Dashcams. Who uses them?

Wow, this is a mine-field of options! Desperate to get a camera ASAP after a couple of recent incidents.

So far it seems that in terms of quality, the Blackvue range is the best. The cheapest available blackvue with just the basic features without a screen is the DR3500, which I can find at £140.

Mobius seems to be the cheapest without a screen that has any kind of reputation, but it looks like it has to have a HUGE mount, and no one seems to clarify how it works? I want to know if it works in the same way as the DR3500, because it is MUCH cheaper.

The Mini 803's look to be the best in terms of features/price in the "with screen" range, but it seems that they are plagued with issues if you believe the internet reviews/reports.

So, currently I am torn between the Blackvue DR3500 and the Mobius.

I just want a camera that turns on when I start the car, records at a decent quality at day and night, and fits easily without a massive mount.
 
I got a £60 dashcam of the rainforest place. Perfectly decent for what I need it for and is now an essential part of my driving.

With all the insane **** that happens on the roads these days, everyone should have one.
 
DiscoDave said:
I got a £60 dashcam of the rainforest place. Perfectly decent for what I need it for and is now an essential part of my driving.

With all the insane **** that happens on the roads these days, everyone should have one.
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Can you tell me the model, and do you have any photos of the installation? Is it a screen model, or just a camera? Do you have to do anything with it, or does it just work automatically? Does it work well at night?

I see a load of people saying similar to the above, but details are almost always lacking :p
 
Malt_Vinegar said:
Can you tell me the model, and do you have any photos of the installation? Is it a screen model, or just a camera? Do you have to do anything with it, or does it just work automatically? Does it work well at night?

I see a load of people saying similar to the above, but details are almost always lacking :p
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Avoid a cheap rainforest one, go with the well respected Mobius.

Got mine from Joovu wih the ball stick on mount and couldn't be happier. The mount is a littl emore obvious than say a Mini 0803 setup, but really not bad in the slightest, plus you want a camera to have the best PQ and reliability, the Mini ones seem far from reliable.

You setup the Mobius on your laptop/PC on the software, put the memory card in, plug in your mini usb cable once mounted in the car, then it just goes about it's business with no hassle and you can forget about it.

Highly recommended as a plug n play and forget camera.
 
Saw someone driving thru gateshead yesterday with what I can only describe as "CCTV Surevlienace is being used" Home/Office stickers plastered all over the car LMAO looked daft.

And the rear cam he had even had the screen pointing out the back window :p
Gave a wave LOL
 
So, with a memory card/mount and an installation wiring kit, the Mobius looks to be coming in at just under £100, so then I think I might as well buy the blackvue DR35000-FHD for an extra £40 as its all included, and looks more compact once fitted.

I also will avoid the overheating issues that seem to plague the Mobius.
 
Malt_Vinegar said:
So, with a memory card/mount and an installation wiring kit, the Mobius looks to be coming in at just under £100, so then I think I might as well buy the blackvue DR35000-FHD for an extra £40 as its all included, and looks more compact once fitted.

I also will avoid the overheating issues that seem to plague the Mobius.
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Mobius - £57
Car Mount - £6
3m usb to mini usb right angle cable (rainforest) - £7
Total (Delivery ~£5) = £75.

The BV is around £170 on their site, so nigh on £100 more. It looks to have a smaller footprint and less obtrusive mount, but £100 more is a lot. No overheating with my Mobius at all, and you can take it out of the car and use it elsewhere, underwater if you should so feel the need.
 
-Ad- said:
Mobius - £57
Car Mount - £6
3m usb to mini usb right angle cable (rainforest) - £7
Total (Delivery ~£5) = £75.

The BV is around £170 on their site, so nigh on £100 more. It looks to have a smaller footprint and less obtrusive mount, but £100 more is a lot. No overheating with my Mobius at all, and you can take it out of the car and use it elsewhere, underwater if you should so feel the need.
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The Mobius only has 4gb of storage though, the BlackVue has 16GB included.
Also, the DR3500 is available for £140.

I am just not convinced the mobius can be mounted neatly, I would be willing to pay an extra £65 just for that to be honest.

This is from a Mobius customer install:
Joovuu Store
Mobius Action Camera (Wide Angle Lens) £59.98
Mobius Lens Extension Cable 8 inches £5.00
Extended Mobius Cable (3 meters) £4.50
32gb Class 4 MicroSD Memory Card £18.00
Mobius Super Capacitor £6.00
Ebay
12V to 5V USB DC-DC Buck Converter Step Down Module Power Supply £5.48
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwV54Ginbik

This is a custom install, and requires cutting up of stuff in the car, which I really want to avoid :p
 
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That Möbius install is ridiculous and oit of the norm. Its an extension of the lens so the main camera can be hidden away in a lining or by a visor. A bit unnecessary.

A 16gb class 6 card is also cheap enough so all in all cheaper than the BV.

I ran the 3m USB lead around the top of the windshield, pushed it into my door pillar trim then out into CIG lighter USB socket under the glove box. Invisible wiring and a neat install right by my rain sensor/ rear view mirror. Comes on as soon as car is opened and goes off about 20secs after closed, so no parking mode.

Seems like you have your heart set on the BV though, if you do get it, it would be good to see your install.
 
-Ad- said:
That Möbius install is ridiculous and oit of the norm. Its an extension of the lens so the main camera can be hidden away in a lining or by a visor. A bit unnecessary.

A 16gb class 6 card is also cheap enough so all in all cheaper than the BV.

I ran the 3m USB lead around the top of the windshield, pushed it into my door pillar trim then out into CIG lighter USB socket under the glove box. Invisible wiring and a neat install right by my rain sensor/ rear view mirror. Comes on as soon as car is opened and goes off about 20secs after closed, so no parking mode.

Seems like you have your heart set on the BV though, if you do get it, it would be good to see your install.
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I am intending to power whatever camera I get from power in the ceiling of the car so it is hardwired on an ignition live, and installed high on the screen, behind the rear view mirror.
I would argue that it's the best Mobius install I have seen yet, but it requires modding of the car plastics which I am not willing to do to my nice interior.
Running cables around the window is just too ghetto for me, but at the same time, I don't want a huge suction mount. If it was possible to neatly install the mobius, it would be a clear winner! But it seems because of the design, its just not possible without modifying the car/camera. This is of course possible, but it makes it less appealing.
 
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Did you know it's illegal to use one in California!

If anything is attached to the windscreen (except for the lower left corner) or front side windows then it's illegal and if there's a device recording audio with or without a passengers consent then it's also illegal.
 
I would love a good small camera for my rear window, but the rear 12 volt power stays on when the engine is off and since I sometimes do not drive for several days, I do not wish to drain the battery.

I have checked with Skoda that this is not changeable.
 
I use a Scosche magic dash mount with my mobius. It's a magnetic mount and comes with two slim magnetic plates. One conveniently fits inside the mobius, I popped it in when I fitted my supercap. The other is bigger and designed for a phone and also works well. Footprint is small and means the mobius can easily be removed and it's ultra easy to change the viewing angle both vertically and horizontally. I posted some pics in dashcamtalk in the mobius section if you're interested.
 
trentlad said:
Did you know it's illegal to use one in California!

If anything is attached to the windscreen (except for the lower left corner) or front side windows then it's illegal and if there's a device recording audio with or without a passengers consent then it's also illegal.
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Sounds hugely sensible, would cure the roads of those people who slap a satnav on day mode right in the middle of the windscreen at night :D
 
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