Recommend Me a Dash Cam
Discussion
I’m taking delivery of a new BMW 440 shortly. I want a dash cam and my installer recommended the Thinkware Q100. Most of the reviews are good but I’m really put off by the review below. I hate bleeps & unnecessary noises in my car.
Any thoughts on a high quality but quiet alternative?
Connect up this camera, go for a drive and you’ll notice that it likes to beep. Initially this was because its g-sensor is too sensitive by default to bumps while you’re driving, so road imperfections would occasionally trigger it. One particular section of the M25 had it going off continuously. Reducing the sensitivity almost completely fixed this, but there was still the annoyance of hearing ‘Please have a safe drive today’ every time I started the I'm taking delivery of a new car shortly
Any thoughts on a high quality but quiet alternative?
Connect up this camera, go for a drive and you’ll notice that it likes to beep. Initially this was because its g-sensor is too sensitive by default to bumps while you’re driving, so road imperfections would occasionally trigger it. One particular section of the M25 had it going off continuously. Reducing the sensitivity almost completely fixed this, but there was still the annoyance of hearing ‘Please have a safe drive today’ every time I started the I'm taking delivery of a new car shortly
I have had all sorts of expensive dash cams including Thinkware and Nextbase and now believe there is an obsession amongst many people to spend as much money as possible on a dash cam with loads of features that simply are not necessary
Recently needed to buy two dashcams for a couple of our cars and decided to take a punt on some from Amazon and glad I did.
Got the Iiwey JO1 and EY5, both from Amazon - both been 100% reliable, footage is crisp and clear - for the money they are exceptional, especially the JO1 at less than £60
In my opinion there is really no need to spend more
Recently needed to buy two dashcams for a couple of our cars and decided to take a punt on some from Amazon and glad I did.
Got the Iiwey JO1 and EY5, both from Amazon - both been 100% reliable, footage is crisp and clear - for the money they are exceptional, especially the JO1 at less than £60
In my opinion there is really no need to spend more
I have a Viofo A119 v3. No beeps. I bought it after watching this video that was posted on the Dashcam thread.
Video starts at the recommendation.
The only exception is if you buy a cam, like the Viofo A229, that uses the Starvis2 image chip.
https://www.blackboxmycar.com/pages/ultimate-guide...
Video starts at the recommendation.
The only exception is if you buy a cam, like the Viofo A229, that uses the Starvis2 image chip.
https://www.blackboxmycar.com/pages/ultimate-guide...
I've got 2 Nextbase cameras and wouldn't get one again. One of them continually shut off, despite being hardwired. It turns out the hardwire doesn't power the camera, it charges the battery and when the battery fails, it keeps powering off.
All Nextbase want to do is force you to buy one of their expensive SD cards before they will consider a fault with the camera - their bottom line is that it is always the SD card that causes faults. I ended up buying a battery kit on eBay which has sorted the issue.
All Nextbase want to do is force you to buy one of their expensive SD cards before they will consider a fault with the camera - their bottom line is that it is always the SD card that causes faults. I ended up buying a battery kit on eBay which has sorted the issue.
I have a Thinkware. When it was first installed it would speak and beep at everything but within a week it settled down and I never hear it now. No idea why but its stopped most of the audible notifications. The only annoying thing is the mobile speed camera alerts but those can be turned off.
I'd looked at Nextbase but my fitter refused to do them as he said they have overheating problems and doesn't want his name against them when they melt themselves.
I'd looked at Nextbase but my fitter refused to do them as he said they have overheating problems and doesn't want his name against them when they melt themselves.
Edited by CLK-GTR on Friday 1st March 09:27
I had a very early Nextbase camera and to be honest it was average at best, the newer range though is much better made. Solid, touch screen and overall a big improvement in quality for roughly the same kind of price. So I'd recommend.
Also, I bought a cheaper one by Rexxing for under £100 off Amazon as I wanted one in my daily car and this came up with good reviews. Must say it's really good, especially for the money.
Also, I bought a cheaper one by Rexxing for under £100 off Amazon as I wanted one in my daily car and this came up with good reviews. Must say it's really good, especially for the money.
Nextbase cameras are the easy default dashcam because they are available in Halfords/Currys etc etc. I find them ugly, big and bulky. The worst thing about Nextbase and many other dashcams are the internal batteries which are made from the cheapest Chineseum possible, I think as a family we've had 5 Nextbases and all the batteries have gone kaput. The way forward is a dashcam with a capacitor rather than a battery.
I've always rated the Yi Nightscape.
I've always rated the Yi Nightscape.
I've got this one, works fine, good image quality and for under £30 (atm) it's a steal.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07PFSXZ2W
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07PFSXZ2W
porterpainter said:
I use blackvue cameras as I find them more discreet than most. No screen, but easy enough to transfer the videos to the app to watch them.
I'd second that. I had a blackvue in my last car which tucks out of sight behind the mirror and has no screen to distract you. Worked perfectly well. I now have a roadangel one and although it looks similar, it doesn't work very well. I have to tap it every time I get in the car to get it to turn on. It is supposed to come on when you start the car!vikingaero said:
Nextbase cameras are the easy default dashcam because they are available in Halfords/Currys etc etc. I find them ugly, big and bulky. The worst thing about Nextbase and many other dashcams are the internal batteries which are made from the cheapest Chineseum possible, I think as a family we've had 5 Nextbases and all the batteries have gone kaput. The way forward is a dashcam with a capacitor rather than a battery.
I've always rated the Yi Nightscape.
5 dodgy dash camsI've always rated the Yi Nightscape.
A slow learner
I had a Halo Pro with the front and rear cameras on my previous car, and that was decent, on my latest car I changed to the Halo Ultra (not really brand loyalty or anything, I just figured it'd be on a par in terms of quality). Front only as its a convertible, but 4k so "better".
It seems... well, fine?
It's really just something I treat as a fit and forget item in case I need it for insurance etc.
It seems... well, fine?
It's really just something I treat as a fit and forget item in case I need it for insurance etc.
My advice to anyone thinking of a dash cam, do NOT buy a Nextbase one, a few people i know who have them are saying the same thing, well over priced and incredibly unreliable, i am on my 3rd one under warranty and my latest one is playing up already. It is going back to the shop where i purchased it for a full refund so i can buy another make, no doubt for a lot less and a lot more reliable.
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