Nationwide Van Lines trailer 5636 Georgia I-95

Mobius Wide angle lens video samples (tractor trailer)

The Mobius is a small, reliable, and inexpensive 'action' cam that will also function well as a dashcam.

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.

SUV uses a shortcut to get around backup on I-70

The first segment of video is from an A118-C dashcam, the second from a Mobius, standard lens dash cams. Both are dashcams I recommend for truckers, inexpensive, and reliable.

Yorkville, IL Car goes around traffic waiting at red light by using l...

Video from a Mobius standard lens dash/action cam.



People who take illegal 'shortcuts' like this person, cause accidents.



Of course, he probably felt he was too important to wait in line for the green light, or too smart.

Impatient SUV passes truck on right, near miss Illinois

This is video from a Mobius, standard lens, dash cam.   The mobius is very small, discrete, and pretty reliable.    It's about the size of a match box, if you remember what those are?

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.    

Thailand road traffic, trucks, buses, and other

Assorted highway video from my travels in Thailand, earlier this year.    Video is from a Mobius, wide angle dashcam.

White minivan takes a shortcut around slow traffic Covington, KY I-75

Video from a Mobius dash cam in a tractor trailer.

Cropduster over I-55, Arkansas

Video from a Mobius standard lens dashcam.

Living with two 'budget' dashcams, the Mobius, and A118C, in an OTR Tractor Trailer

The image quality is comparable.   The A118C has a wider angle lens than the standard Mobius, lens.
In the following video, a segment from Mobius 'A' model is first, followed by video of the same event from an A118C.  Both are around $80 through online retailers.

Both cameras are pretty easy to use, the Mobius does require a laptop or android phone to configure.
I've not had luck with the android program, but I have not messed with it much.   You will need the appropriate cable or adapter to use an Android phone to program a Mobius.   I use my laptop, much easier, never even pull the card out, or remove the cam from the windshield.   I'm powering both cams from a 2 way Cig Lighter outlet, with 2 USB ports, attached to the normal 'CB' wiring in the overhead console.  (I don't run a CB, anyway)     On my truck it's easy to use USB cables to power the cams, and tuck the wires  away in the cracks of the wonderful plastic interior material of my 'South of the Border' made Cornbinder.   Easy, looks neat.    Not much in the way of dangling wires.  Moves or removes in seconds.


A118 HD 1080p Car Dash Camera - $79.95
from: Spy Tec

I have not messed with the GPS on the A118C.   Other than keeping the time updated on the Cam, not sure how useful it will be for me?    I want video.   If I am in a major accident, the black box features on this annoying truck will provide more info than any aftermarket electronic device will.
(Oh, you didn't know these new trucks spy on you?)

Both cams are good for the price, but make sure you understand what you are dealing with.  No dashcam seems to do well at night.       The 'motion detection' features of some mostly seem useless, and cause more problems than they are worth.
The screen on the A118C is ok.   You  aren't going to see much when it's mounted, and in the normal mounting position in a tractor trailer.  It's mostly an indication you have it pointed the right way, and it's working.    
The mobius has no screen, and only a few small LEDS that will indicate functions.    I have configured mine to operate automatically.  On, when the power is on, off when the power (Key) is off.   I have yet to touch the three buttons on the Mobius, although you'd need to use them if you  use a Mobius as an action cam, and they are very popular in the RC World.



Please avoid the dashcams you may see for sale at the chain truckstops. They're usually overpriced, and of modest quality. Do you think you are really buying a 'name brand' cam when you buy a Garmin or Cobra at the truckstops?



Those dashcams are made in the same chinese factories, under contract, as many 'no name' cameras, and often the 'no name' has better video, online support and information, at half the price.



 Here is a sample of night video from both dashcams.

Also see '3 reliable dash cams for your truck under $100."

Mount Shasta, through a bug splattered windshield

Video from a Mobius standard lens dash camera.

The Wayward Bus First Student bus #82, St, Louis, MO 05-30-15

This 'First Student' bus can't stay in one lane!

Video from an A118-C, and Mobius (Standard lens) Dashcams.

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

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!

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