I keep thinking about investing in an in car camera. So many crazy fools out there that it would be nice to have peace of mind that you have proof of their actions that can be given to the police if necessary.

The fact is I cannot afford the king of kings of cameras. What I want is something good yet not OTT on price, i.e. value for money.

Here are my requirements and questions:

1: Would like front and rear facing cameras if possible
2: Don't want them to be obtrusive and look ungainly
3: How are they powered?
4: Are they a pain in the a e to fit?
5: What is the recording capacity and quality like generally?

Cheers LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

I bought a front facing camera for £25. It works well, but I would like to know if its possible to hide the wires as currently the wires are dangling straight down the windscreen. Is there any way of hiding the wires?

Answering one of your other questions, my camera is powered by the cigarette lighter/power outlet. It can run on battery alone but I normally keep it plugged in.

Just put the wires around window edge, they push up easily and are hidden. Can't see mine at all.

No one seems to use the search anymore, just repeating older large topics.

Look here;

http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic14301.html

1/2 hour to fit- hour tops. I use the front cig socket to power it but have hidden all the cable under the consul, but left enough cable that if I want to leave the camera running whilst park I swap the plug to the rear socket.

Lots of info available on the road-hawk one, mapping-g force sensors-speed-time-date-and audio, if you were in a big accident and the pyrotechnic battery cable disconnects the battery the camera has its own capacitor and carries on filming for about 10 seconds ! all things you need to think about.
I don't worry with a rear facing camera, if someone hits you from behind it will be captured on the g-force sensor and the rest of the info will prove your either in the right or wrong.

here's a screen capture of an attempt by some eastern Europeans so stop us and rob us in the middle of France in the middle of nowhere ! they also tried to keep their faces covered as they ran out in the road ! I just put my foot down and they ended up jumping backwards , but we heard later that someone else at the camp-site handnt been so fortunate !

Click image to enlarge

Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated

I must say I am very tempted by this: http://www.roadhawk.co.uk/roadhawk-720-bla...od_31.html

I need to speak to my insurance company first though because no doubt they will have something to say about fitting one even though the vehicle itself isn't being modified LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

I don't bother with telling the insurance , because they may offer you a discount ! BUT then you will be expected to supply any video footage ALWAYS ! , mine I just keep for myself although have used it twice in 5 years between our 4 cars which has resulted in two successful prosecutions against other drivers !

I look at the camera as know more than a stick on the windscreen sat nav. To be honest its so discreet that no one ever notices it tucked up above the mirror, you cant see it from outside due to the colour of the screen and the dark strip at the top.

My mate had to have a tracker fitted to get an extra discount on his insurance but when he got his documents through , if the tracker failed to locate his vehicle the insurance wouldn't pay out ! in other words you had to guarantee 100% the tracker would work ! rip off or what.

Is that camera removable ? Wanted to use my phone but the OEM car kit blocks it ( Doh! ).... now I'm looking at hiding it away ....

T Terran



'The' Car For The Modern Day UK Roads ( ie all the pot holes )

'A Freelander that leaks oil is just marking its territory' - Wise words

Now a member of the FL2 'Silly Bill' Club

yeah the camera just slides of its mount and the wiring just unplugs.

I have never had any issue with leaving them in.

oldgeezer wrote:

I don't bother with telling the insurance , because they may offer you a discount ! BUT then you will be expected to supply any video footage ALWAYS!

just ordered one of these will see how it goes but price seems fair



http://www.ebay.com/itm/370707645058?ssPag...1439.l2649


http://www.roadhawk.co.uk/roadhawk-720-bla...od_31.html

SEEMS THE SAME BUT CHEAPER ...???

will let you know how it goes

or IF IT WORKS ..!!!

SEEN ON FLEA BAY Wales
Were the mud is thicker, and the ruts are deeper.
(And we have the water to wash it off, and more on the way..! )
Sd4 and chrome Ar*e piece, Auto box for best fun
09 Xs Gone
12 xs Gone
HSE with Leather seats and 4 years warrenty.. staying for now !

Last edited by mudslinger on 15th Apr 2013 6:03 am. Edited 1 time in total

oldgeezer wrote:

yeah the camera just slides of its mount and the wiring just unplugs.

I have never had any issue with leaving them in.

Thanks.... tempting.... /looksatemptywallet

T Terran



'The' Car For The Modern Day UK Roads ( ie all the pot holes )

'A Freelander that leaks oil is just marking its territory' - Wise words

Now a member of the FL2 'Silly Bill' Club

Mudslinger - will be interested to know what it is like. For £25 it has to be worth a try. I'm tempted for one as a rear camera as I already have a Blackvue in the front.

Cheers
Simon

Just be aware that the cheaper ones (like the EBay one) have a smaller CMOS pixel, this one's 1.3 MPixels compared to a dearer Blackvue at a minimum of 2.0 MPixels.
In fact the 'effective' pixels in the EBay one gives only a 0.92 MPixel camera.

Most people read the resolution figures (that can be stretched and look awful) not realising there is not enough pixels to give a decent screen picture size.

Most times you really do get what you pay for, but for a rear view it could be OK, as for a front viewing camera I think I would like to review my video in good quality at a decent screen size.