Dash Cams - What Are My Options ?

Jenni_D

neilmcl said:

Grumpy_chap said:

venomx said:

Just started driving again and want to get a dashcam just in case of any accidents caused by other people.
I know some require to be wired to the fuse-box and need to be installed professionally ( i'd have no idea how to mess with a fuse box )
and some can be plugged into the cigarette lighter socket.

I don't want any wires in the way ( the only cigarette lighter I have is right in the middle by the gear stick ), and i'd like 180degree angles. Ideally 1080p and upwards.

Halfords look good, as I can buy online. Then take it down there and have it fitted

Budget is about £150 max
Best I could find is this... as I can have it delivered to my local Halfords and have it fitted too at a time to suit me. I can also have them come here and fit it. I'll probably go for this one...
https://www.halfords.com/technology/dash-cams/nextbase-222-dash-cam-158982.html
Thanks

Nextbase are often noted as amongst the best dashcams - we have the 312 model and it's great, but there is no reason you can't choose another model if you prefer.

We also found the Halford We Fit service very good for the dashcam install and I'd recommend it.  Competitively priced so why bother faffing around yourself, especially if you are just not that confident with this type of thing, or would simply prefer not to bother.

As far as I am aware, Halfords will only install the dashcam if they supplied it.  They currently have the 222 model that you like at £114 fitted, so well within you budget

By who?

Usually those who couldn't be bothered to shop around and research properly and simply buy off the shelf from the likes of Halfords. IMHO I think there are far better dashcams out there than Nextbase.

Such as? It's all well and good making a passing statement like that, but without backing it up then they're merely words.  

neilmcl

Jenni_D said:

neilmcl said:

Grumpy_chap said:

venomx said:

Just started driving again and want to get a dashcam just in case of any accidents caused by other people.
I know some require to be wired to the fuse-box and need to be installed professionally ( i'd have no idea how to mess with a fuse box )
and some can be plugged into the cigarette lighter socket.

I don't want any wires in the way ( the only cigarette lighter I have is right in the middle by the gear stick ), and i'd like 180degree angles. Ideally 1080p and upwards.

Halfords look good, as I can buy online. Then take it down there and have it fitted

Budget is about £150 max
Best I could find is this... as I can have it delivered to my local Halfords and have it fitted too at a time to suit me. I can also have them come here and fit it. I'll probably go for this one...
https://www.halfords.com/technology/dash-cams/nextbase-222-dash-cam-158982.html
Thanks

Nextbase are often noted as amongst the best dashcams - we have the 312 model and it's great, but there is no reason you can't choose another model if you prefer.

We also found the Halford We Fit service very good for the dashcam install and I'd recommend it.  Competitively priced so why bother faffing around yourself, especially if you are just not that confident with this type of thing, or would simply prefer not to bother.

As far as I am aware, Halfords will only install the dashcam if they supplied it.  They currently have the 222 model that you like at £114 fitted, so well within you budget

By who?

Usually those who couldn't be bothered to shop around and research properly and simply buy off the shelf from the likes of Halfords. IMHO I think there are far better dashcams out there than Nextbase.

Such as? It's all well and good making a passing statement like that, but without backing it up then they're merely words.  

Thinkware, Viofo, Blackvue, to name a few.

venomx

Do you guys have yours hooked up to the " Permanent Live " or " Switched Live "
It appears to use parking mode you should have Permanent live

Jenni_D

venomx said:

Do you guys have yours hooked up to the " Permanent Live " or " Switched Live "
It appears to use parking mode you should have Permanent live

Switched live turns off the power on that feed when the ignition is off ... if you want the device to be powered when you're away from the car (parked) then you need a permanent power feed. (Unless you think the battery power will last - which is unlikely).  

Grumpy_chap

venomx said:

Do you guys have yours hooked up to the " Permanent Live " or " Switched Live "
It appears to use parking mode you should have Permanent live

If you connect the dash cam to the "Permanent Live" then there is a risk of running the car battery flat.  This is avoided by using the "Switched Live".

Many dash cams have an inbuilt rechargeable battery that charges when the car is in use and then provides the power to allow the parking mode to function even though power is via the "Switched Live". 

That inbuilt rechargeable battery probably does require to be charged before first use (often possible from a mains adaptor / USB) and then also that the use of the car is sufficiently frequent and long enough duration to maintain the rechargeable battery in charged state.  If that is not achieved, then the dashcam can be taken out of the car and charged from the mains every so often (for example if the use of the car is infrequent).

Does your dash cam have a battery built in?

FWIW, my dash cam has the in built rechargeable battery but that is no longer holding charge so I ignore the fact there is a parking function and make do without.  Rather that than the flat battery from using the "Permanent Live".

venomx

Grumpy_chap said:

venomx said:

Do you guys have yours hooked up to the " Permanent Live " or " Switched Live "
It appears to use parking mode you should have Permanent live

If you connect the dash cam to the "Permanent Live" then there is a risk of running the car battery flat.  This is avoided by using the "Switched Live".

Many dash cams have an inbuilt rechargeable battery that charges when the car is in use and then provides the power to allow the parking mode to function even though power is via the "Switched Live". 

That inbuilt rechargeable battery probably does require to be charged before first use (often possible from a mains adaptor / USB) and then also that the use of the car is sufficiently frequent and long enough duration to maintain the rechargeable battery in charged state.  If that is not achieved, then the dashcam can be taken out of the car and charged from the mains every so often (for example if the use of the car is infrequent).

Does your dash cam have a battery built in?

FWIW, my dash cam has the in built rechargeable battery but that is no longer holding charge so I ignore the fact there is a parking function and make do without.  Rather that than the flat battery from using the "Permanent Live".

It has a built in battery yes, but it's dreadful. When it's fully charged if I come out in the morning, it's nearly flat. It's not faulty as others have said the same thing.. Meaning it renders parking mode useless.

I'll keep it on the Switched Live as I don't want to run the risk of a flat car battery as others have reported.

Nextbase say there is a undervolt protection of 11.2v which I think is way too low

Grumpy_chap

venomx said:

It has a built in battery yes, but it's dreadful. 

That is not unusual based upon my experience.