In-Car Camera

Folks,

Anyone know where I can get an in-car camera installed? I'm quite a noob in this area so would appreciate any recommendations you can offer.

I saw the BlackVue cameras and wonder if they're any good. I believe that they can hide the wires etc. but does this affect the warranty for the car?

Cheers,
TS

Depending on your budget? I got a small one from recent PC show @ $128, the wire is outside but I can take out easily if I switch car.

Thanks, bro. I'm looking to get one where the wires are all hidden. What sort cost am I looking at?

Technospaz wrote:

Thanks, bro. I'm looking to get one where the wires are all hidden. What sort cost am I looking at?

Saw one in last PC show, $400+ but I'm sure u can get cheaper one out there.

I got mine from this

http://itfairsg.com/pcshow2013/zmc-automotive-car-black-box-inavi-clair-ii-fxd700-price-list-flyer-brochure-11488/

OK, I saw the ones here. These are the Blackvue ones. They aren't cheap but I've heard that they are pretty good.

This look like the one same as my uncle. He been using it for almost 6 months no complained so far, anyway do check out the prices can vary quite a lot. Some people buy with GPS one also working fine except u cannot hide wire lor.

enwee wrote:

This look like the one same as my uncle. He been using it for almost 6 months no complained so far, anyway do check out the prices can vary quite a lot. Some people buy with GPS one also working fine except u cannot hide wire lor.

Thanks, bro. I don't need GPS. I just need a car camera where the wires are hidden.

Bro TS,

hiding of wire can be done at any car workshop at a cost of around $40-$60.

Typically buying DVR does not include the installation charges (hiding the wire that is). But if you buy those high end ones which cost $400++, they would usually include the installation for you FOC.

Mine cost me $60. It is made in Korea, supports full 1080 HD video format, support up to 32GB SD card. So if i install it elsewhere, it would cost be around $100 in total.

Anyway the main thing u need to check, it's the night view. Day time I guess with or without HD it's about the same. It's the night that made the difference.

you may wish to check them out;


http://www.hontoracing.net/newcowonaw1.htm

Bro Jason, go through the link here

http://www.dsxuite.com.sg/

call Xavier at mobile 84827998 for more info.

Thanks, bros!! Really appreciate the feedback

if you are the DIY type and don't mind some cosmetic damage on your car, easy to hide the wires yourself. arm yourself with a metal ruler, wrap it with thin cloth (to avoid scratches).

On the front windscreen, there are gaps between the rubber and screen, just fit them into the gaps,
widen the gaps of the dashboard to fit in the wire. depending on type of car you have the fuse box near steering wheel, put that in and run inside to your 12v cigarette power supply. you can do it in less than 15 mins, save 40-60 bucks.

den wrote:

Bro Jason, go through the link here

http://www.dsxuite.com.sg/

call Xavier at mobile 84827998 for more info.

Den, this one looks promising. Do you have it installed in your car? If you did, is it good? How much did it cost (ballpark figure)?

Bro Jason, like yourself I am actually researching the in car camera and I found this site from vagsg- a Volkswagen Audi car forum. They are having a promo currently for the front, rear camera + SD card+ installation+ etc at $3XX.XX.
Please call Xavier for more info.

I am using blackvue (non HD). So far so good but then cun really see the front car's number plates unless near & stationary. Device is very small & nice.

Though mine is fine, but some forumers said that their blackvue device get overheated easily if parked under sun for long time.

As for concealing the wires, jus go to those in-car-entertainment workshop, they can conceal for u with a small charge.

Whatever in-car camera you are buying, it is good to get those with power magic device which will power off the camera if your car battery falls below the necessary power to start a car. This is especially important if u r leaving the camera thru the nite.

My car camera is black vue too. Image is very clear. Had the chance to use the video clips when I was in involved in an accident 1 year ago. In the end, traffic police confirmed not my fault. 

I installed it in a car shop in bkt batok. Price should be around $250. 

Had so e problems with the data card but after few free exchanges and also bought the latest card, problems seems to be gone. 

Good gadget to have to a lid arguments in accident. 

Installed directly behind rear mirror so not noticeable at all.

Can consider the brand Itronics too. Can get from dsxuite too. Think is their hot brand.

Thanks folks.

Poresia - I assume that the price of $250 includes the blackvue device? OR is that separate?

Using the Blackvue 500 series. I love the aesthetics of it plus the wireless viewing on the iPhone. It's pricey but it is unobtrusive and so for me, that alone is worth the money. I had it installed at the Geylang main office and they did a great job with the hiding of the wires. They tap the fuse box but I still don't know whether if that will affect my warranty or not. I will know at the next servicing but I won't point it out to them. Tried the battery but it has a serious flaw for me. It won't last the night and I don't drive enough in the day to fully charge the battery. So end up, the park mode is never activated. Video quality is excellent; day or night. Audio recording is also clear.

Technospaz wrote:

Thanks folks.

Poresia - I assume that the price of $250 includes the blackvue device? OR is that separate?

$250 all in! Install n device.

I think you have already decided to go for an installer who provides the DVR and installs it for you.  I did it myself so we're not walking down the same path, but maybe these considerations I had may help you:

- Camera should start when the ignition is on, and stops when it is off.  Some do not stop and continue to drain your battery...you go for a 2 week holiday and walah, you need to call the AA.
- Camera resolution doesn't need to be the best, as long as the insurance company can discern the sequence of events that leads to any incident.  Some say they need HD video for the licence plate to be read - maybe, but in any event you will take photos so that should suffice
- The resolution also has a knock-on effect that is very important - too high a resolution fills your memory card very quickly.  You can always get a huge microSD/SD card, but check that your DVR can loop efficiently without a long downtime to format or overwrite the old files before writing the new files, otherwise the chances of missing the moment of truth is higher, which defeats the purpose of the DVR
- Night vision via LED lights are a hardsell in my opinion.  The DVR is inside the vehicle, so the light thrown by the LED will be internally reflected into the camera as the outside is dark.  If you want night protection on the road or when the vehicle is stationary (against theft), go for one that has high ISO and motion detection
- Some DVRs have minimal electromagnetic shielding, which may affect your FM radio reception
- Check the file format output of your DVR - some provide odd video files that cannot be opened by Media Player, and nobody wants to buy Adobe Premiere just to view an incident video
- Finally aesthetics - small is best, hides well behind the rearview mirror, and ensure the bracket holding the camera is sturdy and sticks well to the glass without risk of falling and damaging your DVR, or worse, your car.

All the best in your search!

Thanks, bro Entity

Entity, u seemed experienced. What model do u recommend and can pay u to install?

peace2903 wrote:

Entity, u seemed experienced. What model do u recommend and can pay u to install?

blackvue installation is pretty no brainer, just stick it into the electric cigarette socket. Buying blackvue off the shelves in SG is pretty expensive, get it off ebay (less than $200, for 350 model, bought mine at 180, lower exchange rate then..). They usually order from ebay anyway. here's a link for example: http://www.ebay.com.sg/itm/BlackVue-DR350-4GB-Vehicle-Car-Black-Box-Drive-English-Manual-/221178150052?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item337f3ebca4&_uhb=1#ht_5366wt_907

To connect blackvue to your car battery(for 24 hours recording... but take note you need a LARGE memory card or else your videos will just keep getting over written every 4 - 6 hours. IMHO, you don't need to record 24 hours, save your car battery), you need another module, the power magic, typically about $40. This part is hard to self install. Buying them online and then bringing them down to any shop for installation will be much cheaper, labour charges are about $20.
Power magic:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BlackVue-Car-Black-Box-Power-Magic-FREE-SHIPPING-For-DR400G-HD-2-DR350-DR380-HD-/330859040167?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d08bc4da7

Lastly, concealing wires.. just round them along your car edges, its pretty easy. Or bring down to the shop for an all-in installation after ordering them online.

and lastly, my car is parked under the sun every single day, 2 years and still working well.