[Axe77]

Guys. I've tried reading this thread multiple times but still can't make much sense of it so here goes.

I'd like to install a dash cam in my BMW 3 GT.

Features desired

Should record all the time and overwrite old data.
I want capacity to be such that it records at least a week or fortnight worth before overwriting begins.
Easy to access and download videos should be there.
No wire splicing should be involved.

Questions

What other aspects should I consider?
Which models should I consider that are easy to procure. Ideally I'd just want to go to an accessories store and tell them to do everything required to install.
What price range should I look at. I don't want a very cheap unreliable Chinese type but nor do I want to spend a fortune.



Thanks.

[wrongturn]

Originally Posted by rohansachar

Thanks a lot! I'm thinking of ordering the Xiaomi Yi Car Dash:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/YI-D...7-0ef8038b4d3d

Has anyone tried this?

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/car-en...ml#post4222355

[silversteed]

Originally Posted by Axe77

I'd like to install a dash cam in my BMW 3 GT.

Great car. Had enjoyed its sibling in its homeland

Features desired

Should record all the time and overwrite old data.
I want capacity to be such that it records at least a week or fortnight worth before overwriting begins.
Easy to access and download videos should be there.
No wire splicing should be involved.

1 can have two meanings - you want the dash cam to be on all the time, or you want it to record only while you're in the car (ignition ON). The former involves hardwiring the camera, either directly (not recommended) or through specialised hardware such as PowerMagic Pro.

2. Depends on the dash cam you choose. Most of them allow you to pull out the memory card easily. Some of the models have WiFi built-in, so you can use their app to stream the videos or download videos.

3 - choose one that can handle 128GB memory cards. If you set the resolution and FPS right, you can manage a week at maybe HD (or even full HD) resolution, depending on how many hours the car is driven.

4 - Most dash cams come with a 12V adapter that plugs into the 12V socket. So, you can rest assured that no splicing is needed if you buy a decent one.

Questions

What other aspects should I consider?
Which models should I consider that are easy to procure. Ideally I'd just want to go to an accessories store and tell them to do everything required to install.
What price range should I look at. I don't want a very cheap unreliable Chinese type but nor do I want to spend a fortune.

Pick one with a super capacitor, so they have a higher tolerance to temperature variations. Dash-Cams see 60+ degrees, so a model with supercap is always better than one with a Lithium battery.

Another aspect to look for is the viewing angle. Greater the better.

Easy to procure is tricky, and you will have to wait for others to comment. Installation can be done by any half decent accessories installer.

Since you said a decent model, I can recommend a few brands - BlackVue (DR550-GW, DR650S, DR450), Garmin (45, 55, 65W), Transcend (DP200, DP220).

[Axe77]

Originally Posted by silversteed

Great car. Had enjoyed its sibling in its homeland

1 can have two meanings - you want the dash cam to be on all the time, or you want it to record only while you're in the car (ignition ON). The former involves hardwiring the camera, either directly (not recommended) or through specialised hardware such as PowerMagic Pro.



Easy to procure is tricky, and you will have to wait for others to comment. Installation can be done by any half decent accessories installer.

Since you said a decent model, I can recommend a few brands - BlackVue (DR550-GW, DR650S, DR450), Garmin (45, 55, 65W), Transcend (DP200, DP220).

Thank you so much. Very helpful. By recording all the time I meant while the car is driving. I'm guessing I can get by for that through cigarette lighter.

[wrongturn]

I have been using the YI DashCam for couple of months now. Before I come on the actual topic I would give a little review about the same.
I have been using it at 1080p 60fps right from the beginning. I checked the quality at the first initial days then I didn't pay any attention to it. Today while looking for the Jeep Compass footage I realized that the image quality was quite BAD from what I have been expecting it to be. Read about it and found a few interesting facts. About the Yi Dashcam I will sum it up as:

The Good
- The video quality at day time is good, specially when set at a resolution of 1296p @ 30 FPS.
- The built quality is good of both the dashcam and the accessories. It has stood against the harsh summer heat of Jaipur even when car was parked in direct sunlight for prolonged hours.
- Comes with 4 video recording options: 720p(HD)@ 30 fps, 1080p(FHD) @ 30fps, 1080p(FHD) @ 60 fps, 1296p(2K) @ 30 fps. Also it supports only class 10 memory card.
- Yi DashCam app is very convenient and useful. If you ever end up buying the chinese version you can change the settings from the app. I however changed the firmware from chinese to english.
- Comes with a stick on type windscreen mount. Cam can be detached and reattached easily. Also there is a small battery packed inside, small enough to record for 5 minutes which can be prove to be very useful. Also when attached to a power bank this cam can work as action cam if you intend it to.
- The sound quality of recording is very good. There is an option to mute the audio recording as well.
- G-Sensor has 3 stage settings, best kept in the middle. It starts 'urgent recording' in case it senses an event which is 10 seconds long, if you will keep the G-sensor at level 3 it would start 'urgent recording' every time you break hard or go through a pot hole, specially if driving a SUV. The 'urgent recording' can also be started by pressing the physical record button.
- It comes with Advanced Driver Assistance System or ADAS, it alerts driver if the vehicle changes lane, but honestly I have never tried it, good feature non the less.
- At the end of drive just before switching off it shows Drive Report which has: Drive time, Hard acceleration, Hard Breaking and Front Collision Warning or FCW.
- Price. A decent dashcam for less than ₹ 4k.

The Bad
- The night time footage is bad. Cannot see number plates at all, picture quality is not too good. When the light falls on the number plate of vehicles in front, camera over exposes the whole number plate and nothing can be seen clearly.
- From what I have read and have experienced the front lens loses focus when exposed to heat. That might be true but I have been driving on 1080p only all this time, I will report back how it performs in daylight at 2k.

The DashCam Resolution and FPS
The overall picture quality improves when the resolution is set to 1296p recording at 30 FPS. Night time picture quality is significantly better when compared. However the video looks much fluid when recording is set to 1080p @ 60 FPS.
From what I have read, recording at 60 FPS is just wasting the processing resources of the camera, and due to this the image quality is compromised. When set at 30 FPS the camera performs better. Also during night and overcast conditions the fps are automatically set to 30 fps or lower due to throttling. In case of an event a better picture will be more important than more pictures.
In case of resolution, the higher is always better.

I am attaching pictures for comparison between 1080p & 2k night time picture quality of the dashcam. As for the day time, I think all the decent dash-cams available out there performs quite well.
The windshield is not very clean as its almost next to impossible to keep it absolutely clean in the dusty environment. I deliberately didn't clean the windshield just to demonstrate how camera performs in the real world/bad scenario.

[AtheK]

Received the dashcam, have installed it temporarily for now. Have ordered the hardwired kit, should receive it this week, will install it properly then.

Initial impressions are very good, very clear and stable picture. It has got many plethora of features, like fatigue alert, lane departure alert, GPS, headlight alert, forward collision warning system, got a good deal I guess.

I paid 8900 and package includes 16gb card, definitely worth the price.

[harsh79]

As per my experience mounting side cameras discreetly inside a hatchback without fixed glass panes near the A-pillar or C & D-pillars is a futile affair.

Here's an attempt at covering the sides using my Mobius mounted in the rear, facing inward.

C lens and D lens footage. D lens has a narrower FOV.

Sunny

https://youtu.be/QNy5mCQKi6o

https://youtu.be/j-a4YYpTnrQ

Dusk

https://youtu.be/mdpP3wKyyqY

https://youtu.be/cd3yAN2wsqk

Astronomical dusk - Headlights ON

https://youtu.be/oBjNI2mTnLA

https://youtu.be/ohuOyf7KLk4

The exterior is overexposing when sunny. Will lower the exposure and see if it helps, will affect the low-light quality though.

Looking good overall. Better than no view of the sides, at least.

[drchernish]

Originally Posted by AtheK

Received the dashcam, have installed it temporarily for now. Have ordered the hardwired kit, should receive it this week, will install it properly then.

Initial impressions are very good, very clear and stable picture. It has got many plethora of features, like fatigue alert, lane departure alert, GPS, headlight alert, forward collision warning system, got a good deal I guess.

I paid 8900 and package includes 16gb card, definitely worth the price.

From where did you get it as I was waiting to get the same at a discounted price

[AtheK]

Originally Posted by drchernish

From where did you get it as I was waiting to get the same at a discounted price

I got it from a sale in Switzerland, it's a pretty new model and was lucky to get this cheaper then 220.

[Shanksta]

My Blaupunkt BP2.0FHD conked off recently and I am looking to replace it with a dual, front and rear camera unit. The most popular types seems to be the clip on mirror with the built-in front cam and the dual purpose rear cam.

But my major concern with this type of DVR is the fact that the front camera is on the left side of the mirror. So in left hand drive cars it suits the purpose since the camera captures the oncoming traffic perfectly, but for right hand drive vehicles the coverage of oncoming traffic seems to be poor despite being able to move the front camera independently. Do you also get units with the front camera built into the right hand side of the mirror. I searched but found only ones with their displays on the right side.

Anyone users of this type of camera please advice? Also on aliexpress the most popular ones seem to be ADDKEY, Junsung and E-ACE, are these brands any good. Alternatively I am also looking at the Yi Car DVR since it comes with WiFi.

[wildsdi5530]

I have a polaroid dashcam in my mobilio and I am happy with it's quality. It is installed in front of the IRVM. I also have a 2 in 1 reverse camera + radar with a separate screen. I had initially planned to upgrade the ICE but 2 years past, still planning.
I was wondering if anyone has used this product? or ones like it. Does the ADAS really work? can I connect my Rear camera + radar to this screen? Is the dash cam too low?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Juns...999.264.aBUxZO

[envyravi]

Originally Posted by AtheK

I got it from a sale in Switzerland, it's a pretty new model and was lucky to get this cheaper then 220.

I am interested in this dash cam. How is the performance?

What is the difference between 220 and 230 and why 230 which is the latest version selling less than 220 on Amazon?

[lambuhere1]

English App for Mijia Dash Cam

Did anyone try the following app in English for Mijia Dash cam

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...app.intl&hl=en

Believe its under test phase

[Vid6639]

Aliexpress has a big sale going on.

Ordered a Viofo A119 V2 with CPL + GPS and had wire kit for $98.

[anachronix]

About a month back, I got the Anker Roav C1 dash cam from Amazon.com for 67$.

https://www.amazon.com/Dashboard-Rec.../dp/B06XNSDRW8

This is all that was there inside the box.
1. DashCam
2. Cigratte Lighter Socker Charger
3. USB Charging Cable
4. Few fuses
5. Dash panel removal tool
6. 2 Mounts with 3M Sticker



I have also bought the hardwiring kit from AliExpress.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1M-1...311.0.0.FC1WBS

Few of the installation pictures:







The camera build is pretty good and image/video quality has been meeting my expectations. For now, I have a video captured during a rainy evening in Chennai. Currently recording in 720p/30FPS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xew2jPXdOY&t=37s