Top Dawg Dash-Cam

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by cabwrecker, May 4, 2013.

  1. slowpoker

    slowpoker Light Load Member

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    May 23, 2011
    new braunfels,tx
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    I bought one on E-Bay for $40 will let you guys know how that product is once I get it.In this day and age especially when you have lawyers who target truckers and advertise it on bill boards giving 4 wheelers ideas you need to have a dash cam.
     
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  3. Vmaxx

    Vmaxx Bobtail Member

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    I bought my dash cam from Diesel Boss also. I got it last August and it's been running 5 to 7 days a week 24 hrs a day, even when the truck is off it still runs unless I unplug it. Here's a vid from Friday afternoon the right lane ended at the intersection. Can anyone help me figure out the Michigan plate number?



    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxwSsURQ82Q&feature=youtu.be
     
    Hanadarko Thanks this.
  4. k7tkr

    k7tkr Medium Load Member

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    My own opinion is that the Top Dawg I had was a piece of crap. Those ultra-violet lights in the front, well they just reflected back at me and made it hard to see at night. The thing also interfered with both my GPS device and my vhf/uhf/aprs rig here on the dash. I think I am going to get one of those Go-Pro cams or something similar.
     
  5. RavenRyder

    RavenRyder Light Load Member

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    Thanx for the warning cabwrecker... I definitely could tell from your post that it was meant to be informative and it certainly was that.
    We need more feedback on products as we get caught up in the hype and bull**** sales pitch in our desire to have some useful toy/tool, and a lot of drivers don't really have the time to do some good research....
    Maybe they can start a forum on here for just such a purpose...
     
    cetanediesel Thanks this.
  6. Dieselboss

    Dieselboss Technology Contributor

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    DieselBoss.com
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    Tip: There is a number that says "EV" on the top of your screen when it is recording. This is a setting for brightness. I find that you can tweak it up a click or two at night and down a click or two in extreme brightness. The "default" number is 0.0 and is normally the best all-around brightness to have it on most of the time. However, in looking at the video you posted, I would guess that it is higher than 0.0 right now because the brightness is getting washed out in that sun.

    Second, the max resolution that YouTube is letting me go to is "480." This may be because the camera recording "size" setting is on the default setting of "848X480" also. There is nothing wrong with this setting and we recommend it as a good all-around compromise to get good video and make the card last longer before over-writing begins. However, if you set the camera "size" setting to 1280X720, you will also have a better chance of reading plates in cases like this one.

    Do you have the raw video still on your computer? If so, do you know how to upload it to Dropbox or Google Drive and send me a link? Or, if your email provider will allow large file attachments, you could email it to me. I can almost get the plate number from your YouTube video, but not quite. If the raw video is a higher resolution or even if not, I may be able to extract the plate number, maybe.

    Either way, next time you get a chance look at that EV number on the screen. Press the "Up/Down" buttons on the right side of the camera to increase or decrease the brightness so you can get better image.
     
    88 Alpha and bullhaulerswife Thank this.
  7. Vmaxx

    Vmaxx Bobtail Member

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    May 10, 2012
    MI
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    Thanks for the tips, I'll be sure to look into them first chance I get. I do still have the video on my computer I'll check into the dropbox like you suggested, I really appreciate your help with this. It must have been a coin or something small thrown at my truck because there's no visible damage.

    I have to say this little camera just keeps going & going. Thanks again for the help!!

    Anyhow I didn't mean to thread jack SORRY..




     
  8. Raiderfanatic

    Raiderfanatic Heavy Load Member

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    Hutchinson, KS
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    I've had mine for six months and absolutely love it. Have had no issues with it whatsoever. It records crystal clear HD. Even records fairly decent at night. Seems to show better visual than I actually see. I bought mine from the Joplin Flying J. Think the Verizon guy was the one selling them.

    I'm super happy with mine. I never shut it off unless I'm swapping the 32 GB memory card out to pull something off of one card.

    I've not had to deal with their customer service but again, I ain't had any issues with it. I think it's an excellent product.
     
  9. lonewolf21

    lonewolf21 Bobtail Member

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    Apr 14, 2012
    Kenora, Ontario
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    I too have bought this exact unit while down in Vegas 2 weeks ago. It seems to work fine. crossing my fingers. My questions to all other owners of this unit, are, what settings are optimal for the best quality video?, and how can you view the recordings in real time, without the time lags? or is this even possible?
     
  10. RavenRyder

    RavenRyder Light Load Member

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    For the camera hunters... Here's some I found... I'm getting the first one with the 170 degree vision... the 2nd looked good too but only 120 degree vision... What led me to buy one... I got hit by a kid and I'm being charged with a preventable... I'm getting the cam to protect me from the company... I'll go into what happened on another post... down the road... anyway check out these cams... I really like the first one... just fyi... the DHL shipping is $25 for a total of $119... I'd say definitely worth it... I spent all day researching... so... take my word for it.... The reason I posted the same cam twice is the second one has a video...

    http://www.geekbuying.com/item/GS80...Camera-with-GPS--G-Sensor--AV-Out-312751.html

    http://www.ebdeal.com/1080p-hd-gs80...n-gps-logger-g-sensor-hyper-night-vision.html

    http://www.foxoffer.com/hd-1080p-gs800-car-dvr-camera-with-ambarella-cpu-p-465.html#.UZFld8ol_7Q


    Here's a bunch of choices....
    http://www.aliexpress.com/store/group/Car-DVR-Camera/907804_211563718.html
     
    Last edited: May 13, 2013
    cabwrecker Thanks this.
  11. Blind Driver

    Blind Driver Road Train Member

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    New Albany, IN
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    Mercer is pimping those for $80.
     
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