Let's talk dashcams

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Leefuss
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Let's talk dashcams

Post by Leefuss »

Thinking about getting myself one of these with the amount of bellends that frequent the roads and was wondering what people are running?? Had a search through the forum and there's nothing really about what people have from what I can see

Had a quick look on the Halfrauds website and they currently have the Nextbase 202 on offer for £45. Anyone use this or had any experience with this?
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Re: Let's talk dashcams

Post by Calum »

I got a Nextbase 512g as a christmas present for my dad (as well as the hardwire kit) - about £162 all in from Amazon.

After seeing the quality of the footage and how wide the field of vision is, I also decided to get one for the Mazda.

Worth noting that Adrian Flux gave me 15% off my insurance quote thanks to having one fitted :thumleft:
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Re: Let's talk dashcams

Post by EvilDes »

I've been looking for something too since buying the R3 - last year some tw@t slammed his brakes on a green light trying to get me to crash into the back of him in my S1, and since then I have meant to buy one. So now is the time.

There's just so many options, price variations and features - do I need them all?

GPS tracking - for me, not a requirement, unless someone can show me a big benefit?
Field of view - I want the widest possible, but what would be the absolute minimum to go to? 120?
Storage capacity - what's the practicality of having larger storage, when any footage not required gets overwritten (therefore meaning support "only" up to a certain size isn't as detrimental to the operation of the dashcam?)
Recording when the car is parked - this is where I start to confuse myself - is this something I need? It would only be useful for vandalism/break ins, as if the car is nicked, so is the camera.

So, overall, is there any value in spending £150-200, as opposed to £50-60? Any value in front and rear cameras? I always think that regardless of what happens behind you you'll be able to see when you're not in the wrong even with front only footage?

Think I've thrown enough spanners in there now... discuss :D
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Re: Let's talk dashcams

Post by Calum »

My only real concern when picking out a dashcam was the clarity of the picture (especially in low light levels) for picking up number plates and far off objects, and that it didn't suffer from glare off the windscreen.

I also wanted a motion detect feature for when the car is parked up for long periods. No doubt a cheaper dashcam would satisfy most peoples requirements however.

My dad was so happy with his he is looking to get one for the rear as well - I might do the same. Dashcams are the future I reckon, it won't be long before we are required to have one as standard by insurance companies.

A good article which examines a few options - http://www.driving.co.uk/car-clinic/buy ... -reviewed/
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Re: Let's talk dashcams

Post by EvilDes »

Thanks Calum. As I opened that link up I realised I had read it and watched all the videos a few weeks back. Can I ask, in regards to the one you have - the power source - it's only minor but I'm not keen on having to constantly use the 12v (I'm OCD and prefer to have that closed off :D ) - but is it easy to effectively hide the cable without making it obvious the interior trim has been messed with to tuck in?

I am liking the look of that one you have, edging toward that one.
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Re: Let's talk dashcams

Post by Calum »

I opted for the hardwire kit as I wasn't a fan of the cables showing, and I needed a constant 12v supply for filming when the car is parked. It uses a fuse in the passenger footwell (I forget which one) which is always live. Alternatively I guess you could run your own 12v supply from the battery with an inline fuse if you didn't want to use the car's loom for a power source.

This is the one I used:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nextbase-Car-C ... e+hardwire

It doesn't drain the battery as it only records snippets when it detects motion, although annoyingly it has to be set to motion detect every time you want it activated. If i am only parking the car for a few hours (to go shopping etc.) I leave it recording constantly.

All the wiring tucks away quite easily and was fairly simple to hide out of the way, I tucked it behind the windscreen pillar to get it to the top of the windscreen, there is a good thread on here which helped quite a lot.

The only problem I've had so far is that we couldn't get a 32gb card to work with the camera (a common issue apparently), but a 16gb worked fine and gives more than enough recording capacity.

http://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk/forum/vi ... ng#p992193
Last edited by Calum on Tue May 24, 2016 3:11 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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EvilDes (Tue May 24, 2016 4:10 pm)
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Re: Let's talk dashcams

Post by SeriousSam »

I've got the Nextbase 402G, and so far it's been great. No complaints from me, really easy to set up and use. I imagine the 202 is similar but with lower resolution.
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Re: Let's talk dashcams

Post by Leefuss »

I was looking at the specs between the 402 and the 202 and there isn't a lot of difference between them

1) The 402 is 1080p resolution whereas the 202 is 720p
2) The 402 has GPS logging whereas the 202 hasn't
3)The 402 has 140 degree camera angle whereas the 202 is 120 degree
4) The 402 has 4.6 hours recording time whereas the 202 has 4.3 hours

With the 402 currently being £126 and the 202 being £45 (Halfords have an offer of 15% off Nexbase until 5th June) I don't know if the extra £81 between them is justified
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Re: Let's talk dashcams

Post by EvilDes »

The 212 seems a decent compromise. That has GPS and 1080p, with 140 degree viewing angle for £59 in Halfrauds at the mo. But for £45, that 202 is a good budget option.

Although I didn't start this topic, thanks for the replies!

Calum - good shout on the hardwire kit, that's a much better option than having the 12v constantly in use.
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Re: Let's talk dashcams

Post by SeriousSam »

I got mine on a deal, it set me back £99 at the time and came with a free pack of other bits. I agree at full price it's probably not worth it.
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Re: Let's talk dashcams

Post by Dove66 »

Ideally I want a front and rear camera model with night vision. This excludes the Read Angel Halo but the Nextbase Duo looks ok. Anyone have experience of a 2 camera dash cam?
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Re: Let's talk dashcams

Post by DJZ »

An acquaintance has just installed a Blackvue dashcam system with twin HD cameras (one fitted to the windscreen/other fitted to the rear screen) in her Tesla. She's really pleased with the spec of the system and the image quality. It's an expensive system (I think she paid about £300 all in) but quality wise I've not seen anything better and it is accessible via an app on her phone.

http://www.blackvue.eu/Blackvue_DR650GW.php

I realise this system may be overkill for 99% of users who just want a cheap-n-cheerful solution, but it's always good to investigate all the options available to you ;-)
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Dove66 (Fri May 27, 2016 6:14 am)
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Re: Let's talk dashcams

Post by Youngun_PZ »

They are used around eastern europe and russian states for insurance purposes. Theres where those awesome dash shots come from on youtube. They surely reduce premiums to for most companies, doesn't the GPS ones ping when moved (so, if say it was nicked?) another good option.....like an intergrated tracker?

Some decent camera set up have both front and rears but rears only 720p/540p at most but front can be 1080p/720p quality. Recording to one unit.
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Re: Let's talk dashcams

Post by Dove66 »

The Blackvue certainly look nice. I'm surprised that there appears to be little choice for twin camera models though.
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Re: Let's talk dashcams

Post by Adrian Flux »

Hi,
Please see the below for a complete list of our approved in-car cameras.
http://www.adrianflux.co.uk/dash-cam-insurance/
Regards,
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Re: Let's talk dashcams

Post by Youngun_PZ »

Was just about to ask that question. 15% isnt bad either. Next premium should be cheap then
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Re: Let's talk dashcams

Post by EvilDes »

I bought the NextBase 212 today. Yet to set it up, didn't get chance to go grab a memory card for it (they don't come with it unfortunately). Initial impressions of the product are decent enough, for £59 can't complain at the build quality. Will feedback more when I've had a run with it over the weekend.

Also, my insurance is due for renewal, so I shall be giving Adrian Flux a call tomorrow to see if they can beat my A-Plan renewal quote. Compare the (boggo cars) Market can't, for a lesser policy.
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Re: Let's talk dashcams

Post by ChrisHolmes »

I have the Nextbase 402G which is great and will run a 64gb card despite the instructions recommending a max of 32gb!
A word of warning on using a DashCam is that if stopped by the police for hooning around or speeding you may well have self incriminating evidence on the camera!
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Re: Let's talk dashcams

Post by Calum »

ChrisHolmes2014 wrote:I have the Nextbase 402G which is great and will run a 64gb card despite the instructions recommending a max of 32gb!
A word of warning on using a DashCam is that if stopped by the police for hooning around or speeding you may well have self incriminating evidence on the camera!
Any chance you could share which make/model of card you're using? I've tried 32GB Transcend and Sandisk cards, both of which didn't work with the 512G - it recorded 4 segments then would just stop.

A 16GB works with no issues though :? a known issue apparently.
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Re: Let's talk dashcams

Post by ChrisHolmes »

Calum wrote:
ChrisHolmes2014 wrote:I have the Nextbase 402G which is great and will run a 64gb card despite the instructions recommending a max of 32gb!
A word of warning on using a DashCam is that if stopped by the police for hooning around or speeding you may well have self incriminating evidence on the camera!
Any chance you could share which make/model of card you're using? I've tried 32GB Transcend and Sandisk cards, both of which didn't work with the 512G - it recorded 4 segments then would just stop.

A 16GB works with no issues though :? a known issue apparently.
This is the precise camera model and card, maybe it works as it is the fast Xtreme card
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Calum (Fri May 27, 2016 10:55 am)
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Re: Let's talk dashcams

Post by essexsj »

Halfords 15% discount off all Nextbase dashcams from £40, ends Sunday 5th June: http://www.halfords.com/technology/dash ... 425,171417
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Re: Let's talk dashcams

Post by Dove66 »

Well, I've gone for the Nextbase Duo. Should be fitted tomorrow pm.
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Let's talk dashcams

Post by GreySilver Beast »

Your Halfords Link doesn't work #-o

The trouble with most of the Dash Cams is they look too bulky :( and I would want two i.e Front and Back and not being too intrusive in the car :!:
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Re: Let's talk dashcams

Post by Youngun_PZ »

Do they do or is there a system availble where the cameras are not part of the unit but either IR or cable connection. (Like a reversing camera is to a headunit.)
Could sort out the intrusiveness. Wonder how my rear tint and spoiler would affect view?
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Re: Let's talk dashcams

Post by Dove66 »

Had the Next Base Duo fitted at Halfords this afternoon. £169 (reduced from £199) plus £30 fitting. The fitting does include the hardwire kit that would cost £20 so effectively the install is £10. Looks really good. I will go through everything tomorrow.
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