Dashcams

[Ex Hellraiser]

Hey all, I got a few simple questions. I am all for security, and I would feel much more secure having a dashcam on my car, to stop insurance fraud, hit and runs, stupid drivers etc. if any of them should happen. I have been looking for a good dashcam for a while, but considering I just bought a new Droid Razr, the camera on it will more than suffice for video quality. However, my issue is that I want a permanent mount. Most phone mounts on Amazon have only suction cups for support. If I were to take evasive action, like swerving, or if I were in a wreck, the camera (in this case, by $300 cell phone) and it's mount would become nothing more than a flying hunk of metal and plastic. Those that have the ability to screw on permanently have an area which the phone sits on that is very large and bulky, and would block the camera on my phone.

 

What would be a good dashcam mount that you could recommend me? I want one that is permanent (screws into my dashboard). My car is old and not of much value, so I don't mind drilling holes to make sure the mount holds.

 

Do any of you use a dashcam? If so, what kind do you use, and would you recommend it to others?

 

Have any of you caught anything interesting on camera while driving? Feel free to share anything you have.

[Outcast]

I know dashcams are super popular in Russia and Taiwan. Almost everyone I know in Taiwan has a dashcam and they're quite common in stores. I don't have one myself but I have recently started looking at GoPros (so I can capture my mountain drives). I'm pretty confident it can double as a dashcam in normal traffic though.

[sivispacem]

I keep meaning to get one, as if they're timestamped they're very useful in the event of an accident to prove liability.

I've got an older model GoPro kicking around somewhere as well but that's not really the same thing.

 

I'm intending on getting a DVR-027

[Zyo]

A good dashcam has been on my "to-get" list for a while. I am curious to read about any recommendations that come up here too.

[ryuclan]

I've used my Drift HD cam as a dash cam for a while now. It records in a very wide angle which tends to capture things on either side of the front of the vehicle. It has time stamps and the sticky mounts are super cheap. I bought a mount to put on my helmet as well and although the quality isn't the best it is great for recording rides.

[Ex Hellraiser]

Well, a Drift HD is the best choice for a helmet cam, but I'm not going to strive for a motorcycle anytime soon, need to get a real job first. I might get a bike while I'm off to college, but that's at least a year down the road...

[ryuclan]

Well, a Drift HD is the best choice for a helmet cam, but I'm not going to strive for a motorcycle anytime soon, need to get a real job first. I might get a bike while I'm off to college, but that's at least a year down the road...

Yeah I feel you. I got mine extra cheap, otherwise I wouldn't have gotten one. I paid 80 bucks for it after winning a bid on Ebay. Then I paid another 20 bucks buying a battery for it. Good luck finding a camera dude, and always know it's not a MUST HAVE item so it can wait.

[Ex Hellraiser]

Well, it is becoming a higher need of mine recently. I dunno. Watching videos on YT of people stopping insurance fraud, along with me personally driving in traffic that has all of a sudden dropped 25 IQ points within the last month or so, has made me extremely paranoid that there is a retard right around the corner... Which, chances are, there is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is my dashboard. As you can see, it is pretty awkward, and isn't very good for mounting anything. However, the flat area on the passenger side would be the best platform to mount anything. I want a mount that could be screwed in right there, which would let my phone camera sit high enough to clear the bottom of the windshield. But I can't really find anything that would be good enough...

[ryuclan]

You're not going to find a permanent mount for a cell phone. Also using your phone as a dash cam is going to get annoying. You'll have to keep erasing old videos.

[Ex Hellraiser]

You're not going to find a permanent mount for a cell phone. Also using your phone as a dash cam is going to get annoying. You'll have to keep erasing old videos.

I've no issue with that. A 32 GB MicroSD card would suffice for me, and I have no problem backing up videos on my computer each night. I would still have to erase old videos anyway if recorded on a regular dashcam...

[Ben73]

I just use my Go Pro hero2.

It doesn't have time stamps or anything, but it mounts easily. I just have an adhesive mount on the dashboard.

I can corner very hard, put my foot to the floor or jump on the brakes and the camera stays perfectly still.

1080p and wide angle means I catch a lot.

I have caught a few stupid drivers, I ran into the back of a boat, but didn't have the camera on. I was extremely pissed because later that day I wasn't sure the trailer even had working brake lights on it.

 

I have been meaning to get a dedicated dashcam, but haven't got around to it. More important things to buy.

[Zyo]

Yeah its kind of an old topic, but I didn't think it appropriate to start a new one.

 

I am looking at dashcams today. A friend of mine recommended the Mivue 568 - (£179)

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/car-tech/in-car-gadgets/mio-mivue-568-touch-1267332/review

 

Any of the guys here invested in something like this recently? The Mivue has a few interesting features, speed camera locations ect.

 

Specifically I want one with a motion detector (after a vandalism incident in my driveway recently). Good quality recording is important too.

 

 

 

 

 

Edit:

Not too bothered about budget. I will happily spend £100 or a bit more for the right item.

Lukas LK7900 looks good, but is a little more expensive

http://dashboardcamerareviews.com/lukas-lk-7900-ace/

Blackvue DR500, impressive features but way more pricey.

http://www.blackvue.co.uk/index.php/online-shop/blackvue-products/new-blackvue-dr500gw-hd-with-wi-fi-detail

 

Quite interested in the basic Mivue 508 system - Much cheaper at £79

http://www.mivue.co.uk/Mivue_508.php

 

The DVR-027 seems to be pretty highly regarded, and reasonably priced

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/dvr-027

My probem with it right now seems to be finding a reliable supplier. There are a lot of fakes floating about.

Edited April 9, 2015 by Zyo

[TheMcSame]

I wouldn't go for something expensive tbh, expensive dash cams are just signs saying "break this window and grab me". Sure you could put it away every time you aren't using it but if you're in a hurry and you don't set it up and someone reverses into your car claiming you ran into the back of them... Well you're SoL.

 

I'd look at something cheap, after all, it only needs to capture a face or just a registration plate. It's not like it's hard to come by cheap cameras that will do the job.

[Zyo]

I wouldn't go for something expensive tbh, expensive dash cams are just signs saying "break this window and grab me". Sure you could put it away every time you aren't using it but if you're in a hurry and you don't set it up and someone reverses into your car claiming you ran into the back of them... Well you're SoL.

 

I'd look at something cheap, after all, it only needs to capture a face or just a registration plate. It's not like it's hard to come by cheap cameras that will do the job.

 

 

Yeah its a good point. And I do want one that I will be leaving in the car on a permanent basis.

 

I have had one picked out for about 50 eurodollars. Camera/motion sensor combo. I just need to drive over to the shopping centre to pick it up. I will post more about it when I collect and install it. Probably get GTAV for PC while i'm over there as well. I dont have reasons to go to the mall very often.

Edited April 21, 2015 by Zyo