Dashcam Recommendation - Blackvue vs Iroad

outsideworld on 04/09/2023 - 21:20

Wanting recommendations on Dashcams. Specifically Blackvue vs Iroad

Have two vehicles (a wagon, and an SUV) and have been quoted the following:

x2 Blackvue DR970X-2CH 256gb
x2 Blackvue B-112 Battery Pack
Onsite Installation for 2 vehicles.
Total = $3,420.00 inc gst

x2 Iroad X10 2CH 256gb
x2 Iroad Pro12 Battery Pack
Onsite Installation for 2 vehicles.
Total = $3,500.00 inc gst

Price is almost identical so wanting to understand the key differences and pros/cons of these models to make it an easy decision.

Questions re micro SD cards:
Can I buy the micro SD cards separately from Amazon/eBay and use these instead to reduce the overall cost?
If so, which brands/models to focus on?
Or best to use the dashcam brand supplied ones?
Do higher capacity 512gb or 1tb cards function like a 256gb card?

Automotive Dash Camera

Comments

  • SBOB on 04/09/2023 - 21:37
    +13

    I might be alone in this idea, but that's an insanely stupid amount of $ to spend on a dash cam…..

    • Richardc on 04/09/2023 - 21:39
      +2

      Because the battery pack cost $400-500 each.

      • Caped Baldy on 05/09/2023 - 09:55
        -1

        Aren't dashcam batteries a bad idea with the aussie heat? Capacitors are heaps better or hard wire to the battery.

        • Richardc on 05/09/2023 - 10:12

          These battery pack are use for parking recording, and provide much longer run time.

  • Richardc on 04/09/2023 - 21:38
    +1

    256GB is the largest for endurance micro sd card.

  • jaxon on 04/09/2023 - 21:46

    VIOFO A139 Pro is the dash cam of choice for OzBargainers it seems (its the Toyota Corolla of dashcam). It's solid price ($500) great image quality (new Sony STARVIS 2 sensor) is very good value for money. I got a tester Viofo A129 for $200 back in 2019 as a tester unit expecting it would fail, and it's lasted me for 4 years now without any problems… extracted heaps of recorded red light cameras, other crashes, service centre recordings (they left the engine power on while servicing) etc on it and it's still running and recording perfectly.

    I recently looked at "upgrading" to a premium model with my newer car, and the reviews on Blackvue here have discouraged me from paying for 'premium' https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/784208 - they seem very very overrated for what you pay for. ("Blackvue is not a premium brand and their warranty is a joke.- Hmmmmm… I would assume the premium pricing meant premium support… - not the case", "Long and thr short, your paying for a name rather than a product." Although this may differ from model to model, and my friend has Blackvues without any problems.

    Ofc if you're happy to shell out extra $$$ for that "piece of mind" (ala paying extra for "Volvo" quality) - then possibly, but so far Viofo is a very solid brand.

    I think in the end, modern car dash camera technology is very established and very stable and i think literally any dash cam nowadays is reliable and much much much better than having nothing.

    also install should be about $200-500 max. should bargin if having 2 installed. and dealerships mark up up a cr**load - i was quoted $1500 for 1 car total, whereas shop around now is $750 total for dash + install.

    • outsideworld on 05/09/2023 - 09:28

      Thanks Jaxon will definitely consider the Viofo as an alternative option

    • billy72 on 05/09/2023 - 11:09

      Everything with Viofo is excellent except the parking mode. If OP would like to use parking mode, I recommend going with Blackvue.

    • FullPrice on 05/09/2023 - 18:49

      extracted heaps of recorded red light cameras

      What do you mean by this?

      People run red lights and crash into other cars and you give the other car the footage? Or people crash into your car?

      Surely that doesn't happen often?

      • Euphemistic on 06/09/2023 - 04:45

        They just want to upload footage to DCOA. What else can be done? Cops don’t seem much Interested in following up footage.

  • Cheapskates on 04/09/2023 - 21:51
    +1

    Whilst Blackvue DR970X is their latest offering, B112 is a very old product, came out around 2016/7 and only has 3000mAh capacity.

    If you were looking for battery with a parking mode, should aim for at least 6000mAh. My last car had an older HD Blackvue, never had any issues.

    Last week I installed Thinkware Q1000 2CH and Cellink Neo 8+ myself. Bought my own SD card, stick it in and format in the dash cam and all is ready to go.
    I would buy the camera with the cheapest memory card and upgrade myself. Dash cam branded SD cards are many times the price of equivalent SD cards you can source yourself.

  • geekcohen on 05/09/2023 - 07:59

    That's insanely expensive. What are you trying to do? How often are you driving? Where are you driving to and parking? What are you trying to protect?

    That would depend on whether the investment is worth it. Honestly, for me, that is a lot.

  • AtlasMeow on 05/09/2023 - 09:35

    Hi there,

    I have had the blackvue dr750x and thinkware U1000 + battery pack (Cellink Neo 8) installed both my cars.
    All up, I looked at around $1100-$1200 fully installed as well.

    $1700 for each install is very pricey, nearly stealership prices

    • outsideworld on 05/09/2023 - 15:49

      Was the installation provided by the dashcam seller or did you use a third party like Airtasker?

      Who did you buy from?

      $1100-$1200 is better than $1700

      • AtlasMeow on 06/09/2023 - 08:02

        I have a dashcam installer that lives nearby near me.
        Charges $150 for removal and $250 installed for 2ch camera and battery pack

  • brendanm on 05/09/2023 - 10:30
    +4

    Why would you not just use a hardwire kit and your vehicle battery? Also those prices are insane.

  • billy72 on 05/09/2023 - 11:18

    1x battery pack is not enough for overnight full recording unless you only use the motion and impact detection mode
    The quotes are pricey and l think they often just hide the cord and don't care about the airbag.
    If you DIY, you can do wiring carefully to avoid the curtain and A-pillar airbags.

  • Euphemistic on 05/09/2023 - 11:33

    Get the more expensive one. You’re thinking about spending over $3k for two vehicles so might as well go for the highest price too.

    What do you hope to achieve for this expense? Cheaper insurance premiums? $3k is a lot just for peace of mind.

    • outsideworld on 05/09/2023 - 15:53
      +1

      I'm happy to pay much less than 3k for the two vehicles. That was just the initial quote I received. Thought better ask ozb dashcam experts first before pulling the trigger

      btw the wagon is probably worth around 70-80k and the SUV about 80-90k so not too worried about spending around $1000+ per car on dashcams if I'm getting a great system fully installed which will last for next 2-3 years.

      • Euphemistic on 05/09/2023 - 18:01
        -1

        You do you. I couldn’t stomach spending $3k on an accessory without wanting a good use case.

        I can’t see the value in it personally. I’ve survived this long without a dashcam, not sure I really need one.

          • Euphemistic on 06/09/2023 - 04:46

            @[Deactivated]: Unless you are involved in crashes regularly, a $3k dash cam isn’t going to pay back its investment if you have good insurance. A $300 one is a different story.

      • geekcohen on 07/09/2023 - 07:42

        btw the wagon is probably worth around 70-80k and the SUV about 80-90k so not too worried about spending around $1000+ per car on dashcams if I'm getting a great system fully installed which will last for next 2-3 years.

        Where are the cars being stored? As per my original comment. What are you trying to do? How often are you driving? Where are you driving to and parking?

  • rumblytangara on 05/09/2023 - 12:35

    Unless you're an Uber or taxi driver that needs to monitor passengers with infrared, why on earth would someone drop this much money on camera?

    My $100 dash cam is only 1080 but has enough resolution to pick up number plates clearly, has the parked collision detect function, and took 15 minutes to install (mainly because I am a klutz and slow at cabling).

    CMOS sensors for consumer products have been bog standard, boring devices for well over a decade now- what are people paying for when they drop a grand?

    And yes, relying on lithium batteries in a parked car, in Australia, is a bloody stupid design decision.

    • outsideworld on 05/09/2023 - 15:57

      It's an initial quote, I've not dropped any money yet.

      Prefer 4k over HD and a wide viewing angle as possible. Not doing any uber/taxi so no need for internal camera, just front and back.

      No idea re using car battery vs packs as have never owned a dashcam before.

      • rumblytangara on 05/09/2023 - 16:01

        Look at table 3, and the effects of 40C storage on lithium ion batteries.

        https://batteryuniversity.com/article/bu-808-how-to-prolong-…

      • brendanm on 05/09/2023 - 18:04

        No idea re using car battery vs packs

        The battery in your vehicle likely has 80-120ah of capacity. This is about 960-1440 wh. The blackvue battery has 3ah of capacity, at about the same voltage as your car battery. This gives 36 wh. As you can see, the capacity of your battery will barely be touched by the time you've drawn the same amount of power that would have completely depleted the blackvue battery.

          • brendanm on 06/09/2023 - 06:21
            +1

            @[Deactivated]: How so

            Edit - oh I see you are some sort of blackvue shill, you have only even posted on here about blackvue dashcams in 6 years.

  • Tomhaigh1 on 06/09/2023 - 08:11

    I have viofo 129 plus duo + cellink neo 6 hardwired to battery.
    In total, including installation, it costed around $700.
    I used bendas installations

    • outsideworld on 06/09/2023 - 16:08

      Thanks for the recommendation re bendas installations - looks good

      Where did you purchase the viofo and cellink from?

      Assume you purchased these from same or different sellers and then supplied to bendas?

      • Tomhaigh1 on 06/09/2023 - 16:45

        viofo from amazon on sale, cellink neo 6 from bendas itself as it was cheaper, but I guess there is a newer version of the cellink now so not sure about the latest price.

      • Thinkswithelbow on 07/09/2023 - 08:00

        I did the exact same.
        Viofo from Amazon
        Battery (cellink neo6) and install from bendas.
        Around 700 total. Amazing service.

        Car with full glass roof, sits in the sun all day. 2 years and counting. No issues.

        Not making fun but I can't imagine why you'd need to pay that much for dash cam and install.
        Good luck.

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