Lets talk dash cams

[mmntech]

After reading the road rage thread and remembering my own near misses with asshat drivers, I think it's time I protected myself with a dash cam.

Seen quite a few up for sale. A lot of them either look like absolute rubbish or are very expensive. Is there anything decent around the $100 mark? Doesn't need to be fancy though the GPS tracking does sound handy. Does need acceptable night performance.

Update: Got it, see my post below.
Update 2: video up at the end of the thread

 

[foghorn67]

I think there was a thread a while back started by SandEagle with Doppel contributing. I would search that.

 

[Jimzz]

I bought a R280 for a little less than $70 shipped.
The only negative is the old version would get blury when it got hot. Its still cold here so I can;t say if its a problem still or not so I took a chance.

Here are some sample videos...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pVb6UpKx0Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEFuaUZdKUE

Don't forget you will also need to buy a memory card for what ever you get. You need at least a class 6 and 16gb is min IMO. I use a class 10 32gb.

Heres a list thats pretty good...
http://dashcamtalk.com/dash-cam-comparison/

They also have a forum.

The F500LHD can be had for less than $100 and is very good. No GPS but also look out for fakes.

 

[Murloc]

my problem with dash cams is that I'd have to take it down and hide in the car/take it with me every time I'm in an unsafe area (mainly Italy because of the gypsies but recently asylum seekers have increased the microcriminality here too), if you just leave it there it will attract criminals. How do russians get around this problem?

 

[Jimzz]

my problem with dash cams is that I'd have to take it down and hide in the car/take it with me every time I'm in an unsafe area (mainly Italy because of the gypsies but recently asylum seekers have increased the microcriminality here too), if you just leave it there it will attract criminals. How do russians get around this problem?

Its cold in russia, people stay inside when cold.

They also buy the cheap ones like I have so even if stolen its not $300 or so. Either that or park in a garage?

 

[SyndromeOCZ]

my problem with dash cams is that I'd have to take it down and hide in the car/take it with me every time I'm in an unsafe area (mainly Italy because of the gypsies but recently asylum seekers have increased the microcriminality here too), if you just leave it there it will attract criminals. How do russians get around this problem?

They're all drunk on Vodka and pack around AK47's. I wouldn't want to steal from them either.

 

[darom]

In Russia almost all cars have dash cameras inside. It is such a common thing that people don't pay attention to. And Syndrom is right, if they see you stealing your stuff, you'd better have a plan B of escape, because there are not enough lawyers yet.

If you are looking for an inexpensive camera, check out the lightinthebox web site. I have one for $38.99 (with $12 s&h from China) and it does a decent job. I wouldn't compare it to some high-end HD cameras sold here for $199, but for under $40, I wouldn't complain.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Its cold in russia, people stay inside when cold.

They also buy the cheap ones like I have so even if stolen its not $300 or so. Either that or park in a garage?

A car break in isn't about the $100 camera, $5 change, or whatever.

It's the broken window, then glass on the seats which destroys the leather from the criminal sliding in and out.

 

[SSSnail]

Dude, use your phone. There are apps out there that will record GPS location, speed, etc... Much cheaper than a dash cam. These apps have direct online upload option as well.

Check out the Daily Roads app.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Dude, use your phone. There are apps out there that will record GPS location, speed, etc... Much cheaper than a dash cam. These apps have direct online upload option as well.

Check out the Daily Roads app.

Or you can use torque with a video recording plug in.

 

[meloz]

I think for most people a smartphone makes a good dashcam these days, with right mounting options. You should google about that.

Dedicated dashcams make more sense for commercial vehicle operators and such. Or if you live in Russia. I am surprised that auto manufacturers have not started offering dashcam as standard feature in Russia.

 

[Jimzz]

Problem with a phone as a Dash Cam is you have to install it everytime and also turn it on and off when needed. The time you think oh its a short drive I don't need to do it is when someone runs a red light and says you ran it and the other 2 people in their car agree.

With a Dash cam, even the cheap one, you just get in start the car and it starts. Turn the car off and its done. Only time you need to take it down is when needed.

 

[SSSnail]

Problem with a phone as a Dash Cam is you have to install it everytime and also turn it on and off when needed. The time you think oh its a short drive I don't need to do it is when someone runs a red light and says you ran it and the other 2 people in their car agree.

With a Dash cam, even the cheap one, you just get in start the car and it starts. Turn the car off and its done. Only time you need to take it down is when needed.

I think the problem with most people is that they don't know what a dash cam app can do. The app I mentioned has a one touch operation. Basically after you set it up, it automatically records at the touch of an icon, it automatically repeats based on what YOU set as far as length of video, frequency of upload, etc...

It's also a lot more intuitive because it integrates with your GPS, and can run in background mode. It can records all the GPS information as well, if you so desired.

It saves me from buying a dash cam, have it installed, and present another target for would be windows smashers. With the phone, just clip it in, press a button and you're on your way. The justification of ” convenience” is not really there with the dash cam. Besides, my phone records in Hi Def.

 

[Jimzz]

I think the problem with most people is that they don't know what a dash cam app can do. The app I mentioned has a one touch operation. Basically after you set it up, it automatically records at the touch of an icon, it automatically repeats based on what YOU set as far as length of video, frequency of upload, etc...

It's also a lot more intuitive because it integrates with your GPS, and can run in background mode. It can records all the GPS information as well, if you so desired.

It saves me from buying a dash cam, have it installed, and present another target for would be windows smashers. With the phone, just clip it in, press a button and you're on your way. The justification of ” convenience” is not really there with the dash cam. Besides, my phone records in Hi Def.

Thats the point you have to set it up everytime you get in the car and make sure its angled right. After a while people will stop doing it or forget when they really need it.


So does a cheap dash cam. Mine does 1080 at 30FPS and 130degrees angle. My 1080 cell phone does not record as well as my cheap dash cam.

 

[SSSnail]

Thats the point you have to set it up everytime you get in the car and make sure its angled right. After a while people will stop doing it or forget when they really need it.


So does a cheap dash cam. Mine does 1080 at 30FPS and 130degrees angle. My 1080 cell phone does not record as well as my cheap dash cam.

I honestly don't understand the fight for the five seconds it take to snap the phone in, and press a button. My app is free. Buy a suction mount for $10. Done!

 

[rh71]

^ sounds interesting, but what kind of clip-in for your phone do you have that won't signal to thieves you may have a GPS-type device in your car to steal?

 

[SSSnail]

^ sounds interesting, but what kind of clip-in for your phone do you have that won't signal to thieves you may have a GPS-type device in your car to steal?

Google windshield suction mount, or Amazon. Let's say you take your phone out and all that remains is a clip on the windshield. You think thieves will break your windows for that? As opposed to a valuable dash cam sitting there waiting to be ripped out? Do some of you argue just to argue?

Oh, and if you really are worried about the clip on the windshield, then remove it, probably takes another few seconds to press that release lever...

 

[rh71]

Google windshield suction mount, or Amazon. Let's say you take your phone out and all that remains is a clip on the windshield. You think thieves will break your windows for that? As opposed to a valuable dash cam sitting there waiting to be ripped out? Do some of you argue just to argue?

Oh, and if you really are worried about the clip on the windshield, then remove it, probably takes another few seconds to press that release lever...

I'm not arguing just to argue. Early on, one of the reasons people know you may have a GPS is if you have the suction mount and they would break-in to look for it in the glove box. That's why they make weighted mounts that don't attach to the windshield - you put on top of your dash instead and put it under your seat when you're done. It's a huge pain in the ass either way and a reason I would always say to order the car with built-in GPS rather than buy a portable. Point is, windshield mounts still are a dead giveaway.

Personally, I do short trips and I still want recordings, but not at the expense of doing all that work getting into and out of the car and turning things on and off. Hell I don't turn my smartphone's bluetooth on when I get in 90% of the time either because it's a bother. Ideally, I'd like something that can be integrated like many integrate their Valentine Ones. How well do these devices stand up to 10F degree overnights?

If it must be a mount, does anyone make a mount that looks like it's a vent cupholder but taller so it clears the dashboard and sees the road? That would work but you'd still have to fidget with setup each time.

 

[Jimzz]

I'm not arguing just to argue. Early on, one of the reasons people know you may have a GPS is if you have the suction mount and they would break-in to look for it in the glove box. That's why they make weighted mounts that don't attach to the windshield - you put on top of your dash instead and put it under your seat when you're done. It's a huge pain in the ass either way and a reason I would always say to order the car with built-in GPS rather than buy a portable. Point is, windshield mounts still are a dead giveaway.

Personally, I do short trips and I still want recordings, but not at the expense of doing all that work getting into and out of the car and turning things on and off. Hell I don't turn my smartphone's bluetooth on when I get in 90% of the time either because it's a bother. Ideally, I'd like something that can be integrated like many integrate their Valentine Ones. How well do these devices stand up to 10F degree overnights?

If it must be a mount, does anyone make a mount that looks like it's a vent cupholder but taller so it clears the dashboard and sees the road? That would work but you'd still have to fidget with setup each time.

Same here.
I looked into the phone option but to much work and I knew the 1 time I got lazy it would be when I needed it.
There are people to lazy to even check their own oil when the oil light comes on, and to think they would do this with their phone EVERY time is funny.

 

[Murloc]

Phones don't have the same lens as dash cams so you don't have a field of view that wide.

Do some of you argue just to argue?

dude thieves notice that stuff right away and then break in to search in the glove box or under the seat.
It's never about the value of the item: it's about how much it attracts break-ins. Asylum seekers systematically break glasses to get the coins to buy beer and get drunk, causing thousands of $$$ in damages in the process.
After that happens, the problem is the broken glass, not whatever cheap consumer electronics get stolen.
Leaving cables, bags etc. out there is a bad idea for that reason too, they're cues.

 

[SSSnail]

Well, I guess putting away a windshield clip or a few seconds clipping it on is just wasting too much valuable time for some of you. Me? I'm not that important, I got seconds to spare, and more.

I never leave anything in sight when I get out of my car. This one time, a thieve broke into our shared garage and broke every windows of every car in the garage, except for mine. Can you imagine the look on my neighbors' faces?

I'll carry on with whatever works for me, I guess. I'm just suggesting another way that I, sssnail, is dealing with the dash cam issue. To each their own.

 

[Kelvrick]

Well, I guess putting away a windshield clip or a few seconds clipping it on is just wasting too much valuable time for some of you. Me? I'm not that important, I got seconds to spare, and more.

I never leave anything in sight when I get out of my car. This one time, a thieve broke into our shared garage and broke every windows of every car in the garage, except for mine. Can you imagine the look on my neighbors' faces?

I'll carry on with whatever works for me, I guess. I'm just suggesting another way that I, sssnail, is dealing with the dash cam issue. To each their own.

I agree, when I think about it, its just a few seconds and aside it would be vary rare that I'm in such a hurry I don't have time to spare.

You know what will happen a lot though? When I'm distracted, get in my car and start driving. It isn't the time, its the fact that I have to remember to put it up and take my phone down when I leave. I also often plug my phone into my car's 3.5 aux input and charge as well. Now I have to have 2 loose cables I have to deal with that are long enough to reach from my arm rest compartment all the way up to my dash compared to a dash cam mounted right behind my rear view mirror with cords tucked behind the roof liner. I'm not too important to deal with these things, just too lazy and forgetful.

 

[amdhunter]

I just took this vid over the GWB a few minutes ago.

Camera is a Chinese R510 model. I am looking for something I can mount permanently, but they are all so big.

 

[Doppel]

For about two months now I've been using the iSymDVR app for my iphone. I think I paid $1.99 for it. I use it with a $12 dash mount from Amazon.

The only draw back about this is that it drains battery quickly, but my drives are always short enough it's never a concern. Also, if I want to stream music from the phone I cannot use dash. On the plus, it helps keep my filthy mitts off the thing while driving.

The iphone's vid camera is much better than entry level dash cams, since it is high def. The iSymDVR app has variable frame rate and a bunch of nice options. I personally have it set to show a black screen with my speed after 20 seconds.

Since using this app on my phone I have stopped researching dash cams. It's been really nice. It's also very stable and the developer releases updates every once in a while. I'm guessing it's absolutely the best dash app for the iphone.

Problem with a phone as a Dash Cam is you have to install it everytime and also turn it on and off when needed. The time you think oh its a short drive I don't need to do it is when someone runs a red light and says you ran it and the other 2 people in their car agree.

Agree, but in my case it's been a very easy habit to make. iSymDVR starts automatically when it loads, so I simply slot it into place, hit the green icon on my front page of phone, and that's it. I have also shaken the occasional issue I had of leaving the phone in the car With the phone constantly showing speed and has a red recording light blinking it's easy to remember it.

I've seen some vid from low end dash cams and the iphone's video blows them out of the water. I agree a dash cam is ideal because it is all automatic, but an app on the iphone + suction mount is < $20 and works very well.

Early on, one of the reasons people know you may have a GPS is if you have the suction mount and they would break-in to look for it in the glove box.

This is true, but you have to be in the height of a meth withdrawal in 2013 to think that stealing somebody's GPS is even worth a nickel, and if it's an empty mount even a smack-blasted junkie will assume that it's for a phone that the driver has with him.

 

[Stryker124]

http://www.chasecam.com/

I've heard some pretty good things about these, BUT they are serious money....