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Anyone here use a dash cam in their car? For the last couple of days I've made a temporary mount (made out of play-doh of all things!)for a small point-and-shoot camera I have which I could put on the dash and record video while driving on my street. This was mainly to try and catch some pictures of the loose dogs for evidence, but think I'd like to get something a little more professional although not too expensive for more general use (e.g., capturing evidence if I'm ever unfortunate enough to be in an accident or if I'm a witness to something).
On the other hand I've not seen anyone use one on the island, so am wondering if 1) are there any legal issues about using a dash cam here and 2), if anyone does use one, do you have any recommendations?
I'm not thinking of anything too extravagant, just something I can put on the dash or the rear-view mirror.
Thanks in advance.
Tom
http://apacificview.blogspot.com/
Posts: 2,653
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http://gopro.com/
There is a member of the forum who has one. Very cool. Might be more than you want. The newest and best version seems to be price fixed at $400.00 but worth it.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Go Pro camera or ????
If not, mount off Rear view mirror in lieu of dash ( or grill if poss. ) for better view of up front and down low.
Keep sound off in case you get some weird ( organic speed bump ) womping sound.
aloha,
pg-13
Posts: 10,212
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Thanks, Oink. I was thinking of $150 or less although am willing to spend more if it's worth it (maybe I shouldn't have said the word "professional"!). I've come across some cameras you can sit on the dash but just wonder what happens if you have to brake suddenly because they don't look very secure to me, but don't want to spend so much money to do something I can't do right now; use a point-and-shoot on a play-doh base! The one problem with the arrangement is it won't take video for longer than 20 minutes, so have to restart it again which may not be particularly easy or safe to do and of course it won't just start again once the SD card is full like most dash cams. But just trying this out over the last day or so really has me thinking this is a very good idea for a number of reasons.
Tom
http://apacificview.blogspot.com/
Posts: 2,653
Threads: 42
Joined: Sep 2006
quote:
Keep sound off in case you get some weird ( organic speed bump ) womping sound.
Probably best to just delete that episode, after you watch it a few dozen times.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Posts: 10,212
Threads: 344
Joined: Apr 2009
Pog - agreed but haven't quite figured out how to use the play-doh to mount the camera on the rear view mirror yet. [
]
Definitely think the mirror is the best option but likely more expensive and I'm not looking for anything too advanced. And I have to tell you that keeping the sound switched on using the camera I have makes my car sound like a $50,000 Mercedes when I play back the video rather than the 11 year old Focus it is, so thanks for the suggestion but I like it the way it is!
Tom
http://apacificview.blogspot.com/
Posts: 10,212
Threads: 344
Joined: Apr 2009
Are you suggesting I need a helmet to drive now? [
] Actually, not such a bad idea given some of the things I've seen here over the years...
Thanks for the info so far, folks, appreciate it.
Tom
http://apacificview.blogspot.com/
Posts: 6,214
Threads: 354
Joined: Feb 2006
the Gopro is available at many local venues & I have seen it on sale here for not much over your price point... have used the camera on a number of mounts for underwater almost a decade ago when they were still 35mm & I was doing a lot of UW camera testing with the Aquarium... I have not used the "new fangled" digital platform as much
Not absolutely sure of the legal issues here, do know that that electronically recording communications without warrant or consent can get into some legal questions (so sound is probably a no-no, esp. for police), and that Hawaii is one of the 13 states to outlaw video on any private areas without consent, but most states have ruled public video surveillance is OK, and this is what I found prior to installing ours:
http://pibureau.com/HRS,%20%20SURVEILLAN...HAWAII.HTM
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent...3-0042.htm
http://www.constitutionproject.org/pdf/V...ation4.pdf
http://www.netplaces.com/private-investi...ce-law.htm
We have a video system for the house now after the police chased a car into our gate & car last month (and asked me if I had any info on the vehicle THEY were chasing, as they did not...)....so I do have an idea of where you are coming from.... & do know that it is not in a comfort zone (esp. since both of our issues deal involve neighbors not being neighborly...)
