Road Angel Professional User manual

USER GUIDE
Email:
Clark House
Silverstone Technology Park
Silverstone Circuit
Northants
NN12 8GX
Rev 4
Road Angel Group Ltd
[email protected]m
Web: www.roadangelgroup.com

Thank you for choosing the Professional, from Road Angel.
As our roads become busier, more congested and more regulated, staying alert to road
and traffic conditions is a challenge to everyone. Even the most conscientious driver can
have a momentary lapse of concentration that could easily lead to an accident or a fine
and points.
ROAD ANGEL Professional is specially designed to be a simple-to-use addition to any
vehicle, to alert and warn you in advance of known danger areas. In the comprehensive
ROAD ANGEL Professional database are stored Police, Local Authority and Ministry of
Transport designated danger spots, including accident black spots and safety camera
locations.
Using the latest Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology, ROAD ANGEL
Professional compares your position with the known danger spot locations and gives you
an audible and visual warning as you approach them. An accurate GPS speedometer in
the display gives you time to adjust your driving to the approaching danger.
The safety of you and your passengers is our prime consideration, and we trust that for
all the miles you drive, your ROAD ANGEL Professional will enhance the safety and
enjoyment of your journey. Join other ROAD ANGEL Professional users in guarding your
life and livelihood.
We are pleased to have you as a valued customer and hope you will be delighted with
your fully integrated ROAD ANGEL Professional. Having listened to our customers we
think the new features will make this product your perfect driving companion.
Dave Clark
Founder
Road Angel Group Ltd.

i
Table of Contents
1.Introduction....................................................................1
Unpacking the Box......................................................................................3
Subscriptions...............................................................................................4
Warranty.......................................................................................................5
Battery Power and Recharging ..................................................................5
Controls and Connectors............................................................................6
Remote Control............................................................................................7
2.Registration....................................................................8
3.Putting It All Together ...................................................9
Security ........................................................................................................9
Assembling the Windscreen Mounting Bracket .....................................10
Fitting the ROAD ANGEL Professional....................................................12
Using the Dashboard Pad.........................................................................13
4.Getting Started.............................................................15
Switching On for the First Time ...............................................................15
5.Hazard Warnings .........................................................16
Advisory Colour Coding ...........................................................................17
Audio and Speech Warnings....................................................................18
6.Customising your ROAD ANGEL Professional......19
Menu Settings............................................................................................20
Audio ........................................................................................................20
Alerts ........................................................................................................21
Distances..................................................................................................22
GPS..........................................................................................................22
Unit Data...................................................................................................24
Display......................................................................................................25

ii
7.Adding and Deleting Danger Zones...........................26
Setting a Live Van Alert............................................................................26
Deleting Zones ..........................................................................................26
Adding New Locations .............................................................................27
Adding an Average Speed Monitoring Section (SPECS Zone) ................27
8.Updating the Database................................................28
The ROAD ANGEL Database ..................................................................28
Updating by PC........................................................................................28
9.Background Information.............................................29
About Global Positioning Satellites (GPS)..............................................29
Laser Detection .........................................................................................29
How mobile laser systems operate...........................................................29
How the enforcement officer chooses which vehicles to target................29
Targeting Explained..................................................................................30
Short range targeting................................................................................30
Long range targeting ................................................................................31
Following a vehicle being targeted...........................................................31
Rear detection of laser .............................................................................32
ROAD ANGEL Professional and the Law................................................32
Speed Cameras and Hazards...................................................................33
10.Accessories..................................................................36

1
1. Introduction
ROAD ANGEL Professional is a standalone, cable-free, GPS camera and accident black
spot locator. It uses the latest global positioning satellite and laser detection technology
to give you audible and visible alerts as you approach hazardous sections of road:
•Accident black spots (as designated by the Police and Local Authorities)
•Safety cameras
•Mobile laser guns
•Mobile roadwork cameras
•Average speed monitoring zones
•Mobile safety vans
•Primary schools, congestion charging zones and unprotected level crossings
ROAD ANGEL Professional also displays a constantly updated and accurate speed
reading. Should you break down, ROAD ANGEL Professional allows you to pinpoint your
location and direct rescue services to your vehicle.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION!
The directors of Road Angel Group Ltd sell ROAD ANGEL Professional as a road
safety enhancement device. Driving within the speed limits at all times and within
the limitations of the road condition and your abilities is paramount. The directors
of Road Angel Group Ltd. take no responsibility for the use of ROAD ANGEL
Professional for purposes other than those stipulated.
Placement
Position your ROAD ANGEL Professional as low as possible on the screen so that it
does not impair your all-round visibility: we recommend you use either a central position
or by the A-post. The device should be mounted securely and all cables must be trained
via locations that do not impact any vehicle controls and importantly do not impede the
intended operation of any Air Bag zones. Do not leave the device in position when you
leave the vehicle unattended for security reasons (see page 9) and because it may suffer
heat damage if left in direct sunlight.
MOT Examinations
For vehicles undertaking MOT examinations, Road Angel or any dashboard mounted
device should either be removed, or adhere to the rules and regulations on positioning.
This normally restricts placement within the swept (windscreen wiper) area of the screen,
located as low as practical to minimise potential loss of visibility.
Safety
Road Angel driver safety systems are designed with the sole purpose of making drivers
more aware of vehicle speed, the environment and potential hazards ahead. To ensure
Road Angel provides this information effectively and without distraction, devices
incorporate both visual and verbal instructions on the potential hazard, along with in
some cases, colour coded screens to remove the need for the driver to take their eyes
from the road ahead.
Under no circumstances, should Road Angel products be operated by the driver whilst
the vehicle is in motion. Road Angel devices are aimed at increasing driver awareness
and should always be considered secondary to the primary purpose of driving the
vehicle.
2

Unpacking the Box
y all the parts out of the box and familiarise yourself with each item. Each pack
ns:
Empt
contai
3
12V/24V cigar socket lead
Connects unit to cigar socket for
in-car power and trickle charge.
Dashboard
pad
Windscreen
Mounting bracket
Anti-vibration
dampers (x6)
and suction
cups (x2)
PC USB cable
Connects unit to PC
for manual updating.
Mains
charger
Remote controls
(x2) (with two
velcro stickers
)
ROAD ANGEL Professional unit
Mounting
adapter (spare)

4
Subscriptions
Your ROAD ANGEL Professional comes with a free subscription for six months to the
award-winning Road Angel camera and accident black spot database. It is critical to the
operation of your ROAD ANGEL Professional that you update the unit regularly and so
continued subscription is essential. Current subscription rates can be found at
http://www.roadangelgroup.com/.
Why do you need to subscribe for updates?
•With constant additions to the ROAD ANGEL camera and accident blackspot
database (1000+ sites per year), the benefit of your ROAD ANGEL Professional
and the protection it provides will be dramatically reduced if you fail to remain
subscribed.
•It is critical to the operation of your ROAD ANGEL Professional that you update
your unit regularly (see page 28).
How do you subscribe?
1. You will be asked to complete an online Direct Debit form after registration (see
page 8) to set up your subscription payments. You will then receive free access to
updates for the first six months. If you prefer, you may print the form and post it to
us (our address is on the front of this manual). Alternatively you can telephone our
subscriptions team on 01327 855586.
2. You can opt to pay by debit/credit card, subscribing for 1, 2 or 3 years. Payment is
taken immediately.
3. Alternatively, you can choose to pay by direct debit with payment taken either
monthly or yearly. Once your account has been set up we will write to you to
confirm details of when your first payment will be due.
Please be aware that all subscriptions are non-refundable and non-transferable.
How long will it take to activate your subscription?
•When you have set up your account, your subscription becomes active and you will
be able to update your unit immediately.

5
Warranty
Your ROAD ANGEL Professional is guaranteed for one year from the date of purchase
from all manufacturing defects that occur with normal use. If your unit fails to perform as
specified in these instructions, please visit: http://www.roadangelgroup.com/warranty
You can also purchase theft-loss insurance. Visit http://www.roadangelgroup.com/ for
details.
Battery Power and Recharging
ROAD ANGEL Professional is a cable-free device; it can operate independently using
power from its internal rechargeable battery for up to 8 hours. You can also power ROAD
ANGEL Professional directly from the cigar socket in your vehicle.
The unit’s battery level is indicated by a five-bar meter on the right side of the display
(see page 5). The number of blocks shown indicates the current battery strength. You
can charge the battery using either the in-car cigar lighter adapter or the mains charger.
There is no need to wait until the battery is completely flat, unlike some rechargeable
devices. During the last 30minutes of battery life (approximation only) you will receive 3
separate warnings that the battery is low. The last will be heard moments before the
battery is completely flat. These will stop when the unit is being charged again.
IMPORTANT: Before you start to use your new ROAD ANGEL Professional, we
recommend that you fully charge it to preserve battery life and performance. For
optimised charging, use the mains charger and ensure that the unit is switched
off. It will take longer to recharge the battery if the unit is in use. In addition, the in-
car cigar lighter adapter provides a less efficient ‘trickle’ charge. It may take 24 hrs
to fully charge a unit in this way compared with only 6 hours on a mains charge.
To conserve battery power, the unit automatically switches off if it has been stationary for
5 minutes (you can disable or adjust this – see page 24). If the device has turned itself
off, a built-in motion sensor will switch the unit back on after a few seconds of motion.
You can put the unit into a ‘sleep’ mode by pressing the Standby button on the remote.
To switch the unit off completely, press the On/Off button on the top of the unit (for
approximately 2 seconds).

Controls and Connectors
es of your ROAD ANGEL Professional:These are the main featur
6
Battery
power level
Animated when
charging, static
when not
charging
Clock
A
ntenna
socket
GPS
signal
strength
Charging indicator LED
USB/power
connector
Speed/compass head
hazard warning display
Aux socket
On/Of
ing/
f
–
Mute/Unmute (only during alert)
(hold down button for about 2s) (touch button briefly)
Static Red:
charging in
progress
No LED: Unit fully
charged or not
charging
Flashing Red:
Unit too hot or cold
to charge

Remote Control
Your ROAD AN te control units and adhesive
velcro pads to mount a remot n on your vehicle’s dashboard. Pull
out the pl
GEL Professional is supplied with tw
e in a convenient locatio
ge the remote’s battery.
o remo
astic strip to enga
7
To control your ROAD ANGEL Professional, the remote needs to be in direct line
of sight with the unit. Do not attach the remote to your vehicle’s steering wheel,
over an air bag or in any other location that impedes the safe operation of your
vehicle and its controls. Under NO circumstances use the remote when driving.
When you leave your vehicle, make sure the remote unit is not on view for
security reasons (see page 9).
Delete
Delete a hazard location
from your unit’s database
Store
Save a new hazard Standby button
Enter/exit ‘sleep’ mode
Back
Return to previous
screen when in
menu
Mute
Stop audio alert during
hazard warning; to
permanently mute select
when not in alert mode
Menu
Access unit
settings
O
site or change a unit
setting
Up Arrow
Navigate menu structure;
change display to day
K
mode backlight level
(user-defined in settings
menu: default 100%) Accept displayed
setting; Dismiss
messages
Down Arrow
Navigate menu
structure; change
display to night mode
backlight level fixed at
0%

2. Registration
You can use your ROAD ANGEL Professional straight out of the box but to
get the full benefit of up-to-the-minute hazard information you should put
the unit on charge, register online and then update the database.
Charge the unit:
With the unit switched off, connect it to the mains charger and charge the internal battery
for about 6 hours.
Register your unit online:
1. Go to www.roadangelgroup.com
2. Click on the Product Registration link.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.
You can also register by phone: call 01327
855586 (Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm).
Registration is important for two reasons:
You cannot update the unit until it has been
registered.
Without registration, we cannot resolve
warranty issues, log queries or solve problems
with your ROAD ANGEL Professional.
Update the unit’s database:
Please refer to page 28 for details.
8

9
3. Putting It All Together
We recommend that you install your ROAD ANGEL Professional on the dashboard of
your vehicle. ROAD ANGEL Professional has an internal high sensitivity GPS antenna
and requires a clear view of the sky to communicate with GPS satellites.
If you want to install ROAD ANGEL Professional anywhere else within your vehicle, you
may require an external GPS antenna. Please visit www.roadangelgroup.com for details.
ROAD ANGEL Professional is supplied with:
•A bracket for mounting ROAD ANGEL Professional on the front windscreen.
•A mounting pad for fixing ROAD ANGEL Professional directly onto the dashboard.
Use this option if your vehicle has low profile windscreen wipers or if it is more
convenient than the windscreen mount.
In both cases, the ROAD ANGEL Professional attaches to an interfacing adapter
designed for secure mounting and quick release.
Security
Owing to the high number of thefts, we strongly recommend that you remove your
ROAD ANGEL Professional and its bracket from view when you leave your vehicle.
Security can also be increased by cleaning any marks from your windscreen.
Please contact Road Angel Group Ltd if your unit is stolen or lost. Each ROAD
ANGEL Professional is identified by a unique serial number on the base. We can
use this number to block the unit from being updated. Any attempt to do so
removes all the data from the device and renders it useless. We can also detect
any attempt to re-register it. This has frequently resulted in the safe return of a
ROAD ANGEL Professional to its rightful owner.

Assembling the Windscreen Mounting Bracket
1. Locate the six anti-vibration dampers:
2. Select a pair of dampers according to the pitch of your vehicle’s windscreen:
Windscreen pitch Damper type
10
Standard e.g. Saloon style
short
Upright e.g. 4X4 style
long
3. Insert the selected pair of dampers into
the two central holes and slide them
towards the back edge to lock them in
place. These dampers hold the bracket
at the correct angle and stop it from
touching the windscreen.
You may need to experiment with
different combinations of the
dampers to get the best fit.

4. Slide one of the large dampers into the slot at the front of the mounting bracket. This
damper stabilises the unit within the bracket. The damper should face into the
bracket as shown below.
(4) (5)
5. Attach the two clear suction cups. Push the cups into the large holes on the top of the
bracket. Then, to lock them position, slide each cup across to the smaller hole at the
outer edge of the bracket.
Do not leave the bracket on the front windscreen without the unit
attached, for security reasons (see page 9).
11

Fitting the ROAD ANGEL Professional
ecommend that ROAD ANGEL Professional is posit
of the front windscreen low down, just above the da
e the ROAD ANGEL Professional unit into the mounting bracket. T
recess on the underside of the unit’s case.
We strongly r ioned in
the centre shboard.
1. Slid he bracket
locates into the
2. If you have not already charged the unit, use the supplied power cable to connect the
USB port on your ROAD ANGEL Professional to your vehicle’s cigar socket.
Alternatively, charge the internal battery using the mains charger (see page
Error! Bookmark not defined.) before you install your ROAD ANGEL
Professional. With a full charge, you can use the unit cable-free for up to 8
hours.
3. Ensure that the cable does not interfere with any of the vehicle’s controls or airbag
modules. If you use your cigar socket for any other devices, a dual adaptor may be
used.
12

13
You are now ready to use the unit for the first time.
Using the Dashboard Pad
The mounting bracket allows best position for GPS reception,
laser detection and general vie sional is also supplied with an
adhesive pad allowing the dashboard. This option is not
suitable for all vehicles.
Use this method if the windscreen wipers on your vehicle are low profile and do not
present an obstruction to GPS reception or forward laser detection. Also ensure that your
ROAD ANGEL Professional is not located close to any heater vents.
1. Locate the dashboard pad and interfacing adapter.
2. Push out the centre of the dashboard pad.
3. The dashboard pad has adhesive on both sides; peel the backing from one side of
the dashboard pad and fasten it to the underside of the interfacing adapter.
you to put the unit in the
wing. ROAD ANGEL Profes
you to mount the unit directly on
4. Remove the backing from the other side of the dashboard pad and fix it to the
dashboard.
Place your ROAD ANGEL Professional directly onto the interfacing adapter where it will
be held firmly.

Where should I put my ROAD ANGEL Professional?
ROAD ANGEL Professional has a high sensitivity GPS antenna and requires a clear view of the
sky to receive information from GPS satellites. We highly recommend that ROAD ANGEL
Professional is positioned in the centre of the front windscreen, low down, just above the
dashboard (see page 2). If screen glare is a problem in this position, try installing the unit beside
the driver's “A-pillar”. Check that the GPS reception operates correctly in this position.
If you want to install ROAD ANGEL Professional anywhere else within your vehicle, you may
require an external GPS antenna. Please contact Road Angel Group Ltd or visit
www.roadangelgroup.com for details.
My car has a UV/solar reflective/heated windscreen
UV/solar reflective screens block GPS signals from entering the vehicle, stopping ROAD ANGEL
Professional from acquiring its position. Heated screens can also affect GPS signal strength.
If your vehicle has a UV/solar reflective or heated screen, you may need an external antennae
(please contact Road Angel Group Ltd or visit www.roadangelgroup.com for details). Most
vehicles fitted with a UV/solar reflective screen have a defined section behind the rear view
mirror where you can fit the antennae.
Can I hardwire the unit?
ROAD ANGEL Professional has a 5V regulator built into its power cable. If
the cable is cut and used to hardwire the unit into the vehicle, you will
damage the ROAD ANGEL Professional and void your warranty.
To hardwire ROAD ANGEL Professional into your vehicle, purchase a compatible cigar socket
from www.roadangelgroup.com; wire this into the power system and use with the supplied
cable. Select the Hardwired option in the Display options (see page 25) if you want your unit to
switch on automatically when it detects power.
Consult an auto electrician if you are unsure how to carry out this
procedure as incorrect hardwiring may affect the validity of vehicle and
product warranty. Consult vehicle manufacturer if in doubt.
14

4. Getting Started
Switching On for the First Time
1. Find a location outside with a clear view of the sky (away from obstacles such as tall
buildings and overhanging trees – these may delay or prevent satellite acquisition).
2. Switch on the ROAD ANGEL Professional by pressing the button on the top of the
unit for about two seconds.
3. If you skipped registration (see page 8) and have not therefore updated your ROAD
ANGEL Professional, the screen will show the registration prompt. Press the OK
button on the remote to continue (please register and update your unit as soon as
possible).
4. ROAD ANGEL Professional starts searching for satellites, as shown by a 12-bar
chart. The first time the unit is switched on, it must acquire data from a minimum of 4
satellites to establish its position.
This may take several minutes. With further use, the unit should acquire satellites
and establish your location within 1-2 minutes of being switched on.
Your ROAD ANGEL Professional may switch off if it has been stationary for 5
minutes (see pages Error! Bookmark not defined. and 25). If your unit is
consistently failing to acquire satellite signals within 10 minutes, check the
type of windscreen in your vehicle (see page 14).
5. When ROAD ANGEL Professional has established its position, the display shows
your speed (0 if you are stationary).
Your unit is now ready for use. You can start driving and ROAD ANGEL Professional will
show you your speed and compass heading. If you are approaching a known hazard, it
will alert you to the type and proximity of the hazard (see page 16).
15

5. Hazard Warnings
Your ROAD A GEL Professi
•Fi ry or averag
•Mobile safety van location g
•Hazard locations: accident black spots, schools, congestion charging zones or
ungated railway crossings.
Speech warnings will tell you the type of haz ed by an audible tone that
increases in frequency wi on.
A proximity-to-hazard ga to 5 bars as you get closer to the danger
zone. If it is a fixed, temporar era location, the unit alerts you to
the advisory speed limit.
Proximity-to-hazard meter
N
xed, tempora onal alerts you to: e camera locations
s and laser gun targetin
ard follow
th your proximity to the locati
uge increases from 1
y or average speed cam
Alert type
Vehicle heading
Vehicle speed
Compass ring
Alert type icon
Camera warnings only:
Advisory speed alternates
with Alert type display
Mute icon
You can customize the way your ROAD ANGEL Professional alerts you to road
dangers: see page 19.
16