Camera System (dashcam)

[generdawg]

Should this thread category be expanded to include "Camera System" and "GPS" for things like reversing monitors, dashcams and satnavs?

I wish to purchase a good reliable (hence, not cheap) dashcam. I got two off evilharbour at $70 each I think, but threw them out because they were not up to scratch.

So, my request is for recommendations from those who have tried and proven units around $250 or less - or am I dreaming as he said in the Castle?

Dawg

[Peter and Sandra]

Dawg
We've been using one of http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FULL-HDMI-10 ... 4ab69a4de4 from Ebay for the last 4 1/2 months during our current travels in the US and Canada. It has so far recorded 1.5 terrabytes of footage which I've downloaded to the hard drive every couple of days. A typical days travel results in up to 11-13 Gb of footage if travelling most of the day. If you don't want to download it it just overwrites it when the space on the SD card is used up.
Fellow travellers with a Go Pro II were shattered when I showed them the footage have since gone out and bought one as it is far easier to use, has just as good a picture and switches on and off automatically when you stop and start the car.
I use a 32gb SD card in ours and it will easily store two days worth, possibly three if not driving all day.
I have a cheaper $30 SD version at home in Oz that has run faultlessly for over 12 months so far.
Peter

[BruceS]

Peter can you give us an idea if there is any blurring because of vibrations etc?
Do you find those 'flimsy' plastic mounts allow some 'shaking' ........ too much?

[Peter and Sandra]

For the cost of it it has worked extremely well. It has never fallen off the windscreen, there is no apparent blurring from movement etc either. We have it stuck on the windscreen next to the rear vision mirror on the passenger (RHS here;-) on a 4wd Ford F250, plugged into one of the ignition powered fag sockets.
In 4 1/2 months continuous use it has locked up (CPU wise) once which was quickly solved by resetting it and a couple of times the SD card has not registered when inserted, again quickly solved by removing and reinserting.
We've had temps from 30+ to -13 deg C during the trip and it has never failed to operate due to temperature unlike the still camera which needs to be warmed on very cold mornings.
I could post a video somewhere if I knew how, but they are pretty big files and I've not done any video editing.

[T1 Terry]

Here is a video shot by one of the regulars on the cruising boat forum, I'm guessing these units must be pretty tough and there doesn't seem to be any real issues with vibration etc, a good watch actually. http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f12 ... 94480.html
you can watch it on You Tube as well http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu-KPtYg ... r_embedded

T1 Terry

[generdawg]

Thanks Peter, but while the camera looks different, all the bits and pieces are the same and as they say, "once bitten, twice shy".

I know it sounds silly, but I'd be happier paying more at a store front where I could have an eyeball to eyeball chat with in case things don't go well.

ebay xmas postings.JPG

I have a feeling that communication here would be challenging. lol

E D I T

Just had a thought. Wonder how would my 64Gb i5 would perform in camera mode sitting on the dash and plugged into power? Stupid smart phone should be good for something.

Just a thought - dawg.

[Peter and Sandra]

Probably not much good as no anti shake software, unable to loop record, relatively poor lens etc.

[sunnykids]

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-re ... 52995&p=13
Try this thread for info. I have the GS5000 HD cam and it has been performing very well over the past 3 months. It includes gps for speed read outs on the screen when recording.

[generdawg]

Probably not much good as no anti shake software, unable to loop record, relatively poor lens etc.

That was my experience Peter.
Anti-shake no problem
Lens has narrower view angle compared to proper dash cams, otherwise no problem
Time out - problem
Black phone on black dash - gets rooly hot.

[Glenn]

Dawg
We've been using one of http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FULL-HDMI-10 ... 4ab69a4de4 from Ebay for the last 4 1/2 months during our current travels in the US and Canada. It has so far recorded 1.5 terrabytes of footage which I've downloaded to the hard drive every couple of days. A typical days travel results in up to 11-13 Gb of footage if travelling most of the day. If you don't want to download it it just overwrites it when the space on the SD card is used up.
Fellow travellers with a Go Pro II were shattered when I showed them the footage have since gone out and bought one as it is far easier to use, has just as good a picture and switches on and off automatically when you stop and start the car.
I use a 32gb SD card in ours and it will easily store two days worth, possibly three if not driving all day.
I have a cheaper $30 SD version at home in Oz that has run faultlessly for over 12 months so far.
Peter

I just ordered one, for the price they are going for it is worth a try. I will let everyone know what I think when I receive it and try it out.

Glenn