Speed Camera detectors

Q. Why do I need to register for an account? 

A. Users are now required to register for an account before they can download database updates for their unit. This is to help us keep track of who is updating and how often our databses are being downloaded.

Q. How can I register for an account on the Novus Website? 

Please follow the instructions in the video below to register on the Novus website:

Q. How can I download an update on my unit?

A. In order to download an update for your unit you will first need to register your product on this website. Once you have done this a confirmation email will automatically be sent to you. After you have confirmed you account you will need to log in and then go to the download centre and follow the instructions given once you have selected your product.

Q. Are Speed Camera Detectors Legal?
A. Yes Novus products are 100% legal to use and own.

Q. Do I need a Radar/Laser Detector as well?
A. No! The traditional method for detecting mobile cameras is to use radar/laser detectors. With Novus Speed Camera Detectors the driver can be warned in advance of possible active mobile camera sites, whether there is a camera operating or not. This unique approach creates greater driver awareness and allows more time to adjust the speed of your vehicle if necessary,

Recent announcements in the Press have indicated that the Government intends to outlaw the use of Speed camera detection equipment that actively detect if a particular camera site is operational or not. Novus Speed Came Detectors are an entirely passive system based purely upon the location of the vehicle to a known camera location, accident black spot etc. This approach is entirely acceptable within the current understanding of the Government proposal.

Q. How do the Novus Speed Camera Detectors know where the cameras are?
A. The Speed Camera Data for the Novus Speed Camera Detectors is provided by GPS Location and Timing. The data provided by them is the best available. They constantly monitor the various agencies that decide on the positions of speed cameras.

Q. If the unit can tell me where the cameras are, can it also tell me the speed limit?
A. When the Novus Speed Camera Detectors alerts you to a fixed speed camera position it will also inform you of the speed limit at the site. In the case of mobile sites, it will also inform you of the speed limit where possible. Some mobile sites have varying speed limits.

Q. How do I fit my Novus Speed Camera Detector?
A. Simply stick the magnetic pad to the top of the dashboard and the Unit will sit on top of the magnet via its metallic base. Connect the power lead from the cigar socket to the unit and the system will instantly power up and is ready for use.

Q. Do the units work in all vehicles?
A. All the product will work in vehicles with +12v or +24v power systems. We will not guarantee it will work in vehicles with metallised windscreens as used by Renault and some Peugeot and Citroen models.

Q. Do the units work behind metallised windscreens?
A. Metallised windscreens are used to reflect UV rays. This type of windscreen also blocks GPS signals entering the vehicle, but signal may vary so we cannot guarantee a good signal lock.

Q. My unit seems to display a slower speed than what my car is showing, is the speed on the unit correct?
A. Yes. Our GPS products are accurate to 1 mph, so depending on the car you might see a 5-10% difference in speed.

Q. Can Novus products be hardwired into the car?

 A. Yes. In order to hardwire your unit to the car and not validate the warranty we recommend using link to hardwire leads. These are avaliable from our online accessory shop.

Q. Are Novus Products compatible with Apple Mac computers?

Unfortunatly not. At this moment in time our Novus products are only compatable with windows based operating systems.

Update

Q. How do I update my Piccolo unit?

Your Novus Piccolo  will need to be updated by connecting it to the computer via the USB lead and downloading updates through our website. In order to update you will need to click on the download centre button on the home page and then register your unit. Once registered you will be granted access to the update area where there will be instructions for you to follow to help you get your unit updated.

Q. What do the database version number mean?
A. Each week when a new database is uploaded a new database number is created. This number is a date format. For example if the database is DB: 1023 the first number 1 is taken from the last number of the year 2011. The middle two numbers 02 is referring to the month we are in (February) . The final number 3 refers to the update that month. There have been 3 updates in February.

Q. How can i check if the update was successful?

A. If all three bars of the update program have moved across the screen then the update would have been successful.

Q. How often should I update my unit?
A. This all depends on your situation and how much driving you do.  Ideally to keep your unit as up to date as possible you should update your unit on a weekly basis. Novus recommend you update your Piccolo at least once a month.

Update Troubleshooting

Q. Error messages are occuring during the update? 

A. Error messages can occur when our update programme cannot communicate with the Novus Piccolo. This problem can occur because: 

•    The USB driver is not installed correctly. To resolve this please reinstall the USB driver from our website, restart your computer and attempt another update.
•    Your unit may not be connected correctly. Please close the piccolo update program and disconnect your piccolo from the computer .Make sure the switch on the piccolo is set to D. Now reconnect the unit to the computer and attempt the update again.
•    If you are connecting to a USB hub please disconnect and plug straight into the computer.
•    If you are using a Lap top please make sure it is connected to the mains power and no other devices are connected to the USB ports.
•    If you have Bluetooth software on your computer this can sometimes conflict with our software. Please disable this software and attempt the update again.

Q. My Anti Virus programme is blocking the update?
Some Anti Virus programmes such as Norton and AVG do occasionally cause problems with our updates. Most Anti Virus programmes have the option to disable the antivirus and firewall in order to update you may need to do this.
 

Power

Q. The unit shows a green light but doesnt make a sound when connected to the power?
A. The Novus Piccolo is designed to be used with the in car power lead provided. If another lead is  used the unit will not function correctly. 

Q.  My unit is charging from the computer but not from the car?
Please check the fuse in the end of the in car power lead. If the metal strip in the glass fuse is broken replace with spare 2amp fuse that comes in the box with the rider.

Q.  My unit is charging from the car but not from the computer?
Make sure both ends of the USB lead are firmly connected. Ensure you are plugging your USB lead to a port on the rear of the computer tower.  Please note no sound will be given from the piccolo when connected to the computer.

Sound/Audio

Q.  My Novus Piccolo sound has stopped working?
Make sure that the sound switch on the bottom of the unit is set to "M" or "H". If problems persist please email support to arrange a return of the unit.

Q.  The Piccolo does not give audio warnings of cameras?

Please update your unit with the latest database version from our website.

Screen

Q.  What do the LED lights on the screen of the piccolo mean?

Please see the below chart.

Software

Q. How do I install the blackvue software?
A. The Blackvue software comes pre loaded on the micro SD Card. You can install the software by connecting the micro SD card to the computer using the micro SD card reader provided selecting the software folder and then clicking on the Blackvue set up icon which can be seen below:

Q. Can I play videos on the computer without the software being installed?

A. Yes. If you wish to play your video files without having the Blackvue player installed on your computer you can do so by running the Blackvue programme from the application folder on the SD card. To do this go to my compyuter find the drive where the SD card is connected too. Open the drive and then click on the below icon:

Q. How do I play files through the blackvue player?
Once you have recorded files you will need to connect the card to the computer. Once connected click on the magnifying glass icon and browse to the drive you are connected to. (See Below)

 Q. What are the icons on the Blackvue player?

 Q. What do the green, orange and blue icons mean next to the video files?

Settings

How do I change settings on my Blackvue?
All of the settings on the Blackvue need to be changed using the Blackvue player on the computer. To change settings you will need to click the settings icon (  ) on the top left of the Blackvue player.
 

Firmware

 Q.What is firmware?
The firmware in the unit is what makes the unit function. Any changes that need to be made to the unit can be done through a firmware update.

 Q.Why is important to keep the firmware up to date?

Over time pittasoft will release new versions of firmware which will be available for you to update your Blackvue with through their website.  These firmware patches will be released to add now features or functionality to the unit and fix any bugs that can occur. If you have a problem with your Blackvue we recommend updating with the latest firmware to see if this resolves it.

 Q.How do i upgrade the firmware?
In order to upgrade your unit you will need to connect the SD card tot the computer and then go to www.pittasoft.com and download the latest firmware. You will then need to run the firmware and install it to your unit. For full instructions on this please see page 9 of your user manual.

 Q.How do I format my SD Card ?
If a fault occurs on your Blackvue it may be necessary to format your micro SD card. To format your SD card connect it to the computer go to my computer and right click on the drive named Blackvue. Once you have done this select format. (See below)

Q. Video files are not playing through the Blackvue Software ?
If you have recorded files and they are not being played back through your Blackvue software we recommend updating your unit with the latest firmware from the pittasoft website and recording more files. If this does not resolve your problem it could indicate that the codec is not installed correctly on your computer. Please reinstall the latest version software from the pittasoft website.

Q. How can I check I have the latest Blackvue player and firmware installed?
You can check which version of the software and firmware are installed by clicking on the    button on top right of the Blackvue software.

Q. I am recieving an error message starting there is "No SD card" when the SD card is connected?
Take card from unit and reformat and update with latest firmware. If problems still persist please email admin@novusauto.com

Power

Q. Can I hardwire my Blackvue into the car?
A. Yes. In order to hardwire your unit to the car and not validate the warranty we recommend using link to hardwire leads. These are avaliable from our online accessory shop.

Q. The unit is not powering up in the car?

A. Please check the fuse in the end of the in car power lead. If the metal strip in the glass fuse is broken replace with spare 2amp fuse that comes in the box with the blackvue.

Q. Can I purchase additional accessories my Blackvue?
A. Yes additional mounts and power leads can be purchased from our online shop. Link to shop

    

1. The unit is not connected to the computer properly. The unit should be plugged into the computer and switched on. Once connected the computer should recognise the connection and additional tabs on the software will be added.