RAC DashCams Use PocketGPSWorld Speed Camera Alerts

mikeharris · Lifetime Member Joined: Jun 08, 2007 Posts: 28

Observations about the RAC05 now I’ve had it a few weeks.

Firmware

Chime at 70 mph that you cannot turn off.
This means 1145 unnecessary chimes on my last 3.5 hour trip to Bristol...

Viewer software.

Dashcam viewer 64 bit
The latest software supplied is Dashcam viewer v1.9.1, written by john Coggi @ earthshinesw.com

He is aware that that on some Windows computer hardware Dashcam Viewer does not play movies larger than 1920x1080p (you get a black screen). He suggests going into your dashcam settings and lowering the resolution!

The hi-res mov plays back OK on his ASUS laptop and he gave no indication this might ever be fixed.

Registrator Viewer
For me at least, it plays the 2560x1080 mov but shows the speed incorrectly. (159mph when doing 70)

I have emailed Vadim (the author) with no response...

I feel it’s a little frustrating that after highlighting these problems to the various vendors no fixes are forthcoming…

Pocketgps.

Compared to my freshly updated CameraAlert, the Speedcamera database appears to be out of date and is not being regularly updated. Because I also use CameraAlert I can easily spot the differences!

This could get PocketGPSWorld a bad reputation if we are unable to rely on the dashcam for speed camera warnings.

As far as I know, it’s only been updated once since I bought the camera 5 weeks ago (the original supplied was months out of date) so it’s still not good now…

I have requested the format of the camera data file from proofcam. I could then write a bit of code to generate it myself.

Maybe PocketGPSWorld could also request it? You might have more luck than me…

-o-

None of these things are show stoppers for me - the dashcam works as a dashcam and the hi-res mode is great – I think it’s a shame the camera has been released while the software is so immature.

I should thank Jessica at proofcam for sending me an updated speedcam file and also a new firmware which fixed the problems I had.

Ps/ It appears that there is now a 32 bit version of dashcam viewer here http://dashcamviewer.com/

Mike

Pedro123 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 04, 2006 Posts: 2

NatashaProofCam · Occasional Visitor Joined: Oct 23, 2015 Posts: 25

Good morning Mike,

Please accept my apology for the lapse in communication and for not replying promptly.

I am (at the time of writing) working on a registration area in our Product Resources section on proofcam.com which will ensure the speed camera updates are delivered regularly and in a timely fashion.

I hope to have this finalised next week. I certainly agree that we do not want to jeopardize the reputation of PocketGPSWorld or our reputation. I hope our efforts to work as quickly on improvements is a sign we do take our business and customer feedback seriously.

Would you still like the format?

Best wishes,
Natasha
natasha@proofcam.com

NatashaProofCam · Occasional Visitor Joined: Oct 23, 2015 Posts: 25

Good afternoon, Natasha here.

A few general pieces of information.

Can I update that revised firmware for the RAC 05 is available which will upgrade -

1.Speed warning: Max. revise 70 to 100
2.Welcome and turn off screen revised
3.Add menu to turn off the sound for speed camera and turn on / off camera
4.Can turn off the speed warning sound
5.Use newest speed camera data

The RAC 05 is available in Tesco, noting that the only discount on the RAC 05 is for PocketGPSWorld members.

AliOnHols · Pocket GPS Verifier Joined: Oct 15, 2008 Posts: 1940

Pedro123 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 04, 2006 Posts: 2

My experience with this RAC05 DashCam.

Likes
Super HD video quality gives fantastic clarity on playback.

GPS lock is very quick.

Wide field of view. Mounted in front of driver and on right was A pillar, and on left was interior mirror.

Comes with an 8gb Micro SD card but I upgraded to 64gb before first use.

Easy to get Safety Camera Database working.

Saving a ‘significant event’ file is simple. It saves 10 seconds before and 20 seconds of activity after the button is pressed.

Easy to mount camera on support bracket. (Note it can only sensibly be mounted with the camera handing down from the mount.)

Dislikes
Battery life is claimed to be up to 20 minutes. In email exchange with supplier it turns out that the battery charges up, then runs down, so if you want to use it when parked you might get 20 minutes or you might get 5 seconds depending upon the charge state when you park up. You have no way of knowing which!

Battery seems to discharge if not used regularly. I left it 24 hours and it didn’t work until I gave it a desktop charge.

Safety Camera Database is sourced from pocketgpsworld.com, who update every Wednesday, but Proofcam (supplier behind RAC brand) are still using a file from Oct 2015.

Over Speed Alarm is configurable from 20 to 70 mph. Of course none of us go over 70 in UK so we will never get the warning chime for exceeding 70. If you do the screen will light up for 3 minutes. I may have had to use my sun visor at night!

Display on Metres to camera is tiny. A bit irrelevant as you know that one is imminent anyway.

Not tried
Forward Collision Warning or Lane Diversion Warning.

Other
Had to get a new USB cable from supplier but there was no quibble. Jessica in Customer Services is great.

Struggled to find a 32 bit version of software due to my old computer but I did. Files are also readable with other software although you miss some features e.g. GPS.

The motion sensor is so sensitive that every time I left the camera outside of the car and walked into the room the camera switched on. I ended up turning off this feature.

Tended to switch off the microphone recording. Discovered I comment too much on other drivers!

Could do with a case to protect it when not in the car.

Overall
When it works it is great but I’ve had a mixed few weeks experience.

mikeharris · Lifetime Member Joined: Jun 08, 2007 Posts: 28

mikeharris · Lifetime Member Joined: Jun 08, 2007 Posts: 28

Just a quick update - I have the latest firmware and it looks good!

There are still some differences with the speed cameras though, that's why I would like to make my own data file (a bit ocd , I suppose Rolling Eyes

)

I'm well impressed with the response from the developers and also from Proofcam

Mike

johnnym100 · Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2016 7:31 am Post subject:

As an update to my review on page 7 of this thread - I have the new firmware also and it has some good improvements.

Firmware update returned my device to factory settings. Not a huge issue but something to be aware of.

* Startup is still extremely quick.
* Speed Warning: Now goes up to 100mph and also has an "off" option. Thanks for listening!
* Voice mode: Don't recall seeing that in the previous firmware. It seems that this controls the speed camera alert sounds.
I have mine set to "Speed warning off" but "voice mode on" and virtually all of my anomalous alerts and beeps have disappeared. FIXED!
I *really* like the 21:9 aspect ratio video option and that is my go-to setting.

* Bug: Inaccurate actual speed measurement reported in previous review. NOT FIXED. Still over-reads actual speed compared to other GPS devices and higher even than car speedometer. Given that this data is saved in the video file metadata, it has the potential to falsely incriminate the driver.
* Bug: inaccurate countdown distance to next speed camera reported in previous review: NOT FIXED
* Feature Request from previous review: 21:9 video mode at 720p - not present in this release.

Dashcam Viewer software: Over the past few months there has been great improvement in the desktop viewer software and also release of a Mac version. Thanks for listening to feedback and releasing this.

I also want to acknowledge progress on their website; desktop software downloads and the product registration page is now live. Speed camera updates had been sparse, with October being the last update for a long time. Am hoping to see this improve into the promised frequent updates with the new registration feature.

In summary: A welcome release and good progress to address feedback but some issues remain.

John.

NatashaProofCam · Occasional Visitor Joined: Oct 23, 2015 Posts: 25

NatashaProofCam · Occasional Visitor Joined: Oct 23, 2015 Posts: 25

AliOnHols · Pocket GPS Verifier Joined: Oct 15, 2008 Posts: 1940

Thank you for your update Natasha. However, I have just tried to buy a RAC 05 HD using the information given in the opening post on page one of this thread

NatashaProofCam · Occasional Visitor Joined: Oct 23, 2015 Posts: 25

NatashaProofCam · Occasional Visitor Joined: Oct 23, 2015 Posts: 25

johnnym100 · Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2016 10:34 pm Post subject:

Hi Natasha,

The over-read by the RAC 05 is speed dependent.

My comparator devices are a TomTom 940 and a Holux GPSport 245 cycle computer so are consumer grade devices and not professional GPS speedometers. However these two show the same speed or within 1mph of each other when at constant speed.

Comparing to the RAC 05 at steady speed:

At 10mph all three devices show the same or within 1mph and that's well within any margin of error for consumer grade refresh rate.

At 40mph (by Holux & TomTom) the RAC 05 shows 42mph

At 70mph (by Holux & Tomtom) the RAC 05 shows 73/74mph

So, over-read ~5%?

Numbers were repeatable and avoided roads with overhanging trees and tall buildings.

Got to say - very impressed with the level of engagement and willingness to listen.

John.

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