dash-cam: worth it?

[Scaf]

I've finally dug out the info on mine that I had fitted about 18 months ago ago. It was Thinkware F800 front and rear. Fitted for £475.00 + VAT.

They seem to work pretty well. No screen on the device, but can link with phone via an App and some sort of dedicated WiFi link.

The front unit was fitted on the passenger side behind the mirror, which keeps it out of the way, but that does make it harder to access the buttons - to hit Format or Keep, for example.

I have rwo of the earlier Thinkwares in my Jag and Strad

 

[PKM_999]

Where does the rear camera go?

I ask because my rear privacy glass makes visibility an absolute nightmare at night. I can see car lights behind me but wouldn't have a clue what kind of car it was. Can't imagine a camera would be any better seeing through it.

 

[MarkMas]

Where does the rear camera go?

I ask because my rear privacy glass makes visibility an absolute nightmare at night. I can see car lights behind me but wouldn't have a clue what kind of car it was. Can't imagine a camera would be any better seeing through it.

Typically stuck inside the rear window, trying to avoid any heating elements. blinds etc. Dunno how that would go with 'privacy glass' (is that just a dark tint, or some sort of special coating?)

Maybe a coating or surface tint could be removed just in the lens area?

 

[MarkMas]

Typically stuck inside the rear window, trying to avoid any heating elements. blinds etc. Dunno how that would go with 'privacy glass' (is that just a dark tint, or some sort of special coating?)

Maybe a coating or surface tint could be removed just in the lens area?

Or an external rear camera?

Dash Camera with External Rear Camera BLACKVUE-DR750-2CH-TRUCK

BLACKVUE-DR750-2CH-TRUCK Dual, dash and external rear, camera with built-in microphone. Single camera version available.

c-ko.co.uk

 

[MrMickS]

Call me biased but I would only recommend Official Airport Parking, they have all the correct insurance, equipment (for taking photos of your car prior to parking) and they have their reputation to uphold.

Without dritfing too far, Gatwick were looking at robotic parking before Covid. Whereby you park in one designated spot and a robotic cart would lift your car and park it in a pre-planned and very tight spot. No minimum wage humans wil drive your car, (I think you could keep your keys) and it'll be ready when you return. There's many multistoreys operating this was already. It's the future.

That would get me a call from the tracking people. "Your car is moving without the ignition being on".

I only ever park in the official car parks and park the car myself.

 

[keith]

I recently had a Blackvue 770x lte fitted to my car comprising both front and rear cameras.
Previously on my Ghibli I had a Thinkware.
For me it’s not so much recording an incident (of course that’s the primary importance), but the other features they offer. In the case of the Thinkware a very good speed camera database. With the Blackvue offers a remote viewing function, so you can via your phone get live camera views front and rear, which given how OCD I am proves very useful to check on my car!!!
More importantly for any accessory fitted to my car it’s the ascetic of the device. Too often you see, usually Nextbase probably bought from Halfords, stuck to the windscreen of an old Fiesta with a suction cup, and built in screen.
I used a company- TTW Instalations In Nottingham, and the quality their work was exceptional, whilst the Blackvue is unobtrusive cylindrical shape which sits fairly invisibly behind the rear view mirror, and only a very short amount of cable show showing.

 

[mjheathcote]

Sometimes having a more on show dashcam has its merits. When someone reversed into my car, they saw the dashcam with its glowing red light while parked, and waited for my return knowing they had been caught
Otherwise they might have driven off, and then how do you resolve the situation avoiding insurance companies?
Fortunately there was no damage in this case requiring insurance company involvement.

 

[PKM_999]

I am always sceptical about not needing insurance companies involved now since being involved in a court case (not directly) where a van clipped the rear off-side bumper of a parked car. The rear light was broken and a small amount of damage to the rear bumper.

If that had been my car and the bloke offered me £500 cash to just move on, I'd have shook his hand and gone to get my minor repair fixed.

There was actually a crease on the front near-side wheel arch, that I would never have even looked for. The car was written off as the chassis had twisted due to the way the crumple zones absorb the force. Blew my mind to be honest, as it looked like the most minor damage.

 

[zagatoes30]

Been the case for years that sometimes minor damage on the surface could lead to a write off if the crumple zones underneath had done their job and collapsed. I remember when the Sierra first came out the number of write offs due to this fact forced insurance companies to up the premiums on them significantly.

 

[Scaf]

I am always sceptical about not needing insurance companies involved now since being involved in a court case (not directly) where a van clipped the rear off-side bumper of a parked car. The rear light was broken and a small amount of damage to the rear bumper.

If that had been my car and the bloke offered me £500 cash to just move on, I'd have shook his hand and gone to get my minor repair fixed.

There was actually a crease on the front near-side wheel arch, that I would never have even looked for. The car was written off as the chassis had twisted due to the way the crumple zones absorb the force. Blew my mind to be honest, as it looked like the most minor damage.

One of the accidents caught by my dash cam did not go through insurance but the estimate increased by £1,500 due to unseen damage once they started the repair.
Thankfully I had made sure the chap who agreed to pay was the “instructing client” for the garage so there were no arguments over who was paying.

Strictly speaking you declare all accidents even if they don’t go through insurance

 

[Felonious Crud]

I recently had a Blackvue 770x lte fitted to my car comprising both front and rear cameras.
Previously on my Ghibli I had a Thinkware.
For me it’s not so much recording an incident (of course that’s the primary importance), but the other features they offer. In the case of the Thinkware a very good speed camera database. With the Blackvue offers a remote viewing function, so you can via your phone get live camera views front and rear, which given how OCD I am proves very useful to check on my car!!!
More importantly for any accessory fitted to my car it’s the ascetic of the device. Too often you see, usually Nextbase probably bought from Halfords, stuck to the windscreen of an old Fiesta with a suction cup, and built in screen.
I used a company- TTW Instalations In Nottingham, and the quality their work was exceptional, whilst the Blackvue is unobtrusive cylindrical shape which sits fairly invisibly behind the rear view mirror, and only a very short amount of cable show showing.

I just had the same fitted, Keith. Not the LTE version because I knew I'd be forever checking. From the pilot's seat I can't even see the front camera because it's hidden behind the rear view mirror... at least hidden from my line of sight, anyway.

Now I just need to learn how to use the thing.

 

[midlifecrisis]

Hmmm, we're off to Bernay...again...might get one in case we see THAT ambulance again...tw@!

 

[Felonious Crud]

Hmmm, we're off to Bernay...again...might get one in case we see THAT ambulance again...tw@!

I wish I'd had a dashcam to have recorded how the situation eventually, um, 'resolved'.

 

[midlifecrisis]

I think the ambulance came to his senses when he 'left the door open'

 

[Felonious Crud]

I think the ambulance came to his senses when he 'left the door open'

Doors, if you remember rightly.

 

[keith]

I just had the same fitted, Keith. Not the LTE version because I knew I'd be forever checking. From the pilot's seat I can't even see the front camera because it's hidden behind the rear view mirror... at least hidden from my line of sight, anyway.

Now I just need to learn how to use the thing.

Don't worry I know where your coming from about checking all the time. The LTE function is clearly meant for the OCD sufferers amongst us, I am checking all the time when I'm using the car!!
Like yourself, I too am in the learning process, however a lot of the functions on the app are quite well laid out.
One thing, if like me you are powering it through the cars 12v battery, and as my car is garaged and used infrequently, I switch off the 'parking mode' to prevent current drain. This is easily done when your in the car by clicking on the 'gear' symbol in the top right corner of the app and going into recording mode. Although when your using the car you have to remember to switch it on again, otherwise you will have no recording when the car is parked on the road.

 

[midlifecrisis]

Reading up on the Blackvue dashcam, they, and all 'good' dashcams should have low voltage detection and turn themselves off.

 

[philw696]

Doors, if you remember rightly.

Hope Dem wasn't near them especially if they were back doors

 

[Felonious Crud]

One thing, if like me you are powering it through the cars 12v battery, and as my car is garaged and used infrequently, I switch off the 'parking mode' to prevent current drain.

Reading up on the Blackvue dashcam, they, and all 'good' dashcams should have low voltage detection and turn themselves off.

Did you get the extra battery pack as well? It added a few quid but gives about 12 hours use without draining the car battery.

Good tip regarding turning off parking mode - thank you!

 

[Felonious Crud]

Hmmm... so you can set it to make a note of when you start to enjoy driving..!