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

Nino Brown · 26-03-2014 10:57pm

sentient_6 wrote: »

Smartcam 2

They only draw 400mA, your battery should last a few days on a full charge and still have enough juice to start the car.
I guess it just depends on the age of the battery.

sentient_6 · 26-03-2014 11:01pm

Nino Brown wrote: »

They only draw 400mA, your battery should last a few days on a full charge and still have enough juice to start the car.
I guess it just depends on the age of the battery.

True, its the original battery still in a 06. Has yet to fail me yet! beside leaving the key in acc with the camera plug in of course.......

frogstar · 03-04-2014 7:43pm

Any thoughts on this?? It's posted in bargain alerts

http://www.memoryc.com/home-hobby/car-video-recorders/transcend-16gb-drivepro-200-car-video-recorder-wifi.html?utm_campaign=20140403&utm_content=7156847975&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Emailvision

Dord · 05-04-2014 12:01pm

I was reading up on one of the dashcam forums, and it seems the Mini 0801 replacement is due out very soon. It's called the Mini 0803.

The specs and video quality look very good. I think I'm gonna bite the bullet on it when it's available.

Here's the spec sheet (w/ some pics included). http://spec.megcn.com/X34%20%28mini%200803%29%20spec.pdf

It's got a better chip and sensors.

Damien360 · 05-04-2014 2:39pm

Dord wrote: »

I was reading up on one of the dashcam forums, and it seems the Mini 0801 replacement is due out very soon. It's called the Mini 0803.

The specs and video quality look very good. I think I'm gonna bite the bullet on it when it's available.

Here's the spec sheet (w/ some pics included). http://spec.megcn.com/X34%20%28mini%200803%29%20spec.pdf

It's got a better chip and sensors.

Based on specs, the video resolution is higher 1296 vs 1080p but the CMOS sensor is lower grade 3.5megapixel vs 5m in 0801.

The nighttime quality in 0801 is very poor, and unusable in my car at night. I cannot imagine the 0803 is any better.

Also, my 0801 is buggy. When the card fills it switches off which is fair enough, but the time and date default back to 2013. Recording during night time can cause it to give up and the blue light comes on solid. The data file corrupts and the camera is unusable.

Very good during the day but if I had to replace it, I would'nt buy another.

Irish Stones · 07-04-2014 10:50am

I recently purchased a Mini 801 from an ebay seller that is marked as 100% reliable. They sold me a kit with the dash cam, a 16GB memory card and the GPS mount. It was a very quick delivery.
I tested it and I'm not completely satisfied. The quality of the images is good, but the video clips are jerky and it seems like the car speed isn't constant. The car goes slow, then visibly speeds up, then goes slow again and so on, and of course it's not what's going on, I was driving at a steady speed during the test. And this happens for the whole duration of the test, a couple of hours, so it's unlikely that it was my fault.
Has anybody of you had a similar experience with this device?
I sent an email to the seller, I hope they can solve the problem...

gman2k · 07-04-2014 12:48pm

Irish Stones wrote: »

I recently purchased a Mini 801 from an ebay seller that is marked as 100% reliable. They sold me a kit with the dash cam, a 16GB memory card and the GPS mount. It was a very quick delivery.
I tested it and I'm not completely satisfied. The quality of the images is good, but the video clips are jerky and it seems like the car speed isn't constant. The car goes slow, then visibly speeds up, then goes slow again and so on, and of course it's not what's going on, I was driving at a steady speed during the test. And this happens for the whole duration of the test, a couple of hours, so it's unlikely that it was my fault.
Has anybody of you had a similar experience with this device?
I sent an email to the seller, I hope they can solve the problem...

Is that playback issue via a pc?
What's it like on the cam screen? And have you tried a Hdmi out to a TV?
Who was the seller?

Irish Stones · 07-04-2014 1:03pm

gman2k wrote: »

Is that playback issue via a pc?
What's it like on the cam screen? And have you tried a Hdmi out to a TV?
Who was the seller?

Hi Gman2k, you have been quicker than my edit button

I was going to edit my previous post to update you about how I solved the problem.
The seller just told me to use the official video player provided with the dash cam, I was using the Windows default player, it's my fault. I was in a hurry and when I clicked the video files to view them the default player opened the files. Then the panic overwhelmed me

With the official player everything is alright. VLC Media Player is also good, but of course doesn't show all the other info, like the position on the map and other data.
Anyway, to reply your questions, yes, the issue was via my PC. The cam screen was perfect, and I haven't tried other systems like TV's or else.
The seller is combi-uk.
Thank you for your attention!

Silvera · 12-04-2014 6:07pm

I started using my new dash cam yesterday and it is interfering with my radio?

When I plug it into the cigarette lighter my radio channels go silent..one or two channels kind-of work. As soon as I plug it out the radio channels come back again?!

Any ideas what the problem/solution is guys??

Richard88 · 12-04-2014 7:34pm

Hi lads.

Thinking of buying a mini 0801 dash cam. Have seen them on amazon for £52, which seems to be the best price i have found.

Is this a good price or would you recommend anything better which is around the same price range?

I would intend on getting it hard wired so there's no plugs...etc. I would have to bring it to an auto electrician as I know little about this.
What would an average cost for this be?

Woodpecker1 · 12-04-2014 8:39pm

Silvera wrote: »

I started using my new dash cam yesterday and it is interfering with my radio?

When I plug it into the cigarette lighter my radio channels go silent..one or two channels kind-of work. As soon as I plug it out the radio channels come back again?!

Any ideas what the problem/solution is guys??

Try a better power adapter .
If I remember right from the days of CB radio, its usually the power source that causes these problems. I used an inline choke to cure it back then..

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/DURITE-IN-LINE-CAR-RADIO-CHOKE-INTERFERENCE-SUPPRESSOR-WITH-INLINE-FUSES-/301126733001

Damien360 · 12-04-2014 10:13pm

Richard88 wrote: »

Hi lads.

Thinking of buying a mini 0801 dash cam. Have seen them on amazon for £52, which seems to be the best price i have found.

Is this a good price or would you recommend anything better which is around the same price range?

I would intend on getting it hard wired so there's no plugs...etc. I would have to bring it to an auto electrician as I know little about this.
What would an average cost for this be?

I have one.

0801 is useless at night.
It struggles in strong direct sunlight, other than that it is good during the day.
It randomly stops recording.
When the sd card fills, it stops, fair enough but it often gets corrupted and sets the date and time back to default.
It does the same if you try night recording.
The lighter socket power is just long enough to go from camera mounted high to window, down the door seal, under steering wheel and over to lighter socket, so you should be able to avoid anything fancier.

I use mine every day but if it died, I would buy something else. Cheap and decent for daylight only.

Richard88 · 13-04-2014 1:18pm

Damien360 wrote: »

I have one.

0801 is useless at night.
It struggles in strong direct sunlight, other than that it is good during the day.
It randomly stops recording.
When the sd card fills, it stops, fair enough but it often gets corrupted and sets the date and time back to default.
It does the same if you try night recording.
The lighter socket power is just long enough to go from camera mounted high to window, down the door seal, under steering wheel and over to lighter socket, so you should be able to avoid anything fancier.

I use mine every day but if it died, I would buy something else. Cheap and decent for daylight only.

Cheers.

And the reviews were pretty good!

Voodoomelon · 13-04-2014 6:51pm

I'd agree, the quality is good to very good during the day but useless at night. I also bought a high speed, high capacity, top end Sandisk card and it's not bloody compatible.

I also had problems with the camera just turning off by itself after briefly showing a card error (with the card it shipped with), seems to have stopped for now.

Damien360 · 13-04-2014 6:56pm

Voodoomelon wrote: »

I'd agree, the quality is good to very good during the day but useless at night. I also bought a high speed, high capacity, top end Sandisk card and it's not bloody compatible.

I also had problems with the camera just turning off by itself after briefly showing a card error (with the card it shipped with), seems to have stopped for now.

I had same with class 10 card. Switched it to recommended class 6 Sandisk 32gb and the card error does not occur but I still get card corruption every so often (full shutdown). A quick format and I am away again but you cannot 100% rely on it.

Voodoomelon · 13-04-2014 6:59pm

Glad to hear it's not just mine, it's annoying it's not 100% reliable alright. I used my Roadhawk for three years solid and it never failed me. I guess there was a reason they were €250 and these new ones are a third of the price.

Would you have a link to the class of card that's compatible? I remember reading somewhere that only Samsung and another brand are 100% compatible.

Silvera · 13-04-2014 8:00pm

Woodpecker1 wrote: »

Try a better power adapter .
If I remember right from the days of CB radio, its usually the power source that causes these problems. I used an inline choke to cure it back then..

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/DURITE-IN-LINE-CAR-RADIO-CHOKE-INTERFERENCE-SUPPRESSOR-WITH-INLINE-FUSES-/301126733001

I fixed it...it was the double-adaper (Lidl sourced) which I was using that was causing the problem. Everything is ok when I plug in the dash cam directly into the cigarette lighter. Cheers.

Did you hard-wire your dash cam btw?
Easy to do...or better left to a specialist?

vibe666 · 13-04-2014 8:16pm

Still very happy with my mobius, great quality, set and forget and works every time. Also handy for recording pretty much whatever you fancy by just grabbing it out of the car and bringing with, or strapping to a bike, RC plane/chopper/quad.

Woodpecker1 · 13-04-2014 10:19pm

Silvera wrote: »

I fixed it...it was the double-adaper (Lidl sourced) which I was using that was causing the problem. Everything is ok when I plug in the dash cam directly into the cigarette lighter. Cheers.

Did you hard-wire your dash cam btw?
Easy to do...or better left to a specialist?

Not really a specialist job. If you are not that way inclined, I bet you have a mate who could do a decent job on it. Easy as wiring a car stereo .

Silvera · 14-04-2014 1:24am

Woodpecker1 wrote: »

Not really a specialist job. If you are not that way inclined, I bet you have a mate who could do a decent job on it. Easy as wiring a car stereo .

Oh I'd have no problem doing it myself.
Whats the procedure?

Cheers!:)

BigEejit · 14-04-2014 10:32am

I'm going to try to put a little power supply behind the map light/interior light near the rear view mirror.
I just bought one of these, 2cm x 4.3cm x 1.2cm:
http://www.miniinthebox.com/ultra-small-lm2596-power-supply-module-dc-dc-buck-3a-adjustable-buck-module-regulator-ultra-lm2596s-24v-switch-12v-5v-3v_p1023925.html?litb_from=sysmail
(they do free shipping most of the time, mine cost ~6 quid)

My car does not have the sunroof or automatic rear view mirror options so I am hoping the wires will be there, but even if they are not there will be some power for the lights there.
So i just need to make up a a fused wire for the input and a couple of usb connections on the output (a mini-b and a micro-b). I just need to fine a power wire that turns off when the ignition is turned off.

I'll test it all on my desk of course before putting it in there. Probably cover it in heat resistant tape or something as well depending on how warm it gets.

BigEejit · 14-04-2014 10:50am

Havent bought my camera yet though .... after looking at this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrVCYJzE-nk I am thinking of getting a G1W

Damien360 · 14-04-2014 3:01pm

Voodoomelon wrote: »

Glad to hear it's not just mine, it's annoying it's not 100% reliable alright. I used my Roadhawk for three years solid and it never failed me. I guess there was a reason they were €250 and these new ones are a third of the price.

Would you have a link to the class of card that's compatible? I remember reading somewhere that only Samsung and another brand are 100% compatible.

On mobile now so hopefully this works. Under a tenner UK now from amazon.

Damien360 · 14-04-2014 7:59pm

Oh dear. That picture came out a bit bigger than I thought

Irish Stones · 15-04-2014 7:57am

I recently purchased a brand new Mini 0801 (2014 model) and so far I think I'm rather satisfied with it.
It's also a camera to take photos, but what annoys me is the fact that it beeps when takes a picture. It seems that the new release of the firmware doesn't have the possibility to disable the sounds like the old one.
Does anybody of you know a way to come around this problem? I would like to use it to take photos without being noticed, but the beep would reveal my actions

djimi · 03-05-2014 5:48pm

Can anyone recommend a decent dashcam for around €30, preferably from Amazon as I have a voucher! Im not prepared to spend a fortune; just want something that does the job really. Or am I asking for a lot in that price range?

gman2k · 03-05-2014 6:03pm

djimi wrote: »

Can anyone recommend a decent dashcam for around €30, preferably from Amazon as I have a voucher! Im not prepared to spend a fortune; just want something that does the job really. Or am I asking for a lot in that price range?

Probably best looking for a G1W
http://dashcamtalk.com/g1w/

ba_barabus · 03-05-2014 6:18pm

gman2k wrote: »

Probably best looking for a G1W
http://dashcamtalk.com/g1w/

Are batteries in these good, rechargable or do I have to have it plugged into the cigarette lighter all the time?

Nate--IRL-- · 03-05-2014 7:16pm

Got stung with fake G1W

Nate

djimi · 03-05-2014 7:51pm

There seems to be a few G1Ws on Amazon for about £30-£40; is that right yeah?

Moneymaker · 03-05-2014 9:38pm

I got a G1W about a week ago, it's excellent value for money. About 40 quid for the camera, tenner for a 32gb sd card.

Quality is excellent, very happy with it!

ba_barabus · 04-05-2014 1:59am

Moneymaker wrote: »

I got a G1W about a week ago, it's excellent value for money. About 40 quid for the camera, tenner for a 32gb sd card.

Quality is excellent, very happy with it!

Who was the seller?

Stealthirl · 29-05-2014 6:55pm

frogstar wrote: »

Any thoughts on this?? It's posted in bargain alerts

http://www.memoryc.com/home-hobby/car-video-recorders/transcend-16gb-drivepro-200-car-video-recorder-wifi.html?utm_campaign=20140403&utm_content=7156847975&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Emailvision

Was strongly thinking of picking that 1 up as there only 5min from me

BrianD3 · 07-07-2014 3:29pm

1080p dashcam for 59.99 in LIDL next Monday
http://www.lidl.ie/cps/rde/SID-E0E8AB0E-1D712B9D/www_lidl_ie/hs.xsl/Offers.htm?id=220

Probably crap but maybe not?

I can't find anything about it online. Have looked at hundreds of pics of dashcams and searched for 2.7 inch/6.8 cm display to try to identify it - but none of those I've seen look the same as the LIDL one.

celticbest · 07-07-2014 4:36pm

Just bought one of these, it's cheap but hopefully recordings will be half decent....

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/HD-720P-Smallest-Camcorder-Mini-Car-Dash-DVR-Camera-Recorder-Video-Cam-Gsensor-/371088900410#ht_2557wt_919

danger_mouse_tm · 07-07-2014 6:39pm

BrianD3 wrote: »

1080p dashcam for 59.99 in LIDL next Monday
http://www.lidl.ie/cps/rde/SID-E0E8AB0E-1D712B9D/www_lidl_ie/hs.xsl/Offers.htm?id=220

Probably crap but maybe not?

I can't find anything about it online. Have looked at hundreds of pics of dashcams and searched for 2.7 inch/6.8 cm display to try to identify it - but none of those I've seen look the same as the LIDL one.

I've never been let down much by anything I've bought from lidl. I will be in the queue!

BohsCeltic · 27-07-2014 9:51am

Right so i've decided to ditch my iphone dashcam app in favour of a proper one. I've been looking on deal xtreme but can't decide, i also see a lot of memory card issues so what's the best one to get ?

finnharpsboy · 27-07-2014 9:58am

BohsCeltic wrote: »

Right so i've decided to ditch my iphone dashcam app in favour of a proper one. I've been looking on deal xtreme but can't decide, i also see a lot of memory card issues so what's the best one to get ?

got my first dashcam bout ten days ago, mini 0801, see the dashcam saves your ass page for footage from it. the only time the footage suffers is when i drive into the sun, other than that i cant complain about it at all

dashcamdanny · 27-07-2014 3:24pm

djimi wrote: »

There seems to be a few G1Ws on Amazon for about £30-£40; is that right yeah?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310891426086?clk_rvr_id=671997101570

This sellers sells the correct none fake GW1.

I got stung with a fake but reordered from above.

Top class cam.

danger_mouse_tm · 27-07-2014 5:38pm

dashcamdanny wrote: »

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310891426086?clk_rvr_id=671997101570

This sellers sells the correct none fake GW1.

I got stung with a fake but reordered from above.

Top class cam.

It looks like the seller doesn't post to Ireland...

SC Kevin · 27-07-2014 5:54pm

danger_mouse_tm wrote: »

It looks like the seller doesn't post to Ireland...

they post to the United Kingdom....use parcel motel? :rolleyes:

danger_mouse_tm · 27-07-2014 6:33pm

SC Kevin wrote: »

they post to the United Kingdom....use parcel motel? :rolleyes:

Grand. Do I just change my default email address on ebay (and paypal) to My name, My PMID and the distribution centre in Antrim?

Valkerie33 · 27-07-2014 6:37pm

i have the BlackVue DR380G-HD..awesome camera...
one rear facing, one front facing, both with 64 gig cards.
awesome gear, easy to install

TheChizler · 27-07-2014 6:42pm

danger_mouse_tm wrote: »

Grand. Do I just change my default email address on ebay (and paypal) to My name, My PMID and the distribution centre in Antrim?

Just register on parcel motel and they basically give you a PO box which you use as the address.

Cabaal · 28-07-2014 12:38pm

Guys, thoughts on this dashcam?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00F5WPB2K/

I know a few people here are using this model

Irish Stones · 28-07-2014 1:35pm

Cabaal wrote: »

Guys, thoughts on this dashcam?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00F5WPB2K/

I know a few people here are using this model

I have it, but I paid it twice as much the price showed in that link, so I might think that this a cheap clone of the original one.
My dashcam is amazing, a very good video quality and a rather good sound recording quality.
It can works as a stand-alone cam and can take photos, all in FullHD. When detached from its bracket it works on its internal battery that lasts at least one hour.

Zith · 28-07-2014 3:30pm

Cabaal wrote: »

Guys, thoughts on this dashcam?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00F5WPB2K/

I know a few people here are using this model

I used one for a few months. Great dvr. Quality for night time is not great though but it has been fine for the summer months. There is a newer model 0803 for practically the same price that includes WDR which is supposed to improve the night quality, higher resolution also. Haven't seen the new one myself yet.

I upgraded to a more expensive DOD model but I still miss some 0801 features like the ability to turn off the gps stamp on the recorded video but still have the gps data saved (can be used by RegistratorViewer). The 0801 is also much more inconspicuous in the car. You wouldn't really notice it in the car even from the inside with it tucked away behind the rear view mirror.

The main weakness seems to be the bracket and the connection between it and the camera. If you are regularly taking in and out the camera I could imagine it would become wobbly. I never had any problems though.

D'Agger · 29-07-2014 2:33pm

Looking into a dashcam and wondering if anybody's used a gopro? I would be cautious regarding it being a bit on the bulky side but I'd get use out of it and would love if it could double up and suit this purpose

rocky · 29-07-2014 2:46pm

Can a gopro be setup to start recording with ignition? Do you want to take it out every day?

I'd go with a dedicated dashcam tbh.

Red Nissan · 29-07-2014 5:16pm

D'Agger wrote: »

Looking into a dashcam and wondering if anybody's used a gopro? I would be cautious regarding it being a bit on the bulky side but I'd get use out of it and would love if it could double up and suit this purpose

GoPro cameras can make wonderful videos and are far superior to most dashcams to boot.

Drawbacks include battery life and difficulty in powering sufficiently from the vehicle's power sockets, it can be done but not as a weatherproof option from GoPro. It's a full video system that does not support GPS currently, and is generally a pain in the butt ~ it's forté is short video clips in high quality in a weather proof and waterproof case. Maybe best for storm chasing than a day to day dashcam.

If one has the GPS option on their dashcams then the sodtware showing where they went is pretty good and worth a little extra to get this feature. Dedicated Dashcams draw power from the engine and will start and stop with the key. Some can have continuous power supplied to offer over night and parking protection.

Most are poor in transferring files, it's a take the card out and put in another one.

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

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