Dashcam recommendations please.

Started by Carolyn, December 26, 2017, 19:36

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Carolyn

I've put off getting one for the Roadster 'cos I can't decide which one and where to mount it, with ease of button-pushing and not in my sight-line.

Also, (you know me) not too expensive and simple enough for a pensioner....  s:) :) s:)    s:) :) s:)  

This might be an interesting and educational thread.
Perry Byrnes Memorial Award 2016, 2018.  Love this club. 
https://www.mr2roc.org/forum/index.php?topic=63866.0

Bossworld

#1
I've picked up this one for £30 (seems it fluctuates in price but there was a discount code on the page last week).

Goes with my Sable car and earlier I spent the time to push the wire into the screen surround plastics, down the driver's A pillar and under the dash to come out in front of the fag lighter.

Doesn't weigh much and it's an adhesive mount so no falling off like a suction cup would

Couple of pics in the 'what have you done to your mr2 today' thread but it's hidden behind the mirror. Unfortunately I stuck it a tiny bit too close and my garage floor is on a slight slant. Therefore once I'm no longer SORN'd it remains to be seen whether there's enough room left to level it horizontally!

 m https://www.amazon.co.uk/YI-1080P60-Das ... B01CXDP69G m

Had a decent write up on the 'TechMoan' YouTube cha. El which seems to be the authoritative opinion on these cheaper ones. Some talk of earlier production models being out of focus but won't get chance to test on the road until Feb.

Ardent

#2
I hope Joesson passes by this thread.
he has a very natty setup

smarty72

#3
I purchased an entry level Nextbase camera approximately two years ago which, to be honest, I've been rather disappointed with.  The navigation through the settings is far from intuitive and, for a branded Dashcam, it feels rather cheap.  That said I've seen footage from more expensive Nextbase cameras which has been rather good.

I've had a play with a few entry level 'Transcend' cameras and they felt better quality and were far easier to navigate the menus.

I will be watching this thread with interest as I'm also in the market for another 'good value' camera to go in my two.  I'm sure there must be a sub £30 camera that suits my needs, but there's so many out there a recommendation from someone would be great - I don't want to watch back videos of drives, just something basic and reliable to help sort out any liability issues should the worse happen.
current: Astral Black FL

Ex: Forest Green 2003.

Treboeth

#4
Quote from: "Ardent"I hope Joesson passes by this thread.
he has a very natty setup
Am I allowed to give a Mod warning for this post?


1. What is this natty setup?
2. Joesson failed to mention it in the Post of the Day.
3. Jason failed to give either
3.1 mention of his Topdown (  s:wink: :wink: s:wink:  ) epic Boxing Day Roofless drive
3.2 a Natty Video of the above.

Ardent

#5
 s:bowdown: :bowdown: s:bowdown:  

1. What is this natty setup? Very neat and tidy with the use of a piggy back fuse thingy in the passenger side fuse box
2. Joesson failed to mention it in the Post of the Day. To be fair to J, this goes back to Ding Day earlier this year.
3. Jason failed to give either True
3.1 mention of his Topdown (  s:wink: :wink: s:wink:  ) epic Boxing Day Roofless drive There was a pic yesterday before the off as witnessed by Mr K
3.2 a Natty Video of the above. True. Still camless in this respect

  s:D :D s:D

Carolyn

#6
Like the appearance of this one (have to add sd card, though).
 m https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/APEMAN-Mini- ... Sw8btZgm3L m
Perry Byrnes Memorial Award 2016, 2018.  Love this club. 
https://www.mr2roc.org/forum/index.php?topic=63866.0

jvanzyl

#7
If you're going to get apeman- I suggest getting it from Amazon. I got the 70 version for Christmas and was one of the unlucky ones to have a slightly defective screen... Loads of people get them and are very happy- I was just unlucky, but the Amazon return function is very easy Vs eBay...

Carolyn

#8
Thanks for that, John.

What's your overall impression?  And where are you planning to mount it?

Good wishes to all of yours!
Perry Byrnes Memorial Award 2016, 2018.  Love this club. 
https://www.mr2roc.org/forum/index.php?topic=63866.0

gazza1286

#9
Fitted this in the summer:-

 l viewtopic.php?f=31&t=61759&p=718442#p718442 l

No issues at all.

MisterK

#10
Quote from: "Carolyn"I've put off getting one for the Roadster 'cos I can't decide which one and where to mount it, with ease of button-pushing and not in my sight-line.

Also, (you know me) not too expensive and simple enough for a pensioner....  s:) :) s:)    s:) :) s:)  

This might be an interesting and educational thread.
As I'm in the same age bracket   s:wink: :wink: s:wink:  I too wanted something simple and not too expensive.  I bought the Transcend Drivepro 220 from Amazon and also bought 2 extra 12v power cords and an extra windscreen mount.

One mount is fitted to the MR2 and the other in the Auris.  A power cable is fitted permanently in each car and routed behind the windscreen rubber and hidden away behind the dash.  Both cables are plugged into the 12v cigarette lighter socket (I told you it was simple).  The camera lives most of the time in the Auris but I also use it in the MR2 when that's on the road - it simply unplugs from one mount & into the other.

I also use the camera in my Motorhome....I take the mount off the Auris and use the 3rd power cable in the cigarette lighter (the cable is loose over the dash because of the layout of the van dash).

Video quality is perfectly ok and fine for what I need.  Thankfully I haven't had to use the camera due to an accident or anything like that, but I have been tempted when witnessing some awful dangerous driving.

I hope this helps with your research.
MARK K - Original Owner/ \'Best In Class\' winner, \'Show n Shine\', MR2DC National Event 2017.

jvanzyl

#11
Quote from: "Carolyn"Thanks for that, John.

What's your overall impression?  And where are you planning to mount it?

Good wishes to all of yours!

Over all impression of the 70 was very good despite the screen issue ( had a little red line going up it). Comes with loads of attachments and a really nice carry case for everything... I honestly think it's a good value for money buy.. bear in mind the 70 is basically like a go pro.

How you're having a lovely break too?  :-) :-) :-)

Call the midlife!

#12
Just my bit of input but depending on your 2's set up I'd avoid the Nextbase ones. As they stand they're a good piece of kit, fit well in front of the mirror and hardwire easy as peas. But if you're running a firm set up like mine they constantly lock recordings as if you've had a knock, even on the lowest G settings.
You also need a card different to the brand recommend by Nextbase as they don't talk to each other very well.
For the record I'm on Meister Rs set fairly soft and T1rs and it records speed humps, drain covers etc.


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60% of the time it works everytime...

smarty72

#13
Finally decided to bite the bullet and buy cameras for our other cars.  I've taken a punt on a camera (x2) that promises a ridiculous amount in exchange for peanuts - it may be completely pants, and if it is I'm quite prepared to complain and return them.

Will report back when (if?) they arrive;

 m https://www.gogroopie.com/deal/1g2xnzit ... 2G_SD_Card m
current: Astral Black FL

Ex: Forest Green 2003.

Joesson

#14
Quote from: "Ardent":bowdown:

1. What is this natty setup? Very neat and tidy with the use of a piggy back fuse thingy in the passenger side fuse box
2. Joesson failed to mention it in the Post of the Day. To be fair to J, this goes back to Ding Day earlier this year.
3. Jason failed to give either True
3.1 mention of his Topdown (  s:wink: :wink: s:wink:  ) epic Boxing Day Roofless drive There was a pic yesterday before the off as witnessed by Mr K
3.2 a Natty Video of the above. True. Still camless in this respect

  s:D :D s:D

Just found this thread but hopefully not too late to join in.

One of the above links goes to a previous thread "Tiny dash cam " in the electrical section where I posted:


Re: Tiny Dash Cam
by Joesson » Fri Mar 10, 2017 9:42 am

"I have a similar camera but it came with a separate base unit. I bought an extra base and can swop the camera between my daily and my 2"

As Ardent mentioned IT is powered via a piggy back fuse in the passenger/ near side door jamb fuse box to a 12v to 5v transformer and then around the windscreen trim to just above the mirror. An adhesive pad fits the ( seperate) base to the screen. The base is available with or without GPS facility which can be switched on or off. There is a screen on the cam that is helpful for setting up and viewing the field of view when first installing. This goes off soon after starting up.
The second base optional item,  is in my daily and I switch the camera between cars as required. I cannot see the cam fitted behind the rear view mirror without some contortions, so not in line of sight and no distractions. There are slots for two seperate microSD's I use just one, a San Disk. With my kit there was a lead with a cigarette lighter connector so can be tested very quickly and easily. Also a polarising filter which connects magnetically to the cam, this is helpful in some lighting conditions. Only down side is this filter tends to fall off at times with vibration from pot holes or poor road surface, so not infrequently!

IT is a - mini 0806 Dash Camera

This style camera was available for some time before I bought mine and there were several ' improvements" over time. It had good reviews, was relatively inexpensive, readily changeable between cars with pre installed base unit fitted, very neat small and unobtrusive and features a screen and GPS if you should want it. The link is to a review that convinced me to buy.

 m https://dashcamtalk.com/mini-0806/ m


Unfortunately have not located my purchase details which I shall search for some more if any one needs that info.

Ardent

#15
Welcome back.
Glad you found this one.

MrT

#16
I have a Thinkware F550D with front & auxiliary rear cameras and it is brilliant. Chose it for picture quality and performance and it hasn't let me down. The lane departure, front collision warning and drive off safety features are brilliant and work as well as my OEM Golf setup plus the picture is superb. Can be used as a dashcam for trackday vids and others also as downloading is easy and as I said, the picture quality is superb. It also has a quick capture setting if you see something and hit the capture button it stores a separate file of the 10s prior to hitting the button plus the next 50s (1min clip) for evidence or catching info etc if needed. Worth EVERY penny in my opinion. and Thinkware cameras use the same software and hardware so you can choose other models and get the same/similar performance also.

FYI, I have a hardtop fitted all the time hence rear camera, but the rear camera disconnects easily if you want to put the roof up/down for summer also. It is mounted directly behind the rear view mirror so doesn't obstruct any view of the road and I just moved the rear view mirror when I set it up etc. I can still check the screen by glancing behind the mirror from below if needed.
Cheers
Tyler

RIPieces: Sable \'05 Roadster \'Red\' edition.
Project: MR-S import (JDM) now my toy and mule for:
SC build OR a 2AR-FXE swap (ref: Frankenstein Motorworks) OR Electric conversion
AND rebody with a fibreglass replica of Porsche 550 Spyder.

smarty72

#17
Quote from: "Bossworld"I've picked up this one for £30 (seems it fluctuates in price but there was a discount code on the page last week).

Goes with my Sable car and earlier I spent the time to push the wire into the screen surround plastics, down the driver's A pillar and under the dash to come out in front of the fag lighter.

Doesn't weigh much and it's an adhesive mount so no falling off like a suction cup would

Couple of pics in the 'what have you done to your mr2 today' thread but it's hidden behind the mirror. Unfortunately I stuck it a tiny bit too close and my garage floor is on a slight slant. Therefore once I'm no longer SORN'd it remains to be seen whether there's enough room left to level it horizontally!

 m https://www.amazon.co.uk/YI-1080P60-Das ... B01CXDP69G m

Had a decent write up on the 'TechMoan' YouTube cha. El which seems to be the authoritative opinion on these cheaper ones. Some talk of earlier production models being out of focus but won't get chance to test on the road until Feb.

The two ridiculously cheap cameras I ordered duly arrived and were, to be honest, truly awful.  The cases were constructed of different material and they didn't even look as though they were new.

I sent an email complaining and listed the problems with them - I was immediately given a refund and they didn't want them returned either - says it all really.

Just upped my budget to £30 and bought the one suggested by Bossworld (although didn't realise that until I returned to this thread).

Currently at Amazon with a £7.99 discounted offer making it £29.99.

 m https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B01CXD ... mera&psc=1 m

I nearly bought this one;

 m https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B073RW ... ref=plSrch m

As I had a look at one in the flesh the other day, but was impressed by the reviews I saw for the YI camera so went for that instead.
current: Astral Black FL

Ex: Forest Green 2003.

Bossworld

#18
Quote from: "smarty2072"
Quote from: "Bossworld"I've picked up this one for £30 (seems it fluctuates in price but there was a discount code on the page last week).

Goes with my Sable car and earlier I spent the time to push the wire into the screen surround plastics, down the driver's A pillar and under the dash to come out in front of the fag lighter.

Doesn't weigh much and it's an adhesive mount so no falling off like a suction cup would

Couple of pics in the 'what have you done to your mr2 today' thread but it's hidden behind the mirror. Unfortunately I stuck it a tiny bit too close and my garage floor is on a slight slant. Therefore once I'm no longer SORN'd it remains to be seen whether there's enough room left to level it horizontally!

 m https://www.amazon.co.uk/YI-1080P60-Das ... B01CXDP69G m

Had a decent write up on the 'TechMoan' YouTube cha. El which seems to be the authoritative opinion on these cheaper ones. Some talk of earlier production models being out of focus but won't get chance to test on the road until Feb.

The two ridiculously cheap cameras I ordered duly arrived and were, to be honest, truly awful.  The cases were constructed of different material and they didn't even look as though they were new.

I sent an email complaining and listed the problems with them - I was immediately given a refund and they didn't want them returned either - says it all really.

Just upped my budget to £30 and bought the one suggested by Bossworld (although didn't realise that until I returned to this thread).

Currently at Amazon with a £7.99 discounted offer making it £29.99.

 m https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B01CXD ... mera&psc=1 m

I nearly bought this one;

 m https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B073RW ... ref=plSrch m

As I had a look at one in the flesh the other day, but was impressed by the reviews I saw for the YI camera so went for that instead.

Let us know how you get on please. Apparently an early batch had a focus issue. I don't think I'll be back on road to test until March given the weather forecasted the next few weeks.

The reviews are overwhelmingly positive and my last Techmoan recommendation (SJCAM SJ4000 WiFi) is still going strong.

smarty72

#19
Quote from: "Bossworld"
Quote from: "smarty2072"
Quote from: "Bossworld"I've picked up this one for £30 (seems it fluctuates in price but there was a discount code on the page last week).

Goes with my Sable car and earlier I spent the time to push the wire into the screen surround plastics, down the driver's A pillar and under the dash to come out in front of the fag lighter.

Doesn't weigh much and it's an adhesive mount so no falling off like a suction cup would

Couple of pics in the 'what have you done to your mr2 today' thread but it's hidden behind the mirror. Unfortunately I stuck it a tiny bit too close and my garage floor is on a slight slant. Therefore once I'm no longer SORN'd it remains to be seen whether there's enough room left to level it horizontally!

 m https://www.amazon.co.uk/YI-1080P60-Das ... B01CXDP69G m

Had a decent write up on the 'TechMoan' YouTube cha. El which seems to be the authoritative opinion on these cheaper ones. Some talk of earlier production models being out of focus but won't get chance to test on the road until Feb.

The two ridiculously cheap cameras I ordered duly arrived and were, to be honest, truly awful.  The cases were constructed of different material and they didn't even look as though they were new.

I sent an email complaining and listed the problems with them - I was immediately given a refund and they didn't want them returned either - says it all really.

Just upped my budget to £30 and bought the one suggested by Bossworld (although didn't realise that until I returned to this thread).

Currently at Amazon with a £7.99 discounted offer making it £29.99.

 m https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B01CXD ... mera&psc=1 m

I nearly bought this one;

 m https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B073RW ... ref=plSrch m

As I had a look at one in the flesh the other day, but was impressed by the reviews I saw for the YI camera so went for that instead.

Let us know how you get on please. Apparently an early batch had a focus issue. I don't think I'll be back on road to test until March given the weather forecasted the next few weeks.

The reviews are overwhelmingly positive and my last Techmoan recommendation (SJCAM SJ4000 WiFi) is still going strong.

I have a prime account so should be here tomorrow - will report back, but concur with regards to the reviews, the videos I've seen posted on YouTube were very impressive indeed, especially when considering the price.
current: Astral Black FL

Ex: Forest Green 2003.

1979scotte

#20
Has anyone bought an insurance approved model?
Was the discount worth it?
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Free Ukraine 🇺🇦

Bossworld

#21
Quote from: "1979scotte"Has anyone bought an insurance approved model?
Was the discount worth it?

I would be very wary of signing up for a few quid saving.

It seems a grey area at the moment but if you can't produce the footage, would your insurance be void?

Too many risks including Micro SD corruption IMO. Equally I recently found the SJ4000 was only keeping one recent video, the reason being I'd taken the battery out a couple of weeks back and forgot to reset the date, meaning it wouldn't overwrite any 'newer' files. Odds are I wouldn't have been able to produce any footage if there had been a smash.

Just my two penn'orth.

1979scotte

#22
Quote from: "Bossworld"
Quote from: "1979scotte"Has anyone bought an insurance approved model?
Was the discount worth it?

I would be very wary of signing up for a few quid saving.

It seems a grey area at the moment but if you can't produce the footage, would your insurance be void?

Too many risks including Micro SD corruption IMO. Equally I recently found the SJ4000 was only keeping one recent video, the reason being I'd taken the battery out a couple of weeks back and forgot to reset the date, meaning it wouldn't overwrite any 'newer' files. Odds are I wouldn't have been able to produce any footage if there had been a smash.

Just my two penn'orth.

Good points.
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Free Ukraine 🇺🇦

smarty72

#23
Quote from: "1979scotte"
Quote from: "Bossworld"
Quote from: "1979scotte"Has anyone bought an insurance approved model?
Was the discount worth it?

I would be very wary of signing up for a few quid saving.

It seems a grey area at the moment but if you can't produce the footage, would your insurance be void?

Too many risks including Micro SD corruption IMO. Equally I recently found the SJ4000 was only keeping one recent video, the reason being I'd taken the battery out a couple of weeks back and forgot to reset the date, meaning it wouldn't overwrite any 'newer' files. Odds are I wouldn't have been able to produce any footage if there had been a smash.

Just my two penn'orth.

Good points.

I read the small print when I renewed a policy a few weeks ago - it said that they would remove the discount in an event of a claim for which you could not produce dash cam footage, so I don't think you insurance would be invalid.

Always good to ask the question directly when you take out a policy though.
current: Astral Black FL

Ex: Forest Green 2003.

1979scotte

#24
Quote from: "smarty2072"
Quote from: "1979scotte"
Quote from: "Bossworld"I would be very wary of signing up for a few quid saving.

It seems a grey area at the moment but if you can't produce the footage, would your insurance be void?

Too many risks including Micro SD corruption IMO. Equally I recently found the SJ4000 was only keeping one recent video, the reason being I'd taken the battery out a couple of weeks back and forgot to reset the date, meaning it wouldn't overwrite any 'newer' files. Odds are I wouldn't have been able to produce any footage if there had been a smash.

Just my two penn'orth.

Good points.

I read the small print when I renewed a policy a few weeks ago - it said that they would remove the discount in an event of a claim for which you could not produce dash cam footage, so I don't think you insurance would be invalid.

Always good to ask the question directly when you take out a policy though.

Well at least they will leave you insured I suppose it's fair enough to claim back the discount.
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Free Ukraine 🇺🇦

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