Two newer dashcams that I wish we could get from a reliable source in the USA

Razer

Pulling my weight
Joined
Apr 1, 2014
Messages
322
Reaction score
162
Location
Midwest
There are a couple of newer cameras out there that I wish we could get from a reliable USA source for a good price. The one that is getting pretty good reviews on dashcamtalk is known as the a118 mostly it seems, and I'm liking this one as it seems to be a very discrete option compared to most of the dashcams out there now, certainly more discrete that what I have in my car now anyway. For less than $80 it seems to be a bargain.

https://dashcamtalk.com/b40-a118/


The other one is not actually released yet, the Innovv C3 which has the camera lenses remote from the actual recording/control unit. The early review footage is looking great and the camera itself is really a redesigned C1/C2 unit so it is already a proven design overall, just now with the remote lens option.

http://www.innovv.com/#!the-c3/c18kr

I don't think there is any US based distributor of these yet but I wish there were. Someone to handle possible bad cameras is always a plus without having to ship back to china. Out of all the dash cams out there these two are my current favorites, on the Innovv one I'd want the capacitor version over the battery version for longevity in my hot car - I'm not sure if there is a cap version of the a118 or not yet, but I'll always opt for a cap version if I can. The innovv seems to be a slightly higher quality mobius in general, but the new remote lens option is pretty cool.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Shockwave199

Known around here
Joined
Mar 13, 2014
Messages
1,016
Reaction score
550
Location
New York
For me, I prefer what I have in the 300w. I like lcd screen and I prefer to keep it on. At a glance I can confirm its recording properly. At night I can see the reflection of it so I know it's on and working at a glance. Too small or screen-less doesn't work for me because you can't know for sure the thing is recording at any given time. The only thing I would consider in a new one is dual front /rear. Wireless rear that is, and 1080p at that. My only concern for the rear would be that my rear window visibility conditions can be worse than the front windshield at times, with fog, snow, etc. These things need super clean windshields or else the recording quality is compromised. But a dual is something I'll consider down the line.
 

Razer

Pulling my weight
Joined
Apr 1, 2014
Messages
322
Reaction score
162
Location
Midwest
I have a screen on my current camera but I have it set to shut off after I think three minutes. I can tell by looking at the LED color if it is recording properly, and once adjusted I never again use the screen on the camera so a screenless camera does not bother me personally. The LED is kind of purple when my camera is working properly, so I don't worry about it if I can see that.

I too would like a dual setup, I got rear ended lightly in my car not log ago at a stop light and the lady did a hit and run. I got out but she kept insisting she did not hit me and finally backed up and took off. My wife was with me and insisted we not give chase.... I could have caught her easily and the cop once he arrived said I should have followed her too which made me laugh (but only slightly so as to keep the wife happy!) The front camera showed the impact slightly, but really nothing to see so I may take my current camera to the back window and get anew one for up front, hence my shopping.
 

nayr

IPCT Contributor
Joined
Jul 16, 2014
Messages
9,329
Reaction score
5,325
Location
Denver, CO
I like that C3 alot; I have not got a dash cam yet because I do not like putting pieces of tech on my window.. GPS is built in, Radar Detector is tucked away and hardly visible, phone chargers in glove box..

Ive had my car broken into to steal the stupidest things visible; so now everything stays hidden and I keep a OEM head unit.. last time car was "broken" into I left doors unlocked; radar/head unit/psp in glovebox/laptop in hatch w/security cable were all safe; the 10 year old 8gb ipod in the center console was never seen again however.

hrmm; I could convert the HDMI output to analogue for a rear facing camera and then splice it into the OEM head units built in backup camera functionality, hide a momentary switch to trick the head unit into thinking car was in reverse and I could check on my trailer anytime I liked.. would probably still be cheaper than retrofitting the OEM Volkswagen backup camera from europe that magically pops out of the rear door handle.

wonder if one would survive on the roof rack bars on my trailer :D
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Razer

Pulling my weight
Joined
Apr 1, 2014
Messages
322
Reaction score
162
Location
Midwest
Hey, if someone wants me to test some dashcams out and is willing to send them to me I'm perfectly willing to set my car up this way!
 

networkcameracritic

Getting the hang of it
Joined
Mar 10, 2014
Messages
719
Reaction score
203
Not feeling the Innovv C3 as the separate camera is too large at almost 2" not including the wire straight out the back. The mini 0801 fits easily behind my mirror, this remote camera will not. Same with the A118, looks too big to fit behind a mirror.

I do love the concept of a remote camera, but it has to be small like the cameras that that mount on license plate frames for rear view. Since all my cars are convertibles, it's not possible to mount a camera on the rear window, so having it on the license plate frame would be awesome and maybe double as a rear view camera for parking. Also, don't care if the camera guts are larger, would love to see that mounted somewhere, trunk maybe and have 2-4 remote wireless, maybe Bluetooth cameras mounted front/rear and maybe sides or inside. Then you can have a small hard drive and record longer and do motion detect while parked. Maybe even have WiFi, so it can send you alerts when parked in your driveway/garage if there's movement.
 

bigbadw

Getting the hang of it
Joined
Sep 16, 2014
Messages
203
Reaction score
42
I started a new thread but should have posted here (my bad)... I'm a fan of the Planet Halo set of Dash Cams. PH2 for 2 cameras, and the PH4 for 4.
http://www.planethalo.com/
 

networkcameracritic

Getting the hang of it
Joined
Mar 10, 2014
Messages
719
Reaction score
203
Wow, those Planet Halo cameras are big, not very discrete and only 720P. I still go for small, discrete as possible behind the mirror and 1080P, at least until 4K is more popular.
 

bigbadw

Getting the hang of it
Joined
Sep 16, 2014
Messages
203
Reaction score
42
Wow, those Planet Halo cameras are big, not very discrete and only 720P. I still go for small, discrete as possible behind the mirror and 1080P, at least until 4K is more popular.
Did you get a chance to look at the PH2 model? It is very small and fits behind my rearview mirror. (just wondering is all).

What product do you like? I'd appreciate looking into it.
 

networkcameracritic

Getting the hang of it
Joined
Mar 10, 2014
Messages
719
Reaction score
203
Shows two different cameras, I assume you get both, the main camera seems to face in towards the driver, the auxiliary camera would fit behind the rear view mirror, but unless you are a cab driver, don't see the need for both and the one facing in looks large to me. I personally use THESE. They are small enough to stick behind the mirror of all my cars, they have a small display useful for aiming the camera, they record in 1080P and have been reliable for me.
 

Shockwave199

Known around here
Joined
Mar 13, 2014
Messages
1,016
Reaction score
550
Location
New York
Well have her get some more for stock maybe. I know if mine dies I'd prefer to get another one of the same.
 

bigbadw

Getting the hang of it
Joined
Sep 16, 2014
Messages
203
Reaction score
42
Shows two different cameras, I assume you get both, the main camera seems to face in towards the driver, the auxiliary camera would fit behind the rear view mirror, but unless you are a cab driver, don't see the need for both and the one facing in looks large to me. I personally use THESE. They are small enough to stick behind the mirror of all my cars, they have a small display useful for aiming the camera, they record in 1080P and have been reliable for me.
Not exactly. They are for two completely different vehicles and uses.

The PH2 model is very small and fits well behind the rearview mirror. It has a second camera that is mounted on the back window to capture the driver behind you. I have this in my Toyota 4Runner (as an example).

The PH4 is a completely different unit and is larger. It does have an "inside pointing" camera as one of the 4 cameras that can be connected. I like the "inside pointing" camera as part of my Motorhome security system when I have parked my RV. If the unfortunate time comes when someone breaks in and makes entry to the vehicle, all of that activity will be recorded.

I am looking up the Dashcam mini 0801 With GPS you mentioned to understand what its features are. Thanks for the discussion!
 

Shockwave199

Known around here
Joined
Mar 13, 2014
Messages
1,016
Reaction score
550
Location
New York
Any sample footage of the ph2 from your install? Not sure I'd go with 720p and a bit lower resolution in the rear.
 

bigbadw

Getting the hang of it
Joined
Sep 16, 2014
Messages
203
Reaction score
42
Planet Halo - PH2 Dash Cam video

Shockwave99, I hope the conversion to AVI files gives a correct video quality. Here is front camera and rear camera files:
front camera:
rear camera:
 
Top