Crash for Cash

I've got avrmobiles coming to fit a Thinkware F770 for me on Thursday, they both (the installer and the dash cam) get really good reviews.

Will let you know how I get on.

p.s. the batteries for dashcams are INSANELY expensive (almost as much as the dash cam and fitting itself) when compared to similar "non-dash cam" batteries. Any idea why?
 
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Krash said:
I've got avrmobiles coming to fit a Thinkware F770 for me on Thursday, they both (the installer and the dash cam) get really good reviews.

Will let you know how I get on.

p.s. the batteries for dashcams are INSANELY expensive (almost as much as the dash cam and fitting itself) when compared to similar "non-dash cam" batteries. Any idea why?
Click to expand...

Why are you even considering a dash cam that runs on a battery?
 
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Capacitor based dash cams are best. On top of that, you should get power batt pack.
That prevents from car battery discharge.

Blackvue's are good also, I heard


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KrisKrk said:
Capacitor based dash cams are best. On top of that, you should get power batt pack.
That prevents from car battery discharge.

Blackvue's are good also, I heard


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Click to expand...
Yeah I've had a blackvue for the last two almost three years and cannot fault it. One of the best buys I've made.
 
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Check out the Nextbase 512GW, that seems to be getting good reviews.

I have self fitted front and rear in mine, both cost under £100 and they do the job......also gets me 10% off my insurance ;)



 
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CarloS3 said:
Why are you even considering a dash cam that runs on a battery?
Click to expand...
I don't think he means battery powered as such... I assume @Krash is looking at something like a cellink b to use while the car is off, as opposed to the car battery? I think @Rob2k68 has one and rates it highly
 
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CarloS3 said:
Yeah I've had a blackvue for the last two almost three years and cannot fault it. One of the best buys I've made.
Click to expand...

I considered the Blackvue (that and the thinkware are the only two decent 2ch ones around) and I don't think there's much between them - just preferred the thinkware / got a better deal.

S32B said:
Check out the Nextbase 512GW, that seems to be getting good reviews.

I have self fitted front and rear in mine, both cost under £100 and they do the job......also gets me 10% off my insurance ;)



Click to expand...


Agreed, I was tempted by the Nextbase (though not self fitting!) but the convenience of having both recordings go to the same SD card and the size of the rear camera for the thinkware pushed me in that direction.

azibux1 said:
I don't think he means battery powered as such... I assume @Krash is looking at something like a cellink b to use while the car is off, as opposed to the car battery? I think @Rob2k68 has one and rates it highly
Click to expand...

Correct, the batteries you can get can provide something like a 40+ hour charge to the camera when used in "parking mode". At £75 - £100 I might have gone for it, or paid the exorbitant £250+ if I was going to leave the vehicle in car parks a lot.

But I'm not, and as it's costing £330 including fitting, £250 for the battery is nuts.
 
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Krash said:
I've got avrmobiles coming to fit a Thinkware F770 for me on Thursday, they both (the installer and the dash cam) get really good reviews.

Will let you know how I get on.

p.s. the batteries for dashcams are INSANELY expensive (almost as much as the dash cam and fitting itself) when compared to similar "non-dash cam" batteries. Any idea why?
Click to expand...

Just looked at their website, which is full of good info. Will be good to hear how you get on.

Not having much of a clue about these things, I probably now have more questions than answers.

How do they conceal cables etc as I'm not keen on them disturbing too much of the trim (I hate rattles and squeaks).
I reckon I need the premium hardwire kit as I want it to record when parked up?
No idea if I need the magic battery pack thing?
Not totally clear on what memory card I need, even after looking at the recording times?

Would welcome opinions.
 
Audi Bairn said:
Just looked at their website, which is full of good info. Will be good to hear how you get on.

Not having much of a clue about these things, I probably now have more questions than answers.

How do they conceal cables etc as I'm not keen on them disturbing too much of the trim (I hate rattles and squeaks).
I reckon I need the premium hardwire kit as I want it to record when parked up?
No idea if I need the magic battery pack thing?
Not totally clear on what memory card I need, even after looking at the recording times?

Would welcome opinions.
Click to expand...

They remove the roof trim and hide it behind there - one of the reasons I don't want to self-install is I don't want to make a mess of it (and these guys have done quite a few with good feedback).
Yes, parking mode requires it to be connected to the fuse box / hardwired.
Most the cameras have two modes in "parking" mode:
1 - 1 frame per second, constantly (most energy drain)
2 - Motion activated (minor drain to power the g-sensor, then turns on to catch the seconds after / perpetrator driving off).

So if you're leaving it stood for long periods, or prefer option 1, you need / it is recommended you get the battery.
Option 2 is fine without it, within reason (but you should add a battery voltage check to your normal maintenance routine if you've got any dash cam installed at all).

Regards the memory card, the dash cams seem quite erratic in this regard, a lot of people say card A does work, a lot say the opposite.

They are regarded as a "consumable" in dash cam use so you'll need a spare, for sure. I've bought a 128gb Samsung Evo to test in the thinkware, will advise as to success when I get it working.
 
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Krash said:
They remove the roof trim and hide it behind there - one of the reasons I don't want to self-install is I don't want to make a mess of it (and these guys have done quite a few with good feedback).
Yes, parking mode requires it to be connected to the fuse box / hardwired.
Most the cameras have two modes in "parking" mode:
1 - 1 frame per second, constantly (most energy drain)
2 - Motion activated (minor drain to power the g-sensor, then turns on to catch the seconds after / perpetrator driving off).

So if you're leaving it stood for long periods, or prefer option 1, you need / it is recommended you get the battery.
Option 2 is fine without it, within reason (but you should add a battery voltage check to your normal maintenance routine if you've got any dash cam installed at all).

Regards the memory card, the dash cams seem quite erratic in this regard, a lot of people say card A does work, a lot say the opposite.

They are regarded as a "consumable" in dash cam use so you'll need a spare, for sure. I've bought a 128gb Samsung Evo to test in the thinkware, will advise as to success when I get it working.
Click to expand...

Brilliant info mate, thanks for your help.
I think I'd be fine with option 2 above. Although I'd need to work out how to check the battery voltage and know what to look for lol
 
No worries, as an aside I was looking at something like this to do the voltage check:

Amazon product
 
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The installation is now complete and I'm very pleased with it- the installer (Andy) was very neat and tidy (save for a great big greasy paw print on the inside of my rear window....).

Very knowledgeable, stayed whilst I connected to WiFi and talked me through some of the options.

All in all, initial impressions are very good.
 
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Krash said:
The installation is now complete and I'm very pleased with it- the installer (Andy) was very neat and tidy (save for a great big greasy paw print on the inside of my rear window....).

Very knowledgeable, stayed whilst I connected to WiFi and talked me through some of the options.

All in all, initial impressions are very good.
Click to expand...

Sounds like it was a good experience al in all.
Might contact them then too.
Was there much disturbing of trim or any noticeable visual after effects?
 
I use the Thinkware F770 with the Cellink B battery too, and think it's great. The battery is so expensive because it's high capacity basically.
 
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If you want a blackvue camera cheap they have a outlet store on ebay. You still get a 1 year warranty with them. Mine the box was damaged but everything in the box was brand new
 
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Audi Bairn said:
Sounds like it was a good experience al in all.
Might contact them then too.
Was there much disturbing of trim or any noticeable visual after effects?
Click to expand...

If you have instagram mate theres a guy in glasgow thats meant to be good and reasonably priced @dashcamman


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