Dashcams. Who uses them?

I've been recording my car journeys for over a year (practically without fail) using my iPhone 5 & isymdvr app (£1.49).

During this time, It has recorded one major accident (video provided to the police), two cyclists knocked off of their bikes and various clips of oblivious road users (one of which which could have been fatal for me..)

Yes it eats the battery (about 30% on a 30 minute commute) but I can charge the phone whilst it records...

The only thing it doesn't do is of course, record behind..
 
That's not a bad idea, you could even go as far as using an older model iPhone just for recording the road. Especially if your old one simply sits in a box.
 
Also, the new blackvues are supposed to have solved that issue, the entry level DR3500 is was 10000kbps on release firmware, and this has been upped to 12k+ on newer firmware revisions, more than adequate for a dash cam!

In terms of overheating, it seems to be a regular problem on any battery equipped device. Hence the Mobius should be converted to a capacitor for dash-cam use. The DR3500 has also moved the (optional) GPS outside of the device to aid with cooling.

Using a phone, having to plug in, and a remember to start an app/set the view, etc is just too much of a pain for me. I want it to work well, an forget it is there till I need it. I am coming around to the idea of the Mobius, and will take a look at getting all the bits together, and perhaps make a custom mount to get rid of the huge mounts that seem to be provided online.
 
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The newest BlackVue (DR750LW-2CH) I read is limited to 6Mbit front and 4Mbit back. I've seen some hacked Russian firmwares take the max bitrate higher on certain models but good luck getting support with that. BlackVues have some nice features but are far from being the best in quality in their price bracket.

The A118 I mentioned is 15Mbit max out of the box. I agree 12Mbit is adequate though.
 
Imy said:
The newest BlackVue (DR750LW-2CH) I read is limited to 6Mbit front and 4Mbit back. I've seen some hacked Russian firmwares take the max bitrate higher on certain models but good luck getting support with that. BlackVues have some nice features but are far from being the best in quality in their price bracket.

The A118 I mentioned is 15Mbit max out of the box. I agree 12Mbit is adequate though.
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I think the hardware in the BlackVue is limited to around 10k on release, which would make sense with what you posted above on the dual camera options, it has been tweaked by blackvue themselves I think I read somewhere to allow 12k on newer firmware.

However, as I said before, as much as a I like the packaging on the Blackvue, I now believe I can get the Mobius mounted tidily enough if I fabricate a mount for it. Then secure it semi-perm to the windscreen high enough behind the rear view mirror. I should be able to use the interior light power supply to provide a short (ignition live) power run without having to make any holes in the roof lining or interior panels.

Now, to just figure out if I need the wide angle lens Mobius, or the standard one!
 
Checked with my insurer if my dash cam would affect my premium to be told there would be no change...

The same insurer (Elephant) that wanted to charge me £20 more for fitting and additional (secondary) more secure alarm system...

My renewal isn't until February but would like to receive some sort of discount next year if I can. I know a camera doesn't automatically reduce the odds of me being involved in an accident but on the off chance that occurs and I'm not at fault it does positively affect the chance of winning a claim.

Does anybody know which insurers offer incentives or discounts?
 
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hawker1986 said:
Im not sure that an older Iphones video recording resolution would be good enough not to mention night recording quality is pretty shocking.

Hawker
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What do you need to see in the video for it to be a viable means of proof in a court of law?

Do you need to see the license plate along and the drivers face or is it acceptable enough to only show location, time, car model and color?

That's a pretty important question.
 
a colleague of mine has a dash cam fitted and his following experience has now made me think of getting one

he owns a jag and had around 4 cameras fitted in it, it is his pride and joy. took it for its MOT and service this week to then check the footage after the work was carried out.

he has footage of the 2 mechanics doing 130 up the a38 absolutely caning his car. I couldn't help but laugh as he is the safest driver i have ever met!

thought i would share the story

the two men have now been fired
 
kaptainmarc said:
a colleague of mine has a dash cam fitted and his following experience has now made me think of getting one

he owns a jag and had around 4 cameras fitted in it, it is his pride and joy. took it for its MOT and service this week to then check the footage after the work was carried out.

he has footage of the 2 mechanics doing 130 up the a38 absolutely caning his car. I couldn't help but laugh as he is the safest driver i have ever met!

thought i would share the story

the two men have now been fired
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I'd be taking that footage to the nearest Police Station and also the Head Office of the Garage!!

on a side note, when I read this I immediately thought

Economics Teacher: Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?

Simone: Um, he's sick. My best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with the girl who saw Ferris pass out at 31 Flavors last night. I guess it's pretty serious.

Economics Teacher: Thank you, Simone.

Simone: No problem whatsoever.
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:D

I'm still torn on which Camera(s) to get for my car!, I do about 130 miles a day, mainly on the M4 (which is full of Numpties at 5:30am)... I also need to get a 'Piggyback Fuse spur' and a second Lighter socket (hidden) then tap into a switched connection in the Fuse box, as my current lighter socket is a Permanent Live (and my Sat-Nav is plugged in there!) :)
 
My dashcam was (I cba to fit it to my new car I don't think, anyone wanna buy it?) connected to a permanent live, I never had any battery drain issues. Obviously I unplugged it if I was leaving the car for a matter of days though.
 
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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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuOenmrIm-E - That's a night time video of the updated version of the camera that I have - the E-Prance Mini 0801, the 0803's are out now with noted improved night time capture.

With mine it turns on when it receives power. So in most cars as soon as you turn the ignition on it'll fire up and then start recording - you don't have to do anything.

Although for some reason the cigarette lighter in my car always outputs power, so I have to disconnect it (for now) to stop it. Otherwise I just forget it about it and happy knowing it records.

It's discreet enough to be mounted underneath the rear view mirror.
 
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Malt_Vinegar said:
I dont want a unit with a screen, seems a bit pointless. I would rather spend the same on a unit without a screen and get a higher quality unit :)
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That's fair enough. I just see it as a added bonus if I need to review some footage on the go. Otherwise the screen shuts off after a configurable number of minutes (the screen in mine goes off after 1 minute, afaik).

Some of the other dashcams I was looking at were noticeably bigger, but this one suits me as I can hide it away. I can't fault the quality of the video though.
 
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