Dash-Cam

[sleepless]

Blackboxed.ca
A118 battery version - $80 CAD / $64 USD
Kingston 32gb Class 10 MicroSD - $30 CAD / $24 USD
Hardwire kit - $15 CAD / $12 USD

Discount: -$5
BB Total: $120 CAD / $96.40 USD w/ free shipping
Discount: $-10
BB Total: $115 CAD / $92.40 USD w/ free shipping

Elsewhere
A118 capacitor version: Amazon-$80 / GearBest.com-$66
Samsung EVO 32gb Class 10 MicroSD on Amazon - $17
Hardwire kit by Foxoffer1 on Ebay - $7
Total: $104 USD ($89 w/ GearBest) w/ all free shipping

As far as the A118 (which has been rigorously tested and comes in as the best bang for the buck model, basically a higher performance version of the classic G1W), Blackboxed.ca does not have competitive pricing. Especially if you choose to go for the high temp / capacitor version (A118C) which Blackboxed.ca does not currently offer.

Sorry Kelvin, unless you can do better than $5 and free shipping, shoppers would be better suited buying elsewhere.

Not to mention if US-based customers are dinged with a foreign transaction fee for buying in CAD.

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[opensesame]

I bought my Blackvue dr530w off eBay (free shipping). Everywhere else was at least $50 more or shipping charges. Apparently they are shipping directly from Korea which is where Blackvue is manufactured.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BlackBoxed.ca]

Hi Kelvin,

could you let us know what does the "USB Hardwiring Kit" contain (also pics)? I could not find any info on your website

thanks!

The USB Hardwiring Kit can be found here: http://www.blackboxed.ca/collections/hardwire-kits/products/usb-hardwiring-kit

Kelvin,

Are you carrying / can you offer the A118 Capacitor model? I only see the battery version on your site.

Also, is the discount $5/10 CAD or USD?

Thanks

Sorry, only the battery version at this moment. Prices and discounts are all in CAD. The exchange rate right now is in favour of the USD, so it's a great time to buy if you're in the US. You'll see an even greater discount when buying the more expensive models.

Yes, you will have to up the ante this isn't enough.

Alright! We've revised the initial discount to $9.99 (free shipping) + extra $5.00 off for all orders.

Remember there are also the extra discounts, up to $20 extra, after we've reach enough dash cam purchases.

 

[Chameleon]

Feedback on DR500-HD-16GB?

 

[opensesame]

The USB Hardwiring Kit can be found here: http://www.blackboxed.ca/collections/hardwire-kits/products/usb-hardwiring-kit



While this device allows you to hard wire your dash cam to the car, it does not prevent the dash cam from draining your battery. You want a device that does both. I've got the Blackvue Magic Pro Battery drain prevention device which I highly recommend. I've got it set to turn off 6 hours after car shuts down (parking mode) or whenever it drains below 11.8V.

 

[geokots]

The USB Hardwiring Kit can be found here: http://www.blackboxed.ca/collections/hardwire-kits/products/usb-hardwiring-kit



While this device allows you to hard wire your dash cam to the car, it does not prevent the dash cam from draining your battery. You want a device that does both. I've got the Blackvue Magic Pro Battery drain prevention device which I highly recommend. I've got it set to turn off 6 hours after car shuts down (parking mode) or whenever it drains below 11.8V.

My BlackVue Magic Pro was just delivered today. I hope to get the mini 0806 next week and then I'll book the install.

 

[opensesame]

My BlackVue Magic Pro was just delivered today. I hope to get the mini 0806 next week and then I'll book the install.

If your looking for professional install, check out Lockdown security, They installed mine and their prices are the cheapest (compared to others).

Heres the video in case you missed it.
[ame]

 

[geokots]

If your looking for professional install, check out Lockdown security, They installed mine and their prices are the cheapest (compared to others).

Thanks. I get all my car electronics done at AutoSound Design at Kennedy/7.

 

[BlackBoxed.ca]

The USB Hardwiring Kit can be found here: http://www.blackboxed.ca/collections/hardwire-kits/products/usb-hardwiring-kit



While this device allows you to hard wire your dash cam to the car, it does not prevent the dash cam from draining your battery. You want a device that does both. I've got the Blackvue Magic Pro Battery drain prevention device which I highly recommend. I've got it set to turn off 6 hours after car shuts down (parking mode) or whenever it drains below 11.8V.

Yes, you are correct. Either the Power Magic Pro (from the same company as BlackVue) or the Lukas LK350 will prevent the dash cam from draining your battery if you're leaving the dash cam on. However, it's only recommended to use these kits with a capacitor based dash cams since leaving a dash cam with a battery on while in the summer will harm the battery and shorten its life.

I use the LK350 myself because it lets me check what my battery level is at and change settings on the fly using its little screen.

 

[vanguard]

anyone know where to get mini2 or mini3 fuse taps?

 

[sleepless]

While this device allows you to hard wire your dash cam to the car, it does not prevent the dash cam from draining your battery. You want a device that does both. I've got the Blackvue Magic Pro Battery drain prevention device which I highly recommend. I've got it set to turn off 6 hours after car shuts down (parking mode) or whenever it drains below 11.8V.

Why would you need this?
If you hardwire your cam into your car, you should be wiring it into a SWITCHED power wire - one that is only hot when the car is on. This is easy. There is one available going to the rearview mirror, right when you'd want to install your cam for best visibility.

FYI,

I just installed the MT-2009 9", worked flawlessly in this config does NOT turn off in reverse. It also turns on/off immediately instead of the 10 minute 'comfort battery drain' BS Ford has going on with accessories in the 12v plug.

I do have 401A/ACC, not sure how either of those packages affect the mirror pins though, if at all. I should note the mirror tap leads ended up fitting on mine facing up, on the top side of the molex pins.

Used these pins which I checked myself with my multimeter:

(from: http://www.mustang6g.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13459&page=3)

 

[sleepless]

I would also highly recommend anyone interested in getting a dash cam or a radar detector do the install themselves. It is possibly the easiest install you will ever do. <30 minutes. If you can't do this install, you definitely won't be installing any go-fast parts. If you just don't want to / don't have time, then so be it, but even the automotive ignorant should be able to handle this.

If your looking for professional install, check out Lockdown security, They installed mine and their prices are the cheapest (compared to others).

Heres the video in case you missed it.

 

[sleepless]

Best Dash Cam's Available right now

Via DashCamTalk:

What Should I Look For in a Dashboard Camera?

There are so many dash cams on the market right now, it is often difficult to choose the best camera. Here is what you should look for:

Video Quality

This typically is the number 1 criteria for selecting a dash cam. When purchasing a dash cam, it is important to get one that shoots in high definition (720p or 1080p). You can get a decent HD camera for $60. If you spend less and get a non-HD camera, you will likely be disappointed with the quality. Some vendors are not truthful regarding video quality or are selling fakes. Our dash cam comparison page is a good starting point on identifying a real camera vs a fake.

When reviewing video quality here are some tips.

1. Watch videos in full screen at the highest resolution
2. Watch night videos rather than day videos. Most HD cameras, even the cheaper ones, perform well in the day. To see how well a dash cam really performs, you need to see how it performs in poor lighting conditions.
3. Watch videos from real users, not from the manufacturer. The manufacturer videos usually appear better than real user videos. They may be using a better lens on the camera. They may mount the camera on the outside of the windshield to minimize glare. They may be recording at a higher bit rate. They may record in perfect lighting conditions (night videos in well lit streets). Videos from Russian camera owners are more representative of the video quality than videos shot in Asia.
4. Be wary of videos from review sites, particularly if they are selling the camera. Some review sites get their cameras from the manufacturer. The manufacturer may have provided a “ringer”, a better camera than what is available to purchase.
5. Also look at how wide the recording angle of the video recording. Note that most manufacturers greatly exaggerate the viewing angle. When the real recording angle is known, we have included this information on our dash cam FAQ pages.

Discreetness

When it comes to dash cams, having a discreet camera is key. This means a very small size, ideally that can be mounted behind the rear view mirror. Another factor is color. Black is the least noticeable color for a dash cam and often blends in with the rear view mirror. We are not sure why manufacturers produce dash cams in any color other than black!

The smallest dash cams usually don’t have screens but this typically is not a major issue for most people. We are starting to see rear view mirror dash cams. This idea is great and discreet, unfortunately video quality and reliability have not been best. As technology improves, this might be the ideal dash cam design.

Reliability

Another important factor to consider is reliability. If many users are having serious problems with a dash cam (sensor burning, blurry picture, recording hangs), you should look elsewhere. Look for cameras that can withstand high temperatures, especially if you will be using the dash cam in parking mode. Unfortunately reliability information is difficult to gather. On our dash cam comparison page we have attempted to provide reliability information based on real user feedback. We regularly update this information as we capture more owner feedback.

Processor

Many dash cams advertise what processor the camera is based on. The processor is the CPU of the camera. While the processor is important, the quality of the CMOS sensor and lens are key as well. This is why different dash cams with the same processor can have dramatically different video quality. If you want to learn more about processors, please visit our Dash Cam Processor Page.

Other Things to Look For

There are a few other things to look for when purchasing a dash cam.

• Power adapter length of 3.5M / 11FT or greater. This will allow you to install the wire around the windshield rather than hanging straight down. If the seller does not list the length, ask before purchasing.
• No gaps between video files. Most cameras today have no gaps between the video files (we note if they do as a problem in our dash cam FAQs).
• Some dash cams come with LED lights. Vendors claim the LED lights improve night recording performance. Unfortunately, these LED lights do not improve night recording because they are not powerful enough. They may even cause additional glare from the windshield. If you have LED lights on your dash cam, you are better off keeping the lights off.

 

[sleepless]

Best Dash Cam's Available right now

Via DashCamTalk:

Who Makes Dashboard Cameras?

Dash Cam manufacturers are primarily found in 3 countries: Korea, China and Taiwan. Typically the Korean cameras are higher end and have more features while the Chinese cameras are more affordable but with fewer features. The Taiwanese cameras typically fall in the higher end as well but their cameras are not that discreet.

Visit our Dash Cam Manufacturers page for a comprehensive list of manufacturers.

Where Can I Buy a Dashboard Camera?

When looking for a dash cam, there are numerous sources you can purchase from.

Local Vendors

In some cities, you might be lucky to find a “bricks and mortar” dash cam vendor. These are rare but more retailers are carrying dash cams now. Unfortunately many local vendors sell low quality or fake dash cams. There are some local vendors selling higher quality cams now. The advantage of buying from a local vendor is warranty support if something goes wrong. The main disadvantage is pricing. In many cases, the price is significantly higher than the online price (double or even more).

Authorized Online Vendors

Many of the Korean manufacturers sell through authorized online vendors. These are usually reputable channels but you should confirm how the warranty works with them. Do you need to send it back to Korea for replacement (which can be expensive) or does the vendor deal with warranty issues. Once again, many of the authorized online vendors sell the camera for much more than other channels such as eBay or Amazon. It is best to check the going price on eBay or Amazon to see if the price premium is worth it for warranty coverage.

Amazon

Amazon carries numerous dash cams however the majority are low quality ones or fakes. Many of the reviews on Amazon do not reflect the quality of the cameras. For instance, there are many SD quality cameras (480p) that get great reviews on Amazon even though the picture quality is poor. Make sure you do your research before purchasing a cam on Amazon. As the dash cam market matures, this will likely become a good source for dash cams.

eBay

This is probably the best place to purchase a dash cam right now. You can usually find many of the Chinese cameras here. Also the Korean and Taiwan gray market cameras are sold here as well, often for much cheaper than from authorized channels. eBay and Paypal buyer protection is very good and many of the big dash cam sellers take their reputation seriously. If you are worried about the warranty, you can purchase a 3-year SquareTrade warranty on eBay as well. The SquareTrade warranty even covers gray market items or items from non-authorized dealers. Overall, eBay is a good choice for purchasing dash cams.

Aliexpress

Aliexpress, which is owned by Alibaba, sells a lot of dash cams as well. This is like a Chinese eBay. Unfortunately there are many unscrupulous sellers on Aliexpress. They do not accept Paypal and the buyer protection is limited at best. However there are some reputable vendors here. A good rule of thumb when dealing with Aliexpress is to purchase from vendors with 1000+ feedback.

If the feedback is:
99-100% – good seller
98% – good seller, but if there is something wrong with it, they will not take it back willingly
97% – good seller, but if there is something wrong, you are out of luck
96% – a bit of a lottery, cross your fingers that your item will work, if not, you are out of luck
95% – a bigger lottery, buy only if the item you are interested in has a lot of reviews with positive feedback
94% or lower – never buy from these sellers

A tip for Aliexpress is to search for the dash cam you are looking for and sort by number of orders. You want to be buying a cam that many others have already purchased and have left good feedback.

DX.com

DX.com (formerly DealExtreme) has a large selection of Chinese dash cams as well. Unfortunately the descriptions are often vague and do not include key information such as firmware version or processor. It is difficult to determine the fakes from originals. Check feedback carefully before purchasing.

Online Dealers

There are many online dealers, particularly from China and Korea, that sell dash cams. When purchasing directly, you have limited buyer protection unlike Amazon, eBay, Aliexpress or DX.com. Research carefully before purchasing since if something goes wrong you may not get any support.

What is more important than choosing the site to purchase from, is choosing a reputable vendor. We are compiling information on sellers in our vendor forum. If you have had a positive or negative experience with a vendor, please share with everyone.

 

[sleepless]

Best Dash Cam's Available right now

Via TechMoan:

Here are my personal favourites:

Tiny camera without a screen - The Mobius
The do-it-all mount-anywhere 1080p Micro Cam

Tiny camera with a screen - The Mini 0803
Probably The Best Mini Dashcam with a Screen

Cheapest camera that works - The G1W
The cheapest Dash-Cam that’s worth buying.

Odd shaped camera that hides well at the top of a windscreen - The A118
The A118 / B40 Wedge Dashcam

Expensive, excellent but bulky camera with top notch video - Vico Marcus 4
Vico Marcus 4 Cinemascope Dash-Cam

Front & Rear Camera with dual 1080p recording - Vico Marcus 5
Watch your back - with the Vico Marcus 5 Dual 1080p Dash-Cam

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