| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
PeteB
Occasional Visitor
Joined: Oct 23, 2003
Posts: 22
Location: Hopton UK
|
 Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 1:56 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
| Darren wrote: |
I know they don't offer 360º coverage but they can be a huge help should you be involved in an accident. |
There is another model with two lenses, one forward and one rearward if that's important. I went for the DC-1 because it was so neat, and didn't want an external GPS sensor (the internal one on my DC-1 works just fine on my Prius).
Nonetheless, a forward facing camera can still be useful if hit from the side or rear as it can still show whether your vehicle was 'correctly proceeding' or not and shows what led up to the incident.
I know someone with a camera that was hit from behind, and the other driver claimed he stopped abruptly with no warning. The video evidence clearly showed him slowing gently as he approached a vehicle waiting to turn right, and an obvious lurch before he had stopped from the impact.
Regards, PeteB
Last edited by PeteB on Fri Jan 25, 2013 2:21 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
PeteB
Occasional Visitor
Joined: Oct 23, 2003
Posts: 22
Location: Hopton UK
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 2:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Panet wrote: | | It would be great if it had a 'park mode' ... |
The old DC-1 that I have with the hard-wire kit has this (so I'm surprised it isn't on the new one), but you have to manually activate it (otherwise it continues to record in full mode, which uses more memory as it's higher definition and records the GPS data (not much use when the car is stationary!). When you start moving again it automatically reboots into normal mode (but you'll miss out if you have a crash in the 13 or so seconds this takes!).
I did feed back to Roadhawk a suggestion that future version of the firmware started this mode automatically if the car is stationary for more than a user selectable period.
As others have said, the hardwire kit cuts power if the voltage drops to save the car's battery going flat.
Regards, PeteB |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
karlnewsome
Lifetime Member
Joined: Jun 26, 2006
Posts: 8
Location: Derby
|
| Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 2:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Towergate insurance company issue the roadhawk camera free to truckers who are insured with them, quiet a few of the drivers I know have them fitted. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
beachman
Occasional Visitor
Joined: Mar 13, 2007
Posts: 10
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 3:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
dont forget roadhawk records audio as well;
careful what you say to others, also the wife or girl friend :twisted: |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
xiiipaul
Occasional Visitor
Joined: Jan 08, 2010
Posts: 17
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 3:51 pm Post subject: Roadhawk HD park mode |
|
|
| PeteB wrote: | | Panet wrote: | | It would be great if it had a 'park mode' ... |
The old DC-1 that I have with the hard-wire kit has this (so I'm surprised it isn't on the new one), but you have to manually activate it (otherwise it continues to record in full mode, which uses more memory as it's higher definition and records the GPS data (not much use when the car is stationary!). When you start moving again it automatically reboots into normal mode (but you'll miss out if you have a crash in the 13 or so seconds this takes!).
I did feed back to Roadhawk a suggestion that future version of the firmware started this mode automatically if the car is stationary for more than a user selectable period.
As others have said, the hardwire kit cuts power if the voltage drops to save the car's battery going flat.
Regards, PeteB |
The HD does have the parked mode as per the DC1 unit but to avoid the eventual flat battery you must wire it with the hard wiring kit. Mine provides great video protection to the rear of my property as well as protecting the car! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Darren
Frequent Visitor
Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40
Posts: 23848
Location: Hampshire, UK
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 4:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| beachman wrote: | dont forget roadhawk records audio as well;
careful what you say to others, also the wife or girl friend  |
You can disable audio if you wish.
_________________
Darren Griffin |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TonyIshUk
Occasional Visitor
Joined: Aug 10, 2005
Posts: 52
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 8:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I have been using the previous Roadhawk for a couple of years, and purchased a windscreen sucker unit from Roadhawk that I use on hire cars. (The driving in rural NZ (Ut-land), leaves little to the imagination ;-)
Is the video quality much improved over the previous version ?
(from memory VGA 640 X 480, but could be wrong)
Thanks |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Darren
Frequent Visitor
Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40
Posts: 23848
Location: Hampshire, UK
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 8:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| TonyIshUk wrote: | | Is the video quality much improved over the previous version ? |
Yes, that's the main change! It's now High Definition at 720p (1280×720) or 1080p (1920×1080)
The quality difference is immediately obvious. Take a look at the sample vide to see for yourself.
_________________
Darren Griffin |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
xiiipaul
Occasional Visitor
Joined: Jan 08, 2010
Posts: 17
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 8:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Darren wrote: | | TonyIshUk wrote: | | Is the video quality much improved over the previous version ? |
Yes, that's the main change! It's now High Definition at 720p (1280×720) or 1080p (1920×1080)
The quality difference is immediately obvious. Take a look at the sample vide to see for yourself. |
I can second that comment. On the Dc1 video quality was ok but on the HD I have found it to be pin sharp and number plates are easily readable.
I have tried the 'cheaper' options for camera data logging and have come to the conclusion that the Roadhawksmart are the most reliable and the HD model is well worth the extra money over the DC1 model. ( I don't work for the company either, just a consumer!) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TonyIshUk
Occasional Visitor
Joined: Aug 10, 2005
Posts: 52
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 8:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thx for the speedy reply 
The downloads I have seen all seem to be taken from a screen shot of the Roadhawk interface program, not raw footage. Are there any samples of the actual clips taken by the camera ?
I assume that the raw footage can be played on any mp4 software player (VLC, Quicktime eyc)
Rgds |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
xiiipaul
Occasional Visitor
Joined: Jan 08, 2010
Posts: 17
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 8:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| TonyIshUk wrote: | Thx for the speedy reply
The downloads I have seen all seem to be taken from a screen shot of the Roadhawk interface program, not raw footage. Are there any samples of the actual clips taken by the camera ?
I assume that the raw footage can be played on any mp4 software player (VLC, Quicktime eyc)
Rgds |
I play it on the software provided (also available from Roadhawk web site) but it works on windows media player as a video. I've just formatted my sd card so I won't have any footage until tomorrow but difference IS very noticeable! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Darren
Frequent Visitor
Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40
Posts: 23848
Location: Hampshire, UK
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 9:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| TonyIshUk wrote: | | The downloads I have seen all seem to be taken from a screen shot of the Roadhawk interface program, not raw footage. Are there any samples of the actual clips taken by the camera ? |
the download linked at bottom of my review has a mix of raw footage and the edited version showing application in action
| Quote: | | I assume that the raw footage can be played on any mp4 software player (VLC, Quicktime eyc) |
Have you read my review? I answered this 
_________________
Darren Griffin |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
TonyIshUk
Occasional Visitor
Joined: Aug 10, 2005
Posts: 52
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 9:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Many thanks for all your replies.
I have taken another look at the video and take your points
I did read your review, but got overtaken wondering why the video was not playing properly on my rather elderly laptop.
It seemed that using Quicktime decided to upgrade itself as it had not been used for a while whilst the antivirus decided to upgrade the engine and database !!!!
Wondering why the video was playing at about a frame a second 
Seems time to relegate the older unit to the back window to spy on tailgaters, who seem to love our Toyota IQ. Its when I look in the mirror and see the whites of the drivers eyes, I know they are too close ! Does not apply to vans, as all I can see is the makers marque on the grill.
Rgds |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Wishlist
Lifetime Member
Joined: Mar 10, 2005
Posts: 160
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 11:27 am Post subject: |
|
|
I looked at one of these before it was quite as good as it is now but stumbled upon an iPhone app called Witness Driving for 69p (it was at the time) which turned the phone into a black box. It did mean I had to hardwire a power supply to the phone but I have been using it for ages now and am surprised more people don't?! It's worth a punt at that price anyway. BTW I have no connection whatsoever with the Witness guys but thought its worth a mention.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
xiiipaul
Occasional Visitor
Joined: Jan 08, 2010
Posts: 17
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 11:44 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Wishlist wrote: | | I looked at one of these before it was quite as good as it is now but stumbled upon an iPhone app called Witness Driving for 69p (it was at the time) which turned the phone into a black box. It did mean I had to hardwire a power supply to the phone but I have been using it for ages now and am surprised more people don't?! It's worth a punt at that price anyway. BTW I have no connection whatsoever with the Witness guys but thought its worth a mention. |
Great idea and tremendous value. I think for the basic road cam functions it's as good as any. If you want data logging and GPS tracking and incident recording then you need a more intricate product. I would recommend starting with he iPhone app and once you are convinced of the merits investigate the high end products like the Roadhawk which I have found to be perfect. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
![]() Posted: Today Post subject: Pocket GPS Advertising |
|
|
We see you’re using an ad-blocker. We’re fine with that and won’t stop you visiting the site.
Have you considered making a donation towards website running costs?. Or you could disable your ad-blocker for this site. We think you’ll find our adverts are not overbearing!
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
Forum FAQ
Search
Usergroups
Profile
Log in for private messages
Log in
