Dashboard Cameras: Worth my time/money? - Subaru Outback

jcruz689 · 12-29-2012, 07:59 PM

Hi All,

The interwebs has produced a lot of viral videos about some crazy stuff regarding Russians and their dashboard cams. My favorite probably being the one with the overturned truck spilling a load of cows.

Truck full of cows crashed - YouTube

This has got me thinking. A lot of car companies have been introducing a lot of new safety features using cameras and a whole lot of sensors for safety and crash avoidance. Case in point, Subaru has introduced the new eyesight system and other companies with back-up cams. Despite all these new advances you can NEVER stop a car from plowing in to you and accidents do and will continue to happen.

My question or rather suggestion is, why haven't car companies at least played with the option of having a dashboard camera dvr type system built in to their technology? I'd figure being able to record license plate numbers as well as actual video footage of an accident would be just as useful as having sensors for accident avoidance. I've had a couple coworkers in past year been in some mild to fairly severe car accidents. Even after several months, some are still dealing with legal battles regarding details surrounding their accidents that could have been mediated with some more evidence.

Anywho, sorry for the rant but my question to you all is do any of you use dashboard cams on a daily basis outside of work purposes (i.e. police/truck dash cams)? If so, any particular brands that are better than others?

I've quickly looked and there are options that range from $30 to around $300+ for dash cam dvr type products. I'd figure if I get around purchasing one, perhaps $60 for a dash cam is a very small investment to help alleviate any potential accident issues.

Thank you and happy new year to you all!

**nipper** · 12-29-2012, 08:09 PM

Cameras are not cheap. Some high end mfg offer it for the front and side because thier cars are just huge roilling blind spots. The cameras that are in cars now do not record images, they just are drivers aids.

Go Video seems to be the most popular. I am debating getting one myself.

Dajeepman · 12-29-2012, 08:51 PM

Go Pro would be your best bet on a Dash Cams

Wagondude · 12-29-2012, 10:10 PM

Just remember that recording could also go against you if you happen to be at fault in an accident. Then your $60 of piece of mind could potentially cost you everything you have.

rasterman · 12-29-2012, 10:21 PM

...and in america, the carmakers could get sued for the video recorder not recording the right thing. Why add the expense?

Adding a gopro gets better video anyway.

AO River · 12-30-2012, 07:31 PM

Having a dashboard camera wouldn't benefit the car manufacturer because in the sense you're talking about, it would only be useful post-accident. If it was even feasible, I would guess it would come from the insurance companies. But as mentioned above, it could be used against you as well.

In the end, there are significantly more people who do NOT get in to accidents than those who do, so since having a dash cam offers no safety benefit, seems like a waste IMHO.

JAvendan · 12-30-2012, 08:01 PM

i have been toying with the idea of getting a gopro to record my daily commute.

every now and then there is something worth capturing on video - lol.

a few weeks ago a sport bike lost control and slammed into a concrete median... i could have easily made that available to local PD or CHP.

it's just an idea i've been playing with in my head but might do that this year.

and, if i do, i will def go with a go pro.

joel

Aorys · 12-30-2012, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAvendan

a few weeks ago a sport bike lost control and slammed into a concrete median... i could have easily made that available to local PD or CHP.

...or to YouTube.

jcruz689 · 12-31-2012, 01:00 AM

Thanks for the input all. I've definitely been looking at Go Pro (especially the new Hero3) not as a dash cam but for when I go snowboarding and such. Go Pro's are definitely not a cheap option but they would surely be a great dash cam.

Good points on having it be a liability in case (knock on wood) I'm at fault.

iconia · 12-31-2012, 06:39 PM

I have a $40 ebay dash camera setup right above my rearview mirror. Worth every penny. IMO save the gopro for planned events you want to record, with my dedicated dash cam it turns on with the car and starts recording, shut the car off, it stays on to save the file and shuts off. i dont have to touch a button. One example i've recorded.

22512 closecall.avi - YouTube

12-29-2012, 07:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
jcruz689 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Sacramento, CA Car: 2013 Outback 2.5i Limited CVT w/ SAP, Brilliant Brown Pearl Posts: 29 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Dashboard Cameras: Worth my time/money? Hi All, The interwebs has produced a lot of viral videos about some crazy stuff regarding Russians and their dashboard cams. My favorite probably being the one with the overturned truck spilling a load of cows. Truck full of cows crashed - YouTube This has got me thinking. A lot of car companies have been introducing a lot of new safety features using cameras and a whole lot of sensors for safety and crash avoidance. Case in point, Subaru has introduced the new eyesight system and other companies with back-up cams. Despite all these new advances you can NEVER stop a car from plowing in to you and accidents do and will continue to happen. My question or rather suggestion is, why haven't car companies at least played with the option of having a dashboard camera dvr type system built in to their technology? I'd figure being able to record license plate numbers as well as actual video footage of an accident would be just as useful as having sensors for accident avoidance. I've had a couple coworkers in past year been in some mild to fairly severe car accidents. Even after several months, some are still dealing with legal battles regarding details surrounding their accidents that could have been mediated with some more evidence. Anywho, sorry for the rant but my question to you all is do any of you use dashboard cams on a daily basis outside of work purposes (i.e. police/truck dash cams)? If so, any particular brands that are better than others? I've quickly looked and there are options that range from $30 to around $300+ for dash cam dvr type products. I'd figure if I get around purchasing one, perhaps $60 for a dash cam is a very small investment to help alleviate any potential accident issues. Thank you and happy new year to you all!

12-29-2012, 10:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
Wagondude Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: home of the Jayhawks Car: 06 OBW 2.5i NA Posts: 1,324 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Just remember that recording could also go against you if you happen to be at fault in an accident. Then your $60 of piece of mind could potentially cost you everything you have. __________________ My other car is a Subaru.... Come to think of it, so is my other other car

12-30-2012, 07:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
AO River Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Princeton Car: 2013 2.5i Premium 6mt, Twilight Blue Posts: 1,792 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Having a dashboard camera wouldn't benefit the car manufacturer because in the sense you're talking about, it would only be useful post-accident. If it was even feasible, I would guess it would come from the insurance companies. But as mentioned above, it could be used against you as well. In the end, there are significantly more people who do NOT get in to accidents than those who do, so since having a dash cam offers no safety benefit, seems like a waste IMHO. __________________ R o b _D. Current car: 2013 TB/BC Subaru Outback, 2.5i Premium 6mt Before you start a new thread, please search first! Learn how here. Buying or just bought a Gen 4 Outback FAQ

12-30-2012, 08:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
JAvendan Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Northern San Diego County Posts: 391 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i have been toying with the idea of getting a gopro to record my daily commute. every now and then there is something worth capturing on video - lol. a few weeks ago a sport bike lost control and slammed into a concrete median... i could have easily made that available to local PD or CHP. it's just an idea i've been playing with in my head but might do that this year. and, if i do, i will def go with a go pro. joel __________________

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12-29-2012, 08:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
nipper Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Oceanside, NY Car: 2005 OBW 2.5L, 1989 Subaru Justy, RIP Blu Posts: 7,231 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Cameras are not cheap. Some high end mfg offer it for the front and side because thier cars are just huge roilling blind spots. The cameras that are in cars now do not record images, they just are drivers aids. Go Video seems to be the most popular. I am debating getting one myself.

12-29-2012, 08:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dajeepman Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Dallas Car: 2008 subaru outback 2.5i Posts: 152 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Go Pro would be your best bet on a Dash Cams

12-29-2012, 10:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
rasterman Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: PA Car: 2006 Outback XT Limited Posts: 2,431 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	...and in america, the carmakers could get sued for the video recorder not recording the right thing. Why add the expense? Adding a gopro gets better video anyway.

12-31-2012, 01:00 AM	#9 (permalink)
jcruz689 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Sacramento, CA Car: 2013 Outback 2.5i Limited CVT w/ SAP, Brilliant Brown Pearl Posts: 29 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks for the input all. I've definitely been looking at Go Pro (especially the new Hero3) not as a dash cam but for when I go snowboarding and such. Go Pro's are definitely not a cheap option but they would surely be a great dash cam. Good points on having it be a liability in case (knock on wood) I'm at fault.

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