dash cam

[michaelk3289]

Hello All

I'm thinking of getting a dash cam

has anyone gone down this route and what are the best options,

a quick look on ebay has found some at 10.99? they claim to have night vision etc?

what are the best options

regards

 

[Blowpipe]

Hello All

I'm thinking of getting a dash cam

has anyone gone down this route and what are the best options,

a quick look on ebay has found some at 10.99? they claim to have night vision etc?

what are the best options

regards

Have a quick look at Techmoan's You Tube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5I2hjZYiW9gZPVkvzM8_Cw). He's reviewed dozens of these.
Personally I've had a Blackvue in one car (pricey but good) and a couple of Mini 0801's (much cheaper but good) in others. I'd steer clear of the really cheap ones, you get what you pay for. The 0801 or similar models hover around the £50 - £80 mark and represent great value and reliability.

 

[GLK]

^^^^ +1

That's precisely my experience: BlackVue as a front cam(s) for about 5 years now, Mini 0801 as a rear for a year and half. No complaints.

 

[Neilr171]

I've just fitted a Nextbase 402G as it got top reviews with "Which", plus customer reviews were mainly positive.
It's not a cheap option but I managed to get a a package which included a hard wire kit and 32GB SD card for £139.
Early days yet but it seems a good camera and the picture detail is very good.

 

[Teflonso]

I'd second Blowpipe's recommendation of the Mini 0801, although I've got the newer 0803 and the 0806 I bought the son-in-law for Christmas is an absolute belter of a camera for less than £100 including all the gubbins to wire it in permanently.

The biggest problem is finding somewhere to wire it in without stripping half the centre column out. Why Mercedes put he fuses in the boot defeats me.

.

 

[S205-FTW]

I'll second Blackvue. I've got a DR650GW-2CH front and rear.

Very pleased with it, especially parking mode.

I had a Mobius before in a previous car. They're good value for money. Lots of info about them on Techmoan.

 

[bobmushroom]

I'll second Blackvue. I've got a DR650GW-2CH front and rear. Very pleased with it, especially parking mode. I had a Mobius before in a previous car. They're good value for money. Lots of info about them on Techmoan.

How easy is it to fit both rear and front cameras? I am interested in picking one up and wonder if I can do this myself or if I need installation to wire to care and hide everything?

 

[GLK]

It not difficult to hard-wire a dashcam, just keep in mind whether it takes 12V or 5V and is there a power management unit to enable a parking mode recording (and safe power cut-off at a pre-determined voltage)?

 

[michaelk3289]

How easy is it to fit both rear and front cameras? I am interested in picking one up and wonder if I can do this myself or if I need installation to wire to care and hide everything?

this was going to be my next question ,

its clear there are some good options from 50 to 100 quid

how are they wired as seeing loads of cables doesn't fill me with joy

regards

 

[Chrishazle]

Like NeilR171, I bought a Nextbase 402G last summer, mainly to record our trip through Northern Spain and France. The 32Gig card gives you about 4-4 1/2 hours recording in highest quality before it starts over-writing, quality is good, playback using Nextbase software gives position and speed, as well as linking to Google Maps to show where you are.

Downside, for what I was trying to do, is trying to edit and shrink the files to a size to fit on a DVD "Highlights of our Trip". 32Gig per day for about 15 driving days is one hell of a lot of data (I downloaded the card to external HDD every evening, then deleted everything from the card ready for the next day!). However, no complaints about the quality, one day I'll get round to rigging it into the MB to use as a dashcam!

 

[Jay2512]

I use a mobius camera which is spot on and great quality. Also easy to fit into the car without having a big camera stuck in the window.....

My install - http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/general-discussion/204596-glc-dash-cam.html

Video quality here - https://youtu.be/rI1gUOIaroc

 

[Blowpipe]

I'd second Blowpipe's recommendation of the Mini 0801, although I've got the newer 0803 and the 0806 I bought the son-in-law for Christmas is an absolute belter of a camera for less than £100 including all the gubbins to wire it in permanently.

The biggest problem is finding somewhere to wire it in without stripping half the centre column out. Why Mercedes put he fuses in the boot defeats me.

.

I simply bought an extension lead, chased the wiring under the various plastic panels/mats and have it plugged into the rear 12v socket.

What attracted me to the camera is the size - very discrete and a bit of black duct tape covers the lettering. The latest is the 0806 I believe, about £80.

 

[S205-FTW]

How easy is it to fit both rear and front cameras? I am interested in picking one up and wonder if I can do this myself or if I need installation to wire to care and hide everything?

I actually got a local audio/car security place to fit mine. I'm not too good with electronics and didn't fancy frying the whole CANBUS on a new car. However, having seen how he did it, I reckon I could do it myself though

I assume you've got a W205 also, in which case you can either tap off a permanent 12v next to the driver's door. The switched 12v in front console storage is a PITA to get to.

I'd recommend the Power Magic Pro which stops you getting a flat battery - essential if you're going for a unit with parking mode. I don't use my car every day so it's really useful.

Here's a video from an LHD W205 installation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-te4UK2thQ

 

[uumode]

Hi Michael

some sample footage from the camera I got - Ultra HD 1440p for £75
SMART Car Recorder with GPS, MAISI® HD Color Black Box: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics


Recordings are on the 2560x1080 settings which optimises for width/wider angle

in the videos below select 1440p HD resolution to view the clarity, ensure you're not on an old PC or the 30 frames per second will not render.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_iwR8U3bao

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1ENxTILZ3Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaoWKRvcE-Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jZNpRUZuSs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdJ3ITzsxCs

Downside is strong sunlight in the sky can screw up the exposure, and night view exposure could be better https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp4aAUe9bhk&feature=youtu.be

The wire can be run from 12V under the steering column, up behind the A pillar trim, along the top of the roof to the rear view mirror. Rear view would be more difficult.
Then there are the left and right side views, so I only opt for front view

 

[jdrrco]

I actually got a local audio/car security place to fit mine. I'm not too good with electronics and didn't fancy frying the whole CANBUS on a new car. However, having seen how he did it, I reckon I could do it myself though

I assume you've got a W205 also, in which case you can either tap off a permanent 12v next to the driver's door. The switched 12v in front console storage is a PITA to get to.

I'd recommend the Power Magic Pro which stops you getting a flat battery - essential if you're going for a unit with parking mode. I don't use my car every day so it's really useful.

Here's a video from an LHD W205 installation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-te4UK2thQ

How much did they charge? Did they supply the cam too?