Dash Cams... Experience/Recommendations?

[CN Spots]

Any of you guys use a dash cam? My daily commutes are starting to warrant one. There's a ton of them on ebay in the $80-300 range but I'm not sure what to look for in a good unit. None of the one's I've seen have a name that I recognize (or trust). Thoughts?

LEO cams don't count, I dont think I can afford those models!

Thanks!

 

[Splat]

Re: Dash Cams... Experience/Recommendations?

My buddy uses one in his tow truck pointing out the back window. He also does some part time repo work which is why he really has it. I'll try to get the name of it later, but his is pretty close to what some leo's use cause he has a wireless Mic (looks like a pager) that he can clip to his belt to record audio while he outta the truck.

I would try shooting over to WWW.elightbars.com and check out the installs page, lots of first responders are starting to use low end systems in their pov's to protect them in the event of an accident. They may even have a section dedicated to video systems now.

Also what about picking up a used digital camcorder? Get a cigarette adapter for power, and away you go. Just velcro it to your dash board. once a week or so, just delete the videos and start recording over. RAM mounts makes several camera mounts, both ones that are hard(screwed in) or soft(heavy bean bag with grippy stuff) to fit various cameras.

Thisbegs the obvious queston, where are you driving, and what are you doing that you need a dash cam on a daily commute?

Bill

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Dash Cams... Experience/Recommendations?

So...............why do you need a dash cam?

 

[CN Spots]

Re: Dash Cams... Experience/Recommendations?

Reason #1
I work in Memphis. This particular zip code is the highest rated for violent crime here and near the top for everything else naughty.

A few months ago I was going home at night in the rain and a man and woman standing on the sidewalk were having a "disagreement" over something and he shoved her (as hard as I've ever seen anybody shoved) into the path of my truck. I swerved, screamed like a girl scout and wound up in the oncoming lanes. She nearly hit the back of the truck bed. It was that close! It was obvious he was trying to end her. A slight change in speed or direction and I could have been facing vehicular manslaughter because he would have ran and the only other witness would have been stuck in my grille. A dash cam could have proven invaluable in that situation.

Reason #2
OMG! If you could see just some of the stuff that I see on the way to and from work you'd buy me one just so that I could send you vids everyday! This city is unbelievable... SUVs with so much pot smoke in them that you can't see the passengers. One guy ran a red light at a 6 lane intersection, blocked off a young girl in a Mercedes convertible, and everyone behind her, gets out, walks up to window and started hitting on her! (asking her for a date, not punching her). In the middle of the dam intersection! It's countless, the number of times I've seen stuff like this and thought "Y'know, I should share this moment with the rest of the world"...

-Preferably in the form of a DVD for $19.95

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Dash Cams... Experience/Recommendations?

You are kidding right?

You happen to have a set of horns mounted on the front of your truck?

 

[javsam]

Re: Dash Cams... Experience/Recommendations?

I am thinking the same thing too.I recently seen two drivers on my way to work trying to kill each other with their vehicles.Alot more fruitcakes out there nowadays.