Heading to Korea to buy a Dashcam!

[helloz]

Hi guys,

My bro is heading to Korea later this month and he's helping me to buy a FHD dashcam there.

I have read most of the reviews and because all are pretty good cams, it makes a tough decision deciding which to buy.

A quick poll, which of the following dashcams (or other models) would you take a chance on?

1. Cowoon FXD700 - http://www.inavi.com/Products/BlackBox/Gate?target=_Black_FXD700
- Sony CMOS Sensor
- 2CH
- Brand/Camera in high regard among Koreans

2. Itronics ITB-100HD SP Smart Plus - http://www.limoshop.co.kr/front/php/product.php?product_no=185&main_cate_no=1&display_group=2
- Reliable brand among locals
- Slim/stealth design
- 144Degrees wide-angle/Good image quality

3. LukasHD LK-7900 ACE - http://lukashd.com/eng/product_info/blackbox_14_1.html
- Supports upto 128GB SD cards
- Sony CMOS Sensor
- English-speaking voice guide

4. FineVu CR500 HD - http://www.finevu.net/newcr500hd.htm
- Sony CMOS
- Convenient HotKeys

Thanks in advanced for the advice

 

[DashCamMan]

They all are good cameras with their pros and cons. Not sure how much English support the FXD700 has. Since they are all available on eBay, the only incentive from buying in Korea is lower price. I think it all depends on what price you can get. If you can get the ITB-100HD SP for under $200, that would be my pick.

 

[helloz]

Thanks for the advice! I'm swinging towards to the ITB-100 SP as well - reliable cam that does what it does well. Checked the RRP w/discount, it's just about $200.

Only bummer is the firmware & software are in Korean, not sure if the English version is available?

 

[Tommy]

Definitely the iTronics or FineVu out of the bunch. More towards iTronics since it's proven. Both hardware (reliability) and quality of footage.

 

[helloz]

Yea, I checked the reviews on the forums and it seems iTronics provide a good balance between day/night video quality. A better buy due to the retail price as well.

Another option came up. As I don't have a GPS unit, would you guys recommend buying the Garmin nüvi® 2575RLM + GDR 30 Combo (http://www.garmin.com.sg/products/ontheroad/)?

Any reason NOT to buy the Garmin GPS + GDR30 dashcam combo?

One reason could be the need to switch on the GPS unit before the cam turns on...

 

[jokiin]

Any reason NOT to buy the Garmin GPS + GDR30 dashcam combo?
.

main thing I don't like about them is the form factor, I think the Itronics is much better in this respect, much easier to discretely mount than the Garmin would be

 

[Mitch]

From your list, go for the Itronics or FineVu for quality and clarity. Both DVRs should be able to handle the hot SG temperature.

 

[joeyjoejoe]

Hey OP, my parents are going to Korea (similar time frame) and they are going to pick up some dash cams for me... so yeah, I'm really interested in prices and where to buy them. I'll post whatever my parents find.

I have the ITB-100HD (not the SP version) and it runs like a champ.

LK-7900 ACE is the one I'm for sure getting, but not sure which one else to buy. The Cowoon and FineVu have both been recommended to me by others.

 

[jamesbcd]

For what it's worth I have the FineVu and I don't think the picture is clear as my Lukas. Not sure if it's just my unit though as I've seen FineVu videos on youtube which are a lot better than mine.

However I do like how small it is and the mount is also tripod ready. The parking mode is also better, as soon as you start the ignition, it switches to driving mode. With the Lukas, it takes about 20 seconds to switch to driving mode (once it detects your on the move with gps).

 

[Hillbilly]

Advice to anyone buying in Korea Make sure what you buy can be made to speak English Very hard to do your settings etc if its in Korean.

Also buy there you will have no warranty in your home country.

Makes it all a bit risky

What to buy Well I have bought and installed 6 Blackvue cameras 3 Dr400G HD 2 Dr350 and 1 Dr500G HD WIFI have not had any problems with any of them so despite what some say I cannot fault them

 

[helloz]

Blackvue is a great camera - love the GPS + WiFi features! Only damper is the problems operating in hot climates. Am sure the newer models will correct the problems though.

Anyway, thanks for the advice guys! Have decided to purchase the iTronics since I gather it's a fairly reliable no-frills dashcam and it's quite a good deal at around US$160+ if you buy in Korea at Limotech's store (http://www.limoshop.co.kr/). Will ask if the ENG firmware is available.

General tip: Heard it on other forums - it's recommended to change to a new SD every year because of the frequent writing to the card by the DVR. The wear and tear may affect the SD card's reliability.

 

[joeyjoejoe]

I decided to go with the Lukas LK-7900 ACE and ITB-100 SP. Anybody recommend a place to buy the LK-7900 ACE in Korea?

 

[Kampung]

Do share with us the actual cost from buying direct from Korea vs online

 

[skippy11]

itronics is the giant re: dashcams/blackbox in korea. you can visit any korean forum and itronics will always be mentioned. cowon has an exclusive dealer here in north america which is ncix.finevu sells a lot of dash camera also. i would try to get one here since dashcams here cost just as much than getting one abroad.