Your Daily Reminder to Get a DashCam

[ZionXIX]

Are there any "stealth" ones available, so you can't see them?

I'm surprised with the rise in popularity, no one offers a factory option of one built in, so you don't have an ugly camera on the glass/dash/rear view mirror.

I never thought of a "stealthy" dash cam. A quick google search showed stuff like this:

DVR-VC900 Rear-view Mirror Dash Cam | Full 1080p High Definition

or perhaps something that replaces the rearview mirror entirely:

Car Rear View Mirror with Dashcam and Wireless Parking Camera - 5 Inch Screen GPS Speed Radar Detector Bluetooth

 

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

I looked immediately after posting that too..

I can see where they are going, but a big ugly mirror isn't quite there.

Something tiny that automatically powers up and starts recording to an SD card would be neat, no need for a screen, starts a new video file every time the vehicle is started and deletes the oldest stuff to replace the new. A 256GB SD card would store over 5 hours @ 1080p in MPEG2. It's pretty unlikely that if you "need to rely on it" you'd not know within that sort of drive time.

I might feel a mini project coming on lol

Edit:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Accfly-rec...qid=1484571434&sr=8-3&keywords=dash+cam+small

Closer!

 

[StreetCreeper]

That sucks... What do you think you will get?

When I upgrade, I'll probably go with this camera, it's pricey though at about 3-4 hundred depending on if you have the rear camera too. I like that it uses your phone to view the videos over wifi and that you can download and/or share the files instantly.

F770 | THINKWARE Dash Cam

 

[octanejunkie]

Not a bad idea to have a dash cam, or a rear view cam for that matter, recording full time.... good reason to get an Optima Yellow top battery.

Has anybody used an auxiliary battery, like an alarm system battery, the power accessories like this? You could hook up an altronics charger in line to charge the alarm battery so it doesn't hit your main battery full time

 

[kolelt]

I looked immediately after posting that too..

I can see where they are going, but a big ugly mirror isn't quite there.

Something tiny that automatically powers up and starts recording to an SD card would be neat, no need for a screen, starts a new video file every time the vehicle is started and deletes the oldest stuff to replace the new. A 256GB SD card would store over 5 hours @ 1080p in MPEG2. It's pretty unlikely that if you "need to rely on it" you'd not know within that sort of drive time.

I might feel a mini project coming on lol

Edit:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Accfly-rec...qid=1484571434&sr=8-3&keywords=dash+cam+small

Closer!

Could always hard wire it to a switch. Or a add on fuse.

 

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

Could always hard wire it to a switch. Or a add on fuse.

It turns out that These do all that out the box, and are small enough to mount on the back of the rearview mirror. Wire it to ignition and it will simply record when the ignition is on.

Added bonus if being able to download video via wifi, or just pop the card out.

 

[poleclimber63]

It turns out that These do all that out the box, and are small enough to mount on the back of the rearview mirror. Wire it to ignition and it will simply record when the ignition is on.

Added bonus if being able to download video via wifi, or just pop the card out.

This is the one I just installed in my sons' car:

It came with a 32GB card. Works well. A bit of work to install, I ended up having to drop the headliner etc. I'll be installing in my Wifes' car next and if everything goes well, I'll get another one for the 4R.

 

[kolelt]

I guess I'll just have to pull the trigger on one of them. I simply want a small one with good quality. Is the screen very important or not ?

 

[spazzyone]

I guess I'll just have to pull the trigger on one of them. I simply want a small one with good quality. Is the screen very important or not ?

I bought a Viofo A119 maybe two months ago and installed it the week after. I had to buy a separate hardwire kit because it did not come with it. It is small and I don't see it behind my rearview mirror. I have the hardwire tucked up in the headliner edge, down the passenger side pillar and into my dash. I tapped one of the cigarette lighters. No issues at all.

I did tons of research and my advice would be to get one that DOES NOT HAVE GPS, and has a capacitor and not a battery if you are permanently mounting it to your windshield. I wanted a name brand but this apparently is one of the best. I can't comment on longevity yet but I did get a few bucks off during an eBay promotion. I paid $70 but was willing to pay upwards of 2-300 for a quality one that could be installed and discreet. They don't seem to exist (Garmin has one but it's suction cup mounted and just look invasive).

I've read a lot that GPS screwed people because it shows MPH. Even 1 MPH over means you were breaking the law at the time. You also don't know how accurate the reading is and the whole purpose of my dashcam is to help protect me, not be used against me.

Mine is installed behind a top tint strip and that helps with the sun but even with that, I would not get one with a battery. Batteries swell in heat/long exposure to harsh direct sunlight and can explode, start a fire, bye bye 4R. You get the idea.

Personally, the screen doesn't matter to me. The one on this is plenty fine. Good enough to navigate the menus and also to set the frame. I've reviewed 2 days of footage and it shoots really well. It loops so I never have to touch it unless something is wrong. Sound is decent also and I'll be sure to tell all the police that stop me that it's recording. I looked at the youtube vids prior to my purchase so you can check those out and vid samples of others. It records at 1440p 30fps max. It can do 1080p 60fps but I have mine set at a higher resolution. It also turns on and records within 1-2 seconds of my 4R starting. There is a red "record" button that stays lit so I know it's working. It flashes if there are any issues and even alerts you if your card isn't working. This was the biggest sell for me. Most dash cams don't do this. With a quick glance, I know it's working.

 

[Jeffkin]

A119 sounds like a great way to go, THANKS for the review! So you got it on Ebay? I'm going to shop around some.. Almost no one can be counted on to tell the truth anymore, so these important to have now..

 

[Mark_BC]

I got the A119 with the GPS. After a few weeks it stopped working and I found out it was the GPS not working so I removed it and plugged the cable straight into the camera. The only down side to this camera I have found is that it doesn't have a motion sensor so it won't turn on if your car gets bumped in a parking lot. Also the buttons aren't very distinct to the touch so when you want to hit the save button while driving it is a pain to have to look for the button, especially when it's hidden behind the rear view mirror.

 

[Jeffkin]

THANKS for more feedback! Why does anyone want GPS on their CAM? All phones already have it. Plus, I've read you do not want GPS on CAM, because it can show you were speeding. If your CAM shows you in the RIGHT, 1 MPH over the speed limit also shows you were in the WRONG..

 

[nusrat]

Wanted to start new thread, but "haven't reached a preset number of posts (replies) before you are allowed to start a new thread."

My ideal dash-cam, seeking ideas, separate lens & screen, licenses
Top priorities:
1. Auxiliary output, so I can view real-time image on a separate & larger screen, from an arbitrary mfr.

2. Capture legible license plates at typical/realistic highway speeds & between-car distances. I've read from one mfr's site that this is more dependent on frame-rate than resolution. Highest I've seen is 60fps. If legible LP requires post-processing on PC, that's fine. Also, I've read that police-style LP imaging from moving patrol-car is partly due to "painting" target vehicle with strong IR (which modern LPs are designed to reflect clearly) -- ideas for implementing this are welcome.

BTW, I've heard the argument, "After an accident, you'll be exchanging info, so don't need plate on video" -- suffice it to say, accidents not my concern, need LPs for other reasons.

3. Beyond those 2 items, would be really nice to have (as-is or separately purchased) a lens separate from the recording mechanism (or auxiliary input), to allow an absolutely minimal profile.

 

[jhfleet]

i have two garmins in my 4Runner, one facing forward and one facing to the rear.

It can be a two edged sword though...if you screw up it could be used against you..

Why mention that your dash cam was operating if it's going to incriminate you? Just because it's installed doesn't mean it was recording. It's your camera and your choice to have it off or on and whether to install or remove the data card that contains any recorded videos.

 

[octanejunkie]

Why mention that your dash cam was operating if it's going to incriminate you? Just because it's installed doesn't mean it was recording. It's your camera and your choice to have it off or on and whether to install or remove the data card that contains any recorded videos.

Subpoenas don't work that way. Just sayin

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[Dropzone]

Why mention that your dash cam was operating if it's going to incriminate you? Just because it's installed doesn't mean it was recording. It's your camera and your choice to have it off or on and whether to install or remove the data card that contains any recorded videos.

cops are trained to observe and report, if it is written down in an accident report that they observed a camera present do you really think that an insurance investigator or a lawyer isn't going to pick up on it on that and subpoena you to provide the info.

 

[octanejunkie]

cops are trained to observe and report, if it is written down in an accident report that they observed a camera present do you really think that an insurance investigator or a lawyer isn't going to pick up on it on that and subpoena you to provide the info.

Even if you say its not operational they will subpoena it

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[jhfleet]

Even if you say its not operational they will subpoena it

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A dash cam won't record anything without a data card being installed. Data cards are usually micro sd cards and are easy to remove in a couple of seconds. A bigger worry for a wrongdoer would be showing up on someone else's dash cam video.

 

[jhfleet]

cops are trained to observe and report, if it is written down in an accident report that they observed a camera present do you really think that an insurance investigator or a lawyer isn't going to pick up on it on that and subpoena you to provide the info.

If I'm ever in the wrong and cause an accident I intend to man up and admit it. But, if someone didn't want to provide evidence of their culpability the data card would be removed and in their pocket long before a cop arrived on the scene.

 

[octanejunkie]

I'm gonna buy one, it's just a matter of which and how it mounts

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