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

cormie · 07-01-2014 4:37pm

golfpaul wrote: »

Hi Cormie,

The ebay one you have linked is better speced than the amazon one as it comes with a built in 8GB memory same one on amazon £73.99 and also comes with the GPS mount holder £16.99
So £90.98 on amazon for same spec, a saving of £18.02

Oh, thanks for that, I thought the one gman bought had the GPS too but I guess not. I was after the GPS myself. Actually a little annoying too that they seem to be MicroSD as the ones I have already are regular SD so that means more money. Maybe at that stage I'd be getting to the same price of the DOD then and it does appear slightly better video quality even though the specs may appear the same

Nino Brown wrote: »

The DOD GSE 550, not the one in your link.

The lukas came with a power supply you wire into the fuse box, so it runs even when the car is parked in motion detect mode, it auto switches from drive to park mode. And if the battery ever drops to 12.4V it shuts off completely so it never runs down the battery. The DOD is powered from the cigarette lighter, I didn't like running the wire from the lighter, I wanted to wire it into the fuse box.
Also I'm not a huge fan of suction cups, the lukas comes with a clip you stick to the windscreen similar to a toll tag, and the camera can be removed from the clip.

Thanks for that, that's good about the 12.4V protection. Any chance of a link to where you got the lukas from and do you know if you got it at a decent price and is there a chance to get stung by customs etc?

Nino Brown · 07-01-2014 4:42pm

cormie wrote: »

Thanks for that, that's good about the 12.4V protection. Any chance of a link to where you got the lukas from and do you know if you got it at a decent price and is there a chance to get stung by customs etc?

I got it from ebay, the price is about as good as you'll get. I was going to buy one in the US for $199, but decided not to because I didn't have room in my suitcase. I thought I'd pay a lot more here, but got it for E175 from ebay, so that's about as cheap as it gets. Unfortunately I did get stung by customs, and I suspect you would too, nothing gets past them anymore.:mad:

cormie · 07-01-2014 5:07pm

That's pricey enough, I've never heard of it, is it in line with the top models like the blackvue and itronics do you know or was it just some randomly well reviewed cam? Any chance of a link to a genuine seller as I wouldn't know where to look to know it's the right one I'd be looking at

Nino Brown · 07-01-2014 5:21pm

cormie wrote: »

That's pricey enough, I've never heard of it, is it in line with the top models like the blackvue and itronics do you know or was it just some randomly well reviewed cam? Any chance of a link to a genuine seller as I wouldn't know where to look to know it's the right one I'd be looking at

This where I bought mine.
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/New-LUKAS-LK-7900-ACE-Full-HD-Dash-Cam-DVR-Car-Black-Box-8GB-GPS-CPL-Filter-/111202527447?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19e42fe8d7

I did a good bit of research, and it's is the one I liked most, it has got good reviews, but I also liked the design and features. This my third dashcam, so I have a bit of experience with them, and I have no regrets with this one.

cormie · 07-01-2014 7:00pm

thanks a lot for that. Always good to hear someone else doing good research into something, I'm the same myself, did a lot on the iTronics ITB100HD, I think it was the best at the time.

The Lukas does indeed sound pretty good, video quality wise it's not much different so I don't think I'd be up for spending so much extra on it compared to the 0801 for example, especially buying outside the EU via ebay. One of my iTronics is a bit wonky and I don't think I've any hope of getting anything back.

gman2k · 07-01-2014 7:35pm

My 0801 from Amazon has the gps mount. The cam itself doesn't have gps.

cormie · 07-01-2014 7:54pm

Thanks gman, so when you hook it up to your pc you can see the GPS trail etc? The link I'm following for the £59 version says N/A beside GPS logger?..

Nino Brown · 07-01-2014 7:56pm

gman2k wrote: »

My 0801 from Amazon has the gps mount. The cam itself doesn't have gps.

Does the 0801 have g-force sensors? I would rather pay a bit extra for that feature for event recording, and preservation of the data in major accidents.

cormie · 07-01-2014 8:03pm

Nino Brown wrote: »

Does the 0801 have g-force sensors? I would rather pay a bit extra for that feature for event recording, and preservation of the data in major accidents.

I hope so :eek: This is an essential for a blackbox camera I think, even my oul DRS110 had it..

brokenarms · 07-01-2014 8:07pm

Nino Brown wrote: »

Does the 0801 have g-force sensors? I would rather pay a bit extra for that feature for event recording, and preservation of the data in major accidents.

Really. Would insurance companies even consider that data from a relatively cheap and uncelebrated dash cam?

The only thing that cant be denied is video. But G force, GPS and speed from these devices?? I dont know. If someone was trying to nail me with such data in court, I would be highly objective to its use as proof of anything..

Nino Brown · 07-01-2014 8:07pm

cormie wrote: »

I hope so :eek: This is an essential for a blackbox camera I think, even my oul DRS110 had it..

Ah I see it now, the first review I read didn't mention any g-gensor

Nino Brown · 07-01-2014 8:09pm

brokenarms wrote: »

Really. Would insurance companies even consider that data from a relatively cheap and uncelebrated dash cam?

The only thing that cant be denied is video. But G force, GPS and speed from these devices?? I dont know. If someone was trying to nail me with such data in court, I would be highly objective to its use as proof of anything..

The G force sensor detects the impact, and saves the data from before and after the accident. So if you can't get to the camera, or if you just forget about it from shock, the memory card won't be overwritten on the section with the accident on it.

MidlandsM · 07-01-2014 8:38pm

brokenarms wrote: »

Really. Would insurance companies even consider that data from a relatively cheap and uncelebrated dash cam?

The only thing that cant be denied is video. But G force, GPS and speed from these devices?? I dont know. If someone was trying to nail me with such data in court, I would be highly objective to its use as proof of anything..

it'd be admissable in court alright and would add good weight on someones side alright.

cormie · 07-01-2014 9:54pm

If the amazon one for £59 definitely has G-Sensor and GPS tracking on the playback software then I think it's a pretty good deal.

gman, if yours definitely does, could you please provide the link you bought it from as the amazon one just says NA and doesn't mention the GPS mount at all and it appears to be sold separate.

gman2k · 07-01-2014 11:15pm

cormie wrote: »

If the amazon one for £59 definitely has G-Sensor and GPS tracking on the playback software then I think it's a pretty good deal.

gman, if yours definitely does, could you please provide the link you bought it from as the amazon one just says NA and doesn't mention the GPS mount at all and it appears to be sold separate.

I provided an Amazon link in my post the other week, I'm on mobile so you'll have to get it yourself.
BTW, Techmoan says to disable the G sensor, as they are too sensitive.

07-01-2014 11:16pm

I've been flicking through the thread here (although i wont lie, i haven't read it all) and people seem to be discussing the cams themselves a bit, which is good, but Im not seeing many people talking about installing them that much (maybe I just read the wrong pages?!).

Is there much work involved in installing one of these (so that there aren't wires hanging all over the place)?

I've been wanting a dash cam for a while now, but the installation is putting me off getting one. I've no idea about the electronics of cars at all. Most i've done so far is fit a head unit for a radio, and that was only yesterday, and im still waiting for that to catch fire (and I was also given loads of help from ColmMCM and youtube on how to fit it).

I'd imagine installation is the same, regardless of which camera you opt for?

cormie · 07-01-2014 11:28pm

gman2k wrote: »

I provided an Amazon link in my post the other week, I'm on mobile so you'll have to get it yourself.
BTW, Techmoan says to disable the G sensor, as they are too sensitive.

Yeah, yours is the post I first got the amazon link from above, I just double checked back to it again and it's the same one and says N/A for the GPS logger so it looks like it doesn't have the GPS mount

This is the post:

gman2k wrote: »

I received this last week
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00F5WP990/ref=redir_mdp_mobile
Ive also ordered a 12v to 5v step down with dual usb outlet, which I'll wire into the ignition feed.
Build quality is great, but I'll reserve judgment until I'm on the road!
I got this cam based on Techmoan reviews

That's a mobile link so I just took the Amazon product ID (B00F5WP990) googled that and it's the same as I've linked to already which says it's without the GPS

Also, what's the 12v to 5v step down thingy you got and what purpose has it?

sentient_6 · 07-01-2014 11:42pm

Just a comment on hard wiring as i recently did it with my smartcam.

I fed the wire across the top of the windscreen under the headiner then down the pillar, the airbag cover comes off easy on my car. Theres a fusebox on the drivers side on my yoke so i wired it straight into the fuse for the cigarette lighter(wire around one end of the fuse and pushed it back in). I have a multi meter and checked which fuse gives out 12V only when the ignition was on because i'm not bothered about having it on with the car off.

Most cams work on 5V and the lighter style adapter charger on mine(and most i presume) is a 12V to 5V converter in itself so i wired the 12V from the fuse board straight into the top of the adapter, it screws open to a internal fuse. I wired a ground to a bit of metal frame.

This is it:

Mousewar · 08-01-2014 2:01pm

gman2k wrote: »

I received this last week
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00F5WP990/ref=redir_mdp_mobile
Ive also ordered a 12v to 5v step down with dual usb outlet, which I'll wire into the ignition feed.
Build quality is great, but I'll reserve judgment until I'm on the road!
I got this cam based on Techmoan reviews

This is the one I wanted to order. But £20 for delivery seems steep. Is that what you paid?

cormie · 08-01-2014 2:32pm

Mousewar wrote: »

This is the one I wanted to order. But £20 for delivery seems steep. Is that what you paid?

It's free shipping, you might be looking at the "you save" amount?

I'd probably order this too, I'm just not sure if it has the GPS mount, according the gman, it does, but it says in the link N/A and the GPS mount is sold on another one for a higher price, or separate itself too and the higher price brings it closer to the DOD, in which case I might just go for the DOD..

Mousewar · 08-01-2014 3:19pm

cormie wrote: »

It's free shipping, you might be looking at the "you save" amount?

Free shipping to Ireland?
Shipping and postage definitely says £20

Mousewar · 08-01-2014 3:54pm

Mousewar wrote: »

Free shipping to Ireland?
Shipping and postage definitely says £20

Since posting that, I've discovered ParcelMotel.
Ordered!

cormie · 08-01-2014 4:10pm

Mousewar wrote: »

Free shipping to Ireland?
Shipping and postage definitely says £20

Sorry, my mistake, I read it as "Free Super Saver" shipping which with Amazon is always free on orders over £25 to Ireland, but as this isn't sold by Amazon, it is indeed £20, or €3.50 with parcel motel

scoobydoobie · 08-01-2014 4:31pm

I have been looking at a camera made by a crowd called tiotech, they have a couple of models, the are Dod ls300, and the 330, also they have a newer model called the ls400 and 430, they seem to have a very good image and night time is very good also, the newer model has built in gps, anyone here have one, would be interested to hear how it is working out.

gman2k · 08-01-2014 5:03pm

This is what I bought - so I can 'hard wire' in a usb power cable - to avoid clogging up the dash cigarette power point.
I hope to connect this into the radio ignition feed circuit, which is only live when the ignition is on!
Of course, I have to replace the supplied usb power cord with a USB - usb micro cable of sufficient length, and position it under the trim. All in an afternoons work if the weather ever improves!

cormie · 08-01-2014 5:17pm

gman reading the reviews on the one on amazon you bought, somebody else mentions the GPS mount too. This is a little confusing if you and them are saying it has GPS logging but the information page doesn't and you can get the GPS version from the same seller on another link for a higher price, or buy it separate

Axel Lamp · 08-01-2014 10:01pm

Deleted User wrote: »

I've been flicking through the thread here (although i wont lie, i haven't read it all) and people seem to be discussing the cams themselves a bit, which is good, but Im not seeing many people talking about installing them that much (maybe I just read the wrong pages?!).

Is there much work involved in installing one of these (so that there aren't wires hanging all over the place)?

I've been wanting a dash cam for a while now, but the installation is putting me off getting one. I've no idea about the electronics of cars at all. Most i've done so far is fit a head unit for a radio, and that was only yesterday, and im still waiting for that to catch fire (and I was also given loads of help from ColmMCM and youtube on how to fit it).

I'd imagine installation is the same, regardless of which camera you opt for?

I could have written that post. I also want a dash cam but have no confidence in wiring anything in a car and obviously don't want a mesh of wires either

gman2k · 08-01-2014 11:04pm

cormie wrote: »

gman reading the reviews on the one on amazon you bought, somebody else mentions the GPS mount too. This is a little confusing if you and them are saying it has GPS logging but the information page doesn't and you can get the GPS version from the same seller on another link for a higher price, or buy it separate

What can I say? Mine has the gps mount. I don't know if that was meant to be what was advertised or not!

cormie · 08-01-2014 11:09pm

Thanks gman, might be worth a gamble and go for it, especially since you can just buy the mount separate

Has anyone tried hook up two (front and rear facing for example) cameras?

Also, I see a lot of cameras advertising a "format card from camera unit itself" feature, where you don't need to hook the card up to a pc to format it, I never got this, why would you ever want to format it?

gman2k · 08-01-2014 11:28pm

I don't know the technical reasons, but virtually every device recommends formatting in device.

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

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