What size SD card? I see up to 256 offered, but many cams only support up to 64. What am I not understanding? Is the best installation -permanent or one that allows for removal from vehicle? Are they a significant theft target? Two channel cams record front and rear views? Do they do that from one mounting position? Can you download the recorded images directly to a thumb drive?

It is all really going to depend on which brand and model you get. I have a Garmin Dashcam 20 and it only supports up to a 32GB micro-SD. I have it set so it records over old videos unless they are ones I marked to save. I like the one I have because it is a suction cup mount and I move it to any vehicle I drive. To view videos from mine, I have to remove the SD card and put it into a computer to watch. You can watch the video with any player, but Garmin has a program that shows your GPS coordinates on a small map along with the video. I only used a front and rear camera for a short period on my motorcycle but it was a piece of crap. It had two separate cameras which plugged into a small DVR. The cameras were fixed with sticky tape. Other than those two, I don't have any experience with any other dash cams and there are a lot of different kinds out there.

There are three types of memory used in these cards: MLC, SLC, and TLC. Each can handle roughly 10,000; 3,000; 1,000 write cycles respectively. The higher endurance chips use more silicon and are too large to fit in cards larger than 64GB. They are also more expensive. Read the warranties and you'll find that "lifetime" doesn't apply to most micro sad cards used in dash cams. Dash cams are write intensive.

Transcend 64GB high endurance uses MLC. I couldn't find any in stock and wound up with Lexar's high endurance 64GB which is most likely not MLC. It's about half the price.

I bought an A119s with the GPS mount. The mount stays on the windshield and the camera clips on and off the mount. Unfortunately, the connection loosened and the camera only works with the power cord plugged directly into it instead of the GPS mount. I like being able to take the camera off. It's easier to get the card in and out with the camera off.

Funny you should ask; I'm sitting here with my Cobra CDR 840 I picked up at Costco a month or so ago.

Here you go:
Q: What size SD card? I see up to 256 offered, but many cams only support up to 64. What am I not understanding?
A: It may depend on the camera, but I don't need a large capacity because the camera automatically overwrites the oldest files unless I manually lock one or the G-Sensor locks one based on a detected impact. Unless you're going to save every file from every trip, you probably won't need a large capacity card.

Q: Is the best installation permanent or one that allows for removal from vehicle?
A: For me, it's one that allows easy removal. Yesterday, on the way home I was confronted by a jaywalker that got a little upset even though I had a turn signal and he had a "Don't Walk" signal. After the incident, I hit the Lock button to prevent the file from being overwritten. Then, when I got home, I brought the camera in and downloaded the saved file to my laptop. Easy.

Q: Are they a significant theft target?
A: I don't know. Probably depends a lot on where you park. I leave mine in the car. They're fairly inexpensive now (mine was $140 I believe). If I'm somewhere I'm not as comfortable leaving it, I can take the whole system down using the suction cup, or remove the cam itself and leave the mount up.

Q: Two channel cams record front and rear views? Do they do that from one mounting position?
A: Not sure about this one; mine doesn't have that capability.

Q: Can you download the recorded images directly to a thumb drive?
A: A thumb drive? Not sure, but with the supplied cord, I can easily download the files I want to save to my computer.

A lot of questions asked. I have no answers from the personal type cameras, but have lots of answers from running one in a police car forever.

Our IT tells us that in our cars the 32 gig card is the way to go. They recommend using a QUALITY card though. They say that some of the cheaper knock off cards don't format quite right, and causes problems. I *think* we are using 32 gig Sundisk cards? Maybe? If the camera has video quality settings, simply setting the video quality to medium will save you a bunch of space on the camera.

In most cases, thefts from items inside a vehicle are driven by whether the vehicle is unlocked or not. I think if you were to ask most of the coppers here on the board, 99 out of 100 cars broken into are unlocked, and anything of value is taken. It may be as high as 99.8. Rarely to criminals perform smash and grab type thefts. I mean that is a real rare occurrence. It is not so much items being targeted, but whatever is in the car of value. If you travel a lot, the removal one might be the way to go. You can then remove the camera from the windshield and stick it in the center console while you are at the hotel.

Just some thoughts.

A 32GB card with 1000 writes means a total usage of 32 terabytes. How many hours of video is that?

^About 1,500 hours at 1080p. If you drive 2 hours a day, the cheap card should last about two years. If you leave it on 10 hours a day, like I do, the cheap card should last 5 months.

I see no point in a high capacity card. The only video you really want is probably the last one taken. My dash cam is mounted on the dashboard and I cover it with a ball cap when I leave the car.

I had a black box that crapped out on me over the winter.

I now use a gopro hero session. Works great for amateur motorsports as well.

Agree on the quality sd card. I use a 32G sandisk-I get 2 hours of HD video on that.

Thanks, I feel less discombobulated about dash cams now.

Here's an interesting dash camera or actually a rear view mirror dash cam that has really peaked my interest. It is completely removable and seems to have a lot of great features to include reversing the view of the camera to the rear easily with one hand..No wires either, uses a rechargeable battery and can be quickly charged in your car when needed. Seriously thinking about one myself. I like the live view camera operating in the mirror too as well as motion detection on the camera if you leave it there to go into a store or at home with up to 14hrs recording capability.

>>>>LINK<<<< Rear View Dash Camera

quote:

Are they a significant theft target?

it depends where you mount them

Half of mine is hidden by a blue tint at the top of the wind shield, and the cord runs inside the head liner, around the dash.

you have to be standing in front of my car and searching for it,
now
sit one out on the dash and there could be a concern

I have 32gb in all of mine.

The really good sandisk memory chips.

According to the YouTube videos, most of the action that needs recording happens in front of the cars. Has a second camera looking out the rear window become more than a nice to have option?

quote:

According to the YouTube videos, most of the action that needs recording happens in front of the cars. Has a second camera looking out the rear window become more than a nice to have option?

Good question. Guess it would be handy to have in a multi car pileup or to document who ran into you from behind. I think it is important to ask yourself why you want a dashcam. There was a thread awhile back on their being available to be used as evidence in an auto accident. The commercials on TV suggest you just show the Judge and the creep that hits you is now made out to be a liar. Dashcams seem to be very popular in Russia. Just my thoughts.

Dashcams seem to be very popular in Russia. Just my thoughts.[/QUOTE]

I read that due to massive insurance and accident fraud, dash cams are prevalent in Russia.

I only have a front camera hardwired in at the top of the windshield. Top placement on windshield is recommended for a better overall field of view. It is a Blackvue 650S 1 channel(front). I'm happy with it.

I bought a viofo a119 based upon the dash cam reviews you can watch at the links below

1) https://www.carcamcentral.com/
2) https://dashcamtalk.com/best-dash-cams-of-2017/

I've been very happy with it and just be sure the memory card you get is an "endurance/extreme" use type.

quote:

Originally posted by Sportshooter:
According to the YouTube videos, most of the action that needs recording happens in front of the cars. Has a second camera looking out the rear window become more than a nice to have option?

Having used one for a few months now, the camera doesn't capture everything I see. Short of four cameras for 360 degree coverage, I'm not sure where you draw the line. I had a woman a few months ago cut right in front of me from the left lane, across the middle lane I was in, then the right lane to hit the off ramp. It would have been nice to have a camera on the back of my 5th wheel to show we were the only two vehicles on the road and that she chose to pass me on the left instead of going into the empty right lane.

Now you've done it Trapper. You've got me thinking about 360 degree coverage.
My main reason for considering a rear camera would be to attempt to identify someone who might try to threaten or stalk us.