DFC, I certainly agree that RIS/RAS should only be requested when needed. How many times on a gin clear day have we heard the droning tones of someone telling their life history to an ATCU before requesting a RIS with an in-flight visibility of 30km...
Well, I don't fly that much in the UK, but when ever I have, and I was within a Lars area, I have always requested a RIS, irrespective of the weather conditions.
If I was to have a mid air, and to survive, but someone else was to die, you can imagine how bad I would feel. Then imagine I later discovered that the local Lars unit were sat there twiddling their thumbs because no one was bothered to call them and ask for a service?
I very much recognise the limitations of the eyeball. A RIS is something else there to help me, and I'll take advantage of it if it's available. If the controller is too busy they will tell me. If they are not too busy, then I've just added to the safety of my flight, and others in the area.
dp