Dashcams!

Delvis · 22 Mar 2016 at 22:10

Technically if it has a form.of USB on it which goes in to a cig socket you'll be able to buy a USB ended cable for it. My Drive pro works off the USB port, but it's connect to the cig socket as I don't have a USB port in my car

Raymond Lin · 22 Mar 2016 at 22:13

Delvis said:
Technically if it has a form.of USB on it which goes in to a cig socket you'll be able to buy a USB ended cable for it. My Drive pro works off the USB port, but it's connect to the cig socket as I don't have a USB port in my car

I prefer a USB port because I have a dual USB port into the rear ciggy socket, the other one i am tapped for my Bluetooth dongle for the Aux. This is the ciggy socket between the 2 seats at the back so the driver and front passengers never see it. The plan is the feed the cable under the passenger seat and up the A pillar.

Delvis · 23 Mar 2016 at 12:38

Which should be fine assuming the camera has the port on it. Off the top of my head mine is a mini USB b connector?

slick rick · 23 Mar 2016 at 12:44

Draeger said:
Folks, are any of the el cheapo ones worth a punt? I'm talking £20-£40 territory here?

I'm not expecting bells and whistles at this price point, or good night time performance but I'm tempted to pick one up for the heck of it, anyone got any recommendations for this price bracket?

I have been running a dirt cheap camera for months and not had an issue. I recently bought one for a family member and they are happy with it.

I just looked now to give you link but unfortunately the seller does not have it anymore. I will look for the box to try and get the model number.

EDIT: This is the model which I have fitted in my parents car and my aunties car, its a newer model than the one I have in my mine. It is from a different seller though so I can vouch for this specific camera/seller.
The are similar looking camera for less than a tenner but avoid them as they are very poor quality. I hope this helps.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Latest-10...540685?hash=item4af49d78cd:g:D6QAAOSwt6ZWVvXz

Duke · 23 Mar 2016 at 13:09

Do you have it connected up all the time? I thought the drain on the car battery would be noticeable?

slick rick · 23 Mar 2016 at 13:13

Duke said:
Do you have it connected up all the time? I thought the drain on the car battery would be noticeable?

It depends how you have it fitted, you can connect it to a switchable live so it only comes on with ignition or connected to a permanent live so it stays on all the time.

Janesy B · 23 Mar 2016 at 13:13

Surely you'd want it switched otherwise it'll be recording all the time? Can't see the drain being that much, unless you have a really weak battery.

slick rick · 23 Mar 2016 at 13:16

Janesy B said:
Surely you'd want it switched otherwise it'll be recording all the time? Can't see the drain being that much, unless you have a really weak battery.

Most cameras have a motion and g sensor so only start recording when it needs too. A lot have built in batteries to and I think some more expensive cameras will sense when the car battery is getting low and switch itself off.

Raymond Lin · 23 Mar 2016 at 13:31

Delvis said:
Which should be fine assuming the camera has the port on it. Off the top of my head mine is a mini USB b connector?

Most of them come with a 12v cig socket that don't have the normal USB lead, so I presume it draws 12v where as my USB splitter only provides 2.4v. Not sure if that's enough. I need that socket for my Bluetooth as well.

I think I really just need to look into hardwire it into the car, been reading a bit of what's available on the market so far and I think I know what I want.

Delvis · 23 Mar 2016 at 13:53

I just plugged a standard USB cable in to the USB port on my mates car, seemed to turn on fine

slick rick · 23 Mar 2016 at 13:58

A lot of cams are 5v I think.

Raymond Lin · 23 Mar 2016 at 16:35

slick rick said:
A lot of cams are 5v I think.

In that case I am fine, just need to get a really long USB cable

Problem solved!

Also, is Nextbase 512G over the 402G is just the anti reflection lens?

Delvis · 23 Mar 2016 at 17:25

Yeah sorry, generally they're 5v I believe, hence the massive extra gear stick you need to plug in to the cig lighter

Raymond Lin · 23 Mar 2016 at 17:44

I got one of these Aukey USB adaptor, which outputs two 5v with 2.4a in each socket.

Just found out about the DOD LS470W+, it has the Sony sensor which I found a YT video comparing to the Nextbase 512G and it is better.

Better still, it draws 5v and 1a !

Gammawolf · 24 Mar 2016 at 08:10

If it has a USB connecter on the camera itself for power then it will always be 5V.

Logsi · 24 Mar 2016 at 08:58

I think i'm liking the look of the Mini 0903 Nano Q. Looks small and compact with a sony sensor.

Raymond Lin · 24 Mar 2016 at 09:16

Gammawolf said:
If it has a USB connecter on the camera itself for power then it will always be 5V.

Ah cheers, that helps a lot.

Side note, anyone has a dash cam that also have a rear camera?

Outcast · 24 Mar 2016 at 11:45

Raymond Lin said:
Ah cheers, that helps a lot.

Side note, anyone has a dash cam that also have a rear camera?

Me .. Blackvue DR550GW...Why ?

Raymond Lin · 24 Mar 2016 at 11:49

Just wondering if I should get one with rear cam too that's all. The current favourite so far is the Dod LS470W+ with the built in CPL filter, Sony sensor and can run off USB.

How good is the black vue at night?

Outcast · 24 Mar 2016 at 22:53

Raymond Lin said:
Just wondering if I should get one with rear cam too that's all. The current favourite so far is the Dod LS470W+ with the built in CPL filter, Sony sensor and can run off USB.

How good is the black vue at night?

My version (DR550GW) I've seen much better footage for far cheaper than I paid.

But the 750 is out now for the same price I paid (story of my life that) so I'd assume it's improved considerably.

The back cam does catch people picking their noses etc !