BlackVue DR-500HD, no GPS, no WiFi - Review

[DoopaTroopa]

So I thought I was getting a bad ass deal when I drunkingly bought this camera thinking it was the 500GW w/32GB. When I was testing it out, I was desperately trying to find the WiFi function until I found out I got the lite version of the camera. Oh well... It came bundled with the Power Magic Pro and I got it for roughly $250 on Amazon Prime. I have had it for about a week now.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kZNYEJn2uQ"]20130910 093751 P1 - YouTube[/ame]

Parking mode demo: Here you can see the angle is a little too high so it's catching all the light in the upper left corner and washing out one of my Belieber's face. "Y hallo tharr."

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD7IG5tIkLg"]20130910 141936 N1 - YouTube[/ame]

Daytime driving: You can see the reflection of my dashboard is also washing out the images a bit as well. I was listening to talk radio and the mic does a pretty good job of catching voices well but not music once you start rolling.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLt-s8qieC8"]20130913 153252 N - YouTube[/ame]

Daytime driving; lower angle: I angled the camera a few clicks down and cleared up the picture. As you can hear, the mic is pretty lousy with music and engine noise. It can't pick up low pitched noises very well, or maybe it was lousy music(?)

If you want to catch plate numbers you kind of have to get close, at least Virginia plates.

Conclusion/tl:dr

Video = good
Audio = sucks **** for free

[Rumbaar]

Are you running the 1.008E software? As that increases the date rate to 10mps and allows for slightly better capture of the number plates.

Also I'd adjust your camera up a few 'clicks' as it's point too low and getting too much of your dash and bonnet. You'll find the image will change due to different light metering too.

I found that Parking Mode is too sensitive for when I'm at work and records all day, so I get only 24-36 hours per 32GB card. I need to get a bigger card.

[zc06_kisstherain]

all DR500 should have wifi. i didn't know there is light version. mine works beautifully
anyway, i was browising ebay today and found this T-Power
It works like Power magic pro i have but easier installation option of cigar jack.

problem is it's about twice expensive than power magic pro.

[cnk]

Originally Posted by zc06_kisstherain

all DR500 should have wifi. i didn't know there is light version. mine works beautifully
anyway, i was browising ebay today and found this T-Power
It works like Power magic pro i have but easier installation option of cigar jack.

problem is it's about twice expensive than power magic pro.

That's not exactly like the Power Magic Pro though. That unit has a Li-Ion battery. So it's using the cigar jack to charge the battery and then it runs the camera with the battery. I guess the nice thing about that is that you can just run everything into the glove box and not have to worry about tapping into the fuse box.

[zc06_kisstherain]

Originally Posted by cnk

That's not exactly like the Power Magic Pro though. That unit has a Li-Ion battery. So it's using the cigar jack to charge the battery and then it runs the camera with the battery. I guess the nice thing about that is that you can just run everything into the glove box and not have to worry about tapping into the fuse box.

you are right. I didn't say it's same.
if i didn't have power magic pro, i would've gotten this

[cnk]

Originally Posted by zc06_kisstherain

you are right. I didn't say it's same.
if i didn't have power magic pro, i would've gotten this

Yeah. . .I actually like this one better since you wouldn't have to jerry rig the fuse cover back in place. Plus this one doesn't affect your car battery at all. Gotta do some more research on it to see if there are any cheaper alternatives though. Plus, not sure which power connector is on the Blackvue.

[zc06_kisstherain]

Originally Posted by cnk

Yeah. . .I actually like this one better since you wouldn't have to jerry rig the fuse cover back in place. Plus this one doesn't affect your car battery at all. Gotta do some more research on it to see if there are any cheaper alternatives though. Plus, not sure which power connector is on the Blackvue.

this stuff is like $100.
if there is an alternative source, it will be very helpful.

[cnk]

I was able to find this one. A little bit cheaper and seems some folks have used them without issue on dashcamtalk.com.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/LUKAS-LK-530-12V-Battery-Potable-Blackbox/dp/B00CHYKOD0/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1380565170&sr =1-4&keywords=lukas"]Amazon.com: LUKAS LK-530-12V Dash Cam Smart Power Supply Battery Pack (All in one Potable UPS) For Car Blackbox: Electronics[/ame]

[trekkie]

how obtrusive is it? do you have a 'looking in the car' pic?

[DoopaTroopa]

Originally Posted by trekkie

how obtrusive is it? do you have a 'looking in the car' pic?

It sits directly behind my rearview mirror and I never notice it at all. I have to duck my head underneath to look at the camera. I'll try to shoot some pics tomorrow.

[ChiefG]

You do not have go get into your fuse box to power the Power Magic Pro. You can use the factory "option connector" (unused) that's behind the radio close to the glove compartment. See my post here: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...&postcount=168

I plan to do a DIY when I receive my DR500GW-HD and Power Magic Pro.

[zc06_kisstherain]

this mother phucker Ford Focus hit and run me on my parked BRZ!!
his side mirror hit my driver side mirror.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKNLULQo7_w"]Hit & Run on my BRZ side Mirror - YouTube[/ame]


I checked damage and glad only tiny scratch on mirror cover.
i need to double check in tomorrow morning to make sure.


EDIT: Checked damage in morning and it was little scratch. i think i might be able to buff it off.