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BobGed · 08-25-2011, 11:34 PM

I was asked in another thread to provide some details about the dash camera that I have installed in my motor home. In addition to my MH I have the same camera installed in my other two personal vehicles. While there are many very high quality, and expensive, cameras available to choose from, I wasn't concerned with video quality. I just wanted something that would record events that occurred in front of me, like someone cutting in and slamming on their brakes, or someone running a red light.

Here's a link to the cameras I purchased on eBay Dash Camera for $73.00 each. There are pros and cons to these cameras, but they had the features I was looking for at a pretty low price. They do use a SD card (not included) to record the data. I'm using a 16GB card for the one in the MH that gives me hours of recording time at a 1280x720 resolution and 30 fps. Once the card is full it just continues by over writing the oldest file. The auction description pretty well outlines the pros, and here are some of the cons.
The item is simply called the Vehicle Car Camera and is made and ships from China (I know some will read no further). There is no manufacturer's name or serial number on the units or the packaging, and no indicated warranty. I purchased a 3-year Square Trade warranty for ~$11.00 for each one, so for $84.00 I feel I’m pretty well covered for three years. All three of them have worked flawlessly for about a year now, with two of them installed in our daily driver vehicles. There are other ones that sound pretty good with additional features particularly considering the price like this one Dash Cam with LCD and Motion Detection for $37.00.

Regarding the installation in my Tiffin Phaeton, I mounted the camera in the upper center of the windshield. I ran the wiring across the top of cabinet where it meets the windshield over to the DS pillar and down under the dash. I did have to splice in some wire as it wasn't quite long enough. I removed the left most dash panel (the one with the lights and wiper switches) and mounted a female cigarette lighter receptacle on the ledge just behind the panel. I then ran the power supply wire to the ignition side of the wire panel in the DS compartment with the ground wire to the ground buss bar. The camera starts automatically when the ignition key is turned on, and turns off a few seconds after the ignition key is turned off. The unit runs on 5V so you need to use the cigarette lighter connection or a 12V to 5V reducer.

The files are .AVI format and I found this free trimmer program Solveig AVI Trimmer that I used to create the You Tube clip. I can plug the card into my computer and view the files there, or I can connect it camera to a TV with the provided video cable and view them there.

I posted some some pics and a couple of videos HERE

There are definitely much higher quality models available like These , but as long as these keep working they’re really all I need to feel a little more at ease in case something should happen, which is a real possibility since we have to battle the LA freeways at least twice a year.

MICHIGAN CAMPER · 08-26-2011, 05:48 AM

Well Bob,...
With your recommendation I'm gonna try this out.
I've been looking for something like this for three years.

Thanks for your post.
michigancamper

BCooke · 08-26-2011, 06:38 AM

I do not know if you have or use a Android phone but Autoguard is interesting.

Wayne M · 08-26-2011, 07:37 AM

Bob,
I followed this and asked the question, who, what, where, on the other thread.

Thanks for posting the information. I'm going to search for them now.

BobGed · 08-26-2011, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne M

Bob,
I followed this and asked the question, who, what, where, on the other thread.

Thanks for posting the information. I'm going to search for them now.

Wayne, I thought it would be best to start a new topic, but I put a link in the other thread back to this one.

TechWriter · 08-26-2011, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobGed

. . . they’re really all I need to feel a little more at ease in case something should happen, which is a real possibility since we have to battle the LA freeways at least twice a year.

You know a camera like this is a two-edged sword.

BobGed · 08-26-2011, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TechWriter

You know a camera like this is a two-edged sword.

Over 50 years of accident free defensive driving. I think the odds are in my favor.

Dunner · 08-26-2011, 11:34 AM

I have an iPod 8G. Could that be used?

What about my Sony Cyber-shot? I can add memory to it.

Don't know if either will over-write or just shut off.

Dunner · 08-26-2011, 12:12 PM

Sony ran out of memory.

Amazon also has them. Maybe they don't ship from China.

Dunner · 08-26-2011, 01:09 PM

It appears my iPod starts over after about 40 some minutes.

I found and ordered this on Amazon. Only 3 left at this price.

Amazon.com: Motion Detect Car Dash Video Camera Recorder DVR: Electronics

Route 66 · 08-26-2011, 02:55 PM

Fascinating. Thanks!

powerboatr · 08-26-2011, 03:09 PM

Thanks
I like the idea,

Wayne M · 08-26-2011, 04:26 PM

Wow! Looking at Dash Cam generally speaking, they are expensive. The one you posted is very reasonable, considering that US dealers want to charge. I'm glad that what you posted on the other thread gave specifications and that it is a full stand along camera with SD card that can be played on any SD Capable viewer.

Thanks for the information.

smiller · 08-26-2011, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne M

Wow! Looking at Dash Cam generally speaking, they are expensive. The one you posted is very reasonable, considering that US dealers want to charge.

Yes, I found that same exact camera (the $73 one) on two US websites for $175 and $199! There are some even cheaper ones available but they are not true HD (not 100% necessary for this application but HD images are a huge improvement over 640x480.) The camera mentioned in the OP has all I want (true HD, automatic turn-on based on ignition power, recording automatically wraps around when memory card is full) so I just ordered one on Ebay. Thanks for the info BobGed.