Dash Cameras

[kooky guy]

Alex L said:

straightsix said:

A question for dashcam users please.

Do you leave them in place all the time (affixed to the windscreen) or do you remove after each journey, and if so where do you store it, e.g. inside the car or elsewhere.

I have just purchased my first one (Drivepro 220) and I am unsure of what to do.

I've left my DrivePro200 and replacement 220 stuck to the windscreen for over 2 and a half years with no problems

I also leave my DrivePro200 in all the time. It would just be too much hassle removing it and replacing it. Although it looks a bit obvious to me, I'm not sure anyone else notices it.

[Kentish]

I have a pair of (one forward and one rearward facing) MiVue Mio 538 in my work car which I leave in permanently (unless parked somewhere rough).

They have large brackets and are very obvious but have never been nicked.

My own car has one forward facing Nextbase which has a tiny bracket with integral wiring so I leave that in sometimes as it's not so easy to spot but the bracket makes it easy to dismount so I often remove it leaving it in a soft cloth hidden in the car.

[Elroy Blue]

I leave my mini 806 in all the time. Tucked in behind the mirror means it's virtually invisible

[bhippy]

I brought and fitted a mini 0806 Dashcam yesterday. Works well and fits nicely. I got one with GPS - but what do you actually do with the GPS data? I use an iMac as my computer and can look at the video etc, but what actual use is the GPS data as I can't seem to find ANY software that runs on an iMac and displays it or uses it....

What do others do with the GPS data? I gather there are Windows programs that use it. Anyone seen anything Mac OS compatible?

[toon10]

I've had the mini 0805 for a few weeks now. It's small and disreet but I've not played with the settings yet. I'm going to have a look today. The footage is fine but that's all I want recorded (no GPS data, speed data or anything else.) I presume it's a simple menu option to untick all of the extra data it records.

[baldy1926]

Do you think this one at aldi will be any good.
https://www.aldi.co.uk/1080p-dashboard-camera-/p/0...

[gowmonster]

doesn't tell you how wide the angle is, however the shot of it with the screen makes it look very like the Transcend drivepro 200 but there are differences with the facia and buttons but very similar layout.

depends if you think £30 is a lot of money.

[MrAndyW]

Bhippy, there is a Mac version, costs £15 one off payment, it's on the techmoan site review of the camera. If not I will look later when I get home

[MrAndyW]

Dashcam viewer is software for imac

[V8RX7]

baldy1926 said:

Do you think this one at aldi will be any good.
https://www.aldi.co.uk/1080p-dashboard-camera-/p/0...

Having just tested one - No

I suspected it wasn't going to be good enough because despite saying "Full HD High Definition" on the camera the box states Enhanced 1080P

A quick pan across my drive and it captures one out of 4 numbers plates at approx 10m which means it's not good enough IMO.

Mines going back

[bhippy]

AndyW - Thanks! I downloaded it and gave it a whirl. Anyone else looking for software, I have to say from an initial play with it, it looks really impressive! Links the GPS data to your video as well as showing speed, direction etc in separate windows!

- and only £15...

Good find, thanks again!

Bill.

[TheAngryDog]

Is the 0806 still the one to get?

[bhippy]

I've certainly been impressed by it! Didn't really look at any others though, as it seemed to ddo everythign I could think of...

[shandyboy]

TheAngryDog said:

Is the 0806 still the one to get?

Possibly... If you can get it for a good price.

I've had mine for well over a year and have generally been happy with it - it crashed once when I first got it, and very recently stopped recording journeys, but it just needed the card formatting (probably my own fault for taking the card out whilst it's recording - difficult if 'parking guard' is activated as your finger pressing the card to eject it is enough to trigger it starting to record). Something you need to keep an eye out for though.

I have the lane deviation and forward collision warnings turned off as they are totally useless in real-world use and quite annoying - although mine has GPS, I've never had cause to use or even look at the data so I wouldn't say it was a must-have feature at all. Just noticed the non-GPS version is a tenner less, so maybe worth the difference. http://amzn.to/1V5SPnz The main thing is the quality is excellent, and it seems pretty reliable.

I also turned the chimes off when it's turned on/off - again, they're totally unnecessary and if your car is in the garage it doesn't warn anyone you have one fitted.

Mine is never removed from the car, even when it's been left with the roof off for several hours and nobody has noticed or tried to steal it, so it's nice and unobtrusive. Also has a 'proper' mount that fits in front of the rear-view mirror unlike those bulky suction mounts that fall off as soon as it's sunny.

The other-half has a DrivePro 200 - this is a decent choice too but hasn't got the 'parking guard' feature (I wanted this as I'd been hit whilst parked previously) - the wifi connection is really useful though, even if you'll only use it occasionally to pull files off the unit. Quality is great too. You just need to turn the g-sensor completely off though as the smallest pot-hole or speed-bump will cause an emergency file and then it moans about not having any more emergency file slots left. It's a bit more noticeable than the mini0806 and the silver ring around the lens is a stupid design choice (why attract attention to it?!) but we've never had any problems leaving it in all the time.

Edited by shandyboy on Monday 16th May 11:23

[juggsy]

Anyone seen or used the DDPai mini? Just spotted it on Amazon today:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DDPai-dashboard-bluetooth...

Seems to be missing GPS but Wifi and an app seems a handy feature if you need to review footage, and appears to have a decent form factor, however reviews are sparse.

[CoolC]

I've not been keeping up with this thread unfortunately.

I've had a K1S for a year now with a constant fault where it would randomly shut down during use. New cards, running it without battery, and reinstalling the firmware made no difference. So now after numerous (very poor) dealings with the supplier, they have eventually refunded me rather than fix the returned control unit.

So now I'm on the lookout for a new unit(s). I really like the form factor of the K1S with a control box and two remote very small cameras.

Ideally I'd like a double unit, but not essential. What's the top tip for small, reliable fit and forget units now? Still the 806, or have others caught up?

I'll go and spend some time on Techmoan reviews this evening, but thought it best to get a shortlist from here first.

[Targarama]

Hmm, this thread is back. I noticed a number of models of 'intelligent' rear view mirrors are out now, with fittings for major manufacturers' screens They look like a good alternative to having a separate camera and also offer mapping and other functions. A bit more money but a good investment possibly: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B014R3AJFG/ref...

Meanwhile our Mini 0805s are still working just fine.

[CoolC]

Techmoan's latest favourite looks like a good little unit. Just a shame about the silly purple colour.

[maniac886]

Just bought a CPL filter for my mini 0806 as the reflection off the dash is pretty bad. Has anyone got any tips in regards to adjusting the filter to the best position?

[MrAndyW]

If you look on the camera there is a little dot 12 o'clock position, or 6 o'clock if you have it inverted,
On the filter is a line on the edge, Line them up job sorted.