Dash cams - discuss here

[zzz3]

does your blackvue have blurry lens issue?

[jonjon72]

Just to chime in about the Blackvue. I have had mine for about a year now and the video quality has degraded. Quite blurry and does some recording issues.

[Lockdown]

does your blackvue have blurry lens issue?

Seen a few of these in the last few weeks. Not sure if Ami's is experiencing the same but our shop unit and another of our test subjects had the same issue

Sucks if you just spent nearly $300 on a camera and the lens is gone and out of warranty

[zzz3]

it looks like it. just an fyi, if anyone bought a blackvue from the RFD group buy, they are sending in cams for warranty soon:
http://forums.redflagdeals.com/pittasoft-voiding-warranty-blackvue-cameras-purchased-through-pintobean-groupbuy-1295993/6/#post16299067

[leecheefoto]

The Blackvue remains clear. Don't know where you guys are getting "blurry" from (in that video).
You probably might think it's blurry but it could be halation.
Also the fact that the mount is covering half the screen can cause halation. The sensor uses an auto exposure meter to balance out the darks and lights.



Why I think the Blackvue remains more clear than the other dash cam is that when I pause the video where Ami passes by small stores or signs, I can still read out the words and the signs.
ie; on the BV video pause it at 4:59 and you can still read most of the words there.

However at 6:29 in the dual dash cam, the sign that intersects the Burger King sign is unreadable while both signs in both video have enough contrast to read.



Also I want to point out that the dual dash cam seems like it's focused on the windshield more or it has really close focus as the waters seem clear.

My taste and review is based on the small quality of the video, I want it to record the words while it's moving. For let's say license plates (who knows, someone drives by and pulls out a gun lol)


Both are great dash cams, just that they both have a weakness for red lights. If I had to improve anything about the video, I'd say have them edited side by side at the same time. Also, use the wiper more often as the water gets in the way the scene

[matt9]

I think a suitable dash cam should be:
1) HD with enough resolution to resolve license plates (the uploaded videos from the TM3 member were 480p at most)
2) work in various weather conditions and time of day (night or day)
3) show date and speed information
4) minimal user work required (ie: turns on automatically when car is on, records footage continuously and then over-writes older footage) etc.

[S.F.W.]

I think a suitable dash cam should be:
1) HD with enough resolution to resolve license plates (the uploaded videos from the TM3 member were 480p at most)
2) work in various weather conditions and time of day (night or day)
3) show date and speed information
4) minimal user work required (ie: turns on automatically when car is on, records footage continuously and then over-writes older footage) etc.

But are you/other members prepared to pay $300-$400 for a higher end camera ?

[zzz3]

But are you/other members prepared to pay $300-$400 for a higher end camera ?
nowadays, "higher end" cameras are not $300-$400.

itronics itb-100hd is back up on ebay, but at $240-$260 vs. what it was earlier, $170-$200 (before crackdown). alternatively, you can deal with the ebay re-sellers directly through dashcamtalk and pick them up for under $200. the only camera that is worth $300 would be the finevu cr-500hd.

[Lockdown]

Actually high end cameras are in the $500-$1000 range and those are intended for plate reading

[zzz3]

Actually high end cameras are in the $500-$1000 range and those are intended for plate reading

Which one?

Itronics and FineVu both read plates no problem and are $300 or less. Blackvue too but I wouldn't consider it given its reliability issues.

[Lockdown]

Which one?

Itronics and FineVu both read plates no problem and are $300 or less. Blackvue too but I wouldn't consider it given its reliability issues.

I don't have model numbers off hand but they are similar to what police use. I'd have to go and look it up and am out of town at the moment. There are cameras specifically designed for plate reading, not as a dash cam. More on the professional side of the market, where it is more important.

Would you even spend a grand on one of these?

[zzz3]

I don't have model numbers off hand but they are similar to what police use. I'd have to go and look it up and am out of town at the moment. There are cameras specifically designed for plate reading, not as a dash cam. More on the professional side of the market, where it is more important.

Would you even spend a grand on one of these?

No, because it can be done for substantially less, relatively speaking. For consumer market dashcams, $200~ is considered high end, so I'm not sure why $500+ dashcams are being discussed or referred to as the only alternative for cameras that can read plates.

[Lockdown]

As an example, I am friends with a PI, his camera cost him $1500.

I'm sure there are hundreds of alternatives that can suit just about anyone's budget and needs.

[loki]

Discuss cameras to your hearts content here and leave threads about specific items clean

[zzz3]

if anyone wants to compare dashcams or learn more, this is a good resource:
http://dashcamtalk.com/dash-cam-comparison/

[tdott]

I recently picked up the new Blackvue DR500GW-HD wifi, nothing interesting to show yet. But the quality is a huge step up from my older 640x480 cam.

I'm not too worried about the heat issues as I don't plan to leave parking mode on, or leave it inside a boiling hot car with the sun beating down on a humid summer day. Most electronic devices won't survive that kinda torture. That's really the only complaint I heard from older blackvues.

[mazdabetty]

But are you/other members prepared to pay $300-$400 for a higher end camera ?

That list of requirements isn't a lot to ask. I've mentioned this in several other dashcam threads but $50 at Canada Computers gets you almost all those things...

1) HD with enough resolution to resolve license plates (the uploaded videos from the TM3 member were 480p at most)
Not HD, but certainly high enough resolution to read license plates in front of you easily

2) work in various weather conditions and time of day (night or day)
What dashcam doesn't work in various conditions/time of day? lol

3) show date and speed information
Date yes. Speed information no. I don't think it's completely necessary to have speed in there anyway, could end up doing you more harm than good if you have a bit of a heavy foot ;)

4) minimal user work required (ie: turns on automatically when car is on, records footage continuously and then over-writes older footage) etc.
Yes and yes.

So why are people still spending $300, let alone even $100 on dash cams??? Blows my mind.

EDIT:

I'm not too worried about the heat issues as I don't plan to leave parking mode on, or leave it inside a boiling hot car with the sun beating down on a humid summer day. Most electronic devices won't survive that kinda torture. That's really the only complaint I heard from older blackvues.

I will also just point out that my cheap CC dash cam has survived an entire summer left in the car, through the crazy heatwave, as well as -30/40 temperatures in Eastern Ontario for days on end with zero issues.

Just sayin. lol

[tdott]

I will also just point out that my cheap CC dash cam has survived an entire summer left in the car, through the crazy heatwave, as well as -30/40 temperatures in Eastern Ontario for days on end with zero issues.

Just sayin. lol

Does your 'cheap' dash cam have a parking mode? Meaning it is on (generating heat) while in a boiling hot car with no air circulation? Pretty sure the outcome would be different if you were comparing apples to apples.

[mazdabetty]

I was only referring to this specific comment:

I'm not too worried about the heat issues as I don't plan to leave parking mode on, or leave it inside a boiling hot car with the sun beating down on a humid summer day.

Doing both at the same time, I would not know as I have not tried it. This particular camera does not have parking mode unfortunately, but from what I've read, a device can be purchased separately which allows any dash cam to continue running while parked... still saving you hundreds of dollars. To each their own though, if people like paying for the convenience of having those features built in and a sticker with a name brand on it then all the power to them! :)

[tdott]

I think you may be simplifying things too much. It's not only paying more for convenience but for additional features, GPS, Wifi, 16gb, HD vs SD, low light video quality, smaller/nicer looking and overall better product. It probably is overkill for some people, but some are willing to pay extra if they see value in it.

Parking mode vs. keeping another dashcam powered the entire time isn't the same as having a motion sensor that triggers recording.

I'm curious which dashcam do you have that you are comparing it to?

[mazdabetty]

I think you misunderstood what the intention of my original post was.

All I'm saying is that it IS possible to find a dash cam that performs basic functions (ie HD capability, time and date display, easy set up, etc) without spending a fortune.

If people require additional useless functions such as GPS and WIFI capabilities on a dashcam of all things, and have the means to afford it, then that's awesome! But for the visitors that read these kind of threads looking to educate themselves on the different options available to them, it's nice for them to not feel bombarded by the same expensive brand over and over again, and know that there are other options out there that won't break the bank.

That being said, for the people who are on a budget and are looking for a decent dash cam, this is the one I am referring to:

http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=497&item_id=048003

It's small, it's lightweight, and I'm not going to lie, the plastic feels cheap lol, but it does the job well.

[Mangtoos]

Really decent HD dash cameras cost about $140 based on my research. That'll get you 1080P at 30FPS with a lens that's decent enough to capture license plates clearly. I'll probably get one soon, but for now I'm playing with some software that has the same feature set for the android. Phone lenses suck, but for now it'll be better than nothing.

[Mangtoos]

For those interested, especially if you use your phone for dash mounted GPS or Torque. Here is the app here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hovans.autoguard&hl=en

Can record automatically, overwrite, and all the basic features you'd expect. The only thing I don't like is it doesn't orient the camera based on the phone position (has to be sideways), but that's the same with regular dash mounted cameras. My old crappy phone supports 1080p, so not bad for not having to spend extra money.