Road Angel - Frequently Asked Questions....

What is GPS?
Global Positioning System (GPS) is a worldwide radio navigation system that uses 24 satellites that orbit the earth. GPS receivers, like Road Angel, use these satellite signals to calculate it's position to a couple of metres.

Is Road Angel a detector?
No. It uses GPS and checks its location against an onboard database of accident blackspots and fixed camera locations. When you are approaching either of these, Road Angel provides a warning.

How much warning does Road Angel provide?
Road Angel has three proximity options for Fixed cameras; these are 250m, 500m or 1000m. There is an additional setting called SDS or Speed Distance Setting. If you activate this setting your proximity warning is doubled if your speed is over 50 MPH.

Does Road Angel warn you of the enforcement vans that are being used more frequently on the roads?
Yes, with the addition of LASER ALERT, which plugs directly into the back of the unit, Road Angel will warn you when it receives a laser signal. Using the Store feature you can programme in your own locations, which will provide you with a warning the next time you make that journey.

What is the best position for my LASER ALERT?
Place LASER ALERT in the centre of the windscreen, as low down as possible. Ensure that the flat detector panes are not obstructed by the windscreen wipers.

Does LASER ALERT provide detection from the rear?
Yes, there are two detector planes on the module offering front and rear detection through the rear windscreen.

The view through my rear windscreen is restricted, what can I do?
You can link LASER ALERTs together in a daisy chain. There is a port on LASER ALERT that allows you to plug an additional module into it. You can then place the second module on in the rear windscreen. An additional 2 metre extension cable is available, which provides an overall cable length of 3 metres. Further extension cables can be used as required.

Can I use LASER ALERT on a motorbike?
The electrical system on a motorbike is far noisier than that of a car. This can cause LASER ALERT to false alarm in some instances.

How do I know if my LASER ALERT is working?
Without having a laser speed gun there is only one way of testing LASER ALERT. The signal emitted by some remote control devices, the type that are used for a TV or Video, can sometimes match that detected by LASER ALERT. Try every button in turn whilst holding the head of the remote pointed at LASER ALERT. One of the buttons may trigger an alert. The more remote controls you try, the better the chance of finding one that works.

How much warning does LASER ALERT give me?
LASER ALERT can detect a signal beyond the operational range of a laser gun. The further away from the source the more likely you are to detect a signal as the beam emitted is conical and becomes wider over distance.

Is Road Angel legal?
Yes, Road Angel is 100% legal to own and use.

How do I update Road Angel?
You can update Road Angel via the internet using software that will be provided when you register your Road Angel with us. If you do not have a PC with internet access you can purchase a modem from us for £29.95 inc VAT and delivery, that allows you to update via an analogue telephone line. Please note that we do not provide update software for Apple-Mac computers.

There was no update software CD in my box.
You can download the software via the internet by clicking here. Alternatively complete the pre-paid registration card and post it to Blackspot who will send a CD out by return of post.

When I double click on the Road Angel icon on my desktop, nothing happens.
The software is running. An additional icon has been placed in your taskbar in the bottom right hand side next to the clock.

I am running Windows XP and the icon does not appear in the taskbar.
There is a feature on XP that allows you to hide both active and inactive programs. To display the Road Angel icon follow this procedure. Right click on the clock, select Properties, select Customize…, change the Behaviour settings of Road Angel to 'Always Show'. The icon will now appear on the taskbar.

How often should I update my Road Angel to receive the new locations?
As a guide we recommend updating your Road Angel approximately every two weeks.

What are the system requirements for updating Road Angel via the Internet?
Windows 98 or above using Internet Explorer 5.0 or above.

When I try to update, the software gives me the message; 'Break Received' and then 'Receive Buffer Overflow'
This means that the GPS output of Road Angel is switched on. Press the Menu button six times, then Delete and then Store. The GPS output has now been switched off.

When I try to update I get the message; 'Error 8005'
This means that the COM port is already use by another program. Check the taskbar and close any software that is used to connect to any external piece of equipment such as a PDA or mobile phone.

How do I fit Road Angel to my vehicle?
In one of three ways. The unit is supplied with a mounting kit that allows it to be fixed to the inside of the windscreen. It is possible to use the Velcro supplied and attach the unit directly to the dashboard, and finally a Non-slip Mat can be used to stop the unit sliding off the dashboard.
The Road Angel 2 has a Magnetic base, pad and cradle supplied.

Can I move Road Angel from vehicle to vehicle?
Yes, using the windscreen mount it is very easy to transfer the Road Angel. Additional windscreen kits can be purchased if required.

What is the best position in the vehicle for Road Angel?
For best satellite reception locate the unit as close to the middle of the dashboard and windscreen as possible.

How do I power Road Angel?
Each unit is supplied with two different leads that plug straight into the 12V Cigar lighter in the vehicle. One lead is straight and can be tucked behind the dashboard; the other is a coiled lead that will trail across the dashboard.

Can I hard wire the power cable into my vehicle?
If you are unsure we recommend using a professional company to do this for you. By cutting the cigar lighter plug off of the straight power lead it should be hard wired into an ignition switched supply and grounded with an in-line 3 Amp fuse.

My Road Angel does not display 000 MPH just - - - MPH.
This means that your Road Angel has not acquired a lock on its position. This could be a result of several things. Satellite reception is hampered by UV tinted windscreens and also windscreens with a heated element inside. If your vehicle has either of these features you will require a re-radiating antenna. To check if this is the problem place the unit on the roof of the vehicle and see if it acquires its position.

Why are UV tinted and/or a Heated front windscreens a problem?
The material used to coat the glass hampers the reception of the GPS signal and prevents Road Angel from acquiring its position. In a heated screen the metal elements dissipate the GPS signal and again prevent Road Angel from acquiring its position. NB: If you have a Ford Focus or Mondeo with a Quickclear windscreen, Road Angel will work if placed on the far right hand side of the dashboard.

Road Angel is showing a different speed to the speedometer in the vehicle.
Road Angel uses GPS to locate its position and does so once every second. The speed will lag under acceleration and deceleration. In addition to this all speedometers display a higher speed than the true speed of the vehicle, so you may find that Road Angel is a few miles per hour slower than the speedometer.

Can I output the GPS data from Road Angel?
- Yes, Road Angel is NMEA compatible and uses Version 2.0 / 0183. This means that it can be used with some Route Mapping software for Satellite Navigation on a laptop PC. The data output speed from Road Angel depends on the firmware version. To check which firmware version is loaded press the DELETE and STORE buttons at the same time. After VER is displayed a number will be shown indicating the firmware version. Versions 103 and 104 output data at 9600bps, versions 118 and 119 output at 4800bps. It is possible to upgrade the firmware, please contact us for further details. We have successfully outputted the GPS data to the following mapping programs: Route 66™, Microsoft AutoRoute 2003™ and InfoMap Professional 7.0™ from Directions Ltd. NB: Please note that we can only provide technical support for Road Angel.