Dash Cameras

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Dash Cameras

What do people have?

How much was it?

Are you happy with it?

Would you buy it again?

Why/why not?

Has it ever saved you?

[Tonz]

https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/thread/9rqnkqq3

[anobserver]

Mid spec model from supercheap. It was about 150, on special.

Hope to never need it. Small, discreet and runs on usb power from the car.

For owners of decent cars, would suggest adding a fear facing unit as well.

[russellw]

Garmin Dash Cam 55
$239 in 2017
Yes I'd buy it again. Good HD images, long enough storage time and their desktop app is easy to use.

[Ben73]

Navman. They last and have good quality images.

I bought a Uniden for my second car and I probably wouldn't buy one again. The Navman seems to be better value for money since both were similarly priced.

[arm79]

I wrote a couple of posts about dash cams you'd be interested in reading. Help to make an informed best option decision.

https://fordforums.com.au/showpost.p...26&postcount=4

https://www.fordforums.com.au/showpo...65&postcount=8

https://www.fordforums.com.au/showpo...9&postcount=14

For some reason when you click the pic links Imgur is removing the extension. So you either need to use their download function or add ".jpg" to the end of the link in the address box to get the full size quality pic.

I thoroughly recommend the Street Guardian SG9665TC. Its a simple forward facing camera with excellent image quality. They are normally just under $200 on the Dashcam Owners Australia website, but Strathfield Car Radios (Who thought they still exisited) have them for $165.

If I went for that type of camera again I'd buy another in a heartbeat.

Otherwise Viofo make some very impressive products with excellent image quality at reasonable prices. I'd consider them as an option if I ever replaced my Street Guardian.

[hackney]

Originally Posted by XB GS 351 Coupe

Dash Cameras

What do people have?

How much was it?

Are you happy with it?

Would you buy it again?

Why/why not?

Has it ever saved you?

I have two,Garmin ‘Mini 2’ in my Fiesta Ecoboost, & a Garmin 67W in my HRV Hybrid.Both work very well, you can delete the images via the Garmin app.Installed them myself, just ran the cabling up through the headlining & down the A pillar & under the dash.All very neat. The Mini 2 is around the $180 mark, the 67W budget for around $300.

[anobserver]

Originally Posted by anobserver

Mid spec model from supercheap. It was about 150, on special.

Hope to never need it. Small, discreet and runs on usb power from the car.

For owners of decent cars, would suggest adding a fear facing unit as well.

Nanocam ncp bdvr1 model.
1080p.

Essy app access. Reasonable quality.

[Mulva]

Don't have one but from watching YouTube they seem to be inconsistently deceptive.

If someone cuts off the dashcam vehicle it is always "closer than it appears"; however if the dashcam vehicle gets raged by someone then what they did to **** that person off is always described as "not being as close as it appears"

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by Mulva

Don't have one but from watching YouTube they seem to be inconsistently deceptive.

If someone cuts off the dashcam vehicle it is always "closer than it appears"; however if the dashcam vehicle gets raged by someone then what they did to **** that person off is always described as "not being as close as it appears"

They have wide angle lenses, so everything is closer than it appears. Every other claim is wrong.

[arm79]

Originally Posted by Mulva

Don't have one but from watching YouTube they seem to be inconsistently deceptive.

If someone cuts off the dashcam vehicle it is always "closer than it appears"; however if the dashcam vehicle gets raged by someone then what they did to **** that person off is always described as "not being as close as it appears"

It is true that the angle of the lenses make think appear closer than they are or happen quicker than it does.

But what most people rage about is this current "I have the right of way and give no f*cks about anything other than what is in my tunnel vision directly ahead of me" attitude and style of driving. Defensive driving is not only a lost art but a sin these days.

Without a doubt the majority of those crashes could be avoided or be lessened if the driver was scanning in all directions ahead of them like they should. They should be easily be able to judge that a car is going too fast to stop at an intersection or roundabout and be defensively prepared for something to happen. Or be on alert because the car ahead of them is slowly creeping into the intersection to turn when they should be stopped and waiting.

But no, its all "give no f*cks because I'm supposed to be there and you aren't". It seems b*tching about the offending driver from a hospital bed with all your limbs in traction is preferable to playing it safe and driving with caution for other morons on the road.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by arm79

It is true that the angle of the lenses make think appear closer than they are or happen quicker than it does.

But what most people rage about is this current "I have the right of way and give no f*cks about anything other than what is in my tunnel vision directly ahead of me" attitude and style of driving. Defensive driving is not only a lost art but a sin these days.

Without a doubt the majority of those crashes could be avoided or be lessened if the driver was scanning in all directions ahead of them like they should. They should be easily be able to judge that a car is going too fast to stop at an intersection or roundabout and be defensively prepared for something to happen. Or be on alert because the car ahead of them is slowly creeping into the intersection to turn when they should be stopped and waiting.

But no, its all "give no f*cks because I'm supposed to be there and you aren't". It seems b*tching about the offending driver from a hospital bed with all your limbs in traction is preferable to playing it safe and driving with caution for other morons on the road.

Half the dramas on the DCOA compilations are avoidable, if people just backed off to let someone in rather than trying to speed up to cut someone off

[Big_Daz]

What do people have? Blackvue DR750X 2 Channel (Front and Rear) in both our cars

How much was it? $800 installed

Are you happy with it? Yes

Would you buy it again? Yes - I intend on putting the same units in my new Ranger when it arrives

Why/why not? Gives me peace of mind when parked at shopping centers/etc and for evidence in an accident. Also, in my SSV Redline, its good to have both views for when im at events at QR (Brekky Laps, Powercruise, etc) for viewing footage of races...lol

Has it ever saved you? Yes - On my wives Sorento a young bloke fell asleep and ran into the side of her on the highway. After the fact the driver tried to blame my wife for some reason. We sent our insurer the dash cam footage which clearly shows it was his fault.

[Big_Daz]

*** Double post - Apologies, can mod/admin delete****

[arm79]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Half the dramas on the DCOA compilations are avoidable

A++ to the resident forum furniture salesperson!

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

if people just backed off to let someone in rather than trying to speed up to cut someone off

Words to live by hey. A licence saver one might say!

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by Big_Daz

Has it ever saved you? Yes - On my wives Sorento a young bloke fell asleep and ran into the side of her on the highway. After the fact the driver tried to blame my wife for some reason. We sent our insurer the dash cam footage which clearly shows it was his fault.

I guess it has paid for itself in that incident alone.

Any issues with getting a flat battery when using it while parked or when garaged for a few days.

[anobserver]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Half the dramas on the DCOA compilations are avoidable, if people just backed off to let someone in rather than trying to speed up to cut someone off

At the risk of starting another controversy, i switched to left foot braking some years ago.

Much of the time im driving, my left foot moves back and forth from the foot rest to hover over the brake pedal with one eye on the rear view mirror. (And awareness of who and whats in every lane). Particularly when theres nowhere to swerve to, and some addled nuffy is signaling imminent idiocy.

[Big_Daz]

Originally Posted by XB GS 351 Coupe

I guess it has paid for itself in that incident alone.

Any issues with getting a flat battery when using it while parked or when garaged for a few days.

Yep, pretty much mate. No battery issues. Wifeys car is used every day, but my SSVR can sit for days at a time and there has never been an issue thus.

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Half the dramas on the DCOA compilations are avoidable, if people just backed off to let someone in rather than trying to speed up to cut someone off

Gold Star Franco, couldnt agree more.. I find myself thinking that alot when I watch the compilations.. So many impatient halfwits that go out of the way to try to close the door on someone, etc to both cause the issue and there own bloody anger...

[anobserver]

Dont drive angry....


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1jvcNrjM_F4

[mad2]

Originally Posted by anobserver

At the risk of starting another controversy, i switched to left foot braking some years ago.

Much of the time im driving, my left foot moves back and forth from the foot rest to hover over the brake pedal with one eye on the rear view mirror. (And awareness of who and whats in every lane). Particularly when theres nowhere to swerve to, and some addled nuffy is signaling imminent idiocy.

same here ....


will have to ... maybe .... grow another leg if i 'ever' go manual

[Citroënbender]

Is there much commonality in power supply configuration at the camera end?

I’m looking at a cheaper camera suggested by arm79, but it comes with a “lighter socket” power cord - I want to install something more permanent.

The other related question, is what’s the simplest way to review files recorded onto an SD card, on an Apple mobile device?

[Citroënbender]

Think I’ve solved my second question, my error was looking for un-corded devices. SD reader with Lightning plug is easily bought.

So, back to the power supply…

[arm79]

All of the sub $300/$400 cameras I've seen use a cigarette lighter plug as a power source. Over that they are usually hardwired because they have some sort of parking mode which require constant power. I know some cameras that come with cigarette lighter you can buy an optional hardwire power kit, which is only a 5v adaptor in place of the ciggie plug and a short length of wire coming from it.

I went to Jaycar and bought one of these cheap plugs and a length of wire:

https://www.jaycar.com.au/cigarette-...ocket/p/PS2003

Run the power wire from behind the glovebox up the side of the console and scotch locked it to the existing ciggie plug wires. Cabled tied the new ciggie plug to the heater wiring and ran the power wire for the camera up the A pillar and under the front edge of the roof lining. Very simple, tidy, well hidden and leaves the cabin power source free.

Only issue I found was because the jaycar plug isn't very grippy inside the power adaptor can vibrate out. Easily solved by wrapping some tape, like wide cloth tape, around both the adaptor and plug. Had this setup in both Dad and my car for somewhere around 3 years now without issue.

I don't have much to do with Apple products, but this might be the way to go. Lightening to SD card adaptor.

https://www.apple.com/au/shop/produc...-camera-reader

Hopefully the videos on the camera are compatible with the phone.

If its a real issue you might need to look at something more expensive, one with built in wifi where you can connect your phone directly to the camera to extract footage.

Some of the cheaper Garmins (in the $200 mark) have Wifi, but you sacrifice recording and lens quality for the additional feature. Viofo might have a reasonably priced unit with Wifi. But normally they start in the $300+ range I think.

[arm79]

Hopefully you can see it all. Simple, effective with zero intrusion.

[arm79]

Also forgot about these things if you want to do something really special with a hardwire kit.



https://www.jaycar.com.au/double-min...e-tap/p/SF5125

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by arm79

Also forgot about these things if you want to do something really special with a hardwire kit.

image

https://www.jaycar.com.au/double-min...e-tap/p/SF5125

I never used those little fuse tap things in customers cars because they're a bit dodge, but I've used them in my own car for my A pillar pod because CBF and its been in there for a few years now with no dramas

Just be careful if you guys are buying dash cams and then cutting off the aux plug and hard wiring into the car, I did this for a customer once and the aux plug had some RF filtering stuff inside it, when it was removed AM radio completely stopped working the moment the camera was in the car, as soon as the camera was moved out of the car, AM radio was working again.

We ended up putting it back on, then installing a socket in a hidden place and connected the camera to that.

[Citroënbender]

Very sneaky.

I suppose my wondering was about whether the ones with micro USB plugs, used standard wiring conventions for the power in. Can’t find any information to the contrary. There are generic three-way hardwire kits for below half price of authentic Street Guardian ones, hence the parsimonious inquiry.

Had noticed the inline suppressor on some, too.

[arm79]

The Street Guardian uses a standard pinout arrangement. When the power adaptor on Dad's crapped itself I used a standard ciggie phone power adaptor and micro usb cable to keep the camera working until the new adaptor arrived.

I believe you can connect the camera straight to a PC that will access the card as a data source, saves the need for having a card reader.

I'd have to assume they are all like that. Imagine it would be an overall expensive exercise to have one off custom cables made for small production runs like these cameras.

Using a standard adaptor and cable didn't seem to affect the camera or anything in the car, but like Franco I assume the adaptors have some filtering or noise suppression in them to not upset the cameras operation. One of those "why tempt fate or the gods" situation.

Don't want footage to be problematic when you really need it. And you don't want to miss out on these special moments.





The driver of the white car initially apologised profusely for not looking before reversing and said she would pay cash to repair Dad's car. So we went through the motions of looking to repair it at little cost to the other driver. The bumper on Dad's isn't very pretty at all and it didn't do any noticeable damage so we said not to worry about that. But it did rub the paint away from the upper grill through to the plastic.

So being reasonable people I looked for a new grill, but unable to find, so went to the touchup shop and got a quote of $190 (insanely overpriced) and we wrote back saying "$190 from touchup shop or if we can find a good replacement grill cheaper in the meantime we will do that". She replied back "just lodge a claim with your insurance, my insurance will cover it all". I said to Dad "this moron has no idea how insurance works, but lets do it" so we lodged a claim on a Friday night.

Tuesday morning she wrote back and said "got your claim. But I have to say its not my fault. My mechanic said because my car has more damage than yours you hit me. If I hit you, you would have more damage. Etc, etc, etc". I said to Dad "moron has just realised what she's done and is being hit with an excess. Probably somewhere between $600 and $1000. There's no turning back now".

Got an sms a couple of mins later and she said "Your car was right behind me as I was reversing out, thats why you have the front paint scratched. I will ask my insurance company to do an investigation".

The Allianz lady was ****ing herself laughing as I read out the sms. Turned out to be a worthwhile incident though. Allianz are completely repairing the bumper to as new and we'll pay extra to get the paint fade repair done. Some people just don't know when to leave it alone.

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by arm79

The Street Guardian uses a standard pinout arrangement. When the power adaptor on Dad's crapped itself I used a standard ciggie phone power adaptor and micro usb cable to keep the camera working until the new adaptor arrived.

I believe you can connect the camera straight to a PC that will access the card as a data source, saves the need for having a card reader.

I'd have to assume they are all like that. Imagine it would be an overall expensive exercise to have one off custom cables made for small production runs like these cameras.

Using a standard adaptor and cable didn't seem to affect the camera or anything in the car, but like Franco I assume the adaptors have some filtering or noise suppression in them to not upset the cameras operation. One of those "why tempt fate or the gods" situation.

Don't want footage to be problematic when you really need it. And you don't want to miss out on these special moments.





The driver of the white car initially apologised profusely for not looking before reversing and said she would pay cash to repair Dad's car. So we went through the motions of looking to repair it at little cost to the other driver. The bumper on Dad's isn't very pretty at all and it didn't do any noticeable damage so we said not to worry about that. But it did rub the paint away from the upper grill through to the plastic.

So being reasonable people I looked for a new grill, but unable to find, so went to the touchup shop and got a quote of $190 (insanely overpriced) and we wrote back saying "$190 from touchup shop or if we can find a good replacement grill cheaper in the meantime we will do that". She replied back "just lodge a claim with your insurance, my insurance will cover it all". I said to Dad "this moron has no idea how insurance works, but lets do it" so we lodged a claim on a Friday night.

Tuesday morning she wrote back and said "got your claim. But I have to say its not my fault. My mechanic said because my car has more damage than yours you hit me. If I hit you, you would have more damage. Etc, etc, etc". I said to Dad "moron has just realised what she's done and is being hit with an excess. Probably somewhere between $600 and $1000. There's no turning back now".

Got an sms a couple of mins later and she said "Your car was right behind me as I was reversing out, thats why you have the front paint scratched. I will ask my insurance company to do an investigation".

The Allianz lady was ****ing herself laughing as I read out the sms. Turned out to be a worthwhile incident though. Allianz are completely repairing the bumper to as new and we'll pay extra to get the paint fade repair done. Some people just don't know when to leave it alone.

Pretty sure any accident involving a car in reverse is deemed the fault of said driver in reverse unless its exeptional circumstances.

[arm79]

Originally Posted by .:4:.

Pretty sure any accident involving a car in reverse is deemed the fault of said driver in reverse unless its exeptional circumstances.

Most definitely is. In Qld specifically there is no exceptions to the law, its explicit that the reversing vehicle has no right of way and must give way to all traffic, reverse with safety and not reverse any more than necessary for the circumstances. Other states maybe have exceptions to the law, but here she is at fault without question.

We had SMSeseses from her immediately following the incident apologising for reversing without looking, so we were set. The dash cam sealed it. If we had neither it would have been a ****fight. Would have been a he said she said situation and hard to find fault, unless she said something stupid incriminating herself. I expect she would have tried the same thing where she said Dad hit her, a glancing blow as he entered the car park perhaps.

She had no idea Dad had a dashcam and had a recording. After she tried her little stunt with the "you hit me, not me hit you" message Dad replied he had a dashcam that recorded the whole incident. It shows he was stopped and she reversed into him.

Reply was simply "Oh... Can I have a copy". Dad said no, it was for his insurance company's eyes only. She wasn't happy.