[batish]

Originally Posted by bravo82in

Hello BHPians,

I am using DDPAI mini in two of my cars for the past two years and happy so far with its durability, app, and Nexdigitron India support.
The only issue is the 1080P resolution cannot read number plates at highway speeds (80 kmph and above)

I am now looking for a Dashcam with better resolution (4K) but without GPS logger (privacy reasons)

I don't think at that speed you'd be able to read plates even with 8k resolution. To read plates you need higher frame rate not higher resolution.

Secondly, GPS works offline. Privacy issues arise when dashcam has access to internet but I don't think dashcams support network yet. It will not invade your privacy.

If you are paranoid, look for Viofo dashcams. GPS logger is separate from dashcam, you can detach it. They are super expensive. 4k model is 35k and it is the only one which has good readability and HDR.

I have A229 but night time quality is pathetic due to lack of HDR, so not recommended.

[elitei20]

I have installed Wolfbox d07 dashcam. can anyone tell me whether blue light blinks in dashcam when parking monitor is on and ignition is off. my dashcam is not blinking So bit confused.

[bravo82in]

Originally Posted by batish

To read plates you need higher frame rate not higher resolution

So I was looking in the wrong direction. But that makes it even tougher to find one. For 60 FPS Viofo seems to be the only option.

Secondly, GPS works offline

Yes but to do anything with the dashcam one needs an app on your phone which has access to internet.

If you are paranoid, look for Viofo dashcams. GPS logger is separate from dashcam, you can detach it. They are super expensive. 4k model is 35k and it is the only one which has good readability and HDR.

Viofo was the first thing I looked at, but they are eye watery expensive.

I have A229 but night time quality is pathetic due to lack of HDR, so not recommended.

A119 seems to have HDR, 2k and 60 fps. But GPS doesn't seem detachable. Is the gps module detachable in your A229?
Do we have the option to turn off GPS within the app settings.

[batish]

Originally Posted by bravo82in

So I was looking in the wrong direction. But that makes it even tougher to find one. For 60 FPS Viofo seems to be the only option.

Well at 80 kmph, it is a challenge to read plates. Try this with your phone once, you'll realise what I am saying. Try with different frame rates. If it works then only go for a new one otherwise I think your old one would suffice you.

Yes but to do anything with the dashcam one needs an app on your phone which has access to internet.

Not true. You don't need phone to do anything with dashcam. Settings can be changed on dashcam itself. For viewing or transferring files you can always choose the more painstaking option of removing card and then transferring with microsd card reader.

Secondly, you can connect to your dashcam with direct wifi and still keep your phone disconnected from internet by turning off mobile data.

GPS works offline. It has no privacy concerns. Still if you have concerns you do get the option to turn it off. See this.

Viofo was the first thing I looked at, but they are eye watery expensive.

Indeed.

A119 seems to have HDR, 2k and 60 fps. But GPS doesn't seem detachable. Is the gps module detachable in your A229?

I don't think A119 has HDR. Please check throughly once. AFAIK, A119S did have 60fps at 1080p. GPS is detachable on A119 as well as A229. In this image, the raised mount is GPS. They provide two mounts, one is GPS one and one is just a plastic plate with double sided tape on it. You can look for an unboxing video on YouTube for the same.

Do we have the option to turn off GPS within the app settings.

Yes. You can turn it off but it is pointless as you won't get either speed info or GPS coordinates in case you need these in your footage anyday.

Also if your car has vertical windshield like Thar then you cannot stick any Viofo dashcam without GPS mount as the camera protrudes a little. For this reason itself, Z40 is not recommended.

[bravo82in]

Originally Posted by batish

Well at 80 kmph, it is a challenge to read plates. Try this with your phone once, you'll realise what I am saying. Try with different frame rates. If it works then only go for a new one otherwise I think your old one would suffice you

Thanks a ton. Will try doing that. May be I put my query the wrong way. Even when overtaking or being over taken, the number plates are not readable.
Have a look at these screen shots of recordings.





This makes the Dashcam practically useless, in case of mishap.

Not true. You don't need phone to do anything with dashcam. Settings can be changed on dashcam itself. For viewing or transferring files you can always choose the more painstaking option of removing card and then transferring with microsd card reader.

Secondly, you can connect to your dashcam with direct wifi and still keep your phone disconnected from internet by turning off mobile data.

Not every Dashcam comes with a screen.
Yes the option to turn off mobile data is always there.

I don't think A119 has HDR.

GPS is detachable on A119 as well as A229

Thats my point, if I have to detach gps why not buy one without gps. Howeve gps doesn't cost much so I can always go for one with gps and detach it later.

Also if your car has vertical windshield like Thar then you cannot stick any Viofo dashcam without GPS mount as the camera protrudes a little

Thankfully my car is not blessed with a vertical windshield like the Thar.

[batish]

Originally Posted by bravo82in

Thanks a ton. Will try doing that. May be I put my query the wrong way. Even when overtaking or being over taken, the number plates are not readable.
Have a look at these screen shots of recordings.

Attachment 2461538

Attachment 2461540

This makes the Dashcam practically useless, in case of mishap.

Oh. That is blurry. Try setting it to maximum resolution. If this is the maximum then better buy a new one and shift this to the rear.

Not every Dashcam comes with a screen.
Yes the option to turn off mobile data is always there.

It's fit and forget. You don't need to fiddle with settings regularly.

Attachment 2461539

Oh. This one is A119 Mini 2. A119 didn't have HDR. Even Mini did not have HDR. This one seems latest.

Nice to see, they did realise without HDR cameras are crap.

Thats my point, if I have to detach gps why not buy one without gps. Howeve gps doesn't cost much so I can always go for one with gps and detach it later.

Viofo doesn't have option to choose GPS. It is bundled along with dashcam. IIRC, Viofo used to offer without GPS 5-6 years back.

[AutoNoob]

I have noticed that during the scorching summer days of NCR, the dashcam body remains quite hot. I suppose the internal circuits will be at further higher temperature. Vehicle air conditioning doesn't help much (moreso because my usual temp settings are 26~27 deg). Though the dashcam may have been designed to handle high temperatures and working without concern for past 5 years, sustained high temperatures may not be good for it's life span.

Also, the life of SD card inside will surely be affected. I am already on my second High Endurance card.

So, an idea has been floating in my mind and before planning any execution, I seek inputs and suggestions from you all.

Plan is to stick a shade on windshield (black masking sheet/ sticker etc.) around the dashcam with aim to block direct sunlight on it's body. Tried to depict the idea in this image below.

[JoaTMoN]

Originally Posted by AutoNoob

So, an idea has been floating in my mind and before planning any execution, I seek inputs and suggestions from you all.

Plan is to stick a shade on windshield (black masking sheet/ sticker etc.) around the dashcam with aim to block direct sunlight on it's body. Tried to depict the idea in this image below.
Attachment 2461595

As far as I know, black absorbs heat. Moreover, sticking tapes may only block direct light rays striking the device, but it would still heat the device. I suggest you first measure surface temperate of the dashcam using an industrial thermometer, then stick masking tapes and check temperature under the same conditions. If temperature drops, you can go ahead with your plan, but consider using lighter colors. If it doesn't help, just peel off the masking tapes and carry on with the existing setup.