Garmin Dash Cam 35

rockchalk06 · December 13, 2016, 08:23:54 AM

I've been thinking of getting a Dash Cam for several reason for a while now. The Garmin Dash Cam 35 was at the top of my list, but funds were always the issue. I've never "technically" needed one even though I am a shat magnet.

Well this morning that kinda all changed. Had an incident this morning on the way to work that made me wish like hell I had one. What was worse, is this escalated to the point that I honestly thought I may have had to clear leather as well. Crazy thing was, I wasn't even involved.

Sitting at a stop light and some tool apparently had a death wish I guess, tried to either jack some lady for her SUV or who knows what, but I damn sure wish I would have gotten it on video.........

Long story short, there is a tool sitting in the OK County Jail, some older lady is a little shaken but alive and Rock didn't have to waste any ammo

I ordered this unit along with an inline fuse and fuse box wiring kit. Camera is 1080p, records on a loop, has playback screen, removes easy and has GPS. I can also adjust the camera's angle on the fly too. This was a major selling point as the front end of the Ram may not always point towards what I want it do and this will allow some movement.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014W1X3YW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Should be here friday and depending on temps, I will install it this weekend or next week as I have all week off.

LgMouthGambler · December 13, 2016, 08:27:42 AM

Crazy stuff man. People are nutz.

rockchalk06 · December 13, 2016, 08:29:08 AM

Quote from: LgMouthGambler on December 13, 2016, 08:27:42 AM
Crazy stuff man. People are nutz.

Indeed brother. What's weird is he did this within about 8 blocks from our PD and about 5 from an OCPD sub station.

rockchalk06 · December 13, 2016, 08:31:33 AM

I've also been reading up on my insurance policy. Apparently they offer some discounts if you have dash cams. This may pay for itself.

Princeton_Man · December 13, 2016, 09:18:26 AM

I've looked at it and I believe it's internally the same as the Virb and I'm very pleased with my Virbs. I installed a dashcam in my Toyota about three years ago. It's my commuter car. I've pulled a few pieces of video and shared with a friend or two in law enforcement but never really needed it.

I put a Virb mount on the dash of my truck and just use that as a dashcam. It actually makes a great dashcam since it records all of gps data and senses all the vehicle movement. Actually, since the Virb can be externally powered while in operation, it makes a dang good dashcam.

Lipripper · December 13, 2016, 09:24:53 AM

Rock glad you didn't have to waste any ammo and glad it came out ok. Lot of crazy people out there for sure.

Mike Cork · December 13, 2016, 09:56:25 AM

People are stupid, then it's Christmas, so now you have stupid crazy folks running the roads. Not sure what I'd do if I witnessed a car jacking? In this case the closeness to the precinct leads to a 911 call I reckon. Glad they got the "woops".

I've thought about a camera as well, but then If I ever did kill someone that got in my way on a bad day there would be video evidence. Mother definitely can't have one... She'd go to jail on traffic violations

if anyone ever hacked it

Princeton_Man · December 13, 2016, 10:03:20 AM

Quote from: Mike Cork on December 13, 2016, 09:56:25 AM
People are stupid, then it's Christmas, so now you have stupid crazy folks running the roads. Not sure what I'd do if I witnessed a car jacking? In this case the closeness to the precinct leads to a 911 call I reckon. Glad they got the "woops".

I've thought about a camera as well, but then If I ever did kill someone that got in my way on a bad day there would be video evidence. Mother definitely can't have one... She'd go to jail on traffic violations if anyone ever hacked it

With the Garmin Virb, there has been a few times that had the video fallen into the wrong hands....

.

Seriously though, dashcam footage makes a dang good witness in court.

Thornback · December 13, 2016, 10:49:02 AM

I have had a Kim Komando dual lens dash cam for about two years. It records both front and rear direction, with instant correction on both views. It attaches to the windshield with suction cup and plugs into my dash 12v accessory receptacle. I purchased because I wanted to record my time on the road. I have saved a few recordings such as a car on the side of the road in flames, a group of motorcycles passing me on a double line, and a flock of 40 wild turkeys crossing the road. My dash cam records to a mini SD card which allows me to download the video to my computer. The dash cam is on everywhere I drive.

rockchalk06 · December 13, 2016, 11:26:00 AM

Quote from: Mike Cork on December 13, 2016, 09:56:25 AM
People are stupid, then it's Christmas, so now you have stupid crazy folks running the roads. Not sure what I'd do if I witnessed a car jacking? In this case the closeness to the precinct leads to a 911 call I reckon. Glad they got the "woops".

I've thought about a camera as well, but then If I ever did kill someone that got in my way on a bad day there would be video evidence. Mother definitely can't have one... She'd go to jail on traffic violations if anyone ever hacked it

I was on the overhead with my department. I have it on auto dial when I'm in the Ram. They got there pretty quick though. There were no weapons in his hand that I could see, so deadly force was not authorized for just the theft (if that's what he had planned) but if he was going to hurt her, that was a different story.

I did get out of my truck and starting yelling at him, getting his attention away from her. My officers were there within what seemed like a few seconds. Bunch of them too

OCPD took the case, so I don't know what the charges were or what his reasoning was for getting out of his car (in front of her) and approaching her. She was blocked in with him in front and me behind her. He's lucky she wasn't armed as given her age, being trapped and his demeanor, she would have been well within her right to dispatch him. Another reason video would have been good to have.

rockchalk06 · December 13, 2016, 11:32:45 AM

Quote from: Princeton_Man on December 13, 2016, 10:03:20 AM
With the Garmin Virb, there has been a few times that had the video fallen into the wrong hands.... .

Seriously though, dashcam footage makes a dang good witness in court.

That's what I'm hoping anyway. This does not have audio which will probably be in my favor though

I can really get to sounding like a sailor.

Oldfart9999 · December 13, 2016, 02:51:46 PM

Gee, our own action channel! "Names have been changed to protect the innocent".
Rodney

rockchalk06 · December 17, 2016, 04:18:24 PM

Dash Cam arrived last night. The fuse kit isn't going to work. I have some funky itty bitty fuses and the box is in the engine compartment. I'm not about to dig that deep.

For now I'll use the mini USB charger. I ordered a 15' mini USB to USB to run from the headliner down to my media control station in my console. Same principal basically but cheaper and easier.

I like how it keeps recording for 1 minute after engine shutdown. I'm going to run around town some and see how it performs.

Princeton_Man · December 19, 2016, 07:40:59 AM

Will it allow settings to record for say 10 minutes after shutting off the engine or start recording if the vehicle is bumped?

rockchalk06 · December 19, 2016, 10:23:52 AM

Quote from: Princeton_Man on December 19, 2016, 07:40:59 AM
Will it allow settings to record for say 10 minutes after shutting off the engine or start recording if the vehicle is bumped?

I wish it did. It will only stay on for 1 minute and will not start if the vehicle is bumped.

Pferox · December 19, 2016, 12:07:22 PM

I put a cheap on in my wife's escape. It worked well, although all she used it for was to capture some neat footage. When driving with her I did notice that if people see that cam on your window, they seem to move on, if you know what I mean.

Smallie_Stalker · December 19, 2016, 04:48:46 PM

Glad you were there to divert his attention Rock. No telling what a dirt bag like that may have done otherwise.

I've been playing with the idea of a dash cam this year. This thread has given me some good food for thought. Going to research some models a little further and check with my insurance company to see if they give a discount for having one. I may even think of getting a second one for the rear of the Tahoe. Chit happens from behind too.

rockchalk06 · December 19, 2016, 05:26:33 PM

Quote from: Pferox on December 19, 2016, 12:07:22 PM
I put a cheap on in my wife's escape. It worked well, although all she used it for was to capture some neat footage. When driving with her I did notice that if people see that cam on your window, they seem to move on, if you know what I mean.

If by chance some tool sees it and walks away, then it was the best 175 or so I ever spent!

rockchalk06 · December 19, 2016, 05:33:16 PM

Quote from: Smallie_Stalker on December 19, 2016, 04:48:46 PM
Glad you were there to divert his attention Rock. No telling what a dirt bag like that may have done otherwise.

I've been playing with the idea of a dash cam this year. This thread has given me some good food for thought. Going to research some models a little further and check with my insurance company to see if they give a discount for having one. I may even think of getting a second one for the rear of the Tahoe. Chit happens from behind too.

I'm already searching and evaluating buying another one. If this one pans out, I will probably order another one. Garmin lets you download some free software to edit and produce videos with it. I've found sometimes this free software actually works great for the video format its in.

I've switched from 720 to 1080 and really cant tell a difference. I'm not sold on it being that high quality. Either that, or the frame rate is too high or too low. It cannot be adjusted, just the quality of the video. It looks good and will be plenty to hold up in court, or let me find some tool if need be, but its nothing like my GoPro Hero 3.

There is no audio with this unit at all. You would have to plug in an audio device if you wanted to do so. With my mouth, it could be a good thing

.

My last gripe and may end up not being a gripe, is the video records in 1 minute videos. So far, moving from 1 minute frame to 1 minute frame is a pain, but I don't see any loss of footage fro one frame to the other. A pro to this would be not having to edit any video if all I wanted was a 1 minute clip of a 30 minute drive. I can pull just the frame I need, and work with it.

Smallie_Stalker · December 21, 2016, 05:23:48 PM

For me personally I would want the audio capability, Also, if a confrontation was to unfold I don't know if I would be comfortable with only one minute of video. I'd want the whole thing available for local PD and the courts to look at.

I have seen some videos about using a Go Pro as a dash cam and may actually consider that as an option. Have to weigh the pros and cons.

Bud Kennedy · December 21, 2016, 05:49:34 PM

Be aware that in some locations the recording of audio along with video is regulated. One should check their local laws about this subject prior to being surprised by the law. Public use of these recordings can cause you a lot a problems.

Smallie_Stalker · December 21, 2016, 05:58:21 PM

Thank you for the warning Bud. I will check into that before I make a decision.