Mobius Maxi, night, parked sample

The earlier versions of the Mobius were compact, and reliable cameras, but the recorded video at night was pretty lacking.   The Maxi seems to have improved the night video substantially.   I'm running one in my truck now as a second camera, and am happy with it.

Using dash cams with Motion Detection in parked trucks

Most common dash cams have a 'motion detection' setting that is of little use, or users have unrealistic expectations of the camera. I've been playing with a few dash cams that have motion detection to see how useful they may be for use in a parked truck.

I have been leaving at least one of my cams running in the truck, while parked overnight, with the hope of detecting vandals, thieves, and other vehicles that may hit my parked truck while I'm away from it, or sleeping.

In normal operation, a dash cam will continuously record, save segments, and erase the oldest segment on the card by recording a new segment over it.   This is called 'looping'.

How much coverage you  will get on your card depends on the card memory size, and the resolution of your camera.   Most of the 1080p cams will maintain the last 4 hours of video on a 32gb card.
This isn't so bad, if you are sleeping in your truck, and somebody breaking into your truck, or another vehicle backs into you truck and flees before you can really wake up and see much.
You can then review the most recent files on your card and possibly see what or who it was.

If you have left your truck parked somewhere, unattended,  for an extended period of time, with your cam running in normal mode, it's possible the segment containing the information you want, may have been erased.

I see 'motion detection' mode as a strong possibility to give you some extended parking protection, without dealing with elaborate camera or memory systems.

No, you won't catch everything!

One dash cam will only provide coverage in one direction.  If you have it mounted in your windshield, somebody walking up from behind your truck and trying to break in won't start the camera.   Likewise, a vehicle striking  you  from behind isn't likely to  result in much useful video in a forward facing cam.


The goal is to add a little more protection, using a dash cam you have to protect you while driving.

A further limitation on motion detection mode usage in long term parking situations include the battery capacity of the vehicle you have the camera in.
If you are reading this, thinking it will work in the car you park for days at a time, you are out of luck.   While your typical dash cam only draws about .35 amps, it's enough to kill some car batteries after a few days.
(this is not a problem usually in large trucks, which often have 4-8 batteries.)

Few cameras also have a 'pre buffer' capability, meaning they always record, and save a few second of video BEFORE the motion detector sensor is triggered.

Don't expect miracles, but you may be surprised at how often video from this mode is useful.


Let's look at some video clips for motion detection triggered samples from some currently available dash cams.

Here's a Mobius Wide Angle cam on a brightly lit day.  

(All segments start when the cam was triggered, but are not shown in full length)




The next two from a Papago! GoSafe 110, parked in two, different truck stops, with probably better than average lighting.

And the Mobius Wide Angle, again.

Gate City, VA US 23 Why go right, when you can go straight?

Video from two Mobius dashcams, mounted in a tractor trailer.

Newport, TN redlight runner

Video from a Mobius standard lens dash cam, mounted in a tractor trailer.   Inexpensive and reliable, the Mobius quietly documents what happens in front of you.

Mobius lens comparison Wide vs standard, ( tractor trailer dash cams)

This is a 'non technical' example of the different field of views from the Wide Angle, and standard lens Mobius dash cameras.      The cameras are mounted about a foot apart, with each being about  6 inches off from the center of the windshield.

Fun with 4 wheelers Big Truck Dash cam video

Mobius Wide Angle Motion detection mode

I thought I'd play with the 'Motion Detection' mode on one of my spare Mobius, wide angle cams.



You have to configure this via the software program, and the sensitivity and video clip length are variable.



It works 'OK', but doesn't seem to pick up foot traffic.   These are just 3 clips of many.   The cam will continue to record as long as it has power, and will overwrite the oldest clip when full. This mode may be of some use if you park your truck in a remote area, unattended for a days. While it won't detect somebody moving around the truck on foot, it will pick up vehicles. In this use, the limits are card size, and power. Power should not be a problem in a big truck for a few days. You would probably fill the card up, and loop over the older files if you park for a few days in a busy area, like a truck stop.

Pai, Thailand, at night Mobius Wide Angle Dashcam

Most dash cams don't do very well at night.   The Mobius is 'OK'.   I was surprised this video  turned out so well.    
The Mobius is mounted in the top of the windshield, and the top of the video is darker due to the heavy windhshield tinting in the upper section.
 Pai is a small tourist city in NW Thailand, in the mountains near the Myanmar border.    

What is that? Longview, TX

1/4x20 standard tripod 'stick on' mounts

These mounts are handy for both action and dash cams that use a standard 1/4x20 tripod mount! I use one in my tractor trailer. It's attached near the windhsield to the overhead console area, and holds my Mobius.

Adhesive Mount - For Mobius, DR32 and DVR-207 Dash Cameras - $8.95 Adhesive Mount - For Mobius, DR32 and DVR-207 Dash Cameras. Adhesive mount for attaching the DR32 , DVR-207 and Mobius Action Camera to a vehicle dashboard or windshield.

Scenic footage from a dashcam, Snake River, near Clarkston, WA/Lewiston, ID

Footage from my Mobius dashcam The mobius is small, reliable, and produces good quality video.  
The video was accelerated slightly during editing. I'm not really going that fast, and that is not a martian or chipmunk voice on my GPS.

'Professional' truck driver spotting, Rock Hill, SC

It's rare you see such a skilled, and professional trucker like this one.   In this video compiled from two dashcams, you can see how he skillfully plows his way around another truck, waiting to exit a somewhat narrow electronically controlled gate at an Exel warehouse in Rock Hill, SC.
There are two trucks waiting to exit, you have to use the callbox at the gate to get it open, but the blue truck is operated by such an important person who can't wait a few seconds, and has such a high level of truck driving skills, he decides he will make his own roadway.  




Mobius 1080P HD Action Camera - $79.95
from: Spy Tec

Orland, California CA-32 4 wheeler passing in a no passing zone

Video captured on my mobius dash/action cam.

Oakley truck #3402 Can't stay in lane

Oakley isn't doing a good job staying in one lane. I'm not sure if he is texting, on the phone, or falling asleep? Note the Placards.
Video from a Mobius Dash/action cam, mounted in my truck.