[SRT_HC_707]

I"m not very camera savvy. I would like to get something I can use mounted to the windshiled on trips and stuff to capture footage.

I know GoPro is very highly regarded. I really like the Ion SpeedPro 2 (distributed through Walmart $249). The Ion SP2 is targeting driving and has a nice form factor (at least I think so).

Price is not a huge factor but I'd like to stay under $300 unless some very compelling reason to spend more. I wouldn't use it all that much.


What do you guys use/recommend? Again, it's primarly for in car use. Doesn't have to be top of the line but I don't want junk either.

 

[HCone]

Nice post, I am thinking the same thing................

 

[dodgeboy]

You're going to have to make a decision on how important it is to be able to remove it from the car and use it for other things. If you really only want a dash cam (something that only has power when it's plugged in, records in a loop, and is intended to be stuck to a windshield), you can have them for much cheaper than a gopro. I purchased this one for about $80, for my truck: Amazon.com Spy Tec A118 Full 1080P HD Video Car Dashboard Camera - Novatek NT96650 Chipset Aptina AR0330 Lens Stealth Dashboard Covert Mini Cam 170 Super Wide Angle 6G Lens B40 G-Sensor Night Vision Motion Detection Electronics

The video quality is excellent, and it fits well at the top of the windshield. It records when the vehicle is on, and stops when you shut it off (a few seconds after you shut it off).

However, that camera is not really usable for anything other than its intended use of a dash cam. I have a gopro that I use for other things, and it has almost unlimited uses. But honestly, I think it would be a major pain to use a gopro as a dash cam for anything more than some laps on a track. It's big, bulky, and I'm not sure if you can program it to automatically turn on/off with power. I purchased the dash cam to protect myself in the event of an accident. I wanted it running all the time, when the vehicle was started. It could definitely be used to document fun at the track, etc. The video quality is not as good as a gopro hero4, but it's still very good, and plenty good enough for youtube. I intend to buy another one of those dash cams when my hellcat gets here next week.

 

[SRT_HC_707]

Thanks for the info. on the Spy Tec. I've seen reference to that unit (A118 and A118C) on one of the websites. It seems like one of the better ones. Most of those units just seem like some generic camera (not that I'm saying that is bad).

I tend to agree that the Hero is somewhat large and definitely more than I need.

So far I'm leaning toward the Ion Speed Pro 2 but I haven't seen much on it (nobody using it or review of that exact model). I saw them at Walmart right after Christmas the unit I wanted was on sale for $189 but sold out. I looked at some of the other models (same form factor) and they seemed well built to me.

I just don't feel like I know enough about them. I primarily want to capture footage on roatrips and maybe just use it as a dashcam while driving (like you are for 'just in case' purposes).

I can't see using it for much else. I really don't video anything.

Thanks for the input.

 

[AvsBest]

Itronics 100SPW is what I have

 

[TIGwelder]

One of the Papago cameras has GPS and can overlay info like speed. There is a button you can press that will save the last x amount of time to a new file. Normally mode it records in a continous loop.

I was getting ready to look into it myself. If you've watched any of superspeedersRob videos, he explains what they've used. He does say if you use a GoPro that an external mic is best

I plan of buying something soon myself.

May be an old video, but here it is.

 

[SRT_HC_707]

Thanks guys/gals. Keep the info. coming. I"m finding new options and already learned a few things.

Not crazy about the size/form factor but that PapaGo 3 looks like a nice camera. Seems to have some faults too but what doesn't.

Keep the info. coming. I'd really like to get something and I'm even starting to think I may want to use it all the time "just in case" as mentioned in the video and by others on the forum.

 

[Chippy]

Blackvue I have the DR600 in one car now the cat gets the DR650 front and back system. 64g cards amazing pic quality can't even notice them behind rear view mirror. Good luck

 

[rickydl]

Was checking out the DR650. Looks like the best front / rear system out there. On my list!

 

[Chippy]

Korean build quality stuff. I don't ever pull card out of dr600 any more as all wifi including firmware updates now.

 

[LITSOUT]

What are you guys doing for power to your cameras?

 

[Chippy]

Its called the power magic will stay on until a selected battery level so no being stranded. It's usually free in purchase or 40 bucks.

 

[AvsBest]

What chippy said is probably the best. I don't have one, connected to constant power (for the parking mode), forgot it on for 2 weeks without the car and my battery was deader than dead. Had to hook it up to a Tahoe for 30min while reving it to wake it up

 

[SRT_HC_707]

The DR6xx stuff looks nice. If I don't want the rear cam is the DR600 quality as good? I'm googling it now but curious since you have experience with them. Thx.

 

[noboost4you]

Timetec's Road Hawk is another option. I do not have one to give you a personal opinion on its functionality.

Amazon.com Car Black Box -Timetec Road Hawk 1080P HD Car Vehicle Road Traffic Accident Incident Dash Windshield Dashboard Video Audio Camera Recorder Camcorder DVR System Black Box Built in Microphone GPS G Gravity Sensor with SD Memory Card Media Player of Route Tracking 3D Forces Google Map Vehicle Backup Cameras Car Electronics

 

[Chippy]

My DR600 is awesome. That's why I recommend it. The size. Video quality and ease of use are great. It's worked flawlessly that's why I will buy a second one. When I was in China last year these were the most highly desirable there and I was in Shenzen the fake capital of electronics.

 

[hell2pay]

I just got this one,
Robert


Hewlett Packard F210 Dash Camera

 

[SRT_HC_707]

My DR600 is awesome. That's why I recommend it. The size. Video quality and ease of use are great. It's worked flawlessly that's why I will buy a second one. When I was in China last year these were the most highly desirable there and I was in Shenzen the fake capital of electronics.

So far this is the one I'm most interested in. I'm not looking for a rear camera. This unit looks nice. Still checkout out the other recommendations here but I like this unit for my needs. Thanks for the input (everybody).

 

[FreightTrain]

i second the RoadHawk HD , it has GPS that imprints your speed and map location into the file.. file plays on all PCs without the roadhawk software (just wont see speed and location without software), it has G force activation that prevents that video loop from being rewritten, event buttom to hit for same results.. you can call out a plate and hit the button to save it.. see wildlife-hit the button.. has fully adjustable settings for everything.. mic volume, speaker volume, loop length, g force setting, record resolution, etc etc etc the audio recording isnt great but thats not what its made for... its a black box that can be used to prove your innocence

example of a 1 min loop, turn your player to HD in settings when viewing

 

[dodgeboy]

i second the RoadHawk HD , it has GPS that imprints your speed and map location into the file.. file plays on all PCs without the roadhawk software (just wont see speed and location without software), it has G force activation that prevents that video loop from being rewritten, event buttom to hit for same results.. you can call out a plate and hit the button to save it.. see wildlife-hit the button.. has fully adjustable settings for everything.. mic volume, speaker volume, loop length, g force setting, record resolution, etc etc etc the audio recording isnt great but thats not what its made for... its a black box that can be used to prove your innocence

turn your player to HD in settings when viewing

FWIW, the cheap A118 that I linked to earlier in the thread has all of those features as well. Not saying it's a better camera, but I wanted to make sure that apples were being compared to apples. I think the biggest thing the A118 lacks is wifi.