The Eken H9 is an inexpensive Action Cam, provided for my use and review by GearBest.com. The video quality is good, and it has a wifi control app you can use on your smartphone. I'm taking this on vacation in a few days, and hope to have some fun with it, and save interesting video!
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!
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?
A majority of motorists follow other vehicles too closely, but when a large truck does it, people can die or be seriously injured. If you see a truck driving this way, try to give them some space. They can kill you. Reporting the driver to the company they work for doesn't always have much impact. If the trucker is driving very dangerously, call the police, and give a truck description, direction, and any other information that may identify the truck. Of course, if you have a dashcam, you can save the video of the event, and post it online. (Which seems to get the attention of the trucking companies, and the driver better than a phone call to the company.)
Along with my dashcams, I usually carry an 'action' cam in my truck when I travel.
Most action cams will easily attach to your windshield with available suction cup type mounts.
They do not replace dedicated 'dashcams'!
Most action cams will not 'loop' video files, and do not have the ability to be powered continuously during use.
My current favorite is my old Contour Roam HD. It's simple to use, rugged, and produces good 1080p video.
Once attached in the windshield, you only need to use one button to start or stop recording. Simple.
Another handy feature is the ability to rotate the lens, altering the orientation of the produced video, or expanding mounting possibilities.
The Contour does have ONE standard tripod mount thread hole on the bottom.
Here's some fresh sample video from the Contour Roam HD, at night, and during the day.
The current model is the Roam2, and I recommend it!
Recently I picked up a JVC Adixxion GC-XA1. I like it, also. The video is good. It does have many more features than the Roam HD. It's also small and appears rugged.
It's not as simple to operate, and I find the various buttons you need to push to operate the camera, or navigate the menu, have a vague feel. You'll need to press two buttons to start initial recording, as opposed to one large slide switch on the Contour.
I've yet to explore the many features of the JVC. I do like the camera, it's just not as easy to use as the Contour, when mounted in a big truck. The LCD screen is a minor convenience. You canv't really do much with it when you are using the camera on a suction cup mount in the windshield
. It's primarily useful for reviewing video when you don't have access to a laptop, or want to connect to one. There are also apps available to review videos via a smartphone, and the built in wifi, but I have not had luck configuring these apps.
The Adixxion has two standard tripod type mount holes, one on the bottom, one on the side. I'm still trying to find a small suction cup mount that will work well in the bottom mounting position, when attached to inside of the truck windshield. (Ideally getting the camera as high up in the windshield as possible.)
I'm using the side attachment thread with a suction cup type mount, currently.
One downside to the Adixxion which surfaced during my normal use. The battery life is not great.
Maybe an hour of continuous use.
I usually stick either the JVC or Adixxion up in the windshield only when anticipating passing through a scenic area, or if the opportunity presents itself in traffic backups. Sometimes I'll leave an action cam mounted in the windshield during the day, flipping it on periodically.
The Contour roam does better in this usage, easier to turn on, and the battery life seems much better.
Amazon does sell a charger battery pack combo that works well, is inexpensive, and works with both Adixxion models. You will want a spare battery if you buy an Adixxion, the battery life is pretty modest.
Here's some video from the JVC Adixxion.
Amazon also sells the Adixxion2, a newer, more expensive model, with more features.
Overall, for occasional use in a truck, the Contour Roam2 wins out. It's much simpler, easy to use.
