Suggestions for a good dash cam.

[hotspur]

Looking to see what other members might suggestion for a good dash cam,I am willing to spend $250 to $300 have heard the $40 ones are really a waste of time. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[BeanerSA]

Check out Techmoan on YouTube. He reviews webcams (amongst other things).

[hotspur]

Thanks.

[xelasnave]

I got a cheap one at jaykar to see if I liked the idea with a view to getting something better later but it is still in the box 2 weeks later.
Same with the surveillance vidio set up.
But I have started on the model boat.
Had a lot to do of late so motivation is way down.
Alex

[Exfso]

I have heard lots of great reports about Blackvue, not cheap, but apparently very very good.

http://www.sportgps.com.au/manufacturers/blackvue.html?gclid=CNG384T5uM4CFVE AvAod7mkGAA

[hotspur]

Looks like the 'Tak' range of dash cams! Unfortunately I do not use a smart phone,and these not an option,many dash cams need to have the programming done via wifi device.

Have found some options around $280 so will look further into these and other suggestions thanks all.

[hobbit]

the street guardian range are good.

[hotspur]

Great thanks.Have been checking this one out.

http://dashcamownersaus.com.au/product/street-guardian-sg9665gc-full-hd-gps-dvr/

[PCH]

I watched the vid Chris, - it looks like a really good camera - especially with it's nice bright night vision.

Are these things easy to wire up? I imagine they need to have power delivered to them via a cable that gets hidden somewhere?!

[inertia8]

Easy enough to wire. Have a street guardian sg9665gc myself.

[PCH]

So are the wires all just surface mounted or do you have to Go under your carpets and roof lining?

[hotspur]

Yes Paul looks good-and at night too,the price for this unit is around $235 (ebay) and $269 from that reviewer. Yes it a fairly easy hook up to power and cables can be tucked out of way-along window edges etc - but hey we are astronomers here a few cables is nothing to the spaghetti we manage from our scopes LOL! :thumbsup:

[xstream]

Like all things you get what you pay for.
The biggest problem with Dashcams is their ability to withstand the interior heat of a car I see this street guardian is rated to 60c, hot QLD sun don't expect to much of a life span from it.
In my books and from many others I have known the BlackVue is the only one worth buying.

[hotspur]

Thanks for that.

I checked out the Blackview ones and appeared same specs on operating temps-maybe other models are different.Also they all appeared to need a tablet or smart phone to operate/program.Neither I own or use.Will keep checking different ones.

[xstream]

You don't need a tablet or smart phone for them, they just have the ability to be used with them. A laptop or desktop is fine which you Need for any of them

[inertia8]

For wiring, yes, I got under my dash, used an add-a-fuse for one of my cars and just hard wired it for another, then routed the cable up under the dash to the A-pillar plastic. Street Guardian include a small plastic prybar with a different thickness at each end to assist in gently lifting the edge of the trim to enable you to push the cable in under it to hide it and the same tool helped with the headliner as well.

As suggested in the PM, checkout DashCamTalk forums to see current issues with the various cams, I don't believe there is a *perfect* one yet.

[csb]

Something to be aware of is that you really need reliability. It's no good if the dashcam has failed to record a crash you're involved in. So check reviews before choosing.

The memory card also should be reliable. Many dashcam websites recommend regularly formatting the memory card to keep it reliably recording (one site recommended monthly). And cards actually deteriorate with use so you should swap in a new card every year.

Small sized cameras, especially those that can be mounted in front of the rearview mirror, are more discreet.

Cameras that have mounts that stick to the windscreen via adhesive pad have a lower profile than those with suction cup mounts. Suction mounts are bulky and tend to lose grip regularly.

I have been using the Mini 0805 for a year now and very reliable. It's a small cylinder shaped device. We have one in each car.

I also have a Blackvue DR3500 that works great. It uses sticky pad to mount - I have a spare pad. 2 years old and is now surplus. If you're interested $100 - everything in good condition with lead, original box, manual and SD card.

And I have a DOD camera and my first-ever dashcam for cheap if anyone is interested. I can include memory card (4 or 8 Gb). Cheap way to trial to see if you like having a camera.

Having a single dashcam won't catch everything but it can show that you were doing the right thing when the other driver caused the crash. I've been told that in a disputed crash in a carpark, then each driver is considered to be 50% at fault. A dashcam can give reliable evidence for you - eg your vehicle was actually stationary when the other driver hit you.

[hotspur]

Thanks Craig for your informative post,I think I'll take that surplus Blackvue camera of your hands.PM sent - cheers