Dash cams is GPS speed logging really worth it?

[Sorted]

What was the result of the guy with 2 types of gps speed loggers and hd play back when a cop booked him for over 65+ in a school zone with a radar when it showed on two devices he was doing 53 or something - it was on ACA but I didn't see a follow up story with the results?

I am sketchy on the precise details but it went something like the description above

[aussie muscle]

I haven't heard any stories of them being used in relation to speed, but a truckie was saying the other day he was accused of running someone off the road, but his video gps showed he was 100 km away at the time of the incident.

[KIWI-1]

Sorted is spot on -the guy owned a GPS business. Dunno the result though.

[muso]

I really think that these dash cams are really better at determining fault in an accident and identifying other drivers who may have otherwise got away with it etc. rather than being used to dispute speeding fines.
I think in most cases the police equipment is accurate and regularly tested and calibrated.......one would certainly hope so anyway :/

[steve.zissou]

i just got a uniden igo300 for $65. no gps but worth every cent (not many cents really)

a GPS would only serve to incriminate me

[MrMaestro]

I don't think having the speed recorded is really much of an issue. If you were supplying footage and you didn't want to show the speed just crop the video and you'd be right. And it's not an insurance issue; while the police might care about the recorded speed (I doubt it), speeding doesn't void your insurance cover.

On another note I recommend the Itronics ITB-100HD dashcam. I bought one six months ago for about $180 off Ebay and I can't really fault it. Video quality could be better, but then I don't think it can be beaten at that price. Has GPS and I've found it to be highly accurate.

[KIWI-1]

Originally Posted by steve.zissou

GPS would only serve to incriminate me

That was one of the interesting things about the case mentioned by Sorted.
The guys argument went something along the lines that he was exceeding the speed limit, but not by the amount VicPol measured.

[Tokyo Geoff]

I've been interested in getting one of these for ages after I ended up with a broken nose in a road rage incident. The carload of his mates said I threw the first punch which I can assure you I didn't. The triple O operator and volunteer, as it turned out is a family friend, heard him say "If I had a gun I'd kill him and his family" but the cops did NOTHING apart from crash into each other when they eventually turned up!

But my brother, a lawyer, reckons these cameras will only help insurance companies wriggle free from their contracts.

I suspect the GPS function in court would be as useful as Bin Laden as a character witness whereas video of some knob hammering on your face should be incontrovertible.

Lastly how good are these cameras, any of them, at night? I haven't seen one yet that can cope with the difference in lighting between the plate and the surrounding environment.

Cheers
Geoff

[muso]

Originally Posted by Tokyo Geoff

I've been interested in getting one of these for ages after I ended up with a broken nose in a road rage incident. The carload of his mates said I threw the first punch which I can assure you I didn't. The triple O operator and volunteer, as it turned out is a family friend, heard him say "If I had a gun I'd kill him and his family" but the cops did NOTHING apart from crash into each other when they eventually turned up!

But my brother, a lawyer, reckons these cameras will only help insurance companies wriggle free from their contracts.

I suspect the GPS function in court would be as useful as Bin Laden as a character witness whereas video of some knob hammering on your face should be incontrovertible.

Lastly how good are these cameras, any of them, at night? I haven't seen one yet that can cope with the difference in lighting between the plate and the surrounding environment.

Cheers
Geoff

From what I've seen most are not good at night except for the dod ls300w which I have, even in dimly lit streets you can still see what's going on.
Where it really shines way above others I've tried or seen is the video clarity, it's like watching a dvd movie Another thing which is even better is the ability to freeze frame any part of the video with no blurring at all with rego plates clearly readable once freeze framed.
For example I freeze framed video footage where I was doing 80 kph past a tree which appeared as a blur in the video footage, but in freeze frame I could actually see each individual leaf the detail was so good.

I highly recommend this dash cam if you want the clearest video footage and don't need GPS

The youtube demos do it little justice compared to real life.

PS: I don't work for DOD or Dashcams Australia! I am just very happy with it

[Franco Cozzo]

^ Got a link to it?

[Full Noise]

Originally Posted by muso

PS: I don't work for DOD or Dashcams Australia! I am just very happy with it

I’m glad you don’t because if you did, I’d probably punch you in the mouth. DOD = PIA

I’ve tested probably 25 or so different Autocams over the last few years and the best cam that I’ve ever used at night is the new GPS FHD from On Site Cameras. We’ve been waiting for quite a while for this as it had to have quite a few modifications to suit the Australian market.

The GPS unit is the most accurate I’ve ever tested, to the point where it locks almost instantly, in under 3 seconds in most cases and stays accurate around long sweeping bends like the entrance to Eastlink from the Monash freeway where all of the DOD units I’ve had either drop out or have an erratic reading and even has a mode where you can see how many satellites it has and their signal strength.

My DOD 550E would not get GPS lock last night for around six hours due to some pretty mild cloud cover where the other two cams did .

Here’s a day and night demo clip of this GPS FHD cam taken from the Kenworth that I drive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HooTR...tkkia7GIh4H0Mg

http://www.onsitecameras.com/blog/pr...as/autocam-hd/

I have to head out for the night but when I get a chance, I’ll post up some screen shots of the inaccurate readings from some of the DOD cams that I’ve tested. One time I was travelling at 435 Kph while I was waiting at a gate in the truck, I know, I really shouldn’t have been travelling that fast as they say that speed kills.

[muso]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

^ Got a link to it?

No but if you do a search for DOD LS300W and set the video demos to 1080 you will see the demos, I bought mine online from Dash Cams Australia.

[muso]

Here’s a day and night demo clip of this GPS FHD cam taken from the Kenworth that I drive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HooTR...tkkia7GIh4H0Mg

http://www.onsitecameras.com/blog/pr...as/autocam-hd/

The full HD camera from "onsite cameras" looks really good especially at night, how much are they? What model name and number is it?
I am still very happy with the video quality of the Dod LS300W For $199.00 but the night time video quality of yours Full Noise is better, daytime looks the same to me, is this dash cam 140 degree wide angle lens like the LS300W?

[muso]

Sorry Full Noise I didn't read the second link showing the price and model, nice camera

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Full Noise

http://www.onsitecameras.com/blog/pr...as/autocam-hd/

I just ordered one of these bad boys, I do a lot of night driving so I'll probably get some small clips up and happening soon.

Also got it for recording us doing 4x4ing in the wombat state forest when we go out on trips lol.

Where is it recommended to mount it on your wind screen? Is it just held on with a suction cup?

[Full Noise]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

I just ordered one of these bad boys, I do a lot of night driving so I'll probably get some small clips up and happening soon.

Also got it for recording us doing 4x4ing in the wombat state forest when we go out on trips lol.

Where is it recommended to mount it on your wind screen? Is it just held on with a suction cup?

These are a great unit, I got my new one today. The suction mount that’s supplied will support the cam easily as the unit is quite light. You’ll be wrapped when you get it.

I stabilise all of my cams in the truck with another bracket with some BluTack as the Cummins EGR engine has a lot of low level vibration but in a car, or a European truck, you shouldn’t have any problems with mounting.

Cheers

[muso]

I am assuming that because these dash cams are reasonably visible there is a risk of theft. I have been a bit lazy and have left it mounted overnight a few times, do most people who own these dash cams put them away at night (like in the glove box etc?)

[Franco Cozzo]

I got mine in the mail today, but I think they sent me all the wrong leads, the USB port is a camera style one on the camera itself, they've sent me the one which is the same as the one on a PS3 controller.

[Franco Cozzo]

This is the problem:






Also where would you position the camera?




Or

[Full Noise]

Yep, everything’s OK, the right lead has been supplied, just plug her in and it will be right to go. It’s designed to be a tight fit to ensure a good connection.

Cheers

[Franco Cozzo]

Ah yes my mistake, I got some footage this morning, unsure if I had the camera set up on the right angle but I'll see tonight.

I'll have night/day footage.

[Matty4]

Originally Posted by muso

I am assuming that because these dash cams are reasonably visible there is a risk of theft. I have been a bit lazy and have left it mounted overnight a few times, do most people who own these dash cams put them away at night (like in the glove box etc?)

Mine never leaves it windscreen holder unless I need to take out the SD card.
Haven't needed to for several months now.
Having said that, it isn't visible from inside the car and from the outside it blends in under the rearview mirror, so it isn't very obvious...

[Super Roo 1970]

What are these things like for sound as well?
Can you set em up like a normal camera where they will take sound and motion together of you going for a cruise or maybe doing some circuit work? Can you set them to record say a 20 minute stint or maybe an hours drive?
I know that isn't exactly what these are designed for, but it would be a nice bonus to be able to throw it in the old ho and see how some driving footage goes.
I'm a bit old school and electronically challenged when it comes to gadgets, are they easy to use an set up? and can they be switched from car to car easily?

[Franco Cozzo]

I'm just running factory settings at the moment.

Here is the morning test, just rural highway driving, no other lights, just my car and some others, I turn my high beams on/off every now and again (and clear my throat lol):
http://youtu.be/Zn4368gY_zM

And an afternoon run, its a bit over exposed though, I think the camera might have been pointing too far up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDAB6vWo3uY&

The sound isn't too fantastic, I've got one of my ambulance and that thing has a LOUD engine and you can't hear the engine much even with the window down.

[revcore]

I have my cam mounted on the windscreen directly under the rear vision mirror...It's an ideal position as it doesn't really obstruct vision and has a clear centre recording position.

[Franco Cozzo]

My suction cup won't stick to the dotted thing above my rear vision mirror unfortunately :(

[revcore]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

My suction cup won't stick to the dotted thing above my rear vision mirror unfortunately :(

Neither does mine...Shame really as it would make for a better mounting location for the cam.