Newbie with some questions

[dalebeshansky]

Hi, nice to be here. and a forum apparently supported with a fast server.
I have had few dashcams over the years. Most I purchased in the last few years, and had only a couple of issues. The best was probably the KDLINKS. I still have it in one vehicle. Interestingly, it was the replacement that was outstanding. The first one gave me power issues, and would become intermittent under our hot CA sun. But customer service was excellent. They sent out a replacement within a few days, and a download of new firmware they just created. Plus, a long notation apologizing for the inconvenience, and some tips on getting the best from the device which had been recently redesigned with higher temp tolerant components. It has been just fine for the past 2 years.
i recently installed another one for my wife's new car. She just wanted something basic, no gps, etc. I scored the YI at Amazon for $50. It worked great right out of the box. I think the menu and button controls are even superior to the KDLINKS. I have not played with the ADAS safety system (wife's car already has Honda Sense). But reviews show in the less sensitive mode it actually works fairly well. Especially considering the cost of the device, and it's overall simplicity. Image quality is above average at 1080p 60 .. I have not really experimented with other res settings.
I have noticed at night, the inability to accurately read rear license plates except within a small distance zone .Mainly due to headlight glare, and high reflection of our state plates, But unless the driver backed into me, I think picking up front license plates (in states where required) is more important. Of course, I learned a long time ago, it is wise to use your cell or other small camera in your car. and if in an accident, take numerous pictures before even trading insurance information, and/or while waiting for police. This is paramount whether you have a dashcam or not.
I am always interested in feedback as well as tips and recommendations!

 

[jokiin]

low light results will improve if you set it to 1080p30

 

[dalebeshansky]

low light results will improve if you set it to 1080p30

Thanks, great tip!

 

[Wiz33]

The ability to read a license plate. Just let me tell you now that reading license plate is a MYTH! Yes, I'm sure you have seen a lot of comparison video and how they show freeze frame from varies cameras (even on the same vehicle) and how some camera seems to read plates better than other. The truth is that being able to read a plate depends on so many other factors that it often seems more luck than the ability of the camera. Here's a few factors that will affect your camera performance.

a) Your windshield angle and curvature, how much glass you have to see through and the angle can make a noticeable difference. For clear front and back view. A straighter window like those on a bus or pickup offers the least distortion while a sharper angle on something like a sport sedan might have more distortion and pickup more reflection from the dash . The curvature of the window also matters. It all depends on the curvature of the camera lens vs the curvature of the windshield. The closer match between the 2, the less distortion. But in general, don't count on reading plate at more than 20ft and often less especially for vehicles to the side in other lane.

b) The color, shape and material of your dash surface matter. The flatter the dash and the lighter the color, the better chance that you will get a fairly amount of reflection onto the windshield during the day and under bright sunlight. While you eyes tends to automatically dismiss the reflection. They will show up as bright area on the recorded image and may interfere with you ability to read a plate that's right in front of you.

c) The speed differential between the 2 vehicle. Speed differential makes a lot of difference. I would say that your chance of being able to read a plate on another vehicle traveling more than +/- 10 mph compare to you is almost nil.

d) Low light opens another can of worm. It's depends a lot the type of sensor, the angle between the two cars, the brightness of your and the other car's headlight/taillight, the color of the car, the color and contrast of you country/state's license plate, the amount of ambient light from street lights, buildings, signs and other vehicles on the road with you and how much reflection you're getting in combination,

All that said, some unit does work a bit better than others in some circumstances. 4K unit tends to let you read a plate a bit further away and a 60 frame/sec unit tends to have a larger speed differential margin. But compounded with all the factors above, the actual difference (being to read the same license at 25ft vs 20ft or while a car is travelling +/- 15 mph vs +/- 10 mph) is just not something you can depend upon despite all the caught on camera clips you see on Youtube.

 

[dalebeshansky]

Thanks for the great info!
Low light is my biggest concern when it comes to all the variables mentioned.

Of course, it is not only accidents, but capturing a video of a drunk or reckless driver is also valuable. That's where a license number can be even more helpful. Unless the idiot comes to a fast stop because of a collision (hopefully a 'one car') then your task become a little easier.