[Elrond]

Following my last thread and some more recent near misses (including a near miss with someone who didn't have lights on..........at night ), I've decided that it may be worth getting a dashcam.

I know there are a load of threads on this, but I didn't want to hijack someone elses.

For me, I think front and rear is the way to go (both recent issues were on the rear) and with parking mode would be good. It looks like people talk about Blackvue and Thinkware the most.

After a very quick search, I found the BlackVue DR750S-2CH for £320 but that comes with the Power Magic Pro. So is that considered a good price? Installation isn't included.

Few of other questions:

• I've read that it can affect the DAB radio. Is that still the case?
• I have auto dimming headlights. Do that affect things other than possibly where the front camera goes due to the rear view mirror unit size?
• May daily commute is only 8 miles tops total. Could the parking mode affect my battery?

Any other advice is welcomed.

[kitster]

Originally Posted by Elrond

Following my last thread and some more recent near misses (including a near miss with someone who didn't have lights on..........at night ), I've decided that it may be worth getting a dashcam.

I know there are a load of threads on this, but I didn't want to hijack someone elses.

For me, I think front and rear is the way to go (both recent issues were on the rear) and with parking mode would be good. It looks like people talk about Blackvue and Thinkware the most.

After a very quick search, I found the BlackVue DR750S-2CH for £320 but that comes with the Power Magic Pro. So is that considered a good price? Installation isn't included.

Few of other questions:

• I've read that it can affect the DAB radio. Is that still the case?
• I have auto dimming headlights. Do that affect things other than possibly where the front camera goes due to the rear view mirror unit size?
• May daily commute is only 8 miles tops total. Could the parking mode affect my battery?

Any other advice is welcomed.

Been running mine for the past year, no issues with DAB.

Few of other questions:

• I've read that it can affect the DAB radio. Is that still the case? - Not had any issues running mine in F31 and G31.
• I have auto dimming headlights. Do that affect things other than possibly where the front camera goes due to the rear view mirror unit size? - Mine is to the left of the camera, stuck to the dotted area. It's wide enough to capture the entire bonnet.
• May daily commute is only 8 miles tops total. Could the parking mode affect my battery? - The PMP will shut down after the set time period, I've not had any issues in any of my cars with parking mode (except for the Thinkware F770 and battery drain msg in iDrive. F770 was switched out for the 750S-2CH). I've got a CTEK charger, which I use on the cars 1/2 times a year.

[Mrklaw]

link to the offer?

[Archer-s]

I am looking at dash cams too, think that’s an ok price (not great, not bad), have you also checked the thinkware f800?

[Elrond]

Originally Posted by Mrklaw

link to the offer?

I said "offer" but didn't mean it as in an actual offer. If that makes sense!

http://www.roadradio.com/BlackVue/DR750S-2CH/

Originally Posted by mssond

I am looking at dash cams too, think that’s an ok price (not great, not bad), have you also checked the thinkware f800?

No, apart from just now. For the nominal price difference, what does it give over the BlackVue?

[kitster]

Originally Posted by Elrond

I said "offer" but didn't mean it as in an actual offer. If that makes sense!

http://www.roadradio.com/BlackVue/DR750S-2CH/


No, apart from just now. For the nominal price difference, what does it give over the BlackVue?

Thinkware has a built in voltage monitor, so no need for the PMP. They also have speed camera alerts (manual update), front collision detection and lane change detection.....last two are shite and I wold turn them off. The Thinkware is also more stealthy (is that a word?), compared to the Blackvue.

If you get a 650S, 750S, F770 or F880. The first one has 1080p front and 720p rear, the rest are full HD. Finally I personally would not bother with extra expense of the 4K models.

[Elrond]

Originally Posted by kitster

Thinkware has a built in voltage monitor, so no need for the PMP. They also have speed camera alerts (manual update), front collision detection and lane change detection.....last two are shite and I wold turn them off. The Thinkware is also more stealthy (is that a word?), compared to the Blackvue.

If you get a 650S, 750S, F770 or F880. The first one has 1080p front and 720p rear, the rest are full HD. Finally I personally would not bother with extra expense of the 4K models.

Thanks for the Thinkware mention. I've had a look at the videos on the following link, and while they are different cars & conditions etc., the Thinkware looks the better quality.

https://www.blackboxmycar.com/pages/...vue-dr750s-2ch

Food for thought.

[Archer-s]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Photo-Ele...words=blackvue

the blackvue is down to 260 without the magic power, about 300 with on amazon

I think I am leaning towards a thinkware F770

[Mrklaw]

Originally Posted by mssond

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Photo-Ele...words=blackvue

the blackvue is down to 260 without the magic power, about 300 with on amazon

I think I am leaning towards a thinkware F770

hmm. Decent price. Whats the difference between the F770 and the F800? both 1080p but does the 770 have lower quality/bitrate?

[Archer-s]

Originally Posted by Mrklaw

hmm. Decent price. Whats the difference between the F770 and the F800? both 1080p but does the 770 have lower quality/bitrate?

I have been looking and can’t see many differences, a few more features, better night vision, but that’s all I find, which makes the f770 a bit of a bargain

[Archer-s]

Found a comparasion video f770 to f800 pro, if you need to capture number plates, then the f800 looks better

[Mrklaw]

Originally Posted by mssond

Found a comparasion video f770 to f800 pro, if you need to capture number plates, then the f800 looks better

read an interesting post on reddit - lots of cams are very random in their ability to pick up number plates - good/bad/middling weather can blind a camera to them, as can mid-distances or anything more than low speed movement.

So there isn't really a magic bullet for seeing a number plate.

It also pointed out that perhaps a rear camera isn't that necessary if your main objective is identifying a responsible party in the event of an accident. A rear shunt is almost always the shunter's fault so no real need for a cam.

And for parking, a standard front/rear won't capture common side scrapes/door dings etc, or someone breaking in


At the moment I'm paralysed by choice, and by the PITA nature of installing two channels. May be much simpler to just grab a couple of A119s (one for me, one for the wife's car) and pop them in the front and plugged into the cigarette lighter.

[kitster]

Originally Posted by Mrklaw

A rear shunt is almost always the shunter's fault so no real need for a cam.

I still think there is a case for rear cameras esp. if no one stops to be witness and the other party decides to contest the incident e.g. never happened. Lucky I had mine the 2nd time, so I was happy knowing it was all on "tape".

Originally Posted by Mrklaw

read an interesting post on reddit - lots of cams are very random in their ability to pick up number plates - good/bad/middling weather can blind a camera to them, as can mid-distances or anything more than low speed movement.

During good light, most decent dash cams will pick up the license plates. The more expensive options tend to have better image sensors with acceptable dark image capture. Trying to capture a car directly behind you at night is impossible, their headlights will makes sure of that. The 750S has a 60FPS mode, which makes capturing fast moving cars/plates easier. I'm not sure about the Thinkware.

[Mrklaw]

Nextbase 512GW £100 for 2xh from Halfords? £130 fitted.

[Archer-s]

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F362478559534

Use code pinchme for 10% off making it £199ish for just the cameras or £220ish with the magic pro, (buy the magic pro from another seller)

Or if you want just the front, they have 1ch 750s for £99 after the voucher

[Archer-s]

Ordered the blackvue with magic pro, got it for £230, Quick question, do all F30’s have air bags in the A Pillar?

[ian332isport]

Originally Posted by mssond

Ordered the blackvue with magic pro, got it for £230, Quick question, do all F30’s have air bags in the A Pillar?

I’m pretty sure my F31 doesn’t. It has them above both doors though.

[cfm56d7b]

I suggest to get a dedicated battery such as Cellink NEO and eliminate the reliance on the man car battery. More than worth it.

[Mrklaw]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

I suggest to get a dedicated battery such as Cellink NEO and eliminate the reliance on the man car battery. More than worth it.

More than the cost of the cam though! For mild UK climate I think you could get away with a regular PowerBank if there was a simple way to switch between sources for parking mode

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by Mrklaw

More than the cost of the cam though! For mild UK climate I think you could get away with a regular PowerBank if there was a simple way to switch between sources for parking mode

Indeed - a dedicated battery is not inexpensive.

[fuzzybunny]

How does the BlackVue DR750S-2CH connect to the cloud then to save footage
Does it connect to your phone data that might be a significant data usage.

[ian332isport]

Originally Posted by fuzzybunny

How does the BlackVue DR750S-2CH connect to the cloud then to save footage
Does it connect to your phone data that might be a significant data usage.

Phone data, or dedicated hot spot.

I think cloud storage is a bit of a gimmick TBH. It’s only really if the car gets stolen or catches fire that it would be useful. Outside of those, just download to your phone as required.