Clubjazz - Honda Jazz & HR-V Forums
Other Hondas & General Topics => Off Topic (Non-Honda) => Topic started by: richardfrost on July 06, 2018, 01:53:28 PM
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I am spending more and more time in Bradford, where the quality of driving is, well, extremely variable. It's been a while since we discussed dashcams and new models come out all the time.
So who has any recommendations for dashcams?
What are the key features to look out for?
Is rearward facing an important feature?
How easy are they to fit neatly into your car?
Thanks..
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I am spending more and more time in Bradford, where the quality of driving is, well, extremely variable. It's been a while since we discussed dashcams and new models come out all the time.
So who has any recommendations for dashcams?
What are the key features to look out for?
Is rearward facing an important feature?
How easy are they to fit neatly into your car?
Thanks..
I have had a nextbase 512GW for about a year now and it performs well, it has high resolution at 1440quad (you can lower it in system menu) and 32GB card gets overwritten in around 4 hours at highest resolution ( IIRC it can accept a 64GB card). The GPS works well. Jocko has a nextbase as well and he seems to like it (nextbase is a UK company as well). The magnetic mounting for dashcam onto its adhesive or suction base is also good, you can easily remove it without disturbing any plugs. I bought a ring 3 way cigarette power socket adaptor and just tucked the cable under the driver's mat and up the A pillar and along Sun visor hinges and mounted it by the drivers mirror. It has a plug on the front facing camera to plug in a rear facing one, but I don't know if the rear one is available yet or if a dongle is available for a wireless rear camera.
I think a rear camera is almost as potentially useful as a front one, but haven't fitted one yet.
I did find the accelerometer 'crash detect' to be very sensitive and initially had loads of locked files in video, but it is easy to make it less sensitive in menu. Be wary of some lower resolution dashcams as you cannot even read number plates on the video.
https://www.nextbase.co.uk/dash-cams/512gw-dash-cam/
I like the Sony Exmor sensor chip, I have a Sony camera and the picture detail is amazing.
Shop around and you can get one for about £110
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I looked at those a while back and they do seem to have good reviews. I decided to wait until I change my car and will then proabaly get Halfords to fit it for me (£30.00).
I see now there is one with a rear facing camera for another £10 (Nextbase DUO HD Dash Cam). I would be interested on any feedback on that one too.
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Looks like Nextbase have introduced a rear cam to plug into the side socket on the 512GW
https://www.nextbase.co.uk/dash-cams/nextbase-512gwrc-dash-cam/
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I have two Nextbase 402G cams fitted, which are a few years old now, but have performed faultlessly.
As others have said, it is important to go for the HD version, as they are useless if you can't read a number plate.
I started with just the front camera, but Sod's law intervened and my last bump was a rear end shunt, fortunately the driver admitted responsibility, so there was no problem, but the second camera was added shortly after, just in case!
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If I was buying one now I would probably go for the Nextbase Duo. I have the older Nextbase 512G and it is brilliant. I switched off the collision detector as it was filling my memory card with locked files, and if I didn't clear the card every couple of days I ended up with very little new recorded data.
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I've got the Nextbase 312GW which can take 128GB microSD cards and I expect that the 512GW will also take them. These dashcams might take 256GB which are becoming available but may not have been tested for compatibility. My normal source for the cards is MyMemory.co.uk (around £25 for 128GB).
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I have my camera set for the best resolution, and though I only have a 32 Gb MicroSD card it is more than adequate for recording. I downloaded my 2 hour assessment drive (complete with audio) and it was less than half of what I had stored in memory. You only need the time leading up to an incident and the incident itself. You would only need a large SD card if you wanted to record, and keep, large journeys, and I can assure you, watching a two hour drive is not something you will do every day. Maybe if you were touring in the Alps!
I see that the Nextbase Duo is only 720p resolution, whereas the 512 models are 1080p. They take good images too.
(https://i.imgur.com/r5W84ei.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/JfELFQI.jpg)
These are taken from video. Not still images.
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The 512GW can record in 1440quad HD at 30 fps or 1080p at 60fps (clips use pretty much same amount of memory) I tried both and 1440 has the edge but both can appear a bit jerky when played back on the nextbase app, which seems unable to process the video quickly enough (although the app does give a neat map and shows roads where you are driving and speed, time of day and direction etc.) - you can also stop and back up the video and take out individual frames from the video as still pictures. I found best video software for viewing just the video ( no speed or anything else shown) is VLC media player (free software).
I have attached PDF of nextbase replay screen for 512GW, the low resolution of the PDF has fuzzed the image, but the main purpose is to show the app screen. Further down PDF are the the screens for the nextbase 'report a lunatic driver' service where you can upload video of really bad driving etc (if you are so inclined ).
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I see that the Nextbase Duo is only 720p resolution, whereas the 512 models are 1080p.
From what I see there is a new "Nextbase DUO HD" out now Jocko.
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Out of interest where do people with a mk3 place a dash cam on the screen I had a cheap camera that I tried in a few places but couldn’t find an ideal spot due to the "massive" plastic cover over the windscreen sensors I eventually gave up as the camera wasn’t very good anyway. As I also drive in the Bradford area regularly I would like to fit a better quality camera
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Out of interest where do people with a mk3 place a dash cam on the screen I had a cheap camera that I tried in a few places but couldn’t find an ideal spot due to the "massive" plastic cover over the windscreen sensors I eventually gave up as the camera wasn’t very good anyway. As I also drive in the Bradford area regularly I would like to fit a better quality camera
Try fitting one to a 8 gen Civic, the way the wipers work is they both park in centre of screen and pivot from each end of screen. This works well as screenwipers but leaves an unswept V in the centre behind the rear view mirror right where dashcam needs to sit (where the bits sit on mk3 Jazz). If you draw vertical lines up from edges of steering wheel to top of windscreen the enclosed area is where you cannot legally mount a dashcam (pretty much area where a crack in screen will fail MOT). So immediately below mirror, or maybe better on passenger side of mirror (make sure wipers clear the screen in front of dashcam).
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I fitted my dash cam to the side of the sensor housing, most of the cam is hidden by the blackout coating on the windscreen. Important that the location of the Camera is swept by the windscreen wipers.
I bought this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00SK8B47W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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I fitted my dash cam to the side of the sensor housing, most of the cam is hidden by the blackout coating on the windscreen. Important that the location of the Camera is swept by the windscreen wipers.
I have done the same with my Nextbase 312GW, the only problem I had is that the suction cup would not stay on the blackout coating next to the cover that hides the sensors, I solved that by sticking a satnav holder disc to the area so the dashcam could be mounted.
On the Civic the camera is mounted on the nearside by the mirror so it is just below the blackout area and in the top of the passenger wiper sweep area, the screen cannot be seen from the drivers seat as it is hidden by the mirror.
I also used the Nextbase hardwire kit and hid the cable behind the trim and connected direct to the fuse box under the dashboard, I used a switched outlet so that power to the camera is switched on/off with the ignition switch.
The 512GW comes with a reflection filter built in, Nextbase now do a separate filter that fits cameras that do not have one, £20 from Halfords but I got one for £12 on Ebay, well worth it as it does cut out any reflection.
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I fitted my dash cam to the side of the sensor housing, most of the cam is hidden by the blackout coating on the windscreen. Important that the location of the Camera is swept by the windscreen wipers.
I have done the same with my Nextbase 312GW, the only problem I had is that the suction cup would not stay on the blackout coating next to the cover that hides the sensors, I solved that by sticking a satnav holder disc to the area so the dashcam could be mounted.
On the Civic the camera is mounted in the nearside by the mirror so it is just below the blackout area and in the top of the passenger wiper sweep area, the screen cannot be seen from the drivers seat as it is hidden by the mirror.
The 512GW comes with a reflection filter built in, Nextbase now do a separate filter that fits cameras that do not have one, £20 from Halfords but I got one for £12 on Ebay, well worth it as it does cut out any refection.
Thanks for the suggestions it looks like a sticky mount is the way to go. I failed to find a good spot for the suction cup
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I fitted my dash cam to the side of the sensor housing, most of the cam is hidden by the blackout coating on the windscreen. Important that the location of the Camera is swept by the windscreen wipers.
I have done the same with my Nextbase 312GW, the only problem I had is that the suction cup would not stay on the blackout coating next to the cover that hides the sensors, I solved that by sticking a satnav holder disc to the area so the dashcam could be mounted.
On the Civic the camera is mounted in the nearside by the mirror so it is just below the blackout area and in the top of the passenger wiper sweep area, the screen cannot be seen from the drivers seat as it is hidden by the mirror.
The 512GW comes with a reflection filter built in, Nextbase now do a separate filter that fits cameras that do not have one, £20 from Halfords but I got one for £12 on Ebay, well worth it as it does cut out any refection.
Thanks for the suggestions it looks like a sticky mount is the way to go. I failed to find a good spot for the suction cup
See attached PDF, the way the 8th Gen Civic wipers work means that there is nowhere suitable on the passenger side of the mirror and not much on the driver side, but I managed to find a spot for the adhesive mount that was legal (cannot be within the vertical limit of the steering wheel or protrude more than 40mm into zone swept by wiper blades). I can just swing the mirror out of the way if need to access screen, but don't o that very often in the car, normally take cam out and plug it into computer. The connections between camera and mount are via a magnetic click-in gizmo, so very easy to remove camera from mount without tugging at the mount. The camera records a high ( 7Mp ) resolution and a much smaller low resolution file at the same time, the smaller file is good to quickly download via wi-fi and send over internet etc.
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From what I see there is a new "Nextbase DUO HD" out now Jocko.
I see that. At initial enquiry, Amazon did not offer that one, only the 720p. But now, 8 hours later, it has added it to the Nextbase list.
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I have twice tried to use the Halfords adhesive satnav holder disc, on the blacked out area.
It seems fine until we come to a day with hot sun on the screen, whereupon it falls off???
Anyone know of a better adhesive quality disc ?
I'm currently using the normal suction cup a couple of inches to the left of the blacked out area, passenger side, still obscured from my view by the mirror.
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I found best video software for viewing just the video ( no speed or anything else shown) is VLC media player (free software).
I use Windows Movie Maker. It allows me to link the segments into a seamless video, and displays the speed and GPS position along the bottom.
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It seems fine until we come to a day with hot sun on the screen, whereupon it falls off???
Anyone know of a better adhesive quality disc ?
That's weird, mine has been on for months now and has not come off yet, when parked on my drive the screen is in full sunlight for most of the day and in the present heatwave it appears to be more firmly fixed in fact I cannot prise it off, I do remove the actual camera as it gets almost too hot to touch if left in for any length of time at the moment, I got a couple of discs on Ebay one for the satnav as well and they have stuck on without any signs of coming off.
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Try fitting one to a 8 gen Civic, the way the wipers work is they both park in centre of screen and pivot from each end of screen. This works well as screenwipers but leaves an unswept V in the centre behind the rear view mirror right where dashcam needs to sit (where the bits sit on mk3 Jazz).
My old Ford Galaxy was the same, I mounted the cam adjacent to the left windscreen pillar, just at the lowest point of the swept area.
Another vote for Nextbase cams too.
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Wow, loads of useful information. Thanks everyone. Will take a look at the Nextbase Duo new model. Whichever, looks like Nextbase is the brand to go with.
Thanks again.
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Wow, loads of useful information. Thanks everyone. Will take a look at the Nextbase Duo new model. Whichever, looks like Nextbase is the brand to go with.
Thanks again.
I would still do some internet research as Nextbase duo not making everyone happy, and it is quite a large camera to mount.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nextbase-NBDVRDUOHD-Digital-Driving-Recorder/product-reviews/B075WM24GV/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_paging_btm_1?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=all_reviews&pageNumber=1
The new Nextbase 612GW offers 4K UHD recording, but at a price....
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The new Nextbase 612GW offers 4K UHD recording, but at a price....
That is the camera I would go for if replacing the one I have. Personally I don't feel the need for a rear mounted camera. If someone runs up your backend the front facing camera will record the impact. Unless they reverse off and disappear you shouldn't have a problem. In the event of a multi vehicle shunt, your forward facing camera will show whether you hit the car in front, then were shunted, or if you were shunted before hitting the vehicle in front.
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The new Nextbase 612GW offers 4K UHD recording, but at a price....
Personally I could not warrant paying that much for one but then that is my choice, when I got mine I considered the 512GW which was £139 before going for the 312GW which Halfrauds had on offer for £79 at the time, reading the reviews which were all good I decided that the cheaper one was value for money and did all I wanted, with the money saved I bought a genuine Nextbase hardwire kit which was another £11 on ebay, so I am quite happy with the 312GW.
I would certainly recommend a Nextbase to anyone, picture quality is excellent and I particularly like the ease the camera can be removed without disturbing the mount and wiring.
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Whatever dashcam you choose - £100+ Nextbase or £20 off ebay - it's worth getting a decent quality (micro) SD card by the likes of ScanDisk or Samsung.
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While on the subject of dashcams, I replaced the original 12v plug-USB cable that came with the dashcam with a USB-mini USB 4m cable and a twin 12V-USB socket so I can charge my phone and use the dashcam at the same time. The cable is slightly thicker than the original lead so it took a bit more effort to tuck it behind the A pillar.
Cost me about a tenner in total a few months back at my local Maplin store's closing down sale. I'm no electrical engineer but the cable appears of be of superior quality to the original one. (Original RRP for cable alone I think was about £15.)
(https://thumbsnap.com/s/PzuFvHc3.jpg?0719)
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I looked at those a while back and they do seem to have good reviews. I decided to wait until I change my car and will then proabaly get Halfords to fit it for me (£30.00).
I see now there is one with a rear facing camera for another £10 (Nextbase DUO HD Dash Cam). I would be interested on any feedback on that one too.
I eventually got round to getting one fitted 4 weeks ago. I ended up getting a Nextbase GW522 with a 128GB card and added a rear window camera.
I'm really pleased with the picture quality and general functionality but don't bother with the Emergency Response or Alexa.
However it all went bad last week when the screen saver started going off mid journey and it started taking random photos. I also found that an area of the touch screen was unresponsive.
Took it back to Halfords and they replaced it with a new one without question. They pointed out that it had gone down in price by £30 and also refunded that :)
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Just thought I would add something else to this excellent thread.
If you want a dash cam, but don't think you can afford/justify the cost, you can make a surprisingly good one out of an old android smartphone, a power cable and screen mount (both a few quid off eBay) and a free app from play store.
These cams really are an essential piece of kit these days, insurance companies rarely want to fight liability without twisting their arm. It gives you something to put on YouTube too ;)
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Hi
I thought I would also let you know if you didn’t already - I didn’t until yesterday sorry
If you want a heads up display of speed (derived from satellite) and using nextbase - you can set next base to display speed whilst still recording - so instead of displaying the cameras - it just displays speed at about eye level - depending where you have installed the dash cam. To see the cameras you click mode and it switches to cameras for about 10 seconds then back to speed display
I inadvertently turned this on at services and had to stop to turn it off which is how I found out about it
Many thanks
John
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My Dashcam switches to screensaver 60 seconds after it locks on to GPS and displays speed and a compass heading, but it is well out of convenient eye line. Last thing you need is your Dashcam interfering with your forward vision.
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Attached is a photo of the Halfords 'cup holder' cigarette lighter power socket gizmo that gives you two power sockets and two USB phone charger sockets as well. Fits in MK2 cup holder by gear lever neatly and can use dashcam and satnav together - also has 4 colour coded 'system voltage' indicator led's that show what is happening with voltage level on the car.
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Hi.
Just to let you know that a number of insurance schemes offer discounts of up to 15% off car insurance for the fitment of a HD dash cam.
Regards,
Dan.
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Hi.
Just to let you know that a number of insurance schemes offer discounts of up to 15% off car insurance for the fitment of a HD dash cam.
Regards,
Dan.
Thanks for the info, Which Insurance Companies offer this discount, this info would then be useful.
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Which Insurance Companies offer this discount, this info would then be useful.
Adrian Flux.
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Thanks for the info, Which Insurance Companies offer this discount, this info would then be useful.
Officially not LV but they gave me a discount anyway when I phoned up to tell them I had just had one fitted.
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Which Insurance Companies offer this discount, this info would then be useful.
Adrian Flux.
:)...
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Which Insurance Companies offer this discount, this info would then be useful.
Adrian Flux.
:)...
Hi.
We have numerous different insurance schemes spanning all types of vehicles and insurers, however the specific discounts wouldn't be applicable with those insurers elsewhere as they are what we would have exclusively negotiated. If you ever apply for a quotation with ourselves you will be asked if you have a device fitted and any appropriate discount would be applied accordingly.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Dan.
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Which Insurance Companies offer this discount, this info would then be useful.
Adrian Flux.
They are Insurance Brokers not an Insurance Company, quotes includes a commission element.
I had an astronomical quote from them some time ago, no thanks I moved on to obtain a much more cheaper option, but I guess thats what it is all about.
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I looked at those a while back and they do seem to have good reviews. I decided to wait until I change my car and will then proabaly get Halfords to fit it for me (£30.00).
I see now there is one with a rear facing camera for another £10 (Nextbase DUO HD Dash Cam). I would be interested on any feedback on that one too.
I eventually got round to getting one fitted 4 weeks ago. I ended up getting a Nextbase GW522 with a 128GB card and added a rear window camera.
I'm really pleased with the picture quality and general functionality but don't bother with the Emergency Response or Alexa.
However it all went bad last week when the screen saver started going off mid journey and it started taking random photos. I also found that an area of the touch screen was unresponsive.
Took it back to Halfords and they replaced it with a new one without question. They pointed out that it had gone down in price by £30 and also refunded that :)
Hi Colin,
Am thinking of getting this dash cam fitted as well 9Got Halfords to fit one in my wife's car)- did you get yours hard wired or fitted by use of the cigarette lighter socket?
Thanks.
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Hi Colin,
Am thinking of getting this dash cam fitted as well 9Got Halfords to fit one in my wife's car)- did you get yours hard wired or fitted by use of the cigarette lighter socket?
Thanks.
I got mine fitted, hardwired, by Halfords. I'm glad that I added the rear camera and still very pleased with it.
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Just reviving this thread with source of adhesive base for Nextabase dash cams - I was frustrated that Nextbase supply an adhesive base in addition to the suction base with the dashcam but seem unable to supply an adhesive one later. Due to the fact that the positioning of the dashcam in Civic is so tight ( due to swept area of screen by wipers ) I use the supplied adhesive base to fix its position. I wanted to be able to swap the Nextbase to the Jazz as well and to get another stem and magnetic mount had to buy another suction type base from Nextbase, but leaving the suction mount in position for too long means it drops off.
These do the trick, but it is base only does not include stem with ball on the end and magnetic click in connector...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/SUNWAN-Recorder-Adhesive-Holder-Nextbase/dp/B07XC15GN4/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=nextbase+adhesive+mount&qid=1572425878&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzRFRWRzlFVUxIUU82JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNzc4OTAxMVNQVzM5WUlETjdBOCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMzA0MDIyM1ZHUkUzOTZOVjhVWCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
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These do the trick,
Thanks for that link just ordered one, I find the suction cup needs to be regularly re-fixed otherwise you eventually find the dashcam hanging by the wire. ;D
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I've run Nextbase dashcams for quite a few years but the latest series 2 cams didn't appeal. Still battery and still ball joint mounted.
After lots of research I got a Viofo A119 V3 and I've never looked back. The one thing to bear in mind is you do need a fast SDCard.
Here is a downloadable 3 minute MP4 RAW file as an example:
>> Krem Viofo Sample << (https://www.dropbox.com/s/wjucpqdnuonwvuo/Krem%20Viofo%20Sample.MP4?dl=1)
Resolution - 2560x1440P 60fps
Bitrate - High
Loop - 3 minutes
Video - MP4
EV +0.0
HDR - Off
Parking Mode - Off
G Sensor Off
LED On
Frequency 50Hz (UK standard)
Samsung Evo Plus U3 128Gb, tested to write @ 60.496 MB/s
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I love my nextbase which I've had for some years, really need to think of updating it.
One thing I have found, in hot weather the sucker drops down and if my interior alarm is set the movement of it dropping sets off the alarm. This was in my Fabia, it hasn't fallen in the Jazz yet ;)
Harry
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I still never got round to buying a dash cam. Feel like I really should get around to this now. What are your CURRENT models or ones you are thinking of next? Thanks.
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I still never got round to buying a dash cam. Feel like I really should get around to this now. What are your CURRENT models or ones you are thinking of next? Thanks.
NextBase are hard to beat IMHO - I have had one for a few years now with no problems, and the magnetic click in connection base makes it easy to remove and replace camera, we swap our 512GW between our cars and it always connects fine.
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@culzean Do you use a rear view module too?
The 522 (current model) is currently top of my list and seems to have either a module that plugs in the side and looks back through the car, and a rear camera on a 6m cable that you fix in the rear window.
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Some dealers are pushing the "Honda Drive Recorder" at the moment.
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@culzean Do you use a rear view module too?
The 522 (current model) is currently top of my list and seems to have either a module that plugs in the side and looks back through the car, and a rear camera on a 6m cable that you fix in the rear window.
I got it because of the option was there to plug in a rear view camera ( rear camera was not actually available when I got 512 dashcam, but was a 'future' product ) - I did think of buying the rear camera about 6 months later when it cam on the market - then I found out that when rear camera was plugged in that the resolution on front camera was reduced due to max bitrate problem with processor or something, so I shelved the idea of rear camera ( which to be honest was not expensive at about £50 ). I run the 522 at 1440p ( 2560 x 1440 ) at 30 frames per second, you can also use 1080p at 60 fps. My 64GB memory card starts to overwrite after 4 hours of driving time, but you can fit 128GB as well ( but 128GB was a bit pricey a few years ago ). If you want to freeze a clip while driving to prevent it being overwritten just reach up to camera and squeeze the bottom LH corner of dashcam ( if has an area with raised dots you can feel ). When I first used it I found the G force monitoring way too sensitive and ended up with lots of frozen files on the unit, but it is very adjustable and you can find a setting where every bump in the road does not set the G sensor off....
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Some dealers are pushing the "Honda Drive Recorder" at the moment.
Low resolution unit, 1080 I think.
My Viofo A119 V3 runs at up to 2560x1440@60fps and produces very clear footage.
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produces very clear footage.
Your images are great. Much better than the ones my camera produces.
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With the GPS on the Nextbase and using the nextbase app to show videos ( video is a bit jerky' in NB app ) you get a map showing the position of vehicle during the video clip, the vehicle tracks along whatever roads you were traveling on also get speed and 3 axis G force readout. I prefer to look at videos in something like VLC media player for smooth viewing and good resolution, but you lose the map and other info. My screen on satnav defaults to show GPS speed, but can also show time ( accurate to 1 billionth of a second as measured by the atomic clock in GPS satellites, but readout is only 4 digits LOL ).
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...accurate to 1 billionth of a second as measured by the atomic clock in GPS satellites.
Not quite. The best you can do with a GPS receiver set to "stationary mode" is about 5ns. When moving, time accuracy is about an order of magnitude less¹.
(Guess who set up a Raspberry Pi with a GPS board as an NTP server last weekend...)
___
¹ A certain Mr Heisenberg would like a word.
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NextBase are hard to beat IMHO - I have had one for a few years now with no problems, and the magnetic click in connection base makes it easy to remove and replace camera, we swap our 512GW between our cars and it always connects fine.
The 1 series had very few problems but the series 2 dashcams are proving to be very problematic. Head over to DashcamTalk for the growing list of complaints.
The main gripe is they, mainly the 522, just keeps locking up. The Nextbase Support, they contribute on DashcamTalk, is that you should use only their very expensive branded SDCards and you must format the card at least fortnightly.
https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/categories/nextbase.366/
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produces very clear footage.
Your images are great. Much better than the ones my camera produces.
I'm currently testing 2560x1080 @30fps, high bitrate, 21:9 letterbox mode. With 2560x1440 it shows some dashboard and too much sky IMO. Too much sky can affect the auto light sensor and the EV drops.
The current official A119 firmware is 2.4 but I've got version 2.5 which is looking good. I won't be at the PC to offload the footage for a few days to check.
Here is my latest 2.5 in 2560x1440 @30fps high bitrate :
Download link as YouTube reduces the quality:
>> Krem Viofo A119 V3 v 2.5 << (https://www.dropbox.com/s/q5ktj29elz2munr/Krem%20vvs%20Mod%20205.MP4?dl=1)
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...accurate to 1 billionth of a second as measured by the atomic clock in GPS satellites.
Not quite. The best you can do with a GPS receiver set to "stationary mode" is about 5ns. When moving, time accuracy is about an order of magnitude less¹.
(Guess who set up a Raspberry Pi with a GPS board as an NTP server last weekend...)
___
¹ A certain Mr Heisenberg would like a word.
It was a joke ;D - what possible use is a billionth of a second on a four digit display
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Looking forward to my Viofo A119 V3 arriving today, got fed up of swapping the Nextbase 512 GW between vehicles and decided to get a second cam and Viofo come highly recommended. I did look at the Viofo 4K A129 but decided against it due to massive file sizes and according to some reviews the low light performance is not so good as the 119 with the Sony Starvis chip ( we have CCTV cameras with the Starvis chips and can confirm they have good low-light performance). I may even make a bracket to mount 119 on motorbike... Will investigate using the viofo in parking mode at minimum frame rate to clip on house window when not in car, it normally works through glass ( unlike some CCTV cameras ) so the window should not affect it too much ( except it is double glazed ).
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With the Viofo you have a few firmware choices depending on your main requirements :
Firmware 1.03 is best for daytime freeze frame
Firmware Mod 2.5 is best for colour rendition
Firmware Mod 2.6T is best for night reading number plates.
Dedicated forum here :
https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/forums/a119-v3.303/
I've got all firmware versions in stock.
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With the Viofo you have a few firmware choices depending on your main requirements :
Firmware 1.03 is best for daytime freeze frame
Firmware Mod 2.5 is best for colour rendition
Firmware Mod 2.6T is best for night reading number plates.
Dedicated forum here :
https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/forums/a119-v3.303/
I've got all firmware versions in stock.
Thanks for that, mine came with v2.4 and will run with it for a while to see if any glitches. I love the 'proper tactile buttons' and 'single menu' with everything in it and the nice big 'lock video' button. I found the Nextbase menus a bit awkward sometimes and although there was a 'lock video' button on bottom LH of 512GW there was no sound to confirm it had responded to my thumb press. After about 5 mins I was happy with Viofo menu and which buttons did what. The only thing I may miss is the GPS speed display on screensaver, but hey-ho... as long as the speed appears on the video that is fine. The unit is smaller than I thought, so easier to mount than the larger ones. There were a couple of clear 'electrostatic' plastic bits in the box, you are supposed to stick one to the windscreen first and then stick the sticky pad on the camera mount to the plastic bit ( makes GPS mount easier to remove later apparently ), that is a new concept to me, have you used one of the 'electrostatic' gizmo's ?
Happy thing is that the Viofi uses the same mini USB connector as the Nextbase so do not need to disturb existing wiring. Will leave nextbase mount on screen, just in case.
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Those static pads have been criticised. I've not used any because they weren't available when I got mine. Once stuck the mount is solid and a bit of dental floss used like a saw easily gets them off.
I'll never use the buttons to capture anything. I just run it in realtime so I have a consecutive driving log of what happened and I know where it is. Viofo use super capacitors instead of battery so the final files gets closed properly and more reliably than batteries that fade over time.
Yes, I'm also using my old Nextbase hardwire kit to power the Viofo.
Dashcam Viewer is the best third party app to view the files which includes a location map:
(https://i.imgur.com/7Zy1bhv.jpg)
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Doesn't the button with red triangle on it just lock the existing sequential 2 or 3 minute video clip from being overwritten and keep the timestamp etc. ?
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Dashcam Viewer is the best third party app to view the files which includes a location map:
(https://i.imgur.com/7Zy1bhv.jpg)
That is impressive quality. Might finally make the jump to buying a Dashcam, having been on the fence for ages. Will wait for a little more feedback from Culzean I think, as no journeys planned in the next few weeks.
Also, what about rear view recording? Does anybody bother with that? Might be more important these days if rear end shunts are more likely now that jaywalking is not only legal but recommended.
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I run my Viofo in its native 2560x1440 mode, high bitrate and 30fps. You can go higher, or lower, but I find native to be the best as all the other resolutions are software adjusted as is the pseudo 60fps.
I've never been interested in running wires through the car for rear recording.
That screenshot isn't me being a member of the centre lane owners club, I've just passed a car and about to drift to the left :)
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When I got my Viofo I went out to the car, dried and polished the screen and fixed the clear plastic thingy. The next morning I went out and it was peeling off bigtime. I took it off and threw it away then glued the GPS mount directly to the screen. My camera came with 2.4 firmware. After a few weeks, I updated it to 2.5. However, after having issues Viofo suggested I went back to 2.4.
I do very little driving these days so I have my Nextbase camera on the rear screen, connected to a Poweradd battery pack. I plug it in before I set off and just leave it recording until I lock the car up for the night. Saves me running wires.
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Kremmen. I see your version is Dashcam Viewer Plus and mine is just Dashcam Viewer. Is that because you paid to register yours?
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Yes, I considered the few quid worth it.
I do on occasion like to view footage back to back and the 2 file limit was a pain.
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I use VLC Media Player as it also allows me to capture still frames in the full definition of the video.
(https://i.imgur.com/LEKDJTL.jpg)
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I use VLC Media Player as it also allows me to capture still frames in the full definition of the video.
I have been using VLC as well since getting Nextbase years ago, the video playback in the nextbase app is proper pants.....
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I also use VLC most of the time. I only use DCV when I need to find somewhere quickly or watch more than the 3 minute single clip back to back.
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Found this video test / review very helpful - didn't know about the H265 compression option before. This is a couple of years old, but don't think features have changed that much ? The back to back test with V2 and V3 ( which has Sony Starvis low light chip ) is especially telling. My Viofo V3 came with GPS mount in the box, the polarizer was about £15 ( and no the polarizer does not need adjusting - have you ever adjusted your polarised sunglasses ? - it just clips on and works ) - as an experiment put on a pair of polarised sunglasses and rotate the whole of the Viofo polariser in front of them, when the mounting flanges on the viofo polariser are vertical everything will go black ( all light is being stopped ), rotate back to horizontal and the light re-appears.
Here is how a polarising filter blocks glare and reflections from non-metallic surfaces ( it has no affect on reflected light from say chrome or stainless steel ) - it takes the glare off wet roads and car paint etc, as well as shiny plastic on car dashboards.
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I've got mine ready to fit when the weather warms up. On our MK3, there seems to be little space to fit it other than quite far down the plastic front windscreen cover, to the left which I think will end up with a fair amount of lose power cable feed..
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Found this video test / review very helpful - didn't know about the H265 compression option before.
Great video review, thanks. A lot of info and practical stuff but without the usual repetition and tedious chat. That's how to do a review. Like the look of the Viofo performance.
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I've stuck with. 264 as I've been told that the Police can't often play .265 should you have need to forward a clip.
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I've got mine ready to fit when the weather warms up. On our MK3, there seems to be little space to fit it other than quite far down the plastic front windscreen cover, to the left which I think will end up with a fair amount of lose power cable feed..
Dashcam cannot protrude more than 10mm into the area swept by windscreen wipers if mounted above steering wheel in 'A' zone ( actually area is 290mm wide - 145mm each side centreline of steering wheel ), outside 'A' zone it can encroach 40mm into area swept by wipers. You really want the lens to be looking through an area swept by wipers, as the area outside wipers can get very dirty. Some of the OEM sensors and cameras seem to be in the un-swept 'V' area in front of drivers mirror though... The lens on the Viofo is right at the very bottom of camera body, which is helpful when finding a suitable position ( may even be more helpful than local job centre LOL ). I cable tied the power lead to the hinges of sun-visor after running it up the drivers 'A' pillar, keeps it tidy.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/stickers-or-other-items-in-front-and-rear-windscreens/view-to-the-front-and-windscreen-obscuration
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I've stuck with. 264 as I've been told that the Police can't often play .265 should you have need to forward a clip.
I have forwarded a couple of clips via Nextbase app of people doing dangerous stuff and nothing happened even though the number plate was plainly visible, don't think I will bother any more.. I bet police not interested unless anyone injured or killed or vehicle used to commit a crime.
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I'll bet you're right
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I notice on previous nextbase dashcam cable and often on computer cables ( and widely used in industry ) there was a ferrite bead fitted to cable. This is to filter out high frequency electrical interference - however the Viofo does not have one. I had some 'in my electrical bits box' ( a 3.5mm clip on type ) and here ( attached PDF ) it is fitted to new Viofo cable. I know I can use the existing Nextbase mini-USB led and 5 volt adaptor, but the lead is permanently connected to the 12volt power plug, Later on I may well get a 5v powerbank for using with parking mode on the dashcam and the 12volt / 5V adaptor on Viofo has 2 x USB A sockets and the cable to dashcam is plugged into one of them, could use the other socket for charging phone or even satnav. If I use the Viofo lead it will plug straight into a powerbank.
You can buy clip-on ferrite beads quite cheaply - as above the 3.5mm type fits most satnav and dashcam leads, as well as mouse and keyboard cables.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08Y6L23V5/
[attachment deleted by admin]
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I did notice that when using the Nextbase power supply with the Viofo A119 V3 that the Viofo would not boot up until I started the engine. The Nextbase used to boot even with engine off, maybe the Viofo is a bit more sensitive to voltage, but even if car battery dropped to 12volts ( highly unlikely as is is a nearly new Yuasa Silver ) there would still be enough to produce a healthy 5 volts on the USB plug. I tested the supplied Viofo power supply with the engine not running and the Viofo booted OK, so I decided to fit the Viofo PSU and routed cable around under door frame rubber etc. Now at least when I get a 5V powerbank I can tuck it down side of seat and unplug USB from 12volt adaptor and plug the USB plug to Viofo lead into it for parking mode.
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Maybe you had the Nextbase to power up on vibration, if so when you jumped in it triggered it.
I've got mine on the ignition power and with a 5 second delay.
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Maybe you had the Nextbase to power up on vibration, if so when you jumped in it triggered it.
I've got mine on the ignition power and with a 5 second delay.
Nextbase only got power through cigarette lighter plug when ignition was on, so me jumping in the car would not have triggered it as I only turned ignition key when already sitting down ( I already had G sensor on lowest sensitivity anyway, as it was too sensitive and any bump in the road resulted in a locked file ). I did exactly the same with Nextbase and Viofo - already sitting in car when I turned the ignition key, and every time the same happened. using Nextbase PSU with Nextbase, it powered up every time, using Nextbase PSU with Viofo it only powered up when engine running, Using Viofo PSU both units powered up without engine running... I won't sweat too much about it but it is intriguing. The main thing is that the Viofo now fitted and working..
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I understand what you said but the Nextbase has an onboard battery, that if set, (parking mode) can do exactly as you said, power up on motion regardless of ignition power.
Viofo's require their 3 wire hardwire kit to perform the same function. Their red wire goes to permanent power, yellow to ignition power and black to ground. This way the camera always has power available for parking mode but it's your vehicle battery.
Hope that makes sense.
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Viofo, even without Boot delay, takes a lot longer than the Nextbase to start up. I normally turn the ignition on and wait the 12 seconds until the Viofo boots up before starting the engine. This confirms Viofo has started before driving off (with firmware 2.5 sometimes it didn't start). If I jump in, buckle up, start the car and drive off I can be out my gate and on the road before the Viofo starts recording.
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I understand what you said but the Nextbase has an onboard battery, that if set, (parking mode) can do exactly as you said, power up on motion regardless of ignition power.
Viofo's require their 3 wire hardwire kit to perform the same function. Their red wire goes to permanent power, yellow to ignition power and black to ground. This way the camera always has power available for parking mode but it's your vehicle battery.
Hope that makes sense.
Makes sense but never enabled / used parking mode on nextbase.
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Have noticed with Viofo A119 V3 that with HDR turned on ( high dynamic range, to make shadows brighter ) that it makes the number plates less clear in daylight, but HDR better for numberplates in low light like evening / night -- so what to do ? I suppose because vast majority of my journeys in daylight / dusk these days that I will leave HDR turned off. Also a lot less vehicles around after dark anyway. Running 2560 x 1440 p @ 30 fps with high bitrate at the moment
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The answer is to download and run firmware 2.6T
2.6T has a HDR timer that is user set to your times. Trouble is is that you will need to keep adjusting it month on month as dusk and Dawn changes depending on when you drive.
This is why I run firmware 1.03. That was the last version before they introduced HDR.
Viofo sent me a PM explaining that under 1.03 the older WDR was On or Off as per your menu setting but HDR, whilst the menu says On and Off is actually Low and High. HDR is known to introduce software induced motion blur but works well at night.
I've performed loads of testing with various firmware versions and 1.03 is the version that gives the sharpest daytime freeze frames.
There are 2 'Mod' versions built by Dashcamtalk member VVS but he is mainly concentrating on nighttime performance over daytime.
Let me know which versions you're interested in and I'll post links here. Firmware is easy to update and I'll post that later if required.
The proof of the pudding is sample screenshots. Both these shots are on the M4, same time of day and exactly the same 50mph.
Settings identical @
Resolution - 2560x1440
Bitrate - High
EV - 0.0
FPS - 30
Firmware 1.03 WDR Off:
(https://i.imgur.com/anfEmuF.jpg)
Firmware 2.5 HDR Off:
(https://i.imgur.com/zTcSbiv.jpg)
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Thanks for that, bit of a learning curve Eh... at the moment it seems OK with number plates and road signs with V2.4 - so will run with it for a while before I start trying different firmware. Had a bad experience with changing firmware on a garmin satnav, an update bricked my unit, Garmin denied all knowledge and only offered to sell me a new dashcam, but others on forum had experienced the same problem....
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If you do decide to upgrade firmware, and I've done it lots without issue.
FAT32 freshly formatted SDCard, I use a small 8 Gb one.
Put "FWA119V3.bin" firmware file into root of card ensuring the capitalisation is retained.
Put card into unit
Plug unit into a USB wall socket or mobile phone charger or cable in car. Never use the PC as that puts the unit into mass storage mode.
Once powered the LED will start to flash. When complete the LED will stop flashing and after a few seconds it will reboot, that can take up to about 20 seconds. Wait for it to reboot and automatically fire up. It will automatically start recording to the SDCard at which point you can turn it off and replace your main card.
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If you do decide to upgrade firmware, and I've done it lots without issue.
FAT32 freshly formatted SDCard, I use a small 8 Gb one.
Put "FWA119V3.bin" firmware file into root of card ensuring the capitalisation is retained.
Put card into unit
Plug unit into a USB wall socket or mobile phone charger or cable in car. Never use the PC as that puts the unit into mass storage mode.
Once powered the LED will start to flash. When complete the LED will stop flashing and after a few seconds it will reboot, that can take up to about 20 seconds. Wait for it to reboot and automatically fire up. It will automatically start recording to the SDCard at which point you can turn it off and replace your main card.
I have updated our security camera firmware like that a couple of times, but using a USB stick.
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I have changed my Viofo firmware twice with no issues.