Does Anyone Here use a Dash Cam ?

[eDJ_]

I searched this topic and didn't find any evidence of it being discussed before.

Some of us may have seen those Russian Dash Cam Videos posted on Youtube by now.
Really ironic scenes happening there on their highways.  I understand that they
do this for video evidence should they be involved in a mishap.  I guess it preserves their
Insurance and rating.

Example:



I notice Amazon has close to 28 pages of these in different forms with various software.
The idea is they start recording as soon as the power is switched on in the car
and record the flash memory until it's full.  If nothing has happened it simply dumps
what it's recorded and starts the recording process again.  Should an accident occur involving
either the vehicle the cam in in, or to another motorist there is video evidence of it.  It may a hit and run situation or uncovered debris falling from a truck that breaks a windshield that the camera is able to capture
and provide evidence of. 

They are fairly inexpensive and some have both forward and rear facing cam's.  I notice
many have up to 160 degree fields of view.

I found this site which reviews them when I was researching.

Dash Cam Buying Guide

https://dashcamtalk.com/dash-cam-buying-guide/

I notice how the State Police are using them too.

I've been thinking of purchasing one of these and hard wiring it into the car I drive.  Often I'm driving by myself and thus wouldn't have a witness with me in the event of an accident.

Would you feel better having a dash cam ?

Amazon Pages/ dash cams

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...vptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_6xwvtxeh4a_b

 

[LeeRevell]

I just bought one via Amazon, but got the wrong SD cards. Had to reorder the correct Micro SD cards. So I have yet to actually set it up and install it. I too have gotten hooked on watching those exciting but rather morbid Russian (and others!) dashcam accident vids. Amazing levels of utter stupidity along with extreme bad luck there! I used to think American drivers were bad. We are angels compared to the Russians.

 

[ZoNiE]

If I had one, My insurance agent would probably have a heart attack.

 

[B and C]

I have an old Android phone with a 32gb card in it.  I downloaded a dash cam app (for free  ).  I just got through hard wiring a micro-USB power supply into the Beast.  It has a 4' power cable after the little power brick.  I also got a windshield mount for it, but have yet to use it.  The only downside I can see from this is I will have to power on and start the app when I move and turn it off when I arrive.  It should be easy to remember to do though as it will be right on the windshield in easy view.  If I forget to turn it off, the battery in it will just run down....

 

[TMG51]

I just bought one via Amazon, but got the wrong SD cards.  Had to reorder the correct Micro SD cards.  So I have yet to actually set it up and install it.  I too have gotten hooked on watching those exciting but rather morbid Russian (and others!) dashcam accident vids.  Amazing levels of utter stupidity along with extreme bad luck there!  I used to think American drivers were bad.  We are angels compared to the Russians.    

It's not even (mostly) about bad drivers. It's about bad scam artists. People jump in front of cars simply to attempt to sue the driver for being hit. People install dash cams to protect themselves from fraudulent claims. That's why the videos end up being as hilariously depressing as they are.

 

[66788]

All my vehicles have dash cams.   I bought mine online at Amazon.com.

I have found the DOD dash cams are excellent quality for the price.

Mine has great HD video.  License plates are crystal clear, as are street signs and faces.  The night video is unbelieveable.

I have mine setup with the time/date stamp overlay, as well as the GPS coordinates and vehicle speed overlaid as well.

The model I have is the LS430W.   There is a Chinese knock off of that model that has all the features except the GPS and it sells for $64.00  vs. $299.00.    I bought both as a test and the optical quality is the same.   The suction cup mount did break on the cheap one, but I had a spare with the DOD so I'm still up and running.

You Tube video here

Reviews of DOD dash cams and knockoffs

BTW, I have bought cheap ebay dash cams on eBay where the plastic melted in the heat of a parked car, and the video was awful.    Wasted money.

 

[eDJ_]

Imagine trying to explain any of these incidents to your State Farm Agent.  (without a dash cam)

[video=dailymotion]

 

[East]

No, but I've really been meaning to get a few. They seem extremely helpful for scammers and the like. I could see the investment paying itself back multiple times over.

 

[Rugster]

Thanks for the review of the dash cams and really thank you for the Russian videos.....Wow, those are crazy. I'd suspect that Vodka is involved in many of them

 

[LeeRevell]

I tried to get mine working, but am having problems. It turns on, then immediately goes to the Mode screen with only "Mass Storage" and "PC Camera" showing as options. Selecting either has no effect. Can't get it to do anything. So, likely a defective unit. I guess I will return it and try a different model.
This is the WICKED HD 1080P HD camera. Price around sixty bucks...... wasted.

 

[johnny b]

i'm looking at this one:
http://www.getdashcam.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/4SK606-Sell-Sheet-For-Website.compressed.pdf

Model 4SK606:
http://www.getdashcam.com/products2/

http://www.bjs.com/the-original-dash-cam-2.product.251994?dimId=

i like the idea of the two lenses....point it to the side to cover the intersections.

 

[Reducto]

I bought a Blackvue front/rear cam because it had all the features I wanted including the ability to be used as a backup camera. Unfortunately, it doesn't work in hot weather and the image on the rear camera is reversed. Or rather, it isn't reversed like on a standard backup cam. I'll have to see how it works when I get out of 110 degree Vegas.

I guess I'll have to have a separate backup camera and dash cam if I want both functions to work well.

 

[Matlock]

I've had mine for almost two years now. It is wired to come on with ignition. I use a 32G Mini card. It's a loop recorder so will over record about every 10 months based upon my wheel time. Has all the bells, GPS, MPH ( only in Kilos), G-force activate, 5 min lag shutoff, date, time, etc. I don't use their video viewer. Just use MS movie program if you want to see the action on your Laptop.

Their are some people that like to earn their money by taking yours. A picture is worth what they say. Money well spent in my opinion.

 

[Seraphim]

So, are these dash cams running constantly? Cruisers have a 30 second buffer: when lights are activated, recorder saves everything from light activation and 30 seconds prior., so there's a recording of any violation in front of the camera. Was curious if these civilian dash cams operated the same...

 

[Reducto]

They run constantly. They keep saving new videos and erasing the oldest ones. Many have shock sensors so that if they think you've crashed they save that file permanently and do not overwrite it.

Some have a parking mode where when the vehicle is stopped it starts recording if it senses motion.

 

[Belinda2]

I have a modified one in my vehicle, but at work it is standard in all the work vehicles to use them.

 

[LeeRevell]

Tried my dashcam today in my van, and it worked...... for awhile. Then it froze and hasn't done anything since. Apparently when I hooked it to my PC's USB, it went into picture download mode. In the vehicle, it began recording what was in front of me. I tried to change modes as the instruction booklet said, and it locked up. Stays on, with the internal battery partly charged, it will not turn off.
I'll send it back and try another brand. Do not want to have to spend a lot on one.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Tried my dashcam today in my van, and it worked......  for awhile.  Then it froze and hasn't done anything since.  Apparently when I hooked it to my PC's USB, it went into picture download mode.  In the vehicle, it began recording what was in front of me.  I tried to change modes as the instruction booklet said, and it locked up.  Stays on, with the internal battery partly charged, it will not turn off.
I'll send it back and try another brand.  Do not want to have to spend a lot on one.

General rule of thumb - "cheap" and "reliable" don't usually come in the same package.

Regards
John

 

[LeeRevell]

General rule of thumb - "cheap" and "reliable" don't usually come in the same package.

Regards
John

Too true.  But I look at the reviews before ordering, and this one actually got better overall reviews than some cameras costing twice as much.  I did not expect Nikon quality, but did have an expectation of it working.

 

[RVTravel]

Also check reviews on www.techmoan.com