps.com and follow the download
instructions.
2 3
Warranty is provided with the product.
Full warranty details are available upon request.
1
INTRODUCTIONCONTENTS

4
Specification
Model: Novus Alpha
Display: 1.5” 65K colour OLED display
GPS: 16 channel Super Sense
GPS engine
Port: USB 2.0 compatible
Operation: 24 key IR remote control
Warning: Natural voice and colour
visual warnings
Volume Control: 7 step
Power: 12v – 24v dc
Consumption: 100mA maximum.
Information
The Novus Alpha is a Speed Camera Alert system
that solely uses GPS technology to determine its
location.
It does not contain Radar or Laser detection
technology.
The Novus Alpha is ready to use out of the box. Simply
remove the backing and affix the magnetic mount to the
dashboard.
Connect the car power lead (supplied) to the power socket
of the Novus Alpha. Ensure the power switch is ‘ON’
(See Fig.1).
Insert the car power lead to the vehicle cigar socket
(See Fig.2).
Place the Novus Alpha on top of the magnetic mount, the
unit will now start and acquire GPS signals.
When a valid navigation solution has been calculated the
display will show the time (if stationary) or the current speed
(if in motion) (See Fig.3).
5
OFF ON
POWER
Fig.3 The Display will show the time or current speed.
Insert the power lead into the car socketFig.1 Connect the power lead to the Novus Alpha
Insert power lead
Fig.2
Insert power
connector
23
QUICK STARTSPECIFICATION

6
The Novus Alpha features a wide range of
functions which the user can access using
the supplied remote control.
The user can configure the operation of the
Novus Alpha accessing different functions
on the remote control keypad.
7
Allows the user to select 12h or 24h clock
mode when the time is displayed.
Allows the user to mute all audio warnings.
Toggles the unit between standby and
operating mode.
When powered up the Novus
Alpha will automatically start
searching for satellites, when it
has a valid navigation solution, the
unit will display the current time. It
is now ready to provide the driver
with warnings as they approach
camera zones.
The Novus Alpha will monitor the
vehicle position every second and
compare this with the camera
database that is has stored
internally. When the device
calculates that the vehicle is
approaching a location it is aware
of, it will generate an audio/visual
warning for the driver.
When the unit has initialised and
is ready to use, the display will
show the current time (if the
vehicle is stationary) or the
current speed.
Novus Alpha
Remote Control
The arrow keys and enter key
highlighted on the remote control
allow the user to make a selection
within each category.
The user can enable or disable
individual groups of warning types.
By default all of the warnings are
enabled (ON).
4REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTIONSOPERATION

8
Basic Operating screen:
9
IMPORTANT!
The driver should only use the remote control when securely
parked and not attempt to configure the device whilst driving.
Starts a rolling demonstration mode of the unit. This
will continue until the button is pressed again, or
the power is removed from the unit.
When the vehicle is in motion the device will show
the current speed. The user can select if the speed
is displayed in metric or imperial units.
The device can switch between ‘Camera Mode’ and
‘Safe Driving Mode’. (See page 13).
Used to select the vehicle profile type.
(See page 13).
The user can record a position in the memory of their
unit with this button. The next time they approach
this location the unit will generate a warning.
Controls the brightness of the screen.
Resets the configuration of the device back to the
factory defaults. WARNING: All stored data will be
reset.
Compass Current vehicle
profile
Speed
Event proximity
indicator
The compass will
display the direction
of travel:
North
East
South
West
North East
South East
South West
North West
N
E
S
W
NE
SE
SW
NW
Car and motorcycles
Cars towing
caravans or trailers
Bus and coaches
Goods vehicles
below 7.5 tonnes
Articulated or towing
Goods vehicles
exceeding 7.5
tonnes
The vehicle profile will display one
of the following icons, depending
upon the user setting.
OPERATING & WARNING SCREENSREMOTE CONTROL FUNCTIONS

10
Camera Warning screen: GPS and Trip Information:
The Novus Alpha provides date, time SOS position, maximum
speed, elapsed time and distance travelled for each trip.
This data is not retained if the power is removed.
Use the left and right keys to cycle through Trip information.
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Camera warning below
speed limit.
Camera warning exceeding
speed limit.
Different warning types:
There are various different warning types that the unit can
generate, they are:
Fixed
Camera
Mobile
Camera
SPECS
Camera
Red Light
Camera
Speed limit
20 mph
Speed limit
30 mph
Speed limit
40 mph
Speed limit
50 mph
Speed limit
60 mph
Speed limit
70 mph
No Speed
limit
Safety
Data Icon
Date
04/07/07
Wednesday
Odometer
34.02 M
Elapsed Time
03:26
Max Speed
36MPH
Lat/Lon
N51.34.02
E 1.20.32
Left
Right
Current
day/date
Current
position of
device used
for SOS
function
The distance
travelled in
the trip
The elapsed
time of the trip
The maximum
speed reached
during the trip
OPERATING & WARNING SCREENS

12
Event Types:
The Novus Alpha will warn of the following events:
Fixed These are all permanent speed enforcement cameras,
Cameras they may be forward or rear facing. Some cameras can
be rotated to enforce in different directions, these
cameras will generate a warning if approached from
either direction, regardless of the current direction of
enforcement.
SPECS These cameras measure the time taken for a vehicle
Cameras to pass between two or more fixed points and then
calculate the average speed of the vehicle.
Mobile The Novus Alpha does not detect the radar or laser
Cameras emissions of mobile enforcement equipment, rather it
advises the driver as they approach an area where
enforcement may take place. The driver is warned of a
possible mobile camera ahead.
Red Light These cameras are located by traffic lights, and
Cameras prosecute drivers who cross when the lights are red.
In addition some of these cameras enforce speed
when the lights are green.
Congestion The device will warn when the driver crosses the into
Charge a congestion charging zone. These warnings are timed
and only operate when the zones are active.
S.C.P.Z Safety Camera Protection Zone, these are generic
warnings that the device generates to advise drivers
to be aware that there may be a hazard ahead that is
yet to be categorised.
A.B.S Accident Black Spot, these are warnings generated in
advance of areas with increased incidents of accidents
occurring.
Steep Hill Steep Hill warnings are given as the driver approaches
a steep hill.
Sharp Bend Sharp Bend warnings are given as the driver
approaches a sharp bend.
Vehicle profiles
The vehicle profiles feature enables the device to adjust
the speed limit announcement according the type of vehicle that
is being driven. When the unit is first switched on it will announce
the current active vehicle profile and show an icon on the basic
operating screen.
Example of operation:
A mobile camera can be enforcing a section of dual carriage way
where the speed limit is posted as 60 mph.
If the profile is set to ‘Car’ (the default value) then the Novus will
warn: ‘Warning possible mobile camera ahead, limit 60 miles
per hour’.
If the profile is set to ‘Goods vehicle exceeding 7.5 Tonnes’
then the Novus will warn: ‘Warning possible mobile camera
ahead, limit 50 miles per hour’.
Safe Driving Mode/Camera Mode
Safe Driving Mode will warn the driver as they approach all types
of warning events, all camera types and all safety features.
It will also announce the time at the top of the hour and ask the
driver to consider taking a rest every two hours.
Camera Mode will warn the driver of all types of camera, however
after an initial warning, it will not generate warnings to reduce
speed if the driver is in a mobile enforcement zone. In addition the
device will not warn of safety features, announce the time at the
top of the hour or ask the driver to consider taking a rest every
two hours.
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EVENT TYPES VEHICLE PROFILES

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Type of Vehicle
Car and Motorcycle
Includes car derived
vans up to 2 Tonnes
Car towing
Includes car derived
vans and motorcycles
Buses & Coaches
Not exceeding an
overall length of 12m
Goods Vehicles Not
exceeding 7.5 Tonnes
maximum laden weight
Goods Vehicles
Exceeding 7.5 Tonnes
laden weight
*60 mph if the vehicle is articulated or towing a trailer
Q. The Novus Alpha does not switch on
A. Check the in-car power lead is plugged into the cigar
lighter fully, check the fuse in the cable, check the
position of the switch on the right hand side of the unit is
in the ‘on’ position and check the unit is not in standby.
(Press the power button on the remote control).
Q. The unit takes a long time to show my speed
A. When first used the device needs to collect information
about the GPS satellites, this can take up to 20 minutes.
This time can be extended significantly if the vehicle is in
motion.
Q. The speed on the device is different to my
vehicle speedometer
A. It is quite normal for GPS based equipment to show a
lower speed to the vehicle speedometer. This can be as
much as 10%.
Q. The warnings generated by my unit are the
wrong speed
A. This may be due to the selected vehicle profile. The
speed should be correct if the device is set to ‘Car’
profile, other profile selections may generate a different
warning, depending upon the type of vehicle selected
and the road type. (See Page 14 for more information).
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Motorway
MPH
70
60
70
70*
60
Dual
Carriageway
MPH
70
60
60
60
50
Single
Carriageway
MPH
60
50
50
50
40
Built up
Area
MPH
30
30
30
30
30
UK Speed limits for road and vehicle type
IMPORTANT!
Warnings provided by the Novus Alpha are for information only.
The speed limit of the road takes priority over the information
provided by the Novus Alpha. The driver takes full responsibility
for the speed of their vehicle.
With Novus Alpha drivers can be advised of the correct speed limit
warning, adjusted for the category of vehicle being driven.
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TROUBLESHOOTINGVEHICLE PROFILES