Dashcams.

[#1]

This might not be the right forum on which to ask this, but how long is the recording time on these things, or is it on some kind of loop. Presumably if you have something to transfer or upload you do not have to disconnect the entire device, or do you.

With some of the tricks we see other drivers get up to I'd love to share, but would feel rather uncomfortable with snitching to the police.... or not, as the last time I looked we were not living in the equivalent of East Germany. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-37672104

[#2]

I was looking in to getting one a few months ago but haven't got round to it yet. My understanding is it somewhat varies from device to device.

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@Minivanman wrote:

how long is the recording time on these things

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Depends on the size of the SD card you put in it and what quality of recording you're using.

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@Minivanman wrote:

is it on some kind of loop.

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I think most loop, with an ability to press a button (Or triggered by an impact) to lock a section of the recording if it needs to be stored/saved for whatever reason.

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@Minivanman wrote:

Presumably if you have something to transfer or upload you do not have to disconnect the entire device, or do you.

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I'm sure I've seen some that you can connect to via bluetooth/wifi from your phone and play the recordings back/save them via an app on your smart phone. Alternatively with most, I believe you can just remove the memory card and use a card reader to transfer the files on to your computer.

[#3]

I use a Transend dash camera, 2 hour loop recording to a memory card, always carry a spare card in case I need to keep details on the current one.

Personally I think they are an essential item, if you do much driving you see some people do stupid things, I would never shop someone to the police unless the situation involved me as in a accident, they would be excellent evidence in the case of a dispute regarding a accident.

Also makes you drive better as they will record a accident where you were at fault.

I think the police can insist on taking them as evidence at the scene of a accident.

There are some good youtube videos of some of the things recorded on dash cameras such a freak weather etc.

[#4]

Recording time will be dependant on resolution and size of memory card.

My dashcam, if I recall, has the option to loop recording when all the memory is used or stop recording. Downloading to a laptop or PC is quite simple using a USB cable.

I wouldn't pass footage I had to police unless it could be used in evidence in a serious accident.

Edit: Looks like what I posted had already been covered by Harry and gleneagles.

[#5]

Interesting point about accidents as I seem to recall that at one time at least insurance companies would not accept them as evidence. Presumably if police are, then they must also.  

PS. Just a thought, the dashcam could show that you yourself were at fault!

[#6]

Have a look on Techmoan's channel on Youtube, he's reviewed a number of dashcams over the years, most of which operate the same way, looped recordings with an "emergency" button (as in, saves the clip in a separate folder), it just varies as to the quality of the picture:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFB79814F24001328

[#7]

Cheers twocvbloke

Also been looking at this.

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/test-centre/gadget/best-dash-cams-in-uk-2016-3647105/

[#8]

There's been a couple of threads which you may find helpful/interesting:

Dashcam

Dash Cam

[#9]

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@Minivanman wrote:

Interesting point about accidents as I seem to recall that at one time at least insurance companies would not accept them as evidence. Presumably if police are, then they must also.  

PS. Just a thought, the dashcam could show that you yourself were at fault!

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Each to their own really isn't it. There is no rule that they must or must not accept it.. but some insurers may have been skeptical of it's legality as evidence previously but now they're so common place that I would imagine it would be hard to find an insurer who wouldn't want footage if available.

[#10]

Some insurers do offer reduced premiums if you declare you have a dashcam.

Not sure how they could verify that except by making your cover null and void if you can't produce any footage in the event of a claim.

[#11]

Mine is supposed to loop, but it just stops saying disk full.
I have a 16Gb Sd in it, so many many hours of recording.
I tend to re-format when I get the error message.

As to insurer's I had to declare it on my "mod your car" section. It doubles as my reversing camera, using a strap on mirror (larger than the original) it displays in a 4" lcd on the LHS, when off you can use the mirror normally.
Passed its mot with it fitted on Monday so no issues there.

[#12]

One thing to keep in mind when buying a dashcam is the length of the power lead, most just plug into the cigarette lighter socket but you want a lead long enough to hide in the windscreen trim.

Sure you can buy a longer lead but that's just more expense.

[#13]

What I did was add a twin usb socket fed from the fuse box, cut a small hole near the overhead light, fed 12V switched from the fuse box up the pillar, and I got a short usb right angled cable to fit it. Result is no messy wires.
I removed the light so I could see the wires and feed them through. (refitted after)

You can use one of the cigar lighter types from £shop just remove the shell and connect the wires, making sure to insulate it up. All that shows is the head end. About 1cm's wort.