Dash Camera

[royclark]

I do however allow for a 1% margin of error for when I'm by myself on a very rare occasion

So thats what the switch is for ?

[snapdragon]

Like all the cheap ones (my own included), they make 720p files, but the sensor is much lower resolution and the lens in not very good.
In other words, large files of 'adequate' quality, I use mine on the 480 setting and it looks the same as it's 720p.

[AlyM]

So thats what the switch is for ?

Ha ha! :thumbsup:

What put you off the - Smallest HD 720P Mini in Car Dash Camera DVR Video Register Recorder G-Sensor ?

Nothing put me off apart from it didn't have a screen. I thought I'll buy it for the rear though...

Aly - did you consider telling your insurance you now have a safety camera and see if they lower your premium?

Having words with the Mrs tonight about the camera. Seeing a local specialist too this week.

How did you route your cable up into the headliner? I'm thinking of popping off the cover for the light/rain sensor to minimise the cable showing.

My insurance is up for renewal very soon so will be mentioned!
Atm I've only wedged the power cable into the headlining as we use both cars, I'll be looking for a 2nd power lead so it's just the unit I take out...
Anyways I'm off to Newcastle this morning for a couple of nights (family wedding, booooooo) so it'll be tested properly!!!

[MarkTM]

Gives a whole new meaning to the genre 'Roadtrip Movie'

[Igloo]

All you chaps looking for a dash cam, I have come across this GT550W Full HD 1080P Car Dash Camcorder Video Recorder DVR [GT550W]FoxOffer - Wholesale, OEM, Drop shipping from China directly

It has good reviews and good sample videos on YouTube too.

I nearly plowed into a young lass in a ds3 tonight as she came flying down a hill to a local roundabout, the a6 stopped quick but she looked scared.

Decided that at pay day it's worth spending some cash on a decent camera just to protect myself. It's getting a mad mad world out there!

[apole]

I've had a small dashcam for about a year now.

Ebay one for around £30, chosen because it's small, no suction mount, has a small screen, and a replaceable battery.

Wanted a small one with no visible wiring as I dislike clutter, and of course there's the increased risk some swine will break in and steal it, unless you remove it each time.

Screen good idea as it easily enables you to check the lens position, and helps setup. On mine this can be set to turn off after a certain time so it doesn't distract you.

The battery is useful as it can if you need be setup for motion recording when you are not there, and prevents file corruption if you want it wired to come on and off with the ignition, allowing it to finish the video file.

All these types of cameras record in a customisable time period, for me in 4 minute clips, and all will have a small pause in recording at each interval.

As others have said the lens is a weak point here, you can have high resolution recording but I don't notice any difference between medium and high settings so I keep mine on medium as the video file size is smaller.

So far it's worked very well indeed, and as others have pointed out it could prove invaluable if you had an accident caused by someone else and no witnesses.

The Novus and others are much higher quality, but more expensive so for now I'm happy with this, it's been in use for a year and no issues so far.

I installed it on the windscreen high up by the rear view mirror. The provided power cable is quite long and with a little fiddling I ran it around the windscreen behind the roof lining, and around the outer edge of the A pillar trim so as not to affect the operation of any airbags. Power is picked up under the drivers side dash end panel, fused for safety.

High up gives a good field of vision, is out of your view, and behind the dark tinted strip so it's much harder to see from the outside unless you look hard.

You can now get these cameras with an extra rear facing bullet camera, and remote control. Not sure how this affects recording quality but could be worthwhile as so small.

Seller I bought mine from, UK based so no long delays or hassle with customs:

HD 720P 120° Car Vehicle DVR Cam Audio Video Camera Recorder Cam 2" TFT LCD NEW | eBay

Hope this is of use, just good to share ideas

[apole]

Some pics I forgot to add:

Camera Dark.jpgCamera Light.jpgA Pillar.jpgPower.jpgOutside.jpg

[Guest 2]

Looks good Andy!

Trying to convince the Mrs to look at a two Blackvue's and convince her they're better than stuff she wants but in my mind, doesn't really need!

[apole]

Good luck with that Chris, you are a brave man

Came across this when I was waiting at docs earlier:

Dashboard cameras: Crash-for-cash gangs who stage accidents for insurance scams caught | Mail Online

Funnily enough it was seeing a bunch of guys in a Saab driving strangely round a roundabout on 2 seperate occasions a while back that got me onto the idea in the first place. They were deffo up to no good.

[Guest 2]

Not sure if this has been posted before but theres a new Scam which the BBC have picked up on - 'Flash' for cash - BBC News - Warning over 'flash for cash' scam

I have some youtube videos lined up to show her later, she's wanting to decorate the bathroom but for safetys sake, I think that can wait for a while yet!