Best dashcam

[Wazz]

Still haven't got the Stinger (I will not go there right now!! lol), but before I do, I want to get your opinions on the best front/rear dashcams. Needs to be 1080. Would like one that had bump sensors which trigger a photo/video on demand... unless there's one that records all the time anyway. Also how draining are they on the battery if operating when the car is switched off for a few hours i.e. when at work. Cheers!

 

[Stinger GT SS]

BlackVue with Magic Pro

 

[Wazz]

BlackVue

Any particular model of Blackvue? Just had a look at their site, a lot of options. Thinking maybe the 750?

 

[Stinger GT SS]

I’d go the latest 900 2CH from memory

 

[Wazz]

I’d go the latest 900 2CH from memory

Strathfield has the 32GB 2CH one for $819.00 and free shipping!, plus bonus BlackVue Magic Pro (I can't get to a physical Strathfield store). Next best Autobarn for $829 with no bonus Magic Pro. Would install cost much? I can't do it myself.

 

[Stinger GT SS]

Strathfield has the 32GB 2CH one for $819.00 and free shipping!, plus bonus BlackVue Magic Pro (I can't get to a physical Strathfield store). Next best Autobarn for $829 with no bonus Magic Pro. Would install cost much? I can't do it myself.

I would estimate a mobile auto electrician comes to you, max. 2hrs labour no more, mine is one CH no magic pro, paid $120.00 for professional install.

 

[Stinger GT SS]

Strathfield has the 32GB 2CH one for $819.00 and free shipping!, plus bonus BlackVue Magic Pro (I can't get to a physical Strathfield store). Next best Autobarn for $829 with no bonus Magic Pro. Would install cost much? I can't do it myself.

I’d go Strathfield with free shipping.

 

[Coast GT]

I got the Blackvue DR900S 2CH from Autobarn. They charged about $150 from memory to install it. Also got the power magic pro. It runs it in parking mode and switches it off if you reach a preset time limit or the car battery drops below a particular level. Every now and then my Stinger flashes up a message on startup saying “starter battery discharging due to external electronic devices” but the car has never gone flat, and the camera is always off when that message comes up. It’s a bit weird sometimes it runs for 24hrs in parking mode, other times it doesn’t. I’m guessing the Stinger is a bit fussy with battery power as it also tells you the battery is discharging if you leave the radio running for more than a couple of minutes after shutting off the ignition.

Can’t fault the quality of the Blackvue, front camera is 4K and rear is 1080p HD. They’ve just released a firmware update they also gives the front camera HDR night vision which when selected operates in daylight as well and makes the image more crisp

 

[Silverghost]

Still haven't got the Stinger (I will not go there right now!! lol), but before I do, I want to get your opinions on the best front/rear dashcams. Needs to be 1080. Would like one that had bump sensors which trigger a photo/video on demand... unless there's one that records all the time anyway. Also how draining are they on the battery if operating when the car is switched off for a few hours i.e. when at work. Cheers!

Go with the blackvue 900s 2 ch and the magic ez. I am not a handyman but installed it myself. Check out the instal videos on youtube. It is dead simple and gives you great satisfaction on having installed it yourself. It records while parked and will not run down the battery beyond a level that you can dictate. I recommend this one.

 

[DCBStingerGT]

Looks like I am going to be the one, not too recommend one over the other, but I have a Navman Mivue 580 for over 4 years, it has a screen which is what I like about it, you can see even while your driving what it's recording, which means you can point it in the direction of whatever you need to photo, as it also serves as a still camera, the touch screen allows you to look through the photos and videos saved, so for me I prefer to have the screen where Blackvue doesn't, just a personal preference, I hope to purchase the Navman Mivue 800 which has front and rear cameras recording at 1080p, very cheap now at JbHiFi, even my 580 from 4 years ago records at 1080p and great low light tech for night driving.
Like too quickly share a recent story.

Recently I had to go to Vicroads here in Broadmeadows, Victoria, I don't like to go around 12pm because of the many other people, usually I would go first thing in the morning on opening, anyway, I'm in the carpark, and of course it's full, so I go out and re enter, still no parks, then I see behind me two women walking to their car, so here I am reversing when this young P Plater girl, blocks me off from behind instead of just going around me and out, I'm upset with her now, as I missed the park to someone because of her, as she drives past, I'm making it clear I'm not happy with her, she stops in front and 3 young males get out and walking towards my car, I think OK, this is gonna happen in a Vicroads carpark, REALLY? Anyway, I grab my Navman dashcam in my hand and point it at the guys, making it clear I'm recording this, straight away the 3 turn around, get in the car, and drive off, so my story just shows a dashcam is not only invaluable for just traffic accidents or if someone hits your car in a car park while your shopping, whatever brand you decide, I'm sure you'll be happy with..

 

[MrSmoofy]

Anyone have or use the Escort M1 Camera? I know many recommend the BlackVue or the other high end one can't think of the name but I already have a Escort MAX 360c Radar Detector on a Blend Mount bracket and they make an attachment for that to mount the M1 Camera to it and it connects to the radar detectors power so is a very very clean install.

I know I wouldn't have all the features of the Blackvue like recording when the car is off but on sale for $174 doesn't hurt as much as $800+ on a Blackvue.

 

[ZeroPenguins]

I have been using a Xiaomi 70 Mai that I got for $35 a long long time ago and it has been great! Apparently the new 70 Mai Pro (about $70-80AUD) is pretty decent, I used to have a Viofo A119S (with the GPS module) but it melted in the sun, my 70 Mai has been fine for the past 1.7ish years.

 

[Coast GT]

Anyone have or use the Escort M1 Camera? I know many recommend the BlackVue or the other high end one can't think of the name but I already have a Escort MAX 360c Radar Detector on a Blend Mount bracket and they make an attachment for that to mount the M1 Camera to it and it connects to the radar detectors power so is a very very clean install.

I know I wouldn't have all the features of the Blackvue like recording when the car is off but on sale for $174 doesn't hurt as much as $800+ on a Blackvue.

Can’t say I’ve ever heard of the brand but there are so many out there these days it’s hard to keep track. You’re right, the Blackvue is pricey, but the picture quality is good.

Radar detectors are illegal all States of Australia, except Western Australia. The fines for having one in my State, New South Wales, are $1720 and carry 9 demerit points which for many people will cost them their licence if they’ve had tickets for other offences or get caught speeding whilst using the radar detector. A full licence is 12 points so there’s not much room to move. The cost of the fines and the loss of licence isn’t worth the risk of installing a radar detector.

 

[app_master]

I have been using a Xiaomi 70 Mai that I got for $35 a long long time ago and it has been great! Apparently the new 70 Mai Pro (about $70-80AUD) is pretty decent, I used to have a Viofo A119S (with the GPS module) but it melted in the sun, my 70 Mai has been fine for the past 1.7ish years.

I'll second the 70mai Smart Dash Cam as a great cheaper alternative, it's discreet, simple and works. Last time I bought one I paid about $55 on ebay.

Personally, I have 3 of these (mine, wife and daughter's cars). All working flawlessly. Access to the videos is via the phone app. You can have multiple cams logged to the one app. When you want to review video just connect to the required cam via it's inbuilt wifi.

If you are wanting a rear crash cam too, my tip would be to just buy two of them for the same car. Two smart cams costing about $100-120 for the two.

You could up the ante even further and opt for the Dash Cam Pro version with extra features ... particularly in an older cars, with the added GPS module, it gains you forward collision and lane assist (they call it Adas) all for about $110-120. Now that is a bargain!

Maybe even go with a Pro upfront and a Smart at the rear.

Wiring is dead simple, either plug direct into with a 12v car socket (adapter included), or be more creative and to get hidden setup underdash with a fuse tap etc..

70mai is Xiaomi car technology brand, link; 70mai – Leading smart car electronics
Buy them mostly on amazon, ebay, aliexpress.

All the best.

 

[mitchyboy]

I'll second the 70mai Smart Dash Cam as a great cheaper alternative, it's discreet, simple and works. Last time I bought one I paid about $55 on ebay.

Personally, I have 3 of these (mine, wife and daughter's cars). All working flawlessly. Access to the videos is via the phone app. You can have multiple cams logged to the one app. When you want to review video just connect to the required cam via it's inbuilt wifi.

If you are wanting a rear crash cam too, my tip would be to just buy two of them for the same car. Two smart cams costing about $100-120 for the two.

You could up the ante even further and opt for the Dash Cam Pro version with extra features ... particularly in an older cars, with the added GPS module, it gains you forward collision and lane assist (they call it Adas) all for about $110-120. Now that is a bargain!

Maybe even go with a Pro upfront and a Smart at the rear.

Wiring is dead simple, either plug direct into with a 12v car socket (adapter included), or be more creative and to get hidden setup underdash with a fuse tap etc..

70mai is Xiaomi car technology brand, link; 70mai – Leading smart car electronics
Buy them mostly on amazon, ebay, aliexpress.

All the best.

Thanks for the info. I have lots of Xiaomi products in my house, but didnt think of them for car stuff. I'm looking for a dashcam so will check it out. Cheers.

 

[ShannonC]

I bought a 70mai and it arrived last week. Still experimenting with it and HD picture quality is good. Download their free app to phone. Only thing I don't like so far is having to plug into accessory socket but I may be able to hard wire it. For $59 including delivery I'm not complaining.

 

[app_master]

I bought a 70mai and it arrived last week. Still experimenting with it and HD picture quality is good. Download their free app to phone. Only thing I don't like so far is having to plug into accessory socket but I may be able to hard wire it. For $59 including delivery I'm not complaining.

Keep the hardwiring simple too ...you need one of these micro2 fuse taps ($2) and a 12v socket ($4) and a little bit of know how...

 

[mitchyboy]

Keep the hardwiring simple too ...you need one of these micro2 fuse taps ($2) and a 12v socket ($4) and a little bit of know how...

Care to explain the know how?

 

[app_master]

Care to explain the know how?

Note an easy thing on a forum, but I can dot point what I did;

• Join the 12v socket ($4 from Jaycar) together with your fuse tap ($2 from ebay) ... using some basic knowledge of wiring and soldiering would be helpful here.
• Open you fuse box under the dash
• locate the "accessory" fuse
• plug in your fuse tap
• connect your dashcam usb socket into that
• tuck it all up under the dash
• done

Sorry but Google might be a better teacher than I on all this. It's also been covered in few places in this forum.
Good luck.

 

[mitchyboy]

Note an easy thing on a forum, but I can dot point what I did;

• Join the 12v socket ($4 from Jaycar) together with your fuse tap ($2 from ebay) ... using some basic knowledge of wiring and soldiering would be helpful here.
• Open you fuse box under the dash
• locate the "accessory" fuse
• plug in your fuse tap
• connect your dashcam usb socket into that
• tuck it all up under the dash
• done

Sorry but Google might be a better teacher than I on all this. It's also been covered in few places in this forum.
Good luck.

Thanks mate, that makes sense to me.