@whover makes the dash cam demo videos in the future:
Over 40% of traffic collisions occur at intersections. Therefore it’s important to know what kind of Field Of View video coverage a camera provides when entering an intersection.
The best possible way to illustrate this is at a stop sign (ideally a 4-way stop) so your audience can get a fair perspective of how long cross traffic stays within the FOV.
A camera with too narrow a FOV won’t actually show any cross traffic when entering an intersection (the image has effectively passed through the intersection before the vehicle enters the intersection). Whereas a wider FOV, say 170*, will actually show cross traffic until you’re nearly through the intersection.
In this case, the video doesn’t illustrate FOV in a way we, the viewers, can judge FOV performance.
@ruouttaurmind Check out the demo video at 1:36. You can see the car going through an intersection. A good amount of the intersection is visible as the car passes through.
We can see in the frame grab above, the nearest oncoming vehicle (the little dark colored crossover SUV to the left) is just crossing the nearside curb extension line of Branch Hollow Way, while the FOV vehicle is still a fair bit from the intersection.
So while the vehicles stopped at the light to the right of the FOV vehicle are still in frame just as the FOV vehicle enters the intersection, any cross traffic which may have been coming from the left would no longer be visible at the point the FOV vehicle enters the intersection.
Therefore, based upon the criteria asserted in my original post, this camera would probably receive a grade of “C” (meets minimum requirements). Suitable for an offering on a mediocre website, innit.
Weighing price versus capability, I’d say this is a fair purchase if you’re looking for piece of mind, and don’t really expect to ever have a need for the video to provide evidence in your behalf. If you’re more serious about protecting your interests, expect to spend more and get more. Probably twice as much for a camera with a wider 170* FOV.
Worth noting: Camera manufacturers can represent the FOV differently. There is a horizontal FOV (the value that matters most in this application), a vertical FOV, and some manufacturers will represent a “diagonal FOV”.
Make sure you’re comparing apples to apples when shopping out a device. Ideally a dash cam will offer 170* horizontal FOV. When mounted on the windshield, your image would ideally cover an area from A pillar to A pillar (the front windshield post on either side of your dash).
@jrs1980 The battery’s just so it can keep recording for a bit after the car stops (or if you want to review the footage for some reason). You can get splitters if you run out of sockets.
I haven’t installed a dash cam because I haven’t found a satisfactory way to avoid a wire dangling down from the camera.
@trisk I got a cheap crap (was $14) 720p dashcam from woot that mostly sucks about two years ago. It came with a rather long (6-7’) cable. I ran the wire from my rear view mirror up to the edge of the windshield, then around the edge to the bottom left corner of the windshield where it drops down the left side of the dash (between the door and dash) and then under the edge of the dash back to the center where it plugs in. With the door closed only about 6" of the wire is visible, 3" above the mirror and the rest at the bottom left corner of the windshield. I originally used pieces of parking receipts (very thin thermal paper here in NY City) folded into thick but narrow strips to secure the wire, primarily because they were handy and planned to use clear silicone aquarium sealant to properly secure the wire. However, the folded bits of paper have worked so well that I’ve had no need to replace them.
There appears to be no provision to allow either detectors or GoPro type cameras anywhere on the windshield.
Approved devices may be used in three sections: Bottom left, bottom right, and center top:
(11) An electronic communication device affixed to the center uppermost portion of the interior of a windshield within an area that is not greater than five inches square, if the device provides either of the following:
(A) The capability for enforcement facilities of the Department of the California Highway Patrol to communicate with a vehicle equipped with the device.
(B) The capability for electronic toll and traffic management on public or private roads or facilities.
GPS (only) devices (specifically) are allowed in either of the corners, but not the center.
And cameras can also be in the center, provided that they are ‘event cameras’:
Resolution: 1040p HD? It is 1080 or 1040 - make up your mind - May be typo… how good is only 1 hr battery ? Most probably will use power port. Suction cup strong enough to hold it?
Can you turn off the speed display in the recordings?
Would suck to have an insurance claim rejected because they noticed you were 5 over the limit (who knows how accurate the GPS fix on this is, anyway).
@jk24 I had a Mazda 626 that the Exhaust rusted off just after the cadilitic converter. Sounded like a high-end exhaust package. Especially through under passes. Echo was awesome. Whomp whommmm
@baqui63 Ok, look… this might be difficult for you to hear, but… um, maybe you should sit down for this? No? No. Ok… as I was saying, uh… giphy is an idiot!
No, really, it’s true. I kid you not.
(At least there was wasteful glitter. So at there’s that anyway.)
“There is a major problem with the MiVue cameras. In the event of an impact or if you manually press the Event button, the camera only locks and saves that file from the point of impact or button onwards. Other cameras will save the entire clip or 30 seconds before the event. This way you can save what led up the wreck. If someone runs a red light, pulls out, etc you want to prove what caused the collision.”
@Thinkerer This appears to be simply incorrect, as noted in the comment made in response to the very review you are quoting. And, directly from the manufacturer’s product information: “Impact sensor triggers auto save of recorded video when impact occurs.” “G-Shock Impact Sensor – Lock Critical Video and Data - If a vehicle collision occurs, the built-in G-Shock Impact Sensor automatically locks the recorded video footage, location data, and date/time information prior to the incident, providing an accurate record of events. Videos may be played back on the device or on Mac and Windows based computers.”
@wa27 I would never ever ever do this for too many reasons to list – I think littering should be a punchable offense – BUT this reminds me of how much I hate it when fast food places don’t provide a trash can at the end of the drive through.
Then again, if there HAD been a trash can, this asshat would have chucked a full cup in it.
Alright, you guys, I need recommendations. Hubs and I work in a place where dash cams aren’t allowed. Of course, lots of cars have them built-in these days, and nobody is making the rich folks remove their mirrors, so the rule is bullshit.
I live in a place that is crawling with testosterone-poisoned idiots and elderly people who can’t hold their phone and their lane at the same time. I need a camera, dammit.
So the obvious solution is a model that replaces my rear view mirror and has long enough cables for full concealment. I do require a rear lens (or better, the ability to patch into my car’s backup camera), since 50% of all idiots are behind me.
True story: just this past Monday, around 4 PM, I totaled my Honda Civic. Single car, wet road, and I felt it slipping a bit earlier in the day so I slowed down when I was on it again, but still the front end broke loose at low speed in a curve, we crossed the center and hit the ditch next to the oncoming lane, the front wheels grabbed and the car rolled over on its roof.
Miraculously I have yet to find a single thing that was broken besides the damage to the car itself. Every glass and ceramic object in a box of stuff I was taking to work survived intact. My elbow got scraped and the 6-year-old’s knee got a little cut. A deputy was coming the other way and actually saw us hit and roll, so he was on-scene assisting almost before we came to rest.
We were the second accident on that road that afternoon. The people who had the first one were behind him getting a ride and saw us have ours; we ran into them later going into the hospital as we were coming out.
By 7:30 PM we were home eating carryout from Glory Days, which had actually been the original plan for the night prior to the accident. It was a weird day…
So yeah, I just picked up two of these. Too much random crap can happen on the road.
You’re in luck today, meh. You happened to pick a product DH has been eyeballing. so what if it’s 2 months past his birthday. Nothing’s too good for you babe, a truly late meh birthday to you.
Specs
What’s in the Box?
1x Camera
1x Suction Cup Mount
1x Micro SD Card
1x Micro SD Card Adapter
1x Power Cable
Pictures
Camera
Screen
Suction
Included
Top
Bottom
Box
MIB
Price Comparison
$69.95 at Amazon
Warranty
1 Year Magellan
Estimated Delivery
Monday, July 13th - Thursday, July 16th
I love how the Chicago picture makes it look like the dashcam is for taking sightseeing photos!
Sure, NOW. I just bought a new dash cam YESTERDAY.
Goddammit Meh.
@mr_crash_davis Return it?
130* FOV… might be wide enough… don’t sell out while I watch the demo video and read reviews. K? K!
@whover makes the dash cam demo videos in the future:
Over 40% of traffic collisions occur at intersections. Therefore it’s important to know what kind of Field Of View video coverage a camera provides when entering an intersection.
The best possible way to illustrate this is at a stop sign (ideally a 4-way stop) so your audience can get a fair perspective of how long cross traffic stays within the FOV.
A camera with too narrow a FOV won’t actually show any cross traffic when entering an intersection (the image has effectively passed through the intersection before the vehicle enters the intersection). Whereas a wider FOV, say 170*, will actually show cross traffic until you’re nearly through the intersection.
In this case, the video doesn’t illustrate FOV in a way we, the viewers, can judge FOV performance.
Please and thank you!
Your Pal,
@ruouttaurmind
@ruouttaurmind Check out the demo video at 1:36. You can see the car going through an intersection. A good amount of the intersection is visible as the car passes through.
@GeorgeSully Thanks for pointing this out:
We can see in the frame grab above, the nearest oncoming vehicle (the little dark colored crossover SUV to the left) is just crossing the nearside curb extension line of Branch Hollow Way, while the FOV vehicle is still a fair bit from the intersection.
So while the vehicles stopped at the light to the right of the FOV vehicle are still in frame just as the FOV vehicle enters the intersection, any cross traffic which may have been coming from the left would no longer be visible at the point the FOV vehicle enters the intersection.
Therefore, based upon the criteria asserted in my original post, this camera would probably receive a grade of “C” (meets minimum requirements). Suitable for an offering on a mediocre website, innit.
Weighing price versus capability, I’d say this is a fair purchase if you’re looking for piece of mind, and don’t really expect to ever have a need for the video to provide evidence in your behalf. If you’re more serious about protecting your interests, expect to spend more and get more. Probably twice as much for a camera with a wider 170* FOV.
Worth noting: Camera manufacturers can represent the FOV differently. There is a horizontal FOV (the value that matters most in this application), a vertical FOV, and some manufacturers will represent a “diagonal FOV”.
Make sure you’re comparing apples to apples when shopping out a device. Ideally a dash cam will offer 170* horizontal FOV. When mounted on the windshield, your image would ideally cover an area from A pillar to A pillar (the front windshield post on either side of your dash).
I’ve never shopped for these, so possibly a dumb question, but only 1 hour battery life? So it Bogarts a car charger spot 80% of the time?
@jrs1980 Nope. 100% of the time. Just like a radar detector.
@jrs1980 The battery’s just so it can keep recording for a bit after the car stops (or if you want to review the footage for some reason). You can get splitters if you run out of sockets.
I haven’t installed a dash cam because I haven’t found a satisfactory way to avoid a wire dangling down from the camera.
@trisk I got a cheap crap (was $14) 720p dashcam from woot that mostly sucks about two years ago. It came with a rather long (6-7’) cable. I ran the wire from my rear view mirror up to the edge of the windshield, then around the edge to the bottom left corner of the windshield where it drops down the left side of the dash (between the door and dash) and then under the edge of the dash back to the center where it plugs in. With the door closed only about 6" of the wire is visible, 3" above the mirror and the rest at the bottom left corner of the windshield. I originally used pieces of parking receipts (very thin thermal paper here in NY City) folded into thick but narrow strips to secure the wire, primarily because they were handy and planned to use clear silicone aquarium sealant to properly secure the wire. However, the folded bits of paper have worked so well that I’ve had no need to replace them.
More like dash SCAM am I right everybody? Har har!
No?
Not right? Okay.
@awk Fair one!
@awk I SAW what you did there! Har, Har.
Maybe someone can correct me (actually my wife) who says in California you’re not allowed windshield mounted items anymore.
@sudynim this is correct. You can mount to dashboard only, and it must be in the lower right or lower left corner, not in the center.
@Collin1000 https://legalbeagle.com/12333580-legal-use-car-dash-camera-california.html says that “in a 5-inch square area on the upper center portion of the windshield” is also ok.
@JohnMorris that only references 2011. Law changed again in 2017.
@sudynim Yikes! I live in the Golden State, and I was not aware of it. And the suction cup V-1 detector mount [only] is a violation. Mirror mount?
The following info is pulled from California’s web site
GPS (only) devices (specifically) are allowed in either of the corners, but not the center.
And cameras can also be in the center, provided that they are ‘event cameras’:
Note the time restrictions on saving video, and the warning in (B)!
@rpstrong section B is, as far as I know, to comply with California being a two party consent state, and Uber drivers who looooooove dashcams.
1040p?
Does it have a video loop?
Also, is the included SD card rated at high enough speed for constant writing to it?
@Collin1000 I have this model & itdoes loop you can set how often as for SD card idk I swapped it for a larger one
I can’t put this in my old clunker. My Facebook friends believe I have a Porshe.
@hchavers tell them it’s a clunker body on a Porshe chassis and engine to keep your insurance reasonable
After watching the video… https://www.google.com/maps/@33.024661,-96.8866874,3a,82y,114.57h,100.5t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sLY_xD81mqI6OLGzhbVvLhg!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo0.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DLY_xD81mqI6OLGzhbVvLhg%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D247.17836%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656
@wd5gnr You could save water by checking your sprinkler system!
Wow, I just started looking for a new dash cam but this thing looks like ass and isn’t all that great of a deal.
https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-dash-cam/
'nuff said
PA
Extra
's for Liza!
That isn’t much of a discount. Does that mean it is relatively good, not requiring salvage value pricing?
if this is anything like the magellan GPS that they make it’s probably total shit
Proofreading. Coulda used some.
@pitamuffin For me, ironbound stood out. No. Maybe ironclad, right?
@sligett Ironborn??
@ruouttaurmind Ah, um, maybe not.
@sligett Yes, that was one of several. I usually don’t feel the need to point out such things, but reading this one just bothered my brain.
Resolution: 1040p HD? It is 1080 or 1040 - make up your mind - May be typo… how good is only 1 hr battery ? Most probably will use power port. Suction cup strong enough to hold it?
Can you turn off the speed display in the recordings?
Would suck to have an insurance claim rejected because they noticed you were 5 over the limit (who knows how accurate the GPS fix on this is, anyway).
The car in the example footage has an amazing sounding exhaust, what is it?
@travo I’m no car expert but the shape and purple-ness of the hood made me think of a Prowler or PT Cruiser.
@travo sounds like a new Mustang to me.
@travo definitely not a PT Cruiser or a new Mustang… any more guesses?
@jk24 if it’s a Hellcat I’m jealous and apologize for insulting it with accusations of mustangery.
@jk24 It’s a Charger for sure.
You hit 56 in a 45 though… Easy there, hombre.
@djslack haha Hellcat would be cool but this car happens to be an M3
@medz 55
@jk24 well, 56 was a few frames back before the speed limit was visible.
/image typcial m3 driver
even with the typo, nailed it
@medz typical M3/BMW driver will not use turn signals but if you watched the sample footage, I used it every time! (you can hear it)
@jk24 I noticed! Well done.
@jk24 nice! I was pretty damn far off base.
Haven’t heard too many bmws with exhaust. My wife would hate it, I think it sounds great.
@djslack thanks! my wife absolutely hates riding in my car. it’s loud & low with racing seats
@medz Izzat Tiff Needell?
@blaineg
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
@jk24 I had a Mazda 626 that the Exhaust rusted off just after the cadilitic converter. Sounded like a high-end exhaust package. Especially through under passes. Echo was awesome. Whomp whommmm
Been wanting a new dash cam and this one seems to have most of the features I wanted, plus is pretty cheap, so…
/giphy wasteful-glittery-bedbug
@baqui63 DAMMIT! I went thru about 20 edits and NONE of the frakking giphy hits had bedbugs!
@baqui63 Ok, look… this might be difficult for you to hear, but… um, maybe you should sit down for this? No? No. Ok… as I was saying, uh… giphy is an idiot!
No, really, it’s true. I kid you not.
(At least there was wasteful glitter. So at there’s that anyway.)
@baqui63
/image wasteful-glittery-bedbug
Will this get stolen from my open convertible?
@Brasssong Only one way to know for sure. What address do you normally park it with the top open?
@Brasssong Maybe, but it might also help deter people from spitting their gum in there.
Today’s email didn’t blur out the product that is being sold. Oops. Any mention of it is usually blacked out.
@cengland0 OMG. That is literally the meh staffer’s only job. SMDH
/image you had one job
I want to know more about this Ms. Constantine.
@aetris Me too.
@Ms. Constantine… Hey there! How YOU doin’??
@aetris This is what I found:
From the 2-star reviews on Amazon
“There is a major problem with the MiVue cameras. In the event of an impact or if you manually press the Event button, the camera only locks and saves that file from the point of impact or button onwards. Other cameras will save the entire clip or 30 seconds before the event. This way you can save what led up the wreck. If someone runs a red light, pulls out, etc you want to prove what caused the collision.”
Meh.
@Thinkerer That’s a pretty major problem for a dash cam.
@Thinkerer So, after a crash, just turn the camera off until you can back-up the data.
@Thinkerer This appears to be simply incorrect, as noted in the comment made in response to the very review you are quoting. And, directly from the manufacturer’s product information: “Impact sensor triggers auto save of recorded video when impact occurs.” “G-Shock Impact Sensor – Lock Critical Video and Data - If a vehicle collision occurs, the built-in G-Shock Impact Sensor automatically locks the recorded video footage, location data, and date/time information prior to the incident, providing an accurate record of events. Videos may be played back on the device or on Mac and Windows based computers.”
Hey, @chadp, you seem to be a fan of shaky, in-car, vlog-type videos. Did you buy one of these yet?
Never mind, you said you weren’t going to do that in the car anymore.
@medz Yeah, my normal vlogging spot turned into traffic central. So no more in car.
That said, definitely subscribe to my YouTube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZFzv1ts_3dPewkkRP0VMwA
@ChadP Ok
Good
I recorded this on my dashcam just yesterday!
@wa27 What a dick. I was hoping they would get t-boned as they pulled out.
@wa27 I would never ever ever do this for too many reasons to list – I think littering should be a punchable offense – BUT this reminds me of how much I hate it when fast food places don’t provide a trash can at the end of the drive through.
Then again, if there HAD been a trash can, this asshat would have chucked a full cup in it.
Alright, you guys, I need recommendations. Hubs and I work in a place where dash cams aren’t allowed. Of course, lots of cars have them built-in these days, and nobody is making the rich folks remove their mirrors, so the rule is bullshit.
I live in a place that is crawling with testosterone-poisoned idiots and elderly people who can’t hold their phone and their lane at the same time. I need a camera, dammit.
So the obvious solution is a model that replaces my rear view mirror and has long enough cables for full concealment. I do require a rear lens (or better, the ability to patch into my car’s backup camera), since 50% of all idiots are behind me.
/giphy Stacey dash
True story: just this past Monday, around 4 PM, I totaled my Honda Civic. Single car, wet road, and I felt it slipping a bit earlier in the day so I slowed down when I was on it again, but still the front end broke loose at low speed in a curve, we crossed the center and hit the ditch next to the oncoming lane, the front wheels grabbed and the car rolled over on its roof.
Miraculously I have yet to find a single thing that was broken besides the damage to the car itself. Every glass and ceramic object in a box of stuff I was taking to work survived intact. My elbow got scraped and the 6-year-old’s knee got a little cut. A deputy was coming the other way and actually saw us hit and roll, so he was on-scene assisting almost before we came to rest.
We were the second accident on that road that afternoon. The people who had the first one were behind him getting a ride and saw us have ours; we ran into them later going into the hospital as we were coming out.
By 7:30 PM we were home eating carryout from Glory Days, which had actually been the original plan for the night prior to the accident. It was a weird day…
So yeah, I just picked up two of these. Too much random crap can happen on the road.
You’re in luck today, meh. You happened to pick a product DH has been eyeballing. so what if it’s 2 months past his birthday. Nothing’s too good for you babe, a truly late meh birthday to you.