As a result of this, I went online looking for a decent dashcam. I wanted to make sure that if anything like this happens again, I got it on video!
I soon found that I had 2 options, I could buy the ones marketed on places like Amazon for about $220.00, or take a chance with one of the cheaper Chinese models.
I ended up ordering this one (at first), but soon discovered it's limitations. This is an SD (Standard Definition) as opposed to HD and it had to be started manually each time I got in the car. Check the sample below.
It cost around 50 New Zealand Dollars. (40US) (25GBP)
After about 2 weeks, I decided that I wanted an HD one, with 720p minimum. I went back to Chinavasion to see what else they had and I discovered the CVLL-DV51, with true 1280 x 720p resolution and 120degree lens.
I contacted a couple of other people on YouTube who posted samples of it and asked them their opinion. They verified that it was indeed a TRUE HD dashcam and not one of the upscaled clones which are all to easy to find, so I ordered it and I have now been using it since may. It's awesome.
I use a 16gb SD card with it and have set it to record in 15 minute 'chunks' and with this setting it will record for 9 hours! Also, unlike the other one, this dashcam is 'cyclic', which means I don't have to empty the card and make room for more videos once it's filled up. It will simply overwrite the original files and keep going over and over.
Also, if a power failure occurs due to a car crash, the camera will keep recording for a few seconds after impact and save the file to the card, even if the lens gets smashed.
I have always been a little dubious about ordering things online from sites in China, but I can guarantee you, these guys are great. Since then 2 of my colleagues have also order helmet cams for cycling to work, so they can catch those nasty Auckland drivers who try to run them off the road.
Check it out on this page,HD Mini DVR with LCD CVLL-DV51 HD Dashcam
2 comments:
What is the quality like off the cam, I assume there is an amount of loss in uploading to youtube (even in 720p)
the LP on the car to your left at the lights is quite distorted, partially attributable to the wide angle lens, and the one in front of you is unreadable at 2 car lengths.
It is a good idea though - I hate dickhead drivers
Definitely some loss when uploaded, but you are right, once you are about 2-3 car lengths away, the HD cam wont have enough pixels covering the licence plate. generally though, if someone cuts you up or does something in front of you, you can usually get enough evidence to report it.
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