Dash cam

Been using a Transcend Drivepro220 64gb card for a few years......plays back on google maps lane guidance etc....aka records my route.....perfect thus far.

I'm upgrading to the Drivepro230.....128gb supported 9 hours of recording.

It records in 5min blocks continually
You can press lock button and save that block recording

I think the "choose based on what you want it to do" approach is the best. I have a Thinkware that is a couple of years old. I remember someone else (maybe Andy) buying a BlackVue. Both excellent quality. I'm not sure you would want to spend that much if your primary use is just to save videos of off-raod adventures.

Although you would probably want to purchase locally, this website has some decent information about features and brands:
blackboxmycar

Mine shows no speed on play back so i doubt it has gps info

I have a Nextbase 212, looks like the 612 Gadget refers too, except it is 1080 not 4k, and it doesn't have GPS.

Plus points

That slide mount is great, you can remove the camera without disturbing the aim.

Minus points

The file sizes are huge, given the poor quality of the video. (AVC codec @ 16.8 Mb/s 1920x1080 30fps)
The video is poor, you can only read the registration of a car that you get close enough to actually run into, but it is good enough to show that the car in front reversed into you, or swerved onto your side or something. Low light performance is awful, but to be fair, you'd expect it to be, when you have high intensity light sources and low lighting in the same frame.
The suction mount lets go when parked in hot weather.
The power adaptor fills the socket, and is joined to the lead rather than plugged on, so to power more than one device you need those massive adaptors, or you have to buy an extra long lead with a plug to use a 2 way USB 5V adaptor.

Lambert wrote: Am I right in thinking that all monitor gps to give a location and speed data? Also I have heard reports that the police have been interrogating them for evidence of prior behaviour as in you get a tug for 54 in a 50 the copper then sees the dashcam and looks back through it and gets you for having a recording of you driving a tro'd lane or going deliberately off track causing damage and you then get done for that too because you incriminated yourself even though you weren't caught in the act. Ok none of us would do that because we have respect but my concern is still valid everyone has done something at some point that they would prefer remaining quiet. Still unconvinced.

No they don't all do it, but if you want speed / gps recording you pay extra for it. I have Nextbase 512 installed in my Jimny with speed and location recording enabled, simply as I never speed, not even by 1mph. My classics all have the simpler 112 installed as the much smaller footprint is easier to hide on the smaller windscreens. No speed or GPS on these.

I like having them as it records all car and pedestrian based idiots and my (so far) successful avoidance of their actions. If I ever fail to keep them safe I have recorded proof of their actions. They will all instantly lie, but they can say what they want, I will simply play back the video to the constabulary.

It's a personal thing if you want one, but I even have one on my push bike / motorcycle as I am fed up with the impatient nature and driving standards of a few on our roads.
If you want one Nextbase have been good for me, no failures in any, all still working fine.

Many thanks

Lambert wrote: Am I right in thinking that all monitor gps to give a location and speed data? Also I have heard reports that the police have been interrogating them for evidence of prior behaviour as in you get a tug for 54 in a 50 the copper then sees the dashcam and looks back through it and gets you for having a recording of you driving a tro'd lane or going deliberately off track causing damage and you then get done for that too because you incriminated yourself even though you weren't caught in the act. Ok none of us would do that because we have respect but my concern is still valid everyone has done something at some point that they would prefer remaining quiet. Still unconvinced.

You can turn the GPS and mph off if you want on the nextbase cams

I have a Blackvue DR750s-2CH in my current car which replaced a DR650s-2CH and they are good. The 650 really suffers from struggling to get a GPS lock so footage recorded does not know where it is.

My wife and son both have Thinkview f770s and in my view these are better than the Blackview, the footage is slightly clearer and the app gives options to have thinks like lane departure, and speed camera warnings.

That said the difference is marginal and we have been happy with all three. The key lesson for us has been to really understand just how fast the cards fill up and overwrite. You really need your wits about you as a journey at the start of a journey can easily be over written 4 hours later on the higher resolution settings.

Also don't skimp on the quality of the SD card you use. They cycle so frequently you need a card designed for the purpose or they soon fail.

Great info thank you