Discussion
Jakg said:
petrolsniffer said:
For those who hardwired thiers i'm assuming you ran it into the headlining?
Mine goes up the A-pillar behind the trim, then tucked under the headlining. The rear one goes down the drivers side sill under the carpet.S6PNJ said:
Jakg, what's the make and model and where did you get them from please?
http://dx.com/p/2-5-lcd-high-resolution-vehicle-mount-video-camcorder-with-sd-card-slot-wide-angle-35356It doesn't have a proper make or model like most Chinese gear - but it's really good. You'll find a lot of knock-offs on eBay that look identical, but that record at VGA (or upscaled VGA to look HD) which are rubbish (I bought one originally!)
Quick video quality sample - http://youtu.be/5GT8c9JV5rk?hd=1
The Flying Ox said:
I've just started with one of the many free "blackbox" apps on the Android Market - AutoGuard.
It records in 720p, has GPS position and speed that it embeds into the video file for viewing separately or together, crash detection with the phone's gyro.
Cost me £5.99 for a windscreen mount and in-car charger, and it's brilliant.
Which windscreen mount did you get? I've struggled to find one that doesn't block the lens on my phone camera It records in 720p, has GPS position and speed that it embeds into the video file for viewing separately or together, crash detection with the phone's gyro.
Cost me £5.99 for a windscreen mount and in-car charger, and it's brilliant.
Got an HTC Sensation by the way
A lex said:
On the back of this thread I ordered a Smartcam 2 - now received and installed.
However I dont think the quality is up to much.
Ive uploaded a test video to youtube, here:
http://youtu.be/tDw61ixvLrg?hd=1&t=15s
Does this compare OK to your own SmartCams?? I was expecting to be able to read numberplates from the camera, but cant - which leaves me a little disappointed
I bought a GoPro HD when they were quite new, circa £300, and even on the HD setting you can't read number plates on oncoming vehicles and only when you get quite close to a vehicle in front of you can you read the plate.However I dont think the quality is up to much.
Ive uploaded a test video to youtube, here:
http://youtu.be/tDw61ixvLrg?hd=1&t=15s
Does this compare OK to your own SmartCams?? I was expecting to be able to read numberplates from the camera, but cant - which leaves me a little disappointed
A lex said:
Ah fair do's.
Do you reckon that video is fair enough quality then?
In terms of standalone quality it's good enough to show who crashed into who but it's quite dark so a bit hard to tell but even during the lighter bits the quality doesn't look as good as the HD stuff from my GoPro. Nowhere near as clear. Sorry to confirm your disappointment.Do you reckon that video is fair enough quality then?
RZ1 said:
Eighteeteewhy said:
This is the one I have bought, slightly different to in the vid. Black case and the rear camera looks a bit better.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-0-LCD-Dual-Lens-Car-Ve...
How have you been getting on with this?http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-0-LCD-Dual-Lens-Car-Ve...
Edited by Eighteeteewhy on Friday 5th October 17:53
A lex said:
On the back of this thread I ordered a Smartcam 2 - now received and installed.
However I dont think the quality is up to much.
Ive uploaded a test video to youtube, here:
http://youtu.be/tDw61ixvLrg?hd=1&t=15s
Does this compare OK to your own SmartCams?? I was expecting to be able to read numberplates from the camera, but cant - which leaves me a little disappointed
No wonder you need a dash cam. You're driving on the wrong side of the road! However I dont think the quality is up to much.
Ive uploaded a test video to youtube, here:
http://youtu.be/tDw61ixvLrg?hd=1&t=15s
Does this compare OK to your own SmartCams?? I was expecting to be able to read numberplates from the camera, but cant - which leaves me a little disappointed
carreauchompeur said:
RZ1 said:
Eighteeteewhy said:
This is the one I have bought, slightly different to in the vid. Black case and the rear camera looks a bit better.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-0-LCD-Dual-Lens-Car-Ve...
How have you been getting on with this?http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-0-LCD-Dual-Lens-Car-Ve...
Edited by Eighteeteewhy on Friday 5th October 17:53
The third one us now on it's way and this time he's given me a tracking number, so far, so good.
I think it will be my Xmas pressie now.
I'll bet the others went missing over here (Royal Fail)...untracked?....from Japan?....goodbye item.
Am I the only one who doesn't like the idea of these things? I've never crashed into anyone else or done anything notably harmful on the roads. In fairness over-exuberance once saw a Ford Orion in a ditch, but that's probably a good thing considering most people's opinion of the big Escort.
However I have made the odd mistake, cut in front of someone or perhaps squeezed into a gap that should have been ignored. The last thing that should come of this is some saddo with a CCTV mast mounted atop his (I'm making an assumption that users will be male) car recording the whole thing on video tape.
The surveillance culture we live in is bad enough, in that trust between each other is gradually being eroded; and any private malarkey is plastered all over the internet for the world to see. I don't want the minutiae of my daily existence played out in full view of society. I do things that I do not wish to be documented. If we get to the stage where we have to moderate our every behaviour in case our actions are being snooped upon by a candid camera; then how are we to offer true opinions and simple trust?
Perhaps I am less authoritarian in outlook than others, but I find the concept of wiring funny little video cameras to the outside of my car repulsive. Something bad may well happen, but that is a fact of life and shouldn't contribute towards a consistently fearful state - only leavened by the thought that it will be alright as it's on tape.
However I have made the odd mistake, cut in front of someone or perhaps squeezed into a gap that should have been ignored. The last thing that should come of this is some saddo with a CCTV mast mounted atop his (I'm making an assumption that users will be male) car recording the whole thing on video tape.
The surveillance culture we live in is bad enough, in that trust between each other is gradually being eroded; and any private malarkey is plastered all over the internet for the world to see. I don't want the minutiae of my daily existence played out in full view of society. I do things that I do not wish to be documented. If we get to the stage where we have to moderate our every behaviour in case our actions are being snooped upon by a candid camera; then how are we to offer true opinions and simple trust?
Perhaps I am less authoritarian in outlook than others, but I find the concept of wiring funny little video cameras to the outside of my car repulsive. Something bad may well happen, but that is a fact of life and shouldn't contribute towards a consistently fearful state - only leavened by the thought that it will be alright as it's on tape.
Futuramic said:
Am I the only one who doesn't like the idea of these things? I've never crashed into anyone else or done anything notably harmful on the roads. In fairness over-exuberance once saw a Ford Orion in a ditch, but that's probably a good thing considering most people's opinion of the big Escort.
However I have made the odd mistake, cut in front of someone or perhaps squeezed into a gap that should have been ignored. The last thing that should come of this is some saddo with a CCTV mast mounted atop his (I'm making an assumption that users will be male) car recording the whole thing on video tape.
The surveillance culture we live in is bad enough, in that trust between each other is gradually being eroded; and any private malarkey is plastered all over the internet for the world to see. I don't want the minutiae of my daily existence played out in full view of society. I do things that I do not wish to be documented. If we get to the stage where we have to moderate our every behaviour in case our actions are being snooped upon by a candid camera; then how are we to offer true opinions and simple trust?
Perhaps I am less authoritarian in outlook than others, but I find the concept of wiring funny little video cameras to the outside of my car repulsive. Something bad may well happen, but that is a fact of life and shouldn't contribute towards a consistently fearful state - only leavened by the thought that it will be alright as it's on tape.
I think that's a reasonable view, as long as everyone else behaves reasonably.However I have made the odd mistake, cut in front of someone or perhaps squeezed into a gap that should have been ignored. The last thing that should come of this is some saddo with a CCTV mast mounted atop his (I'm making an assumption that users will be male) car recording the whole thing on video tape.
The surveillance culture we live in is bad enough, in that trust between each other is gradually being eroded; and any private malarkey is plastered all over the internet for the world to see. I don't want the minutiae of my daily existence played out in full view of society. I do things that I do not wish to be documented. If we get to the stage where we have to moderate our every behaviour in case our actions are being snooped upon by a candid camera; then how are we to offer true opinions and simple trust?
Perhaps I am less authoritarian in outlook than others, but I find the concept of wiring funny little video cameras to the outside of my car repulsive. Something bad may well happen, but that is a fact of life and shouldn't contribute towards a consistently fearful state - only leavened by the thought that it will be alright as it's on tape.
It's when you get involved in a crash for cash claim, or are involved in an accident with another party who outright lie about the circumstances, that these things come into their own.
I have a personal view that prevention is better than the cure. However, if it can't be prevented, I take the gathering of evidence as part of my personal responsibility. The police, highways, council won't always have CCTV.
GuinnessMK said:
I think that's a reasonable view, as long as everyone else behaves reasonably.
It's when you get involved in a crash for cash claim, or are involved in an accident with another party who outright lie about the circumstances, that these things come into their own.
I have a personal view that prevention is better than the cure. However, if it can't be prevented, I take the gathering of evidence as part of my personal responsibility. The police, highways, council won't always have CCTV.
Very true, it's a protection against scummers practically. If I can connect something up with continuous recording and a hardwired power supply then it's a fit and forget thing. Can also pay dividends if there are scrote-ish incursions into our parking area.It's when you get involved in a crash for cash claim, or are involved in an accident with another party who outright lie about the circumstances, that these things come into their own.
I have a personal view that prevention is better than the cure. However, if it can't be prevented, I take the gathering of evidence as part of my personal responsibility. The police, highways, council won't always have CCTV.
Contigo said:
Nope the HD one is on it's second edition and as such is more, in time it will drop in price. Honestly try the SD one it's well worth 28 notes!
Sure is! 
Seems to be an excellent piece of kit for the money.
Only thing is, the instructions don't tally with the menus on the unit. Anyone know how to disable sound recording?
p.s. on the subject of mounting, mines behind the rear view mirror and I have the cable routed above the passenger sun visor, down the A pillar and through the glove box. Quite tidy for a non hard wired install. I have quite a few spare self adhesive cable clips if anyone wants any.
A Lex I think at least part of your problem is you have the camera pointing too high. The sky will usually be a lot brighter than anything around you and the auto exposure is targeting that for the level as its the most predominate light level. Try pointing it so you've got 1/4 dash, 1/2 road and 1/4 sky in the frame if you can - made a massive difference on my camera.
I've got one because I do a lot of miles and have had way too many near misses in the last year - people using the outside lane on a roundabout to go all the way round back to the exit they joined from, people just pulling out in front of me from junctions, people on the motorway not seeing the traffic has stopped and almost ramming Into the back of me, it's getting more common and I'm not taking a bigger hit than i have to on my insurance because some cockend shouldn't be behind the wheel.
Final straw for me was a mate of mine was stationary on a roundabout and some asshole drove into the side of his car, his insurance is going knock for knock because the other guy made up a pack of lies and there are no independant witnesses. For £50 I'd rather have the evidence. I'm not going to start posting "bad driving" videos on YouTube or anything like that.
http://dx.com/p/x6-2-0-lcd-3-0mp-cmos-wide-angle-c...
That's the one I went for, decent enough, does the job. Could post an example vid to YouTube if anyone's fussed.
I've got one because I do a lot of miles and have had way too many near misses in the last year - people using the outside lane on a roundabout to go all the way round back to the exit they joined from, people just pulling out in front of me from junctions, people on the motorway not seeing the traffic has stopped and almost ramming Into the back of me, it's getting more common and I'm not taking a bigger hit than i have to on my insurance because some cockend shouldn't be behind the wheel.
Final straw for me was a mate of mine was stationary on a roundabout and some asshole drove into the side of his car, his insurance is going knock for knock because the other guy made up a pack of lies and there are no independant witnesses. For £50 I'd rather have the evidence. I'm not going to start posting "bad driving" videos on YouTube or anything like that.
http://dx.com/p/x6-2-0-lcd-3-0mp-cmos-wide-angle-c...
That's the one I went for, decent enough, does the job. Could post an example vid to YouTube if anyone's fussed.
So, is there one of these things available which only external cameras, allowing me to mount the DVR in the glovebox and a small camera (or two) somewhere? ideally with all the other telemetry gubbins as well.
If so can someone provide a link?
Where I have to park sometimes, anything on a sticky thing on the windscreen will go missing, along with the glass in my window.
I think they design these cameras as an all in one for the mass market, to appear to be easy to install for most people using a ciggy lighter power supply, for me thats the opposite - doesnt take long to hard wire in and is a much better solution than having wores all over the place
If so can someone provide a link?
Where I have to park sometimes, anything on a sticky thing on the windscreen will go missing, along with the glass in my window.
I think they design these cameras as an all in one for the mass market, to appear to be easy to install for most people using a ciggy lighter power supply, for me thats the opposite - doesnt take long to hard wire in and is a much better solution than having wores all over the place
Previous said:
So, is there one of these things available which only external cameras, allowing me to mount the DVR in the glovebox and a small camera (or two) somewhere? ideally with all the other telemetry gubbins as well.
If so can someone provide a link?
Where I have to park sometimes, anything on a sticky thing on the windscreen will go missing, along with the glass in my window.
I think they design these cameras as an all in one for the mass market, to appear to be easy to install for most people using a ciggy lighter power supply, for me thats the opposite - doesnt take long to hard wire in and is a much better solution than having wores all over the place
'Zactly what I am thinking. Small camera somewhere in the grille and another in the rear bumper, hard-wired to a central box of tricks somewhere in the dashboard glove box would be ideal. If so can someone provide a link?
Where I have to park sometimes, anything on a sticky thing on the windscreen will go missing, along with the glass in my window.
I think they design these cameras as an all in one for the mass market, to appear to be easy to install for most people using a ciggy lighter power supply, for me thats the opposite - doesnt take long to hard wire in and is a much better solution than having wores all over the place
Oli.
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