Road Angel compact

[loonycat]

Hi Guys,

I'm new to this forum but have been impressed with what I've read so far - very informative! I need to get some sort of device to assist me maintain 'safe speed' (as defined by SCP....) and have seen the Road Angel is recommended by many. I would like something specifically that helps identify radar as well as GPS based gatsos, SPECs etc and saw that the new compact Road Angel can be spec'd with the radar detector option.

My questions are:
1. Is there any features the Road Angel 2 has the the Compact doesn't?
2. Is there a better option than Road Angel?

Appreciate any advice you guys can offer and thanks a lot for the great info contained on this forum.

Cheers,
Loony

[AdvocatusDiaboli]

I just bought one on Friday off ebay for £142.

I am pleased with it. I updated it just before I drove 130 miles and it caught every single speed camera (including temporary and mobiles ones) on the way.

I think the only thing the base model lacks is lazer detection. From what I understand though, if a lazer hits you, its too late!

Recomended.

[ledfoot]

If I didn't already have a mark-1 Road Angel with lifetime sub.....

I would go for the Drivesmart for £189
No annual sub, as updates are free.
www.laser-jammer.co.uk/acatalog/Basic_Products.html

There is also a dedicated forum here
www.drive-smart.co.uk/forum/

I can get the RA compact for £150 new from my employer if I wanted one

[Mr Whippy]

I'm tempted by one, but can't seem to find what it doesn't have over the much more expensive Road Angel 2...

That Drivesmart looks good too, but not sure how they can give free updates forever. Surely they need sustained income, and that requires a constant supply of people buying their product?!?

Ebay is dodgy for buying this kinda kit is it not? I'm a little weary of buying stuff that could be off a truck and cancelled in a couple of months Cheap though, but worth the risk?

Dave

[ledfoot]

Mr Whippy said:

I'm tempted by one, but can't seem to find what it doesn't have over the much more expensive Road Angel 2... That Drivesmart looks good too, but not sure how they can give free updates forever. Surely they need sustained income, and that requires a constant supply of people buying their product?!?

The Drivesmart has an average speed calculator when in a SPECS zone.
It also has a European database built in with full coverage of many countries.

I have no connection with Drivesmart, but just like reading about new gadgets.

[loonycat]

Thanks for the tip about Drive Smart - I'm looking at their site and they seem to have some interesting features.

And not having Tiff Needal's voice bleating at me has got to be a positive....

So the research continues....

[Loonycat]

Sorry to be a pain and ask the same questions that I'm sure have been asked 1000 times before but I'm on the verge of buying a GPS / radar detector and just hoped you guys can help me make the right choice. So far with my detailed research I've narrowed it down to one of about 28 different models..... dammit need to work on this research thing.....

My current favourite of is the Micro Road Pilot as it is small and with the laserpilot option it will pick up everything except mobile gatsos. I just wanted to know if the laserpilot is actually any good or will it just ping at everything giving false alerts? I know the old adage that if it goes off you're busted anyway but I'd still like to have one with radar if possible.

Appreciate the thoughts of anyone who knows the Micro Road Pilot

Cheers

[SpudGunner]

Have you looked at the pda option?

I got a Mitac Mio 168 with Tom tom for less than £300. I can use it as a route planner, to tell me where speed cameras are (using gps), also can play mp3s on it, games, use word etc.

Can also use it on foot or on my bicycle for navigating when out and about.

I was going to get a Road Angel compact but the cost brand new was about the same, and at the end of the day the laser detection on the RA was prob going to be too late to help anyway!

[landaftaf]

I have the road angel 2 and think its great ........ avoided a mobile laser trap on the A14 not long ago, as well as always getting plenty of warning about fixed cameras everywhere. warns about average speed monitors too.
just done a few fast runs on the M4, and feel comfy I didnt get pinged.

if possible its best borrow one from a friend first to see how good they are.