Re: Dash cams

Cameo <[email protected]> wrote:

> 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.

Then how about using an old smartphone collecting dust in a drawer?
I was going to do that with my old smartphone, but my aunt, who has the
same one, had hers bust (the battery got pregnant and split the phone
apart) because she left it on the charger all the time, so I gave her my
old smartphone.  It's been a couple years since I was looking at using
my old smartphone as a dash cam, so I'd have to check which apps are
good ones nowadays.  I remember looking at Autoboy, DailyRoads Voyager,
and a couple others that I don't remember now.  Which is best might've
changed over the last year or two.  I didn't like leaving a smartphone
dangling on my windshield to tempt thieves to record while I was gone
nor having to remount it everytime I returned to the car.