Is it too early in delivery schedules to discuss which Dash Cam is best and easiest to fit to the new Skoda? Has anyone any thoughts or experience from MkII especially with respect to cables etc... I ask because I am recovering from head on collision and think maybe its time I got one as it would have answered lots of questions when I was hit by drunken driver.

I have the comparatively expensive Pittasoft Blackvue DR600. Reasonable HD video quality and excellent desktop software (gives an F1-style display of forces involved). No screen (has built-in wifi for viewing on phone/tablet).

Had it mounted in front of the rear view mirror, cable running across top of windscreen then down the A pillar using the clips provided. Tucked it out of view behind the lower dash, emerging near the 12v "cigarette lighter".

After a year's use I ripped it out. Kept forgetting to unplug it resulting in flat car battery, so that's entirely down to me. I could have wired it into a switched 12v at the fuse box but that would defeat one of the primary reasons I bought it -  seeing which pillock was scraping/denting the car when it was unattended in a public car park. Other option would be a low voltage cut-off device.

Final straw was when every bump resulted in the awful american female voice it uses announcing "Please check the SD Card", and using different cards or padding the cards to get better contact didn't work.

 

Sorry to start on a negative. While it's a good bit of kit from new and comes supplied with everything needed, including a MicroSD Card and adaptor, I can't recommend it long term.

If you don't want to `plumb it in` yourself, you can always get Halfords to do it...for a price...and as long as you buy it from them.

I wouldn't trust Hellfrauds to fit a bulb, let alone a dashcam! I'm deciding myself which I want in the car but I've narrowed down to the following (in no particular order):

 

Koonlung K1S

Blackvue DR650GW

Thinkware F750

Mobius ActionCam (x2)

Many thanks everyone for prompt response. Really appreciated.

I wouldn't trust Hellfrauds to fit a bulb, let alone a dashcam! I'm deciding myself which I want in the car but I've narrowed down to the following (in no particular order):

 

Koonlung K1S

Blackvue DR650GW

Thinkware F750

Mobius ActionCam (x2)

I tend to `speak as I find` and have never had a cause for concern.

I have used the lower end Blackvue’s (DR380 & DR400) without issue.

 

My only concern is the size of the ‘mirror housing’ that now has the extra camera / sensors built in.... its pretty big, so a conventional drive recorder will not sit behind the mirror anymore.

I had a Blackvue. Overpriced, slow to start and the lipo swelled up from the heat and killed it. Replaced it with a mobius with a supercap and that's all I use/fit now.

I have a hidden switch under the dash that changes the power feed between ignition and perm live, for use in car parks.

Why do so many people only think to get them after a collision?

I have used the lower end Blackvue’s (DR380 & DR400) without issue.

 

My only concern is the size of the ‘mirror housing’ that now has the extra camera / sensors built in.... its pretty big, so a conventional drive recorder will not sit behind the mirror anymore.

Many thanks. This is my concern too. I was thinking a dash mounted one may well be preferable

I had a Blackvue. Overpriced, slow to start and the lipo swelled up from the heat and killed it. Replaced it with a mobius with a supercap and that's all I use/fit now.

I have a hidden switch under the dash that changes the power feed between ignition and perm live, for use in car parks.

Why do so many people only think to get them after a collision?

Thanks Huskoda. I had looked at Blackvue before collision but as in previous comment was concerned about size of mirror housing which now appears bigger. Will take a look at Mobius.

Take a look at this chaps site.

 

http://www.techmoan.com/guide-to-dashcams/

 

Good honest reviews and guides.

Take a look at this chaps site.

 

http://www.techmoan.com/guide-to-dashcams/

 

Good honest reviews and guides.

 

Found his site earlier today, I must say this one shows promise 

I've narrowed down to the following (in no particular order):

 

Koonlung K1S

 

This one looks to be an ideal solution for the MKIII’s huge mirror / camera surround 

This one looks to be an ideal solution for the MKIII’s huge mirror / camera surround 

Certainly looks ideal its top of my list too. My cars not due till December (unconfirmed) so will look out for reviews and early feedback on cars and cameras.

Koonlung seems to have some reports of quality issues where it's not working after a few months. There seems to be no perfect solution for this segment though. It's the best 'stealth' option in my opinion. Still a close call between this and 2 x mobius though (with a custom mount). Will need to see how much room there is up near the mirror housing.

Was slightly concerned the Koonlung generates minute long files for each camera rather than a longer file? Is there a good reason for that perhaps?

You can set the length of each clip to either 1,2,5 or 10 mins.

 

16min 57sec:

 

This dashcam has a great review. It's super small, very good video quality by day and by night. And it's really cheap so you could easily get two (one for front view, and one for rear view). http://www.techmoan.com/blog/2013/7/8/the-mobius-camera-the-do-it-all-mount-anywhere-1080p-micro-c.html

Just a thought, with a strap line of "Simply Clever", wouldn't it be ace if Skoda were to integrate two dash cams (1x front & 1 x rear facing) into the car as standard or as an option?

It should not be hard to fit a second camera into one of those free spots next to the camera in the windscreen used for light and lane assist functions etc. Unobtrusive and factory fitted. I would spec it up to about £350, perhaps a bit more.

Thoughts anyone?

I've thought for some time that manufacturers should be doing this.

Just a thought, with a strap line of "Simply Clever", wouldn't it be ace if Skoda were to integrate two dash cams (1x front & 1 x rear facing) into the car as standard or as an option?

Thoughts anyone?

Good idea. With two cameras already fitted (if you have the reversing camera option), a video screen + SD Card slots (with Amundsen/Columbus), you have 80% of the ingredients you need already fitted.

All it needs is the extra 20% - the electronics to tie them all together for recording [ although higher quality camera(s) would probably also be required ].

Good idea. With two cameras already fitted (if you have the reversing camera option), a video screen + SD Card slots (with Amundsen/Columbus), you have 80% of the ingredients you need already fitted.

All it needs is the extra 20% - the electronics to tie them all together for recording [ although higher quality camera(s) would probably also be required ].

 

I totally agree. The cameras would need to be upgraded to at least 1080p and must be at least 30fps. Not sure what the current cameras would be. Also, if they did double up the rear view camera, not sure that would be pointing in the right direction as that would be angled down rather than a more level view which would be needed for a rear facing accident cam. I'm sure manufacturers will jump on this in due course but for now it's wishful thinking. At least installing dash-cams into a car is not a major issue and it's relatively cheap to do.

The K1S has the option to connect to a headunit - whether any of the Skoda ones are compatible is another question.

Another consideration for the mobuis is using the lense extender. Although it's max length is 8" it gives some more options on a stealthy install. Plus also fitting the new wide angle lense 'c' - http://www.mobius-actioncam.com/mobius-adds-new-wide-angle-c-lens/

 

 

Thanks, I do like the stealthiness of fitting it into the rain sensor 

 

It looks like with everything you need (camera, extension cable, capacitor, and lens extension cable) can be bought for £70 (so £140 for front and rear camera’s) from the link that Techmoan gives:

 

https://www.joovuu.com/gb/action-cameras/61-mobius-action-camera-wide-angle-lens.html

 

(the K1s is £187.50 from them)