Blackvue dr500gw-hd wifi Dashcam

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

Blackvue for me please.

Mostly for cosmetic reasons. I like the idea of the wifi and GPS too. If the live view is any good, I'm toying with the concept of a second one in the rear to use as a rear view camera as well as covering my arse (pun intended)

[shodown Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close shodown]

Blackvue for me please.

Mostly for cosmetic reasons. I like the idea of the wifi and GPS too. If the live view is any good, I'm toying with the concept of a second one in the rear to use as a rear view camera as well as covering my arse (pun intended)

I know the dealer said only the raw footage is looked at in courts, but if you simply had to show your insurance company or the offenders etc, I dont think you would get any arguements if you had speeds on the footage to verify your story over the offenders!

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

As i have the Blackvue unit i can give genuine feedback on it..The Blackvue dashcam does not have it's own viewing screen, to get live view you need the blackvue app for your iphone or android phone and or laptop, then you wifi connect to the camera to live view or playback any video. The sd card can also be pulled and inserted directly in your computer and again you can view, save any of the clips you choose.

The blackvue app is free for the smartphones, and comes on the sd card for mac or pc.

I use my Nexus 7 tablet to view clips in the car, or live view.

Cheer
Steve

Thanks for the feedback Steve. I have an iPhone with ClicOn mount, and am thinking of getting a Nexus 7. The rearview is only an idea I am kicking around. Its mainly the forward facing daytime that I am worried about. There's probably a cheaper easier alternative than having to turn on the app everytime I need to reverse!

Can I ask, are you planning on using the optional Power Magic Adaptor to permanently power it on, or just a direct connection?

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

Hey r4ndll, personally i wouldnt waste the cash on the magic power adaptor, all i did was hard wire it to my aux battery, and given that the cam goes into standby when in parking mode and only actually goes back to life upon movement i figured the drain would be minimal. in 5 months or so i have not had an issue.

Cheers
Steve

True - specs I can find show consumption varies between 0.3A to 0.12A during normal use. Standby will hopefully be less. The Aux battery should handle that!

[ntp Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close ntp]

This was the other type of dash cam I was looking at recently:

http://www.laserco.net/products/gps/...ams/NAVCAM-GPS


And for those with iPhones who want a quick and simple alternative:

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/witn...437813388?mt=8

[ntp Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close ntp]

Maybe an early sponsor for GTG 2014?

[Signature035 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Signature035]

I have been running Dashcams for around 4 years, I have been interviewed on ACA, and some of my footage appears on the Blackvue website. I have also provided 2 lots of footage to Police, unfortunately one involving the death of a pedestrian. These 'toys' WILL become standard fitment for new cars in the very near future.

Not wanting to complicate the decision making process, however, I've had 3 of the earlier Blackvue 400 units all replaced under warranty, and have since changed brands (with assistance from the Australian supplier) due to some known issues.

Happy to PM those that may want to hear my views.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Here is a couple of pics of where mine is mounted just behind rear view mirror which is why they probably didn't see it and also I suppose its a bit darker in their workshop plus I turned off all the notices and sounds so you wouldn't even know its on. Not real clear pics as its dark (just took them now) and the fluro light was reflecting off windscreen so just used flash on iphone....Gives you an idea anyway of where it can be mounted and in the picture you just see the black power wire coming down from the roof lining down behind rear view mirror into the camera...... [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] The good thing with the wifi also is when setting the camera up you can do it via your smart phone (live view) and get it spot on to what you want. I had to tilt mine down a tad when setting it up as the speed/date/time etc is in white and when playing back this part (speed,date,time) was reflecting off my white bonnet so made it hard to read but tilted a tad and it now reflects off the black dash mat so is clear as you would have seen in the video..... I also have additional windscreen holder and lead in wifes car if we take her buz box up the coast for a run, takes seconds to transfer from one car to the other........Cheers Steve

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Looking at those pics actually I might even touch up the nice shiny silver/chrome bit with some black marker to hide it a bit more......Cheers Steve

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

Just a question in relation to running aux power to these things. What happens if someone disconnects the car's aux battery (i.e. during servicing)? The main battery has to be connected again to drive the car but not the aux battery so isn't that a potential weak spot?

Also, does the Vico have GPS? Looking at the website it appears not, just want to confirm.

I like the slim lines of the Blackvue but the price is a bit steep, it's getting close to GoPro Silver pricing. True you can't hide a GoPro like you can the BlackVue but it is more versatile.

[gumboot Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close gumboot]

Looking at those pics actually I might even touch up the nice shiny silver/chrome bit with some black marker to hide it a bit more......Cheers Steve

or some black gaffer tape.

[ntp Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close ntp]

The Blackview has received some previous bad reports about heat issues and how it affects its recording quality. Does anyone know if this newer model has somehow addressed this, or is better?

SteveM - have you had any issues with this HD unit overheating or being extra hot? How long have you had it for, and have you left it in the vehicle during summer?

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Yeah mate had it on the windscreen since summer months and certainly no issues. The heat issues were with the series one (without wifi) and yes did have issues. I asked the same question about the one I have prior to getting it and definitely no issues, best bit of gear I have bought. I really grilled the provider before I bought it and that if I had any issues with over heating Id be back on his doorstep with it demanding a refund. He said I wont see you again then so based on that and the fact Steve has had no issues I bought mine..........Cheers Steve

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

Just a question in relation to running aux power to these things. What happens if someone disconnects the car's aux battery (i.e. during servicing)? The main battery has to be connected again to drive the car but not the aux battery so isn't that a potential weak spot?

Also, does the Vico have GPS? Looking at the website it appears not, just want to confirm.

I like the slim lines of the Blackvue but the price is a bit steep, it's getting close to GoPro Silver pricing. True you can't hide a GoPro like you can the BlackVue but it is more versatile.

Hey Fido666 - they could just as easily unplug it when in the workshop!

For me it's more about the recording when moving. It seems no one round my way can drive and roundabouts are beyond them. Seriously 3 near misses in the last month, 2 days ago a frikking dog jumped out at me on a roundabout. At least I know the brake booster's are working!

I've also got a go pro hero 2, but I like the idea of set and forget and looping recording of a dash cam

[ntp Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close ntp]

Thanks Steve M and stevejau.