Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
43 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Good Product - But Major Design Flaws and Poor Customer Srvc, 15 Nov 2005
By A Customer
Overall, the Road Angel Compact is a good product. Relatively easy to install and set up. But, it does have several design flaws. For example, there is no capacity for the unit to run on batteries, meaning that it must be hooked into the cigarette lighter (or similar electrical source) at all times. Also, the actual connection is at the back of the unit, meaning that it's a pain to hook up, and has to be removed from the supporting bracket. The software could certainly be massively improved, and is very rudimentary and doesn't take advantage of the information that is available from the GPS system. These are just some of the design flaws.
Another 'issue' is that in order to register for the free 6-month subscription, you have to sign up for a 12-month subscription. Personally, I found this a little intrusive. I wanted to try the product out before committing to updates, and was irritated that I couldn't even register my unit before committing to the 12-month subscription.But, the biggest problem is that Blackspot, the company that design and sell the unit, are uncontactable. Their support line number is permanently engaged, emails go unanswered. So, if you have a problem ... tough luck. My unit, which is around 1 month old, has developed a fault, and I can't reach Blackspot (I bought directly from them) to see how to get the unit fixed or replaced. So, right now, I have a chunk of useless electronics, which is a little painful when the purchase price was £250. So, overall, it's a reasonable (although very basic) product, provided that it works. For the price, I'm not sure that it's really worth it. Based on the design flaws and lack of customer support, I would suggest that you look at some of the other alternatives. I have no idea if they're any better, but I can't see how they could be any worse. The basic concept is a simple one, so I assume the other products on the market are just as good, and perhaps better.
|
|
|
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Save your licence and maybe your life, 12 Sep 2005
I bought a New Road Angel a few months back and have to say it is an invaluable piece of equipment if you do anything more than average mileage. If you work with your car - well, you would be mad not to have one.
I was prompted to buy a Road Angel after a round trip from Rugby to Newcastle on Tyne. On the return leg I rejoined the A1 from a 60mph side road to find a bit of roadworks and a speed camera behind a bridge followed by a temporary 40mph sign. Luckily I did not get points but I drive a lot more safely since buying the Road Angel if only because I am not so tired looking for cameras. The blackspot feature is worth the money alone.
The device itself is 100% reliable and the software is Windows only, but you can buy a standalone modem. I cannot understand why the Road Angel cannot be updated continuously using GPRS and a mobile phone via bluetooth. With a little settings adjustment it does not go off like a fire alarm every 5 minutes, which some users complain of, but the lack of brightness control at night is annoying.
Being able to transfer the Road Angel from one car to another is great if your car is in the garage or your wife wants to use it (my wife and I got 3 points for 35mph in a 30mph on an unfamiliar road locally) but the cigar lighter cable is a bit short if your socket is not up the dashboard. An external antenna is essential if you have a heat reflecting screen whilst extra radar sensors are a bit of a waste of money - if you have been 'zapped' then it's too late (hand held radar guns are wildly unreliable as you will find out if you read police user reports) anyway.
Adding your own locations is very useful if only to remind you of the old lady in the next village who always reverses out into the road without looking. GPS output for satnav software is a bonus if you don't want two gadgets on the dashboard.
The sticky pad on the windscreen bracket comes loose in hot weather (needs a screw through the bracket) and the power lead pops out over bumps if you have a hard suspension (Mini Cooper owners note; use an elastic band!) so a mod for that pls Road Angel. Beware permanent fixing if you drive through France as a speed detector is illegal even if it does not work in France (some detectors do) and can result in a trip to the local Court and a long phone call to French speaking lawyers.
Apart from that, a genuinely excellent device. Should be mandatory.
How about a detector for drivers without insurance?
|
|
|
30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Can you afford not to have one?, 13 Jul 2005
Let's just say this makes it a level playing field, what with new cameras sprouting up all the time!! I've not had a chance to test it for a mobile unit unit, but as for GATSO etc this is the business. It will give you an advanced warning with a change it the coloured screen and either a voice and/or audible warning. The voice is our very own Tiff Nidell from GT and Touring Car fame. I find myself thanking him when he warns me of a camera hidden behind trees or when driving on unknown roads it provides an extra set of eyes. As an added bonus this unit also gives you a direction you are travelling in, a must if you've ever spent ages travelling north bound instead of south bound, easily done. Gives you your actual speed by GPS which can differ to what your speedo reads. If you own a Peugeot or Citroen you may need to purchase a seperate GPS antenna, which is about £15 as the UV screen won't let in the signal. Be warned. I wired mine in and pushed all the wires behind the dash so the majority are hidden. Easily moveable between cars as the unit attaches to the windscreen via a suction pad. Also comes with a colied cable which makes transfer between vehicles easy. Can be removed easily, out of the eyes of the less honest citizins around. Easily updated via USB cable, rather than waiting for the software you can download it from the website. Buy one if you drive a car, enough said!!
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
