Saw this in my email today, looks pretty good for 40 quid!!

http://www.lidl.co.uk/en/our-offers-2491.htm?action=showDetail&id=15036

I wonder if the infrared led's would reflect off the windscreen at night. If they do it will be pretty useless at night.

I think at forty squids you can't go far wrong - after all, if you don't like it, someone will probably buy it from you on ebay for the same amount.

Whilst I have a dash-cam I bought from Maplins, I seldom use it because it relies on the cable being plugged into the 12V lighter socket.   Even my Sat Nav only comes out now when I actually need it and I charge it up indoors because I hate having wires trailing all over the car.

If someone would kindly develop an inexpensive dash-cam that would work for 24 hours independently of a power source, maybe even with a solar-powered charger, that would be heavenly!

I've already started the thread lol ! I'm getting one

I've already started the thread lol ! I'm getting one

I can't see it lol

Bought one of these today. First thing I noticed on unboxing is the USB to mini USB cable is ridiculously short at only 95cm (not including the plug at either end) which makes it pretty much useless, especially if like me you were planning to use this as a rear facing camera. Not sure what Lidl are playing at?!

Oh and the Infrared LEDs cannot be switched off! That's it, it's back in the box and will be returned tomorrow for a refund. Poor effort all round Lidl :(

Booo! Won't get one then :(

Same model cheaper on an auction site...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-5-HD-Car-Vehicle-Dash-Dashboard-Camera-IR-DVR-Cam-CCTV-Night-Vision-Recorder-/390753745486?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item5afabcfa4e

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-5-HD-Car-Vehicle-Dash-Dashboard-Camera-IR-DVR-Cam-CCTV-Night-Vision-Recorder-/390753745486?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item5afabcfa4e

 

Blimey that's cheap Chris, are they actually HD? I have one that looks exactly like that, couple of years old now but it's not proper HD quality.

Blimey that's cheap Chris, are they actually HD? I have one that looks exactly like that, couple of years old now but it's not proper HD quality.

No it's not proper hd , I've bought the one from lidl (3 of them ) from my initial thoughts its defo HD ! , yes the cable is short but standard size , however very easy to purchase a longer cable I've got a 4 metre cable for the mobious up front !

No it's not proper hd , I've bought the one from lidl (3 of them ) from my initial thoughts its defo HD ! , yes the cable is short but standard size , however very easy to purchase a longer cable I've got a 4 metre cable for the mobious up front !

 

The cable I could live with, as you say just get a longer one, but not being able to turn off the Infrared LEDs will make it pretty much useless with the reflections, don't you think?....

No simply they shouldn't ( infa red ) be an issue , you've got 3 years warranty and the one chris linked to was similar to the one I got last year and it was pants , however the one chris mentioned could well have been the proper one ? , I've bought 3 of these and will get fitted to the back of the golf and the other 2 will go on the octy mk3 when I get one, just give it a go and see how it goes , how are you mounting it in the back/rear, reflect in which way ?

Edited 31 July, 201411 yr by seboni121

No simply they shouldn't ( infa red ) be an issue , you've got 3 years warranty and the one chris linked to was similar to the one I got last year and it was pants , however the one chris mentioned could well have been the proper one ? , I've bought 3 of these and will get fitted to the back of the golf and the other 2 will go on the octy mk3 when I get one, just give it a go and see how it goes , how are you mounting it in the back/rear, reflect in which way ?

 

When I first got the one like Chris has shown above, the Infrared LEDs were switched on by default and at night the reflection from them bounced back off the inside of the windscreen and basically obliterated the picture. I did however find that I could switch them off and it was fine.

I can't see this camera being any different, in fact I think it may be worse as there are more LEDs, 8 instead of 6, but they can't be turned off.

I see what you mean are you sure they aren't switch offable? I don't drive at night so not an issue for me

I see what you mean are you sure they aren't switch offable? I don't drive at night so not an issue for me

 

I couldn't find any mention in the manual and had a good look through the menus on the camera itself and I couldn't see a way of turning them off. Of course it's possible that I've missed it but I'm reasonably tech savvy as a rule! I've boxed mine back up now, if you've got one loose there maybe pop out to the car and see if it's any good?!

I have switched it on and the picture on the screen is spot on , however I've not got a micro sd card as I've just given it to my son , it was a 32gb as this is the largest card you can use and at full HD. Will record around 2 and half hours before full,I will have a look at night

I've pm you Pete its fine no glare / reflections on the windscreen its fine no issues , so need to switch off the LEDs

I've pm you Pete its fine no glare / reflections on the windscreen its fine no issues , so need to switch off the LEDs

 

Cheers for that, I'm glad you tried because I would have just assumed after my previous experience. Just unpacked it and tried it and as you say it seems to be fine. Must admit it's left me a tad puzzled!

I shall bite the bullet and order a shielded cable from t'internet and give it a go. Lidl are still gonna get an email about the short cable though, it barely reaches from the cigarette lighter to the top of the windscreen.

 

Thanks    :beer:

Lidl don't make them..Just buy them in bulk and make a large profit

I doubt they will be bothered

Lidl don't make them..Just buy them in bulk and make a large profit

I doubt they will be bothered

Your probably right chris but worth a try

Cheers for that, I'm glad you tried because I would have just assumed after my previous experience. Just unpacked it and tried it and as you say it seems to be fine. Must admit it's left me a tad puzzled!

I shall bite the bullet and order a shielded cable from t'internet and give it a go. Lidl are still gonna get an email about the short cable though, it barely reaches from the cigarette lighter to the top of the windscreen.

 

Thanks    :beer:

http://www.cabledepot.co.uk/amale-mini-cable-p-871.html

Lidl don't make them..Just buy them in bulk and make a large profit

I doubt they will be bothered

 

I realise that Chris but I bet the cable supplied doesn't even reach on some cars, or you'll end up with it entangled with the gear lever. If people don't give them feedback they'll never know.

 

http://www.cabledepot.co.uk/amale-mini-cable-p-871.html

 

Thanks for the link, I ended up ordering this 5m version from ebay at £2.95 delivered - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/351046629844

So do the Infra red LED's not reflect off the glass? I'm surprised at this, I might go and see if they have any left tomorrow. I'm not holding my breath though.