Dash Cams?

General discussions related to MINIs and Minis
Post Reply
User avatar
MiniManiac
MINIAC
MINIAC
Posts: 1177
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2005 10:16 am
Location: Leavenworth, KS

Dash Cams?

Post by MiniManiac »

Is anybody running a dash cam? They seem to be gaining popularity and they are relatively cheap. I am just wondering if anyone has one and if they have captured anything cool?
Seth
08 MCS - JCW
1974/1993 Classic Mini - 70 WHP!
Zack
MINIAC
MINIAC
Posts: 1490
Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2011 11:06 pm

Re: Dash Cams?

Post by Zack »

MiniManiac wrote:Is anybody running a dash cam? They seem to be gaining popularity and they are relatively cheap. I am just wondering if anyone has one and if they have captured anything cool?
I'm thinking of getting a GoPro with wifi on it and getting one of those tow-hook mount gopro mounts for it. Just for kicks, cruising around, and parades and so forth.

The dashcams are popular in Europe. Didn't know they were gaining popularity in the US
Bruno - 2022 JCW
Former MINI's
2006 R53 Mini Cooper S
2011 R55 Mini Cooper Clubman
2013 R56 Mini Cooper S JCW
2008 R56 MINI Cooper S JCW
2014 R55 MINI JCW Clubman
2017 F56 MINI Cooper S JCW
User avatar
MiniManiac
MINIAC
MINIAC
Posts: 1177
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2005 10:16 am
Location: Leavenworth, KS

Re: Dash Cams?

Post by MiniManiac »

Zackattack28 wrote:
MiniManiac wrote:Is anybody running a dash cam? They seem to be gaining popularity and they are relatively cheap. I am just wondering if anyone has one and if they have captured anything cool?
I'm thinking of getting a GoPro with wifi on it and getting one of those tow-hook mount gopro mounts for it. Just for kicks, cruising around, and parades and so forth.

The dashcams are popular in Europe. Didn't know they were gaining popularity in the US
I have a GoPro and I thought about using that one as well. The dash cams are pretty cool because they automatically loop every 3 hours or so. I don't do anything exciting on Post so it would be a pretty lame recording. LOL
Seth
08 MCS - JCW
1974/1993 Classic Mini - 70 WHP!
nine5raptor
MINIAC
MINIAC
Posts: 193
Joined: Sun Oct 06, 2013 6:43 pm
Location: Lees Summit, MO

Re: Dash Cams?

Post by nine5raptor »

Just to add to an old post, I have used the Android app Torque with the Track Recorder add-on and mounted my phone in the windshield. Cost me like $5 but will also overlay a map and engine readouts (speed, boost, IAT, etc). I use it with a cheap bluetooth OBD-II dongle and it works great. Some may remember I used it to clear codes at a previous garage day as well.
2010 MCS CR/W with some custom vinyl, JCW sport suspension (minus FSB), CNT cat back, Add a brake, Alta AP, Devil's Own H2O/Meth Injection, random other little stuff, and some good ol' mud flaps
User avatar
MiniManiac
MINIAC
MINIAC
Posts: 1177
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2005 10:16 am
Location: Leavenworth, KS

Re: Dash Cams?

Post by MiniManiac »

nine5raptor wrote:Just to add to an old post, I have used the Android app Torque with the Track Recorder add-on and mounted my phone in the windshield. Cost me like $5 but will also overlay a map and engine readouts (speed, boost, IAT, etc). I use it with a cheap bluetooth OBD-II dongle and it works great. Some may remember I used it to clear codes at a previous garage day as well.
That's a good idea. I haven't purchased anything yet but I am still intrigued by the idea/concept.
Seth
08 MCS - JCW
1974/1993 Classic Mini - 70 WHP!
User avatar
gehrigk
MINIAC
MINIAC
Posts: 29
Joined: Mon Sep 14, 2009 10:39 pm
Location: Spring Hill, KS

Re: Dash Cams?

Post by gehrigk »

I have the Garmin dash cam. You can put in a larger memory card to get a longer record time before looping. Also automatically senses a accident and saves the previous few minutes until you delete it.
Keith
Former - 2018 JCW Thunder Gray, Dinatronics Sport
Current - 2023 M240i xDrive
stan360
MINIAC
MINIAC
Posts: 23
Joined: Mon Oct 05, 2015 11:08 am

Re: Dash Cams?

Post by stan360 »

I have been thinking about this ThinkWare Cam. http://www.thinkware.com/Products/Dashcam/F750 . Mini makes a Camera system but I cannot seem to easily find it for an 05. Used to have them on ECS tuning.

One concern of mine would be capturing careless drivers in parking lots. They make these motion activated but I am not sure if the field of view is wide enough to really document any plates from door bashers . Could pull a tag from someone backing into the car with reverse cam. No front plates in Kansas so those who cant seem to figure out where the front of their car stops are in safe for smash up derby driving.

It is also hard to deal with parking lot accidents. I just try to drive the family truckster to the stores and running errands.

Many of these have some sort of accident warning systems. I wish they had a warning system for to let me know of eveyone around me with their faces stuck in phones while driving. Face front and forward detection.
User avatar
Minidave
MINIAC
MINIAC
Posts: 3765
Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2007 11:24 am
Location: Overland Park
Contact:

Re: Dash Cams?

Post by Minidave »

The bride got me the Garmin dash cam for Xmas and I've been playing with it a bit, video clarity is amazing - tho in Buzz, every expansion strip or pothole sets off the "event recorder" (like I hit something). I have only seen a few forehead slapping crazies out there so far, but I'm sure to get some lulus over time.

One thing I need is a larger memory card, at 2 gig it overwrites fairly quickly at 1080P - I think about 2 hours total recording time......
Hi! My name's Dave!

'09 LB/LB Clubman S - "Max"
89 Mini "Racing Green"
94 SPi Project (The Hot Rod)
nine5raptor
MINIAC
MINIAC
Posts: 193
Joined: Sun Oct 06, 2013 6:43 pm
Location: Lees Summit, MO

Re: Dash Cams?

Post by nine5raptor »

I think Samsung is making 256GB cards now if you want to record a year of driving :D
2010 MCS CR/W with some custom vinyl, JCW sport suspension (minus FSB), CNT cat back, Add a brake, Alta AP, Devil's Own H2O/Meth Injection, random other little stuff, and some good ol' mud flaps
User avatar
Minidave
MINIAC
MINIAC
Posts: 3765
Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2007 11:24 am
Location: Overland Park
Contact:

Re: Dash Cams?

Post by Minidave »

Yeah but the camera doesn't support those, I think 32g is as big as it will support, have to check.

I'll bet those are spendy too!
Hi! My name's Dave!

'09 LB/LB Clubman S - "Max"
89 Mini "Racing Green"
94 SPi Project (The Hot Rod)
Post Reply