Dash Cameras

lenp · January 7, 2016

A couple of weeks ago there was a thread on dash cameras. The thread I was looking at is now locked so I will start another.

I ordered a refurbished Garmin Dashcam 20 from Amazon for $145. Received it Monday. Had looked at the cheaper units and decided on a Garmin based on some of the reviews not being very good for many of the cheaper units. Figured I would spend a little more and be happier with a unit from a known manufacturer.

So far I am pleased with the unit. Video quality is pretty good and you can read a license plate at 20-25 feet. Beyond that - no way. But I doubt any of the cheaper units could do better. I have uploaded a short clip (about 20MB) to my website if anyone cares to download it for review .http://rvroamin.com/9-20-15/Louisiana/GrandIsle/DashCam20.mpg

It clearly shows a license plate just after crossing the bridge - pause the video just before passing the truck and check out how clear the plate is. Ten feet farther away and it is just a blur.

I had to convert the original AVI file to MPG before my web host would accept it but the quality of the video remained the same.

The DashCam 20 takes about four minute clips and a 32G SD card will get you about 8 hours of video before it begins to record (write) over old data. It has an event sensor that automatically saves three of the segments (before, during, after the event) with protected status to preserve them for you. It also has GPS that keeps a track of your position and speed built in as you can see on the bottom of the display. It has a snapshot function you can take photos with as well.

Only negative so far is the AVI format. My movie editor will not accept the codec used. Guess it is time to upgrade that too.

Lenp

SWharton · January 7, 2016

We looked at dash cams about 6 months ago and ended up buying a Black Box G1W. We feel it is an interim solution while the industry shakes out. We rejected the Garmin for the sole reason we couldn't turn off it recording our speed. Not that we speed, we generally putter around 60-65, but as a "just in case" also we didn't want anything that recorded audio, another "just in case". In this sue happy society we felt it was at least some protection.

oscarvan · January 7, 2016

Got two "his" and "hers" Black Boxes sitting here in a box ready to be installed. The last fender bender she had was NOT her fault, but the insurance companies couldn't agree who was lying (the other guy). Camera would have solved that.

Bill Joyce · January 7, 2016

Still running two G1W series dashcams, a Spytec G1WH in the motorhome and a Black Box G1WC in the toad. I am using Sandisk class 4 32GB microSD cards in both, since I learned the hard way that a Sandisk class 10 was too fast for the chipset. Last week we were in the mountains of southern California and it was very dry and in the 20s, so both dashcams fell off the windshields. That was a new one. Anyway, the dashcams are working for us.

SWharton · January 7, 2016

Bill,

I am interested in you comment "a Sandisk class 10 was too fast for the chipset" as I put a Class 10 Sandisk 32G into Black Box and didn't have any problems. How do they manifest themselves? Thanks

richfaa · January 7, 2016

Might want to some some research on if dash cam video is allowable as evidence in court.

HamRad · January 8, 2016

We looked at dash cams about 6 months ago and ended up buying a Black Box G1W. We feel it is an interim solution while the industry shakes out. We rejected the Garmin for the sole reason we couldn't turn off it recording our speed. Not that we speed, we generally putter around 60-65, but as a "just in case" also we didn't want anything that recorded audio, another "just in case". In this sue happy society we felt it was at least some protection.

I want to ride with you guys! <G> Sounds like there might be some "interesting comments" as we go "flying" down the road! <LOL> Dennis

HamRad · January 8, 2016

Might want to some some research on if dash cam video is allowable as evidence in court.

Rich --- Even if they are not allowed in court ( I have no idea if they are) the mere existence would probably cause the "other" party to stick more closely to the "truth". Dennis

Bill Joyce · January 8, 2016

Bill,

I am interested in you comment "a Sandisk class 10 was too fast for the chipset" as I put a Class 10 Sandisk 32G into Black Box and didn't have any problems. How do they manifest themselves? Thanks

A write error and then the dashcam shuts down. An intermittent issue that happens with some dashcams and other devices that use the same chipset as the G1W, including the SJ 4000 Gopro clone. Some found a brand change is enough to solve it, but going with a class 4 or 6 card works for me.

oscarvan · January 8, 2016

Rich --- Even if they are not allowed in court ( I have no idea if they are) the mere existence would probably cause the "other" party to stick more closely to the "truth". Dennis

And if not them, certainly their adjuster......

Multiple levels to this game.

Raquel · January 8, 2016

I just ordered a Black Box G1W-C for our truck. We've been talking about it for quite awhile and figured it was time. The capacitor model seemed a better choice than the battery model in a vehicle that will likely be left in the sun. We do pull the window shades when we know it will be setting awhile.