Inexpensive Dashcams- I think I found one that will work!
Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2013 2:21 pm
Mrs. Steveincowtown was involved in a very bad accident a few months ago, and even though it was a straight line rear end collision where she was hit while completely stopped the insurance company of the at fault driver really screwed around with her, and made a serious effort to get her to admit some sort of fault. This went on to the point where I intervened and asked that they delete our phone numbers from claim paperwork and all further discussions take place in written form.
This put me on the hunt for an inexpensive dash cam that I could "set and forget." I knew I wanted something that had both a forward and rear facing camera, as well as the ability to turn the forward camera back towards the interior of the vehicle if needed. I chose 5 minute loop recording. It records for 5 mins and then save the file to a mini SD card.
After reading through some forums I came up with the following as the best solution to my needs. I liked that it was sold through Amazon, so if their was a problem I could return it easily.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BXWQTDQ/ref ... 25410_item" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Forward view. My windshield it a bit dirty. When I mount it permanently it will just below where my windshield wipers reach.
[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=4DyHH6RGxV4[/youtube]
Rear view. The black you see around the top is just because I don't have it permanently mounted yet. The lens is clipped to my back widow and the trim interferes with it a bit. I'll fix that when I permanently mount it.
[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=U9Cps2z7FjA[/youtube]
The front camera can also be turned so that it is viewing inside the cab, although you can only see the width of the cab and not outside the driver or passenger doors.
So far pretty impressed. It seems to pick up the sounds in the cab very well. You can easily hear things that might become important during an accident investigation, such as the sound of a blinker while making a turn.
I have in wired to come on and and off with the trucks ignition. I also have a switch to override the ignition and keep power to the where it is plugged in. This allow me to leave the camera on when I run into stores. This was quite handy this weekend, as i was running errands and had some loose items in my pick up bed.
Once i get a full month of trouble free use out of it, I will permanently mount it.
I hope I never have to use the footage from the camera, but expect that it would be very useful in the event of a wreck, a road range incident, or as solid evidence should I ever be accused of a crime.
Edited to add pic of camera for those that are adverse to clinking links.
This put me on the hunt for an inexpensive dash cam that I could "set and forget." I knew I wanted something that had both a forward and rear facing camera, as well as the ability to turn the forward camera back towards the interior of the vehicle if needed. I chose 5 minute loop recording. It records for 5 mins and then save the file to a mini SD card.
After reading through some forums I came up with the following as the best solution to my needs. I liked that it was sold through Amazon, so if their was a problem I could return it easily.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BXWQTDQ/ref ... 25410_item" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Forward view. My windshield it a bit dirty. When I mount it permanently it will just below where my windshield wipers reach.
[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=4DyHH6RGxV4[/youtube]
Rear view. The black you see around the top is just because I don't have it permanently mounted yet. The lens is clipped to my back widow and the trim interferes with it a bit. I'll fix that when I permanently mount it.
[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=U9Cps2z7FjA[/youtube]
The front camera can also be turned so that it is viewing inside the cab, although you can only see the width of the cab and not outside the driver or passenger doors.
So far pretty impressed. It seems to pick up the sounds in the cab very well. You can easily hear things that might become important during an accident investigation, such as the sound of a blinker while making a turn.
I have in wired to come on and and off with the trucks ignition. I also have a switch to override the ignition and keep power to the where it is plugged in. This allow me to leave the camera on when I run into stores. This was quite handy this weekend, as i was running errands and had some loose items in my pick up bed.
Once i get a full month of trouble free use out of it, I will permanently mount it.
I hope I never have to use the footage from the camera, but expect that it would be very useful in the event of a wreck, a road range incident, or as solid evidence should I ever be accused of a crime.
Edited to add pic of camera for those that are adverse to clinking links.
). 
