BaseStation SBS-1

[jmhayes]

All i want to know is which one should i buy?

I think it depends on what you want, because they are very different products and (IMHO) appeal to very different consumer groups. If you want to just plug it in and see what's out there, the RadarBox is a nice package: looks good, auto-populates your database, gives you "actionable info" right out of the box.

If you're a tinkerer, want more control over what's in your database, like to sleuth details about the entries you see, and maybe like to download other people's utilities to enrich your experience and database, then the SBS-1 would be a good choice.

They both vastly increase your situational awareness about what's flying around you.

 

[jmhayes]

Suggestion: no negative posts, only focus on positive things.

If you're talking about my post above, I'd like you to tell me what you think is "negative" about it.

Anyway, I'm all for "only focus on positive things" ... but:

mrkelso, you may check a direct 1-on-1 comparion of both systems at:
Why RadarBox / RadarBox vs Competition

My advice to mrkelso is to not forget that this link that the Airnav employee is sending to you is full of negative-sounding (at least to me, someone who has had an SBS-1 since 2005 and owns RadarBox #40) thrashing of their competition.

The way I have always read this document -- and the way it has always bugged me -- is that each of the bulleted items are claims to uniqueness; they say "With this document we intend to clearly show, with simple facts, the advantages of the new RadarBox system compared with the older competitor's one" (my emphasis) which sounds to me like if they have listed a feature, it is an advantage.

Plenty of the features listed are not unique to the RadarBox; some are certainly true (the network feature, for instance; and many of the features of the RadarBox UI are only equivalently achievable with add-ons); some are just harmless opinions ("No special computer skills required to install"), but others are kind of weird: "RadarBox is powered by the USB lead, so no separate power supply is required" ...

The SBS-1 is powered by USB as well. There are a few cases where you might not want to power it from USB, so the SBS-1 provides *an additional way to power it* (example: if you use ethernet, which doesn't provide power, you have to power it externally ... duh? But RadarBox doesn't have an ethernet option, so that case would never come up for them -- yes, it's unique alright ...).

Anyway, my personal opinion is that this "comparrison" is at best a puff-piece, and at worst misleading. If that's all you read, you might think: wow, how dumb! I can't believe the Other Guy has external power! Nevermind if that's something that's important to you; hey, some people have realized that having the box (whichever one) closer to the antenna is better (this is true of both boxes) -- and ethernet is a way to do that simply. It's not important to me, but there you go.

So: read more. And ask more questions. And think about what it is you're interested in doing with a box. There's lots of us here and in other forums with experience with both boxes who can help you to make a decision and who don't have anything to gain one way or another from your decision.

Good luck, and have fun!

 

[Dirkou]

mrkelso: go to AirNav Systems Forum - Index and ask your questions there. You will find a community of over 2000 users (with more than 100 posts per day) that will be very helpful in giving you good advise.

jmhayes: you are only focusing on the USB issue. What is your opinion that with SBS if you have a map with 100 aircraft you will see all of them overlapped and in RadarBox you will have a clean organized screen?
Also can you comment the fact that with RadarBox everything comes in the installation program and there is no need for dozens of sometimes unreliable addons?

 

[jmhayes]

jmhayes: you are only focusing on the USB issue.

Not at all, I merely offer it as one example of something that I'm insulted by as a user of both systems. I could give you a whole run-down on all the dumb things in that so-called comparison, but you'd probably just say "that's negative" ... like I said earlier, I'm very surprised that you're taking the low-road on this issue. Of course, it is you who is "only focussing on the USB issue" -- since you disregarded everything else in my post.

Well, it's worth asking: will you retract the parts of your comparison that are misleading? And will you offer your retractions to those who you've sent the misleading statements to? Will you at least acknowledge that it is misleading? I say it publically, but there are many of us who privately say the same.

What is your opinion that with SBS if you have a map with 100 aircraft you will see all of them overlapped and in RadarBox you will have a clean organized screen?

I do appreciate the fact that RadarBox deconflicts a crowded airspace. And? Did I say I hate the RadarBox? No, I did not. Did I say it was a piece of dog turd? No, I did not. But I don't appreciate that RadarBox doesn't let me keep all the data I collect. What have you to say about that? The last time(s) I asked, I was given no response.Post 30003 socket output format/emulation/compatibility Perhaps you were too busy slamming your paying customers who have legitimate questions and concerns?

Also can you comment the fact that with RadarBox everything comes in the installation program and there is no need for dozens of sometimes unreliable addons?

I'd be happy to comment on it: it doesn't really affect me very much, given that Radarbox populates the database incorrectly on so many of the aircraft that I care about. I realize that my interests are not everyone's interests, and I do enjoy the part of the hobby that involves tracking down information about aircraft. As I said above, these two products are different, and different people have different interests.

It pains me to see you squirm to say "unreliable addons" when so many of the people who have contributed to this hobby have spent their time and energy on their "unreliable addons" that also support your product. I do, hoever, take issue with the use of the word "everything" -- there's plenty that RadarBox doesn't provide, and if it was easier to create "unreliable addons" then it might be even more useful. Or is your claim that RadarBox is perfect and complete? Can you explain your use of the word "everything" in this context?

Alas ...

Dirkou: be careful, you're in over your head with the puff pieces here. My advice to you is to stay in the shallow end of the pool; it's possible that my opinions of both products are more reasonable than yours. Post 30003 socket output format/emulation/compatibility

My opinions are there for everyone to see: Latest posts of: jmhayes (geeze, I just noticed that in addition to having box #40 I have Forum user ID #38!) and I think they add rather than detract from both the market and the hobby.

Why you feel it's important to beat up on your customers I think speaks for itself.

Moderators: I think that if this thread is for people to try to find out what it's like to be a paying customer of Airnav then it has served it's purpose.

Ok, I'm out of here.

 

[rvictor]

Dirkou,

Your unit might or might not be better than the competition, but after seeing your performance in this thread, I wouldn't buy your product regardless. Part of what one purchases is the company behind the product and your attitude gives me little confidence that dealing with your company would be a pleasant experience. If you think this is promoting your product, you are sadly mistaken. I suggest that you give some thought to what it is that you are trying to convey here and how you are going about it.

Dick

 

[Dirkou]

jmhayes: I see that don't like our product. If you want any help or support go to our forum listed on the link above or contact our support. It is impossible to please everyone unfortunately. Anyway it is quite sad that some of the facts you mention are not correct and you may end up giving a totally wrong idea about the product to users that read this topic.

Regarding the port 30003: you will be very happy to know that development of this feature is finished and will be released on V3.0 Beta - Patch 1. And that says it all about our respect to third party addon developers.

Dick: I'm really sorry if you have such opinion. Go to our forum and you will change it quite fast.

 

[jmhayes]

jmhayes: I see that don't like our product.

I'm sorry that this is the message you're taking away from this thread.

 

[DaveNF2G]

It would be more useful (and ethical) if the folks who are officially connected with either product would indicate this somehow, perhaps in your signatures.

 

[lotuselan]

My money is on Dirkou being the CEO of AirNav, Andre Brandao. He stalks forums posting similar messages under various guises, but never under his own name.

What's he gotta hide?

 

[rvictor]

Dick: I'm really sorry if you have such opinion. Go to our forum and you will change it quite fast.

I guess you still don't get it. I'm not going to go to your forum because I have no desire to deal with your company based on your behavior here. It's really a pretty simple concept.

Dick

 

[mrkelso]

Well the wife said i can't buy into this machine. So thats the end of that for me. As i walk away with head hung low.

 

[b7spectra]

Ya know, I was just hoping, JUST HOPING, this thread would have been about using the SBS-1, but it's getting into a slam feast. I'm letting the DBA's know it's time to close this out.

What a shame, it could have been good!

 

[loumaag]

Thread Closed

This thread is being closed at the request of the original poster.

I would like to add that I saw where this was heading a couple of days ago but I thought that warnings issued to the disruptors were adequate, obviously I underestimated the determination of individuals to only see things their way and for that I will take the blame. Please understand that your actions in this thread will follow you no matter how long you are on this site.