Dashcam updated recommendations please?

[EmilysDad]

Regarding the C Class it all depends upon the age of your car. I had a Nextbase 312GW hard wired into my Feb 15 C Class by Halfords (from where I bought the camera). No problems at all, all worked fine, only slight irritation was that located on the passenger side by the RVM / black box the sunshade couldn’t be fully deployed since it interfered with the camera and no amount of repositioning would resolve the issue. It was still pretty high up the windscreen though.

But.....when I replaced my C Class with a new Sept 17 model I took it back to Halfords to have the camera hard wired in again. After a brief inspection Halfords refused to touch it!! Seems there has been a change in the electrics such that, I think, the necessary circuitry is now “always live” . Anyway they wouldn’t touch it by virtue of the fact that it would likely void any warranty. So short of asking the dealership to wire it in, at whatever cost, I now have a redundant dash cam. Hmmmm!

There must be a reputable local auto spark that will wire it for you.
I'd avoid Halfords for most things, I certainly wouldn't let them near any car I owned. And they're generally expensive.

 

[Perusal]

There must be a reputable local auto spark that will wire it for you.
I'd avoid Halfords for most things, I certainly wouldn't let them near any car I owned. And they're generally expensive.

I would normally agree with you but in this case the hard wiring kit costs £20 from memory and that includes the fitting. The issue with a local motor electrician is what it would do to the warranty. Whatever they have done to the electrics it’s certainly changed things around a bit. Halfords apparently have their people trained in all the different makes of car for fitting such things and as soon as I mentioned it was a 17 model the guy expressed doubts as to whether it could be fitted based upon his own recent experience. He brought his multi meter out to the car, checked it over and then said it wasn’t possible without voiding the warranty. I’m sure he would have wanted to make the sale if he could have done so.

 

[EmilysDad]

As said .... trained or not, I'd still not let them work on my car.
I don't know your car, but you can get piggy back fuses that replace a standard fuse for exactly these kind of applications so that the original wiring/loom stays completely intact & untouched.

Like this ....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-Add-A...137508?hash=item3a959c15a4:g:GvsAAOSwPe1T7fj3

 

[EmilysDad]

.... I’m sure he would have wanted to make the sale if he could have done so.

An Halfords employee will be paid the same at the end of the week whether he sold & fitted the wiring kit or not (no idea about commission )

 

[Perusal]

Yes I understand abo

As said .... trained or not, I'd still not let them work on my car.
I don't know your car, but you can get piggy back fuses that replace a standard fuse for exactly these kind of applications so that the original wiring/loom stays completely intact & untouched.

Like this ....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-Add-A...137508?hash=item3a959c15a4:g:GvsAAOSwPe1T7fj3

Yes, I fully understand about piggy back fuses but as mentioned above the issue is that the relevant circuit is always live ie when you switch the ignition off the circuit remains live (for whatever reason) and so the camera wouldn’t switch off and would likely drain the battery. I think there was also something on the HonestJohn website about the exact same issue.

 

[LostKiwi]

Yes I understand abo



Yes, I fully understand about piggy back fuses but as mentioned above the issue is that the relevant circuit is always live ie when you switch the ignition off the circuit remains live (for whatever reason) and so the camera wouldn’t switch off and would likely drain the battery. I think there was also something on the HonestJohn website about the exact same issue.

Just use a different supply. For example part of the audio system has a switched 12v supply, as does the cigarette lighter. Its pretty easy and invisible to tap into either circuit.

 

[EmilysDad]

What Lostkiwi says. I have to be honest in that I've no idea where I'd take a feed from on my car despite having owned it over 5 yrs (never had need or interest) but I'm sure you'd easily find a suitable feed armed with multi-meter or test lamp.

 

[Submariner1]

Yes I understand abo



Yes, I fully understand about piggy back fuses but as mentioned above the issue is that the relevant circuit is always live ie when you switch the ignition off the circuit remains live (for whatever reason) and so the camera wouldn’t switch off and would likely drain the battery. I think there was also something on the HonestJohn website about the exact same issue.

I am confused by this.
I had assumed one would just look up the relevant fuse for the “cigarette lighter power socket that has a flap saying max 15A, and pop in a decent piggy back fuse thing, inserting the original fuse in the first socket and a 2A fuse in the second.
Pretty certain that switches off with the Ign.

I was just researching the Nextbase 512GW, and it sounded like one could plug it into a permenanat live circuit; because it switches off if it senses no movement for 5 minutes. Personally I dislike that scenario, because if a cheap camera failed to switch itself off, then my battery would be dead!

 

[Submariner1]

Hi John,
Sorry to hear of your wifes misfortune, glad she is unhurt.
Luckily mine was not in the car, but she lost her 9 year NCB, thanks to the hit and run driver.
Like you I need one of these dash-cams!

I am having Great difficulty researching a product I dont really understand, especially as there seems to be no consensus amongst the reviewers

Having seen videos of the appalling quality many have ... I assumed one needed 2160 x 1440p.

My favourite seems to be the Nextbase 512GW £137
1440p, plus it has a socket for a rear camera if required. ( although I did read having 2cmareas really screwed up the quality, and one is better off buying another camera for the back viewing)

I saw a superb example of video quality by this 512GW on their site .. “cattle in the new forest”
See https://www.nextbase.co.uk/dash-cams/512gw-dash-cam/

I was also influenced by it having a Sony Exmoor sensor (a friend bought a cheapish Sony camera, that almost challenges my 54 MPS Pro Canon camera in image quality! ).
Then I saw 3 other reviews where the image quality was frankly, seriousLy disappointing (doubt you could get a number plate off those). Was it that their video format didn't like my iPad codecs??
Or is the video quality on these dashcams awful?

- one big negative was one reviewer said everytime you wanted it to go into Parking protection mode, you had to go through the compex menu to turn it on and adjust the exposure!!
I want one that when you turn the car off, it goes automatically into Parking standby, and ideally if the car shakes it starts a 2 min recording, powered ideally by the dashcams internal battery.

Does one need 1440p ?
From what I can see, it looks like you Need 4K lol!

The other one I quite liked was the Garmin 55, until I saw more than 20 reviews where they overheat / lock up or fail permenantly

The HP F550G should have been a good one, but the video quality sucks for a 1440p camera?

Please do let us know if you find any decent ones
Peter

 

[Rotorhead500]

Lucas was a name recommended to me...

 

[John Laidlaw]

Hi John,
Sorry to hear of your wifes misfortune, glad she is unhurt.
Luckily mine was not in the car, but she lost her 9 year NCB, thanks to the hit and run driver.
Like you I need one of these dash-cams!

I am having Great difficulty researching a product I dont really understand, especially as there seems to be no consensus amongst the reviewers

Having seen videos of the appalling quality many have ... I assumed one needed 2160 x 1440p.

My favourite seems to be the Nextbase 512GW £137
1440p, plus it has a socket for a rear camera if required. ( although I did read having 2cmareas really screwed up the quality, and one is better off buying another camera for the back viewing)

I saw a superb example of video quality by this 512GW on their site .. “cattle in the new forest”
See https://www.nextbase.co.uk/dash-cams/512gw-dash-cam/

I was also influenced by it having a Sony Exmoor sensor (a friend bought a cheapish Sony camera, that almost challenges my 54 MPS Pro Canon camera in image quality! ).
Then I saw 3 other reviews where the image quality was frankly, seriousLy disappointing (doubt you could get a number plate off those). Was it that their video format didn't like my iPad codecs??
Or is the video quality on these dashcams awful?

- one big negative was one reviewer said everytime you wanted it to go into Parking protection mode, you had to go through the compex menu to turn it on and adjust the exposure!!
I want one that when you turn the car off, it goes automatically into Parking standby, and ideally if the car shakes it starts a 2 min recording, powered ideally by the dashcams internal battery.

Does one need 1440p ?
From what I can see, it looks like you Need 4K lol!

The other one I quite liked was the Garmin 55, until I saw more than 20 reviews where they overheat / lock up or fail permenantly

The HP F550G should have been a good one, but the video quality sucks for a 1440p camera?

Please do let us know if you find any decent ones
Peter

Hi Peter, thanks for this and your thoughts - wife unhurt main thing and we have the car back now none the worse!
I’ll keep you updated, the holiday season has halted my search temporarily
Where you been?

 

[Submariner1]

I think you can switch off audio recording, and remove the speed banner...

Just a word of caution ... one of my wifes friends asked me to enhance a number plate of someone who cut him up (as he knows I have a few photo editing programs like Photoshop etc. That also come with video editors as well)
Yep the results were then very ledgible. And he was delighted.

The problem was, on the screen of his camera it didn't show his speed, as he had “turned it off”!
But this editing software could clearly see the speed! i.e. the data was embedded there !
Plain as day!
Hmmm, that video would have had HIM banned for at least a year!
So if your dash cam has GPS ... just make sure you didnt speed at any time ...
‘cos smart software could reveal it!
You could end up shooting yourself in the foot!

 

[SRE]

Hi John,
Sorry to hear of your wifes misfortune, glad she is unhurt.
Luckily mine was not in the car, but she lost her 9 year NCB, thanks to the hit and run driver.
Like you I need one of these dash-cams!

I am having Great difficulty researching a product I dont really understand, especially as there seems to be no consensus amongst the reviewers

Having seen videos of the appalling quality many have ... I assumed one needed 2160 x 1440p.

My favourite seems to be the Nextbase 512GW £137
1440p, plus it has a socket for a rear camera if required. ( although I did read having 2cmareas really screwed up the quality, and one is better off buying another camera for the back viewing)

I saw a superb example of video quality by this 512GW on their site .. “cattle in the new forest”
See https://www.nextbase.co.uk/dash-cams/512gw-dash-cam/

I was also influenced by it having a Sony Exmoor sensor (a friend bought a cheapish Sony camera, that almost challenges my 54 MPS Pro Canon camera in image quality! ).
Then I saw 3 other reviews where the image quality was frankly, seriousLy disappointing (doubt you could get a number plate off those). Was it that their video format didn't like my iPad codecs??
Or is the video quality on these dashcams awful?

- one big negative was one reviewer said everytime you wanted it to go into Parking protection mode, you had to go through the compex menu to turn it on and adjust the exposure!!
I want one that when you turn the car off, it goes automatically into Parking standby, and ideally if the car shakes it starts a 2 min recording, powered ideally by the dashcams internal battery.

Does one need 1440p ?
From what I can see, it lo oks like you Need 4K lol!

The other one I quite liked was the Garmin 55, until I saw more than 20 reviews where they overheat / lock up or fail permenantly

The HP F550G should have been a good one, but the video quality sucks for a 1440p camera?

Please do let us know if you find any decent ones
Peter

I have just purchased another Blackvue DR450. Fitted one to the wife's Disco last Christmas and the quality at 1080P (30fps) is perfect for evidential purposes.

​

Might not be up to Hollywood blockbuster standard but the number plate is clearly recognisable. The dashcam also goes automatically into parking mode although if powered through the cigarette lighter socket, it will power down when you turn the ignition off unless you purchase the optional fitting kit which includes a battery saving device to kill the power after a set time or if the battery gets to low. This will be essential when I fit it to the R230.

GPS is also an optional extra so there is no chance of it recording any momentary indiscretions

 

[Wighty]

I have just purchased another Blackvue DR450. Fitted one to the wife's Disco last Christmas and the quality at 1080P (30fps) is perfect for evidential purposes.

View attachment 40784 ​

Might not be up to Hollywood blockbuster standard but the number plate is clearly recognisable. The dashcam also goes automatically into parking mode although if powered through the cigarette lighter socket, it will power down when you turn the ignition off unless you purchase the optional fitting kit which includes a battery saving device to kill the power after a set time or if the battery gets to low. This will be essential when I fit it to the R230.

GPS is also an optional extra so there is no chance of it recording any momentary indiscretions

Yep, +1 for the Blackvue as well . Seems a good around camera , with no screen to distract and looks good behind the front mirror .

 

[John Laidlaw]

This Blackvue seems to be the one....i’ll Be on the quest now

 

[umblecumbuz]

The DR450 has now been superceded by the DR590 I believe - at about the same price.

 

[John Laidlaw]

The DR450 has now been superceded by the DR590 I believe - at about the same price.

Thanks kindly!

 

[Frontstep]

I got a philips 810 and it was the nighttime images that swung it for me, had it a year ish I think, Amazon special offer and have never had cause to use the pictures.
Pictures of people doing daft things are all over the internet.

A reversing camera would be more use to me.

 

[Submariner1]

Hi Peter, thanks for this and your thoughts - wife unhurt main thing and we have the car back now none the worse!
I’ll keep you updated, the holiday season has halted my search temporarily
Where you been?

Hi John , thanks
I Just took a short break to get some Winter sun, and help sort out a friends mooring solution ( neat idea solution that rises and falls with the waves ... oddly the sliders were made of plastic :-0, overpriced but it worked well)
Peter

 

[Submariner1]

I have just purchased another Blackvue DR450. Fitted one to the wife's Disco last Christmas and the quality at 1080P (30fps) is perfect for evidential purposes.

View attachment 40784 ​

Might not be up to Hollywood blockbuster standard but the number plate is clearly recognisable. The dashcam also goes automatically into parking mode although if powered through the cigarette lighter socket, it will power down when you turn the ignition off unless you purchase the optional fitting kit which includes a battery saving device to kill the power after a set time or if the battery gets to low. This will be essential when I fit it to the R230.

GPS is also an optional extra so there is no chance of it recording any momentary indiscretions

The picture definitely looks good enough.