Dashcam? Worth every penny already... - Page 2

Taco Time · 04-30-2015, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scalded Dog

I am very surprised that it does not seem to be a manufacturer's option in any vehicle. But I am even MORE surprised to find that there are apparently NO retail stores from which to purchase dashcams.

I think that there's a huge void to be filled: A retail location that sells dashcams, installs them, and can offer professional advice about them. As it is, virtually ALL dashcam sales are online, information is all online, and there is a lot of room for misinformation, scamming, cheap stuff, and general dashcam tomfoolery!

That is why I haven't pulled the trigger on getting one yet. There are so many to choose from and their prices are all over the place. I want two cameras, a large storage capacity, and I'd really like it to display mph. (I have no clue if that's possible, but I think it'd be cool.)

SeaCompiler · 04-30-2015, 03:13 PM

This is why I have one. My model is in my signature. You just never know what people are gonna do! Have not had to use mine for evidence in over two years.

Scalded Dog · 04-30-2015, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taco Time

That is why I haven't pulled the trigger on getting one yet. There are so many to choose from and their prices are all over the place. I want two cameras, a large storage capacity, and I'd really like it to display mph. (I have no clue if that's possible, but I think it'd be cool.)

Just about everything is possible with dashcams... plenty of them display/ record speed and GPS location. Shock- sensor technology will "lock" any footage if it senses and accident while driving (or even hard acceleration/ deceleration), and can activate a "resting" camera while the car is parked. Many (most) have night vision capabilities. Audio (preferably that can be turn on/ off at the driver's choosing is common.

There are a lot of really good ones out there... and even though it sounds stupid, it seems that one of the better ways to determine quality is the price: Any camera that is really low priced is going to be crap. And... descriptions that read, "For the pleasure of the film of regular and the spectacular event for precious record of time, the unit in described is of happy and superior quality for your leisure or business!" Well, you'll want to pass on those, too.

Of course, Google any model you find, in order to try to get an idea of actual customer satisfaction. That's not a perfect source of intel, either, but can be helpful, at least.

I have a buddy with a towing business: He's been running dashcams for years, and has been through a LOT of them. His advice is to avoid inexpensive... he's been burned many times on cameras with a plethora of features advertised, but the quality is so poor that the camera is essentially unsable.

Scalded Dog · 04-30-2015, 03:22 PM

Oh, and mounting location is also something to consider: I'm not a fan of suction cup mounting (to dash or glass), so I went with the Falcon because it does neither: This one is like a replacement rear- view mirror that clamps OVER the existing mirror. It has a viewing screen (which can be disabled, of course, while driving), and just "replaces" the current mirror.

Some dashcam lenses can be mounted even more permanently, even under the grille or under the rear bumper.

xc_SS/RS · 04-30-2015, 04:30 PM

So does that camera you have come on in the event that your car gets towed or happens to get bumped in a parking lot?

Scalded Dog · 04-30-2015, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xc_SS/RS

So does that camera you have come on in the event that your car gets towed or happens to get bumped in a parking lot?

Mine does not... no shock/ bump sensor technology in this one...

shibbs · 04-30-2015, 05:21 PM

This is the dashcam I picked up.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121387416455

This is by far the best performance per dollar cam I've been able to find. No, it doesn't have two cameras, but for the price, you could mount a dedicated camera to your rear window, too! (Doing it in the future, actually) I've tried 6 other cams before this one, from $30 to $300, and this one actually takes video just as good as the $300 camera. Actually FASTER transition between light/dark (coming out of a tunnel) than any other camera I've used.

This is the review of it that sold me on this one.

EDIT: I should note - if you watch the video he complains about a bright overcast sky skewing the brightness of the recording... This is one instance of driving a car with the greenhouse of a turret helps! I've never had that happen nearly as bad as the reviewer has in my recordings.

Steve Dallas · 05-01-2015, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Nuke

good for you.....and in this day and age.....I would not be surprised that this will be an option available when you buy a new car in the near future.

It already is in the 2015 Stingrays

Moriarty · 05-01-2015, 01:31 PM

another good use for dash cams - taping amazing stuff that may happen to you (it's not necessarily bad all the time)

04-30-2015, 03:13 PM	#16
SeaCompiler ...not a marine biologist Drives: 2012 Camaro RY SS LS3 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Clarkesville, GA Posts: 752 View My Garage	This is why I have one. My model is in my signature. You just never know what people are gonna do! Have not had to use mine for evidence in over two years. __________________ Forged 416 stroker Turbocharged with Huron Speed with Cam Motion custom grind,Tuned by Vengeance, 8psi, 25% PowerBond UDP, Ported TB, shaved heads, LS9 gaskets, chromoly pushrods, BT trunnions & dual valve springs, IWIS, Might Mouse CC, SJM Line Lock,, MSD 2-Step, ZL1 Rear End, ZL1 spoiler, Strut Brace, ARP bolts, Skip shift elim, A-Pillar Gauges, FR Style 41 20X10, 3 inch exhaust, blackouts, Lowered, Custom badges, Hines vents,RPI fender vents, Technostalgia Tail Lights, Metra Kit, Pioneer stereo, Morimoto RGB Halos, "The Great Awakening" on gab.com

04-30-2015, 04:30 PM	#19
xc_SS/RS Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: somewhere in MD Posts: 4,883	So does that camera you have come on in the event that your car gets towed or happens to get bumped in a parking lot? __________________ 2010 2SS/RS Z/28 intake, NW, FAST 102, speed engineering LT's, some exhaust, ATI -10% pulley, GM flex fuel injectors, DSX flex fuel sensor, MGW shifter, HP Tuners, some suspension work, stickers and a little weight loss. 12.63 @113.53

04-30-2015, 03:22 PM	#18
Scalded Dog Drives: 2011 1LT Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Crestline, CA Posts: 3,029	Oh, and mounting location is also something to consider: I'm not a fan of suction cup mounting (to dash or glass), so I went with the Falcon because it does neither: This one is like a replacement rear- view mirror that clamps OVER the existing mirror. It has a viewing screen (which can be disabled, of course, while driving), and just "replaces" the current mirror. Some dashcam lenses can be mounted even more permanently, even under the grille or under the rear bumper.