New dash cam

[Deserted]

So I finally got a dash cam a couple weeks ago. Yay Malwart pre-Black Friday specials. I've had it 2 weeks, and on Thursday I caught my first accident with it... http://youtu.be/9_ZrQGz7lQs

As it happens, I was looking the other way when the wreck occurred, but my camera wasn't. I showed it to the police and they used it to determine that the person at fault was NOT who they thought it was. (They thought the truck ran the red... nope.)

[BlaqueKatt]

As it happens, I was looking the other way when the wreck occurred, but my camera wasn't. I showed it to the police and they used it to determine that the person at fault was NOT who they thought it was. (They thought the truck ran the red... nope.)

And that's one of the best reasons to have a dash cam even if you have a spotless driving record.

[Deserted]

I have it because of fraud. Big Green Cab Co had it happen once where a guy deliberately backed into a cab, then hopped out and said "Why'd you hit me?" Unbeknownst to him, there was a camera rolling. He went to the extent of getting a lawyer, company sent lawyer a copy of the video, end of story.

[Ophbalance]

I snapped up two cheapo Vivitar cams from Walmart ($30 at the time for each, and about 5 different kinds of mounts) because I drive far too many miles of interstate to go without it anymore. The straw the broke the camels back though was my last rear end collision. I had the entire family in our Sedona (7 total) and we were merging from one interstate to another on our way to Duke. There was a car ablaze just after this merge on the right hand side of the new highway. So I, and everyone else, merged the left most lane. Some brilliant bastard ahead of me decided to stop dead on the highway when they hit the steams of water rolling across the road and I had to slow down as well. It was at this point I caught the streak of movement behind me that and I braced for impact. I saw the dude veer off to the left on two wheels and I pulled off to the right. Imagine my surprise when the other driver blamed ME for the collision. That van has been hit 3 times in the same spot... and I'm done with lying drivers.

[Deserted]

EXACTLY. I've heard enough horror stories that I decided I'd waited too long to get a caera, and really should've had it when I first started driving a cab. I just wish I'd bought 2.

[Ophbalance]

My goal is to pick up a better cam in the future, one that has a rear feed and GPS and better night vision. However the one I have for now will suffice.

[Jay 2K Winger]

Were it not for The Client prohibiting photograph or video-recording equipment on their facilities' grounds, I'd probably get a dash-cam myself, specifically to protect myself from fraudsters. (Not that I've ever been in that situation.)

[wolfie]

As it happens, I was looking the other way when the wreck occurred, but my camera wasn't. I showed it to the police and they used it to determine that the person at fault was NOT who they thought it was. (They thought the truck ran the red... nope.)

One of the big problems with eyewitness testimony is that in many cases, people will THINK they saw something when they actually didn't (not a deliberate lie, merely being mistaken). For example, someone hears the crash, looks, and (subconciously) their mind puts together the sequence that "must" have happened (i.e. the truck running the red). They BELIEVE that they saw this.

I hope the cop had a few words with the driver of the truck in question, namely "Another person's dash cam saved your bacon - you should buy one".

[Deserted]

One of the big problems with eyewitness testimony is that in many cases, people will THINK they saw something when they actually didn't (not a deliberate lie, merely being mistaken). For example, someone hears the crash, looks, and (subconciously) their mind puts together the sequence that "must" have happened (i.e. the truck running the red). They BELIEVE that they saw this.

The brain is so used to filling in gaps that we accept what it hands us without question.

I hope the cop had a few words with the driver of the truck in question, namely "Another person's dash cam saved your bacon - you should buy one".

I rather doubt that. The police around here can be... uh... fratching material.

[Gilhelmi]

I rather doubt that. The police around here can be... uh... fratching material.

Ah, you have the "Russian" reason for a Dash Cam also then.

I really want to get one, but first I am getting a camera system for my house (exterior only)

[Deserted]

Ah, you have the "Russian" reason for a Dash Cam also then.

Bingo.

I really want to get one, but first I am getting a camera system for my house (exterior only)

I'm working on that one myself.

[LillFilly]

Which camera did you go with? It looks nice and crisp! Good sound too!

My poor coworker just wrecked his car. He rear-ended the car in front of him, but it's because the car in front of him had to hit the breaks because they were in the left-left turn lane, a semi was in the left turn lane, and the semi decided to drift into their land and cut them off. He couldn't stop in time, the truck took off, and he was charged with following too closely.

[Gilhelmi]

Ouch

You really have to watch out for semis. They are so long and need a wide berth, forcing them in to the wrong lane (especially on our smaller 2 lane highways).

I'm working on that one myself.

I am still debating on 4 or 6 cameras, and "cloud" storage vs. on-site storage.

Where did you buy your dash cam? I have seen reports of "Counterfeit" units being sold, which always concerns me.

[wolfie]

rather doubt that. The police around here can be... uh... fratching material.

As in, replacing them with either the Hazzard County Sheriff's Department (when Cleetus Hogg was filling in after Enos had joined a big city police force) or the Keystone Kops (silent movie slapstick, for those not familiar with them) would be an improvement?

[It's me]

For anyone looking at buying a dashcam, check out techmoan:
http://www.techmoan.com/guide-to-dashcams/

He's got lots of camera reviews and articles on what to look for in a dashcam.