Dash cams, what to get and where to get it (Q&A only)

GustavoGaviria · 28-12-2016 01:37PM

galwaytt wrote: »

Looks good - but I'd be beyond shocked if that wasn't made in China as well.

Made is china possibly, but Cobra is a established company and I've had their products before. DashCam comes with solid warranty too. They also have an "office" in Dublin

The Amazon Dashcams are similar to the Android TV boxes, so many replicas and similar equipment its very hard to find an original manufacturer with a usable website, support and firmware etc.

Gwildor · 28-12-2016 01:45PM

Has anyone hard wired a dashcam to a MK3 Focus? I don't have a multimeter to hand and don't really want to be pulling every single fuse to find one that's switched.

Thanks in advance

OldMrBrennan83 · 28-12-2016 01:51PM

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Gwildor · 28-12-2016 02:33PM

Patww79 wrote: »

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That's great, thanks very much! Exact car I have too!

OldMrBrennan83 · 28-12-2016 02:45PM

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Gumbo · 28-12-2016 03:55PM

tedpan wrote: »

7.50 for a 16GB card, 13.50 for a 32GB and so on..

I always use Memory C. They only sell quality cards and its posted from Ireland, so next day delivery.

https://www.memoryc.ie/flash-memory-cards/microsd.html#page=15

I wouldn't risk buying a really cheap card, they are usually fake when it looks too good to be true..

Thanks.

Can anyone confirm if a 64gb works in the DDPai?

Don't want to fork out for a 32 when the 64 is close enough price wise.

54and56 · 28-12-2016 04:16PM

kceire wrote: »

Thanks.

Can anyone confirm if a 64gb works in the DDPai?

Don't want to fork out for a 32 when the 64 is close enough price wise.

I assume you're referring to the M6+ DDpai model? If so my understanding is you can use any size card up to 128GB (see http://www.ddpai.com/en/m6plus-fuc.php) but for 64GB and above you have to format it via the app i.e. stick the card in the DDpai M6+, connect via Wifi to your phone and locate the format option in the app. If you don't format 64gb and above cards via the app the M6+ won't recognise them apparently.

54and56 · 28-12-2016 04:34PM

Hi all,

Seems like there's a good few people on here with DDpai M6+ Dashcams.

Rather than clog up this thread (which is for recommendations etc) is there any merit in setting up a DDpai M6+ user thread for discussion of the device and sharing of tips and tricks etc?

If we could get 10+ people interested it might be worth setting up.

What do you think and/or would you join such a thread?

Cortina_MK_IV · 28-12-2016 05:14PM

Dashcams could be worth a subforum imo. From that could branch into what to buy, installation and different types. DDpai and Nextbase seem to be the most common so far.

OldMrBrennan83 · 28-12-2016 05:22PM

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TheBody · 28-12-2016 05:32PM

Patww79 wrote: »

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I've the 402G and my one slides into the dock. It's kinda awkward to remove. I find it easier to remove the memory card from the side of it and leave the camera on the mount.

cerastes · 28-12-2016 10:56PM

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

The DDpai M6+ has WiFi but it uses it to establish itself as a hotspot which your phone connects to in order to stream footage, manage the device via the app and transfer files which you can then view offline on your phone and/or store elsewhere for future reference. I don't think it uses WiFi to anything other than facilitate a connection to your phone but I'm open to correction as I'm a newbie with the M6+.

This (streaming the footage to backup) is the feature I was looking for but didn't know if it existed, where did you buy your DDpai? Never heard of it, the link above doesn't work, just going to Google search for it now, I had a weblink for a site that reviews dashcams (think it was tech moan) so just going to start searching, bit wary of buying on eBay as have got a dud item there before, is glitchy dashcam.

OldMrBrennan83 · 28-12-2016 10:59PM

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OldMrBrennan83 · 28-12-2016 11:01PM

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54and56 · 28-12-2016 11:36PM

cerastes wrote: »

where did you buy your DDpai?

I pretty much always buy off Amazon and happy to pay a small premium for the comfort of knowing if something is a dud or a fake/copy I can get a refund.

DDpai seem to have their own shop on Amazon, I think that's where my wife bought my Xmas present - https://www.amazon.co.uk/DDPai-M6-plus-snapshot-playback/dp/B01LWAKCVY/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1482964494&sr=1-1&keywords=ddpai+m6+plus

54and56 · 28-12-2016 11:38PM

Patww79 wrote: »

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I have a 2 year old OnePlus One Android phone running Android 6.0 and I had no problems whatsoever (yet anyway) connecting to the M6+. It even auto prompted for a firmware upgrade within 5 minutes of my first connection and the firmware upgrade worked first time no problem.

Lots of DDpai M6+ discussion on this forum.

One thing I read is that the Android "problem" with the M6+ may in fact be an Android "feature" :-)

In some versions of Android there's an option in Settings to prevent Wifi from connecting to networks with poor internet connection. The idea is that you'd be better off staying on your 3G/4G network than switch to a cr@p Wifi network and the logic is sound but if the feature is turned on it means your phone will try very hard to NOT connect to your M6+ Wifi network as your M6+ isn't putting out a good (or any!!) internet signal.

If you are having problems connecting your Android phone to the M6+ try looking in WiFi settings for an option to avoid connecting to weak internet WiFi networks and if its there disable it.

Specific discussion of Android WiFi/data related connection issues here.

OldMrBrennan83 · 28-12-2016 11:42PM

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Gwildor · 29-12-2016 01:37PM

Patww79 wrote: »

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I have the Nextbase 312GW and have no problem at all sliding it on and off the mount. The power cable plugs into the mount, so you don't have to unplug that either.

O.A.P · 30-12-2016 05:50PM

I installed an Eonon android 5.1.1 head unit in the car yesterday and was thinking of adding their dash cam http://www.eonon.com/Car-Video/Cameras/R0008.html to my set up .
I like that its so easy to hard wire in now as I already have the head unit up and running ,its only a matter of connecting up the USB cable .
Has anybody here any experience good or bad with this camera ?
Thanks for any replies.

OldMrBrennan83 · 30-12-2016 06:08PM

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ml100 · 30-12-2016 07:57PM

Senecio wrote: »

I've just finished installing my DDPai M6+. I bought the hardwire kit from Amazon which is pretty neat. The hardwire kit includes a small battery backup so you can connect it to an accessories fuse and still get 24hrs of parking mode. If you choose to connect it to a permanent fuse it also has a low voltage cut-out which should mean no flat battery.

I haven't tested the draw but the hardwire kit states 5V 1.5A and I have it running through a 2A blade fuse.

Well my m6+ and ddpai hardwire kit drained my battery over the xmass:-( car wasn't started for about 4 days, I've moved it's connection to a switched fuse, watch out as the low voltage cut-out didn't work.

Toyotafanboi · 30-12-2016 09:55PM

This may have been mentioned already, but I was in Vodafone Dundrum today and they were doing these dash cams for €40 each or bizzarely 2x for €50, which seems good value for money.

It could be absolute junk, i'l let you know

moonlighting · 30-12-2016 10:01PM

You got robbed. I picked a few for 20 euro each in DID electrical Galway. To be honest the quality is not great but for that kind of money no major complaints. Actually one thing i noticed is that you have to manually press a button to change from day-mode to night mode. short press of the power button every time for night mode

Toyotafanboi · 30-12-2016 10:04PM

I'm not expecting miracles for the price of a lunch out

Havn't opened it yetwas, having to switch over to night mode is a bit of a pain.

AndyBoBandy · 31-12-2016 12:07PM

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Havn't opened it yet

bring it back and get a refund.

for similar money you can get a G1W which is an excellent dash cam for the money.

h3000 · 31-12-2016 01:41PM

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

bring it back and get a refund.

for similar money you can get a G1W which is an excellent dash cam for the money.

I actually just came here to ask about a reasonable quality cheap dashcam to use in hire cars and the likes. Something nice and easy to stick on the windscreen and work away. I think you answered my question before I asked

Toyotafanboi · 31-12-2016 01:48PM

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

bring it back and get a refund.

for similar money you can get a G1W which is an excellent dash cam for the money.

What does the G1W do that mine doesn't? I know we are at the bottom end of the market here but £35 is €42 which is nearly double what mine cost @ €25 each.

AndyBoBandy · 31-12-2016 02:04PM

I've been using a G1W in rental cars this year and I think it's a great little camera, as good as the mini 0806 I have, as well as the DDPai M6 Plus that just replaced the 0806

at a guess I'd say the G1W would have a far superior picture quality than the one shown above,

Here is a sample video recorded with the G1W earlier this year.

It might be priced lower end, but it's certainly not a low end camera.

Also, in order to get that camera for €25, you have to buy 2 thus spending €50, I'd rather spend €42 on a very good quality proven reliable camera (100's of online reviews), then spend €50 for 2 that could be ok, or could be shíte.

Also, LED lights on a dashcam are about as useful as a chocolate kettle, yet on the above box, it's shown that LED lights are one of its key features!!

54and56 · 31-12-2016 05:32PM

ml100 wrote: »

Well my m6+ and ddpai hardwire kit drained my battery over the xmass:-( car wasn't started for about 4 days, I've moved it's connection to a switched fuse, watch out as the low voltage cut-out didn't work.

Not being smart but is there any chance it's not working becuase it wasn't installed correctly? I haven't a clue how to hardwire mine so I'm going to use an auto electrician to install it. I'll be very disappointed if I pay a multiple of the cost of the hardwire kit to have it wired in professionally and the low voltage cut-out doesn't work!!

OldMrBrennan83 · 31-12-2016 05:42PM

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Dash cams, what to get and where to get it (Q&A only)

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