Dashcams

[Antharro]

Given that the general standard of driving seems to be constantly deteriorating, I have been considering buying a dashcam. There seem to be a lot of different makes/models out there, and they all promise amazing video quality, accurate GPS tracking, etc, etc.

Does anyone here use one on a regular basis, and would you recommend it?

I have also been considering getting one to point out of the back window; front facing cams are a good idea but don't help when you have some idiot glued to your back end and driving aggressively.

 

[cinek]

I bought Road Hawk over a year ago for the estate.
Since then, I was so pleased with the video quality and simplicity of the device that ended up fitting one for the coupe as well.

Initially, there were some issues with using large capacity cards (i.e. 64GB), but it was resolved since the firmware update, and it works absolutely fine.

The bigger the memory card, the more you can save before it starts overwriting the oldest files. Actual setting, will also have impact on how big each saved file is, e.g. highest resolution + sound + increased contrast and saturation will take up more space than more basic set up.

64GB card will record around 11h of data, and at that point it will start overwriting oldest files.
You can connect the unit to the cigarette lighter plug, or have it hardwired by someone who knows what they doing.

This is the view of the RoadHawk software,

And their website

Roadhawk UK | Black Box Car Cameras - RoadHawk

 

[E270 Owner]

Or at under £30 instead of £250 ^^

Read the reviews of the cheapo one

Coopers of Stortford In-car Digital Dash Camera from Coopers of Stortford

 

[flango]

Or at under £30 instead of £250 ^^ Read the reviews of the cheapo one Coopers of Stortford In-car Digital Dash Camera from Coopers of Stortford

That's the one I started off with its garbage video quality is really poor you can't read registration plates so pointless, 2 bullet cams and a SD card recorder from maplins does the trick nicely front and rear in pro quality for around £130

 

[Teflonso]

There's a massive thread on another MB forum. It includes reviews of what people have tried and some of their disappointments.

If you want the link I'll PM it to you.

 

[Jokuk]

There's a massive thread on another MB forum. It includes reviews of what people have tried and some of their disappointments.

If you want the link I'll PM it to you.

Link would be good on here if possible ?

 

[Dec]

This is useful here, Dash Cam Comparison… Dash Cam Talk

Dec

 

[Sp!ke]

There are threads here on the topic also.

I recommend checking out techmoan on Youtube as he has done many comprehensive reviews on dashcams.

 

[ckember]

I use a gopro with a suction mount on the windscreen. With a 64g card, gives 4 hours of video or on it elapse much longer at 30fps hd quality

 

[E270 Owner]

That's the one I started off with its garbage video quality is really poor you can't read registration plates so pointless, 2 bullet cams and a SD card recorder from maplins does the trick nicely front and rear in pro quality for around £130

That goes against all the reviews for it, no one mentions garbage video or the other problems you comment on.

For £30.00 its not going to be perfect HD quality of course.

• Dash camera
  very good value for it`s price - Mr Robert Leatherland
  
  
  
  
  
  

• car camera
  Brilliant worked straight out of box after putting in a sd card, good recording very clear video, again a good buy . - Mr allan haggerty
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Brilliant gadget
  This produces very clear daytime recording but havent yet used it at night. Some instructions were a bit obscure and required some trial and error but very pleased overall. - Anniemiff
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Excellent value
  The camera is very clear and records with no camera shake. Excellent value for money. A must have if you do a lot of motoring - Anonymous
  
  
  
  
  
  

In car camera
The product is exceptionally good value for money and does what it is supposed to. It worked straight out of the box - Anonymous

 

[Giantvanman]

That goes against all the reviews for it, no one mentions garbage video or the other problems you comment on.

For £30.00 its not going to be perfect HD quality of course.

Know what you mean……..I have been looking on and off for months now and it is not easy to separate the wheat front the chaff. Reviews are inconsistent, even when done by the same person but everyone seems to have managed to buy the best thing since sliced bread, apparently.

You only get what you pay for but it would be nice to be able to chose a camera where value and price were commensurate.

Living in a non-Microsoft household, I am leaning towards Baros. They make Blackvue but do do a range in their own name. I don't want telemetry or GPS.

Cameras : Baros A3

 

[Sp!ke]

That baros one is only 720p. You can now get 1080p devices for less so whilst it would appear to be reasonable value at first glance, I suspect the resolution will make number plate recognition rather tricky.

 

[kianok]

I have this one

Blackvue Vehicle Cameras : BlackVue DR380G HD (With GPS)

Can't fault it.

 

[MarriedBlonde]

I have this one

Blackvue Vehicle Cameras : BlackVue DR380G HD (With GPS)

Can't fault it.

I like the look of that. I assume in parking mode I would need to keep it powered? There is no onboard battery?

J.

 

[Rashman]

I have a Prestigio dash cam.
I think it's primarily used in Russia and similar places where insurance claims are common place.

It doesn't have the versatility of a Gopro (editing videos etc) but it does record in various resolutions and settings - including 1080p.

30fps & 1080p, you will get 8 hours of footage.
You can set it to keep recording in a loop (overwriting previous recordings) or to stop when full.
It also has a motion detector so it can record when the car is unattended.
It can also take still images so it can be used as a handy-cam/ camera.

Very clear images. Very happy with it.

Only about £120 too.

Comes with a 12v lead so you don't need to panic about battery life like a Gopro.
Suction mount with adjustable joints.

Went for a drive the other weekend with my friend who has a Gopro.

His Gopro died after about 30 mins
Said he left the Bluetooth/ wifi on

 

[boxbrownie]

I recently replaced my old 720p dashcam with one of these Powerucc PanoramaII | Dash Cam Talk
I bought it before I read any reviews purely on the spec as it uses the Sony Exmor chip and processor components, and I am absolutely delighted with it, extremely sharp day recording and night recording is very good indeed as ordinary street lamps are plenty enough to give detailed recording and headlamps make it even better!
I bought direct from Korea through the dreaded ebay, excellent service......unfortunately I no longer have the supplier link but a quick search should turn one up there.

 

[flango]

That goes against all the reviews for it, no one mentions garbage video or the other problems you comment on.

For £30.00 its not going to be perfect HD quality of course.

I've still got it in my garage you can have it to see for yourself how carp it is, remember reviews are written by people that have never had to rely on the quality of the recording, 2 of my video clips have been used in prosecution against drivers, successfully I may add

Also remember if the camera has an LCD screen that can be seen by the driver then it's illegal under the road traffic act and you could find yourself open to prosecution as pointed out to me by my traffic cop neighbour, another reason I binned it.

 

[vealige]

We have them fitted to our LGV fleet at work along with GPS tracking. They have reduced blameworthy insurance claims by 58% in 6months although some of our drivers were not keen on the idea of them initially along with union. The ones we use are cheap and quality is good enough but you certainly pay for what you get when it comes to these!

 

[boxbrownie]

Also remember if the camera has an LCD screen that can be seen by the driver then it's illegal under the road traffic act and you could find yourself open to prosecution as pointed out to me by my traffic cop neighbour, another reason I binned it.

Which is why most decent systems now with LCD screens have a off time delay function (or off completely) at start up. You can vary the initial screen time to just a few seconds which is long enough to check settings if you want to.

 

[Giantvanman]

That baros one is only 720p. You can now get 1080p devices for less so whilst it would appear to be reasonable value at first glance, I suspect the resolution will make number plate recognition rather tricky.

Possibly. However, it is one of the very few that are not Windows orientated and that doesn't cost as much as a Blackvue or a Roadhawk.

This is no different to buying car insurance; you want the lowest price that gives you the protection you want and has reasonable support.

Just can't bring myself to spend £300 on the priciest makes so have to find a compromise somewhere.