Fitting a dash cam

[Joesson]

So, having decided  I want a dash cam and reading about the pros, cons, specifications and prices of them and deciding which  suits me, I have it.
Now to fit it.
Stick or sucker it on the windscreen and plug the cable into the power socket/ cigarette lighter socket?
As I would like to use the cam on two  cars the sucker and socket would be the simplest but would not satisfy my aesthetic principles.
 
The cam I have chosen has a stick on base which has a power socket. The camera slides into the base like a flash gun on a hot show camera mount.

I intend to buy an extra base and stick one on to the windscreen of each car and swop the camera from car to car.
The wiring will be concealed and the power taken via a voltage reducer of some type from the car.
Proprietary " hardwiring" kits are available but perhaps that would be too easy!
I also would like to " hardwire" my Sat Nav and again have the facility to interchange between vehicles.

From my reading it would seem that some voltage reducers overheat, and/ or cause interference with the radio/ music system.
I do know that this is not the case if I use the power socket outlet.

My thoughts are that I buy a dual socket power outlet and install it under the dash taking the power from a fuse that is live only with the ignition on.
In that way I can use the supplied plug in power cables with the camera and dash cam and buy  another set the same for my 2.

The question how best to provide 5V power to each of  two devces?
Any ideas or suggestions would be gratefully received

[jeffsimply]

Buy a 12v to 5v converter from ebay. They are cheap and the best way to do what you want. I got one that you literally wired to a 12v live (fuse is a good idea of course) and then you got 2x USB sockets which you could easily plug a charger into.

Another idea for mounting ideas is fixing a mount to the rear view mirror plastic. You could probably even get away with using a clamp on the roadster's mirror.

[MisterK]

I fitted one only last week and took the simple solution - sucker mount and plug into 12v cigarette socket.  Like you I wanted to use the camera in all of my 3 vehicles - the MR2, Auris and IH Camper Van.  

I bought 2 extra power cables, a 2.5 metre one for the car and a 1.2 metre one for the van.  I've run the power cable in both cars from behind the rear view mirror and then hidden it under the windscreen trim and down into the passenger footwell, then under the glove box and into the 12v socket which is left permanently in place.  The mount in the van (Fiat Ducatto) will be at the bottom of the screen and it is just a short run from the power cable to the 12v socket, hence the shorter cable.  I also use a Sat Nav in the van so have invested in a neat 12v socket double adaptor (Fiat used to provide a cigarette lighter socket & a 12v power socket side by side on older vans, but on newer ones you just get the 12v one - no smoking allowed!!    s:lol: :lol: s:lol:  )  Only problem now is that I've just seen details of a new combined Sat Nav with built in Dash Cam specifically for Camper vans with larger width & height restrictions built in.  A bit expensive though at £300 a pop!    s:scared: :scared: s:scared:  Decisions decisions.

The sucker mount is left permanently in place in the Auris as that is the car I use the most, the other is in the MR2 & is just swapped into the camper van when needed.  I always remove the camera when leaving the vehicle & take it with me - a simple unclick from the mount and pull out the mini USB connector from the side.  The camera comes on automtically when the ignition is turned on and goes off when ignition turned off - simples.  Works a treat and very pleased.   s:) s:)

[shnazzle]

This may not help at all and it's totally based on my interpretation but when I declared my dashcam in the MR2 to the insurance, they asked how it was fixed. When I said via suction cup and cigarette lighter (technically radio, but same difference) the response was "oh ok, good"...

What she meant by "good" I don't know, but maybe it's seen as a security issue if you have it permanently mounted in the car.

[MisterK]

This may not help at all and it's totally based on my interpretation but when I declared my dashcam in the MR2 to the insurance, they asked how it was fixed. When I said via suction cup and cigarette lighter (technically radio, but same difference) the response was "oh ok, good"...

What she meant by "good" I don't know, but maybe it's seen as a security issue if you have it permanently mounted in the car.

Good point, though I haven't spoken to my insurers yet.  I'll do it now to see what they say.

[shnazzle]

For all intents and purposes it's all hidden away though. The suction cup is teenie tiny, specific to the Mobius camera, and the 2.5m cable is tucked away nicely. I actually have a hardwiring kit, but it's unused. didn't see the added value in the end.

[MisterK]

Just spoken to insurers (Aviva multicar).  They've noted that I'm using the camera in both cars onto the policy with no cost either way - no admin fee   s:) s:)  and no reduction in premium   s:( s:(  .  No impact on how camera fitted but it does need to be removed from dash when vehicle unattended, same as sat nav!

[shnazzle]

bit disappointing that it doesn't lead to a reduction. frankly I'm sure it saves them thousands a year in claims that htye have to do 50/50 because of lack of evidence.
Oh well... I guess this way they get the benefits AND don't lose out on premium.
...

[jeffsimply]

Talking about the non-hardwired installations. What happens if you have an accident and forgot to plug it in that day/didn't bother because you're only going to the shops? Are you still covered for anything other than 3rd party liability?

[shnazzle]

Talking about the non-hardwired installations. What happens if you have an accident and forgot to plug it in that day/didn't bother because you're only going to the shops? Are you still covered for anything other than 3rd party liability?

I often wonder this, but I think this falls under an accessory that is not built into the car. These don't have an impact on the insurance.
Like a phone charger.

Might be worth posting a question in one of the insurer's affiliate areas.

Could argue that I could unplug my eManage and take it out  s;) s;)

[1979scotte]

I was thinking this myself.
You know what tricky blighters insurance companies can be.

[Topdownman]

I wonder if the police could seize your dash cam for evidence if you were stopped by them?

[shnazzle]

That is anothrr thing I wondered  s:) s:)  A quick erase button wouldn't go amiss

[lron]

I wonder if the police could seize your dash cam for evidence if you were stopped by them?

Probably not if you're just being stopped. If you're being arrested then I think they can. Maybe don't do anything you're going to get arrested for   s:) s:)

[Joesson]

Thanks Chaps,
took me ages to talk myself into getting a dash cam and now!!

[Ardent]

That is anothrr thing I wondered  s:) s:)  A quick erase button wouldn't go amiss

+1

[1979scotte]

That is anothrr thing I wondered  s:) s:)  A quick erase button wouldn't go amiss

Like that would do any good.
Its like windows all your data is still in there somewhere.

[mrzwei]

 s:lol: :lol: s:lol:  Now what would you possibly want to erase?

Reminds me of one time in Germany. Caught on camera speeding on an Autobahn (the camera photos the front of the car and provides a very clear picture of the driver, any passenger and the number plate).
My wife found the photo and asked me who the girl was in the passenger seat.
My true, but awkward sounding explanation was that she was from the office and we had been on a trip to one of the companies sites up north.
' I don't remember ever meeting her' was the curt reply.   s:oops: :oops: s:oops:  

Yeah, I'd vote for a fast erase button!

[shnazzle]

Obviously that wish would extend to a thorough erase algorithm.
If, in that fantasy world, that were to exist... I doubt the cops would spend the 10s of thousands it would cost to recover snippets of data which would never build a full screen shot of a video, never mind the video itself.

Much quicker way; keep an empty card handy and do a quick swaparoo  s:) s:)  When they find it to be empty... "what officer? Oh my, it must have been broken this whole time! Shock and awe"

[Jock]

All claims on accident insurance are 100% for the insurance companies.  Your insurance company does not have a 50/50; you might   s:o s:o  .
The weasel words in the foregoing however may indicate that its not just insurance companies wriggling   s:? :? s:?  
So how about a nice insurance premium discount for your cam; you have a potentially expensive claim; the other party is with A. N. Other insurer and they insist it was your fault.  Your insurance company request your cam footage but you do not have any.  Problem is you genuinely forgot to put the cam on or it was not working - you're uninsured as you've breached the terms of your insurance   s:scared: :scared: s:scared:

[shnazzle]

I meant 50/50 as in 50% your insurance, 50% theirs  s:) s:)  

It is all quite worrying though. How can you be held liable for dashcams operating correctly? What if it breaks down?! What if the memory card fails? What if I'm 80 years old and my daughter bought me a dashcam as a present and I have no idea how to use it?

Argh...going to have to call the insurance company now.

[Jock]

Kind of answered your own question   s:) s:)  
That's why you don't get a discount   s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

PS yours and their's are often the same - internal market   s:roll: :roll: s:roll:

[1979scotte]

If you buy the right cam you get a discount.
Different companies support different cams.
Swiftcover definietly give a discount for Nextbase cams.

[shnazzle]

As per Chris Knott's response it seems to depend on the insurer as well whether they give discount at all for cams.
Whats more interesting is how they each interpret the rules. This may differ.
Chris Knott doesnt penalise if it's built in but not working/on, but another might