The future 1p Ebay item hasn`t arrived yet. I should have it in the morn. If I do, its coming to the midlands with me.

(Those behind me in the convoy, be ready. At the third false alarm, its out of the window. You catch, it`s yours).

 

It arrived.

The way it connects is neat and tidy, nice little add on to the cable. Can`t argue with that.

You thought it looks sh*t? Well see it in the flesh, its SH*TTER. It feels so cheap, I reckon it`ll last about 2 weeks before it implodes. Mines even suffering severe sucker strainage (SSS™) after only a day.

Now, does it work? I haven`t got an f`ing clue. Its all plugged in, the RA still does its GPS thing so it hasn`t destroyed that functionality (plus). It hasn`t bleeped at all, no falsies. So does that mean it works or it doesn`t.

I tried driving through a number of towns on the route back from MMM, no alarms at all - apart from the obvious, how the hell am I going to test this thing? What normally triggers these things? I paid two small girls a quarter of sherbert lemons to continually walk across traffic lights, before the plod collared me, still no falsies.

I`ve got the feeling Blackspot have charged me 30 quid for two black balls (nice). (Actually and figuratively now I think about it).

The instuctions that came with it were a JOKE. Just a photocopy of how to mod the rear and connect it (which is VERY EASY). How the unit works and reports......nothing at all....I don`t even know what I`m looking for on the display - although (from Tifs point) imagine it to be a flash of mobile.....

Will I ever find out if this works? Do I care? Any updates to follow....


(PS you`ll all probably want one anyhow, whats 30 quid between you upwardly mobiles?..... its barely a bottle of that expensive wine you lot drink nightly whilst sitting in your fully paid up chateaus, after a hard graft on the treadmills at David Lloyds, whilst watching a middle aged lady squat thrust).


Please try and pick out the wheat from the chaff in this review. To save you time heres one I did earlier:

1. The way it connects is neat and tidy, nice little add on to the cable
2. It feels so cheap
3. Now, does it work? I haven`t got an f`ing clue.
4. Blackspot have charged me 30 quid for two black balls
5. How do I test this thing?
6. It hasn`t bleeped at all, no falsies
7. I tried driving through a number of towns on the route back from MMM, no alarms at all
8. The instuctions that came with it were a JOKE

EDIT: Point 1 is not such a pro after all. It`s a great little connection, that is if you NEVER WANT TO UPDATE YOU F*CKING ROAD ANGEL AGAIN. So if you do, you have to unscrew it all, as the included serial cable will no longer fit (a butcher job is required). So what was one of the frew pro`s is now a con....

 

LOL

Great review, CC

 

LOL:

Colin I pi$$ed myself reading your review!

Just to be completely fair to your new toy, I had similar concerns about the laser detection capabilities of my Valentine until I actually got a warning, and it scared the crap out of me, as it's totally different to normal warning tones, sounding like a manic police two-tone siren!

I think you'd have these concerns about any laser unit until you got hit by a signal which could be yonks! The V1 does sound the laser and normal sounds briefly as part of it's start-up self-diagnostic routine when you start the car, but other than that, it's a leap of faith!

 

I find the best way to test these devices in find a motorway crash
As the old bill are usuall so busy they forget to turn off the equipment so you get a good test without the risk of a fine.

For example:
3 car pile up on the m25 and i get forced in to the slow lane crawling as every one has to have a good look.
3 police cars parked at the side of the road first, roof down tunes at a reasonable level as police at the side of the road.
Then suddenly "LAZER, LAZER " as i pass the first car and police turn round, then a K class warning and then lazer again passing the third car.
So they work and some funny looks for the police.

 

Here`s a belting update.

I needed to re-sync my Road Angel today. So guess what....plug the serial cable in and update the unit? You`d think so.....nah....nothing could be so easy. The little add-on dongle/cable thats used for the laser detector now won`t permit the serial cable to fit. What a piece of sh1t. I could butcher the serial cable but I won`t, it`s Blackspots problem this little nugget. So I`ve told them them they can resolve this issue and that it will affect a number of new potential customers.

I`ve explained the whole thing looks cheap, nasty and thrown together - which it does. Who the hell in the testing department allowed an update to hardware that won`t permit continuation of current functionality? That design team needs a slap AND.....the fact I`m supposed to `imagine` how the unit works with a total lack of instructions.

I no happy. Me hate you longtime soldier boy.

 

Superb write up Col, I wonder what EVO will say

That lack of update feature is a frickin joke...

 

Heres an update from the MD of Blackspot. I obviously triggered a nerve as he responded in about 8 hrs.


> Dear Colin,
>
> Many thanks for your comments which we welcome. I would like to respond
> personally.
>
> I would guess that you have an early serial cable which I agree does not
> fit. So every two weeks you would need to remove Laser Alert in order to
> update. Our current serial cables are slimmer and do fit past the adapter
> lead - all be it just! I will happily supply club members new cables at
> cost.
>
> We were aware of this and should have mentioned it.

CCs comment: hmmmmmm.....should`ve mentioned it? Not cutting the mustard with me, that one....

> The demand for Laser Alert has been unbelieveable and the product is by far
> the best, most sensitive, easiest to fit and non false alarming device for
> absolutely nominal additional cost.

CCs comment: Marketing blurb


Unfotunately, whilst the product has
> been full developed over the last year, the rush to fulfill orders to our
> existing loyal customers has given us no time to complete the instructions.

CCs comment: Not acceptable. Instructions could be produced overnight and even offered via a downloadable PDF format. This is rubbish in my opinion.

> I hope we won't be judged on our keeness to get product to you guys.

> Incidentally the display will show 'MOBILE', light up red with all 5 bars
> lit and audible alert.

CCs comment: Thanks for that. Now I know I`ve been caught four times....I thought 'MOBILE', light up red with all 5 bars
lit and audible alert was `faulty unit status` as I hadn`t been told otherwise..... sorry for that sarcasm.

> The reason for this whole episode is that 15 000 Road Angels were made with
> 2 pin auxiliary sockets fo laser jammers which are earthed under the bonnet.
> Of course we require an earth for Laser Alert which requires the adapter
> lead - or a long earth lead which I think would be more unsuitable. All new
> Road Angels with Laser Alert have a 3 pin auxiliary port so the adapter lead
> is not needed.
>
> I am sorry that you are not entirely happy but we were trying to do the best
> by our existing customers.

CCs comment: thanks

> Many thanks and please feel free to contact me directly if youhave any more
> comments. I hope you will find Blackspot Interactive service conituing to
> be frist class and thanks you for the time taken,
>
> Best Regards
>
>
>
> Dave Clark
> Managing Director


Heres my further response to this:

Thanks for the rapid response. I would advise for purposes of the S2000 club that you make available a downloadable instruction sheet and the offer of modified serial cables for those affected.

I agree the cost is low and agree also it does not seem to false alarm at all. To the point I`m wondering if it even works.... Have you any idea how I can test this thing? Will anything (apart from the obvious man with a gun) trigger it?

What would the cost be for a new serial cable?

Many thanks once again for you rapid input although I question some of the excuses,

I will let the club know,

Colin

 

Sadly the new Laser module's adaptor for use on the old RA does get in the way of the serial port. Thankfully I ordered both at the same time and the new RA has a single port which doesn't need the adaptor.

I know it's a pain, but then there was even talk that they wouldn't offer the adaptor to allow old RA units to use the Laser module

 

Thats a good point. But then Blackspot would DEFINATELY have had my unit back.