Let's Talk About Dash Cams

[Swanny]

It's useful in either case.
If you're not at fault a forward mounting camera would be able to help your case in almost every instance. Think about it, even if it's something the camera doesn't show like someone rear ending you, it would show that you came to a stop in a safe way and didin't do something to purposely get them to hit you, that's more than enough evidence. Most of the cases I can think of where the dashcam would be really necessary to help your case would involve the other car being somewhere in front of yours anyway.

Gotcha. Very good points. So are most installed cameras small like a pen camera or larger like GoPro size? Just curious because I've only seen these set up for "action" purposes only.

[VinniE30]

Gotcha. Very good points. So are most installed cameras small like a pen camera or larger like GoPro size? Just curious because I've only seen these set up for "action" purposes only.

GoPro size. You see a lot of them in russia for some reason. There's tons of russian dashcam vids on youtube.



So anyone have recommendations? Or just go with a gopro?

[jaywood]

http://www.videodashcam.com/smartcam-dvr-nightvision-rotatable/

Or, check amazon. They have a bunch

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dautomotive&field-keywords=dash+camera

[ClayW]

Looks like you can gets them with motion sensing automatic recording. I'm emailing a few manufacturers to see about the features and details.

Ideally, I'd like to have a camera that automatically recorded with motion (that I didn't have to remember to turn on and off). Also, it's worth remembering that if you have a camera programmed/wired to turn off when you turned the key off, you might accidentally stop recording after an accident occurred.

http://www.carcameradirect.com/order.php

[Andy.B]

I just ordered a dvr027 camera as well as a battery discharge prevention device and a 32GB sd card.
Once installed, the camera will record non-stop, keeping almost 12 hours on the sd card. I can set the power supply to shut off after a certain amount of time, or if the car battery gets low, whatever comes first.
I plan on making a bracket that attaches above the visor panel so I don't have to worry about it getting stolen if I leave the car unlocked.

All in all, pretty cheap for some added peace of mind, protection, and the added benefit of an easy way to record auto x / rally / ice race outings.

[jdirty]

Bump:

I've also been looking into dash cams because i always run into idiots on the road. People who drive in Vegas aren't fond of using blinkers and also some tourists tend to swerve and cut people off if they're trying not to miss an exit or are just plain lost and not attentive.

It's bad enough that i'd even consider a front and rear facing cam. My old DD got thrashed because of a highway altercation. Though i wasn't at fault and i was lucky that this lady stopped to give a witness statement, insurance still fucked me over.

I stumbled across this website; dashcamtalk.com while reading up on dashcams. Though they have pretty good reviews, i'd also like to hear from members who have a full-time cam installed or even goPros that do dash cam work. Pros and Cons and such.

Initially i was looking into the iTronics ITB-100HD
Stealthy, amazing day and night recording, but pricey for me.
Averaging $250+/-

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Then i saw the GT300/ DOD LS300
Not much of a looker but whatever. One could probably make their own case and the markings can be taped over or dipped.
But for half the price? Sounds like a deal? I probably will get this when i payday comes around. lol

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goPros are cool and all but the only thing i would not like about them would be the bling factor/visibility/size or having to take it off all the time so as not to be identified and become a smash and grab invitation.

ps:
I'm not affiliated with that website. I just thought it was very helpful in my quest. lol

[lavis]

Any of here worth a punt?

http://www.szswill.com/car-camera.html Anybody has any dealings with the guys?

I came across a smartarse bicyclist sporting a camera a couple of weeks ago. The lorry pulling out of the farmyard stopped to wave me on and blocked his side of the road, but loopy man-in-tights coming the other way never had a thought I might be approaching and set about passing the nose of the lorry. When he saw me, he had a choice of riding into me or falling off. He chose the latter and ended up sprawling in the muck with his bike on top of him.

I bet that footage never sees the light of day...

[Conki]

I have a GoPro mount stuck behind the rear view mirror in both of my cars.
Whenever I drive, I just click in the GoPro. I have the skeleton case on it, so I can plug it into the cigarette lighter if it needs charging, and the 64 GB memory card is enough for 10 hours of full HD video capturing. My commute is ~30 minutes each way, so I just format the card every weekend after an uneventful week.
The wide angle lense also helps.
I only have two problems with it: there is no timestamp, and the looping feature never seemed to work.

[E30Gus]

I have the Polaroid XS100 and like the simplicity, price, and pretty decent resolution.

[nando]

You guys are paranoid.

[Conki]

You guys are paranoid.

I was T-boned at a green light once. It was my word against hers.
I was lucky since it was her 18th BD, she had no insurance, or valid registration.
What if it was a middle aged business man against my then 19 year-old self? Two Jeeps were totaled, which is a lot of money that I wouldn't want to pay when I wasn't at fault.

One time I was paint-swapped by some middle aged woman who was changing lanes, but didn't see I was right next to her. By the time I honked it was too late. I was driving my sisters 'meh' Opel, and she didn't care, and didn't want the other driver to pay for the damages. What if, again, it's someone who'd blame me? having footage of the accident definitely helps.

The point when I decided to get a camera and always record my driving was when for the third time in the same week some daydreaming woman pulled out in front of me, into the left-most passing lane, on a 6-lane freeway from the middle lane, driving at least 20 mph slower, not using her blinker. Each time I had to slam on my brakes, barely slowing down enough not to rear-end her. I'm not an excessive speeder either.
Good luck convincing the court without video evidence that it was her fault that you rear-ended her

[E30Gus]

We need cameras that will detect women drivers in the vicinity and start recording automatically lol

There have been times I wish I had my camera rolling but it is work to have it available all the time, delete files, and keep the battery charged. And in sketch places I have to worry about that shiny camera luring in thieves.

[Jaxx_]

I'd like a GoPro or similar device but just need a SIMPLE way to delete an uneventful drive. Maybe the real answer is to just buy a huge SD card and delete everything weekly..?

There are some cameras that are designed to record continuously until space is full, and then over-write the old footage. Basically you have a continuous backlog of footage. I believe this is how police car cameras work--they save 5 minutes before you hit record so that when recording does "start" the video had a 5 minute lead time.


IMO a GoPro is probably a very bad choice for this type of thing. It's simply designed for something else. I'll keep my personal views about the GoPro's video quality out of this discussion, though.

[Conki]

There are some cameras that are designed to record continuously until space is full, and then over-write the old footage. Basically you have a continuous backlog of footage. I believe this is how police car cameras work--they save 5 minutes before you hit record so that when recording does "start" the video had a 5 minute lead time.


IMO a GoPro is probably a very bad choice for this type of thing. It's simply designed for something else. I'll keep my personal views about the GoPro's video quality out of this discussion, though.

I agree. If you only want a dash cam, there is a spectrum of specialized cameras for the fraction of the price that are better for the application.

But if you already have a GoPro sitting at home, it does the job.

[RocketJohn]

My buds over on the FJ Cruiser Forum swear by this one:

http://www.amazon.com/BlackVue-DR500GW-HD-32GB-Recorder-Sensor-Tracking/dp/B00DRE8AWG/ref=sr_1_cc_2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1397965870&sr=1-2-catcorr&keywords=blackvue+dash+cam