Update - Thoughts On Car Dashboard Cameras

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Re: Thoughts On Car Dashboard Cameras

Post by jtc »

What a brilliant idea, using a power bank to power one of these cameras. The only issue becomes having to remember to power it on/off.
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Post by scooter »

Some more excellent advice received here.

I particularly like Smeg's idea of using a power bank as likewise have no wish for a Halfords Saturday lad/lass let loose on hardwiring.

I was in Halfords Bath today checking out the Nextbase models and must admit I do like them. I will however be looking more fully at Roadhawks along with those reviewed here:

http://www.driving.co.uk/car-clinic/buy ... -reviewed/

Have to say that I really enjoy reading up as much as I can before buying a new toy.

Thank you all again.

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Re: Thoughts On Car Dashboard Cameras

Post by Camberwell »

I bought my father a Mini 0806 last year and he has been very happy with it:

http://dashboardcamerareviews.com/mini-0806/
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Re: Thoughts On Car Dashboard Cameras

Post by MrC123 »

Makes a lot of sense. My wife was hit at an intersection by a girl turning left. My wife was waiting for the red light. The women who hit her said she was in the middle of the intersection. The other women ended up at fault but a dash cam would have sealed the deal. Something to think about.
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Re: Thoughts On Car Dashboard Cameras

Post by Richard B »

Similar thoughts to many here, but I had some specific requirements:
1. Unobtrusive, ideally invisible to me from the driving seat.
2. Must be hard-wired. I can't do with cables and plugging things in.
3. Need to be able to choose between always on, or to come on with the ignition - record any parking knocks versus the risk of battery discharge.

So, when lived in Reading, I popped down to the local ICE (In Car Entertainment) fitting shop - John Kleis. These guys have a good reputation which is reflected in work they've done for me in the past. They fitted this neat little job for me:

Image

Image
So I wish I was James Bond, just for the day.
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Re: Thoughts On Car Dashboard Cameras

Post by scooter »

Very neat Richard.

What Make and Model is that one.

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Re: Thoughts On Car Dashboard Cameras

Post by Paul Drawmer »

On the subject of power bank, I have one of these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Swees-25600mAh- ... 00TDGC9WY


Apart from the fact that will charge a tablet really quickly with its 2amp outputs, I have also bought a couple of USB LED lamps for it as emergency lighting. It will run a 1amp LED for over 24 hours!

Oh, and I also bought a high power charging plug for it, else it would take a week to charge. It has a big capacity.
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Re: Thoughts On Car Dashboard Cameras

Post by Richard B »

Its an iPixi Scooter.

However, think they may have discontinued that model now as I can't see it on their web site any more http://www.ipixi.com
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Re: Thoughts On Car Dashboard Cameras

Post by Richard B »

Paul Drawmer wrote:I have also bought a couple of USB LED lamps for it as emergency lighting.
Similar idea, Paul, but different approach:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00 ... UTF8&psc=1

It give awesome lighting, uses same battery as my power tools.
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Re: Thoughts On Car Dashboard Cameras

Post by scooter »

I ended up buying a Nextbase 402G bundle from Halfords for the princely sum of £159, which surprisingly was a terrific offer, even including free fitting.

http://www.halfords.com/technology/dash ... ted-bundle

Yesterday, with some trepidation, I took it up to Halfords to have it fitted. My heart was in my mouth having read some reviews on the standard of Halfords electronic fitting. I needn't have worried. The guy who fitted it had 20 years of experience as a fitter and let me sit in the back seat of my car as he carefully explained what he was doing. The trim was expertly removed and the end result was a professionally installed, hard wired dash camera. He then took me through the most important controls.

On the way home I experienced my first 'incident'. Whilst overtaking a line of stationary cars I was suddenly confronted by an oncoming Transit, the driver of which was gesticulating in an unfriendly manner towards me. I was up for this and I now had my camera for evidence. Just as I was about to exchange a few Anglo Saxon words with him I suddenly noticed that the row of parked cars that I had overtaken was in fact a queue of traffic waiting for the temporary traffic lights to change from red to green.

Somewhat sheepishly, I acknowledged my plight to all around me. So there I was, in the wrong and caught on camera.

Sodding dash cameras.

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Re: Update - Thoughts On Car Dashboard Cameras

Post by downer »

That's great scooter. :D

Any chance of a review in a week or two - quality of video, ease of use, that sort of thing?

Also interested to know what it looks like - once it's installed. Any chance of a picture - from inside or outside the car?
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Re: Update - Thoughts On Car Dashboard Cameras

Post by nigelb001 »

That seems a good deal, I've been eyeing that up myself. I too would be interested in your views on its performance.
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Re: Update - Thoughts On Car Dashboard Cameras

Post by scooter »

Thanks chaps.

Here are a couple of photographs.

Will do a review in a week or so.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Perhaps I should wash my rear window.

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Re: Smile - You're On Camera

Post by Meldrew2 »

scooter wrote:I particularly like Smeg's idea of using a power bank as likewise have no wish for a Halfords Saturday lad/lass let loose on hardwiring.
I was also reluctant to have anyone pulling my car interior apart. Likewise I have a dislike for the bulky 12 volt cigar adaptor plugs.

My solution was to use a compact USB plug that fits in the cigarette lighter socket and has 2 usb outlets. A long USB lead runs from here, under the floor mats and up the door frame, tucked behind the rubber door seal trim.

My car has a cigarette lighter socket in the rear as well as the front - so by using the rear socket there is very little wiring on view - just a few inches from the socket before the wire disappears under the floor mats - and none at all visible from the front seats.

As this socket is controlled by the ignition switch, the camera turns on and off automatically.

I chose the K-Prance camera after recommendation - as well as being very compact it has good reviews. About £70 from Amazon. USB socket £3 and long USB lead £4, both from eBay.
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Post by scooter »

Thanks for that Meldrew.

There certainly are loads of different cameras out there and I guess ultimately you read the reviews and make your choice.

I can only reiterate that the hardwire fitting service from Halfords was excellent and my earlier doubts were completely unfounded. That said, it's all down to the individual fitter and I made sure that the guy I had knew his stuff.

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