Dash Cam / Dashboard Camera / Car PVR recommendations?

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Dash Cam / Dashboard Camera / Car PVR recommendations?

josephhinvest

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#106526 25-Jul-2012 19:11

Can anyone recommend a dash cam?

I would like

720p or higher quality recording
Expandable storage, SD card or similar.
Integrated GPS
Is a rechargeable battery an option? Would potentially be used in multiple vehicles during a day, cigarette lighter power not necessarily available.
Windscreen suction mount with quick release would be ideal.
LCD screen not vital
Would need to be mountable on a vertical windscreen, think truck or bus

Would prefer to pay more for a brand name device, as opposed to a cheap miscellaneous brand.

One like this looks pretty awesome, but fairly expensive.

Any ideas?

Cheers,
Joseph

billgates

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#661983 25-Jul-2012 19:23

http://www.aliexpress.com/product-fm/510561389-Car-DVR-car-dvr-recorder-with-built-in-GPS-G-sensor-and-HD1920-1080P-30fps-H-wholesalers.html

Do whatever you want to do man.

josephhinvest

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#661990 25-Jul-2012 19:37

Here's a local option.
Cheap, but no GPS.
But does have a rechargeable battery.
Not a known brand, but cheap enough to take a punt, perhaps.

KevinL

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#661995 25-Jul-2012 19:46

jofizz: Here's a local option.
Cheap, but no GPS.
But does have a rechargeable battery.
Not a known brand, but cheap enough to take a punt, perhaps.

You'll be able to pick up the exact same thing from Dealextreme or Aliexpress for the same price (if not a bit cheaper)

josephhinvest

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#662055 25-Jul-2012 21:57

This one from DealExtreme looks potentially ok.
Have realized some types have a separate GPS antenna, this won't suit me as it won't be installed permanently in one vehicle.

Have people bought previously from DealExtreme? Good or bad experiences?

Cheers.
Joseph

freitasm

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#662058 25-Jul-2012 22:03

Bought from DealExtreme - many Geekzone users have. They ship, but sometimes may take weeks. But it's free shipping - and cheap products.

Also moved this to correct forum.

Hunter

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#662059 25-Jul-2012 22:12

Mauricio you are quite right with slow shipping. Try glacier slow
I ordered some lights for car for 4 weeks ago and am still waiting !
Am starting to think I have been fleeced as this was my first order with them.

Niel

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#662142 26-Jul-2012 06:07

Avoid ones with a built-in battery unless you will never leave it in the car (where it gets hot). Li Polymer batteries are dangerous at extreme temperature, especially on a cheap product of unknown brand. If only they will switch to LiFePO4 which is only slightly cheaper but extremely stable as it stays below the lithium metal plating voltage (can't remember the term, second language) but LiPoly is above that voltage most of the time so you get lithium metal plating which is unstable and only protected by the quality of the seals in the battery pouch (or lack of). There are lots of You Tube videos of battery fires.

I've also bought a lot from DX. Often it is product that is not quite right, printing error or the likes. Sometimes it is more severe like there is a media player where they did not fit a heat sink so it works great for 10 minutes and then reboots. Be aware you are taking a risk with them, there is no consumer guarantee act. But if you know what you are looking for and you are willing to tinker if you have to, then it is great.

Another web site is Made in China.

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floydbloke

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#662182 26-Jul-2012 08:53

Hunter: Mauricio you are quite right with slow shipping. Try glacier slow
I ordered some lights for car for 4 weeks ago and am still waiting !
Am starting to think I have been fleeced as this was my first order with them.

They'll turn up.

Also, contact their support, either via their web-based form or 'live chat' That has sped things up for me in the past a couple of times.

I have stopped using dealextreme if I can get the same product elsewhere though. Tinydeal is working well for me at the moment, usually get the goodies within a week, but there are several others.

Did Eric Clapton really think she looked wonderful...or was it after the 15th outfit she tried on and he just wanted to get to the party and get a drink?

SpookyAwol

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#667489 4-Aug-2012 15:21

Something like this for android?

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jeon.blackbox

Ive tried, but it wouldnt play nice with my camera

josephhinvest

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#667508 4-Aug-2012 15:43

Thanks for more suggestions.
I've looked into the Blackvue range, they look pretty great, high quality, but no models come with battery. Not do they have a quick release suction mount.

My specific situation is that I am training to be a locomotive engineer ( :D ) and once I get actually driving I thought a dash cam would be a good tool to have.
I don't necessarily have power available in most cabs. Looks like I will never have 12V cigarette lighter power. I will have approx 50% of the time mains AC available.
I type of driving is usually approx an hour, then change locomotive, then approx an hour etc.

So rechargeable battery is a must.
Parking or motion activation is not required.
GPS is a want, but not a need.
Quick release suction mount is a must.

Cheers,
Joseph

josephhinvest

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#702015 16-Oct-2012 12:14

Just an update. I bought a device from DealExtreme. Took weeks and weeks to arrive.
Doesn't work. Contacted support and was asked if I could have it repaired locally.

Don't think I'll be using them again!

Cheers,
Joseph

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#702035 16-Oct-2012 12:59

Which device was it in the end ?

Got me looking at "black box" software my Android, found "Daily Roads" which seems quite good.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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josephhinvest

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#743501 11-Jan-2013 19:15

Well, finally an update, success at last.
I bought a Navman MiVue358 Drive Recorder.
Bought from Noel Leeming during their 30% off Boxing Day sale. Bit of a hassle as no staff person had heard of it, and they could not find it in the computer system. Turns out that they had not previously sold any so it wasn't in the system, or whatever. Then I had to wait about 10 days over New Years for it to come into stock.
Anyway it was worth the wait.
It pretty much was exactly what I wanted, but as it is a reputable brand, it did cost more than I had hoped. It was $188, saving $81 I believe, I was happy with the discount!

The unit itself is very smart. LCD display, windscreen suction mount, auto records and stops when ignition power is on. Comes very a 12V charger with a very long lead, very pleased with that. Records to MicroSD cards, recommends Class 6 or higher. 32 GB max.
Records in 1080p or 720p. Quality is pretty great. Records audio, this can optionally be turned off. Has a bunch of other features, will go into emergency mode if the G sensor detects an impact. Pretty cool.

I've made a little highlights video. It was filmed in 1080p, edited in iMovie and exported at 720p. Please view in 720p to get the best idea of how the video looks.

Cheers,
Joseph

josephhinvest

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#743504 11-Jan-2013 19:19

Hopefully this will embed the video??

I don't understand what I'm doing wrong, when I use the BBCode youtube tags, they just disappear from the comment when it is saved.

This is the link to the video, please watch in 720p!

Cheers,
Joseph

Zeon

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#797599 11-Apr-2013 09:53

Anyone else use blackvue? Pretty keen to get it installed after the car was keyed 3 times :(.

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