Recommend me a dashcam/dvr

[Zartan]

I want to be able to record my daily commutes, so I'm looking for a dash/rear window camera and DVR for my standard cab commuter truck. The smaller the camera the better.

What say you?

[engi]

Tagged

[gemoose23]

Go pro's are awesome little cameras... Seriously.

They have wifi kits or you can use the EyeFi SD cards to send the video files when you park in the garage at home.

It's more of a DIY solution, but something that you can rig up very easily and cheaply.

[hey8you]

I have a DVR in my car. I use it for my commutes but sometimes I leave it running while I'm at work. The cameras are not top of the line but work for what I use them for. If you want to see a demo I can post links from my YouTube channel.

Here is my setup.

4-Channel H.264 Compact Mobile DVR with Built-in GPS and 64gb SD card -
http://www.supercircuits.com/digital...e-dvr-mdvr21sd

Powered Microphone for audio.

25x25mm Tiny Camera w/ 550 TV Lines of Resolution - http://www.bluecctv.com/product_info...e3bg2k35qol4s3

2x 550 Super High Resolution and 19mm Diameter Bullet Camera - http://www.bluecctv.com/product_info...3jikv65pem5rl5

Bought 500 feet spool of RG59 Siamese Cable and ran my own cable. Getting it through the firewall of my car was real fun.

[nekokoneko]

This member is selling dash cam for cars.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=686189

[siggysour]

I just use my phone,using a window/dashboard dock...since my phone records in 720hd and can view or store my vids where ever I go....it's a cheap way, but works for me...oh yea, and its very discreet

[Futurecollector]

How far is your commute?

[Futurecollector]

Originally Posted by nekokoneko

This member is selling dash cam for cars.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=686189

I have one very similar to that one, $27 bucks

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0053DDNW6?

I use it with a 32gb card, it works pretty good actually...

I also use a $100 dollar Contour with a cheap suction cup mount, I get almost 3hrs of recording, I use it on my Camaro, and motorcycle as well as my friends jeep...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007W02PRM?

[ibanezfoo]

Ive been using that go pro knock off from Swann. Its only 120 bucks and the battery life is a bit longer than the go pro. My commute is about 45 mins and it doesnt seem to drain the battery at all... Its a knock off so most of the mounts and stuff for the hero work on it. Vid quality is better that the original hero but not quite as good as the hero 2. Its HD and all that...

[siggysour]

My commute is normally around 30mins, but I have used it for longer commutes, from about a hour in half to two hours no problem, as long as you got space on your memory stick, your good...I only have a 2 gig and is more than enough space, my windshield dock has power from my cig lighter, so it's charging my phone while it's recording

[desertexplore]

Tagged. I also thought of the GoPro product line when I read this thread.

[ibanezfoo]

Woot has them from time to time for cheap

http://www.swann.com/s/products/view/?product=1297

[high_revs]

do you need a display or not? i'd rather go with contour (cheaper and also comes in hd). i picked up one 2 years ago for like $99. probably even cheaper now. you won't be limited to only using it for the car either.

[Futurecollector]

Originally Posted by high_revs

do you need a display or not? i'd rather go with contour (cheaper and also comes in hd). i picked up one 2 years ago for like $99. probably even cheaper now. you won't be limited to only using it for the car either.

And they are water resistant up to 2 meters. Can't beat a 100 dollar camera that also comes with under water mounting gear (up to 80 meters?)

[blackberg]

have been thinking of one for a while but have not gotten one yet.

I saw this thread a couple of days ago, but yesterday, I went to lunch, and was at a strip mall, when I was coming out, a car is behind me and I stop about half way out of the parking spot, then this guy goes in between my car and the car next to me, I look back to see if the car moved, and now this guy is in front of my car, and falls onto my hood a little, he just smiles and says "you were trying to take me out huh" I just give this look, and he repeats it, and walks away. He could have said I tried to run him over or something, when I was not even moving, I was stopped before he even go next to me.

I think it is time now to get one, or several actually for my family.

-bb

[LAWABIDINGCITIZEN]

Are there any legal issues with these in Kalifornia? I know you can't mount a GPS on your dash. Anything as far as recording or using a camera?



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[itsboosting]

Originally Posted by nekokoneko

This member is selling dash cam for cars.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=686189

Thanks for the link.

Originally Posted by Futurecollector

I have one very similar to that one, $27 bucks

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0053DDNW6?

I use it with a 32gb card, it works pretty good actually...

I also use a $100 dollar Contour with a cheap suction cup mount, I get almost 3hrs of recording, I use it on my Camaro, and motorcycle as well as my friends jeep...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007W02PRM?

The amazon unit is a replica unit of the one i'm selling. here's a photo for reference. It's almost identical on the exterior, but it records in standard resolution, or "HD" but it stutters as it records.

Here's the actual unit from amazon:




I love the gopros and mainly use that for my memorable recordings. but for a dash cam for everyday commute where u just need it for that "one time" video to avoid complications from an accident/liars, an actual dedicated DVR is much better.

[itsboosting]

Originally Posted by LAWABIDINGCITIZEN

Are there any legal issues with these in Kalifornia? I know you can't mount a GPS on your dash. Anything as far as recording or using a camera?



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

In Cali, you can mount it on the bottom corners.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc26708.htm

[NightingaleM44]

I run this one...$65 from ebay mounted to top edge and center of my windshield so as not to block my view and the rear cam on top of my CHMSL.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X16kiyDtTms

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LCD-HD-720P-...item1c2fd0a418

[Jimvh2]

Originally Posted by itsboosting

In Cali, you can mount it on the bottom corners.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc26708.htm

I mounted mine behind the rear view mirror. Since there is no windshield obstruction I've had no issues with LE.

Of course, looking at the prices in this thread. I paid waaay too much!!!

[hcbr]

Glad I ran into this post, been wondering the same thing as the OP! glad you all shared your ideas~! now to figure out which one to run with

[Jayss109138]

Here is a nice one I've seen in person.

http://www.spytechs.com/Car-Cameras/dual-view-cam.htm

[itsboosting]

here's a review of a dash cam on another forum i frequent

http://tl.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=882030

[the86d]

I use my old Android phones with wifi service only and put them in Airplane mode (to save battery life) along with an app called DailyRoads Voyager. Motorola makes some of the best window mounts. I bought a backup from a coworker for $25 with SDcard.

If you factory an Apple device without service these days, can you have to activate it (as it would not have a data plan), or would that function? Just curious, as I had an OG iPhone, and it kept wanting to activate after an update, and then told me I had to sync, but it couldn't activate, so I gave it away after jailbreaking it, as I had a bunch of Androids that never had to reactivate with a new ROM-drop, or factory-reset.

[Edwood]

The whole 30 Second recording limit for California law completely neuters the practical legal use of Dash Cams.

[hey8you]

Originally Posted by Edwood

The whole 30 Second recording limit for California law completely neuters the practical legal use of Dash Cams.

Where in the law does it say that? I have several hours of video/audio on my dash cam at all times.

[Edwood]

Originally Posted by hey8you

Where in the law does it say that? I have several hours of video/audio on my dash cam at all times.

California VC 26708.13(C) Video event recorders shall store no more than 30 seconds before and after a triggering event.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc26708.htm

Must be for privacy reasons? So it only covers quick crashes? Really stupid as with many California laws.

[dwtt]

Originally Posted by Edwood

California VC 26708.13(C) Video event recorders shall store no more than 30 seconds before and after a triggering event.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc26708.htm

Must be for privacy reasons? So it only covers quick crashes? Really stupid as with many California laws.

Read section A and think about the definition of the devices this applies to. The term FUD is appropriate here since you are trying to misrepresent the law to spread fear, doubt, and uncertainty. It's perfectly legal to record hours of video in your car.

[hey8you]

Originally Posted by Edwood

California VC 26708.13(C) Video event recorders shall store no more than 30 seconds before and after a triggering event.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc26708.htm

Must be for privacy reasons? So it only covers quick crashes? Really stupid as with many California laws.

Well that's dumb law. Thanks for the link.

My dash cam is a CCTV system I use as a dash cam and as a CCTV system when I park in bad areas. No way im going to set it to only record for 30 seconds.

EDIT, dwtt, I read it several times and I believe you are correct but I have no idea since im working a 16hr shift right now.

[Zedrek]

Originally Posted by dwtt

Read section A and think about the definition of the devices this applies to. The term FUD is appropriate here since you are trying to misrepresent the law to spread fear, doubt, and uncertainty. It's perfectly legal to record hours of video in your car.

I'm not sure which part you are reading but I don't know of any cams that are set to record G-force and are triggered by an accident as listed in section A:

13) (A) A video event recorder with the capability of monitoring driver performance to improve driver safety, which may be mounted in a seven-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield farthest removed from the driver, in a five-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield nearest to the driver and outside of an airbag deployment zone, or in a five-inch square mounted to the center uppermost portion of the interior of the windshield. As used in this section, “video event recorder” means a video recorder that continuously records in a digital loop, recording audio, video, and G-force levels, but saves video only when triggered by an unusual motion or crash or when operated by the driver to monitor driver performance.

(B) A vehicle equipped with a video event recorder shall have a notice posted in a visible location which states that a passenger’s conversation may be recorded.

(C) Video event recorders shall store no more than 30 seconds before and after a triggering event.

(D) The registered owner or lessee of the vehicle may disable the device.

(E) The data recorded to the device is the property of the registered owner or lessee of the vehicle.

(F) When a person is driving for hire as an employee in a vehicle with a video event recorder, the person’s employer shall provide unedited copies of the recordings upon the request of the employee or the employee’s representative. These copies shall be provided free of charge to the employee and within five days of the request.

[Edwood]

Originally Posted by dwtt

Read section A and think about the definition of the devices this applies to. The term FUD is appropriate here since you are trying to misrepresent the law to spread fear, doubt, and uncertainty. It's perfectly legal to record hours of video in your car.

Misrepresent? In California? LOL, yeah, OK. Just covering all bases here, if someone were to use a dash cam recording an incident that went to court, you can bet your rear end that ALL the dash cam footage evidence would be thrown out if it were a model that was capable of recording video based on the Section A critera. And I wouldn't be at all surprised if a recorder having some of the features in Section A would be considered applicable.

Some of the Dashcams mentioned in this thread are covered under Section A.

[Edwood]

Originally Posted by dwtt

Read section A and think about the definition of the devices this applies to. The term FUD is appropriate here since you are trying to misrepresent the law to spread fear, doubt, and uncertainty. It's perfectly legal to record hours of video in your car.

Misrepresent? In California? LOL, yeah, OK. Just covering all bases here, if someone were to use a dash cam recording an incident that went to court, you can bet your rear end that ALL the dash cam footage evidence would be thrown out if it were a model that was capable of recording video based on the Section A critera. And I wouldn't be at all surprised if a recorder having some of the features in Section A would be considered applicable.

That said, I think it's better to have dashcam footage regardless of the possibility of it being ignored. Better to have and not need (or can't use) rather than not have it in the first place.

[Futurecollector]

Originally Posted by itsboosting

Thanks for the link.



The amazon unit is a replica unit of the one i'm selling. here's a photo for reference. It's almost identical on the exterior, but it records in standard resolution, or "HD" but it stutters as it records.

Here's the actual unit from amazon:




I love the gopros and mainly use that for my memorable recordings. but for a dash cam for everyday commute where u just need it for that "one time" video to avoid complications from an accident/liars, an actual dedicated DVR is much better.

That's not my start screen,
I don't get any shutter at all
The video quality seems to be on par with the YouTube videos you posted....

I like the ease of using my contour camera since I can grab it real quick and run with it if need be, I've been using the cheap o dash cam for about 4 months and the only complaint I have is the crappy suction cup mounts...

[elsolo]

The 30 seconds thing:

If you have a sign posted inside the vehicle, it doesn't matter.

It is so the driver and passenger are not subject to continuous secret video and audio taping by the "owner" of a car, which for most people is the bank.

Any continuous looping DVR is fine, it will over-write the footage unless "saved" by a triggering event, like pressing a button or getting in a wreck.

I am not a lawyer, but that's my take on it.

[esskay]

Wondering if anyone has any new favorite products for this? Thinking more seriously about installing one...

[Brianguy]

Originally Posted by NightingaleM44

I run this one...$65 from ebay mounted to top edge and center of my windshield so as not to block my view and the rear cam on top of my CHMSL.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X16kiyDtTms

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LCD-HD-720P-...item1c2fd0a418

That's a nice looking setup. I was reading the comments on the vid and they were having issues using a 32gb class 10 card. What size and speed card do you use in yours?

[JimWest]

Here's one:

http://store.komando.com/p-1754-the-...m-edition.aspx

video demo on the link also.

[stilagrrl]

Here's a video from yesterday that I caught on the dashcam I purchased from itsboosting:

http://youtu.be/dgnuu7r9ZxI

It was on 280 South between King St and the 101 split in San Francisco. I saw a blue Ford Escape in my rearview mirror coming up on my left at very high speeds. He was driving on the shoulder when he flew by me. I counted a total of seven police cars chasing him, including two unmarked cars.

I checked the web, but couldn't find anything about what was going on. I can't imagine there would be seven police cars chasing someone for speeding/reckless driving, so I'm assuming the driver of the Ford Escape was involved with something more nefarious.

[the86d]

Originally Posted by stilagrrl

Here's a video from yesterday that I caught on the dashcam I purchased from itsboosting:

http://youtu.be/dgnuu7r9ZxI
...

I am not sure I would have chosen the bob-and-weave (left-AND-right-line wobbler, the whole video) on straight portions of road that many times was the best video to post. It looks like the driver with the camera is high, people doing this cause accidents around here a lot. You would think that a signal light would reflect off the shiny cars around more if it were in fact used... Do you have a Chargers bolt on the back of you vehicle, or something that states Alumni?

[navin r]

I've got this one from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/2-5-inch-Monit...words=dash+cam

I've got it fastened directly to the trim over my windshield so it's very small when the screen is folded up. It is not a high quality unit but I have it connected to a wire that is only on when the Jeep is on. When I start the Jeep the cam starts and then it shuts off when the Jeep is off so you don't have to think about it too much; it's always on if you might need it.

I'd buy a higher quality one if I could find one that works like this one.