recommendations for dash-cam/DVR

Head-Out-Of-Sand

Hi moneysavers,

I'm after recommendations for 'dash-cams', and possibly rear end camera, for the car. I've recently had a nasty rear-end collision and my partner was hit by a driver doing a u-turn from a parking space into oncoming traffic. I was 'lucky' enough that my accident was pretty clear cut, as was hit from behind while stationary at lights, but the person who hit my partner concocted a pack of lies and tried to blame him. Her insurance company admitted liability before it got to court (which I assumed they would as her account was ludicrous and wasn't supported by the damage to the cars) but it still caused a lot of stress nonetheless.

The roads are bad by me and people do drive like lunatics, and I want to defend myself against getting into a situation like my partner's.

Really grateful for any suggestions on car cameras - don't want to spend silly money but want one that will actually work :-) thanks!

Daz2009

look here

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=118&t=1309092&mid=0&nmt=Dash+Cam's

and here

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=70&t=1226016&mid=66438&i=0&nmt=Anti+crash+scam+car+cameras&mid=66438

Retrogamer

I don't have any experience of good cameras but i have plenty of bad ones

I'm on my third the now. All bought from ebay and shipped from somewhere in Asia

First one had poor quality and battery stopped holding a charge after 6 months so caused problems with saving the last video clip when engine turned off.

Second was poor quality video and a bit too bulky.

Third (current) has excellent quality video (true HD) and it's nice and small, but when i got T boned at a junction a few months ago the impact caused it to reboot and i lost the video of the accident.

In short, i'd recommend sticking to one that has lots of good reviews and if possible from a reputable manufacturer. It might cost a bit more but buy cheap, buy twice (or if you're like me, thrice)

scotsbob

check out techmoan on Youtube he has extensively tested these for some time.

This is the best he has tested. Towards the end of the review you can see it in a car at day and night time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wmIyD1fM4M

Strider590

I use a proper compact HD video camera, with increased popularity these dash cams have rocketed in price, to the point where you can get a quality branded video camera (like the Sanyo Xacti) for just a little bit more £

Head-Out-Of-Sand

Great, thanks all, will have a look.

And with any luck it'll catch some amazing meteor footage and pay for itself!:cheesy:

scotsbob

Strider590 wrote: »

I use a proper compact HD video camera, with increased popularity these dash cams have rocketed in price, to the point where you can get a quality branded video camera (like the Sanyo Xacti) for just a little bit more £

Interesting, does it have stop start recording?
When the car is parked would a camera that size not be conspicuous?
Does it come with a 120 degree angle lens necessary for a full windscreen width or did you have to buy it as an extra?
I also wonder how a camera that size and weight could be mounted, can you link to a pic of it in a car.

mttylad

The Mobius is getting very good reviews and has a cracking good quality.

Daz2009

mttylad wrote: »

The Mobius is getting very good reviews and has a cracking good quality.

I've been looking myself at Techmoans reviews and one thing that comes across is many cams produce good video in daylight but are all but useless at night.
That Mobius looks to be one of the better ones although it's only just come out so we have no way of knowing if it'll still be producing the goods in 12 months time,after all it is very cheap

plutoniumpilot

Not sure if this is what you are looking for but if you have an android phone then there is an app called DailyRoads Voyager. I just start up the app before I drive off and mount my phone on the dash. Works well for me and sometimes catch some dodgy driving and near misses.

Strider590

scotsbob wrote: »

Interesting, does it have stop start recording?
When the car is parked would a camera that size not be conspicuous?
Does it come with a 120 degree angle lens necessary for a full windscreen width or did you have to buy it as an extra?
I also wonder how a camera that size and weight could be mounted, can you link to a pic of it in a car.

Eh, too many questions......

I'd hacked a wide angle 0.47x conversion lens to it, giving a focal length of 7mm. BUT I don't use it, you can't get detail when using such side angles.

It runs when I start it and stops when I stop it, or it runs out of battery.

It's mounted with one of these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Adjustable-Suction-Cup-Mount-Flexible-Tripod-Holder-for-Camera-DV-GPS-Webcam-/380598036922

It mounts upside down, so I use free software to edit and flip the video.

I've had many dashcams and none have had the image quality of my Sanyo HD camera, but they have cost considerably more.

Here's my latest video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fgx4O1tBZh8

Reduced from 1080p down to 720x404 (for quick upload to Youtube), Youtube has also reduced the quality considerably.
Here's a still reduced to 640x360 (forum won't allow images as large as the original at 1920x1080)



Notice something wrong? NO LIGHTS ON THE F*ING TRAILER!!!

It's no wonder I had no idea it was stopping!