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Dash Cams - what are your views?

I have just watched part of the TV programme "Car Crash Britain" and am left wondering if it would be a good idea to buy a dash-cam for my car. Before I go to the expense of buying one (and probably having to have it installed) I thought that I would ask this erudite community what they think about this type of gadget. Although I probably drive less than 7000 miles a year mainly local journeys within a 60 mile radius of home I do use the A1 (with the kamikaze lorries) quite often..


Created By on 05/05/2017

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FelicityMarbles
7th May 2017 08:17:31 (Last activity: 16th Sep 2017 22:36:21)
0
Thanks for voting!
Can anyone recommend a particular dashcam? I've been thinking about getting one for a while now. I don't want to pay more than about £70 really...
Response from ThePrimate made on 7th May 2017 10:32:56
These come recommended from several people in another forum I read;
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nextbase-312GW-Digital-Driving-Recorder/dp/B01ELRJW5Q
Remember you will probably need to add on a fitting charge and the price of a memory card.
You can buy cheaper but you get what you pay for to be honest. Avoid E-Prance cams.
You may find a good 'all-in' deal including fitting from somewhere like Halfords.
Response from FelicityMarbles made on 16th Sep 2017 22:36:21
Finally got one!
CaroleAH Original Poster
5th May 2017 11:45:44 (Last activity: 5th May 2017 13:13:04)
0
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Thank you for your comments - I hadn't thought about the dash-cam being used in evidence against me!!! Of course, we all like to think that we are perfect drivers but I'm sure that there are times when our concentration isn't as good as it should be. I wonder when the insurance companies will jump on the band-wagon and start reducing their prices if a dash-cam is installed. I don't think that a 4 hour time limit for an SD card would be a problem as most people would need a "comfort" break during a drive that long - however, would the camera just start recording over the previous footage or would it need re-setting etc.
Response from ThePrimate made on 5th May 2017 13:10:19
You would need to pop another card in or let it overwrite the card that is in there
Response from ThePrimate made on 5th May 2017 13:12:33
Pop in another card or let the cam overwrite your earlier part of the journey
Response from ThePrimate made on 5th May 2017 13:13:04
Ooops. posted twice lol
ArchieUK
5th May 2017 09:38:46 (Last activity: 5th May 2017 11:10:04)
1
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Be very careful here, a lot of people think that they are skillful drivers even mature one's do, but are they, a dash-cam can prove your guilt as well as your innocence.
The police are allowed to use all evidence in a RTA and your own camera could prove your part in any incident, do not think that you can wipe your camera clean because the police have ways of making it come clean.
Response from JohnHerb made on 5th May 2017 11:10:04
A lot of people in Russia have them as they cannot trust the police so use it as evidence. I think they are an excellent idea and all cars should be fitted with them as mandatory
ThePrimate
5th May 2017 11:00:50
1
Thanks for voting!
Interestingly, a lot of the popular dashcams such as the Nextbase models will protect any data in the event of a crash. This can be a double edged sword especially if the crash is your fault.
From their marketing material;
"G sensor data protection automatically senses a crash and saves the video files so they are not overwritten or corrupted"
There ways of recovering files even if they are deliberately deleted. Another thing to note is that some cameras will have a limit on the size of SD card they can take. In some cases that only gives you 4 hours of recording which may not be enough on a long journey.
Personally I think they are useful to have and am looking at buying one fairly soon. Halfords have some good reviews for their fitting service, but shop around first - there are some very good dashcams out there as well as some turkeys from what I've read up on.

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