# This Is Why You Need A Dashcam
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [April 12, 2014, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953 "2014-04-12T19:10:51Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2014, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/21 "2014-04-13T20:30:32Z")
Thank God
Or to Quote John
[QUOTE=
John 3:20]
Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.
[/QUOTE]
The deeds done in darkness are finally being exposed.
---
### Author:  [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2014, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/22 "2014-04-13T21:06:12Z")
> [@toofs](#):
>
> **Ducati** is a poster here. In another thread about daschcams he mentioned that he runs two separate cameras, one front and one rear, both wired to constantly hot 12V. In other words, 12V not switched by the ignition. Both of his cameras are always on, always recording onto 64GB memory cards 24 hours a day. He has posted about the results. Search by his screen name.
Hey, Ducati?
What kind of memory card is storing that stuff?
SSD? Micro-SSD?
I just had a wild idea to set up that kind of system but, instead of recording to a flash card, insert one of those EyeFi cards and transmit to an on-line storage location. That way, when someone steals or wrecks your cool camera (or the vehicle) the images don’t get stolen (or destroyed) with the recording device. The camera(s) will probably put image(s) of the culprit(s) in your storage space on-line for you to give to the cops, too.
Of course, that also means my own mistakes are going to the storage space as well, which means deleting such files would be a conscious destruction-of-evidence situation. But since I never make driving mistakes…:dubious:
–G!
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### Author:  [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2014, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/23 "2014-04-13T21:45:13Z")
[Amazon has a lot to choose from.](http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_2/190-1101624-6673265?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=dash%20cam&sprefix=da%2Celectronics%2C155) Mine use SDHC cards, but others may vary.
I’ve had cameras in my truck for over 15 years, so I’ve gone from 8mm Handycams to digital versions, and now these purpose-built units.
I’d recommend the 1080p resolution, and a 120 or even 140 degree field of view.
Some units have rear-facing camera that records the interior of the car as well, so those are good to catch vandals, thieves, and whatnot.
Then you REALLY have to behave yourself. No teasing truckers anymore!
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### Author:  [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2014, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/24 "2014-04-13T21:55:03Z")
> [@ducati](#):
>
> [Amazon has a lot to choose from.](http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_2/190-1101624-6673265?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-keywords=dash%20cam&sprefix=da%2Celectronics%2C155) Mine use SDHC cards, but others may vary.
>
> I’ve had cameras in my truck for over 15 years, so I’ve gone from 8mm Handycams to digital versions, and now these purpose-built units.
>
> I’d recommend the 1080p resolution, and a 120 or even 140 degree field of view.
> Some units have rear-facing camera that records the interior of the car as well, so those are good to catch vandals, thieves, and whatnot.
>
> Then you REALLY have to behave yourself. No teasing truckers anymore!
I ordered that Blueskysea G1W (upper right in your link) just this morning after reading this thread and the other recent threads. It gets good reviews and is rated Best Bang For Your Buck at [Dash Cam Talk](http://dashcamtalk.com/).
---
### Author:  [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2014, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/25 "2014-04-13T22:22:40Z")
I’m planning on getting one. I’m just worried about having it set up in my car. I hate wires so I may end up getting it professionally installed, which adds to the cost.
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### Author:  [@toofs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toofs)
#### Post date: [April 13, 2014, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/26 "2014-04-13T23:42:20Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#):
>
> I’m planning on getting one. I’m just worried about having it set up in my car. I hate wires so I may end up getting it professionally installed, which adds to the cost.
No need. It is really easy to do yourself. You can hide the power cable quickly without making any permanent modifications to your car. It really is very simple. There are video tutorials on youtube that will guide you in how to hide the cable.
I recommend everyone considering a dashcam to do some research over at [dashcamtalk](http://dashcamtalk.com) and [carcamcentral](http://www.carcamcentral.com). Visit the forums on both sites.
These devices can really save the day in a situation that becomes ‘he said, she said’ or if your camera happens to capture something that happens to someone else. Like fire insurance, it is just there in the background, but when you need it, you are glad you have it.
Get 1080P @30fps and buy a big memory card.
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### Author:  [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)
#### Post date: [April 14, 2014, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/27 "2014-04-14T01:36:38Z")
[This website has a lot of dash camera reviews](http://dashboardcamerareviews.com/).
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### Author:  [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)
#### Post date: [April 14, 2014, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/28 "2014-04-14T02:33:29Z")
> [@toofs](#):
>
> **Ducati** is a poster here. In another thread about daschcams he mentioned that he runs two separate cameras, one front and one rear, both wired to constantly hot 12V. In other words, 12V not switched by the ignition. Both of his cameras are always on, always recording onto 64GB memory cards 24 hours a day. He has posted about the results. Search by his screen name.
Thanks toofs. I shall go forth and seek.
---
### Author:  [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)
#### Post date: [April 14, 2014, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/29 "2014-04-14T02:46:34Z")
I was looking at the some of the reviews on the sites linked upthread, and I notice that many cameras have a minimum operating temperature of only -20C. This would be problematic in most of Canada, especially if you wanted to leave the camera running overnight while the car was parked, or wanted to record right after you started the car, before the interior had warmed up. I’d like to see a minimum operating temperature at or below -40C.
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### Author:  [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)
#### Post date: [April 14, 2014, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/30 "2014-04-14T03:14:06Z")
> [@toofs](#):
>
> **Ducati** is a poster here. In another thread about daschcams he mentioned that he runs two separate cameras, one front and one rear, both wired to constantly hot 12V. In other words, 12V not switched by the ignition. Both of his cameras are always on, always recording onto 64GB memory cards 24 hours a day. He has posted about the results. Search by his screen name.
Don’t you run into issues with battery drain?
---
### Author:  [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)
#### Post date: [April 14, 2014, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/31 "2014-04-14T06:14:49Z")
> [@Patch](#):
>
> Don’t you run into issues with battery drain?
Video cams use very little battery juice and a car battery is pretty big compared.
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### Author:  [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)
#### Post date: [April 14, 2014, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/32 "2014-04-14T06:26:33Z")
Anyone else keep reading the thread title as “Why you need a Dachshund”?
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### Author:  [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)
#### Post date: [April 14, 2014, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/33 "2014-04-14T13:45:14Z")
I think the point of the article was not that the driver should have slowed down but that the Border Patrol driver claimed the light was red.
I’ve been thinking of getting a dashcam and I was thinking that I may want to see out the fronat and both side windows. Any ideas on that?
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### Author:  [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)
#### Post date: [April 14, 2014, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/34 "2014-04-14T13:52:08Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#):
>
> Anyone else keep reading the thread title as “Why you need a Dachshund”?
Yes.
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### Author:  [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)
#### Post date: [April 14, 2014, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/35 "2014-04-14T14:18:23Z")
> [@Pine\_Fresh\_Scent](#):
>
> Military bases don’t allow radar detectors. Does anyone know if there’s a ban on dash cams too?
There’s a few exceptions, but generally speaking, exterior photography of any kind is forbidden on military bases.
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### Author:  [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)
#### Post date: [April 14, 2014, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/36 "2014-04-14T18:02:08Z")
> [@Sunspace](#):
>
> I was looking at the some of the reviews on the sites linked upthread, and I notice that many cameras have a minimum operating temperature of only -20C. This would be problematic in most of Canada, especially if you wanted to leave the camera running overnight while the car was parked, or wanted to record right after you started the car, before the interior had warmed up. I’d like to see a minimum operating temperature at or below -40C.
Agreed. I don’t know if it makes a difference or not, if you’re running off the car battery, but electronics don’t work well after -20; their batteries drain instantly at those temps.
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### Author:  [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)
#### Post date: [April 14, 2014, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/37 "2014-04-14T20:03:50Z")
My son’s camera caught some knucklehead vandalizing his truck. Suspended and arrested.
[Then there’s this bold thief…](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2604137/Idiot-thief-caught-red-handed-stealing-bumper-VW-van-owners-dashboard-camera.html)
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### Author:  [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)
#### Post date: [April 15, 2014, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/38 "2014-04-15T00:39:48Z")
[Hit by a cement truck, no one is injured.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-W3-cWWJ4A0) Watching that really gets your heart pounding!
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### Author:  [@2gigch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2gigch1)
#### Post date: [April 15, 2014, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/39 "2014-04-15T04:06:06Z")
A topic near and dear to my heart:
[The DWI that nearly hit me.](http://youtu.be/FMGaoY3McLk)
[The follow up story.](http://youtu.be/hRSCStseNfI)
[A \*possible \*DWI that wasn’t caught.](http://youtu.be/yH2iOiAXKZA)
[Was this car hit in front of me?](http://youtu.be/a9HmBfwtdvs)
[A Virginia driver in DC.](http://youtu.be/ZQVIOdYoIOU)
[A minivan driver who missed (or didn’t care about) the yield sign.](http://youtu.be/KgkexLtYEVo)
And for good measure from my home security system:
[Stealing from a neighbor’s car.](http://youtu.be/1rRdT3NkXKU)
[Breaking into a neighbor’s house.](http://youtu.be/8yWnzIo9Xto)
and most recently -
[The end of a DWI car chase.](http://youtu.be/H4opsbklgss)
Sometimes, [you catch something really cool on it when you weren’t even driving.](http://youtu.be/zbUX9N4F3tQ)
Sometimes, [dashcams are just plain fun.](http://youtu.be/Dn6QQoQZin8)
What I have not linked are several real fender benders I was involved in (and was exonerated by the video footage I took.) Also a lot of the stories I have aired over the years have used dash cam footage. It’s just plain useful.
And in response to a comment above about how the camera records your own transgressions - yes it does! And I have found over time I am driving with greater and greater care than ever before.
_It helps remind me to be a better driver._
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### Author:  [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)
#### Post date: [April 15, 2014, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-why-you-need-a-dashcam/685953/40 "2014-04-15T04:24:16Z")
Next car I get, it’s gonna have a dashcam. 🙂
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