New Road Angel + Laser in latest EVO mag...
Discussion
There's a review in EVO of Scamera detector/alerters, and there is a new Road Angel that has a laser attachment. Sounds good, but on the www.blackspot.com web site, there is no mention of the laser option.
Does anyone have the latest EVO mag to hand (forgot to bring it to work), as that has an offer page that has the device for £399. If anyone has the mag, could you post up the URL that's quoted on the bottom of the advert?
TIA
Does anyone have the latest EVO mag to hand (forgot to bring it to work), as that has an offer page that has the device for £399. If anyone has the mag, could you post up the URL that's quoted on the bottom of the advert?
TIA
Yes I was interested by this review which is why I asked this a few days ago, www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=23&h=&t=28984 however someone has said that it is not directional which seems strange seeing as that is one of the benefots mentioned in the review, i.e. it only beeps for cameras in the direction of travel. I suspect there are so few out there nobody really knows much abouyt them. Rich...
The Road Angel is not directional, it also doesn't have the "motorway" feature that others have, so it alerts for any camera whithin the warning distance radius you have it set at.
It also doesn't have a speed limit display (as in what *is* the limit near the camera it's detected) which is something I find really useful.
Alan.
It also doesn't have a speed limit display (as in what *is* the limit near the camera it's detected) which is something I find really useful.
Alan.
The advert states "Front and Rear Laser Detection".......and I was about to buy it as the toys that I currently have are rubbish.
It also has a "unique Blackspot indicator" which I really like the idea of as at least it will be giving me the real blackspots rather than just the revenue generating spots.
I will now be waiting for an outcome of this thread before I 'splash the cash'.
It also has a "unique Blackspot indicator" which I really like the idea of as at least it will be giving me the real blackspots rather than just the revenue generating spots.
I will now be waiting for an outcome of this thread before I 'splash the cash'.
Well, I've been hanging on ages waiting for the one box that does everything. Snooper S6-R sounded good in theory but have yet to find anyone that has got on with it, plus I wanted ease of transfer between cars which would not appear to be a strength either.
Anyway, the recent news of lots more cameras coming has made me think I need to do something, especially when driving down from North to South London the other evening (in the dark and rain) I realised I was spending more time looking out for the countless Gatso's/Truvelos than watching the road ahead.
I've liked the look of the Road Angel for a while, then saw the Evo review and decided to take the plunge, and ordered the special offer this morning. While the laser detection will be a bonus, I'm not sure how useful it really is, as from what I understand by the time you detect the laser you've been done already. Not sure I really want to go the jammer route though with a test case coming up.
Anyway, can't wait for it to arrive now - I'll post with my findings.
Chris
Anyway, the recent news of lots more cameras coming has made me think I need to do something, especially when driving down from North to South London the other evening (in the dark and rain) I realised I was spending more time looking out for the countless Gatso's/Truvelos than watching the road ahead.
I've liked the look of the Road Angel for a while, then saw the Evo review and decided to take the plunge, and ordered the special offer this morning. While the laser detection will be a bonus, I'm not sure how useful it really is, as from what I understand by the time you detect the laser you've been done already. Not sure I really want to go the jammer route though with a test case coming up.
Anyway, can't wait for it to arrive now - I'll post with my findings.
Chris
A few comments in response to AlanN's post ... 
Haven't taken delivery of mine yet, but understand it is. Check out the blackspot web site, Evo review, PH reviews section, all of which state it ignores cameras in the other direction.
Fair point, but (not wanting to sound too much like a safety bore) I'd like to believe that when I choose to speed I do it consciously, already knowing the posted limit.
Anyway, I've ordered mine now so there's no going back!
Chris
AlanN said: The Road Angel is not directional
Haven't taken delivery of mine yet, but understand it is. Check out the blackspot web site, Evo review, PH reviews section, all of which state it ignores cameras in the other direction.
AlanN said: It also doesn't have a speed limit display (as in what *is* the limit near the camera it's detected) which is something I find really useful.
Fair point, but (not wanting to sound too much like a safety bore) I'd like to believe that when I choose to speed I do it consciously, already knowing the posted limit.
Anyway, I've ordered mine now so there's no going back!
Chris
I agree Chris, I think this is the one to go for.
Why they can't tie it in with Satnav and a hidden GPS tracking device I'll never fathom, though. That will be the ultimate.
Anyway, the laser function should still offer some protection in the event that diffuser use becomes completely illegal.
IIRC, a policeman will take two or three laser speed readings as you approach, to make sure the reading is accurate. He may choose to use the lower one if he is nice etc. This means you may have a second or two to slow down a bit after the first reading gets taken. Maybe madcop etc can confirm this technique.
Also, I believe there is also a lot of laser scatter, ie when they are gunning a car in front, some scattered beams can enter your detector and alert you to cars in front being gunned.
Therefore, laser detectors may have some use, despite being much less effective than an efficient diffuser/jammer.
All IIRC and subject to comments from more intelligent or knowledgable sources!
Cheers
Domster
Why they can't tie it in with Satnav and a hidden GPS tracking device I'll never fathom, though. That will be the ultimate.
Anyway, the laser function should still offer some protection in the event that diffuser use becomes completely illegal.
IIRC, a policeman will take two or three laser speed readings as you approach, to make sure the reading is accurate. He may choose to use the lower one if he is nice etc. This means you may have a second or two to slow down a bit after the first reading gets taken. Maybe madcop etc can confirm this technique.
Also, I believe there is also a lot of laser scatter, ie when they are gunning a car in front, some scattered beams can enter your detector and alert you to cars in front being gunned.
Therefore, laser detectors may have some use, despite being much less effective than an efficient diffuser/jammer.
All IIRC and subject to comments from more intelligent or knowledgable sources!
Cheers
Domster
Sorry Chris (and all) I was talking out of my ar5e on the directional bit, it is 
In use the "blackspot" thing can be seen two ways, useful, and annoying. Same as the "mobile sties" feature, which you have to convince yourself is a good thing but in use it seems that basically the unit knows where every feckin' bridge over a road is in this country!
I didn't want to come across as slagging it off, IMHO it's the best of what I'd call the "standard" GPS units out there, it's just a shame they didn't add a few more features (it's only software after all).
I use ours on a regular basis in our works van and in my G/F's Mini (where it lives most of the time) and think it's very good.
I certainly wouldn't bother personally with laser detection, if it goes off and you don't have a diffuser, then 99.99% certain you're already nicked.
The S6-R (which I have just sold because I couldn't fit it properly in my car) was excellent in use IMHO, although I of course only got to use it for a couple of days.
I'm having an in-depth demo of the RoadPilot on Monday so I'll post what I think when I've seen that.
Out of interest I've owned a Geodesey, Geodesey+ (same thing really just a software upgrade), Road Angel and S6-R, as well as a V1.
Alan.
In use the "blackspot" thing can be seen two ways, useful, and annoying. Same as the "mobile sties" feature, which you have to convince yourself is a good thing but in use it seems that basically the unit knows where every feckin' bridge over a road is in this country!
I didn't want to come across as slagging it off, IMHO it's the best of what I'd call the "standard" GPS units out there, it's just a shame they didn't add a few more features (it's only software after all).
I use ours on a regular basis in our works van and in my G/F's Mini (where it lives most of the time) and think it's very good.
I certainly wouldn't bother personally with laser detection, if it goes off and you don't have a diffuser, then 99.99% certain you're already nicked.
The S6-R (which I have just sold because I couldn't fit it properly in my car) was excellent in use IMHO, although I of course only got to use it for a couple of days.
I'm having an in-depth demo of the RoadPilot on Monday so I'll post what I think when I've seen that.
Out of interest I've owned a Geodesey, Geodesey+ (same thing really just a software upgrade), Road Angel and S6-R, as well as a V1.
Alan.
Well, I took delivery of my EVO/Networx Automotive special offer Road Angel at the weekend.
Initially was surprised to see that the laser attachment is not released yet and will be delivered later. Not a big deal I guess, as I'm still unsure the value of laser detection without a jammer, but I'm a little surprised they're advertising the deal and taking orders without mentioning this fact anywhere.
Anyway, on to the positive stuff. Basically I plugged the unit in, once it had done its cold start and aquired the right number of satellite signals it "did exactly what it said on the tin".
I covered a reasonable amount of ground over the weekend both on roads I know and ones I'm unfamiliar with and it had a 100% success rate in spotting cameras (and ignoring ones facing the other way).
After a while I found I was no longer scanning the side of the road constantly looking for cameras, and actually concentrating on the road ahead (shock horror!). This was one of the main things I was after - I'm not some mad boy racer (I hope), I just want to travel at a speed I consider safe based on a reasoned judgement of the prevailing road / weather / traffic conditions.
Not wishing to open up a debate on the rights and wrongs of speeding but within a few hours of using the device I genuinely felt like I was driving more safely, even though I may have been exceeding speed limits on occassions!
A few other users have mentioned that the accident blackspot warnings can get a bit wearing after a while but so far has not been a problem for me. According to the instructions I can delete any sites I wish easily anyway so it shouldn't be an issue - is this a new feature, otherwise I can't understand why people have expressed frustration?
Finally, it was interesting to note the difference between the GPS speedo feature and a car's speedo. I used the device in four different cars over the weekend (for experimentation purposes - I'm a bit sad like that) and the GPS readout consistently showed 3-5mph slower than the cars speedo across a broad speed range in all the cars. I know car speedo's are notoriously inaccurate but the consistent difference did make me wonder whether it might actually be the GPS that was out? Is this possible?
So overall, I give this unit an unreserved thumbs up.
It will be interesting to see how easy and neat an add on the laser detection is when it arrives and in particular whether it will impair portability between cars.
If you've been thinking about getting one of these units I would say go for it!
Chris
Initially was surprised to see that the laser attachment is not released yet and will be delivered later. Not a big deal I guess, as I'm still unsure the value of laser detection without a jammer, but I'm a little surprised they're advertising the deal and taking orders without mentioning this fact anywhere.
Anyway, on to the positive stuff. Basically I plugged the unit in, once it had done its cold start and aquired the right number of satellite signals it "did exactly what it said on the tin".
I covered a reasonable amount of ground over the weekend both on roads I know and ones I'm unfamiliar with and it had a 100% success rate in spotting cameras (and ignoring ones facing the other way).
After a while I found I was no longer scanning the side of the road constantly looking for cameras, and actually concentrating on the road ahead (shock horror!). This was one of the main things I was after - I'm not some mad boy racer (I hope), I just want to travel at a speed I consider safe based on a reasoned judgement of the prevailing road / weather / traffic conditions.
Not wishing to open up a debate on the rights and wrongs of speeding but within a few hours of using the device I genuinely felt like I was driving more safely, even though I may have been exceeding speed limits on occassions!
A few other users have mentioned that the accident blackspot warnings can get a bit wearing after a while but so far has not been a problem for me. According to the instructions I can delete any sites I wish easily anyway so it shouldn't be an issue - is this a new feature, otherwise I can't understand why people have expressed frustration?
Finally, it was interesting to note the difference between the GPS speedo feature and a car's speedo. I used the device in four different cars over the weekend (for experimentation purposes - I'm a bit sad like that) and the GPS readout consistently showed 3-5mph slower than the cars speedo across a broad speed range in all the cars. I know car speedo's are notoriously inaccurate but the consistent difference did make me wonder whether it might actually be the GPS that was out? Is this possible?
So overall, I give this unit an unreserved thumbs up.
It will be interesting to see how easy and neat an add on the laser detection is when it arrives and in particular whether it will impair portability between cars.
If you've been thinking about getting one of these units I would say go for it!
Chris
Chris,
In general almost all car speedos are manufactured to read on the optimistic side.
The GPS unit's reading will be much more accurate although is dependant on the sampling rate of the GPS engine software. If you drive at a constant speed (on either your speedo or the GPS readout) for more than 20 seconds or so, the GPS reading will be as near 100% accurate as you will get, assuming you maintain full satellite coverage during the period.
The RA is definitely a good unit, I still use ours in our van and my G/F's Mini.
I'm not sure you can delete the blackspots, well I think you can delete them, but do they not get re-instated when you update your database? Not sure myself.
Also, you will only delete the ones that are in your local area, the others, in unfamiliar terretory, you won't know whether to delete or not, nor what you should be looking for in fact
Either way I think we'll all agree that it's better to be beeped at and NOT have your speed measured rather than NOT be beeped at and HAVE it measured
It's a very good unit.
Had my demo of the RoadPilot today and bought one
I'll post more on a seperate thread in a day or two but first impressions are very good indeed
Alan.
>> Edited by AlanN on Monday 17th February 23:12
In general almost all car speedos are manufactured to read on the optimistic side.
The GPS unit's reading will be much more accurate although is dependant on the sampling rate of the GPS engine software. If you drive at a constant speed (on either your speedo or the GPS readout) for more than 20 seconds or so, the GPS reading will be as near 100% accurate as you will get, assuming you maintain full satellite coverage during the period.
The RA is definitely a good unit, I still use ours in our van and my G/F's Mini.
I'm not sure you can delete the blackspots, well I think you can delete them, but do they not get re-instated when you update your database? Not sure myself.
Also, you will only delete the ones that are in your local area, the others, in unfamiliar terretory, you won't know whether to delete or not, nor what you should be looking for in fact
Either way I think we'll all agree that it's better to be beeped at and NOT have your speed measured rather than NOT be beeped at and HAVE it measured
It's a very good unit.
Had my demo of the RoadPilot today and bought one
I'll post more on a seperate thread in a day or two but first impressions are very good indeed
Alan.
>> Edited by AlanN on Monday 17th February 23:12
AlanN said: The Road Angel is not directional, it also doesn't have the "motorway" feature that others have, so it alerts for any camera whithin the warning distance radius you have it set at.
Alan.
not so - it is directional and takes into account cameras that can be turned around to face each carriageway
AlanN said:
I'm not sure you can delete the blackspots, well I think you can delete them, but do they not get re-instated when you update your database?
One of the RA's features is that it keeps all your deleted and added spots when you do an update, unlike other models which erase all your stored/deleted sites.
>> Edited by Hates_ on Wednesday 12th March 15:32
I have one of these Road angels now, the product does exactly what it says on the box and I'm happy with it. (can't hear it in my Ultima though
)
I have five cars I regularly drive and the speedo comparison at 70 mph is as follows.
Ultima 69mph
Cossie 69mph
Boxter S 66mph
VW Sharron 66mph
Discovery 65mph
Therefore I think the road angel is accurate.
) I have five cars I regularly drive and the speedo comparison at 70 mph is as follows.
Ultima 69mph
Cossie 69mph
Boxter S 66mph
VW Sharron 66mph
Discovery 65mph
Therefore I think the road angel is accurate.
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