After being a witness to a three-car pileup (someone slid between two cars, rear-ended the car in front, and the car behind rear-ended him), it got me thinking about doing like people do in Russia, and having a dash cam. I would like one that can take a SD card and record video in a loop, where when the card's space fills up, the oldest footage is deleted to make room for the newest.Any personal recommendations for a good brand of camera that I can just install and forgot about until there is a wreck? A SD card with a MPEG file does a lot better in court than any witness can.

mlts22 wrote:After being a witness to a three-car pileup (someone slid between two cars, rear-ended the car in front, and the car behind rear-ended him), it got me thinking about doing like people do in Russia, and having a dash cam. I would like one that can take a SD card and record video in a loop, where when the card's space fills up, the oldest footage is deleted to make room for the newest.Any personal recommendations for a good brand of camera that I can just install and forgot about until there is a wreck? A SD card with a MPEG file does a lot better in court than any witness can.I was thinking the same thing. I can't wait for some good responses.

There was a thread about cameras recently, let me see if I can find it. The monitor used had recording capability.

mlts22 wrote:Any personal recommendations for a good brand of camera that I can just install and forgot about until there is a wreck? A SD card with a MPEG file does a lot better in court than any witness can.When looking for a dashcam you want one that:* records true 720 x 1280 (720p) video. This will give full wide screen when uploading to YouTube. Having 1080p is a nice option* has at least a 120 degree wide angle lens* records to either SD or micro SD card, and can accept 32gig cards* includes a suction cup windshield mount* has a lcd display so you can view what is recording (important for aiming camera)* has automatic recycle recording (records over old video when card fills up)* has usb port (so you can upload video to your computer)* includes car chargerMost dashcams are from China or Hong Kong. Ordering from Hong Kong will give the fastest shipping to the US & UK.The one I purchased cost $34, and you can see it's quality in the video I recorded at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7h5K6bLCUIYou can find the same model I bought on eBay at http://www.ebay.com/itm/HD-1080P-Dash-Car-DVR-Cam-Vehicle-Camera-IR-LED-Night-Vision-Blackbox-GS1000-/370771045932?pt=US_Surveillance_Digital_Video_Recorders_Cards&hash=item5653ad2e2cBill

BillCan you program that camera so that the speed in MPH? YouTube video quality is pretty impressive for such an inexpensive unit. Also how much recording time before overwrite with 32 GB cards. Lastly, can you hardwire the power?

the_armadillo wrote:BillCan you program that camera so that the speed in MPH? YouTube video quality is pretty impressive for such an inexpensive unit. Also how much recording time before overwrite with 32 GB cards. Lastly, can you hardwire the power?Yes, you can change the display settings in these cameras. You can turn off or turn on the different features, video resolution, and record time.With a 32gig memory card, you can get 15 to 20 hours of video at highest quality.I set mine to record in 20 minute increments, after which it saves the video file and starts a new recording. As the card fills up, it will delete the oldest recording, to make room for the newer ones.The file names are date and time stamped, so you can find any part of your trip you like.The version I bought has a built in gforce detector, and if it experiences the kind of gforce that indicates an accident, it locks the most recent video file and prevents it from being over-written.I also bought the more expensive version of the same unit that has built in GPS that can display Google Maps location when you play back the video in Windows. For me, having the GPS isn't worth the extra cost.All these dashcams use standard 12 volt cig lighter power. So you could hard-wire it if you choose to do so. Bill

A recommended dash cam brand/model? | Good Sam Community

overbrook
Explorer III
Feb 18, 2014
SaltiDawg wrote:
it doesn't use a USB cable nor connection, but rather a small diameter "pin" plug into the Camera and a cigarette plug on the other end.

If that's the model with the flip down monitor, it's known to cause RF interference.

I don't know of any solution except to get a better cam. One of the best for the money is the G1WH at $60

Bill
SaltiDawg
Explorer
Feb 18, 2014
overbrook wrote:

Try a different USB cable - might solve the problem.

Thanks Bill, it doesn't use a USB cable nor connection, but rather a small diameter "pin" plug into the Camera and a cigarette plug on the other end.
overbrook
Explorer III
Feb 18, 2014
SaltiDawg wrote:

Was hoping for responses by folks having a similar response.

My tinfoil solution, while not very elegant, has improved the situation.

Next is to try moving the Dash Cam to the side of the windscreen.

Over at http://dashcamtalk.com/ they report that a faulty or loose USB cable can cause the conditions you describe.

Try a different USB cable - might solve the problem.

Bill
SaltiDawg
Explorer
Feb 18, 2014
beemerphile1 wrote:
SaltiDawg wrote:

Anyone else having similar issues?

Not with mine.

Was hoping for responses by folks having a similar response.

My tinfoil solution, while not very elegant, has improved the situation.

Next is to try moving the Dash Cam to the side of the windscreen.
CJW8
Explorer
Feb 18, 2014
Sounds like a good use for an old android smartphone or iphone. I am downloading an app as I type this called autoguard blackbox dashcam and it is free. Phone already has GPS and accelerometers.
noe-place
Explorer
Feb 18, 2014
I've read every thread on these things. I'm convinced every MH should have one and I'm getting one first chance I get. I don't trust online purchasing so I guess I'll have to find one at a Best Buy or the like. Thanks for all the input.
beemerphile1
Explorer
Jan 19, 2014
SaltiDawg wrote:

Anyone else having similar issues?

Not with mine.
SaltiDawg
Explorer
Jan 19, 2014
My DVR-207 is plugged into a 12 Volt splitter that in turn is plugged into the cigarette type plug in the front of my 14 year old Dodge Van. Over the past few months I've been noticing a lot of static on my FM Radio.... also, as I reported earlier, my Garmin GPS continually loses Sat Signal.

I (finally) did a Google Search on gps dash cam interference and got lots of hits in various forums suggesting that this is really an EMI problem - the Dash Cam is actually emitting low level RF signals that are being received by the GPS and also the car radio, causing erratic behavior of the GPS and static on the radio!

I am going to try tinfoil on parts of the Dash Cam and possibly try relocating the Dash Cam to one side of the windscreen.

My wife suggests that I use some of the tinfoil from my tin hat that I wear to prevent the NSA from reading my mind, but I think I'll get it elsewhere as that is too risky.

Will post back.

Anyone else having similar issues? I notice from my Google search lots of other folks are reporting identical problems.
Bigfeets
Explorer
Dec 23, 2013
After some research it looks like foxoffer has an upgraded version of the G1W. They call it the G1W C because they elimintated the battery and replaced it with a capacitor. Much safer it sounds! Dash Cam Talk had a ton of info about all models. I'm going with the G1WC thanks to all the reviews.
IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Dec 22, 2013
I think we need a guru on this one. I have tried 2 class 10s,one from Sandisk and one from Sony and have the same problem On all of my Dashcams. G1W, G1000, and DVR207. The G1W being the best one.
or they don't work at all .....But the Sandisk, Sony and Transend all Class 4 seem to work flawlessly and It seems that the picture Quality is better.

I sure cant figure it out but I'm staying with my Class 4.