In Car Cameras...

I was flicking through the channels last night and caught the tail end of a programme called 'Car Crash Britain'.

Part of it showed an insurance scam where innocent drivers are intentionally made to rear end the car in front to invoke a claim against them.

I didn't realise it at the time but it's possible something similar may have happened to me a few years ago.

A car in front inexplicably slammed on the brakes, coming to a complete halt on the outside lane of a 70 mph carriageway as we were both passing a slower car travelling on the nearside.

Fortunately I was far enough back to stop in time, but what if I hadn't been and it ended up their word against mine?

I'm now genuinely considering getting a camera, it would have been invaluable if I had gone into that car.

Anyone else have one, or got recommendations as to what features to look for?

 

That program is great.  Keep rewinding bits because you cant believe what you are seeing……

It is a shame, but I think dash cams are going to be the way forward.  Just to protect yourself against the idiots out there.

I use a drift hd ghost for my bike on track days and will now be popping it in the car for all journeys and on my cycle and motorbike helmets.  Loads of great features with the ghost, but it is expensive.

I have popped a link below for some great reviews on dash cams.  Worth a look if you are thinking of buying.

Techmoan - YouTube

 

I have had a dash cam in my daily driver for the last year or so. I bought it off amazon for about €70 and it does the job very well. Very clear video, sound and easy to use.

Thankfully iv never needed to use the video as a result of an accident, but it does make some pretty brilliant viewing!!

I travelled from Dublin to Barcelona last July via the Alps with two mates, and had the cam recording the entire trip. It made some pretty epic viewing, and caught some pretty hairy moments on hairpins! Just make sure the mic is off… the other halves wanted to see some footage when we got back, lets just say the sound had to be edited out before we could show it to them!!!

Will definitely be picking up another camera for the golf!

I've not got one but my dad just mounts his gopro on the dash when he is driving.

He sent me a clip of 60 miles which he sped up so it only took a few mins, pretty funny to watch.

From an insurance point of view it's great, infact my wife asked if I'd fit one in our daily as she would feel better.

My girlfriend got an ebay special one as said above they are the way forward with so many idiots on the roads. I'm thinking of investing in decent ones for the both of us

I have a Transcend Drivepro which was the best reviewed HD camera on the market when I bought it at the end of last year.

£80 iirc and I dont even notice its there behind the mirror.

Good long cable which I have tucked under h epassenger visor then behind the A pillar rubber seal and then under the dash to the socket.

i use the Black bullet HD camera 0801, had it replaced under warranty as it stopped charging, but seems good Value for money.
 

This is an old trick and not confined to the uk. There are tons of eastern European and Russian dash cams on utube showing this practise. 

I thought about one but then I think with my style of driving its likely to work against me.

Now get the f*** out my way!

I have the transcend cam as well. Really good bit of kit !!

Looks like the general concensus is to get one!

Leaning towards the Transcend DrivePro 200, as it seems to fit my needs best with the added bonus of being relatively cheap.

all i will say is i went for an 0801 with GPS, GPS is not really required but its an added layer of protection/evidence
one thing i will say though is buy from one of the dedicated accident camera websites, i had my 0801 for 9 months, and the charger lead stopped working, (My Fault i think) i only asked them for a new charger but they asked to return it, they then refunded my £129 i then replaced it at the new price of £75 my brother has had a Black bullet 0801 for 2 years trouble free.

Took the plunge and got the Transcend DrivePro, though it's yet to arrive.

Those of you who have it already, is the standard stick on bracket OK?

I'm not planning to move it from car to car so unless it's better in other ways the added expense of the suction cup bracket doesn't seem justified for my needs.

I bought the upgraded suction holder.

I've been thinking about getting one of these for a while now and having read this post the other day decided to have a look round.
As I was leaning towards the Transend DrivePro so I watched this 15 minute video on YT.

Transcend DrivePro 100 Vs DrivePro 200 Review - YouTube

The guy waffles on at the start but he does get into some good stuff and some interesting points about the difference between the two!
For me the big plus point is you get a built in battery with the 100 which continues recording for an extra 30 seconds after the device losses power.

The 200 has wifi (so what) and has a slightly broader wide angle lens but when you watch the videos you can't really see a difference between them as he points out.

Also the 200 has a much, much bigger lens which as he say sticks out like a sore thumb and may attract the wrong attention when left unattended in the car. I for one don't want to unplug it and hide it every time I stop the car!

So with that said I just ordered myself a Trensend DrivePro 100, it comes with the sticky mount which I don't think will last long in this heat, so I've ordered a suction mount as well.    

Can't wait!  

Thanks to everyone for the advise and tips and when I get some decent footage I'll post up a clip or two later this year.  

If anyone is interested these have popped up on Groupon. They might be a cheap alternative £ 14.99 !?

http://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/national-deal/gg-groupon-goods-global-gmb-h-331922-1/56579212?p=2&nlp=&CID=UK_CRM_1_0_0_47&a=1664&utm_source=channel_goods&utm_medium=email&sid=48ed2494-5079-4287-9cf1-e4dd49c78e68&division=national-deal&uh=a22d8359-4965-4d9d-8be7-8c102d86576b&date=20151602&sender=rm&s=body&c=deal_title&d=deal-page&utm_campaign=gg-groupon-goods-global-gmb-h-331922-1-56579212

Fathammer said

If anyone is interested these have popped up on Groupon. They might be a cheap alternative £ 14.99 !?

http://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/national-deal/gg-groupon-goods-global-gmb-h-331922-1/56579212?p=2&nlp=&CID=UK_CRM_1_0_0_47&a=1664&utm_source=channel_goods&utm_medium=email&sid=48ed2494-5079-4287-9cf1-e4dd49c78e68&division=national-deal&uh=a22d8359-4965-4d9d-8be7-8c102d86576b&date=20151602&sender=rm&s=body&c=deal_title&d=deal-page&utm_campaign=gg-groupon-goods-global-gmb-h-331922-1-56579212

Fathammer

Hi Paul bit of a cheek but can you order one of these for me please?
Just wanted to buy one for the Wifi's car but they don't post Internationally!  
I'll pay you via PayPal as a 'Gift' if that would be your preferred method.

Thought it would be a good idea to have one in her car but in the rear window because although she's never had an accident, she's seen 1,000's in the rear view mirror!  

I'll do the same for you if there's something you want from my side.  

golfcabrio said

Fathammer said

If anyone is interested these have popped up on Groupon. They might be a cheap alternative £ 14.99 !?

http://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/national-deal/gg-groupon-goods-global-gmb-h-331922-1/56579212?p=2&nlp=&CID=UK_CRM_1_0_0_47&a=1664&utm_source=channel_goods&utm_medium=email&sid=48ed2494-5079-4287-9cf1-e4dd49c78e68&division=national-deal&uh=a22d8359-4965-4d9d-8be7-8c102d86576b&date=20151602&sender=rm&s=body&c=deal_title&d=deal-page&utm_campaign=gg-groupon-goods-global-gmb-h-331922-1-56579212

Fathammer

Hi Paul bit of a cheek but can you order one of these for me please?
Just wanted to buy one for the Wifi's car but they don't post Internationally!  
I'll pay you via PayPal as a 'Gift' if that would be your preferred method.

Thought it would be a good idea to have one in her car but in the rear window because although she's never had an accident, she's seen 1,000's in the rear view mirror!  

I'll do the same for you if there's something you want from my side.  

Hi Mike,

All ordered as requested, I'll shout when it arrives to me so that we can sort out delivery to the land of the Wiener Schnitzel.  
We can sort out payment when it arrives, but PayPal is great thanks.

Fathammer
Wow, I owe you one mate!  
I'd give you 3 Bonus Points for GAP but I'm guessing it won't help you much.  

Can't wait to fit it to the Wifi's car and get some footage back, should be a scream!      

Thanks again Paul.  

They looks pretty good value.

The only negative for me is, the wife would forget to either turn it on or remove it from the window when she leave the car. So for me a hardwired one might be better, then it automaticallystarts recording.

But you can't complain for that money