Navig8r Car Crash Cam Review

[mistajoel]

I know there is several threads about these already, but I thought it'd be handy if I posted an actual review, for future souls like me doing a search on them.

Bought one of these (http://www.officeworks.com.au/retail/products/Whats-New/SYNAVCAMHD) today

Its a Navig8r Car Crash Cam

Works fantastic for what I need. Put a micro SD card in it, mount it on your windscreen (just like you would a GPS) and plug it into you cigarette socket.

Turn the key, it wakes up, starts recording. I records in 2 minute clips (think you can choose 2, 5 or 15). When you turn the key off, it stops recording after 10 secs or so (presumably for the times when you stall your car or something), then shuts itself down.

When the SD card is full, it simply overwrites the oldest file.

I plan to use it as a witness in case of an accident, or driving complaints, (i have people ring my company every now and then with complaints about my driving :wasntme: ) or just a simple trip log.

The video quality is good, the sound is passable, the simplicity of operation is just fantastic. plug it and forget about it till a problem

for $68 i think it would pay for itself pretty easily. plus, it'll be great for 4wding tracks and such.

[land864]

Joel

Any battery capacity in it or does it require Acc on power. Could an auto electrician hard wire it. Can you download the video. After some moron just tailgated me down Bulleen road when I was doing 70kmh (75 kmh shown on speedo which is 5kmh over at 75kmh) in a 70kmh zone , I was thinking it would be good to have one at the rear also. Does it have a kmh show up on the video also.
Are you legally obligated to have some signage that advises other drivers that you are taping them?

Pete

[Disco Muppet]

Are you legally obligated to have some signage that advises other drivers that you are taping them?


Thread on the whirlpool forum about similar things :)
Seems the sort answer is no, and dash cams are legal.
Might not be able to be used in court, as apparently then you're required to have notified them, but perhaps some of the more legal savvy aulrovians can comment :)
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1881793
Hope this helps.
Cheers
Muppet

[Tombie]

Recording in a public area is not against the law.

When / If you get down to interacting on camera (so drivers are standing arguing etc) then you are required to notify of the recording device..

Keep in mind - You'd want to make sure you aren't then overpowered and your camera stolen :eek:

[woody]

Forgive my ignorance if I'm wrong, but I believe that if you are part of the conversation/altercation then you may record it without notifying the other party. This was explained to me by a Police Officer who regularly uses video and voice recorders. He also said that it is admissible in court so long as it listed as evidence before the hearing.

woody

[mistajoel]

Joel

Any battery capacity in it or does it require Acc on power. Could an auto electrician hard wire it. Can you download the video. After some moron just tailgated me down Bulleen road when I was doing 70kmh (75 kmh shown on speedo which is 5kmh over at 75kmh) in a 70kmh zone , I was thinking it would be good to have one at the rear also. Does it have a kmh show up on the video also.
Are you legally obligated to have some signage that advises other drivers that you are taping them?

Pete

Yes it does have a battery in it, can't be huge though, its a very light unit, but it does run for quite a while unplugged.

Pretty sure anyone that has done a little wiring would be able to hard wire it, the cord it came with is pretty long (i guess 3 or 4m?), but it would be advisable to wire it to the acc circut, so it turns on and off automatically with the key.

Yep, you can download the video via a USB lead, or you could get the appropriate adapter for the micro SD card (often sold with the cards) and do it that way.

No speed indications (is a time stamp on the footage) but I thought about putting in on the sunroof where it could see the dash too...

Can't comment on legal obligations sorry, but other people seem to know what they're on about :)

[Bushie]

In NSW it would be covered under the Surveillance devices act 2007 (http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/maintop/view/inforce/act+64+2007+cd+0+N)

Martyn

[Tank]

In NSW it is illegal to mount any object "which in the view of a Police officer will obstruct your view", there was a story on one of the Current Affair shows showing police booking drivers for having anything other than a rear vision mirror above or on the dash. Don't forget it is up to the policeman to decide if the camera (whatever) is blocking your view, no arguements he/she has the final word, Regards Frank.

[Disco Muppet]

In NSW it is illegal to mount any object "which in the view of a Police officer will obstruct your view", there was a story on one of the Current Affair shows showing police booking drivers for having anything other than a rear vision mirror above or on the dash. Don't forget it is up to the policeman to decide if the camera (whatever) is blocking your view, no arguements he/she has the final word, Regards Frank.

I was under the impression that it could be considered illegal if they obscured your road view i.e if you put up a GPS and it blocks your view of part of the bonnet but not the road then it's okay.
Probably likely to be up to the officer as to what they'll ping you for.

[Tombie]

In NSW it is illegal to mount any object "which in the view of a Police officer will obstruct your view", there was a story on one of the Current Affair shows showing police booking drivers for having anything other than a rear vision mirror above or on the dash. Don't forget it is up to the policeman to decide if the camera (whatever) is blocking your view, no arguments he/she has the final word, Regards Frank.

Not quite :cool:

When they are having a bad day, and are a little 'tired and emotional' and are trying things like this on...

Time to whip out the mobile, switch on the camera - advise the actions are being recorded and get them to justify their stance.
And make sure the position of the device being challenged is clearly visible in the footage you record.

I've been defected on the side of the road years ago in a "Chrysler by Chrysler" Coupe for, and I quote "You've got no front springs in mate"

No amount of explaining the construction of the C by C front end was good enough for this fellow.

Nor could we convince him it was at minimum legal ride height (we even had the data sheet in the glove box - had been through it all before).

Simple enough to say - Recorded conversation on tape (had a dictation unit in car for such common harassment) and drove direct to Holden Hill Police Station...

Defect removed, apologies given, complaint form filed...

Yes, they have certain powers, but must utilise discretion when applying them..

Same applies for any object "which in the view of a Police officer will obstruct your view"

Or excessive noise from exhaust... You'll be wanting to have the full test equipment, and procedure before you try to get me on that one!

[Tank]

Not quite :cool:

When they are having a bad day, and are a little 'tired and emotional' and are trying things like this on...

Time to whip out the mobile, switch on the camera - advise the actions are being recorded and get them to justify their stance.
And make sure the position of the device being challenged is clearly visible in the footage you record.

I've been defected on the side of the road years ago in a "Chrysler by Chrysler" Coupe for, and I quote "You've got no front springs in mate"

No amount of explaining the construction of the C by C front end was good enough for this fellow.

Nor could we convince him it was at minimum legal ride height (we even had the data sheet in the glove box - had been through it all before).

Simple enough to say - Recorded conversation on tape (had a dictation unit in car for such common harassment) and drove direct to Holden Hill Police Station...

Defect removed, apologies given, complaint form filed...

Yes, they have certain powers, but must utilise discretion when applying them..

Same applies for any object "which in the view of a Police officer will obstruct your view"

Or excessive noise from exhaust... You'll be wanting to have the full test equipment, and procedure before you try to get me on that one!
I would say that would only get you some defect notices and a thorough inspection of the interior and boot, the cop is always right (until "proven" otherwise) and if in his view the location on the dash is illegal, then you are going to have to prove him/her wrong, can get very expensive, Regards Frank.

[Tombie]

I would say that would only get you some defect notices and a thorough inspection of the interior and boot, the cop is always right (until "proven" otherwise) and if in his view the location on the dash is illegal, then you are going to have to prove him/her wrong, can get very expensive, Regards Frank.

For which there is a defined and clearly written procedure for checking ;)

If he/she fails to follow said procedure, and I have evidence of the location of the item at the time of claimed offence.. Then I'm going to fight it... And I will win :cool:

I also, at all times, speak to the officer in a calm, non emotional voice. Respect gets respect, regardless of the situation.

[VladTepes]

Joel
Are you legally obligated to have some signage that advises other drivers that you are taping them?


Nope.


Recording in a public area is not against the law.

When / If you get down to interacting on camera (so drivers are standing arguing etc) then you are required to notify of the recording device..


Nope.


Forgive my ignorance if I'm wrong, but I believe that if you are part of the conversation/altercation then you may record it without notifying the other party.


Yep. (see note 1)


It often is (but won't necessarily be) usable as evidence in court.

In most cases a formal caution must be given, otherwise any admissions may by the other party may be inadmissible as evidence..

However, it would be able to be used to evidence driving behaviour, establishing what actually physically occurred, etc.


Note 1: However the subsequent broadcast of that information (e.g. publishing to youtube etc) without consent may well be illegal !

[mistajoel]

HAHA had no idea a simple camera review would create such discussion.

When it comes down to it, you need to check the laws in your state. Australia is stupid for having the laws different between states, but if you are worried about all that kind of thing, just check with the state you are driving in.

Use it for the intended purpose, obey all the laws that you can, and then plead ignorance/sweet talk your way out of anything else.

When a cop pulls you over, get out of the car, meet them halfway and shake hands, introduce yourself. Keep calm and be polite, they wear the uniform for respect, so give them what they want.

A mate who is a traffic cop gave me this advice, and so far it has got me out of about five tickets for various things.

Thanks for the input guys

[Naviguesser]

I purchased a Navig8r Crash Cam and am quite frankly disappointed with it.
The footage is quite poor, it seems the focus finishes at he bonnet as can see that clear as day.
Can't read the number plate on the car in front until you are far too close.
Video compression doesn't exist, struggle to get 3 hours footage on a 16gb card. And remember to format the card every week or so or the unit will randomly stop recording.

I think I will write off the $68 and buy something else.

[mistajoel]

I purchased a Navig8r Crash Cam and am quite frankly disappointed with it.
The footage is quite poor, it seems the focus finishes at he bonnet as can see that clear as day.
Can't read the number plate on the car in front until you are far too close.
Video compression doesn't exist, struggle to get 3 hours footage on a 16gb card. And remember to format the card every week or so or the unit will randomly stop recording.

I think I will write off the $68 and buy something else.

Yeah suppose it isnt super clear, think youll find that most camera use that much space, from these to a hero 3 black edition, file size is similar...

Buuut, you usually get what you pay for, and im happy enough with this

Good points though. Ta

[Naviguesser]

You should get nearly double on the card using H.264 compression.
I should have bought a DVR027 from ebay, much the same price, but better quality lens and H.264 compression. I just couldn't be bothered waiting on delivery from China and decided to buy local, serves me right.

Just got to be careful where you buy from to make sure don't get a DVR047 subbed in instead of a DVR027 by the seller.

Don't want to spend much more as I can use my Go Pro to record trips etc, crash cam is just for recording idiots trying to take me out.

[Chomby]

Thought I would share my setup.

Got sick of the windscreen mount ones because on the defender's tiny windscreen it blocks up alot of the vision, the excess cable and having the only cigarette lighter being used up by it all made it a nuisance.

The one i bought is usually marketed as smallest 720p dash cam on ebay and i picked it up for around $30 shipped. I hardwired it to turn on with the ignition and it mounts via some 3M style adhesive strip.

Here is the view from the outside:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/03/286.jpg

This shows from the inside:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/03/287.jpg

And this one shows how it doesn't impose on the driver's vision at all
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/03/288.jpg

Here is some footage:
Dashcam Captures / 19 November - YouTube