Buriram Expats

Buriram Province - General Category => Isaan Motor Forum => Topic started by: davureborn on June 25, 2016, 06:39:40 PM

Title: Dashcam
Post by: davureborn on June 25, 2016, 06:39:40 PM
The Micro SD card or whatever it's called on the dashcam I bought about two years ago died and I can't find one to replace it. Two years is pretty good for a cheap dashcam anyway so I am looking for a new one. Anybody buy a decent one recently, Lazada or locally?
I guess up to ฿3000.- is ok, although a taxi driver told me not to buy an expensive one, they all die in a year or so.
I went to the Mall in Korat recently and the selection was unimpressive.
Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: iammike on June 25, 2016, 07:21:22 PM
Did the Micro SD card die ?

If so, they are easily available. I just bought a couple for Phones and my own Dash Cam in the JiB shop in Robinson Buriram 2nd Floor (next to Banana IT).

Dash cam ?

Get one that records in 1080p quality, any lower then that and you want be able to make out anything, but please note when you buy one that records in 1080p you also need a Class 10 MicroSD card and not the lower ones (class 4 or class 6).

Ps: More expensive Dash cams usually come with a warranty ;)

I only buy Garmin Dash Cams (with build in GPS) so no idea about other brands, but I had some cheaper brands and the quality sckus.
Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: davureborn on June 25, 2016, 07:45:40 PM
Thanks, I shall hie myself thither tomorrow.
I'm pretty happy with my iPhone navigation so won't be needing a GPS although that would be nice.
Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: iammike on June 25, 2016, 08:49:41 PM
Thanks, I shall hie myself thither tomorrow.
I'm pretty happy with my iPhone navigation so won't be needing a GPS although that would be nice.

A dedicated dash cam with gps is not a gps in the sense that you can navigate with them.

If a dash cam has a gps chip onboard it records (embedded into the video) the speed you are driving plus the actual location of your vehicle.

There are gps available with built-in Dashcams, but those devices are way more expensive then 3k more like in the region of 15k. Do a search on Google for Garmin NuviCam.

Edit: Here a list of Micro SD cards with price so you know what price you approx have to pay.

http://www.invadeit.co.th/category/memory-cards/microsd/

I bought Micro SD cards at Jib (class 4, so not class 10) for 100 THB 8Gb capacity.

The Class 10 for use in my Dash Cam was 32Gb and was priced at around 4-500 THB
Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: davureborn on June 26, 2016, 02:09:03 PM
So I bought a card, 16GB, ฿790 but no class visible, the guy didn't know what I was talking about although I did see some labelled Class 4. At least I now have a functioning carcam again. I saw two only carcams while I was in Robinsons (not the banana place), a Drivepro 100 for ฿3400 and a Drivepro  200 for ฿4500 so I guess my old carcam will be finding a place on the back window very soon. That is to say if I can actually remove its card in order to put it in a card reader which is a bummer.
Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: iammike on June 26, 2016, 06:09:24 PM
Can you take a picture of the cover / packaging so I can have a look.

16Gb 790 THB is expensive. Which brand ? Kingston ?

You of course can remove the card and put it into a card reader, if you bought a MicroSD it should have come with an Adapter

(http://ak1.ostkcdn.com/images/products/2601659/Kingston-2GB-Micro-SD-Memory-Card-w-SD-Adapter-L10546950.jpg)

Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: davureborn on June 26, 2016, 07:47:55 PM
Thanks Mike.
Yes I have that stuff.   I also have a card reader with a slot that I can plug into the PC, I believe this is a USB2 connection, which not everyone will be able to use I think. The card is not the same shape as the one I had before, I am not confident that I can remove it, I already tried half heartedly.
I paid ฿1000 for the last one, no adapter, just a cableconnecting the camera to my PC.  so I thought this was a decent price, the adapter is a noname  'Micro SD adapter'

Planning on buying a new cam soon anyway, but can't understand why it is so difficult to get information and advice.
Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: PETHAI on June 27, 2016, 06:32:46 AM
Don't buy a dash cam from big C had one for 3week and it melted 2yr warranty was no good they said it's been in the sun
Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: Starman on June 27, 2016, 08:33:33 AM
Don't buy a dash cam from big C had one for 3week and it melted 2yr warranty was no good they said it's been in the sun

Surely it is not up to BigC to decide whether or not a warranty is valid. They are just the retailer.
Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: iammike on June 27, 2016, 10:12:14 AM
Thanks Mike.
Yes I have that stuff.   I also have a card reader with a slot that I can plug into the PC, I believe this is a USB2 connection, which not everyone will be able to use I think. The card is not the same shape as the one I had before, I am not confident that I can remove it, I already tried half heartedly.

Can you upload a picture of the card ? As I don't understand what you mean by "is not the same shape as the one I had before" ?

USB is backward compatabile, so if you stick a USB2 in a USB3 port (for example) it will work, but not as the same high speed as USB3.


I paid ฿1000 for the last one, no adapter, just a cableconnecting the camera to my PC.  so I thought this was a decent price, the adapter is a noname  'Micro SD adapter'

You can do that (connect a cable to the PC) but the speed is way slower then for example stick the SD card in a card reader and copy via the card reader.


Planning on buying a new cam soon anyway, but can't understand why it is so difficult to get information and advice.

Have a look here:

http://www.gpssociety.com/EN/Pages/product.aspx and scroll down to "Camera Serie". These are the Garmin dash cams. And all these Cams use MiniSD cards (class 6+)

I have the GDR33 (http://www.gpssociety.com/EN/Pages/productdetailfeature.aspx?SiteName=EN&Category=PND&ID=29) in the back window of my car.
Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: PETHAI on June 27, 2016, 10:22:08 AM
Starman I kept my post brief, they returned the dash am to the manufacturer and they decided the garrantee was not going to honoured because it was sun damage
Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: iammike on June 27, 2016, 10:28:57 AM
Starman I kept my post brief, they returned the dash am to the manufacturer and they decided the garrantee was not going to honoured because it was sun damage

That must have been really bad quality, the only thing that happen to my Dash cams (if they are in the sun too long) is that the dash cam windshield mounts lose their grip, but reattaching it solves that problem.

The Dash Cam in the back Window of my car I have never taken off, I only take the MiniSD card out if I want to save the Video Files.
Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: davureborn on June 29, 2016, 11:43:08 AM
Thanks again, Iammike, I finally got my old cam working again, although (it has two lenses) one camera now has distinctly less good quality than the other. No car number plates are readable, difficult to see if that really was a red light or not. Doesn't matter, I'll keep it until it is useless or I decide to buy a new one. The DrivePro 100 is going to be my next purchase, apparently the DrivePro 200 has few advantages apart from being Wifi enabled.
Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: iammike on June 29, 2016, 03:02:33 PM
Wow, 2 lenses. Are they with the wide view 200 degrees ?

I would love one of those, but the Garmin one is <insert word of your choosing> expensive at 10.900 THB

http://www.gpssociety.com/EN/Pages/productdetailfeature.aspx?SiteName=EN&Category=PND&ID=36

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYYw35usAMM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYYw35usAMM)

Sorry no experience with the DrivePro, where do you buy them ?

Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: davureborn on June 29, 2016, 03:39:41 PM
Drive Pro: in nearly the same place as IT Bananas or whatever you call it, in Robinson first floor. (over the aisle and down a bit). Got good reviews. The instructions are apparently in English, meaning that you won't have one week fiddling with it to find the English language menu and another finding out how to adjust time and date.
The cheap no name thing I have now does about 170° and I have to get them aligned correctly to get a decent clip. (Unless I just use on lens, then I get about 140°) However I can move the lens easily enough so that any cop sticking his head through the window will be recorded in glorious sepia.
I watched quite a few demonstration videos for different cams and half of them seem to be using the same video clip, driving behind two yellow taxis!
I did a quick survey in BigC last night and very few cars seem to have a cam for the time being.
Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: iammike on June 29, 2016, 04:07:59 PM
Is the brand name Transcend ?

If so, here is the support page with the Manual and Firmware etc etc

http://www.transcend-info.com/Support/No-675

Edit: Here a video review of both the DrivePro 100 and DrivePro 200

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI55mhpd8Es
Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: davureborn on June 29, 2016, 05:49:24 PM
Yes.
 I also checked up with Amazon, they generally have good neutral reviws
Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: Freddy on November 21, 2016, 10:21:59 AM
Hi Dave,
Did you purchase a DrivePro 100 in the end. If so, how much was it.
I'm going to buy one this week.
Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: davureborn on November 21, 2016, 02:01:14 PM
Hi. I didn't buy a Drivepro because when I arrived with the intention of buying one with cash in my hot little hands they were all gone (some time ago now). I think it was ‎฿3500.-. the more expensive version allows you to do file transfer by Bluetooth (or wifi?).
A taxi driver told me to buy a cheap one as they all die after a year or two.
The cheapo one I have now can't read number plates and has the same field of view as any smart phone so I'm not sure I'll buy another.
Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: Freddy on November 21, 2016, 02:52:16 PM
I think I'll go with the drive-pro and keep my fingers crossed for at least 2 years of use.
Not to worried about the WiFi so gonna get the 100.
Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: Freddy on November 27, 2016, 06:19:45 AM
I got the DrivePro 100 yesterday.
For info - Can confirm 3,500 baht. The shop that stocks them at the Robinsons Centre is called Big Camera and as previously advised is upstairs near Banana IT. I had a good look around and this seems to be the only store stocking them at Robinsons.
They also had the 200 still at 4,500 baht and another one that was 5,000+. Still a DrivePro but didn't get the number.
If purchasing be aware that it comes with the suction mount in the box. When reading/watching the reviews on Amazon/YouTube it showed that a suction mount wasn't provided and had to be purchased separately however not the case. Definitely one in the box.
Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: davureborn on January 03, 2017, 07:17:29 AM
How are you getting on with your Drive pro? Using my old iphone is OK I suppose but it is fiddly. Can you show some footage? Happy New Year .
Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: Freddy on January 03, 2017, 08:28:49 AM
It's been fine. Only problem I have had is that it came with the suction mount and not the sticky pad. I thought the suction mount would be better but it only holds for a few days and needs to be re-set, so not great that it falls and hangs from the cable.
Using it is simple. I've only viewed footage on the unit to check working OK. Can't imagine I will upload any footage to computer unless something happens.
Invedentally, there is a 2nd camera shop that stocks them at the Robinson Centre. Same price. It's one of the fixed shops upstairs on the same side as the toilets.
Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: Freddy on January 03, 2017, 08:33:46 AM
Further to my last. One advantage to the suction mount failing and letting the unit drop was that it tested the impact feature. After it dropped it automatically saved and locked the footage, so that works well. Good feature for when in a car park etc......
Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: DeputyDavid on March 18, 2017, 11:43:45 AM
Drive Pro: in nearly the same place as IT Bananas or whatever you call it, in Robinson first floor. (over the aisle and down a bit). Got good reviews. The instructions are apparently in English, meaning that you won't have one week fiddling with it to find the English language menu and another finding out how to adjust time and date.
The cheap no name thing I have now does about 170° and I have to get them aligned correctly to get a decent clip. (Unless I just use on lens, then I get about 140°) However I can move the lens easily enough so that any cop sticking his head through the window will be recorded in glorious sepia.
I watched quite a few demonstration videos for different cams and half of them seem to be using the same video clip, driving behind two yellow taxis!
I did a quick survey in BigC last night and very few cars seem to have a cam for the time being.

Went there today. Maybe a new shop by now but sell only no name dash cams. No demonstrations.
Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: Freddy on March 18, 2017, 01:00:00 PM
Big Camera at Robinsons complex had them last week. I believe Lazada have them also. Possibly pay on delivery.
Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: Freddy on March 18, 2017, 01:02:26 PM
There's also a branch of Big Camera at Big C. Don't know what they stock but possibly worth a look.
Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: iammike on March 18, 2017, 01:22:54 PM
Maybe already said in a previous topic / post, but when buying a HD Dash Cam, make sure that the Memory Card is a Class 10 one so it can keep up with writing the Video onto the SD Card.

See example
Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: davureborn on March 19, 2017, 07:27:21 AM
Maybe already said in a previous topic / post, but when buying a HD Dash Cam, make sure that the Memory Card is a Class 10 one so it can keep up with writing the Video onto the SD Card.

See example

Lazada now has an offer including the SD card, about ‎฿3590. (Drivepro 100) http://www.lazada.co.th/transcend-drivepro-100-full-hd-1080pblack-6444102.html
There was an article recently stating that cars equipped with dashcams (not iPhones with an app which is what I am currently using) will be getting a 5 to 10% insurance rebate, and that insurance companies would be obliged to accord this rebate. In view of this and other things I am at a loss why there aren't shops that are dedicated to selling and installing dashcams and GPS gadgets.
The shop diagonally opposite to the  Bangkok bank in the town centre also has dashcams in the window.
A taxi driver told me that all these devices break in a year or so, so there's no point in buying an expensive one.
Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: DeputyDavid on March 19, 2017, 09:33:23 AM
I am definitely leaning towards that one Davu. It also comes with a couple different mounts which is a bonus.
Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: davureborn on March 19, 2017, 10:41:41 AM
I am definitely leaning towards that one Davu. It also comes with a couple different mounts which is a bonus.
Me too. However a reduced price can mean that something better is in the pipeline but that's always the case I think.
Title: Re: Dashcam
Post by: iammike on March 19, 2017, 02:13:38 PM
<snip>
The shop diagonally opposite to the  Bangkok bank in the town centre also has dashcams in the window.
A taxi driver told me that all these devices break in a year or so, so there's no point in buying an expensive one.

I have a Garmin NuviCam (all in one GPS with HD DashCam price was 15k THB) and I now have it over 1.5 years and still works perfectly.

I have no idea about No Brand Name stuff as I will not buy them, but the Transcend DrivePro are worth every penny IMHO, but I opted for an all-in (GPS/DashCam) for the Front Window, and a Garmin GDR-33 for the back Window. But If that GDR-33 Fails (it's still going strong 2 years on) I will go for the DrivePro series.

One more advice. if you have a chance, test the Dash Cam you wanna buy (or look up video's on youtube) how it performs at night. For example, can you clearly identify License Plates Numbers ?

The first DashCam I bought (cheap Chinese s...t) was so/so during the day, but at night you couldn't even identify a license plate number when the other car was only a couple of meters away :(