In car dash cams

[Andyb123]

Hi all,

Part of the reason I am now enjoying the pleasures of an XJL is due to a recent rear end crash in my previous car which was a XF 2.2 diesel. Since then I have been looking to install a dash cam have looked around and found a few possible models one I particularly like is a model called the Blackvue DR650GW-2CH which has both a forward and rear facing cam units. My question is has anyone experience of these units and how easy are they to fit to the Jag electrical system especially the newer models which have so much in the way of electronic systems in them.

Cheers and hope to catch up with some of you at the upcoming meet in Brighton.

Andy

 

[JOE-DOT-COM]

Hi andy

There quite straight forward to fit, most of them plug in the cigerette socket, better ones you can hardwire in

basically you mount front and rear cameras and then run the wires around the screen, tuck it in the trim, down the dash then under the door step plastic trims to the rear cam the same, up the side of the seat, around the screen to rear cam

most have a rechargeable battery built in, so when you switch ignotion on cameras come on, when ignition goes off they just shutoff in there own time under there own battery

I added a link at the bottom, it same sort of money as the one your looking at, but has front collision warning built in, for when you get to close to the car in front, it has lane depature warning, for when you drifting out of lane on motorways and also has all speed camera warnings built in, these can be switch off as well

if you looking at that on have a look at this one as well http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/THINKWARE-F750-Complete-Kit-Front-Rear-Car-Charger-Hard-Wire-32GB-64GB-/301799655597?hash=item4644a948ad:g:uHkAAOSwuAVWy0QZ

cheers

Joe

[Old_Growler]

I use a DOD LS 460w..My own PERSONAL opinion is to keep mum!  to insurance companies even if their is an offer of a few quid reduction in insurance. As these can be a double edged sword if needed for evidence

Unless the manufacture does an optional hard wiring kit or your an electrical expert don't remove the plug as most contain parts inside to lower and stabilize the voltage.

[Andyb123]

Hi Joe-Dot-Com and Old_Growler,

 

Really appreciate the great advice and details, maybe we can catch up at the Brighton meet if you're going down there, would love to see how you have fitted these things and get a bit of first hand advice. I also take on board the question about insurance and how it could be a double edged sword, very true when you think about it..

Joe that short trailer quality was great given that it was in compressed format, I thought that would be adequate but expect the actual footage  will be even better then. I have got to be honest that when it comes to electrical issue and fitting things in the car I am a total wuz and much prefer an experienced electric installer to do the job so that I don't do any damage.

 

Regards,

Andy

[Old_Growler]

1 hour ago, Andyb123 said:

Hi Joe-Dot-Com and Old_Growler,

 

Really appreciate the great advice and details, maybe we can catch up at the Brighton meet if you're going down there, would love to see how you have fitted these things and get a bit of first hand advice. I also take on board the question about insurance and how it could be a double edged sword, very true when you think about it..

Joe that short trailer quality was great given that it was in compressed format, I thought that would be adequate but expect the actual footage  will be even better then. I have got to be honest that when it comes to electrical issue and fitting things in the car I am a total wuz and much prefer an experienced electric installer to do the job so that I don't do any damage.

 

Regards,

Andy

Many say disable the MPH..But the GPS shown on each frame is evidence of speed vs distance! As for voice recording..A roll of gaffa tape cures SLOW DOWN SLOW DOWN..from the wife..There handy to have because the built in battery allows to remove it from the car and use to take photo shots of any accident scene plus the DOD has a built in torch light

[DAN@ADRIAN FLUX]

Hi,

Just to let you know that a number of our insurance  scheme do offer discounts of up to 15% for fitment of an approved in-car camera.

https://www.adrianflux.co.uk/dash-cam-insurance/

Regards,

Dan.

[Andyb123]

Hi All,

Well I finally settled on a Thinkware 750 dash cam as it has a few extras that made it a worth while choice; lane departure warning, fixed speed warnings, it even informs you about common mobile speed camera locations - cleaver that one and also you can set it up to warn if your getting to close to the car in front all very useful when your getting tired on a long journey. The cam was fitted by Dash-Witness from who I bought the unit, there engineer arrived on time and set to on the installation, he was very thorough and took great care with the car treating it with respect. The finished job looks great no wires showing any where apart from just where the cables join the main front cam, same story for the rear cam. Guy then took time to help set it up and explain how to use the cam.

Film footage so far is nothing short of perfect, the various warning are spot on especially the fixed speed cameras, you get an initial  warning about the camera then further warning as you get close, the unit even highlights the speed of the road i.e. 30 mph speed camera ahead etc. Using the phone to view recordings is relatively simple although I have two small criticisms the first is why are the recordings in 1 minute periods, surely 5 mins or longer would be better - on a long journey you are going to rack up a huge number of files. Finding a specific bit of footage is difficult due to the large number of overall recordings. I suspect however in the event of a crash the actual even is highlighted and saved in a separate file for ease of retrieval.

I am however still learning how set it up properly as there are so many different adjustments to make dependant on your cars set up, so will continue to play with the unit and try to optimise the unit and see how it all pans out down the road.

 

Cheers,

Andy