Which Dash Cam?

I bet this is another "you pay what you get" situation.

 

Here is another model which is interesting:

BlackVue DR400G HD - £259.95 (inc Vat) in UK http://www.blackvuehd.co.uk/BlackVue_DR400G_HD.php


--or exact same model on eBay: US $207.90 (Free shipping) directly from Korea.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-BlackVu...ultDomain_0&hash=item4ab5d89c9b#ht_4565wt_954

+

This product called BlackVue Car Black Box Power Magic

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAP...0670779&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT#ht_1864wt_954



I got some products directly from Korea in the past and delivery was fast.

 

If ordered from Korea it's £127($207), look how UK companies add £133 to the price. It's a madness.

I may not fully get idea about diff between £60 and £127 cam's.

May use same lens, or may not use same lens. - until you buy you won't know.

I know one thing, what I bought electronics products which were from Korea, have had always good quality.

 

I bought a Dash Cam on eBay four months ago for $36 USD including shipping and I am really happy with it. It came without a mini USB card (disclosed by the seller in advance) and so I bought a 32 GB Class 10 (C10) mini usb card for $20 USD on Amazon. So (simple math) for $56 USD including shipping I was up and running.

This model dash cam is Chinese and the seller was in Guangzhou. I checked just now and the seller does not have any for sale. Another eBay seller has the (almost) same model for sale for $60 USD incl shipping, and this unit also has a rear view camera (i.e., front and rear recording on the same unit, mine is one lens that I use for forward view). The link is:
Best HD 720P Separate Lens DVR x6 Dual Camera Car DVR Video Recorder H 264 | eBay

The specs on the "X6" dash cam that I bought are:

• 2.0" TFT LCD screen
• Front Lens: 140 degrees
• Uses Samsung CMOS 3.0 mega pixels image sensor
• Built-in light sensor and 4 ultra-high-power infrared night vision
• Professional separate drive recorder
• Can recorde 1280×720 HD high resolution videos and 3.0 mega pixels picture
• IR night vision
• 360 degrees rotatable lens
• USB 2.0 and AV-OUT data transmit interface
• Transmit Speed: 15MB/S
• Supports up to 32GB TF card
• Voltage: 12/24V
• Rated Current: 1A
• Power: 5W
• Language: English, Chinese, Russian (of course)

I am very happy with this dashcam for the price paid. It has features that (the great) Bob Wilson referenced in another dashcam thread that are must haves:

• stay in the car - it needs to handle automotive temperature ranges
• starts with car ON - nothing should be required except the driver concentrate on driving
• stops automatic on G force accident - no one is going to be stopping it
• stops on power off - again, no one is going to hit "stop' and save

Read more: http://priuschat.com/threads/dash-cam-experiments.125764/#ixzz2THN1ffAH​

The nice thing about the X6 is that I mounted it on the interior windshield in the way upper left corner. The lens adjustment allows me to point it down the road even thought the windshield is slanted at a significant angle. From the way upper left corner, you can actually capture most of the central info display (MPH, etc.) along with the road. I ran the power cord from the 12v plug below the transmission shifter under the dash and up the A pillar behind the gasket. Install was 5 minutes. I can take the dash cam off easily when parked in a dicey area.

 

Get the Planet Halo dash cams. I have them in all my cars. You will not regret!

 

There are a lot of dash cams available today.
TheVideoCopilot has a good selection of quality dashcams.

All of our cameras are made by the same manufacturer to maintain the quality standard that we demand. The only exception is the VC-400 4 channel system. We chose that unit because it meets the requirements we expect.

We have one of the best if not the best support for our units. I provide my personal cell phone number for any questions before or after your purchase. I want you to get the system that is right for you.

I have been selling dash cams since the first part of 2009 and since then vendors have popped up all over selling dash cams. In the beginning I tried some of the cheaper units made from other factories and they were, in my opinion, junk. I would never sell a dash cam that is not something I personally would use. I am sure there are some good units from other vendors but so many sell products from various manufacturers and I know some of them are just junk.

I wasted a lot of money trying out other units so you do not have to. Our units are quality built and you can tell that the first time you pull it out of the box and hold it in your hand. We have units with or without LCD screens, our units have an video out connection to attach to an external monitor (which we also offer in 4 and 7" sizes) and the units without an LCD screen come with a 20' (approx) cable to attach to a monitor. Some GPS units actually have an external video input.

They come with a remote control for playback directly from the camera if needed. We offer optional mounts as well. The units all have a one year free replacement warranty if there is a failure. However the failure rate is well under .5% All support and warranty is handled by me and I my clients are very impressed with my support after the sale. Even out of warranty as well. I will always be there to answer your questions.

Out latest addition is a 2 channel water resistant unit designed for our clients wishing to use one on a motorcycle or even a boat. The cameras are external and have a 10' (approx) length of cable. We have two options of cameras, with or without Infrared. Infrared cameras are supplied but you can change one or both.

Our HD cameras are 1920x1080. We ship our cameras ready to go right out of the box with a 16gb class 10 card included. We offer a substantial discount for quantities as well.

Professional truck drivers are our biggest clientele, however, I think everyone who drives a vehicle should have one. When we spend hundreds or thousands on insurance, a dash cam seems to be a clear choice to add.

We have a lot of information on the website about us and why I stared the Dash Cam Store. I have always maintained that if you do not buy a unit from me, you should buy one somewhere because the benefit is too, great. But you can buy from confidence with us that we have done our homework and any unit we sell is a quality dependable unit that will be there when you need it with video evidence.

Our units do not record in .avi format. Those units that do also have an internal batter to save the video when they are removed from external power. They also stop recording while saving the file and seconds can count when you rely on video evidence. Using the player software that comes with the unit and available on our site for download as well, you can easily convert the time period you choose and save it as an avi file.

Our units record GPS tracking and speed as well and date and time. Audio can be muted and you can hit a button and mark a time period to not be overwritten. It goes back to approximately 1-2 minutes before and 1-2 minutes after you press the button. The recording light blinks faster assuring you that the file is being protected. You have to format the card to delete the files saved.

You can also password protect the card as well.

I think if you checkout our line up you will see we offer a model to suit most any need you would have. We will soon be introducing a new model that will retail for around $160 but will not have the GPS tracking and speed for those that prefer just video with date and time at a more cost conscious price.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me via email on the website or my cell phone.

 

SCAM easy money. You need to work to EARN it

 

Would there be an Interface Control Document that describes the file format of the mini card?

I am interested in accessing the video and GPS data directly but the true file system is hidden.

Thanks,
Bob Wilson

 

Something else you can do with a dashcam:
Video: New York police seek driver of fastest lap around Manhattan - Telegraph

So Saturday I was using our 2010 Prius to see if I could replicate the results of an SAE paper. I was driving on one of my benchmark routes and a base security car followed me when I pulled off to document and turn around:

Officer,"Are you lost?"​

Me,"No, I'm doing some mileage tests and planning to turn around."​

Dogs,"Bark, bark, bark, whine."​

Officer,"Is that a camera?"​

Me,"Yes, that is a dashcam I use for accidents."​

Officer,"Wait here" and he goes back to call his supervisor.​

A couple of minutes later, he comes back,​

Officer,"Well it seems they know you do mileage testing. Have a nice day."​

Regardless, it turns out my wife's car has significantly different performance characteristics compared to our NHW11. I'm going to have check some of my older, benchmark routes to see if if the new test protocol is compatible. Regardless, it is nice to know our dashcam has so many uses.

Bob Wilson

 

Here is my intermediate install of the dashcam in the 2003 Prius:

I'm using a similar lash-up for the 2010 Prius. Right now, the wires just drape but in the future, I'll route and lace them.

Advantages:

• driver eye level view - makes it easy to playback what the driver saw
• low vibration - snugged to the head-rest, the images are clear
• not all that visible - unlike the dash, more difficult to see from the outside
• excellent audio - my voice is clearly recorded

Bob Wilson

 

Is that a front-and-back model? Looks good. But why 2 cords?

 

Power and GPS mouse.

It is a front-and-back model with hinged cameras so I can independently adjust the azimuth of both. The only critical mount is issue is making sure I can center both the front and rear views.

Ultimately, I want to mount them from the ceiling but I'm trying to come up with a removable mount that is also mechanically secure.

Bob Wilson

 

Thanks! Please keep us updated when you make progress toward the ceiling mount - seems like the best solution.

 

So, this was my initial system that I just modified:

I bought two but the one in the 03 failed the screen about a year ago. All of the other functions including the critical recording worked. Then 3 months ago, I came across a Utube showing how to change the lense and the parts arrived today.

The original lense is 2.6 mm, nearly a fish eye designed for on the dash near the front windshield. But my headrest mount is further back and the rear lense was still too short. So I bought mounts; 2 - 6mm; 2 - 12 mm, and; 1 - 16 mm. I also fixed the loose display connector.

My first test is with the 6 mm and 12 mm lenses and I am pleased.

Both are much sharper. I now have to test for field of view but the 6 mm looks good for the front and the 12 mm looks good for the rear. But testing will tell.

I noticed the original lense has an IR filter not on the new lenses so I am interested in the night images. Then there is the 'direct at sun' risk to test. Would driving into the sunrise burn out the camera?

One last point, do not focus the lenses under fluorescent lights as the 'banding' is ugly.

Bob Wilson

 

Ok,

I'm getting some preliminary results but nothing to post, yet:

• display software - does not show video from the 32GB mini-SD card but it does save as a 'backup' with the huge AVI file
• may have dust on CCD - there is a splotch on the image that does not rotate with the lense. I'm going to get an 'air bulb' to hopefully blow the dust off the CCD. I don't think it is 'burnt' but it is the 12 mm lense.

Bob Wilson

 

Ok, here is the first sample:

• forward 6 mm lense - looks great with terrific detail. It does not show the windshield "A" pillars but that is not a great loss. When close enough, I can read the license number and depending upon light, the Prius instruments.
• rear 12 mm lense - it has a much narrower field of view and focus is trickier but I may also be running into interference with the camera housing. The original Utube mentions making it a little wider to allow proper focus. That dark splotch at 1 o'clock is a dust mote blown off using a 'can of air.'
• the playback software works on Windows XP - the office system has Windows 7 (?) maintained by . . .

The export creates large AVI files, apparently no significant compression. So if I share the videos, I'll have to use an AVI-to-MPEG tool. Also, without the IR filter, the colors are likely off.

I've cleared the dust mote and tried to refocus the 12 mm lense. I'm going out to try a night drive to see if we have a better view than what we'd seen with the original lense. I'll take down the rear passenger head-rest. Tomorrow, retest with a second 6 mm lense.

Bob Wilson

 

There's a chap on YouTube called TechMoan, and he's tested most of the dash-cams with a critical and tech-savvy eye. I bought the one he recommended as the one he'd use himself, and I'm not disappointed.