# Russian dash cams. Why so many? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 1, 2017, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-dash-cams-why-so-many/787812 "2017-06-01T02:47:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2017, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-dash-cams-why-so-many/787812/21 "2017-06-01T15:01:25Z")
**Moderator Note** > [@kayaker](#): > > I’ve heard that their leaders (Putin, Trump, et al) encourage it. I don’t know why you put Trump in there, but let’s keep the political jabs out of GQ, please. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2017, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-dash-cams-why-so-many/787812/22 "2017-06-01T15:02:33Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > With so many cars already having rear view cameras and plenty of them having side view cameras, I’ve always wondered how long it’ll be before they start giving you the option to drop in an SD card and just record that feed. It seems trivial at that point. The camera and all the wiring is there, all they’d need to do get the electronics from an established dash cam manufacturer and run the feed into the board. Some collaboration and they could probably get the interface right on the dashboard LCD with everything else. Agreed, it’s not that the technology doesn’t exist or isn’t proven. I’ve actually seen the video camera on the front of a car recording data at the test track only to see the feature disabled in production. There must be some legal reason why the car manufactures are not moving forward with this. Or I suspect that the insurance companies lobby against this since it would complicate claims by making them have to actually investigate more accidents instead of just finding both parties at fault 50/50. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2017, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-dash-cams-why-so-many/787812/23 "2017-06-01T15:29:46Z")
Acceptance in the US is probably limited by the idea that it’s an invasion of privacy - “I drive just fine, no need to record ME,” that it would just confirm culpability, etc. We do have a much better traffic, LE and legal system than the countries where their use is so prevalent. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2017, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-dash-cams-why-so-many/787812/24 "2017-06-01T16:05:36Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > One thing I have heard, however, is that you’re better off getting a second one (especially for how cheap they are) rather than getting one that also has a rear camera. Apparently the rear cameras have a fairly low resolution. Rear cameras, no matter how good, have issues with nighttime as the headlights of the vehicle behind you can be so bright as to obscure everything else, like what type of vehicle is behind you. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2017, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-dash-cams-why-so-many/787812/25 "2017-06-01T18:15:03Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > Can anyone recommend a particular model? Last I checked (about 2 years ago) there were a lot of 3-4 star ones but none that particularly seemed “perfect”. Have they improved much recently? I have one of these Lukas 7900 ARA. Very highly rated, excellent video, sound, GPS, displays date and time on the video, parking mode that will detect and record any incident, operates up to 176 degrees F. Will take 256gb card. Just great. You can view both day time and night examples in the following link. 5 stars according to this review, and in my 6 month or so experience as well. The quality of the vids are just amazing, this is no Mini-Mart security cam. I turn it on when the car leaves the garage and it stays on until it returns. Plugged into my cigarette/aux power, no batteries, does not drain power. Great tool. And no, I am not a sales person, this is just something that I bought that really lives up to my expectations. [https://dashboardcamerareviews.com/lukas-lk-7900-ara/](https://dashboardcamerareviews.com/lukas-lk-7900-ara/) ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2017, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-dash-cams-why-so-many/787812/26 "2017-06-01T20:12:26Z")
> [@buddha\_david](#): > > What’s interesting is that in at least half the cases, it’s the person with the dashcam who’s the asshole. Sometimes the driver will even deliberately _steer into_ the person who cut them off! :dubious: A frequent complaint from commenters, especially when roundabouts are concerned. ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2017, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-dash-cams-why-so-many/787812/27 "2017-06-01T21:38:46Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > I have one of these Lukas 7900 ARA. Very highly rated, excellent video, sound, GPS, displays date and time on the video, parking mode that will detect and record any incident, operates up to 176 degrees F. > > [Lukas LK-7900 ARA](https://dashboardcamerareviews.com/lukas-lk-7900-ara/) That has the engine RPM on it too - I guess it plugs into the car’s diagnostic connector? ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2017, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-dash-cams-why-so-many/787812/28 "2017-06-01T21:52:52Z")
With the amount of cyclists that ride in the road, yet disobey traffic laws, I have a dashcam in my car. It’s pretty normal for it to be the car driver at fault if a biker gets hit, unless you have proof that the cyclist blew the light or stop sign. They all ride like jackasses here (Chicago) and way too far into the street (outside of bike lanes). So it’s just extra assurance. I have mine on all the time, no matter how short and frivolous the drive is. ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2017, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-dash-cams-why-so-many/787812/29 "2017-06-01T22:01:14Z")
For the record, it only cost me about $12 bucks for a cheapo dashcam (ebay) that actually works quite well, and a $5 mount from the store Five Below. Pretty cheap way for some extra peace of mind. As long as you yourself don’t drive like a total dick, which in case the recording will work against you should you have an accident that you’ve caused. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2017, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-dash-cams-why-so-many/787812/30 "2017-06-01T22:04:49Z")
> [@friedo](#): > > Russia has a unique combination of lots of terrible drivers, lots of vodak, people pulling insurance scams, and corrupt police. These are pretty much the reasons, with one addition: lack of infrastructure (controlled intersections). For many years, Russian leaders have skimped on developing infrastructure in the country (why not? Ain’t like the people could vote them out of office.) If you watch some of those dashcam videos, you will see many busy, multi-lane intersections that are uncontrolled – no traffic lights, turn signals, stop or yield signs, nothing. Hardly surprising that there are a lot of collisions in them. ---
**Author:** ![constanze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-dash-cams-why-so-many/787812/31 "2017-06-02T12:18:46Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > I don’t understand why some countries have _so few_ dashcams. > > They’re inexpensive, help prove your level of culpability in the event of an accident, and you can record the license plate of anyone doing anything illegal (e.g. hit and run). > Also many cameras have a security mode where you can leave them in your car and they will start to record if they detect any change in the picture, or motion. > > Peace of mind at an affordable price. Call now for our special offer! Because some countries have laws against it: privately videotaping other citizens (includign their license plate) is a Violation of privacy. Also, just because it’s a dashcam does not mean it’s acceptable evidence for the insurance in a court Trial. Electronic footage can be easily manipulated, so Courts are wary of accepting it as evidence. And when you have less insurance scams, or less corrupt Police, there’s less Need for self-justice. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-dash-cams-why-so-many/787812/32 "2017-06-02T12:36:39Z")
All evidence can be falsified, and video not nearly as easy as some. And the dashcam makers could easily make it even harder to do. At some level, courts have to accept the premise that evidence is what it purports to be. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-dash-cams-why-so-many/787812/33 "2017-06-02T13:03:30Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > All evidence can be falsified, and video not nearly as easy as some. Especially if a copy gets handed over to the cop at the scene of the incident; it’s awfully hard to convincingly ‘Shop video footage of a crash in just a few minutes’ time. ---
**Author:** ![constanze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-dash-cams-why-so-many/787812/34 "2017-06-02T13:20:40Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Especially if a copy gets handed over to the cop at the scene of the incident; it’s awfully hard to convincingly ‘Shop video footage of a crash in just a few minutes’ time. A copy? The dashcam can make a copy? I thought there was only one tape in there, but I’m not up to date on this Technology. ---
**Author:** ![constanze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@constanze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constanze)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-dash-cams-why-so-many/787812/35 "2017-06-02T13:25:44Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > All evidence can be falsified, and video not nearly as easy as some. And the dashcam makers could easily make it even harder to do. At some level, courts have to accept the premise that evidence is what it purports to be. Yes, and just as with old-fashioned evidence (a Piece of paper can have been forged, too), Courts can ask experts to test the evidence. But it’s not an automatic “I win because I have evidence” mechanism that some People seem to believe it is, at least not in every Country. It also depends on how the case with the insurance develops: if the insurance Company simply accepts a copy of a dashcam tape as evidence and pays out, no court gets involved. It’s usually also a difference if Driver A Claims to his own insurance that Driver B hit his car and submits his own tape as proof, and gets paid out by his own insurance (which in a seperate step might try to sue Driver B’s insurance) - or if Driver B sues Driver A’s insurance because he Claims Driver A hit him, not the other way around. Or if Driver A’s insurance Company denies the Claim and Driver A has to take his own insurance Company to court. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-dash-cams-why-so-many/787812/36 "2017-06-02T13:43:41Z")
> [@constanze](#): > > A copy? The dashcam can make a copy? I thought there was only one tape in there, but I’m not up to date on this Technology. Cop cars tend to have laptop PCs in them these days; you take the memory card out of your camera, stick it in the cop’s PC, and let them copy the file to their hard drive. Alternatively, you make the connection between the camera and the PC with a USB cable. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-dash-cams-why-so-many/787812/37 "2017-06-02T14:08:41Z")
> [@constanze](#): > > A copy? The dashcam can make a copy? I thought there was only one tape in there, but I’m not up to date on this Technology. Tape? It’s a micro sd card, grandpa 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-dash-cams-why-so-many/787812/38 "2017-06-02T14:46:05Z")
> [@CurtC](#): > > That has the engine RPM on it too - I guess it plugs into the car’s diagnostic connector? The right kind of RF sensor can monitor RPM pretty closely if you tell it how many cylinders the engine has. No physical connection needed. I forget where I ran into this tech before - maybe the brief generation of “car computers” you could install ca. 1990-95. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-dash-cams-why-so-many/787812/39 "2017-06-02T15:14:16Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > That’s one variation. Another is pedestrians who run into your car/jump on your hood/lie down on the road in front of your car, and claim you struck them. Apparently a problem in (at least) Russia and China. > > [Here’s a lovely compilation video.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFoes7rsZBA) In a number of those clips, the supposed victim seemingly just walks away after throwing themselves on the car. I assume it’s because they’ve noticed the dash cam. So, apparently, having the cam may prevent even having the hassle of going to court. ---
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-dash-cams-why-so-many/787812/40 "2017-06-02T15:26:10Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Another is pedestrians who run into your car/jump on your hood/lie down on the road in front of your car, and claim you struck them. Apparently a problem in (at least) Russia and China. Another theme that’s rare in the USA, but very common in Russia: Trucks with no brakes. > [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > Tape? It’s a micro sd card, grandpa 🙂 Just last night I watched a clip of a motorcyclist who witnessed a truck overturn in front of him. The cyclist said, “I hope my camera’s taping this… wait a minute, of course there’s no ‘tape’ in this camera!” 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-dash-cams-why-so-many/787812.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-dash-cams-why-so-many/787812.md?page=3)