Road Angel Navigator

[gazm]

Does anyone know if the new system I've seen advertised recently have all the functionality as the road angel (does that have the ability to spot mobile speed traps)

Cheers

[medusa]

I had the Road Angel 2 & have just purchased the Navigator. If you mean does it have laser detection it does not, but the laser detection on the Road Angel 2 was not practical, it may well go off on your dash when targetted but by the the time you had the warning you had already been caught.

[zippee]

How do you find the navigator? I've been looking at it with a view to purchasing as it offers best of both worlds with camera database and what looks like a clear functional sat nav. I just can't seem to find many reviews of the product and as such I'm a little unwilling to spend over £500 on an unknown product.

[medusa]

Hello Zippee

I got fed up of waiting for reviews so took a chance, out of the box I had a few problems but Blackspot is only about 25 minutes from me so I rang them and found them to be very helpful. I took the unit to them problems resolved with a software update from them in about 15 minutes. I have not used it much as I do not get a great deal of time to go out in the car, I will be using it to get to & from Rockingham this Friday so I may be able to give you a proper opinion then.

[SL_BR]

I have had one for a couple of weeks now, find it superb. Also had an RA2 previuous and this combines Nav with speed cameras.

Hvae used it on a few long trips and directs you straight there, no problems with camera warnings on the way.

Thought about getting a seperate Nav but didn't want two units on the dash as I find it annoying that I have to remove everything from view when parking up, and then re-setting up when I get going again. Otherwise it is likely to get nicked.

[A57 HSV]

medusa said:

Hello Zippee I got fed up of waiting for reviews so took a chance, out of the box I had a few problems but Blackspot is only about 25 minutes from me so I rang them and found them to be very helpful. I took the unit to them problems resolved with a software update from them in about 15 minutes. I have not used it much as I do not get a great deal of time to go out in the car, I will be using it to get to & from Rockingham this Friday so I may be able to give you a proper opinion then.

What sort of problems?
I have an early RA2 which was slow at picking up a signal. RA sent me a new one straight away, very good service.
I have Smartnav. which is great, but I need a portable system to use in other cars.
If you are not using the navigation, does the unit work as the RA2 does. I need a clear mph display & wondered if when not using navigation the mph is displayed on a bigger scale? Similar in size to the RA2.
Grateful for your answers as I don't know anyone who has a Navigator yet.

[medusa]

Out of the box when it booted up it came up with a message saying systems error, this disappeared straight away and the unit seemed to be okay, I contacted Blackspot who said they would have the unit collected next day but as I live near them I took it back and they sorted it out in about 15 minutes, I also had problems installing the update software on my computer but that was also sorted out over the phone. I used it to go to Rockingham today first real test for it seems good never missed any cameras. Coming back it said take the second exit at the roundabout but there was not one, I think it refereed to an odd sort of turning. I do not know if I should have taken that turn but I didn't and seemed to have a few problems then, although I knew some of Northampton I thought I would let the unit make the decisions (bad move) I ended up in the middle of Northampton in loads of traffic, I decided to go the way I knew to get back on track, the navigator seemed to sort itself out and gave good directions to home. It may have ultimately got me through Northampton okay but as a person from Blackspot told me nothing beats local knowledge. Overall I think it performed pretty good but it is still early days to form a proper opinion. Sorry this is so long but I am trying to be as informative as I can. Just noticed your other part to your question, it will work as camera only like RA2 does not have laser detection but I do not think that works in time anyway.

>> Edited by medusa on Friday 28th October 20:15

[A57 HSV]

Thanks medusa, agree that the laser detection on RA2 is pretty much worthless (unless you fit the £50 front mounted sensor).
When used as camera only detector, is the MPH display as big as it is on the RA2?

[medusa]

Had not really thought about it, now the RA2 has gone can't remember what it looked like, only had it for a few months. The mph display on the navigator is easy legible if that is any help.

[A57 HSV]

medusa said:

Had not really thought about it, now the RA2 has gone can't remember what it looked like, only had it for a few months. The mph display on the navigator is easy legible if that is any help.

Thanks, the MPH display is important to me, as until I get round to having the dash out of my HSV & the KM/MPH converter changed due to its massive inaccuracy, I rely on the RA2 as a speedo. Also find it preferable to using the speedo anyway, as I don't have to lower my eyes as much.

[SL_BR]

The mph is very clear, and when going through a camera it shows the speed limit of the road.

[aston67]

One feature with the OLD RA is that it beeps near a speed camera even if I am already BELOW the speed limit and this is quite an annoying thing especially in London.

Now the RA Navigator has the speed limit database besides the location of the speed cameras. Question? Doea the RA Nav beeps near a speed camera even IF I am travelling BELOW that speed limit?

your reply will be appreciated a lot

Regards

A67

[medusa]

Yes mine does, I have not read the manual as I never read things if I can get by without, give Blackspot a call they will let you know if it can be altered.

[Wiggyfella]

Hi, yes it does. One benefit of the Road Angel Navigator over the Road Angel 2 is that it tells you about approaching speed cameras with a voice warning that sounds very much like Tiff, but at the same time it tells you what speed limit the approaching camera is actually set at. Most of the time, it's accurate, but on occasions the speed in the database hasn't been updated.

Also, on occasions, and in particular in temporary contraflow systems, you'll get a warning of a speed camera that's on the opposite carriageway. However, I figure that this is worth putting up with, if only to keep you alert.

Overall, I've found the Navigator excellent, and well worth the extra £100-200 over the Road Angel 2. Its route finding interface is easy to use (postcode entry), quite clear, and has got me out of trouble pretty much every time. As posted earlier, nothing beats local knowledge on a familiar journey, but if used in a place you've never been before, it works great and gives you the confidence that you won't get lost.

Finally, the mph speed display is interesting; if it's accurate, then the speedo on all of the cars I drive are reading high, which is probably better than reading low I suppose.

[aston67]

in London one has a scamera every 10 meters and any kind of alert when driving well below the limit will drive you up the wall.
I have a RA 2 and it never failed me and I would love to remain loyal but this feature is a pain in the neck. Maybe one has to look somewhere else - Snooper Indago?

TIA

A67

[5903]

IF you check www.speedsafe.co.uk they''ve dropped their price to 499 ! A little upset as I paid 600 quid !

[stg]

I bought EVO or CAR magazine this week (cannot remember which), but it has an autocar supplement in it with a road angel loyalty upgrade offer.

If you have a classic ROAD ANGEL- upgrade for £349.99

If you have a New ROAD ANGEL can upgrade for £299.99

You need to sign up for a 12 month monthly subscripton of £3.99

This is compared to www.speedsafe.co.uk/Blackspot-Road_Angel_Navigator_Sat_Nav.php of £499.99 which also has the same monthly subscription.

All you need to do is ring the service line on 01327 855586 with your current serial number for proof of upgrade.....

I had been um'ing and ar'ing for some time about getting the Navigator but at the £600 price, was leaning towards a Navman instead. However since I have a new road angel, the £299.99 has won it for me.

>> Edited by stg on Wednesday 9th November 13:15

[jazzyjeff]

Let us know how you get on with it (never had 'nav before but I was thinking about getting one of these in the Christmas sales to fit to my new car :-) )

[K40UK]

5903 said:

IF you check www.speedsafe.co.uk they''ve dropped their price to 499 ! A little upset as I paid 600 quid !

We can also supply at £499 - in stock - next day delivery.

[A57 HSV]

K40UK said:

5903 said: IF you check www.speedsafe.co.uk they''ve dropped their price to 499 ! A little upset as I paid 600 quid ! We can also supply at £499 - in stock - next day delivery.

An excellent co. to deal with as well. I've had lots of products from Glyn over the past few years & have reccomended him to countless friends etc.