Why the Limehouse link, well that's one of the few UK installations of Specs the current embodiment of evil that doesn't use radar to catch you speeding and its just so happens to lead to a long line of traditional Gatso's and a favourite haunt of the man in the van style trap.

Anyhow onto our companion for these insane rides the Origin B2.

The version of Origin B2 we had on test was the enhanced version which includes laser and radar detection, you can by a GPS only version if you already have some form of Radar protection. Installation needs to be done carefully if you don't want a mass of wires all over the car, both the laser and radar detection units have good lengthy cable which should enable you to get them tucked inside trim and still get them back to the main B2 unit.

There lies one of the first benefits of the origin B2 the central unit can be installed pretty much anywhere you don't have to worry about its laser or radar detector being pointed out of the windscreen and the unit does not need to see they sky either, for us this meant that the unit could be clamped to the dash alongside the radio.

With the whole kit (and believe me there is quite a kit of parts) it was time to fire up the B2 to get its first GPS fix, this took about a minute and a half for it to acquire 5 satellites this later increased to 8 once we left the car park. After about 5 minutes we cane across the first test a Truvelo forward facing camera, the unit started to alert us about a quarter of a mile away with a spoken "30 Truvelo" and then the beeping starts.

The beeping is accompanied by twin flashing red LED's and this warning can be configured to start a set distance from the camera site, the type of camera is both spoken and also represented on screen by a symbol.

The laser alert is a little different if quite a lot louder, in fact its enough to wake the dead, given that you have only seconds to shave 10 mph off your speed this is a good thing but like all laser warning systems if it goes off you've probably got a ticket.

Specs warnings are rather unique as you need to be alerted to entering a specs controlled zone, the origin b2 does this by announcing specs in its familiar female tone and displaying a pair of "specs" on the screen, the red lights stay illuminated with an occasional reminder beep until you pass the last of the specs cameras. If you join a specs zone midway along then you'll be notified as you approach the first camera, if there is only  left then you are not notified as the danger has passed (you need at least 2 cameras to be caught).

The optional radar unit which feeds into the wiring loom gives the origin b2 the ability to tell if traps are live or not but they will still warn you even if they are not, plus you'll get a radar warning if you approach a mobile trap or plod with a handheld gun.

Extras on the origin B2 include a maximum speed warning which can be used to alert you if you exceed a preset speed, then there is the congestion charge warning, very useful if you drive around the outskirts of the charge zone. Also its possible to use an optional cable to output the GPS signal to external devices, this could then be used to feed a Satnav system or PDA.

Updating the camera database is similar to other products and requires the use of a home PC with a serial port (or USB to serial converter) or you can purchase a modem from origin that can dial up via your phone line to update both the B2 database and pick up new software.

Our tests on a few extended journeys proved the origin B2 a trusty companion and despite being a little noisy at times you soon learn to work with the diminutive green backlit box, the default settings seem fine for everyday use but you do start to change the advance warning settings to suit your driving style.

The origin B2 really impressed us, offering all round defence against speed cameras in a small professionally made and implemented product, its highly recommended

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