Not quite good enough | Portable In - Car Dash Mountable Surveillance Camera with DVR

GREAT camera GREAt price! | Portable In - Car Dash Mountable Surveillance Camera with DVR

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	• Portable In - Car Dash Mountable Surveillance Camera with DVR TS Microtech TS Microtech average customer review:based on 5 reviews view larger image
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O.K., but could be better..

Pros: Camera size, good battery life, good mounting adhesive, steady image.

Cons: 50 min recording time between resets, focal range too close, usless laser aiming device, bad positioning of external power plug, tightening knob tends to loosen up, camera loop records over previous video on SD card.

The camera itself performs at advertised. The camera has a small footprint and doesn't obscure your forward view. Setup was easy (3 steps), and the mounting tape used is very dependable and is still holding well. Battery life is good (about 2.5-3 hrs), and a 12v lighter plug is included for external power. The image is very steady considering the amount of bouncing motion a typical car goes through.
The 50 min recording time is a minor inconvenience and is not noticeable during normal usage. The reset time is relatively short (a few seconds).

Unfortunately, the focal range is such that the vehicle ahead of you appears closer than it actually is (ie 30' between cars looks like 12'). This can be a detriment if the video is being used for insurance purposes (ie: following too close?).

The red laser used for positioning is pretty much useless in daylight. It also requires you to continuously hold down a button to use. This makes it impossible to accurately aim as the slightest hand movement throws off the aiming. This function is also dangerous to attempt while driving.

The external 12v power plug is located on the TOP of the unit! The bottom or rear would have been the most natural choice. Also, the tightening knob used to secure the camera to the mounting base often loosens up (road and/or engine vibration?), allowing the downward pressure of the plug to throw off the camera's aim.

Overall, the product is O.K. You'll just have to remember to:

1. Frequently tighten knob and check aiming.
2. Rely more on battery power to avoid 12v cord aiming issue.
3. Use between 1GB and 2GB card for longer continuous record times.
4. Unless needed, clear out the video images on the SD card after each
trip.
5. Give yourself plenty of room between cars to avoid perception
of "following too closely."

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Not quite good enough

The one thing special about this camera is that it automatically deletes the oldest files as the memory card fills up. In other words, it acts like a cockpit voice recorder on a plane that keeps the last hour or so and deletes everything older. This is useful because most digital cameras require that you delete some files if they fill up (and those cameras would stop recording every time this happens).

The big weakness in this camera is that it will not be useful in a big crash. If the 12V power gets cut, the video file disappears. (It is possible that the file hidden on the card in some form, but I could not find it with a flash file recovery utility.) If after a big crash the power is not cut (or if you have backup batteries in it) it will delete the file in an hour or so when the card fills up. In such a situation, who will remember to stop the recording and save your evidence?

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GREAT camera GREAt price!

I want to briefly respond to other reviews I have read on this camera.
I bought one of these.
It actually is a pretty decent little camera!
Especially like other reviews say....for the price.
I have experienced same things as other reviewers,with this camera,EXCEPT!
The difficulties with camera,were MY fault!
Yes it does seem to be recording,at times.....when not.....but my experience with this camera has shown me,it is ONLY when battery is low.....and I failed to put in new batteries quick enough.
Also I did experience a small delay,in recording.....couldnt seem to get the thing to start recording....and light up......that was because the thing is defragmenting its dvr...and this never takes more than a minute or two.....which it says all of this, in the instructions.
Overall,this is a DYNAMITE! camera! and I could NOT live with out it......for my own reasons.
If you need this camera,to prove somthing.....this camera will do it,TIME AND TIME AGAIN.......if ya follow the instructions!

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Worth the money

Put the camera on my dashboard and the very next week, a car pulled out in front of me, I hit them (not my fault) and I got the whole thing on tape. This camera is already well worth the price I paid for it in protection.

Accidents can happen at any time without notice. Be prepared with a portable DVR that mounts on your car's dashboard and records constantly in order to capture crucial information about the scene of a collision. The portable DVR can record important details about the scene of an accident including the weather, road conditions, and the position of traffic immediately before and during a traffic collision. Video evidence is detailed and objective and could be useful for law enforcement and insurance companies. Arguing your side of what occurred during an accident is a whole lot easier when you have video footage to support your case. Powering the portable DVR can be accomplished using the included 12V DC power adapter or 3 AAA batteries (sold separately). Using the included power adapter means never having to replace batteries. Using 3 AAA batteries provides the convenience of wireless power so that you don't have to run a cord from your cigarette lighter socket to the DVR.

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