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Is anyone using a dashcam?


MichaelChang

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<p>I've been looking at dashcams for years and the more I looked the more confused I got, so in total frustration I decided to try my Canon Powershot SX130IS and couldn't be happier, albeit a stopgap solution. </p>

<p>It shoots 720p video which is more than adequate and 32G records plenty of time. There were a few challenges, though, so I loaded CHDK (firmware hack) and got it to:</p>

<ol>

<li>Turn off its LCD while recording to save power; and</li>

<li>Use Canon's "Miniature Effect" to record time-lapse video in 6, 3, or 1.5 fps to save space, or record in real time; and</li>

<li>An external power bank to power it for hours; and</li>

<li>All under full manual control (useful for night recording) and more. </li>

</ol>

<p>Interestingly, the Miniature Effect mode turned out to be perfect - it blurs the top and bottom third which would be sky and hood when used as a dashcam anyway, and it's not permanently installed so it can be removed from the dash and used for other purposes. </p>

<p>I'm still looking for a purpose-made dashcam, though, but now I have a reference. </p>

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<p>I'm somewhat tempted. - Checking the legal situation here, I'd not be permitted to record every ride full length and couldn't use the footage in court to claim compensation for an accident. - I would be permitted to <em>temporary</em> operate a dashcam to get other folks endangering me punished. Generating footage of landscapes passed & similar for personal purposes would be legal too. <br>

What is there on the market that would lend itself to an installation inside the plastic fairing of a motor scooter, with a hole drilled for the lens to shoot through? What kind of results could be expected? - I'd be content with stills.</p>

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<p>See this - <a href="https://dashcamtalk.com/">https://dashcamtalk.com/</a></p>

<p>Probably the most complete dash cam site on the 'net and has a very active and helpful forum. Product reviews, pros/cons of different cams, etc.</p>

<p>Edit: BTW, I currently have 4 cameras in my vehicle - front, back and both sides. Also front and rear in my wife's car.</p>

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<p>I use a GoPro Hero (first model) camera on (inside) windshield mount of my '91 Vanagon Syncro. I use it for documenting trips. Sometimes I've left it on while parked, eg. first car loaded on Washington State ferry to get video of the trip and crew on arrival in Seattle. Newer models have bluetooth to view and control via iPhone. I have newer Hero 4 mounted on the top of the back window.</p>
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<p>A dash cam video doesn't constitute proof of anything, but can be used as evidence in a criminal or civil trial. Knowing that the event was recorded changes the game in a "he said, she said" situation. A ticket you don't get is better than one you win on appeal.</p>

<p>There are many dedicated devices which use a GPS to record time, position and speed continuously. Stop motion would not be appropriate. Most accidents are over in under a second. Don't forget road rage. You also need continuous recording, writing over data as needed. My system retains at least 3 minutes before and after a collision, triggered by accelerameter data.</p>

<p>If you can't attach anything to the windshield (e.g., Kalifornia), cameras can be built into mirrors, or mounted from the seats or ceiling.</p>

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<blockquote>

<p><em>"I'd not be permitted to record every ride full length and couldn't use the footage in court to claim compensation for an accident"</em></p>

</blockquote>

<p>Jochen, you're in Germany, correct? It's fascinating that there will be such complications over dashcam usage while camcorders are not. </p>

<p>In Canada, privacy laws are only concerned with recording conversations, and only one-party consent is required in many jurisdictions (the recordist is a participant in the conversation) so generally there will be no problems. </p>

 

<blockquote>

<p><em> "Stop motion would not be appropriate."</em> </p>

</blockquote>

<p>Edward, I can use my Android device and Torque app. as a GPS-logged dashcam complete with ODB2 data, but I'm primarily interested in trip recording and time-lapse "art" as well as convenience without complicated startup fiddling.<br>

<br>

Good point about the implications of non-continuous video, though. <br>

<br>

</p>

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<p>The ArtTechnica article barely scratches the surface of the subject and the cameras they reviewed are, for the most part, 'members of the pack' and there are much better offerings depending on ones specific needs/desires.</p>

<p>This article provides a much better insight on a macro level as to what, why and where - <a href="https://dashcamtalk.com/dash-cam-buying-guide/">Overview</a>.</p>

<p>As to what camera to consider based on different criteria/needs/desires, etc. read this one - Best by <a href="https://dashcamtalk.com/best-dash-cams-of-2016/">Category</a>.</p>

<p>To do a head-to-head comparison of different cameras try - <a href="https://dashcamtalk.com/">Head-to-Head</a>.</p>

<p>And for those that prefer to watch videos versus reading articles this site has more than enough reviews to keep you entertained for more than a 3 day weekend. The first video is a 'why get one' and then you can go on to camera specific presentations - <a href="http://www.techmoan.com/guide-to-dashcams/">TechMoan</a>.</p>

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<p>I've watched quite a few TechMoan's reviews on YouTube and his reviews are actually quite good, touching on everything a photographer would be interested in.</p>

<p>Trouble is, you never really know until you own it; on the other hand, once you own it, you'll probably just end up happily using it and it'll just become another car appliance. <br>

</p>

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<p>Edward, I can use my Android device and Torque app. as a GPS-logged dashcam complete with ODB2 data, but I'm primarily interested in trip recording and time-lapse "art" as well as convenience without complicated startup fiddling. The videos might not convince a judge, but are very useful when dealing with insurance companies.<br /> <br /> I use a dashcam primarily for security. While the raw dashcam video might not be accepted in evidence, I assure you that a processed video (e.g., to add GPS data) would never pass muster.<br /> <br /> A GoPro can be set to record continuously, and write over existing data on a first in, first out basis. It can be powered from any USB source, to supplant the ridiculously small replaceable battery. The quality is quite good, especially compared to dedicated dashcams. I use one frequently as an inconspicuous on-stage camera for a soloist, conductor, etc. The output blends well with other footage, except for a propensity to veiling flare from lights outside the field of view.<br /> <br /> I actually mounted the GoPro on the window once or twice, as a de facto dashcam. It's easier to use a dedicated dashcam, even on a temporary basis. I have a Garmin unit I take when traveling, and permanently installed units on my personal vehicles.</p>
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<blockquote>

<p><em>"Don't blur the sky! "</em></p>

</blockquote>

<p>Good point, Matt; no one will believe me if I ever have a real UFO encounter. </p>

<blockquote>

<p><em>"I use a Contour Roam 3 on my bicycle helmet."</em></p>

</blockquote>

<p>Thanks for sharing, Robert. I like your horn! </p>

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  • 8 months later...

I have a portable Garmin dash camera with GPS, which I wish I had brought to Iceland. My brother did most of the driving and navigation, but I couldn't see his GPS and had no idea of where we were, and often which direction we were heading. I've spent two months trying to figure out key landmarks where my pictures were taken, much less the hundreds of stops we made along the way. The Garmin would not only record the roads taken, but leave a GPZ "trail of breadcrumbs" which can be synchronized with photos in Lightroom.

 

You get about 10 hours of 1080-30p video on a 32 GB card before it starts to write over the oldest data. An hand-held GPS (e.g., Garmin 64) will record up to 16 hours on internal batteries, and hold weeks worth of GPZ data. As it turned out, Google maps were as good or better than maps you could buy, down to street level detail.

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