Dash cams - your experience?

[speedy88]

Dash cams have become extremely cheap, so cheap in fact that it seems like a no-brainier to get one. So what's your experience with one? Any you'd recommend?

Ideally I'd like one with a g-trigger incase I'm rendered immobile in an accident (or I forget in the shock to click the save button). Also, some kind of discreetness is required - I'd not like my window broken but at the same time I don't want to have to pack it away each time I stop.

Thanks in advance.

[marinanut]

The one I have is from Maplins; probably not the best, but it works. I have it connected into the power supply to the ICE in my car so as soon as the radio comes on its recording. Every five minutes it downloads a packet to a 32MB memory card and starts recording again. I have hours and hours of trips on it going back a year or more in their little packets of memory and there are some incredible sights.....
It also shut up one loudmouthed berk who cut me up and then tried to blame me for it... I pointed at the camera, he swore, jumped in his car and legged it! Some systems now have a slave camera for rear view as well, which is always a good thing.
I wouldn't want them to be a mandatory fit, but as an option for piece of mind, I'm happy.

[rsmithy626]

This is the one I have

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009S3JN1W/ref=oh_details_o04_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Quality not the best and it's not what you'd want for those nice scenic drives but it does the job in case of accidents etc

[sowen]

I have two that look like this

ebay link

One is better quality than the other, but they both record ok which is the main thing



They are even alright at videoing stuff underneath the car

[Stu_B]

I have one of these that I use on my roadbike. 1080p, 120º frame, 3hr battery life and takes up to 32gb card.

pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=111181617297

[claymore]

I use one of these, but with the built in gps.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-Size-HD-1080P-Car-Dash-Cam-Camera-DVR-G-sensor-Motion-Detection-HDMI-GS608-/121312613860?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item1c3ecb95e4

[speedy88]

Cool, thanks fellas.

[wagoneer]

They are an excellent idea. We sell jolly expensive four camera versions at work. They get fitted to commercial vehicles/buses/waste trucks etc. Video evidence is used a lot to dispute claims where the dustcart has been accused of damaging a parked car for instance. Councils often just payed out without dispute but now they save huge amounts of money by proving no fault!
Those linked to above look good and the spec for the price is amazing! The one we have to compete with those is over £100 and a second camera is extra.

[taurus]

Apr 14, 2014 17:28:04 GMT sowen said:

I have two that look like this

ebay link

One is better quality than the other, but they both record ok which is the main thing



They are even alright at videoing stuff underneath the car

Going to buy one of those, maybe more at that price. Does the speed of the SD card make any difference? ie - is it better to buy a standard 32gb or a faster 16gb card?

[sowen]

Apr 16, 2014 8:37:24 GMT taurus said:

Going to buy one of those, maybe more at that price. Does the speed of the SD card make any difference? ie - is it better to buy a standard 32gb or a faster 16gb card?

Apparently the SD card speed is important. I use a 32gb card, fastest I could find which all the reviews I read say and the recording quality is very good for the price.

[omega]

is there one that records all the time for about 2hrs at a time?

[kenb]

How well do the ones posted so far work at night time?

[taurus]

Apr 16, 2014 9:58:23 GMT sowen said:

Apr 16, 2014 8:37:24 GMT taurus said:

Going to buy one of those, maybe more at that price. Does the speed of the SD card make any difference? ie - is it better to buy a standard 32gb or a faster 16gb card?

Apparently the SD card speed is important. I use a 32gb card, fastest I could find which all the reviews I read say and the recording quality is very good for the price.

Thanks. I've ordered a camera, just wasn't sure which SD card to buy.

[wagoneer]

SD cards are speed rated. Class 4 is the normal one that most people use but for cameras that record video or fast action stills in multiple capture mode then a class 10 card is recommended.

Cameras without Infra Red LEDs rely on ambient light to capture good images at night. If it is really dark outside you'll not get much and what there is can be very grainy.

[Stu_B]

Here's a video recorded on mine, starts in daylight and goes into dark. Recorded on the 720p setting because of the low light.

[Stu_B]

Also, spot the RS2000 & Model T Ford at 15:35

[deaddave72]

I would recommend the Drift Ghost or Drift Ghost S. I have been involved in the helmet camera market for the last 5 years , and these are by my experience, the most reliable units out there, and have the added feature that you can place them any where on the car and remote start it with a supplied remote or your smart phone, or if using as a dash cam, they can be set to record after the power has stopped from the car for a set amount of time. Check them out here driftinnovation.com/

[UtterPiffle]

I bought a cheapy one (around 15 quid I think) from Amazon a year or more ago. It sits behind the rear view mirror, and most of the time I totally forget it's there. I wired it to the sunroof power (only works when ignition is on) to save wires everywhere. Starts recording whenever the engine is on. Switches off when I turn car off. It's not great quality, especially at night, but it's 720p, so captures number plates etc.

I bought it obviously to cover my own back in the event of a dispute, but also as an attempt to slow myself down - i.e. knowing I was potentially implicating myself! That worked surprisingly well for the the first couple of weeks, but... Mercedes e55 + Autobahn.

Been thinking of an upgrade to one with 1080p, wide angle and GPS, then the cheapy one will be put in the back window. Definitely don't want one of those ones with a rear camera as well to record the driver, as that is just asking for trouble!

[omega]

Apr 16, 2014 11:30:36 GMT deaddave72 said:

I would recommend the Drift Ghost or Drift Ghost S. I have been involved in the helmet camera market for the last 5 years , and these are by my experience, the most reliable units out there, and have the added feature that you can place them any where on the car and remote start it with a supplied remote or your smart phone, or if using as a dash cam, they can be set to record after the power has stopped from the car for a set amount of time. Check them out here driftinnovation.com/

[omega]

^^^^
that costs more than my car!