I have always wanted a Satellite Navigation (SatNav) device simply because I drive a lot and I am forever getting lost on my route.
I have been searching for a decent SatNav for a long time now, and up until recently the same one has been recommended to me time and time again from people ... Read review
The UK's no. 1 blackspot and camera alert device just got better… With new fully ... more
integrated GPS and Laser technology, New ROAD ANGEL alerts you to: accident blackspots, safety cameras (including Gatso,TruVelo, SPECS, Watchman, Speedcurb, DS2) and mobil...
Road Angel Navigator 7000, Guiding you with the latest easy to use touch screen mapping of ... more
the UK, including full 7 digit postcode search straight to the door (and major roads of Europe). Guarding you with Road Angel’s unique full screen Driver Safety ...
The fully portable, pocket sized Road Angel Navigator has a FULL postcode search facility ... more
for navigation throughout the included streetlevel mapping data, 2D standard and 3D "bird's eye" mapping options and a colour touch screen for clear and simple op...
Advantages: Easy to use Disadvantages: some may want battery life to last longer
I have always wanted a Satellite Navigation (SatNav) device simply because I drive a lot and I am forever getting lost on my route.
I have been searching for a decent SatNav for a long time now, and up until recently the same one has been recommended to me time and time again from people I work with or know. This is the Road Angel Navigator.
I brought this nifty gadget last week, and I am very please with it.
... ...the SatNav
-----------------------------------
The Road Angel Satellite Navigator combines not only up to date speed camera warnings but also accident black spot warning as well.
Road Angel Navigator is capable of alerting you to the complete range of fixed speed cameras including GATOS, Truvelo, Watchman and SPECS.
Road Angel Navigator combines clear turn-by-turn voice guidance with full colour touch-screen technology ... more
I have always wanted a Satellite Navigation (SatNav) device simply because I drive a lot and I am forever getting lost on my route.
I have been searching for a decent SatNav for a long time now, and up until recently the same one has been recommended to me time and time again from people I work with or know. This is the Road Angel Navigator. I brought this nifty gadget last week, and I am very please with it.
----------------------------------- A brief Intro to the SatNav -----------------------------------
The Road Angel Satellite Navigator combines not only up to date speed camera warnings but also accident black spot warning as well. Road Angel Navigator is capable of alerting you to the complete range of fixed speed cameras including GATOS, Truvelo, Watchman and SPECS. Road Angel Navigator combines clear turn-by-turn voice guidance with full colour touch-screen technology and 3D street-level mapping. It will quickly calculate your desired route, then automatically recalculate should you take a wrong turn or decide to take a detour.
----------------------------- Look and Installation -----------------------------
Probably one of the best things about this SatNav for me is how easy it is to install. I didn't have to rewire my car for it, or get someone to install it for me as it is completely portable. All you need to do is stick it to your winder screen. It runs off a lithium battery which is rechargeable and last up to 6 hours. It is quite a posh looking device. It has a silver metal plating, with a black menu panel to its right side. The screen is in full colour, and words and menus are clear to view. I don't think it would look out of place in any car.
It is pocket sized, and can be easily transferred in and out of your car, so it is literally 'very handy'.
------------------------------------------ The Features This SatNav Has ------------------------------------------
Safety camera and accident black spot alerts……..
A voice or beep, whichever option you choose, will alert you of an oncoming speed camera as soon as your vehicle is in range. It will give you a first warning and a few seconds later a second. It spots all kinds of cameras like I have already stated above, and has not let me down yet as I have been alerted in very good time of speed cameras on the many journeys I have already took with this device. The Accident Black spot alerts also work very well, as when I was driving through Lincoln, I was promptly warned and diverted to another route. It also warns you of camera advisory speed limits and has an accurate speedometer. You can choose to have your alerts in audio or visual form. I prefer having the audio format as concentration on driving is more increased, nevertheless, if audio format bugs you, you can choose the visual option. You can also get new speed camera updates via internet with the use of the USB cable supplied, which I will tell you more about later in this review.
Other Features…….
The screen of this SatNav is a large LCD touch-screen which is in full colour. It is quite pleasing to the eye and even has a Night Mode function to reduce eye strain. Wording and Menu functions are easy to read, and easy to operate as the screen basically tells you step by step what to do.
Routing your Journey could not be easier. Most of the time all I do is enter the postcode on the keyboard which shows up on the LCD display, and it takes me right to my destination with the quickest route possible. You can also save routes in case of a repeated journey in its memory. Directions are shown by Full Street-level mapping of the UK, accompanying by turn by turn voice instructions to make it all the more easier. Your display can also change its view from time to time displaying you a 3D map display of a realistic view of the road ahead, and auto zoom to the next roundabout or turn in the road.
Now also on a few occasions I have accidentally ignored the route I have been told by this gadget, or just missed it altogether, but even that is not a problem for this thing as it has an automatic route relocation, which quickly puts you back on the right path, or chooses a better route for you in case of accidents or bad traffic. So conclusively, if you miss a turn by mistake, don't panic, you will automatically get re-routed.
And finally, this also has a 'Point of Interest Mode'. This feature allows you locate your nearest petrol stations, car parks, hotels, restaurants, you name it, which in my opinion is brilliant!
-------------- Usability --------------
I have found this SatNav very easy to use. Right from when you turn it on, the menu options are very self explanatory, and it will give you step by step instructions on how to use it and how to program your route or other information in. Routes can be sought by postcode or addresses, or even just a simple guide of how to get to a pacific destination, for example London. I have always, whenever possible used the postcode or complete address option as it takes me right outside the place I want to be.
The screen is clear and very friendly on my eyes, which by the way, my eyes can be quite sensitive. Taking it in and out of your vehicle is no bother at all, you just stick it on or pull it off.---------------------------------------------------- Cost of SatNav and Subscription Cost ----------------------------------------------------
Well like I always say, you pay for the best, and the price of this SatNav ranges from £399-£499, which is not bad if you ask me.
This product uses a subscription system for updating of its speed trap/black spot database. Each system is supplied with six months free updating, thereafter the cost is £50.00 annually. The SatNav is updated with the new information via internet, as it is accompanied with a USB cable for your computer. The SatNav comes with a manual giving you step by step instructions of how to do this and which site to get the information from. This of course is optional, but as our roads change all the time I would advise that if you do get this product and travel to many busy and different destinations frequently I would give it some serious thought.
------------------------------ Personal Experience ------------------------------
I have had this SatNav a little over a week, and so far I have been to London, Peterborough, Leeds, Northampton and Lincoln, and it has not failed me with camera or accident alerts. The routes have been concise and very direct. It has always aloud me to find the shortest and quickest route, and the final destination outcome has always been correct.
-------------------------------------------------- My Final Statement on This Product --------------------------------------------------
I am very pleased with the Road Angel SatNav and I would recommend it to anyone thinking of purchasing one. It has been very easy to operate, and the information it comes out with has always been concise and clear to both ears and eyes. I would honestly say it is the best one I have seen. I brought mine for £399.98 off www.gadget-and-gizmos.co.uk
Advantages: Good mapping, clear speed display, easily understood speed warnings, great customer service Disadvantages: It takes a minute or so to boot up - an age when you want to drive away NOW!
I had my Road Angel Navigator stolen, and decided to replace it with the cheaper Road Angel Navigator 7000. It's OK-ish but I found the verbal direction instructions less clear and often they were provided too late, compared to the original Navigator.
The mapping display is different between the original unit and the 7000 (they use different mapping systems). I couldn't see that the 7000 offered any key advantage or disadvantage in the map display ... ...simple direction display of the original Navigator unit - the one that automatically replaces the map and gives you simple, clear and easily-read directions such as "turn left on to A6 in 5 miles".
The screen size for all of the current Navigator range from Road Angel is the same, although publicity material could lead you to believe the 6000 and 7000 have bigger screens. They don't, they just have smaller cases which are shown larger so they look ...
Sumifu 17.01.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Blackspot Road Angel
Advantages: A very handy piece of equipment. Disadvantages: More expensive than alternatives
I initially decided to buy a speed camera warning system, and having weighed up the options decided on the Road Angel, but then thought that while I was buying that, I might as well get one that combined a sat-nav system too.
The speed camera warning function on this unit is extremely accurate (down to a couple of feet in some cases, but never more more than a few metres/yards). For regular speed cameras you are warned verbally about 500 yards before ... ...the screen showing your actual speed along with the speed limit, and then a beeping warning sounds, getting faster and faster as you approach. It thens stops as you drive past. For the newer types of speed trap which are made up of multiple cameras which calculate your average speed over a stretch of road, a warning is given on approaching the first camera which continues until you pass the final one. The camera database inside the unit can be updated ...
msallen1967 19.03.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Blackspot Road Angel
Advantages: Never get lost again Disadvantages: Is quite expensive but worth it.
...where you are approaching a blackspot area. It has got the same tone for the speed cameras and the blackspot so when it does bleep you tend to glance at it to see which one it is. It is easy to use you can input your destination as a post code or as an address. It also gives you the speed at which you are traveling, the speed limit for the area you are in and your estimated time of arrival. You update it using your computer and the internet so that ... ...It gives you clear and precise directions we have only had one incident where it did not work and that was driving through Queensway in Birmingham. This is because I believe that it kept losing its signal in tunnels (which are all quite close together) and got very confused. It has got a memory on it so that you can save your most used destinations such as you can save home, so when you need to go home you just select home and it will take you there.
...
jenloula85 25.03.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Blackspot Road Angel
Quick review of Blackspot Road Angel
After using my "Road Angel Navigator" just 7 times, it then failed to pick up satellites. I returned the unit to "Blackspot" who infomed me that the unit has suffered, "total gps engine failure"!! As the unit was over 12 months old, they refused any help. This is the 2nd unit to fail.(1st one was replaced under warranty). Think very carefully before purchasing a "Road Angel". Tom-Tom, here i come! ...
stebbo55 06.12.2007
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Blackspot Road Angel
Advantages: Great Colour Touch Screen Disadvantages: NO LASER DETECTION! poor battery life
I must admit, I am pretty chuffed with this device but i would much prefer a pda with tomtom, and a seperate laser detector from blackspot.
anyway, it looks the part when in the car, a super clear touch screen, great colour, with accurate speed camera detection from the leaders.. blackspot
the only thing that lets it down though unlike the roadangel units, it wont detect lasers, and was told it would by some chav in the local halfords 'ooh yeah ... ...myself and its picked up so many lasers, and road angels a good make innit' lol
anyway it is a good advice, very pricey but is worth it, i guess it will take off more if a lower priced low spec version came out to rival the tomtom range... i look forward to that ...
jonbob234 12.12.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Blackspot Road Angel
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Advantages: Warns you of speed cameras in areas you do not know Disadvantages: Beeps can be annoying, become used to the alerts
) - good for evening use
- Lots of other features (time, compass, indicator to the "danger zone", you can program new locations, delete locations
I only use the camera alert not the other features of blackspots/schools - if I did it would continually beep!!!
You need to register your product (very simple) before you can accept downloads - very easy to do.
If you travel a lot you should download/upload at least once every week
Excellent if you do not know an area - so you get advance warnings that there are speed cameras/hazards - particularly good if there is one situated just round a bend or behind a sign!!!!
Disadvantages
- Approx. 70% accurate - this is due to mobile van cameras that do not aim their beam in the area where RoadAngel tracks it from e.g. they could aim at your number plate or tyre. A booklet provided ...
blackspots are and alerts you to those as well, allowing you to slow down or be more cautious before you have a serious accident.
Sitting in the middle of your dashboard, the RoadAngel is able to detect your speed from the satellites and gives a more accurate representation of your speed in a digital format on its display than your speedometer usually will. The display is a calm green usually matching the interior display of your car but as soon as the device knows you are in a danger area the display turns a bright red and you are given audible warnings to identify that you are getting closer to the danger zone. When you are in the area itself the display will flash to attract your attention as well. During the alert process, as well as the increasing audible alerts, the display also shows a bar representing the distance from the camera ...
Advantages: Good looking, accurate and reliable Disadvantages: Limited laser gun detection, vibration of unit on dash
WHAT IS ROADANGEL?
RoadAngel uses GPS technology to map the precise location of your vehicle, and using a database of all of the major varieties of fixed speed camera and blackspots, can warn you when you are approaching a camera or blackspot. GPS also means that if you break down, you can use the unit to determine your precise longitude and latitude which can be given to your breakdown assistance company to help them find you quicker.
Plenty of warning is given; the unit will light up red whilst a recorded voice will tell you the nature of the danger ahead, whether it be a camera or blackspot. This is followed by a series of beeps which increase in speed as you approach the hazard and stop altogether once you are past it with surprising accuracy. You can also program in your own danger sites and even set your own maximum ...
