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

Max Power

Can anyone recommend me one?

Are they easy to install?

Mod note - this technical thread is for three things only:
acquirement, installation and operation of dash cams.
Do not post your dash videos or argue over small stuff.

Only post if you are committed to buying and have questions, general chat will be removed.

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JackHeuston

I got the Transcend DrivePro 220 this Thursday and I'm already quite happy about it. I also conceiled the wire myself. It goes in the roof, then down the A pillar, around the passenger's feet and finally it comes out near the lighter plug. Pretty basic job since I don't need to wire it directly to the car to leave the lighter plug available for other stuff.

114 € at Halfords, I think it beats Amazon's prices too, I didn't check very well.

The wifi feature and the app for smartphones are really nice. You can review and download videos without using the (limited) dashcam interface & screen.

ba_barabus

Could you guys recommend a reasonably priced dash cam that had good day and night recording and which is user friendly.

[Deleted User]

sdanseo wrote: »

My 402G gives really good night footage and the fitted price from Halfords would be a good €100 or more cheaper than what you're being asked for.

I have the car with the mechanic at the minute and the dash cam is in it, but I'll try get some footage off it next week and post here. Plenty online as well obviously.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxD5ZvBFiOQ

The quality of the footage you linked to looks really good, I have to say. I might well go with that one, alright. I'll go onto the halfords site now and see what I can dig up.

Did it take them long to fit it?

EDIT: Also, did you have to buy anything else? Or is it just the cam? I know when fitting head units and such you need to buy wiring looms, or some sat navs intentionally come with a crap windscreen mount so you have to buy a proper one, etc.). Or was it just the cam and the cost of fitting? (and did they install it so you still have the use of your 12v and it turns on with the car, etc? Or do halfords have their own quick and easy way of installing things which means you've to make a few sacrifices?).

Either way i'll ring them and ask, but i know each store might vary, so i figured it best to just ask and at least if the lads in my store are being upfront about doing a half ass job, and the lads in the store you used did a great job, i know to try a different store , etc..

EDIT AGAIN: This looks pretty decent for not a lot more, assuming the quality of the recording on the front-facing camera is the same as the 402G.

http://www.halfords.ie/technology/dash-cams/dash-cams/nextbase-dash-cam-duo

[Deleted User]

JackHeuston wrote: »

The wifi feature

What's this out of curiousity? makes it easier to transfer video files to smartphone or something along those lines?

polan

wotzgoingon

JackHeuston

Deleted User wrote: »

What's this out of curiousity? makes it easier to transfer video files to smartphone or something along those lines?

You download the Transcend app on your smartphone and then if you enable the wifi on the dashcam, you can connect to that network with your smartphone and download/review videos through the app. You can also change the dashcam settings, and see the live feed from it.

It's mostly handy when you want to review a video you just recorded and you got a smartphone with a decent screen, as the dashcam's one is of course small and low res.

It's nothing extremely needed, but it's handy. In case you're driving and you can't stop, you can also ask your passenger to review a video without them having to operate directly on the dashcam.

polan

sdanseo

Deleted User wrote: »

The quality of the footage you linked to looks really good, I have to say. I might well go with that one, alright. I'll go onto the halfords site now and see what I can dig up.

Did it take them long to fit it?

EDIT: Also, did you have to buy anything else? Or is it just the cam? I know when fitting head units and such you need to buy wiring looms, or some sat navs intentionally come with a crap windscreen mount so you have to buy a proper one, etc.). Or was it just the cam and the cost of fitting? (and did they install it so you still have the use of your 12v and it turns on with the car, etc? Or do halfords have their own quick and easy way of installing things which means you've to make a few sacrifices?).

Either way i'll ring them and ask, but i know each store might vary, so i figured it best to just ask and at least if the lads in my store are being upfront about doing a half ass job, and the lads in the store you used did a great job, i know to try a different store , etc..

EDIT AGAIN: This looks pretty decent for not a lot more, assuming the quality of the recording on the front-facing camera is the same as the 402G.

http://www.halfords.ie/technology/dash-cams/dash-cams/nextbase-dash-cam-duo

The forward facing camera on that model is only 720p.

I fitted mine temporarily myself, it's as neat as it can be without removing trim pieces, not hardwired yet but I intend buying the kit and tackling it DIY.

Halfords do it for €35.

Stealthirl

I have to return my Transcend DrivePro 200.
I removed the card to get some files and now the card wont lock back into place

sammyjo90

milage is 100% accurate
(Sorry for the pics, hopefully gonna take clearer ones at some stage!)

http://www.adverts.ie/car/toyota/corolla/2007-toyota-corolla/9823180

Dord

Ok, so my first videos of the Street Guardian SG9665GC are now up in the videos thread here - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=98808124&postcount=476

First impressions were very good. Packaging is nice, came with lots of bits n' bobs, and the camera itself looked well. I bought a PNY 64GB Class 10 card for it and formatted it inside the camera. All good after that!

Installation in my car was easy as the cable tucked away behind the trim easily. It's mounted just behind the rearview mirror peeking out below the black dots on the screen. As you may notice, there is a LOT of glare and reflections in the videos. I bought the camera from HiNiko.com and they also sell a polarising filter to reduce this. I'll be ordering that asap.

The camera came with an external GPS unit but I'm not sure I'll add it. I've also turned off the sound on the video as I'm not sure about recording with conversations etc. What does everyone else do? Sound or no sound?

sdanseo

Dord wrote: »

Ok, so my first videos of the Street Guardian SG9665GC are now up in the videos thread here - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=98808124&postcount=476

First impressions were very good. Packaging is nice, came with lots of bits n' bobs, and the camera itself looked well. I bought a PNY 64GB Class 10 card for it and formatted it inside the camera. All good after that!

Installation in my car was easy as the cable tucked away behind the trim easily. It's mounted just behind the rearview mirror peeking out below the black dots on the screen. As you may notice, there is a LOT of glare and reflections in the videos. I bought the camera from HiNiko.com and they also sell a polarising filter to reduce this. I'll be ordering that asap.

The camera came with an external GPS unit but I'm not sure I'll add it. I've also turned off the sound on the video as I'm not sure about recording with conversations etc. What does everyone else do? Sound or no sound?

Really good lighting in the night video. Looks like it needs to be a bit higher up or closer to the windscreen?

Also, that BMW F10 driver - what a muppet

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

Dord

sdanseo wrote: »

Really good lighting in the night video. Looks like it needs to be a bit higher up or closer to the windscreen?

Also, that BMW F10 driver - what a muppet

Yeah it actually looks clearer in the video than it was. The camera is a wedge shape with adjustable lens. I might try point it a bit higher but it can't really go much closer to the window. Any higher up and the dots will obscure the view.

He was very confused! First time I've seen that carry on there. More common in town on the quays with one way streets.

AndyBoBandy

Dord wrote: »

I might try point it a bit higher but it can't really go much closer to the window.

Just be wary of pointing it any further upwards, as then you'll have more of the field of view capturing (bright) sky, which will result in everything else below the horizon (the road/traffic) being darkened as the camera tries to compensate between bright & dark.
At the moment, you've only got about 25% sky in your field of view which is perfect, I wouldn't point it up any more than that.

Looks like you need a CPL filter, and once you get it, you'll easily find it's correct orientation as theres a fair bit of reflection there, so just rotate it while looking through the cameras screen until you can see the least amount of reflection.

Harpie

Hi all, long time lurker here- here's my bus, any comments on the ad welcome!

http://www.adverts.ie/9906807

kenny111

anybody here recommend a good 1080p camera that can be hardwired to the ignition. my skoda keeps the 12V sockets live and i know that at some point I will forget to pull the 12V lead and will run down my battery.

Thanks in advance

Dord

AndyBoBandy wrote: »

Just be wary of pointing it any further upwards, as then you'll have more of the field of view capturing (bright) sky, which will result in everything else below the horizon (the road/traffic) being darkened as the camera tries to compensate between bright & dark.
At the moment, you've only got about 25% sky in your field of view which is perfect, I wouldn't point it up any more than that.

Looks like you need a CPL filter, and once you get it, you'll easily find it's correct orientation as theres a fair bit of reflection there, so just rotate it while looking through the cameras screen until you can see the least amount of reflection.

Thanks for the tip re: field of view. I'll leave as is. The CPL filter for this camera is calibrated already and doesn't rotate. Just fit and go. I'll order it today, should have in a few days as it's coming from elsewhere in Dublin.

cormie

They all should be able to be hard wired with the right knowledge, I don't know how myself, but I've had it done for me by auto electricians. If you're using your car every 3/4 days at least, then battery draining shouldn't be an issue given the power they consume.

MiskyBoyy

kenny111 wrote: »

anybody here recommend a good 1080p camera that can be hardwired to the ignition. my skoda keeps the 12V sockets live and i know that at some point I will forget to pull the 12V lead and will run down my battery.

Thanks in advance

All of them can be hardwired with a simple, cheap addon from ebay. Most Skodas you wire it up to the rear wiper which is live only when ignition is turned on.

I did this this to my Octavia, very easy to follow and worked perfectly: http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/265343-dash-cam-12v-multi-adaptor-hidden-install-driver-storage-compartment/

Mech1

If cost is not a problem, (work is paying) whats the best quality dashcam available off the shelf in Dublin.

Online purchase isnt gonna be a option.

Do they come with bluetooth (hands free phone), GPS for directions, etc built in or do I need 3 different bits of kit?

If so then best GPS as well, I have a bluetooth headset that will do meantime.

kenny111

MiskyBoyy wrote: »

All of them can be hardwired with a simple, cheap addon from ebay. Most Skodas you wire it up to the rear wiper which is live only when ignition is turned on.

I did this this to my Octavia, very easy to follow and worked perfectly: http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/265343-dash-cam-12v-multi-adaptor-hidden-install-driver-storage-compartment/

unfortunately my superb does not have a rear wiper. would cutting the 12v socket into an accompanying lead and then tapping into an approprite source work. i have seen some cameras whose sellers does not recommend this.
i won't be doing this myself of course.

Stealthirl

kenny111 wrote: »

unfortunately my superb does not have a rear wiper. would cutting the 12v socket into an accompanying lead and then tapping into an approprite source work. i have seen some cameras whose sellers does not recommend this.
i won't be doing this myself of course.

You could have a look in the manual for a spare/in use switched fuse location and use a piggy-back fuse holder

Might be more usefull to provide this link
https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/threads/piggy-back-fuseholders-a-right-way-and-a-wrong-way.7524/

MiskyBoyy

kenny111 wrote: »

unfortunately my superb does not have a rear wiper. would cutting the 12v socket into an accompanying lead and then tapping into an approprite source work. i have seen some cameras whose sellers does not recommend this.
i won't be doing this myself of course.

It might still have the fuse-slot tho. Be worth having a quick check to see

robbiew

http://www.adverts.ie/car/volkswagen/golf/2006-manual-golf-gti-long-nct/9368160

More of a lurker then a poster..

Here's my Golf. Looking for something different.

Driving 100% and may knock off a 100 or 200 for fellow board members if interested.

Update, car now sold

[Deleted User]

So I got in touch with halfords. They said that when they're fitting a dash cam you need to buy a 'hardwire pack' with it off them. They said it's €25 for the hardwire pack, and fitting is €35, but if you buy the hardwire pack and fitting at the same time, you get both for €35.

So that seems reasonable enough. 402G looks like the way to go, too. Was very strongly considering the 'duo', but realised it saves the footage side-by-side in a single clip (I presumed each camera would have it's own SD card, and therefore you could pick and choose which footage you wanted from which side). It'd be hard enough identifying number plates or such on a car without having only half the screen to do it!

Fitting is to take place on Thursday afternoon so that'll keep me occupied.

cormie

Do Halfords only fit items purchased there for that price? Seems reasonable enough for fitting anyway.

[Deleted User]

Well I went over to Halfords, being the impatient git i am, and bought the 402G. Using the groupscheme voucher (which some stores can be a tad picky with, but Drogheda was grand with), I got the 402G, the hardwire kit and an accessory pack which has an 8gb Micro SD card (with normal SD adaptor) and a neoprene pouch. I also got installation.

So for the dash cam itself, an 8gb card, hardwire kit and installation it came to a total of €182.70! Where could you go wrong with that! The dash cam itself retails at €179 in the store! Highly, highly recommend people take advantage of that while it's there (preferably in the drogheda store - Local economy and all that, haha).

I'll try get a video of nothing happening up in a short while, to show the night time quality.

micks_address

Hi folks,
I have a mini 806 that is hardwired to the back of my double din unit. Radio installer wired it to Blue wire on the original aerial on my civic 9g..

I don't think the power to the camera is stable. It sometimes boots and shuts down again.. Often in a loop and then eventually powers up. It also looses power when the auto stop kicks in. The radio doesn't stop though so I can't figure it.

I tried plugging my phone into the usb cable to the camera and it won't charge my mobile... Should it?

I've tried two different micro sd cards with similar results..

Any suggestions?
Cheers,
Mick