ADS
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Monday, April 27, 2015
A118-C 1080p HD Dash Camera w/ Capacitor
This is a dashcam that looks promising to me. (Do I really need another one?)
A118 HD 1080p Car Dash Camera - $79.95
from: Spy Tec
from: Spy Tec
The video is good, and it has some nice 'stealth' features. There is also an inexpensive GPS module available. This cam is better suited for a 'semi-permanent' installation, due to the use of sticky tape to mount it to the windshield. It's not impossible to move from car to car, but not as simple as using a suction cup mount. I do intend to try one of these out!
Check the details and reviews on this cam at SpyTec.
Using a mobius as a Dashcam, only? Try a Super Capacitor, or Hard Wire kit!
If you are using a Mobius as a dashcam, you are better off changing the internal battery with a 'Super Capacitor'. The OEM battery works fine for 'action cam' or occasional dashcam use, but the unit does get warm. A 'Super capacitor' is inexpensive, easy to install, and the way to go for dashcam use!
Super Capacitor For Mobius Action Camera - $8.95
from: Spy Tec
Thinking of a more permanent installation? Why not use a 'hard wire' kit? This will give you a much neater setup, more discrete, and get rid of most exposed wiring. You'll have to evaluate your vehicle to see if it will work for you. It's much easier if you have some sort of power source, perhaps in an overhead console, but it's still very possible to route the wiring around the edge of your windshield, and down to the dash area. The hard wire kits have enough wire to do this, and they will work with any cam that uses a micro USB, or even any electronic device that does. Want to make your GPS install look neater? Have you priced replacement cigarette lighter plug power cords for you GPS?
G1W Dash Cam Hard Wire Kit Mini USB - $9.95
from: Spy Tec
Super Capacitor For Mobius Action Camera - $8.95
from: Spy Tec
Want to see what a stock Mobius battery looks like after a year of use as a dashcam?
That's the OEM battery in the silver wrapper, and the new Super Capacitor to the right of it.
See how puffed out the OEM battery is?
Changing to a Capacitor is easy, and takes maybe 5 minutes. If you are going to use a Mobius as a dashcam, only, buy the Super Capacitor at the same time you buy your cam!
The Super Capacitor is not a battery. You must have power connected to your Mobius for the camera to work. That means, if you connect your power lead to a 'key on' electrical source, the mobius will only work when the ignition key is 'on'.
This is fine for dashcam use, and your cam runs cooler, and will last longer.
Make sure you adjust your parameters on the Mobius to allow the mobius to save the last file and shut down immediately when power is lost, or turned off, or you may lose your last file.
Thinking of a more permanent installation? Why not use a 'hard wire' kit? This will give you a much neater setup, more discrete, and get rid of most exposed wiring. You'll have to evaluate your vehicle to see if it will work for you. It's much easier if you have some sort of power source, perhaps in an overhead console, but it's still very possible to route the wiring around the edge of your windshield, and down to the dash area. The hard wire kits have enough wire to do this, and they will work with any cam that uses a micro USB, or even any electronic device that does. Want to make your GPS install look neater? Have you priced replacement cigarette lighter plug power cords for you GPS?
G1W Dash Cam Hard Wire Kit Mini USB - $9.95
from: Spy Tec
Make sure you use a power source that is 'off' when the key is off!
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
I thought we would die, on the way to Pai (2)
Dashcam video from a Mobius wide angle lens cam, on the road to Pai, Thailand, on a Sunday afternoon in January. Traffic was heavy, and crazy.
The road leading to Pai is somewhat famous, and has over 400 curves.
The mobius action/dashcam is small, inexpensive, and produces good video!
Mobius 1080P HD Action Camera Wide-Angle
from: Spy Tec
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Make sure your dashcam is working!
I've been running dashcams for a few years in a tractor trailer, and they will sometimes fail, or lock up.
Make sure your cam is mounted where you can easily determine it's working, and functioning properly. You may even want to download some video segments occasionally just to make sure. (weekly, monthly?)
With a small camera like the mobius, there is a very small LED that flashes, and it can be a bit hard to see in daylight, depending on where you mount the cam. You need to be able to readily see whatever indicator your cam has that it is functioning normally.
On some cams with a digital screen, there may be flashing indicator on that screen. If this indicator is on an LCD screen that may wash out in sunlight, or blank out under heat, you can't easily tell it's still functioning. (One reason I like the Mobius.....simple, small, and even if it locks up, easy to re-set) You will also want to consider buying a super capacitor to replace the Mobius battery, if you are using the Mobius as a Dashcam. I have had memory cards fail, as well as cameras shut down or lock up in the heat of the windshield. I've also begun re-formatting my memory cards occasionally. (when there is no video you need to save on that card.)
Most of us use these cams for protection. Don't ignore them, even the best cam can let you down!
EVERY dashcam I have owned, and there have been maybe a dozen, have failed at some point, or shut down briefly. The mobius is more reliable with some occasional maintenance. (Flash settings, format, etc) Don't ignore your cam! The video you want, or need, may not be there, when you really need it.
The most common failure I have had with dashcams is card failure.
Avoid Sandisk cards in a dashcam, they're not bad cards, but have a high failure rate in dashcams.
Format your card on a regular basis. This seems to help the card survive longer.
With a small camera like the mobius, there is a very small LED that flashes, and it can be a bit hard to see in daylight, depending on where you mount the cam. You need to be able to readily see whatever indicator your cam has that it is functioning normally.
On some cams with a digital screen, there may be flashing indicator on that screen. If this indicator is on an LCD screen that may wash out in sunlight, or blank out under heat, you can't easily tell it's still functioning. (One reason I like the Mobius.....simple, small, and even if it locks up, easy to re-set) You will also want to consider buying a super capacitor to replace the Mobius battery, if you are using the Mobius as a Dashcam. I have had memory cards fail, as well as cameras shut down or lock up in the heat of the windshield. I've also begun re-formatting my memory cards occasionally. (when there is no video you need to save on that card.)
Most of us use these cams for protection. Don't ignore them, even the best cam can let you down!
EVERY dashcam I have owned, and there have been maybe a dozen, have failed at some point, or shut down briefly. The mobius is more reliable with some occasional maintenance. (Flash settings, format, etc) Don't ignore your cam! The video you want, or need, may not be there, when you really need it.
The most common failure I have had with dashcams is card failure.
Avoid Sandisk cards in a dashcam, they're not bad cards, but have a high failure rate in dashcams.
Format your card on a regular basis. This seems to help the card survive longer.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)