£15 1080P Dash Cam

[Johnmed]

My dashcam arrived today. Fitted it, and all is generally well. Without a constant live it switches on and off perfectly. Video in 3 minute segments records well including start and finish, however some in between segments seem to corrupt and won't play in iPhoto or QuickTime on my Mac. When played with a third party media player the files are of a lesser quality.

Far from the end of the world, but if there's a fix anyone can think of I'd try it out.

I'm using a Samsung 32Gb class 10 memory card, so that shouldn't be an issue.

Maybe a format on the device would help, I've not found out how to as of yet.

[Dave McB]

Originally Posted by M-A8

As long you are happy that's what's most important, but we actually discussed one of them, same thing ish, but this is the original one with Ambrella processor which makes the difference and overall quality of components long term is what costs extra.
£15 is pretty cheap actually, so if it lasts and you are happy with it than happy days.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/99digitals%C.../dp/B00NBLHK8A

Marcin - does this have a motion sensor in it?

My father in law is on the lookout for one (im gonna buy him it as a present for doing some work on my house) but wants one with motion detection

[M-A8]

Hello mate
What do you mean by motion detection?? Sorry I'm still half asleep
If you want the camera to come on only when the motion is detected then that almost equals to wiring it to ignition live so it comes on and records only when ignition is turned on.

I'm not a specialist in dash cams, I read a lot and watched a lot video reviews and the main point is that you get what you pay for, but if you don't want to spend a lot more just for the brand then cameras with at least Ambrella image processor should be your starting point. What I do like about this camera is the fact that js very compact and can be even kind of hidden but still has an LCD and nice functions

[Dave McB]

by motion detection I mean - for example - if the car is shook/hit while sat in a car park (ie with no keys in ignition) would it switch on and record.

[kele]

Originally Posted by Dave McB

by motion detection I mean - for example - if the car is shook/hit while sat in a car park (ie with no keys in ignition) would it switch on and record.

My understanding is that if it is wired only on ingnition live, then it is not going to do anything unless the ignition is live. Motion sensor or not...

These units can be set (using settings function) to only record during motion. I tried this but I think I just prefer to have the motion sensor set to off. Therefore if the ignition is on, then it will always record.

Then there is a G sensor which is a different setting to the motion sensor. Although I have not worked out what purpose that serves or how it operates.

[Johnmed]

I've now done a fair bit of reading on dash cams.

Re: Motion sensors, it seems for the purpose of recording perpetrators of vandalism, (and in fact other road traffic collisions) they are far from ideal. Even the fastest of cameras will take several seconds to wake from sleep, in response to motion, before it starts recording.

The purpose of dashcams, it appears, is primarily to illustrate your own innocence/safe driving at the time of a given event, rather than to identify others' criminality or fault. Even the best dashcams with the best sensors and resolutions may not be able to capture faces, reg' plates etc, especially in low light conditions.

Sites such as Techmoan and the like are a great resource for info, reviews and unbiased opinion.