Idiot proof Dash Cam?

ripplyuk

I have tried searching the forum for this but it hasn't helped. I don't know anything about them and when I read up, it's all technical jargon that I don't understand. Could anyone recommend one that is really easy to use? Do I need a laptop to view the images on it? (I only use an iPad/iPhone).

Would it be better to ask the dealership to 'wire' one in for me? I have no idea how to connect it unless it just goes in the cigarette lighter socket.

DUTR

It can go into the cigarette lighter socket if you don't mind wires strewn all over the interior (looks rubbish to me) , you can have them neatly wired .
They are all easy to use, and most if not all produce standard mp4 video formats and other popular type of formats, your issue maybe with the iOS and what they will playback, dashcams start at about £20 and can go up to several hundred. At the moment I use a small android handset with a dedicated dashcam app which works mighty fine, the battery lasts around 4hrs or more which is more than ample for any of my journeys (so no wires untidying my interior) and can be easily charged from the 12v if needs be. Beauty with the phone is that it has a good camera that adjusts to sunlight and night time.
You won't go far wrong with looking at some of the techmoan reviews.

interstellaflyer

DUTR wrote: »

It can go into the cigarette lighter socket if you don't mind wires strewn all over the interior (looks rubbish to me)

It's very easy to hide most of the wiring, I used to have both my Sat Nav and dash cam wiring hidden under trim with just enough wiring exposed as was required for the last few inches to the 12v power socket, I say used to because I'm currently between cars thanks to a careless taxi driver, let's just say, the dash cam did it's job.

DUTR

interstellaflyer wrote: »

It's very easy to hide most of the wiring, I used to have both my Sat Nav and dash cam wiring hidden under trim with just enough wiring exposed as was required for the last few inches to the 12v power socket, I say used to because I'm currently between cars thanks to a careless taxi driver, let's just say, the dash cam did it's job.

I agree, I notice a lot more (now the dark days/nights have arrived) with the device in the middle of the windscreen, I guess when the novelty wears off and they move it to near the mirror and just concentrate on their journeys.

societys_child

Mine's hidden behind the mirror and the tiny second lens is stuck to the rear w/screen, hardly noticeable. No visible wires, they tucked up into the roof lining and run down behind the door post trim. Took about 20 minutes to fit.

ripplyuk

Am I meant to try and remove the trim to fit this myself? I really wouldn't want to do that. Does anyone know a rough estimate of the costs of getting one fitted by someone?

Also, I've read that some record all the time, even when the car is parked. Will that not run the battery down?

Does it need a SIM card or is all recorded on a big memory card?

consumers_revenge

If hardwired in it will only go and record for about 20 secs if the car feels any heavy movent then stop recording again ( this is if you have the 'parking sensor' feature available and turned on )


Dependant on model it will all live on an inserted memory card and may record in say 10 minute cycles ( really files on the card ) and when full up overwrite itself from the earliest one.


I can remove me dashcam and just plug it into a pc to copy any files I may need to hold on to.


Hope that helps.

societys_child

ripplyuk wrote: »

Am I meant to try and remove the trim to fit this myself? I really wouldn't want to do that.

No doubt some cars will be easier than others, I didn't have to remove any trim, it was possible to tuck the wires out of sight.

Does anyone know a rough estimate of the costs of getting one fitted by someone?

Can't help with that.

Also, I've read that some record all the time, even when the car is parked. Will that not run the battery down?

Most are programmable. Mine is not set to record all the time, for that reason, and is powered through the cig socket, so only live with ignition on/ engine running.

Does it need a SIM card or is all recorded on a big memory card?

Mine has a 32GB microSDHC mem card and records continuously whilst powered through the lighter socket. The recordings are saved in 5min videos (can be set 1 min or 3 min)
When it's full it loops and overwrites previous recordings (in date order and you can lock any vids you wish to save)
Not done a lot of mileage lately, so probably videos from the past 3 weeks stored on it.

vikingaero

Pop along to Halfords to look at their range and get advice. You don't have to buy from them. Halfords also sell hardwire kits and install for £30.

The Nextbase range are pretty decent for the average consumer as their will be a UK warranty, aftersales and software updates.

Dashcams can be bought for £7 from China with a month long wait for delivery, flaky software and unreliable batteries.

You don't have to have a hardwire kit. Buy a 3m long USB/MiniUSB/MicroUSB cable if you have a small to medium sized car. If you have t a large car or a MPV type car with a huge dashboard then get a 5m cable. Tuck the cable behind the glovebox/doorseal/A Pillar/headlining. In a few places the wire may show but it's not a big problem:

Random example of a 3m cable: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Premium-Charger-Charging-Adapter-Connector-Black/dp/B00PE1W3XM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1509819932&sr=8-3&keywords=3m+usb+to+micro+usb+cable+black

Random example of a 5m cable:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Primewire-Charging-Aluminium-Motorola-BlackBerry/dp/B06XWCNSSV/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1509819985&sr=8-3&keywords=5m+usb+to+micro+usb+cable+black

Random Ciggy Adaptor so you can still charge your phone/satnav:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Charger-Default-Protection-Android-Devices/dp/B06Y1ZP774/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1509820038&sr=8-4&keywords=3+usb+car

You will also need a Class 10 memory card. 16Gb is OK. 32Gb is good. Do not buy from eBay as there are too many fakes. Do not buy from Amazon if it's a 3rd party seller and "Fulfilled By Amazon". Only buy if it is sold direct by Amazon - ie. Sold by Amazon or Seller: Amazon UK.

Check out this website for dashcam advice: http://www.techmoan.com/guide-to-dashcams/

Techmoan says that the best dashcam is the Viofo A119 which uses a capacitor (better than a battery in dashcam applications): http://www.techmoan.com/what-is-the-best-dashcam/

1886

I have a Thinkware H50 dashcam. It has been hardwired by a friend who is an auto electrician. It sits behind my rear view mirror out of sight. No wires visible. It records 24/7 now.

It also monitors the car so that if there is a bump it will record it and it also has motion detection. It will also switch itself off if the car battery was to get low or if it itself was to get too hot.

I bought a memory card for it (£6) and it will record 20-30 seconds when it feels a bump be it a pothole or I do an emergency stop etc. When the memory card is full it simply rewrites itself saving anything that recorded when it felt a bump.

To view the footage I put the memory card in an adaptor which came with the dash cam and into the flash drive of my computer

Nextbase dash cams have a screen so you can view footage if you want a dash cam so you don't have to watch it on the computer

My Thinkware is brilliant