Dash camera review/opinion

[S4twister]

I've been thinking about getting dash camera for quite a while now, recently triggered by the following events:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/433771-Holy-crap..-Just-witnessed-an-attempted-murder-on-highway
(got a few calls from DA/investigators already, and I'm afraid it's just the beginning)


Note that the goal of this excersice was not to record track runs, etc - nothing beats HeroHD in this department (I actually use it on my helmet while skiing), but rather finding a solution which fits the following criteria:


- documenting every event on the road, with wide agle lense;
- stealth install, not obstructing driver's view, not easily seen from the outside;
- always on with the ignition, continuous recording (overriding older files);
- decent recording quality and time;
- GPS tracking/speed readings, seen in a custom software, but invisible in common movie players (speeding sucks LOL);
- and other nice features.

So, during long research, I found this:
click (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004ASMDA8)

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z131/spoltar/camerapic.jpg?t=1312525679

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71o5cdX29tL._AA1365_.jpg

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51TRpS7HPNL.jpg



Could not be happier than I am with this thing. With 8Gb flash card, it stores 3 days of driving (I spend 2+hours driving at least, every day). Software is great, you can play it back in mmplayer without any stamped data, or with supplied player which will show you speed/time stamp, interactive location on yahoo map, G sensor readings, etc. Lots and lots of features, just read manual or reviews online, you can set this thing up for anything, plus rotating camera to record outside/inside of the car.
Really blends with the car - can't see it from the inside as I installed it just behind (from driver's position) rear view mirror, and hardly noticed from outside cause it blends with rear view mirror color, and is small. Went to a track event last weekend, and nobody (including one active member on this board) noticed it :)

So, for $200 a pop and $40 i payed to hardwire it, I'm a happy camper after using it for more than month now. Here's a sample video of my drive to work few days ago:

Day:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Div8JqXTsoo


Night:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsQHfnUvWYs

Btw, I'm not affiliated with this product/company in any way, just wanted to share my 2cents after spending many hours - actually couple of months - researching this online. Hopefully it'll benefit you if you're looking to get this feature in your car.

Overall, highly recommended.

[svander]

Very nice, thanks for sharing.

It worries me a bit when it comes to law enforcement and the recent trend of police accusing citizens of wire tapping by recording encounters with them (happening with alarming frequency lately).

[s4nAri]

What is the product? the link doesn't wan to work for me.

I have also had the same thoughts as you and wondered about a similar device, but having it read the GPS info has me a bit worried that it could work against me in an incident that I might be involved in, if that day ever arrives. (knock on wood).

As to the wire tap issue with police, if audio is recorded then you might have a problem in certain states, if the audio is disconnected and the video captures images of the police misbehaving, you have a much better chance of beating the wiretap issue. (But I am not a lawyer and never played one on TV but have followed numerous cases like this).

[S4twister]

sorry I was trying to repair links, now everything works. Btw youtube compresses videos awefully by default, the original ones look much better.

To answer you questions:

I was worried that GPS coordinates, interactive location on the map, time, and speed stamps will be visible during playback. In fact they are (as well as 3-axis G-sensor readings) if you play videos with the software which comes with a camera - last picture before vids shows a screen shot of this software, just check it out online at amazon link i posted. any other common player I've tried plays videos with no issues, but without showing any other data than raw video itself (as what I've posted). I would not post my "night" video online otherwise (guess why LOL). But it gives you a chance to argue if you need to show additional evidence by playing it in software provided, when needed.

Audio recording (and all other settings) can be turned on-off with this camera. Notice that the camera itself can be rotated 180 degrees (main part of the "cylinder" remains fixed, while the end where the lense sits rotates).

[S4twister]

taking bets on min/max mph during night sample vid lol :)

[svander]

You were going pretty quick for a while there, I'd say 90-100 tops.

[S4twister]

this car drives really solid, I once tried hitting 150 on a closed circuit - not a big deal, with plenty of play left.

:)

[windyctyaudi]

this car drives really solid, I once tried hitting 150 on a closed circuit - not a big deal, with plenty of play left.

:)

tried? did u make it or not, btw thanks for finding this i was looking into something like this too

[S4twister]

tried? did u make it or not, btw thanks for finding this i was looking into something like this too

this is a public forum, you know :)

[NWS4Guy]

I thought about doing this and starting up my own website where people could submit "stupid driver" clips to be posted. I'd have a subdomain for every major metro area, and retire on web hits off the ads.

LOL

[2011_S4]

I thought about doing this and starting up my own website where people could submit "stupid driver" clips to be posted. I'd have a subdomain for every major metro area, and retire on web hits off the ads.

LOL

LOL I was just thinking the exact same thing. Imagine all the stupidity that could be documented. I have to say, this cam is pretty cool.

[redrocker55]

this is a public forum, you know :)

That story about hitting 150 MPH was in a dream...it was not reality... [:D]

[S4twister]

That story about hitting 150 MPH was in a dream...it was not reality... [:D]

woohoo, that's what I was dreaming about :)

[S4twister]

I thought about doing this and starting up my own website where people could submit "stupid driver" clips to be posted. I'd have a subdomain for every major metro area, and retire on web hits off the ads.

LOL

just checked - stupiddriver.com is taken but up for resale :)

NWSGuy, truly appreciate everything you post, from technical knowledge to scotch experience in your office while at work, with pics posted :). Could you please clarify your comment above, and what inspired it? - would appreciate this!

[gwalt3]

Looks like a nice set-up, thank you for the post.


So, for $200 a pop and $40 i payed to hardwire it, I'm a happy camper after using it for more than month now.

Can you explain how the camera was hardwired and who did it. Also a photo showing the view of the camera from the outside would be greatly appreciated.

[S4twister]

Looks like a nice set-up, thank you for the post.



Can you explain how the camera was hardwired and who did it. Also a photo showing the view of the camera from the outside would be greatly appreciated.

Yes, sure. Camera was hardwired by a local shop, wire goes right where rear view mirror sits (roof trim, and there are clips with adhesive background provided with camera to secure the length of wire from camera to inside the trim, so it looks flush - nice add-on). Then it was wired to a fuse box insibe the cabin.

Photos:

Tried to park both ways, to/from sun, but anyway too much reflection (blame TX lol), and inadecuate light in the garage. But anyway:
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z131/spoltar/IMG_7242.jpg?t=1312567229

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z131/spoltar/IMG_7243.jpg

Inside:

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z131/spoltar/IMG_7244.jpg?t=1312567440

[svander]

Wow. Looks very clean. Awesome job.

[asm777]

That looks awesome. On the Amazon product page it says "*Product Update: Effective mid May 2011, the display shows speed in MPH. Manual "record" button to record any specific view"

Do you know whether your version is before or after the update?

[S4twister]

That looks awesome. On the Amazon product page it says "*Product Update: Effective mid May 2011, the display shows speed in MPH. Manual "record" button to record any specific view"

Do you know whether your version is before or after the update?

I really don't know. My version displays speed in mph correctly, using provided software. I really don't care about upgrading it, but there's an upgrade procedure described in manual - you need to copy some files from manufacturer's website to a sim card, insert it back in camera, and press something (don't remember exactly) for a few seconds or so.. Doubt I'll go through any of these, as it's suits me as is. Maybe for you it'll be different.

Btw just found another spot where the lightning is such so it's the most visible I've never seen itexposed like this (in front of rearview mirror):

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z131/spoltar/IMG_7245.jpg?t=1312568983

[NWS4Guy]

just checked - stupiddriver.com is taken but up for resale :)

NWSGuy, truly appreciate everything you post, from technical knowledge to scotch experience in your office while at work, with pics posted :). Could you please clarify your comment above, and what inspired it? - would appreciate this!

Well, I see a LOT of stupidity on my daily commute. A LOT. I was thinking about how often people talk and complain about horrible drivers - it's everywhere. Hallway conversations, comedy skits, Family Guy on TV - you name it. People love online videos, if they are educational or enjoyable. GoPro's and other recording devices for this is a burgeoning field that is currently untapped.

I thought it would be great to provide entertainment as well as a place for people to vent. A place people could upload their own videos of stupid things they have seen on the road, a community and forum to post things and talk about things - maybe actually drive some sort of awareness about poor driving habits and things that shouldn't be done behind the wheel. With though add support and traffic, it would easily be self sustaining, possibly make some money.

I wasn't really serious about doing it, but I had given it some thought obviously. If anyone else wants to do it - feel free [:)]

[S4twister]

Well, I see a LOT of stupidity on my daily commute. A LOT. I was thinking about how often people talk and complain about horrible drivers - it's everywhere. Hallway conversations, comedy skits, Family Guy on TV - you name it. People love online videos, if they are educational or enjoyable. GoPro's and other recording devices for this is a burgeoning field that is currently untapped.

I thought it would be great to provide entertainment as well as a place for people to vent. A place people could upload their own videos of stupid things they have seen on the road, a community and forum to post things and talk about things - maybe actually drive some sort of awareness about poor driving habits and things that shouldn't be done behind the wheel. With though add support and traffic, it would easily be self sustaining, possibly make some money.

I wasn't really serious about doing it, but I had given it some thought obviously. If anyone else wants to do it - feel free [:)]

I am ready to pitch in and support this business model by finding potential investors, and evaluating it in terms financial perspective :)

It looks like I slightly misunderstood your original comment, taking it too personally - I apologize for this, stock market (and other things beyond my control) really set me off :)

It'll be another good weekend in a few hours, wishing everyone to have a good time, and make the best out of it!

[NWS4Guy]

Not sure I understand what you mean about taking it too personally, I was just making a comment about how you could use this to create an entertaining website [:)]

[PsYkHoTiK]

Well, I see a LOT of stupidity on my daily commute. A LOT. I was thinking about how often people talk and complain about horrible drivers - it's everywhere. Hallway conversations, comedy skits, Family Guy on TV - you name it. People love online videos, if they are educational or enjoyable. GoPro's and other recording devices for this is a burgeoning field that is currently untapped.

I thought it would be great to provide entertainment as well as a place for people to vent. A place people could upload their own videos of stupid things they have seen on the road, a community and forum to post things and talk about things - maybe actually drive some sort of awareness about poor driving habits and things that shouldn't be done behind the wheel. With though add support and traffic, it would easily be self sustaining, possibly make some money.

I wasn't really serious about doing it, but I had given it some thought obviously. If anyone else wants to do it - feel free [:)]


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E4LDUe5K_4

At least we're not in Asia... LOL! I learned to drive in South East Asia... [:p] I have a much higher threshold before I start honking at people (almost never use it here). A LOT of my friends there have dash cams or cameras kept in the glove compartment... [:p]

Over there, in a traffic jam, if you're not close enough to reach out and touch the car beside you, you're giving too much space (aka someone will take it and cut you off/edge you out). And that's not even counting the swarm of motorcycles that swarm through like flies....

[clochner]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E4LDUe5K_4

At least we're not in Asia... LOL! I learned to drive in South East Asia... [:p] I have a much higher threshold before I start honking at people (almost never use it here). A LOT of my friends there have dash cams or cameras kept in the glove compartment... [:p]

Over there, in a traffic jam, if you're not close enough to reach out and touch the car beside you, you're giving too much space (aka someone will take it and cut you off/edge you out). And that's not even counting the swarm of motorcycles that swarm through like flies....

[o_o][o_o]

[MA7]

Thanks for pointing out this product s4twister. Here's another video about it that I came across:
http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/article/8218653/electronic-eyewitness

What other products did you look at?

How close do you have to be to a car in front of you before the license plate is readable?

PS what's this about "wiretapping" due to the audio? Recording free-air audio sounds is not wiretapping by any legal definition I'm aware of (granted, individual states can come up with some ridiculous laws that should't have passed in the first place). Wiretapping, in the simplest terms, is the interception of an electronic communication.

[svander]

PS what's this about "wiretapping" due to the audio? Recording free-air audio sounds is not wiretapping by any legal definition I'm aware of (granted, individual states can come up with some ridiculous laws that should't have passed in the first place). Wiretapping, in the simplest terms, is the interception of an electronic communication.

It's an excuse law enforcement across the country is using to not be recorded in any way performing their duties or confiscate the devices with which they are being recorded.

There have been numerous instances of this in recent years. Here's a good example: http://www.pixiq.com/article/maryland-motorcyclist-spends-26-hours-in-jail-on-wiretapping-charge-for-filming-cop-with-gun

[UmIsThisThingOn]

You must be a mind reader. I've been looking for a similar thing for a while.
The stupid stuff people in the Metro DC area pull on my commute to work never ceases to amaze me.
I was going to use my iphone with a holder, but this is much better.

[sciblades]

just purchased this, seems very cool to have.

[396ci]

very interested. Do you have details on the hard wiring?

[MRxPresident]

I read that this ITB70g is not compatible with Windows 7 64bit... so does that mean you can only download the video and use a different player?

and...

anyone seen this one? it records in 1080p, but i read the reviews and a lot of problems!

Here (http://www.amazon.com/DOD-Logger-FIRMWARE-Option-INCLUDED/dp/B0056J0QD6/ref=pd_cp_e_3)