Dash Cam: Queries & Discussions

[allhyundaicars]

Re: Buying a Dashboard Camera – Advice & Discussions

Are you using the GT300? I see you have placed the dashcam right beside the black dotted area of the windscreen, has the dashcam ever come out / fall off?

I am using the GT300, and had placed it ON that black spotted area of the windscreen for a few months, after which the dashcam used to fall of frequently. I cleaned the windscreen area as well as the suction cup several times, still it falls off. I wanted to place the dashcam in that area since it doesnt obstruct the front view and also does not cause any distraction if otherwise placed in another part of the windscreen. Not sure why the dashcam keeps falling off. I am also searching for a rearview mirror bracket/mount for the dashcam so that i can fix it on the rearview mirror instead of depending on fixing it on the windscreen using a suction cup.

Check this.

https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/threa...-wind-shield-by-using-cap-from-pringles.5198/

Pringels will set you back 200rs just bought them today

 

[Prabhagar]

Re: Buying a Dashboard Camera – Advice & Discussions

Check this.

https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/threa...-wind-shield-by-using-cap-from-pringles.5198/

Pringels will set you back 200rs just bought them today

Guys please help me get a CPL filter for A118/A118C dashcam models. Bright sunny days leaves a lot of dashboard shade in my recordings, but could not find them online. :

 

[Arijitb]

Re: Buying a Dashboard Camera – Advice & Discussions

I see you have placed the dashcam right beside the black dotted area of the windscreen, has the dashcam ever come out / fall off?

I placed it Top in front of the Co passenger Side. So I don't have any control over it when I'm driving.If I try to install the Black Dotted Area it will there for 5 Mins as Max 10 min...Then it follow the Law of Gravity.

Yes..It will be great if we can mount the Cam behind the IRVM.

 

[CRACING]

Hello Friends,

Please advice me a good Chinese dash cam priced around 2-3k max and available in Indian online stores. I have found few on ebay India, GT300, G30 and GS8000L. In these, G30 looks somewhat good because it has Novatek Chip but GS8000L has easy access buttons and GT300 has 170 degree lens (Not sure). I'm confused which one to choose. If anyone owns any of these cams, let me know how it is.

I would be using this in the daytime and within city, to record traffic mischief's or accidents if any.

Thanks...
Best Regards

 

[Prabhagar]

Re: Buying a Dashboard Camera – Advice & Discussions

Hello Friends,

Please advice me a good Chinese dash cam priced around 2-3k max and available in Indian online stores. I have found few on ebay India, GT300, G30 and GS8000L. In these, G30 looks somewhat good because it has Novatek Chip but GS8000L has easy access buttons and GT300 has 170 degree lens (Not sure). I'm confused which one to choose. If anyone owns any of these cams, let me know how it is.

I would be using this in the daytime and within city, to record traffic mischief's or accidents if any.

Thanks...
Best Regards

Hi CRACING,
I have been using A118C dashcam for about 6 months now. Purchased from Amazon US for $70 and a friend of mine carried for me in his luggage. I am not sure if it is available directly from Indian online retailers but I have seen it in aliexpress.com. It's got the Novatek chipset with very good day time clarity (170° | 1080p). There is also a newer version of this called A119C which looks sleeker than mine. Please do check out both the models during your shopping.

Pictures:
http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...mans-review-7500-kms-update-5.html#post508883

Video Samples (pages 7 and 8 in this thread):
http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...-cam-all-law-breakers-india-7.html#post525117

 

[CRACING]

Re: Buying a Dashboard Camera – Advice & Discussions

@Prabhagar

I was expecting your responce.

There are many good dash cams in Aliexpress but I cannot buy them because either I cannot wait (30-60 days) for the item to reach me or deal with customs. I'm sure electronics like these will held in customs and officers will add duty.

I have seen all your video footages and indeed the cam sensor is great. VIOFO A118C is the one you have right? Is this the same? If so, may be I will have to raise my budget and go for it.

 

[Prabhagar]

Re: Buying a Dashboard Camera – Advice & Discussions

@Prabhagar
I was expecting your responce.

There are many good dash cams in Aliexpress but I cannot buy them because either I cannot wait (30-60 days) for the item to reach me or deal with customs. I'm sure electronics like these will held in customs and officers will add duty.

I have tried it with low value items and cannot agree more with you. Most often, I forget my order by the time the product reached me.

I have seen all your video footages and indeed the cam sensor is great. VIOFO A118C is the one you have right? Is this the same? If so, may be I will have to raise my budget and go for it.

Mine is called Spy Tec but the name has no purpose other than occupying few characters in product listings. It's all from that one unknown Chinese maker. Even the carton box does not mention these brand names anywhere. It just reads "A118C Dash Camera" and a separate barcode label stuck on it with Spy Tec branding (which is probably Amazon's label). Your ebay listing is visually same as mine, in case you decide to stretch your budget.

 

[CRACING]

Re: Buying a Dashboard Camera – Advice & Discussions

I have tried it with low value items and cannot agree more with you. Most often, I forget my order by the time the product reached me.

Same here, I have bought lot of accessories for DSLR, Mobile, Computer, Car and etc under 1k but I'm afraid to spend more. Getting lost in transit is covered by Aliexpress/ebay.com but if it attracts customs duty, I will have to pay it or forget about the money paid for the product. Aliexpress/ebay.com will not refund if the order helds in customs.

Mine is called Spy Tec but the name has no purpose other than occupying few characters in product listings. It's all from that one unknown Chinese maker. Even the carton box does not mention these brand names anywhere. It just reads "A118C Dash Camera" and a separate barcode label stuck on it with Spy Tec branding (which is probably Amazon's label). Your ebay listing is visually same as mine, in case you decide to stretch your budget.

Yep thats true. The cam looks same as yours and has Novatek 96650 chipset with 170 degree lens and seller provides 6 months warranty and satisfaction guarantee.

I have checked all other Chinese dash cams available in Ebay India and Amazon India but most are improperly described (Spec written in text is different then spec written in pictures) and there is no guarantee that I get the same product mentioned by the sellers. Lot of clones and fake dashcams.

My budget is 3k but I don't mind spending few more bucks for a better quality product. After all, I have 8% coupon and cashbacks in payback so I will probably go for this dash cam.

Thanks a lot for your advice.

 

[Deepakgudla]

Something interested to share. Convert your old smart phone to Dash cam.
How to Turn an Old Smartphone Into a Dash Cam for Your Car

Pros: no need of connecting power all the time. It can uses its battery. In case of emergency (even if the car key is taken by cop abruptly), no issue of video lost.
Using of old mobile is better option so that you can fix it in the car. If you are using your current mobile, there is a risk of forgetting to keep the mobile.
Lot many apps available in google play and apple store.
cost effective
high resolution recording (based on your mobile)

Can some one add any Cons of this method.?

 

[ayan84]

Re: Buying a Dashboard Camera – Advice & Discussions

Can some one add any Cons of this method.?

I have tried using my old phone. Here are the Cons:

1) Gets heated up fast - mobile phones are not meant for keeping the display on for hours, that too with the camera mode on. The phone hangs and eventually we lose out the entire video footage if it does not get saved.

2) Since the camera in most phones has auto focus enabled by default, the footage comprises of blurry images at times, especially since its always on the move and images are moving fast. Not sure if there are dashcam apps which can fix it to manual focus only.

3) I faced an issue of having the camera properly fixed and stable - since it needs to be fixed horizontally and the typical mobile holders available cover the lens area, or touches the volume/power buttons on side, it becomes unstable to hold the phone properly and drops off frequently - although this depends on the holder and the phone types you are using.

4) The entire footage is recorded as a single file in a mobile phone - not sure if there are camera apps which can record it in individual files automatically.

 

[Prabhagar]

Re: Buying a Dashboard Camera – Advice & Discussions

Can some one add any Cons of this method.?

These are some cons I can think of:
- Recordings will be jumpy and vibrating a lot compared to regular dash cams.
- Limited field of view compared to a regular dash cam (170 degrees these days).
- Over heating when used for long duration, especially when it receives direct sunlight.
- Forgetting to mount and power up the phone. This can happen often during short runs closer from home.
- Bigger & bulkier compared to most dash cams (some won't even be noticeable from outside).

Even with these cons, this solution will get the job done for regular home <-> work driving. Definitely worth trying out if there is an unused phone lying around .

 

[Deepakgudla]

Re: Buying a Dashboard Camera – Advice & Discussions

I have tried using my old phone. Here are the Cons:

1) Gets heated up fast - mobile phones are not meant for keeping the display on for hours, that too with the camera mode on. The phone hangs and eventually we lose out the entire video footage if it does not get saved.

2) Since the camera in most phones has auto focus enabled by default, the footage comprises of blurry images at times, especially since its always on the move and images are moving fast. Not sure if there are dashcam apps which can fix it to manual focus only.

3) I faced an issue of having the camera properly fixed and stable - since it needs to be fixed horizontally and the typical mobile holders available cover the lens area, or touches the volume/power buttons on side, it becomes unstable to hold the phone properly and drops off frequently - although this depends on the holder and the phone types you are using.

4) The entire footage is recorded as a single file in a mobile phone - not sure if there are camera apps which can record it in individual files automatically.

These are some cons I can think of:
- Recordings will be jumpy and vibrating a lot compared to regular dash cams.
- Limited field of view compared to a regular dash cam (170 degrees these days).
- Over heating when used for long duration, especially when it receives direct sunlight.
- Forgetting to mount and power up the phone. This can happen often during short runs closer from home.
- Bigger & bulkier compared to most dash cams (some won't even be noticeable from outside).

Even with these cons, this solution will get the job done for regular home <-> work driving. Definitely worth trying out if there is an unused phone lying around .

Thank you guys for the reply.
I have another question. I just found that there are some cables/wires which can connect dashcams directly with car battery. Is that a good idea to connect dashcam to battery or we can leave it with cigarette lighter port?
Please add your thoughts.

 

[Prabhagar]

Re: Buying a Dashboard Camera – Advice & Discussions

Is that a good idea to connect dashcam to battery or we can leave it with cigarette lighter port?
Please add your thoughts.

Hi Deepak,
It's better to leave it in cigarette lighter port for beginners. Hard wiring it to fuse box can be done as a DIY if the owner is open to learn the steps, as it has a slight risk of messing with the car's electrical system. It will require opening some dashboard panels, finding the right fuse line and installing an add-a-circuit fuse tap, securing the new wires in fuse box area using cable ties, routing it back to roof top for the dash cam. Hiding wires completely and letting the cigar port free is one advantage. The other being the capability to power the dash cam 24x7 even without the key, if the cam supports parking mode (aka motion detection mode).

 

[Deepakgudla]

Re: Buying a Dashboard Camera – Advice & Discussions

Hi Deepak,
It's better to leave it in cigarette lighter port for beginners. Hard wiring it to fuse box can be done as a DIY if the owner is open to learn the steps, as it has a slight risk of messing with the car's electrical system. It will require opening some dashboard panels, finding the right fuse line and installing an add-a-circuit fuse tap, securing the new wires in fuse box area using cable ties, routing it back to roof top for the dash cam. Hiding wires completely and letting the cigar port free is one advantage. The other being the capability to power the dash cam 24x7 even without the key, if the cam supports parking mode (aka motion detection mode).

Hello Prabhagar, Thanks for your response.

I am looking for a Dashcam with Park assist mode. I have zeored on this.
https://www.amazon.de/Dashcam-170-W...=1486728529&sr=8-14&keywords=dash+camera+auto

This has quite well features for the price and i checked this in one of my colleague car in Germany. It is really awesome. But, i need to check with Tata dealer, if they re capable of fitting this to the battery without voiding electrical warranty. Or else, as you mentioned, i can use cigarette lighter for sometime till i acquire knowledge of wiring/fuse system of Tiago.

 

[Prabhagar]

Re: Buying a Dashboard Camera – Advice & Discussions

But, i need to check with Tata dealer, if they re capable of fitting this to the battery without voiding electrical warranty. Or else, as you mentioned, i can use cigarette lighter for sometime till i acquire knowledge of wiring/fuse system of Tiago.

It looks promising for the price listed (~1500 INR?). Hopefully TASC will be willing to hard-wire it for you, as the website lists wiring kit as well in the images. If they refuse to install and you would like to try a DIY, there are lot of YouTube videos illustrating the process. Until then, you may need a power bank to use it in parking mode as this unit doesn't seem to have battery.