After watching the "backup scam" video and several more like it on YT, I've been searching for the last hour and have seen a few ideas. Nothing is exactly what I want.

What I want is a normal looking rear-view mirror, with a front-facing camera, rear-facing camera, and built-in SD card recording. It'll also need to be powered off switched 12v (run a line across the headliner, down the a-pillar and use cigarette lighter circuit) with auto-on. It doesn't need it's own LCD screen. It would also need some basic short-range night-vision. No GPS required either.

It also needs to be fairly stealth. I've seen a few items "like" what I want, except they're huge bulky things.

This thing is getting close... but I want it built-into the mirror, and it's too expensive:
http://www.brickhousesecurity.com/vo...ps-logger.html


This, but no built-in LCD, and mold the camera into the back of the mirror:
http://securityandselfdefenseproduct...VR_cat_25.html



More DIY... this recorder, plus a camera/mic:
http://www.aliexpress.com/product-gs...olesalers.html


Ideas?

 

check local laws on audio. i know there were some issues with some folks int he past about the fact that in some places it's perfectly legal to record video, but not audio, etc... just something to look in to.

 

Here's something... not quite as stealth as I want, but has audio and 12v... can't download product manual to see if has auto-on feature:
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...on-VTR101.html

 

http://www.digitalallyinc.com/DVM-100CameraSystem.html


Just don't look at the price....

 

I like where this is going. Sub'ed for moar examples.

 

Why do you want it to be stealth? If you watched the videos posted here, both ended when the scammer scum were shown the camera pointed at them. Hell, get a cheap digital camcorder (mine was less than 50 bucks) and fab up a mount for it.

Mine is powered by USB, and you can get adapters for use in the car. Alas, no night vision that I am aware of, but your headlights should provide plenty of illumination for a decent video.

 

I just got off the phone with my insurance company. The woman who backed into me decided to lie through her teeth to them and say she was actually inching forward, not backing into me. No witnesses were present so we both use our own collision coverage.

I joked with the adjuster how I wish I had had one of these cameras.

 

All I want to do is mount something small, that holds 1 16g+ SD card and can clean/wipe the SD card without me having to take it out and clear it myself in my computer.

Something of this size..

 

I know somebody who got a small camera on deals extreme or something of the sort. IIRC, it records in 720p and has a 16gb sd card. He has it wired in such that it records whenever the car is running, and when it runs out of memory, it begins to record over old footage. That appeals to me since it requires no additional effort once it's installed.

 

subscribed - love where this thread is going

 

That sounds perfect.

 

I want it stealth so somebody doesn't want to steal it, so the wife will approve, so my friends won't make fun of me, so I'm not tempted to use it as a toy instead of a tool, and so that life goes on about me normally instead of the artificial environment is created because somebody knows their being recorded.

That rearview mirror Doppel posted is perfect... except some douchenozzle decided it needs to cost $2k. There's no reason it should cost more than $100. Your average 2yr old cel-phone can do more than that mirror for $50.

And yes, any of the current batch of small lipstick cameras like that replay would work and be fairly discreet, but the lack of auto-on might be a bummer.

 

This is probably the best option I've seen from a "form" point of view:
http://www.spytechs.com/Car-Cameras/Car-Camera-GPS.htm

What would be really awesome is a switch on the unit that could switch to an external mic hookup that you've placed in your bumper, so you could record a conversation at the front of the car as some dude tries to scam you. I think I need to pick up a couple small digital voice recorders and keep them in the cars... they make them really small.

 

Other than the auto on feature, you can buy cameras like the one you listed for a lot less than $230. Here's a sample I found with a quick search. Not so stealth, but I doubt most people would even notice it if not in the car.

http://www.carcameradirect.com/?gs50...FULe4AodexlqQw

Almost the same thing, from Amazon:

 

I like this one. Especially the GPS and MPH data right on the playback. Perfect for when I get pulled over for doing 70 when I wasn't.

That takes decent video and for $50 its priced great, but no GPS or MPH data is LACKING. I'll use my gopro instead.

 

Yeah, it was just a quick search to find what's out there. Not really planning on getting one, so I didn't put a whole hell of a lot of effort into it.

 

At a bit more than you're looking for, the Contour GPS seems like a good option- given you find a way to hard wire it to a power source and mount it in a low profile area. But you can sync it with a bluetooth smart phone...you can also adjust all the settings via your smart phone on the fly...including watching what you just recorded.

http://contour.com/products/contour-gps

Look up some reviews on YT.

 

******* FINALLY.. 10 months does has done wonders in this market! Apparently the whole "Dash-Cam" thing is taking off and getting popular, so the industry is responding. I got a link through a car-audio forum I get emails from about this product... perfect.

BlackVue USA


Small/Discreet
1080p
Audio
Awesome low-light video
Real-time GPS and G-sensor
No ******* ridiculous IR led's
No ******* ridiculous integrated LCD screen

It's everything I was talking about... and the price is great!
$270 SHIPPED FROM AMAZON

Here are some more:

 

Lol their BRZ sample is Autobahn Country Club full course

 

Sam, you going to guinea pig that product and report back? I bought a used old contour one for my daily, and it died in a year. It was cool, but the video quality was bad.

Seems you need to buy their power supply as well.