Dash Cam Installation (BlackVue DR400G-HD)

[DarrenDriven]

Originally Posted by DaJoian

Very nicely done! As for the parking usage... It is recommended that you also integrate the "Power Magic Pro" into the Black Vue and the vehicle's power source since it does constantly uses your power. (Not good especially when you are in a very busy area, ex. mall?)

What it does is prevent your battery from completely draining. It reads your vehicle battery voltage drops, and you can set it when to completely shut the camera off to prevent complete discharge of the battery.

Here is the link: http://www.autoblackbox.com.au/index...&product_id=90

Yeah, I read about that... and I will let you guys know if this camera actually draws enough voltage to worry me. When parking for extended periods I could always just unplug it right at the unit. I wouldn't think that 24 hours of recording digitally would draw that much current... but we'll see.

Originally Posted by Style

So this can be a cheaper alternative to go pro? What's the resolution that it records in?

I think a GoPro Hero is $200-ish, so this isn't cheaper than that, but this camera comes with some GREAT software that really makes using it easy. It records at five different resolutions, the greatest is 1920x1080 @ 30fps. On top of that, this monitors your GPS location, vehicle speed (could be useful for getting OUT of an erroneous speeding ticket) and whether or not there was an impact to the vehicle.

[Style]

I think a GoPro Hero is $200-ish, so this isn't cheaper than that, but this camera comes with some GREAT software that really makes using it easy. It records at five different resolutions, the greatest is 1920x1080 @ 30fps. On top of that, this monitors your GPS location, vehicle speed (could be useful for getting OUT of an erroneous speeding ticket) and whether or not there was an impact to the vehicle.

I know that the GoPro Naked goes for $200 with less quality than the HD Hero2 which goes for $250 right now regular $299. Then they have the packages

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/null/GoP...at240800050019

so its a toss up for me on which I would go with. Have to do my homework!

[Rossman]

Originally Posted by Style

I know that the GoPro Naked goes for $200 with less quality than the HD Hero2 which goes for $250 right now regular $299. Then they have the packages

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/null/GoP...at240800050019

so its a toss up for me on which I would go with. Have to do my homework!

The GoPro is a great camera to be sure.

The Blackvue is the one you want, if you want a specialized dashcam. If you want a more general cam you can use all around then I would go with a GoPro.

[DarrenDriven]

Yeah, if you just want a camera for a track day or something, go with the GoPro. I want a camera that will be on all of the time to record the idiots on the road, etc.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR6GIpdSs7Y"]Raguruban Yogarajah caught on dash cam trying to scam using his acura tsx on 401/Keele - YouTube[/ame]

[pinoyplaya]

So if I got a ticket for going 90 MPH and then I review this camera and the GPS shows Im going only 88 MPH, doesnt that mean I can use it as evidence to void the existing ticket? I heard that if theres a single thing wrong on the ticket (date, time, speed, mispelled name, wrong license info, wrong eye color, weight, etc) can void the ticket.

Is that true?

Edit: I pulled the trigger. I saw the stock going down on Amazon. So I had to buy before it runs out or goes up in price... supply and demand

[Rossman]

Originally Posted by pinoyplaya

So if I got a ticket for going 90 MPH and then I review this camera and the GPS shows Im going only 88 MPH, doesnt that mean I can use it as evidence to void the existing ticket? I heard that if theres a single thing wrong on the ticket (date, time, speed, mispelled name, wrong license info, wrong eye color, weight, etc) can void the ticket.

Is that true?

Edit: I pulled the trigger. I saw the stock going down on Amazon. So I had to buy before it runs out or goes up in price... supply and demand

I heard some dude got his kid of a speeding ticket using GPS as evidence somewhere in the US a couple years ago, I don't remember the particulars...

[Rossman]

Hey DarrenDriven, I was wondering if you have pulled the SD card and examined the contents. I assume aside from the MP4's there are also some data files that contain the GPS data? Just wondering how they are storing that..

[rice_classic]

Round of applause Darren. Round of applause.

[pinoyplaya]

Originally Posted by DarrenDriven

Yeah, if you just want a camera for a track day or something, go with the GoPro. I want a camera that will be on all of the time to record the idiots on the road, etc.

LOL. The driver of that acura got so many death threats. He deserved it. I hope someone finally shoots him.

[F1point4]

When I get the add a circuits from the courier, I will do a DIY writeup for this camera and the power magic pro tapped into the fuse box.

Should be a jolly good time.

[DarrenDriven]

@pinoyplaya - It's hit or miss if you take the video into court with you. If the judge is doing his job then he should drop the ticket since it was written in error. He might be lazy or bend the rules and just readjust the charges. Now, if you take a lawyer in with you then you will probably get the ticket dropped completely.

@Rossman - I did pull the 16Gb SD card as the viewing software for my Windows PC is stored on there. The viewing software is actually really great and shows a LOT of information. You can see where your car traveled as you watch the video footage, as well as G-meter charts. Not sure how they are storing the GPS data, though.

[Rossman]

Originally Posted by DarrenDriven

@Rossman - I did pull the 16Gb SD card as the viewing software for my Windows PC is stored on there. The viewing software is actually really great and shows a LOT of information. You can see where your car traveled as you watch the video footage, as well as G-meter charts. Not sure how they are storing the GPS data, though.

Thanks, yeah, their software looks cool - but I want to make a web-based version of that...I'd guess the GPS data is stored either as a separate file or perhaps as embedded metadata within the MP4's themselves.

I will check it out further once mine gets here, thanks!

[FR-S,M.D.]

I have a blackvue too, but I just plugged it into the glovebox socket so I'm missing out on the parking function. Please do post an update about battery discharge, because I'd love to wire it to constant on. Thanks!

[Rossman]

Originally Posted by F1point4

When I get the add a circuits from the courier, I will do a DIY writeup for this camera and the power magic pro tapped into the fuse box.

Should be a jolly good time.

I look forward to this...bought mine without the power magic pro but still considering adding it...

Just worried that leaving the blackvue in the car will be temptation for a smash-n-grab... :-/