Which dash cam would you recommend?

Privateer

I’ve had RoadHawk HD-2 units for a few years and I’ve been an advocate for them even though I’ve had a number fail on me, i.e. 3 out of 4 units which I’ve had repaired or replaced.

Bo Peep and I are currently on holiday in Jersey and so took a RoadHawk HD-2 and spare with us to record the driving for holiday video clips and also for security, and I change the card each day. However towards the end of the holiday the unit failed so I used the spare and that failed as well, so I may have a faulty power cable but more importantly I have no dash cam.

So the decision is whether I send the units back to RoadHawk or cut my losses and go with another brand.

If I go for another brand I need a dash cam that:

Is reliable
Takes normal sized SD cards, 64gb (I have loads of SD cards for using one a day whilst on holiday)
Records at 1080p HD or more
Excellent day and nigh vision preferably auto adjust ie HDR
Has GPS for date time and tracking
Has high quality bit rate but can record 7 to 9 hours onto a 64gb card on highest bit rate.

I have two vehicles, each has a separate dash cam front and rear. Before any says, yes I am paranoid! Thumbs Up

Thanks,
_________________
Robert.
iPhone 6s Plus, iOS 14.0.1: iOS CamerAlert v2.0.7
TomTom GO Mobile iOS 2.3.1; TomTom (UK & ROI and Europe) iOS apps v1.29
Garmin Camper 770 LMT-D

Kremmen · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 5:39 am Post subject:

The one brand that keeps getting good reviews is Nextbase.

I used a 402g for years before getting a newer 412. I didn't get on with the 412 because they've changed the physical buttons to touch ones. I was forever activating all sorts of things when mounting/dismounting it.

Also, the newer, smaller Nextbase stalk type mount does cause some vibration unless you put a small blob of BluTak into the ball socket before tightening.

Then came the Nextbase 380. Solid vibration free mount, and can be mounted/unmounted one handed without setting anything off.

All the latest Nextbase units take up to 128Gb cards (8 hours recording).

Cons: It doesn't have a polarising filter option.

I like it.

I've never used it at night so I can't comment.

Nextbase themselves only sell them in pairs but you can get them singly via Amazon.

More info on the Nextbase support site (where M8 and I also feature) :

https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/forums/nextbase.233/
_________________
DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3

Privateer · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 8:35 am Post subject:

Hi K,

Thanks for the information and the link, which I’ll examine more closely when I’m back home.

That dash cam forum looks useful too. Thumbs Up

Regards,
_________________
Robert.
iPhone 6s Plus, iOS 14.0.1: iOS CamerAlert v2.0.7
TomTom GO Mobile iOS 2.3.1; TomTom (UK & ROI and Europe) iOS apps v1.29
Garmin Camper 770 LMT-D

Kremmen · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 9:35 am Post subject:

'Nextbase Tiffany' is on dashcamtalk and she provides excellent support including sending out replacement parts foc where necessary.

Yes - do some homework first.

The 380 on Amazon, expensive but I like it : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nextbase-Camera-Commerical-Vertical-Adjustment-Black/dp/B07CGM4XY4
_________________
DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3

DennisN · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 10:04 am Post subject:

I love my NextBase 312GW. Got it in Halfords quite a while ago, only a single one for windscreen forward facing sucker mount, mount stays on windscreen, camera slides off easily from click-magnetic mount, perhaps a bit old hat now, but perfectly good enough for me. A little nighttime use showed it satisfactory. I have it always mounted and running whenever I drive, which can be for very long days and it never seems to object.

BUT I didn't comment earlier, because your problem is it requires Micro SD cards and you want to keep your full size ones.

Off Topic - #Kremmen - if I get a 512, will my existing 312GW cables be OK with it (save me unthreading and re-threading around the van).
_________________
Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

Kremmen · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 11:09 am Post subject:

Yes, all Nextbase units use the same Mini USB.

Reading the complaints on Dashcamtalk re the 512 - don't get the optional rear cam kit as it looks like the front cam reduces in quality/clarity.
_________________
DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3

Kremmen · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 12:27 pm Post subject:

My 380

Sample freeze frame:

_________________
DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3

M8TJT · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 3:38 pm Post subject:

I have a Blackvue DR750S 2CH. 1080p both front and read micro USB 128Gb card.
750 has much better night performance than the 4k DR900S 2CH.
I'm not sure if you can buy one t=with a full size SD card.

Privateer · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2018 1:36 pm Post subject:

DennisN · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2018 1:39 pm Post subject:

My van which I sold five months ago still had two 32gb micro SD cards in it somewhere, spat out by my dash cam of the day (I found the third one).
_________________
Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

Kremmen · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2018 3:20 pm Post subject:

I leave mine in the unit and bring the whole lot in to offload the footage.
_________________
DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3

DennisN · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2018 7:17 pm Post subject:

Me three (now).
_________________
Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

Kremmen · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2018 4:34 am Post subject:

What I like about the 380 is that it's a very solid base to windscreen and I can mount and unmount it in seconds, one handed, nothing moves so no need to realign it every time like my old 402 and 412.
_________________
DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3

Kremmen · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2018 4:36 am Post subject:

No edit function in here !

... and the 380 has a capacitor, not a battery.
_________________
DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3

M8TJT · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2018 8:26 am Post subject:

	PocketGPS
	Web