Dashcam recommendations

Looks good thanks mate, good size as well. Tax deductible so happy to pay this amount for quality.

Cheers

The 500 is the same size but is black and now you can buy models with front and rear cameras as one integrated unit.

http://www.blackvue.com/en/main/main.asp

[img][URL=http://s376.photobucket.com/user/Hillbilly123_2008/media/20130801_082118_N1_zps9d07f36b.jpg.html]

Shot from the 500 Forgot to say it has inbuilt GPS which can be viewed on Google maps built into the viewer

Tom, does it not put the GPS coords into the video? (I used to use a cheap DOD-Tech GS600(?) and date/time/speed/coords were all in the pic).

Zippo,
My "older" Blackvue model has several options, one of which is to disable some of the "display" detail. Coords are not always displayed, but are available in the file.

Johnat is correct However if you use the viewer on your PC and use Myview it shows the coordinates above the video and can also show your whole trip on the map in the viewer.

I only have whats shown in the pic above.

If you need it for evidence is readily available when you play it back on the PC

Brilliant, thanks for taking the time to post that info up. There is quite a few to choose from but I have narrowed it down to 3 now. Your help is much appreciated!

Craig

Which ones

Haha! Funny you should mention that Bob. I actually already own a GoPro hero 4 Black edition and use it a lot for surfing. As you are probably aware unless you have it plugged into a constant power source the battery life of these units isn't great and I usually use one full charge (with a battery backpack) in one session. Not great if you want to use it as a dashcam on the way home. I tend to have it set to 2.7k in the water so it uses a lot of memory too which is why I was looking for something dedicated as a dashcam. That way I am not fiddling around with the GoPro all the time.

I live in Margaret River so you probably know we are no stranger to the "man in the grey suit" down this way. The shark repeller looks good and he's definitely onto something. I think I will still take my chances without one until it's been more thoroughly tested and used by other surfers. It may be a myth but I've heard that these devices can potentially attract sharks as they are naturally curious creatures. Either way if the worst happens it will be all over youtube when they find my GoPro!

Craig

Hey Craig,

You said ........."I've heard that these devices can potentially attract sharks".......
So OK, buy your mate one!!! lol

The inventor of the "SurfSafe" is a friend of ours! Lives just over the road. I went to mummy's group with his wife when our bubs were born 15 years ago. His name is Dave Smith - boardshaper, owner of Katana Surf in Osbourne Park.

Here's the article from our local paper.
It was also featured on the the TV show "Shark Tank" this week where they pitch the idea to a panel of investors. I just realised I missed it (never get time for TV).

A very shortsighted view of things. Lots of stuff goes on that doesnt include you.

Read the NZ papers and see the bad tourists driving 4 have either killed themselves or others in the last two weeks.
One got fined a total of $20,000
Video of one car on wrong side of road for a long way with cars coming.

Driver who took the video removed their keys and dropped them into a copshop. Tourists had to charter a plane to continue journey.

Defensive driving didnt come into it.

Thanks Michelle! There are quite a few to choose from, I didn't realise there were so many different types on the market!

Unfortunately You tube frequently downgrades the quality and what you see is not what you get.

Actually very few, mine included will let you read the pates in the video unless car is stopped or video is paused.
The BV has a magnify facility that somewhat enlarges a portion of the screen as the mouse hovers over it. Not always perfect.
You can read the plates in my pic above. That is just a screen grab.

Jackolux,

Interested in why you would'nt recommend a GoPro as a dashcam.

Regards

1 Too obvious

2 Only some models auto start

3 Some also dont overwrite when card is full

4 Most cost a lot more than a dedicated Dashcam

5 Not all have GPS or G sensors for accidental bumps.

For me the worst thing about a GoPro is it's battery life. I always seem to be charging mine, swapping batteries etc. The later models have improved somewhat but they are not an ideal dashcam unless you permanently want a charger attached to it while it's mounted in your vehicle. I have too many bloody cords for things as it is!

Go-Pro are not intended for use as a dash cam because of the limitations mentioned plus the fact that they are not easily linked to an in-car power supply through the 12v supply socket.
That makes them less than useful in this application. The Blackvue (which is the only dedicated dashcam I am familiar with) has a power supply from the cig lighter socket (now known as a 12v power supply socket to avoid any possible condoning of that filthy habit) and does auto start, and records over older files, and has an option to record when the vehicle is moved - provided it is on constant power, and you need to be careful because it does consume some battery power in this mode.

You fit a Power Magic and it will turn off either after a set time or when the battery discharges down to a set level ( mine is at 12V).

Allows you to record movement when parked.

Mine are powered through the PM from spare fuse sockets in the end of the dash, The only wire you can see is a short length from the roof to the camera behind the rear view mirror. The one in the rear has hidden wiring as well. Is also run off the PM and wires under carpet and up through right rear quarter

Hey TomH, Im new to the scene so Id just like to ask a few things if I may.

Is the power Magic a necessity, could I not wire it up direct with an on off switch, Ill have a look but how many Amps are these things using in general, understanding we all have different available options when it comes to power but just wondering if I could do away with the extra cost of what I can only assume (for my application) is an on off switch, I am also aware they provide constant power when power fails, engine starting etc so not having to reboot, If I wire it direct to my Aux battery Ill never need to worry about that, hence my mentioning that (for my application) to me its simply an on off switch.

FYI,
I'm looking at the Blackvue 650 2ch

Cheers

It depends on whether you want the camera on when parked and if so for how long.
The PM is adjustable for the shutdown voltage and length of time for parking mode.

They do NOT provide any power if car battery should fail

If you only want the camera on when driving you dont need a PM.

Best way is to either find a spare fuse socket that is only powered when ignition is on and buy one of thesehttp://www.jaycar.com.au/Passive-Components/Circuit-Protection/Automotive-Blade-Fuses-%26-Holders/Wire-Tap-Mini-Blade-Fuse-15A/p/SF5122

or this onehttp://www.jaycar.com.au/Passive-Components/Circuit-Protection/Automotive-Blade-Fuses-%26-Holders/Double-Blade-Fuse-Socket-Wire-Tap/p/SF5115

And one of thesehttp://www.jaycar.com.au/Interconnect/Plugs%2C-Sockets-%26-Adaptors/Automotive/CIGARETTE-LIGHTER-INLine-Socket/p/PS2003 Solder two wires to it one positve and one to an earth bolt near fuse box and plug the ciggy plug from the camera into it The camera has a 2 amp fuse in the connector.
It needs at least 1 amp to run I have installed 6 cameras using this method and all are still running after 3 years for the oldest Blackvue

It will run your battery down if connected direct and you forget to turn it off. Also it will fill the card up with unnecessary rubbish.

A 32Gb card will record about 9 hours at highest resolution

http://www.bestdashboardcameras.com/hp-f310-car-camcorder-review/

Some of them are funny, some are downright scary, but most of the footage is just plain boring!

The funny stuff is great, the scary stuff is exactly W T F ? and the rest is in the bin!

Unless something happens I never even look at the video.

The exception was on holiday in the USA I saved the video each day for later viewing of what we might have missed and to show friends what driving in the traffic over there was like.

On Cruise control at 90MPH out in the desert LOL