Roadhawk HD Initial Impressions

[Cyb3rDud3]

Ok, had my first quick trip out with the Roadhawk HD....I've just installed it with the (optional) suction cup as I'm changing my car next Friday, and had the wire dangling straight down to the 12v socket...

Installation was easy, inbuilt firmware initialised the SD Card and installed software. Desktop software is Mac compatible, and will set the settings by reading and writing to the SD card. I changed mine to 1080p30 and 12Mbps bit rate, left the rest as standard.

Image quality is very good, GPS lock is within about 15 seconds so good enough for me, sound quality is fantastic as well. It dealt well with the suspension of my Audi Quattro S-Line, no adverse events recorded. So all good with the unit...

A couple of drawbacks;
1. The desktop software is rubbish, really rubbish. Firstly it is based upon Adobe Air which I hate for irrational reasons so I forgive it, but the players doesn't allow for slow motion, it is full screen or a tiny screen (as my screen is 2560x1600 it will be enlarged badly). Looking separately at the video files I can make out number plates easily but not using the supplied software. The map is tiny, the data from the GPS is minimal...Hmm I think I'll write my own software or see if there is something generic.
2. The Audi 12v socket is always live Not the fault of the road hawk, and I'm changing it next week, so I'll have to see what the Golf R is like, otherwise I will have to hardwire...

Initial impressions is that the source material created is fantastic, its just accessing it that should be much better via desktop software...

 

[GJHS]

Try RegistratorViewer to view the files. It allows for slow mo, zoom and is free.

 

[Cyb3rDud3]

Try RegistratorViewer to view the files. It allows for slow mo, zoom and is free.

I would love to. But it is windows only isn't it

 

[jokiin]

They are working on a Mac version, have a look at Dashcam Viewer instead, their Mac version is already out, if your camera is not supported just arrange some sample files for the dev to look at and they can likely add support in an upcoming build

 

[Cyb3rDud3]

Thanks for the tip...Got to say that Dashcam Viewer is pretty horrible as well. All those separate windows, doesn't recognise the GPS data.....Hey ho...I'll just use the mp4 file direct for now if I need zooming in or slow motion view...

 

[jokiin]

The separate windows is very much a Mac thing I think, lots of Mac software seems to take this approach, if you send some sample files to the dev he'd no doubt look into adding support for you GPS which would obviously make the program more useful

 

[Cyb3rDud3]

The separate windows is very much a Mac thing I think, lots of Mac software seems to take this approach, if you send some sample files to the dev he'd no doubt look into adding support for you GPS which would obviously make the program more useful

Most definitely not a Mac thing Well not since OS9 which was replaced in 2001....

 

[jokiin]

I haven't use Mac since about Tiger I think it was, not up on the latest in the Mac world, it is still early days for that program though and may evolve differently, who knows, lots of potential there

 

[Estoril Sport]

Hi Cyb3rDud3
I am please you are liking the Roadhawk HD, I read that you are not suffering any sound distortion?

I currently have a big problem with mine I will be soon on the 4th Roadhawk HD in a month!!! Every manhole, or slightly uneven road surface distorts the sound, its gets worse the faster, such as on motorways the distortion is continuous!

I have used the self-adhesive mount provided so this well and truly secured on the glass. It appears not to like my cars suspension. I have even tried it attaching an external mic but this was no better, all possible possibilities explored even to the power cable.

I have been informed that there is a new beta version (1.9?) of the firmware which I have been told should resolve it, if not then I will have to resort to a refund.

Agreed the viewing software is not very good the Blackvue viewer is far superior.

 

[Cyb3rDud3]

Hi Cyb3rDud3
I am please you are liking the Roadhawk HD, I read that you are not suffering any sound distortion?

I currently have a big problem with mine I will be soon on the 4th Roadhawk HD in a month!!! Every manhole, or slightly uneven road surface distorts the sound, its gets worse the faster, such as on motorways the distortion is continuous!

I have used the self-adhesive mount provided so this well and truly secured on the glass. It appears not to like my cars suspension. I have even tried it attaching an external mic but this was no better, all possible possibilities explored even to the power cable.

I have been informed that there is a new beta version (1.9?) of the firmware which I have been told should resolve it, if not then I will have to escort to a refund.

Agreed the viewing software is not very good the Blackvue viewer is far superior.

A little but not too bad....This is some raw footage from my new Golf R (2014 model), it is rather stiff but doesn't generate events...Sound is good enough I think...

 

[Estoril Sport]

Cyb3rDud3 can you identify what is your mic sensitivity set to with your Roadhawk HD ?
I believe the setting below is set to 4 any lower than this then I have to turn up the volume on the PC and then I hear the background hissing.

This video demonstrates the sound problem, the Roadhawk HD does not like UK roads especially where the tarmac is slightly warn.

From your video Cyb3rDud3 it does not appear you are not suffering the same problem as I am. I am now trying out firmware v1.9 which is better than previous versions but I am still get the sound distortion when driving over manhole covers, rumble strips and tarmac patch repairs.

 

[Cyb3rDud3]

Hi Estoril Sport....I'm not sure I get what you mean....Is it the crackling on the video that you are talking about? Or the echo like sound....How do I check my mic sensitivity?

 

[Estoril Sport]

Hi Estoril Sport....I'm not sure I get what you mean....Is it the crackling on the video that you are talking about? Or the echo like sound....How do I check my mic sensitivity?

Yes the crackling is the problem. Regarding the mic sensitivity, there is a informative video on youtube that informs the viewer of the various settings of the Roadhawk HD and what they do.

The crackling sound appears where there is a sudden change of road surface such as driving over a manhole cover or the road surface is quite rough. The Alpina suspension which is quite stiff plus I am on 19" alloys with low profile tyres 265/35 stranded spec for Alpina's.

Reading the spec of the Roadhawk HD the audio quality should be good as the bit rate is high being 320kbps at 42kHz whist the Blackvue DR500GW-HD is a poor 24kbps at 8kHz.

 

[Cyb3rDud3]

Ok, I'll take a look tomorrow. Mine crackles a little as well. But I took it as that the dynamic range of the mic wasn't good enough...My 2014 Golf R can get loud

 

[Estoril Sport]

Ok, I'll take a look tomorrow. Mine crackles a little as well. But I took it as that the dynamic range of the mic wasn't good enough...My 2014 Golf R can get loud

Yes I noticed the rather loud exhaust noise, is the Golf R modified?

 

[Cyb3rDud3]

Yes I noticed the rather loud exhaust noise, is the Golf R modified?

Nope that is standard Well, only under load or when the Driver Profile Selection is switched to Race mode. I did the latter....I've gotten over that juvenile behaviour now, and the exhausts only open up on full throttle...

 

[singlespeed]

That Golf R sounds great! VW did an great job with the Mk7 GTI and R.

 

[Cyb3rDud3]

It is an awesome car indeed...Very impressed with the RoadHawk and how it handles the rough roads within the UK and the stiff suspension of the R....

I must admit the RoadHawk is now just in fire and forget mode....Wires neatly hidden away, it is functioning perfectly...Nothing much more to say. I guess that is why this section is so quiet...It's like Apple, it just works...

 

[Estoril Sport]

Sorry to say after 4 replacement Roadhawk HD cameras all having the same fault I will be looking elsewhere. The Roadhawk HD just could not cope with the Alpina suspension, I kept getting cracking sound when driving on non ultra smooth tarmac surfaces, and being in the UK our road surfaces are quite poor due to long term cost saving. I had to reduced the mic sensitivity down to 2 to reduce the cracking and at this setting, it was not recording hardly anything. I did read beforehand that the Roadhawk HD can suffer from poor sound recording, I thought it had been resolved, it would appear in some circumstances this appears to be still an issue.

 

[VehicleCameraStore]

Out of interest did you have to hard-wire in the end?