Official Castanet Dash/Traffic/Accident Cam Thread

[Partmanpartfish]

*removed* I've placed this under 'Traffic' rather than 'Computers and Tech' because the use of these devices has more to do with traffic.

After some bad experiences with other drivers and ICBC, I decided to install dash cams in all of my vehicles. These cameras start automatically when the vehicle is started, and record video files in a loop to a micro SD card. So you simply install it and forget it.

The first to arrive from China is the A118. It's small, mounts ingeniously to the windshield and records in 1080p. Total cost: $77.

http://imgur.com/tWZV09F

Mounted

http://imgur.com/nBO9aKf

Sample of compressed video. This was shot at about 9 PM.

https://vimeo.com/100649235

[Bsuds]

Interesting, thanks for posting that.

[Bsuds]

Found some on my favourite shopping site for as low as $26 (including shipping)

[Partmanpartfish]

Found some on my favourite shopping site for as low as $26 (including shipping)

You have to be very careful, because some of them are really unreliable and/or knockoffs. If you're going to have a camera recording day-after-day until an accident happens, you want something reliable.

Three that have good reputations are the Mini 803, Mobius and A113.

[Bsuds]

I have picked up several items from this site and so far all have been good.
To save $50+ it can be worth taking a chance.

[Partmanpartfish]

This one is pretty amazing. It's both an action cam, and a dash/motorcycle cam. It loop records, has auto-on with key, records in 1080p at 30 or 60 FPS.

It's called Mobius and it also contains a battery, so it can record for about 80 minutes all by its lonesome self. It comes with a variety of mounts for windshields, handlebars, helmets and also attaches to a regular tripod.



Screenshot from video. The forum crops the image; the field of view is actually 120 degrees.

http://s30.postimg.org/67yyx2d01/cog.jpg

[Bsuds]

http://www.buyincoins.com/item/2325.html#.U9Q6lKOTIrM

This one looks interesting for the price

[Captain Awesome]

One thing that bugs me about cameras is that vast majority need cigarette lighter for power. Which means extra cables around your car.

[normaM]

I use an etch o sketch.
have some great street scenes :/

[baconbits]

One thing that bugs me about cameras is that vast majority need cigarette lighter for power. Which means extra cables around your car.

Just get a GoPro..

[skydawg]

This one is pretty amazing. It's both an action cam, and a dash/motorcycle cam. It loop records, has auto-on with key, records in 1080p at 30 or 60 FPS.

It's called Mobius and it also contains a battery, so it can record for about 80 minutes all by its lonesome self. It comes with a variety of mounts for windshields, handlebars, helmets and also attaches to a regular tripod.



Screenshot from video. The forum crops the image; the field of view is actually 120 degrees.

http://s30.postimg.org/67yyx2d01/cog.jpg

1080p for 80 mins? that one hell of a battey

[Partmanpartfish]

http://www.buyincoins.com/item/2325.html#.U9Q6lKOTIrM

This one looks interesting for the price

It's worth a try. Accidents are very expensive when they are not your fault and there are no witnesses.

The Mobius is about $70, but it's tiny, does 1080p, stills and time lapse.

[Partmanpartfish]

1080p for 80 mins? that one hell of a battery

Just 520 mAh. I've been running it on my bike and it actually does go for 80 minutes.

[Bsuds]

Just 520 mAh. I've been running it on my bike and it actually does go for 80 minutes.

A digital camera does not use a lot of power so that is not surprising at all.

[my5cents]

Personally, I think the key, is a camera that doesn't involved doing anything. It's installed, you drive, it records. If it has to be turned on and off or taken in and out of the vehicle, that short trip to the store, it won't be installed or turned on, and you just know that's when something is going to happen.

A "video, black box".

I would like the feature of wifi, so I could access the camera from my PC or iPad, once the car is parked in the garage.