Dash Cam

[Big Boy]

I've been thinking for some time that a dash cam could be very useful, both as a tool to illustrate the crazy antics Thai (and many Farang) drivers get up to, when talking to friends; and more importantly as insurance if the unthinkable should happen, and I'm involved in an accident.

I've no idea where to start. I'd like an image that could be easily watched on replay, but wouldn't want to pay stupid money. I'd like a model with a decent recording time (maybe upto 4 hours at a time). Where would I buy such a beast - are they available in Hua Hin?

How much should I be looking to pay for the above spec?

Any advice at this stage would be gratefully received.

[Nereus]

I've been thinking for some time that a dash cam could be very useful,

You and me both! Have not looked in Hua Hin, but several other places. They range in price from Bht 2,000 for a basic unit, up tp 5 or 6,000 Bht. You can also buy then on the Internet from Hong Kong.

If you are using a Garmin they have a good quality unit, available from the following in Bangkok. Send them an email, they have very good service and will probably post it to you.


http://www.esri.com/apps/company/contac ... y=Thailand

edit: erm, looks like they have split up their web site, try this one:

http://www.gpssociety.com/EN/Pages/default.aspx

[JuiceLover]

I cheap solution is using your smart phone with downloaded dash cam app mounted on dash with a fitting-all-phones device.

[Big Boy]

I cheap solution is using your smart phone with downloaded dash cam app mounted on dash with a fitting-all-phones device.

That was one of the options I did look at, but the feedback was that smart phones have too narrow a shooting angle to be really effective.

[usual suspect]

Remember that most of these dash-cams do not come with a memory-card..so the cost of that is extra..for 4hrs recording time that can be quite a few GB you need..?
(Also note that if you have the sound running while filming thru' the windscreen the device will pick up your conversation..& your swearing as that minivan or truck pulls out just in front of you!!)

[buksida]

A GoPro does the job for me, need extra batteries though as they only last about an hour and a half.

[Brit Jim]

Just bought a Road Hawk 720 Dash cam from Uk for £120 E bay down in Bodmin!

Easy set up with small camera hidden by mirror. Worked great for 1 day then quit. They get a good review maybe unlucky!
I have a 2 year guarantee so obviously will exchange!

The Garmin looks bulky but obviously its a trustworthy name!

I can't say that I have seen them in Hua Hin!

16 GB SD card up is a good idea!

[sateeb]

Remember that most of these dash-cams do not come with a memory-card..so the cost of that is extra..for 4hrs recording time that can be quite a few GB you need..?
(Also note that if you have the sound running while filming thru' the windscreen the device will pick up your conversation..& your swearing as that minivan or truck pulls out just in front of you!!)

Quick solution...turn the audio facility off

[VincentD]

Am on my third camera; the first had too narrow a viewing angle,so I bought a twin camera as I could not find a wide-angle one. I then found night vision was atrocious, so finally found one that had decent wide-angle resolution at night for less than 3,000 baht. The 16G memory card at around 600 baht for 4 hours of loop recording at the highest resolution was not unreasonable. You will need to specify the class, though. Most cards on the market are class 4, quite slow. Class 10 is the one to go for.

[Terry]

So Vincent..................

Make ?
Model?
How much?
Where to buy?

[Big Boy]

So Vincent..................

Make ?
Model?
How much?
Where to buy?

[REEM]

I just bought one in MBK shopping centre in Bangkok.

It cost 2000 baht, plus 260 baht for an 8GB micro sd card.

They had models from 900 baht up, but unless you spend minimum 2000 baht, you are not getting much of a wide angle view. They also had an elaborate twin camera model for 3500 baht.

It comes complete with a sucker attachment, usb charger and a long cable that plugs into the cigarette lighter. I dont like trailing cables, so if after trying it out I like it, then I will have the cable hidden behind the panelling.

It will record in 5,10,15 or 20 minute bursts, erasing the previous burst before starting the new one, or it can record continuously. quality is choosable (FHD 1920x1080 pxl. HD 1280x720. or VGA 640x 480) and it can record sound, and a low illumination for night recording mode.There is a 2.8" led screen at the rear.

I dont know how much you can get on a 8GB card, but it should be able to record half an hour at full HD.
For recording any accidents a 5 or 10 minute burst should be fine.

It is Chinese, and there is no name on the box, other than FULL HD 1080P DVR.

I will get the thing up and running this week and report whether it works as advertised or not.

[TingTongJohn]

I was also thinking of a gopro as I could use it elsewhere but I bet there are cam`s specific for use as a car cam and cheaper.(this is a good topic)

[hhinner]

The guy that does printer ink reservoirs and other computer stuff on 3rd floor of Hua Hin Shopping Mall has some. I bought a cheapo from him last year and it still works. Also Lazada have some, search for ”dvr”.

[REEM]

Well, the camera works fine. It records in 10 minute bursts then starts again. When the SD card is full it records over the first file, then the second file, etc.etc.

The quality is good too.

The only problem is the plastic plug that holds the windscreen sucker onto its plastic base snapped the second time it was used. I have no way of attaching the camera to the windscreen thanks to super cheap not fit for purpose low grade Chinese plastics.

So now I have to either superglue the plug back in place and hope it holds, or buy an aftermarket adjustable sucker attachment with tripod screw.

Any suggestions as to where I could find one of those in Hua Hin?