Don't know if this has been posted already, and not going to scan through 100+ posts to find out, but there is a test procedure for these devices as per the picture below.
If used in anger the device should connect more quicky as the test procedure will have registered it in the databse.

Down to 34.95€ in Aldi today...

I noticed our FamilyCash has them at 29€ ish

I noticed a lot of junk ones at various stores but only Carrefour had a truly good model from a global, quality brand: OSRAM. And with the prices being similar it just made sense to go with a top-quality product just in case it's actually ever needed in the future.

I totally agree with the Guardia Civil - I nearly collided with a car parked on a bend and using the light - bright day, didn't see the light and no warning triangles behind the car - amazing the DGT did not consult with the Guardia...

https://euroweeklynews.com/2025/12/1...ore-january-1/

Yes I agree the beacon should be in addition to triangles. It should be beacon on first from within vehicle and then exit vehicle to put out the triangles. It's not a good idea to stay sat in the car either. It doesn't seem to me to be a well thought out safety measure. The other issue is both connected and non connected are boxed DGT approved because pre Jan 2026 the non.connected met DGT specs and were approved so make no wonder people are confused .

The whole point of introducing the beacons was to avoid having to get out of the car. There were too many fatalities because of people getting out of their vehicles and struggling with triangles. I can't see them continuing to advise on the use of triangles.

There's an interview with the inventors in El Pais: Los inventores de la baliza V-16 responden sin tapujos: “Ha faltado muchísima más información por parte de la DGT a los conductores”

Netun was set up by two ex Guardia Civiles, they say their V-16 was designed with safety in mind working with the Guardia Civil (who is now one of their biggest critics), and the DGT should have done a proper information campaign. The DGT were probably happy to finally have something use DGT 3.0 which justified its roll-out but they say all the information that needed to be given was already given when the non-IoT version came out, and now the head of the DGT is running round at the last minute looking grumpy in interviews*, and people are unhappy because they may have bought the old version which is now only useful for the Christmas tree and they immediately think of corruption when the whole country has to pay about €40 a pop for the new version. So, looks like there'll be plenty of blame to go round in the future.

* E.g.: www.facebook.com/InformativosTelecinco/videos/pere-navarro-director-general-de-la-dgt-contesta-en-informativos-telecinco-a-tod/1522305778988397/ (can't make it link for some reason)

Yes I get the reasoning behind the introduction of the beacon versus triangles. I also think it sensible to have the connected version which informs of location. The change from beacon only over connected version seems somewhat botched given time from introduction of the beacon only versus change to mandatory requirement.to have connected beacon. There is of course arguments for and against sitting in a broken down vehicle depending on type of road location and situation of the breakdown. People have been injured and killed because they sat in their vehicle awaiting recovery and another vehicle has collided with them. Certainly the high level bright beacon should prevent that but as spainricos post shows in some circumstances even with beacon on issues can still arise. Common sense still needs to be applied when a breakdown occurs as to whether one stays inside their vehicle or evacuates it to a safer place.

Perhaps a head fitting for the beacon so that other drivers are more likely to see you as you walk back to put out your triangle?

This would seem to address the stated purpose of the beacon viz: "The whole point of the new V-16 system is to keep you safe without forcing you to walk along a motorway in the dark to place triangles and a fake device defeats that purpose entirely" although of course being fake does not actually defeat that risk as it's still a beacon, just one which doesn't talk to DGT!

Thats a ridiculous idea. Why do you think they insist that you wear a reflective jacket when you get out of the car?

Tounge in cheek dear boy

That will be the MK3 version to come in 2030 🤣

To add to confusion over these connected beacons over the last few days it would seem the DGT have withdrawn approval for 4 brands that they had previously approved. They do though say that this does not stop them being legal? they say the now unapproved beacons legally bought can continue to be used for their useful life? i presume that means the life of 15 years that it says they are connected for? Not the best legislation but it would seem if it was sold approved you can simply continue to use it

Approval was withdrawn because the particular manufacturers did not renew their certification, this does not affect existing devices which have, or had, approval.

I suspect we will see more of this as the boom is over and future sales will be but a fraction of what they have been in the run up to the Jan 1st imposition of the obligation to carry one.