[pacman2881]

Originally Posted by sam_hyd

2) Buy an Android mobile phone for less than 10k and use it both as a dash cam and a GPS device.

Option 2 seems better because:-
Mobile phone will be more reliable in the long term.

I am doubtful if we will be able to get good quality cameras in cheaper mobiles. I am yet to find any - are you having any specific model in mind?

Originally Posted by tsk1979

The purpose of a dashcam is to have proof of "other guys fault".

Is it legally tenable to use dashcam images in case of dispute (in India / elsewhere)?
I had considered dashcam for this purpose but wasn't sure on this aspect.

[bblost]

Originally Posted by sam_hyd

1) Buy regular dash cam from ebay, dx or amazon.

Mobile Phone recording:
Asus P527

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osq826Mh1_k

2) Buy an Android mobile phone for less than 10k and use it both as a dash cam and a GPS device.

Dashcam recording:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU0Oy4eZVak

The quality of the dash cam is way superior.

Please note that my dashcam is a cheap Chinese one and not the SJ1000 reviewed here.
The quality of the SJ1000 is way superior as can be seen in the earlier uploads.

[abishek2222]

Originally Posted by pacman2881

I am doubtful if we will be able to get good quality cameras in cheaper mobiles.

If you plan to use a mobile phone as a dvr, Keep in mind the camera viewing angle most phones have a poor viewing angle and tend to make poor dash cams.To test this just keep a mobile phone and put it on video mode to see the field of view covered by the camera.A proper dash cam have a wide viewing angle.

[::CMS::]

Its not only the viewing angle, normal cameras in phones fails miserably in the dynamism and color reproduction with sudden change in the light intensity which is very common while moving fast. Also this makes reading a text (number plate) nearly impossible eventhough the image is HD.

[Mpower]

Originally Posted by josejoseph

May I know which model you're using? Also the quality during night driving.

I've been looking for a dash cam for a while, but never able to zero in a particular model.

Thanks

Its a Motorola Droid phone. For occasional use, it suffices

[arun_josie]

Originally Posted by abirnale

EDIT - I think HawkMobile runs one with GeoLocation. Forgot the model though.

This is the one anil has,
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Mini-...858074589.html

Here's the review for that dashcam,

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdPHXv8...%3DZdPHXv8Hzj8

[Sebring]

When I was in Singapore would see these cameras in every cab. A small screen in the IRVM looked so cool. There, its been made mandatory I guess as it helps with insurance claims etc.

[austere_sly]

Out of curiosity, how is focusing done in dashcams. I guess, its set to infinite.

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by austere_sly

Out of curiosity, how is focusing done in dashcams. I guess, its set to infinite.

Yes, Due to wide angle lens and small sensor, the depth of field can extend from about 6 inches to infinity.

[NPV]

@tsk1979 - Excellent review, Thanks for sharing
At the price point of ~$80, this is VFM.
Does SJ1000/4000 support GPS as optional feature (adding a GPS dongle) ?
If not, can you suggest any other product with GPS under $130 ?

[paragsachania]

Originally Posted by NPV

@tsk1979 - Excellent review, Thanks for sharing
At the price point of ~$80, this is VFM.
Does SJ1000/4000 support GPS as optional feature (adding a GPS dongle) ?
If not, can you suggest any other product with GPS under $130 ?

There are a lot of GPS logging DVRs on ebay and dx.com.

Ideally you will easily get them in the range of 100 to 150 Dollars.

Most of the GPS based DVRs come with dual channel recording as well.

Refer to my inputs in this thread on what GPS based DVRs can do.

But what I have generally noticed is the fact that you'll not get good recording clarity on most of the GPS based camera (at that price range).

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by NPV

@tsk1979 - Excellent review, Thanks for sharing
At the price point of ~$80, this is VFM.
Does SJ1000/4000 support GPS as optional feature (adding a GPS dongle) ?
If not, can you suggest any other product with GPS under $130 ?

If you want something good with GPS, the cheapest thing which gives good video quality is
GT680W. With GPS it costs about 140$ or so. However, you have to search foxoffer or ebay to find a good seller.

Then DOD cams are good, but are around 200-220$ for GPS versions

[fine69]

My requirement is to have a setup that basically records video (or time lapse pictures every 2-3 seconds) or may be something that switches on after detecting motion for my car that's parked for long periods.

Recently my swift's front windscreen got cracked and I suspect one of my neighbours who might have done it because he couldn't digest that I was parking my car at a particular spot for long period of time. Though it isn't his space neither its besides his or anyone else's house, just that he was frustrated because he couldn't get a parking spot.

Would a dashcam solve my issue where it could motion-based or may be continues to click pictures every 2-3 seconds while the car is parked for days in a row? Or would it extract too much juice from the car battery and I may end up having a dead battery instead.

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by fine69

My requirement is to have a setup that basically records video (or time lapse pictures every 2-3 seconds) or may be something that switches on after detecting motion for my car that's parked for long periods.

Recently my swift's front windscreen got cracked and I suspect one of my neighbours who might have done it because he couldn't digest that I was parking my car at a particular spot for long period of time. Though it isn't his space neither its besides his or anyone else's house, just that he was frustrated because he couldn't get a parking spot.

Would a dashcam solve my issue where it could motion-based or may be continues to click pictures every 2-3 seconds while the car is parked for days in a row? Or would it extract too much juice from the car battery and I may end up having a dead battery instead.

You can try mobius. At 0.55A current draw, it won't eat battery. A pic every 3 seconds in low rez will mean around 60,000 pictures = 180,000 seconds = 50 hours.

[pcpranav]

Hi Tanveer,
I noticed, most the smartphones can also embed the GPS coordinates (latitude & longitude) in the pictures and movies. Is there any way to embed these data into the movie files of SJ1000 or similar dashcams ?

I dont have a dedicated GPS device; thinking of buying a Holux Logger to record the tracks. These tracks can then be added to movies, pictures etc as required.

How feasible is this option ?

thanks,