Dash Cameras

[Birdster]

_dobbo_ said:

I was moderately interested in getting a dash cam thanks to a few recent close encounters with morons which if they had turned out worse would have seen me losing out insurance wise without dash cam footage to protect me.

Didn't fancy spending a fortune so dropped £32 on Amazon for this thing:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/E-PRANCE-Novatek-Dashcamer...

Anyway, thought PH might like to see the quality of the footage, and within 2 minutes (honestly) of installing it in Tesco car park this minor interesting thing happened so I thought why not upload it and be a dash cam nazi.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCWzie6g_1U

Select 1080p to see the quality - YouTube has hurt it slightly, it's less blocky than this when reviewed locally.

And before anyone says, yes I know I got closer than I needed, and yes I know I should have braked earlier, and yes I know I was slightly too aggressive in not doing so, and so that being said I'm sure I'll come in for some critique anyway!

I have the same camera. I find I have to leave it plugged in though as the battery doesn't last.

Regarding the footage, that's a daily occurrence. 😄

I have to turn right across traffic queuing for the town centre when heading out of town and the amount of cars that block the road for cars wanting to turn where I'm coming out of, but then wave me across is amazing. Thanks for your offer, but I can't see anything that may be coming down the outside of your car. I edge out very slowly, looking left and right a good six, or seven times and sometimes even get a frustrated reaction from the driver as they can't move 6 feet to join the quarter mile queue.

[NickGibbs]

windybob said:

Hi. I've fitted it into a E91 so no heater element and its on the clear glass next to the mirror. Also noticed that now it's hard wired to the car the radio reception has dropped off too! Strange. Will try a different card as it was the only one I had. Video quality if clear from the bits I've watched but stutters.

Also got a dash cam hardwired to an BMW E91 and like you my radio reception's now rubbish. Anyone know why?

[Evanivitch]

windybob said:

Hi. I've fitted it into a E91 so no heater element and its on the clear glass next to the mirror. Also noticed that now it's hard wired to the car the radio reception has dropped off too! Strange. Will try a different card as it was the only one I had. Video quality if clear from the bits I've watched but stutters.

I'm not much of an electrician (but I work with many), but either you've got some serious EMC issues off the camera (possible on a cheap sensor with poor shielding) or, there's issues with the power going back to the chassis earth.

[R8VXF]

Dermot O'Logical said:

R8VXF said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4e-QlLv3RA&fe...

That's decent footage for a modestly priced camera - detailed enough to provide evidence in the event of a confrontation. Although you might need to set the date and time, unless you really were driving around at 4am on Christmas Day!

Yeah, I am fairly pleased with it, and yes I have now set the date and time correctly

[windybob]

Evanivitch said:

I'm not much of an electrician (but I work with many), but either you've got some serious EMC issues off the camera (possible on a cheap sensor with poor shielding) or, there's issues with the power going back to the chassis earth.

I have the earth running to the dash strengthening bar but it isn't a designated earth point but does go to earth. Will look and see if I can find a fuse box earth point. I wonder if that's affecting the GPS that thinks I'm in the English Channel too.

[Howard-]

One more quick question from me if you don't mind, folks - has anyone had any issues with reliability of their 0805? I'm trying to decide between that and the 0803. I do a lot of night time driving so performance at night is important - I read the 03 and 05 are better than the 01 in that respect, but is the 05 better than the 03?


Reliability and image quality are my main concerns

[LeighB]

Howard- said:

One more quick question from me if you don't mind, folks - has anyone had any issues with reliability of their 0805? I'm trying to decide between that and the 0803. I do a lot of night time driving so performance at night is important - I read the 03 and 05 are better than the 01 in that respect, but is the 05 better than the 03?


Reliability and image quality are my main concerns

I'm only a few days into 0805 usage and so far been has good as gold. Image quality is very good in daylight and a lot better than the 0801 at night so very happy with it.

I'm informed that 0803's are no longer being made so what you may get is anyone's guess, either old stock or a replica? And Combi also loads up updated firmware to their specification and they're all set up ready to go.

I think 99digitals are still selling the 0805 for £60, but I ended up getting mine from Combi UK at £85 following the great customer service when I bought my 0801. Combi also load them with updated firmware to their specification and the units are all set up ready to go.

[Mr Trophy]

LeighB said:

I'm only a few days into 0805 usage and so far been has good as gold. Image quality is very good in daylight and a lot better than the 0801 at night so very happy with it.

I'm informed that 0803's are no longer being made so what you may get is anyone's guess, either old stock or a replica? And Combi also loads up updated firmware to their specification and they're all set up ready to go.

I think 99digitals are still selling the 0805 for £60, but I ended up getting mine from Combi UK at £85 following the great customer service when I bought my 0801. Combi also load them with updated firmware to their specification and the units are all set up ready to go.

Hi

I want to upgrade to the 0805 - can I just use all of the 0801 kit and just swap the camera?

[LeighB]

Mr Trophy said:

LeighB said:

I'm only a few days into 0805 usage and so far been has good as gold. Image quality is very good in daylight and a lot better than the 0801 at night so very happy with it.

I'm informed that 0803's are no longer being made so what you may get is anyone's guess, either old stock or a replica? And Combi also loads up updated firmware to their specification and they're all set up ready to go.

I think 99digitals are still selling the 0805 for £60, but I ended up getting mine from Combi UK at £85 following the great customer service when I bought my 0801. Combi also load them with updated firmware to their specification and the units are all set up ready to go.

Hi

I want to upgrade to the 0805 - can I just use all of the 0801 kit and just swap the camera?

Sure can, the 0805 will plug straight into the 0801 mount. The only difference is the 0805 base has a micro USB connection instead of the mini USB on the 0801. Note the connection on the camera itself is also micro USB too.

[numtumfutunch]

James B said:

Mr Trophy said:

James B said:

Sorry folks. I had completely forgotten to update.

Still being reviewed I'm afraid. Our insurers aren't willing to apportion blame as they deem the other party to have caused the accident. The other side are being exceptionally slow in reverting too which isn't helping matters.

Any news on this?

We're still waiting I'm afraid. I know they're reviewing it as every so often I get asked to allow another person access to the video.

Just a waiting game I guess. Our insurers have said they will take it down the legal route if need be.

Any news mate?

Lots of cam footage on here, but would be good to know if yours actually secured a conviction or else got the insurance on your side

Cheers

[Lancelot]

Caught this person trying to negotiate a roundabout this morning.

White pickup at the head of the left hand lane as I approach the roundabout.

http://youtu.be/03wngzUqTRo

[Mr Trophy]

numtumfutunch said:

James B said:

Mr Trophy said:

James B said:

Sorry folks. I had completely forgotten to update.

Still being reviewed I'm afraid. Our insurers aren't willing to apportion blame as they deem the other party to have caused the accident. The other side are being exceptionally slow in reverting too which isn't helping matters.

Any news on this?

We're still waiting I'm afraid. I know they're reviewing it as every so often I get asked to allow another person access to the video.

Just a waiting game I guess. Our insurers have said they will take it down the legal route if need be.

Any news mate?

Lots of cam footage on here, but would be good to know if yours actually secured a conviction or else got the insurance on your side

Cheers

James B said:

James B said:

I have the Blackvue 400HD fitted to a few of our cars. And as of last night I am very glad indeed...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKrJq46G35I

Well folks I am very pleased to be able to update this sorry tale!!

We received a call today from our insurers who advise that the other side have agreed that their driver was at fault and that the claim lies with them. However, to add a further twist to the story, the other driver had a clause in his policy that stated if he was to cause an accident deliberately then his insurance would be deemed void. His insurers have decided this was the case and have now revoked his insurance and are taking steps to recover the amount he claimed for the repair to his own car. This will also mean he must state that he has been refused insurance on all future renewals.

In the case of our damage we have full legal cover so our car will be repaired by our insurers who will presumably take a legal route to reclaiming the sum from him personally.

Quite a result and goes to show the value in having cars fitted with cameras!!!

My wife is also delighted as her renewal is the 12th Jan and this was hanging over her with a sizeable premium increase as it was unresolved.

Phew.

[Davie_GLA]

My word!

What excuse did the driver give as to why he / she stopped so suddenly?

[R8VXF]

After seeing that footage I have just ordered one for my wife's car! And also ordered some hardwiring kit for both of them whilst I was at it.

[Jordan210]

Thinking might need to order a few.

Looking at the Transcend 16GB DrivePro 200. Looks good to me. As probably wont be hard wired in so can be used in multiple cars.

Does any one have a Drivepro 200 ? if so any good

[Alex L]

Jordan210 said:

Thinking might need to order a few.

Looking at the Transcend 16GB DrivePro 200. Looks good to me. As probably wont be hard wired in so can be used in multiple cars.

Does any one have a Drivepro 200 ? if so any good

I have one in my car, been using it for almost a year and had no issues at all. Still the AutoExpress number 1 dash cam and works well in all light conditions. I didn't bother to hardwire either and just ran the cable along the windscreen trim.

[cb010]

R8VXF said:

After seeing that footage I have just ordered one for my wife's car! And also ordered some hardwiring kit for both of them whilst I was at it.

I'm seeing conflicting info about whether hardwiring = a modification for insurance purposes, do you know whether it's stated anywhere?

I use one with a standard 12v cig socket, but would like to hard wire the replacement camera (if I can decide which one to get).

[garycat]

I have mine semi-hard wired as I've used a 2x USB ciggie-socket car charger running to a hidden USB hub behind the glove box that sends power to the Eprance 0801 and a DAB radio. Its quite a neat solution, easily removed but also mostly hidden.

The first hub I tried was a very cheap one from amazon, about £3-£4 and it added a lot of visual noise on to the dashcam video, so I changed to a decent branded one and that has been fine.

[R8VXF]

cb010 said:

R8VXF said:

After seeing that footage I have just ordered one for my wife's car! And also ordered some hardwiring kit for both of them whilst I was at it.

I'm seeing conflicting info about whether hardwiring = a modification for insurance purposes, do you know whether it's stated anywhere?

I use one with a standard 12v cig socket, but would like to hard wire the replacement camera (if I can decide which one to get).

Probably insurer specific. Will give my insurance a bell later to see what they say.

[Faxo]

There's a million different cams available!

I had ordered a 0806, however stil not heard anything and getting a whif of sone bad reviews

Is the 0805 a decent cam?

Found this one on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Mini-0805-Ambarella-...

Does this seem a good deal?