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**j90xxx** · 02-09-2012, 10:22 AM

Are dash cams the future?
My friend works for a large construction company where dash cams/on-board cctv are compulsory. It has helped him in 2 non-fault accidents and has lowered his insurance premium. Many HGVs (and taxis, I believe) now have them fitted. In the USA new drivers have them to monitor their driving after passing their tests.
Whether you think this is big brother or an added safety feature, how many times have we wished we had an accident 'on-camera' to prove it wasn't our fault?
Any members got one, or thinking of getting one?
And just in case you think they are a novelty...
Watch this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_FLwN8GI...re=related

**Trevor** · 02-09-2012, 10:43 AM

(02-09-2012, 10:22 AM)j90xxx Wrote: Are dash cams the future?
My friend works for a large construction company where dash cams/on-board cctv are compulsory. It has helped him in 2 non-fault accidents and has lowered his insurance premium. Many HGVs (and taxis, I believe) now have them fitted. In the USA new drivers have them to monitor their driving after passing their tests.
Whether you think this is big brother or an added safety feature, how many times have we wished we had an accident 'on-camera' to prove it wasn't our fault?
Any members got one, or thinking of getting one?
And just in case you think they are a novelty...
Watch this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_FLwN8GI...re=related

Yes I have been thinking about getting one, It's one of those things you hope you will never need, but could be well usefull.

**Andre** · (This post was last modified: 02-09-2012, 11:21 AM by Andre.)

I recently had a look into these after a couple of crash for cash accidents happened to work colleagues: (joining the motorway from slip, car 2 in front slams on then drives off leaving you and the car in front to insurance it out / car in front just slams on). For the price you can get set up it is well worth it, plus of the fact that anything that stops my own premium going up, or makes insurance battles any easier is a gift in itself.

This guy does some excellent reviews of the sort of thing i was after: http://www.youtube.com/user/Techmoan/videos?query=dvr

Things to think about feature wise:

480p, 720p or full HD
Wide lens or straight in front
Night time driving quality
Does it turn on and off with engine? (convenience)
GPS antenna? (Will also record your speed & location and you can display this on video recordings)
Recording length - these cameras usually work by recording in 2, 3, 5, or more minute segments. Each time it stops a segment and begins a new one, it stops recording for about 1-3 seconds which can be enough to miss an accident.

For about £20, you can get something similar: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-5-HD-Camera-...2ec168b02d

It will record to an extent where you can see what is going on. It might not catch every number plate.

For me, i'd also need an extra lighter socket wired from the battery (with fuse) as it is busy enough with wires already, about £3-4.

Full HD is a bit more: £30 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HD-1080P-Car-D...2a1d0c45b9

Obviously you can spend more. It is worth taking a look, it could be the best £20+ you ever spent: http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid...r&_sacat=0

**taxi** · (This post was last modified: 02-09-2012, 11:03 PM by taxi.)

Mine cost £30 approx on ebay,( taxi dvr recorder with night vision) but very good ones at http://www.crashcatcher.co.uk £119.99 or £129.99, see review in Auto Express.

**j90xxx** · (This post was last modified: 03-09-2012, 09:36 AM by j90xxx.)

Thanks Andre (and Taxi).
Know more and more HGVs are being fitted with them.
The insurance savings are massive.
Saw a brand new truck last week with cameras (looked factory fit) on the doors facing backwards. If only foreign registered trucks had them?
If insurance companies did the same for cars/vans would definately get one.

http://www.daf.eu/UK/Trucks/options/Page...amera.aspx

**taxi** · (This post was last modified: 03-09-2012, 11:38 AM by taxi.)

The twin lens type ( one facing front and other facing into the vehicle ) seems the best option esp if you get rear-ended.

**j90xxx** · 03-09-2012, 01:19 PM

Front facing, rear facing, side cameras, driver cams...
Won't be a Berlingo, will be a mobile film studio!

**taxi** · 03-09-2012, 02:24 PM

Big Brother Berlingo !!!

Noel Brig · (This post was last modified: 03-09-2012, 04:09 PM by Noel Brig.)

I don't use one in either the car or van, however I do use a helmet cam for my bike (cycle) commute. Come in really useful at the beginning of the year when I was (nearly) left hooked by a Discovery, even showed the woman holding a mobile phone - the police were delighted!

You definitely need 1080 and HD !

andy-womble · 03-09-2012, 05:11 PM

And why not have one up one's posterior sphincter just for good measure so people know when you are going or have been for a s**t.....

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