Calling Kenny: Dashcam Info/Pics

[azstonie]

Hey Kenny: Sorry its taken me this long to get back to re the dashcams. Thought I should call you in a thread title in case you gave up on the other thread.

I ordered a Vantrue OnDash X2 from Amazon. When I got it, it was on a Lightening deal for $99; I think the non-deal price is $139 which is reasonable for what you get. It seemed to me that there are "cheapies" for under $100 that quit on you fast and are unreliable performers, not a good thing in a dashcam. Then there are superexpensive ones for around $300.

One thing about this company: They are BEYOND responsive and they give a damn. I had a question, I emailed them per their manual and BOOM in less than 12 hours I had a response, and it was a response to my actual question and was the 'right' answer, no need for further back-and-forth, although I read several pages of their Amazon comments for this dashcam and they will email you or speak with you on the phone if you need more help than a quick reply. In every instance they have made the customer happy, including refund. I like that kind of customer service, its basically the Costco model of "The customer is always right."

So it wouldn't be a risky purchase.

Okay. You want the actual dashcam and you will also buy the Samsung 64 EVO Plus microSDXC UHS-I card with SD adapter (also bought this on Amazon). DO NOT buy something else; get this one. The comments of people who tried to use other things, well not a good idea. I formatted my card in my camera as it was faster than doing it in the laptop.

The dashcam comes with a great suction cup mount for the windshield and a power cord to run to your car's power port. Plenty long enough, and I used a paint can opener thingie to tuck the cord under all the plastic windshield and dash so it doesn't hang loose or show, even. Apparently you can buy an actual dashboard mount for this, but the windshield is best for recording quality.

Okay, pics to follow.

 

[azstonie]

Above is to show the camera in place.

 

[azstonie]

For scale above.

 

[azstonie]

You can replay/watch your vid on the cam itself (very small screen, to get license plate numbers you'd want to view on your TV or computer or phone).

It also has a parking mode/sensor which got rave reviews from users: Caveat---you would need to hard wire into power source or provide it a power source to last as long as you need (overnight, work day, etc) because the battery in the camera itself only lasts long enough to program the menu and playback/delete.

If you're in an accident, the sensor automatically locks and saves the video in its own file. You can also with one quick key stroke save as an "Event" anything you think constitutes an accident or some kind of event (like the road rage nut I encountered last summer on a pizza run). Either way, you are covered and the file won't be deleted in the continuous loop recording.

 

[azstonie]

I note that I myself drive 'better' because I know I'm being recorded

It has a mic, you can turn the mic off if, like me, you cuss while you drive. Or sing with the radio.

 

[kenny]

Oh, thank you so much azstonie.

I'm gonna look into this.
Sounds like a great idea for good drivers to protect themselves from bad drivers.
Do you also have one that faces the rear?

 

[azstonie]

I don't, Kenny, I didn't see it when I ordered mine or I would have. Vantrue does offer one with both, also available on Amazon.

One more thing: If you want the vid to record your mph and GPS location \coordinates, you can add that on. That increases the complication factor for me so I didn't get it. I just wanted proof of who hit whom, who road raged, that kinda thing.

The suction mount is 360 degrees flexible, you can turn it any way, any angle while recording. It also takes snapshots with one keystroke and files then in an Event folder.