Dash Cam Recommendations

Papag on 12/06/2024 - 22:07

Hi Ozbargain!

I have just picked up my new i30 and I need to protect it. There is no community I trust more to save me getting ripped off than this one.

I have done some research and I believe I would get the VIOFO A139 Pro 2Ch but the installer I am going with is able to supply a Blackvue DR770X plus.

For a A139 Pro and a hardwire kit it comes in at around $405 right now, then add a sd card for about 40 and we have a price of $445. The installer has quoted $250 for the install putting the total cost at $695.

The Blackvue option that he is offering is $995 installed.

This is a $300 difference which is insane to me given the blackvue is 2x 1080 while the A139 Pro is 4K front. The blackbue price isn't far off when I compare other local off the shelf solutions so is the VIOFO just insanely good value for money?

Automotive Dash Camera

Comments

  • jv on 12/06/2024 - 22:22
    -4

    Dash Cam Recommendations

    Yes, get one.

    • Murkymerv on 12/06/2024 - 22:31
      +3

      JV , "you've done it again".

    • bargaino on 13/06/2024 - 11:47
      +2

      JV makes an important point. What really matters is just having one.
      The detail is less important. Even the crappiest camera will settle the argument of who hit first, or if you were reversing when you were hit. The other car does not even need to be in frame.

      Sure, if you get hit in the car-park, it would be nice to have Tesla-style high-def cameras all around, constantly recording. But in most accidents, it does not matter if it is 720p or 4K. You just need the sequence of events.
      So don't be one of those people who umms and arrrs, hesitates over the cost, and never buys the camera until after they needed it.

  • MS Paint on 12/06/2024 - 22:29
    +1

    but the installer

    You don't need them. Tell them to get stuffed. It's a super easy diy in the i30. Will take you 30 minutes tops for a front camera as a newbie (probably 15 for the installer) and about $25 in materials. Just get a 70mai for $60.

    • boomramada on 12/06/2024 - 22:44

      And if you are a expert, you can hard wire it lol

      • MS Paint on 12/06/2024 - 22:45

        Super simple to hardwire as a diy. If it was any easier it would be a joke. My comment above related to diy hardwire install.

    • Papag on 12/06/2024 - 22:57

      I'd rather not try my luck on not breaking any clips on a brand new car. I've worked on shit boxes a lot but never anything that I actually care for.

      • slknv on 12/06/2024 - 23:03

        Doesnt add up. You dont want to break a 20c clip, so you're spending $250 for an "installer" to break them for you. Trust me if they break anything they're not going to tell you. I've pulled apart more expensive cars day one, so just do it yourself.

        • Papag on 12/06/2024 - 23:05

          Trim is more my concern. And the battery hard wire

          • MS Paint on 12/06/2024 - 23:20
            +3

            @Papag: A pro doesn't wire it directly to your battery. They just find a spare 12v fuse or piggy back an existing fuse. There's not some magical automotive electronics going on here like they want you to believe.

      • MS Paint on 12/06/2024 - 23:08
        +2

        There aren't any clips to break. A plastic trim removal tool is all you need to hide the cable. It runs under the front of the roof lining (which is surprisingly open on the i30), down the A pillar trim (hidden with the trim tool), under some door opening rubber and literally into the fuse box in front of the drivers right knee. You won't see a cable at all. A $15 obd 12v power supply plug and off you go. Done. If we were local I'd do it for you for $50. That's an equivalent hourly rate of $200 for me.

        • sumyungguy on 12/06/2024 - 23:23

          I agree, front is easy. But OP is doing rear as well. Isn't that somewhat more labour-intensive?

          • MS Paint on 12/06/2024 - 23:26

            @sumyungguy: Agree, but I wouldn't bother with rear. Only a very tiny % of dashcam Australia videos are from the rear camera. Most of the action happens up front.

  • sumyungguy on 12/06/2024 - 22:30

    Blackvue does offer Cloud plans if that matters to you?

    • Papag on 12/06/2024 - 22:56

      Actually the cloud turns me off.

  • rumblytangara on 12/06/2024 - 22:49
    +1

    WTF would you go this route? Dashcams are super basic to install. I bought some semi random Xiaomi model for less than 200. Which reminds me that I really should get around to installing the rear at some stage.

    Pretty sure you don't need a 4K camera to capture a license plate up close.

    is the VIOFO just insanely good value for money?

    Or Blackview is just an insanely bad value proposition… not sure why they are regarded as premium products, would love an explanation.

    • Papag on 12/06/2024 - 22:58

      It's a new car and worried about trim clips and the hardwire install.

      Blackvue is very very popular/common so I'm surprised to hear of their rather poor value.

      • rumblytangara on 12/06/2024 - 23:23

        Popular is very often not the same as good value. For example, Harvey Norman seems a popular source for furniture but I wouldn't buy anything from there.

        Dashcams are using really, really well established tech. Action cameras were cutting edge maybe a decade or fifteen years ago.

        The only real feature I can think of that would be really worthwhile imo would be a parking mode that records triggered by impact. That's not unique to Blackvue.

        Last time I looked into this stuff, there were plenty of real life demos of various cameras up on Youtube.

  • 87percent on 12/06/2024 - 22:59

    Seems kind of expensive to install.. if you’re in Melbourne, I have someone I’ve used and have referred to others

    • Papag on 12/06/2024 - 22:59

      Brisbane

    • nookie on 18/06/2024 - 22:28

      Can you please share the guy's contact details mate.

  • randomusername2017 on 13/06/2024 - 07:45

    need to protect it.

    How exactly does a dash cam protect a new car 🤔

    • altomic on 13/06/2024 - 09:09
      +2

      "protection " for insurance claims.

      I've just spent 6 months arguing with the other drivers insurance company that their client was at fault when they veered into my lane forced me to hit a gutter and screwed my left strut/ and damaged my front right quarter panel, bumper, right mirror.

      other driver was in a lifted landcruiser, my car was a little euro car. dude didn't see me and changed lanes, but claimed I wasn't supposed to be in the left lane ?????? it was a 2 lane road (4 lanes for a 2 way street)

      i made a claim against his insurance and they denied it as no dash cam footage or independent witnesses. even though he came from the right lane in to the left lane where I was, and I was in the gutter when he hit me

      took it to AFCA who made their insurer pay for my repairs.

      it's been a month of my car in the shop so far, and the insurer is paying for the rental car.

      however my car has been off the road since early december .

      I only had 3rd party insurance as car is 12 years old.

      so , yeah, protection

      • rumblytangara on 13/06/2024 - 11:25
        +1

        Regular posts on the local Facebook group with residents reporting hit and runs on their cars parked by the local shops or on crowded side streets. There's definitely an element of financial protection involved with these cameras.

      • Papag on 13/06/2024 - 22:43
        -1

        🙌 bloke has no clue what they're saying. Your story is exactly what I was talking about.

  • bbinc on 13/06/2024 - 09:22
    +1

    YouTube is your friend for a self install. I had an auto electrician do an install for me, front and rear $130. Next I did myself and as above was very easy. Googled my vehicle and camera brand, got dozens of videos, scanned them and used the clearest step by step ones. Trim removal kit $20 Autobarn, and two fuse piggybacks. YouTube will help you work out which fuse slots to use. I have a Thinkware F200 Pro which was on special autobarn for about $450, and added a GPS sensor for $69 on a a deal. Happy with the Thinkware. I use two SD cards, so that if I think I want to keep and view, I swap the cards so I don’t risk overwrites. I do have front and rear, and have had a rear incident to check.
    Also, do get the GPS add on - it adds your speed, location, and intersection details to the viewer.

    • sumyungguy on 13/06/2024 - 09:35

      Next time around the block you'll find plenty of models with onboard GPS, no extra antenna needed. Usually only the low-cost options come without GPS

    • Papag on 13/06/2024 - 22:42

      I might take a look myself and pray

  • Brucet on 13/06/2024 - 11:13

    https://www.aliexpress.com/store/1102548244?spm=a2g0o.store_…
    Have a look on this store .I had it for 3 years now ,still working good.DIY. recommend.

    • Papag on 13/06/2024 - 22:42

      Bad link Ali express says :(

      • Brucet on 14/06/2024 - 14:55

        I never had any problem with Aliexpress for years.

  • elgrande on 13/06/2024 - 13:03

    Can you just plug it into the lighter? Im in a similar boat as OP.

    • Papag on 13/06/2024 - 22:41

      I want the parking mode hardwire which requires ignition and direct battery wire. Lighters are normally wired through ignition so not always powered.

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