Owl Dash Cam

[Doheny]

I've never felt a need for a dash cam, but this one looks interesting and is getting good reviews on Amazon. Anyone have one?

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVErYoUZF5XVI9bO8L0VtBg

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[67Cuda]

$350? What does it do that a dash cam costing under $150 wont do?

Seems expensive.

Besides, it doesn't mount like traditional dash cams do, it looks too conspicuous.

[Doheny]

I haven't looked at a lot of dash cams, but this seems to have a number of features that other don't: https://owlcam.com

[sealocan]

For ease of installation they have it where it plugs into your OBD2 diagnostic port. That started in the late 90s in most cars but if you don't have one of those you're going to have a harder time installing it, I think.

Next is they offer all the cameras with one-year free cloud storage and usage but I didn't see how much the following years are going to cost you or if they'll continue to raise rates on that end.

Lastly, I'm no high tech expert but I think you could get some old used cell phones, empty out all their data, install car camera apps, mount them at the front in the rear of your vehicle, rather than have them taking pictures of the inside and the only thing that you would be missing out on is their car alarm system like blinking led light and the bright flood light that comes on from this system when it detects movement and its area, which I am estimating would be a lot of off and on during the night depending if you live in the city or not.

Don't get me wrong, I think this idea is way overdue but if they're $350 this year that means they'll be $150 next holiday season ( because of tons of clones / copies coming in at even less. )

[XDJYo]

Don't forget to make sure your AAA membership is paid up since you'll be calling them a lot...

Seems like it would drain your battery pretty quickly. Not to mention that modern cars are VERY power hungry even when parked.

[gorn5150]

Next is they offer all the cameras with one-year free cloud storage and usage but I didn't see how much the following years are going to cost you or if they'll continue to raise rates on that end.

They charge $99 a year or $10 a month for the cloud service at this time.

[sholling]

What does an inside facing camera do for you? It makes sense if you're an uber driver and you need to record passenger antics but I can't see what it does for the rest of us. I think most of us are fine with front facing cameras or front and rear mounted camera systems. BTW the three dash cams that that I've used all offered 24/7 recording and bump-sensor initiated recording. The problem with leaving it on 24/7 is that 1) it's slowly draining your battery, and 2) you'll need to replace the memory card more often due to wear from near continuous writes. Finally, large obvious, big-screen cams are theft magnets, and if windshield mounted - ticket magnets. I prefer cameras with more discreet designs.

I've used the $100 Rexing V1 and while older and a bit of a power-hog, it's smallish, discreet and did the job for me. I've since moved on to a smaller $100 VIOFO A119 with the optional GPS mount. It's not a navigation GPS - it's used for maintaining the camera's clock and calendar for recording the date, time, location, direction, and speed at the time of an accident.

[CaliforniaCowboy]

windshield mounted - ticket magnets. .

I asked the chp about mounting on the windshield and was told it is fine as long as it is not blocking your forward view. Top left corner and just under the mirror are ok for cameras.



Sent from my Z982 using Tapatalk

[sholling]

I asked the chp about mounting on the windshield and was told it is fine as long as it is not blocking your forward view. Top left corner and just under the mirror are ok for cameras.

Behind the mirror is a much better place for a dashcam because it does not block the driver's view of anything. It's also less likely to invite auto burglary.

[billofrights]

What does an inside facing camera do for you? It makes sense if you're an uber driver and you need to record passenger antics but I can't see what it does for the rest of us. I think most of us are fine with front facing cameras or front and rear mounted camera systems.

"Your honor the officer is mistaken- I was indeed wearing my seatbelt, as seen in this dashcam footage of the incident."

[sholling]

"Your honor the officer is mistaken- I was indeed wearing my seatbelt, as seen in this dashcam footage of the incident."

If seatbelt beefs are a problem you run into then I can see wanting a rear facing cam. I've never had that problem, but then I'm rarely stopped, like once every 20-25 years.