Dash Cam Light?

[Jonnny]

Anyone know why cars seem to be driving round with a light on in the windscreen? I'm assuming it's from a dashcam?

Surely it's not any use to light up the road, and just going to reflect on the glass?

It shouldn't do, but it really annoys me!

[livinginasia]

Yes, most likely dash cams. Why does it annoy you? It’s just a light - bigger problems out there to be annoyed about :-)

[Jonnny]

livinginasia said:

Yes, most likely dash cams. Why does it annoy you? It’s just a light - bigger problems out there to be annoyed about :-)

I just can't see any point in the light being on, makes me wonder why it's got one on it.

Silly eh.

[Baldchap]

Auto dimming mirrors usually have a light.

[Saleen836]

My Astravan has an orange coloured light at the bottom of the rear view mirrow that shines down on the gearstick area

[Alex_225]

Entirely likely it's a dashcam or a satnav, usually stuck right in the middle of the windscreen for maximum effect! How it doesn't annoy or distract the driver is anyone's guess.

That said, I thought the screen on dashcams went off during use. Certainly ones I've used have done so that it doesn't distract the driver.

Alternately it could be cockpit lights that glow more than light the place up. My E Class has them in the roof but I doubt you'd spot them from outside the car.

[Lincsls1]

I'm glad someone else has noticed this!
I also assume its due to the new trend of having a dash cam. Definitely not mood lighting, its often smack back screen centre or top centre.
It isn't 'just another light', its the same brightness has a flash from a camera and because the angle isn't set like a cars headlights, it is very distracting and dazzling to an oncoming driver.
Very irritating and I agree with the OP, it shouldn't be allowed, but since when did that bother anyone.

Edited by Lincsls1 on Monday 21st January 18:56

[Jonnny]

It's definitely from a dashcam, as above its like when you use your phone camera flash as a torch.. Very strange.

Usually in the middle of the dash, or in a corner.. Not the auto dim RVM, or cockpit lighting.

[WarrenB]

This is one of them things I get irrationally annoyed at too. Why it's a feature of certain dashcams in the first place I have no idea, as it'll do nothing but reflect on the windscreen making any footage useless!

[Pica-Pica]

Baldchap said:

Auto dimming mirrors usually have a light.

???

[vikingaero]

Most dashcams have settings for the screen to power off after x seconds, 1 minute or permanently on. The amoebas who have them on all the time like the reassurance of a fully functioning dashcam and are ready to pronounce CAM-RAH!. Plus for them it is an announcement that they are not to be messed with.

[Muddle238]

Lincsls1 said:

It isn't 'just another light', its the same brightness has a flash from a camera and because the angle isn't set like a cars headlights, it is very distracting and dazzling to an oncoming driver.
Very irritating and I agree with the OP, it shouldn't be allowed, but since when did that bother anyone.

Edited by Lincsls1 on Monday 21st January 18:56

I'm not sure you're talking about dashcams? No dashcam I have ever seen has a light on it similar to the flash on a digital camera. Nor have I ever seen a dashcam that is capable of dazzling an oncoming driver.

[Eng274]

My dashcam has a very subtle blue blinking light (BlackVue of some sort) that indicates it is working. If I could turn it off I would!

[vikingaero]

Jonnny said:

Surely it's not any use to light up the road, and just going to reflect on the glass?

The cheaper dashcams do indeed have forward facing lights. Quite why the driver switches them on is a mystery as they are more likely to cause reflections and hinder the recording. Car headlights are more than adequate for a decent dashcam and any streetlighting is a Brucie Bonus.

[lost in espace]

Mine was on because I reduced the exposure levels. I didn't realise it was on as my camera is on the cigarette lighter, it was recommended somewhere to get a better picture. Put it back to 0 and it turned off, a cheap GW1 camera. It is like a mini flash, but permanently on.

[lbc]

Whenever I see poor driving, it's usually someone with a dashcam.

The bright glow from the windscreen of car in front gives them away.

Usually they are driving too slowly and/or fail to keep left on a Motorway, and so hoping they will capture drivers taking risks to get passed them.

They are called dashcam morons or dashcam wan kers for a reason. (DCM/DCW).

Edited by lbc on Monday 21st January 20:35

[Baldchap]

Pica-Pica said:

Baldchap said:

Auto dimming mirrors usually have a light.

???

They have an LED showing they are active, usually.

[Pica-Pica]

Baldchap said:

They have an LED showing they are active, usually.

Not in my experience. Why would they have, or need that? What makes and models?

[TheAngryDog]

Mine has a light. I don't use it. Screen goes off after 3 mins.

[anonymous-user]

vikingaero said:

Most dashcams have settings for the screen to power off after x seconds, 1 minute or permanently on. The amoebas who have them on all the time like the reassurance of a fully functioning dashcam and are ready to pronounce CAM-RAH!. Plus for them it is an announcement that they are not to be messed with.

Usually doing something incredibly numpty-like as they go.

Signs that someone is going to be incompetent and should be treated with extreme caution;

- Bright dashcam screen, especially if randomly suckered in driver's line of sight
- Citroen Picasso/Vauxhall Agila
- Driving instructor car being driven by driving instructor
- Citroen Picasso/Vauxhall Agila
- 5 yr old Skoda Octavia with taxi details on tailgate
- Citroen Picasso/Vauxhall Agila
- Anything driven by a parent dropping kids off at a primary school