DVR Dash Cam: recommendation? Power

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DVR Dash Cam: recommendation? Power

Post by Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur »

I'm in the process of choosing a cheap Dash Cam to purchase for the sake of my protection and especially that of my No Claims Bonus, but I note that they all seem to be powered from the Cigar Lighter.

I can see the convenience of this but I don't want to tie up my Lighter socket when I've got other uses for it; and invariably forget to plug it in at all.

Can I simply cut the fag lighter type bit off the end of the cable and route the cabling to an 'ignition on' power source (with a safety fuse) or am I likely to find that it has the device has really fine cabling that isn't going to be easy to join?

Also, has anyone bought a cheapie DVR Dash Cam and found they can recommend it?
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Re: DVR Dash Cam: recommendation? Power

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

I have an Ambarella 0801 dash cam like this one;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ambarella-Min ... Sw7FRWZWlk

and you can also get one of these, as the cam wants 5V (so the part that plugs into the cigarette lighter socket is also a transformer);

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Hard-Wire ... Swx-9W0JNj

This dash cam comes in four options. These are basic, GPS, 8GB storage, and GPS with 8GB storage. They will also take a microSD memory card (I have mine fitted with a 32GB card).

Here is a link to a review that covers it well;

Last edited by Hell Razor5543 on 23 Oct 2016, 19:54, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: DVR Dash Cam: recommendation? Power

Post by myglaren »

Have you considered one of these to save hacking the wiring?

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Re: DVR Dash Cam: recommendation? Power

Post by old'uns »

used a 'piggyback' fuse for my C5, just find an ignition switched fuse
something like these....https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss ... Caps%2C230

then connect to one of these.....USB leads for your camera and sat nav
https://www.amazon.co.uk/XCSOURCE-Conve ... usb+outlet

i've got 2 blaupunkt dash cams, £50 ea i think?
just got one from Sainsbury's that was advertised on the pumps, available from other garages i think? for £20 and is as good as the others quality wise.
this was for the Beat for recent Spain roadtrip and being soft top if i forgot to take out it was no great loss money wise. does 1080 as most cams and the usual options for sound etc
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Re: DVR Dash Cam: recommendation? Power

Post by bxzx16v »

I've got a Drivepro 200 fitted and have been very happy with it's recording capabilities at night , my wifes got a Drive pro 220 which has a few extra features , imo your better spending a bit extra to get a better quality device .

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Re: DVR Dash Cam: recommendation? Power

Post by Gibbo2286 »

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Re: DVR Dash Cam: recommendation? Power

Post by Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur »

cor thanks guys, the fact that the lighter plug is a transformer is something I'd completely overlooked for a start.

I'm torn between a Doubler and the Hard Wire kit with regard to power (you'd be surprised how skint I am). I do have the former, which I usually use when both me & the missus want to charge our phones, or when I've got the AA Battery charger in; but coz of the ergonomics of my dashboard & lighter socket I have the type that's a plug, a wire and then a 'remote' doubler; which looks really untidy; could probably find somewhere hidden to mount it though.

I'm gonna be looking up all of the links and visiting my local Sainsburys filling station and making a final choice.

Thanks muchly :-D

NB: 405 prices on Ebay appear to have gone mental!
eg (Item Numbers)
272423447508 tidy saloon, the sal's usually fetch peanuts, not the case here it seems
332008595696 a lot of money for an MOT failure (welding), even if it is low mileage

Also, Pug 305 estate !!!! 332002117718. A bit rotten but to be expected of a 1986 car, nice unusual workhorse for someone, or do-er upper if you're keen and flush.
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Re: DVR Dash Cam: recommendation? Power

Post by Paul-R »

One thing I found with my cheap camera is that the power supply chucks out some terrible radio interference. When I'm driving in France it makes Radio 4 Long Wave unlistenable even in Calais. Be warned!
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Re: DVR Dash Cam: recommendation? Power

Post by Paul-R »

One other observation. Although I'm quite happy (interference apart) with my current camera, if I were to do it again I would spend a little extra and get a two camera setup. One with a separate camera for the rear window not two cameras on the same windscreen mounted unit.
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Re: DVR Dash Cam: recommendation? Power

Post by elma »

Paul-R wrote:I would spend a little extra and get a two camera setup.
Thats quite wise advice, a lot of non fault incidents involve a rear shunt. I'd make the rear one visible too as people seemed to hang further behind my van after I had fitted one quite conspicuously.
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Re: DVR Dash Cam: recommendation? Power

Post by Stickyfinger »

Paul-R wrote:One thing I found with my cheap camera is that the power supply chucks out some terrible radio interference. When I'm driving in France it makes Radio 4 Long Wave unlistenable even in Calais. Be warned!
THIS !
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Re: DVR Dash Cam: recommendation? Power

Post by Ironman »

I bought a cheap one from Aldi and the picture quality is poor, it is not possible to read car number plates. I did look at the Transcend 200 but it looks big physically.
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Re: DVR Dash Cam: recommendation? Power

Post by Ironman »

I've been looking at various dashcams under £100 and the DD PAI M6 plus looks a fairly good unit. If anyone is using one (or has used one) I'd be interested in how you got on with it.
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Re: DVR Dash Cam: recommendation? Power

Post by Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur »

Update: my investigations, by the way, have come to a halt

I'm torn between having a 'Thief Magnet' on the windscreen (especially as I have an older car which is inherently less secure than a modern one)

and 'covering my back'

I think I'd hoped that I could get what was essentially a tiny camera to stick unobtrusively in a corner of the windscreen and I've been a bit surprised to realise that they all seem to have screens and appear to be about the size of a Sat-nav, so none of them are designed how I'd like and for the moment; its on the back burner

...but thanks everyone. Hopefully Ironman and others will benefit from your kind recommendations.
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Re: DVR Dash Cam: recommendation? Power

Post by Hell Razor5543 »

I would say that the 0801 camera is small (about 3" long by 1.5" wide, so when it is properly mounted behind the mirror you cannot see the camera, and it cannot distract you), and it simply slides off the mount when you want to remove it from the car. It also has a 'G' sensor, so if you were to have an impact it should lock the file being created at the time, so it does not get over written.
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