RD ergonomics and safety.

[carbonhed]

I got into RD's not because I want to speed with impunity but because I felt that oppressive policing of the limit was more associated with revenue gathering and to give the impression of doing something about the road toll rather than actually addressing the more complex issues involved in road safety.

Here's a very informative UK site that explores these issues :-

http://www.safespeed.org.uk/index1.html

One of the latest pieces of research to look at crash/near miss causes was done in the US and probably has implications for the driver/RD interface.

Crash Test Dummies

To my mind it looks pretty much that anything that distracts you from the central task of what's going on "out front" carries with it the possibility that it's going to happen at just the wrong moment in time and cost you dearly. Some of them can't really be avoided; checking mirrors, blindspot, speed etc. are simply part of the job. It's the optional extras like the stereo, mobile phone, Sat Nav, CB radio and of course the RD that are more of a worry. It's not so much that you are going to be the prime cause of an accident while operating these pieces of equipment, more that your response to a problem is going to be delayed by a few crucial seconds.

So how should a RD function if it's not going to pull your attention away from what's important?

Answers on a post card to "That's the $64000 question smartarse, The End Of The World, SW Pacific"

My thoughts are:-

You shouldn't have to look at it, it should tell you what you need to know audibly, alert, band id, self mute and then a rising tone as the threat approaches. You shouldn't have to touch it pretty much from journeys start to end and you shouldn't be spending time trying to decide if an alerts real or where it is. A HUD would be cool too 8)

What would be on your wishlist?

[SmaartAasSaabr]

I think you're more or less right. I like the way the STI reports its alerts. However it would be nice if they put in Tech display, instead of say "K 24.138" they put "K3 24.138" and increased the number with proximity (like in Threat display)

[V1 Dave]

I think you're more or less right. I like the way the STI reports its alerts. However it would be nice if they put in Tech display, instead of say "K 24.138" they put "K3 24.138" and increased the number with proximity (like in Threat display)

When I tried the X50 I thought of this as well but I am guessing that to do two things at once would cost more money in design.

[SmaartAasSaabr]

I doubt it... I mean the detector knows the strength (so it can do the audio) and there is space on the display at least with X and K...

[V1 Dave]

I know what's up with that? Bel's web site has a customer service address but no e-mail address for suggestions. :cry:
Escort has two e-mail addresses, consider my vote sent. 8)

[amoney]

I think you're more or less right. I like the way the STI reports its alerts. However it would be nice if they put in Tech display, instead of say "K 24.138" they put "K3 24.138" and increased the number with proximity (like in Threat display)

Yeah thats the first thing I thought of whe nI first got my v985. It would have been nice but the audible is enough to go by. Though some have said that the STi, audible alert seems the same chirp frequency as a low threat and a high threat and is difficult to distinguish, perhaps it is just individual perception. I do not favor the solid tone of the Escort.

[carbonhed]

I don't particularly like the way the STi ramps up it's alert level, it's hard to tell what level of threat you've got without looking at the bar graph. I don't want to look at my RD at all. I want to look at the road.

I was impressed with the way the X50 I used ramped up it's alerts. Even as a complete novice with it I knew the LEO was coming round the corner NOW! without looking at anything other than the road. I can imagine the noise getting irritating though.

I want a rethink of RD design so that it's more like a piece of original equipment seamlessly fitting into the whole control structure of the car. I don't want a geek fetish item that's constantly wanting to be monitored, touched and deciphered. I want to drive.

[carbonhed]

Points out of ten for least distraction from what you're actually supposed to be doing... driving?

Bel 7
Escort 6 the angled front fascia is pretty stupid unless you're going to make left and right hand drive models.
V1 3 Comedy central :roll: The driver has to adapt to his radar detector. I wouldn't have thought that was really necessary in the 21st century. Confusing sitting on your desk this must be a real delight at 70 or 80 mph in heavy traffic. Not dangerous enough? Add a remote display somewhere near you're right knee and you'll be sweet. The solution consists of a sledgehammer and a ground up rebuild concentrating on the user interface... drumroll... V2