Re: Dash cams

On 2/14/2021 1:43 PM, VanguardLH wrote:
> Cameo <[email protected]> wrote:
> 
>> Does any car model offer factory equipped dash cam. I only know of Tesla
>> doing it.
> 
> A dash cam only affords proof of an accident occuring at the front.  It
> doesn't cover both sides and rear of the car.  If you get rear ended, a
> side collision, or a theft (thieves aren't going through the
> windshield), the dash won't show any of those.
> 
> I know a guy that uses his old smartphones as dashcams.  However, I have
> to wonder if all those phones in his windows don't make for candy to
> thieves walking up with a spring-loaded punch to get through the side
> windows ... and everyone now is wearing a mask due to Covid.  That apps
> can record audio, too.  Didn't see if the Tesla setup includes audio.
> 
> The 2019 Tesla model 3 has 8 proprietary cameras: 3 in front, 2 each
> side, and 1 rear; see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAm93urmais.
> There's also a interior camera above the windshield rear-view mirror to
> record what goes on inside that, for now, you have to opt into; see
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zUEU18jReU.  At their price (cameras
> aren't available until you get to the Long Term model at $47K), they can
> offer the option because those buying a Tesla already have deep pockets.
> I saw nothing about their system uploading the videos or pics to an
> online storage service via 5G.  The videos or pics can be transferred to
> a USB drive, but it has to be used at a different computer to view them.
> So, if the car gets stolen, so does all the footage, and you have
> nothing to show who might've take the car or where it might be.  If the
> car burns up, the USB drive could get incinerated.  Even the smartphone
> dashcam apps allow uploading to online storage.
> 
> Tesla is designing toward an autonomous vehicle.  Other car makers are
> less inclined.  The C7 Corvette ($44K) has a dealer-installed dashcam
> option: 3 cameras - frontward at bottom of rearview mirror, 2 curb
> camera in front fenders near the front grill.
> 
> No point in looking up any others since you don't mention what is YOUR
> budget for a new car.

Just because the dash cam would not record all types accidents or 
intrusions, it still could be useful.