Maybe this belongs in technology but it's sort of a mix so here will do.
I've seen a few dashcams posted here in the bargain section but they all seem to get crapped on by someone for an inability to maintain a charge, melting/erasing the SD card and various other reasons.
So what's the best one I can/should buy? Ideally I'd rather not spend more than $100 on one (minus SD card) but I'm open to suggestions. GPS isn't a necessity but it'd be nice I suppose.
Hit me up with suggestions.
I bought the YiCam last time and I think when it comes time to replace it, the Viofo V119S seems like a much better choice. Much more compact, easier to mount up out of the way.
G1WH has done me solid for 2 years without any screw ups. G1WC is the same but using a capacitor so shouldn't die in the sun, my G1WH battery kicks out as soon as the car loses power.
A118 is a better but still budget alternative. Albeit not the greatest low light performance. Has a capacitor and non-capacitor version.
A119 is the A118 but from memory higher resolution and better lowlight. Has a capacitor and non-capacitor version. Has a GPS and non-GPS version.
How long do you find the battery/capacitor lasts on that before it needs charging? Does it just run off the 12V cigarette lighter?
It just runs off the 12V, all it does is provide enough power for the dash cam to save footage if there's a sudden power loss so won't hold charge longer than like 10 seconds.
In case anyone's wondering, the camera will experience a "sudden power loss" every time you switch the engine off.
The idea is that a battery will degrade over time in our heat, so eventually the camera won't be able to shut down gracefully when you switch the engine off as the battery will go flat too quickly, leading to corrupted data on the micro SD card. A capacitor will last much longer, so you should get more life out of a camera with a capacitor.
So does it still constantly record but it pulls power from the 12V rather than an integrated battery?
@potplanty: Yep, uses 12V to constantly record, and when you turn off power to the 12V then it goes to the capacitor to save any outstanding footage.
What do so many people have dash cams? Have you ever actually needed the video?
It's for the same reason why so many people have home insurance. How often do houses burn down? Not very often. But when it does happen, you'd be bloody glad you had home insurance.
If you ever get into a situation like this, you'd be able to prove that the car in front backed into you, rather than you running into them which an insurance company could more easily believe.
Also, interestingly, I posted a video of a crash on youtube. The company behind FailArmy contacted me and gave me US$100 for it. Hurrah!
In my 2 years of owning one I've probably had about 5 close calls. Most being people merging without looking, where without proof they could try claim innocence as both cars would have side damage.
You also catch just people doing odd or stupid things that while you didn't need the dash cam, the footage makes good entertainment.
On several occasions I have required the footage, either as a witness or as evidence to protect myself.
That and the plethora of footage I send into dash cam websites/YouTube of general examples of really bad driving.
Like others have said, it’s when you don’t have one and something happens that you will realise why you need one.
A119S is best bang for your buck at $100. Excellent video quality, discreet,easy to mount.
I think the Viofo V119S fits your criteria quite nicely.