After a few close calls, and one yesterday with a pucker factor of 10, with "blue hair" drivers I've decided I want a dash cam. After doing a bit of research, and reading through some reviews I haven't found anything that looks like a clear winner. So I'm asking my fellow ARF brethren for some guidance. Does the hive have recommendations on a brand/model and some features to consider?

Perferably something reasonably priced. Doesn't have to be top of the line... just reliable with clear video.

My grandpa used to tell me every time I left his house, "Careful son, they're aimin' for ya". As usual he was spot on with his advice. I am a magnet for the folks.

Get a go-pro

ost

I'm looking for one that can also record the interior of the cabin too.

Having a go pro myself, that wouldn't be my first or second choice for a daily dash cam.

I have this one in my truck and it works great.
Bought it last year at a Boxing Day sale for $90.

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX49121

I have a couple GoPro, but I'm looking for something a little more automated that will record once my truck starts or I start moving.  And something that will record at night as well.

this thread interdasts me

I picked up a G1W on the recommendations I got here, works great.

I got a hard wire kit from ebay and it starts when I start the truck.

The G1W and G1WH are both excellent choices and I've bought several of them (both are $55-$70, depending on where you get it). The G1W is more conspicuous in that you can look at it and, with the chrome ring around the lense, it looks like a camera. The G1WH has a slightly wider viewing angle.

I would flip a coin between the two, honestly. The one little bonus of the G1W is the little LED indicator blinks when you have the display set to off so that you know it's still recording. You can read license plates with both of them.

The only warning I have is to make sure you don't get a counterfeit one. Get from a reputable seller on Amazon Prime, where returns are easy. Make sure it saves to .mov format and not AVI (one of the ones that I purchased was a fake and I sent it back -- it was a new seller on Amazon). Another way to tell if they're real is that they can see better at night than you probably can.

You'll need a microSD card as well. I go with 32GB cards. The G1W and G1WH are fickle. Make sure you get the right kind; I think Class4/6 are recommended and that people have had issues with Class10

As for configuration, I turn off the impact sensor (with a 32GB card, you'll have enough time to pull the video before it overwrites; the impact sensor locks files and the memory will eventually fill up and it will stop recording until you erase it). I also set the "screen saver" for 3 minutes because seeing the image is distracting while driving.

Thanks Dagger, definitely will consider this one.

I use my old galaxy s3 and an app. I put a huge sd card in it. There are apps that upload immediately also.

http://dashboardcamerareviews.com/finevu-cr-500hd/

I bought this after my Ibtronics camera failed me.  Had it over a year and no problems.   Sharp,  HD quality video and reasonable night time recording.

Here's a video that I filmed with a G1W (sped up): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJP9VS7Kv2Q

The least you could have done for us was to crash into something.

Another member here was showing off a camera that they got, and that's what I ended up getting too.

It's a Blackvue dr500gw-hd, it records in 1080p and has fancy features like connecting to your phone for streaming playback, which might be good if you want to show someone what happened right then and there, and it has built in GPS/google map function.

Here is what it looks like installed, I was able to hard-wire it to a connection above so I don't have wires coming down to my power outlets. It comes on when the ignition is turned on.





And here is the most interesting thing I've captured with it so far (deer flying over that SUV)
I made the photo smaller for the forum but there are examples of its quality on youtube. It's 1080p at 30 frames per second, so fast moving stuff is pretty clear.

This is what I was leaning towards when I started the thread.  I was hoping a few would chime in that have some experience with them.  Thanks for the great advice on settings and cards.  I have plenty of microSDs from my GoPro's stock.

I bought a Cobra cdr 810 for $100 over a year ago. Not the best but it's worked well for me. No spectacular footage to show, fortunately.

Wow, does that SUV actually hit the deer?  It doesn't look like it took any damage.

One thing about the G1W, I picked up a Scandisk card from Walmart and it didn't recognize it.

I forget the brand I ended up  ordering, but it works great now.

Do a google search and there are a few forums with tons of info about them.

I started my google searching with the G1W as well, and am currently considering a Mobius device.
It doesn't have a display, but I can use it on the motorcycle as well, since its very tiny.

huge thread here

Blackvue Dr-550GW has served me very well, it's front and back with excellent HD video quality. i installed it on my 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland w/ Hemi









 

This is what I have and it works great. I have recommended it to my friends

I don't have any personal experience, but I recall a thread on here a while ago where someone had been accused of running a red light and hitting a federal ABC type government van.  He had a dash cam that showed clearly the van in fact ran the light and they were lying.

Anyway, long story short the guy had a Timetec Road Hawk and I remember thinking the images appeared very clear.  I've looked at them on amazon thinking I should get one.  I haven't yet but it still seems to be a reasonable option.

Edit - haha, here it is.  Still entertaining...

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ldLDrBOjzEg

Tis records front AND back and you can see the image in the rear view mirror!  The turret-style cameras are less recognizable so it won't be such a temptation for FSA-types looking to check your privilege.

AMAZON

x2

Also a tag.  I need to do something...  I have a long, rural commute and have at least one idiot I encounter regularly (Prius) who drives like he wants to kill himself and everyone around him.

Yeah, the deer actually tried jumping over the SUV from the side and got struck. It broke the back passenger window.
It seemed stunned on the ground for a few seconds and then ran away.

Aw fuck lol

Hope the dude's okay.

I knew this was gonna be a Fl. thread.  

, they should just issue a dash cam with your license.  It's fucking nuts here in south Florida.  Between the blue hairs and the assholes that think I-95 is Need for Speed fo time... it's a roll of the dice going anywhere.

Anyway, thanks to everyone with their input.  GD delivered as usual.

I purchased a G1W based on reviews here and at Dash Cam Talk.
I received a Chinese knock off  of the Spy Tec...through Amazon and I called bullshit, got my money back.

Before you buy one, read this page Dash Cam Talk and buy the Spy Tec G1W...
You want the NT96650 processor and a few folks are selling stuff listed as such but is not.

There are two types now...internal non-replaceable/rechargeable battery models and capacitor models. The batt one is fine but not if you live in a hot climate (boom)...capacitor model is newer and cannot be used outside vehicle (no power). Read the link above.

Amazon makes it easy to buy the wrong ones...knock offs. Look for Spy Tec but be careful, Spy Tec sold by "youbesohappy" or some other commie fuck is who screwed me...