Not very sticky Road Angel

[BlackShadow]

I bought a Road Angel yesterday, from Halford's in Cambridge having read some background info and done a search on here, reading the comments etc.

So I get it home, register it, and find that I have to wait a day in order to get a live update/download, so that the tech guys can verify the serial number etc. A bit disappointed, but that was always the case with toys at Xmas if you didn't have the batteries.

Anyway, I mounted the thing on the dashboard, on the sticky pad thing it comes with. I went for a drive and noted that the GPS speed seemed to be consistently 5 mph below the car's speedo - i.e the car's speedo is 5 mph out whether you are doing 30 mph or 70 mph.

Then I thought I'll go round some corners to see if the thing stays on. The thing went flying across the dashboard. I stuck it back on and it did it again. Hmmm, this was more Road Danger than Road Angel, I thought. I tried it with the velcro thingies. Didn't stick very well either.

So I went back to Halford's. The helpful guy there showed me the third way to fit it. Basically on the small plate stuck to the windscreen with the suction cups. I thought this might lead to bouncy Road Angel [img]images/graemlins/1syellow1.gif[/img], distracting me going around corners. So I asked for a refund and Halford's obliged.

Anyway, I don't want to slag the product off. I'm sure it's good, and it's probably that I'm not the most able person to fit these things. However, does anybody know if there is a garage about which can fit these things - ideally firmly in the dash or something like that.

One other point while I'm on about speed camera devices. The only time I got done for speeding, and seriously so [img]images/graemlins/ban.gif[/img], it was with VASCAR. Is there any device which can detect this? I would think not because it is basically a sophisticated stop watch which times you over a given distance to give an average speed. I don't think it emits anything. Just hand-eye co-ordination of Mr Plod. Anyway, let me know if I'm wrong on this one.

Did you see the Evening Standard headline a few weeks ago: more motorists locked up then burglars [img]images/graemlins/dung.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/033102bad_1_prv.gif[/img]

[peterb]

The only time I got done for speeding, and seriously so [img]images/graemlins/ban.gif[/img], it was with VASCAR. Is there any device which can detect this? I would think not because it is basically a sophisticated stop watch which times you over a given distance to give an average speed. I don't think it emits anything. Just hand-eye co-ordination of Mr Plod. Anyway, let me know if I'm wrong on this one.

You're absolutely correct - no way of detecting it at all. You just need to keep a look out for cop cars (and helicopters!). I seem to remember that the police once gave an undertaking not to instal VASCAR in an unmarked vehicle, but I don't know whether this still holds.

One thing to be aware of - the large white squares painted on motorway carriageways are intended for use as timing points for VASCAR (although they can use other landmarks) - I always scan for vehicles parked on bridges when passing these markers.

[ChrisG]

I wouldn't trust that " agreement" either !
Yes I check out the bridges anyway, it may just be a broken down car --- or not. Sunroofs are useful for checking above.

[BlackShadow]

The time I got done with VASCAR, it was indeed a marked police car. However, it was virtually hidden behind a small hill. It was also on a dead straight piece of the A15 in Lincolnshire with not even farm track joining the road. So I do wonder if this was an accident blackspot. Probably not, but good for the police to catch somebody speeding. The blighters!

Anyway, my other questions. Anybody know a garage that can fit speed camera type devices securely/in the dash etc?

[BlackShadow]

One thing to be aware of - the large white squares painted on motorway carriageways are intended for use as timing points for VASCAR (although they can use other landmarks) - I always scan for vehicles parked on bridges when passing these markers. [/quote]

Agreed, the time I got knicked, they had painted two white squares on the road, about 1/4 of a mile apart. I recommend extra care when the paint looks quite fresh on any of these markings on the road.

[peterb]

The time I got done with VASCAR, it was indeed a marked police car. However, it was virtually hidden behind a small hill.

Remember that the guy operating the equipment must have a clear view of both the start and end markers, and all that he can measure is your average speed between the two. A hefty application of the brakes may be needed to reduce that average!

[BlackShadow]

Yes, I thought that after the event, as well. Now when ever I go over any fresh looking white squares/blobs a hefty application of the brakes follows.

In theory you could go over the first blob at 100 mph and uniformly deaccelerate to 20 mph at the exit blob, and still register 60 mph I guess. Better still, if you knew the police were there, would be to scream over the first blob and come to a complete stop between the blobs, just to wind 'em up.

[Daz]

I seem to remember that the police once gave an undertaking not to instal VASCAR in an unmarked vehicle, but I don't know whether this still holds.

I got done several years ago by a cop in an unmarked Omega using VASCAR. I even got to sit in his car as he showed me how it worked. It doesn't need to be the white blobs either anything fixed, such as a bridge, can be used as a reference. [img]images/graemlins/033102bad_1_prv.gif[/img]

[BlackShadow]

The electronic warfare of the police is hell isn't it. Even a stealth car couldn't escape Omega Copper.

[derdle]

Back to the original posting, I put a Road Angel into my partners car using the suction pads and bracket and we don't get any vibration/bounce...but then I have stuck it low down on the windscreen so that the bottom of the bracket is actually on the dash.

That's OK in her car as the wipers disappear below that level behind the bonnet, bot this may not happen on your car and would then affect the laser receiver on the front of the Road Angel.

Anyway, does anyone know how to stop Tiff saying "sick safety camera" (instead of "fixed safety camera")...actually I suppose he is right - they are sick.

[bobjebb]

I have an S4 Neo snooper - comparable with Road Angel, and fits very nicely in my RS4. You can run the wire directly into the fuseboard and the supplied velcro does the trick. Its a neater unit than the road angle too. It then sits neatly on the right corner of the dash, with no wires dangling all over the place. Can send a pic if you like

I think its missed one camera in the last year.

Ta

[bakerdcb]

I have S6-R Snooper which also fits quite nicely onto corner of the dash in my RS4. Like Bob I've gone into the fuse box for power on that side of the car and wires are hidden.

My soon to be illegal radar/laser detector is more of an issue as this doesn't really seem to fit anywhere very well. Currently mounted on the screen behind my mirror but would like to put it somewhere more discreet for the time when the police are looking out for these too!!

[derdle]

Although I put a Road Angel in my partners' car, I've got a Snooper S6R Neo in my RS4....its Ok but the radar warning side of it triggers when passing Tesco...traffic lights....etc etc. As for the radar/laser detector bit becoming legal, we've probably got a year before that happens. I suppose the only otehr realistic place for it is behind the lower radiator grill cos there certainly ain't enough room behind the upper one. Any thoughts anyone?

[bakerdcb]

I suppose the only otehr realistic place for it is behind the lower radiator grill cos there certainly ain't enough room behind the upper one.

I came to the same conclusion but couldn't see how to avoid cutting a small hole in the mesh to give the detector a clear sight of the road ahead, which I would like to avoid. You're also right about its sensitivity. Picks up all kinds of scatter and doors and lights etc. A bit annoying but prepared to live with it if it does its job when called upon