Drivers, share your experience with Vehicle Video Recorders

Thanks for another great offering. Google "idrive cam" and you'll get an abundance of information. Of particular interest is a video capture of an 18-wheeler accident which was evidence that the bus driver with the iCam was blameless (the 18-wheeler, sorry to say, was running bald tires and either 16 or 18 thousand pounds overweight!). Here's the link to the video footage:

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/91098/dramatic_crash_caught_on_drive_cam/

 

Just went back to visit the on-line store that I bought my Garmin 465t from ... and it looks like they must be listening to this forum.

They just added the new DeryTech Auto-Cam 600 system.

It looks like it'll do it all and it has its own DVR with up to 8 hrs of storage. WOW !!

Just Google ... Trucking Accessories ... and the very first "natural" listing (not the sponsored links) will take you to where I am talking about.

(That should keep the "Post Nazi" from saying I'm violating the rules.)

 

Thanks for the post. If you are considering one; be sure and look at the previously mentioned StuntCam offerings. A DVR that can monitor up to four cameras simultaneously (I'd like front and both sides) and can store several days recordings. Also, when parked it is motion-activated so that say, you are in a truck stop and someone, unnoticed by anyone hit your truck backing into a hole; you have his rear plate, the circumstance of the damage, and clear documentation. I feel it is mandatory equipment, myself. I will be checking out the unit you mentioned though. Thanks again.

 

Found one on ebay for $50. Small investment for CYA. I'll do a little more research and will probably get one of these idrive models. Thanks for the info.

 

If you READ; and THEN FOLLOWED the rules, you wouldn't have to worry about the "POST NAZI"....
(But with your "11 posts" and already have been "Banned/Retired", it is obvious that is something you may be constitutionally incapable of doing.)

 

I got one and there are some drawbacks with this model, though, I am happy overall.

The controls are quirky, such as, there is an on/off button as well as a power button. It took awhile to figure out when it was in standby or recording, and the included directions were not clear. But once I got it all figured out it works just fine on a continuous loop deleting the oldest files to upload the newer in 6 min segments. The size of SD card you get will determine how much it holds at any one time.

Another drawback is the flashing blue light. That means it is recording. Well, if it's flashing quickly it is recording, if it is flashing slowly it is in standby or something. But at night it is annoying having this flashing light. It's one of those cool blue lights which is not discrete. I'm going to get some kind of cover that will tamp it down, though, I'll still be able to see it to know it's recording.

It was about $150 without the SD card at stuntcams. I got an 8gb card separately. Now you have to be careful if you go to Amazon or Ebay because these cams all look about the same and it will look as if you can get the same thing for about $50. But that would be the "low-res" model and could be a very early generation that only holds 2gb or has other limitations. The one I got is the "color wireless dash cam v2.0." You can probably find it cheaper, but I got it at stuntcams so I could get support if needed and ease of return if needed.

It doesn't look "high res" but compared to the low-res models there is a significant difference. It's just not the high-res you associate with regular video cameras. Here's a clip from a delivery last week in Brockton, MA.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qpo_nCr6Tk

 

Yeah you got the same one I have

This is a clip from mine...appears to be the same res.
http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...ports/83409-guy-passed-me-like-i-backing.html

 

You guys be careful with those on board cams. The videos can be used against you. A couple years back one of our drivers (JB Hunt) mounted one on the underside of his top sleeper bunk. He rear ended a car and taped the whole event. The guy had his road atlas on the steering wheel when he pushed a stopped car through a red light, and it was all on tape. And JB Hunt LOVES to show everyone that video at EVERY safety meeting.

 

Why would he mount it inside his truck? theif reasons? quess the thieves would steal the cam too lol I personally want to tape other peoples mistakes not mine

 

I thought about that. Mine is on the dash of course and not inside the truck. If I had a wreck and it could be my fault, I would not offer the video. But, heaven forbid, if it was a bad wreck and I was incapacitated, somebody might grab the camcorder as they were pulling me from the wreckage.