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Original poster

Do you have a dashcam?

27 replies

MissRabbitNeedsAHoliday · 22/02/2020 13:25

I've heard 2 stories in the last week about people deliberately slamming their breaks on to make the person behind them go in to the back of them. It's made me really think about getting a dashcam, but just wondering if its worth it?

OP posts:
Catting · 22/02/2020 13:31

Worth every penny! Already used mine as proof that I was stationary when hit from behind.

BlythesEyes · 22/02/2020 14:14

For about £40, I'd say well worth it. Helped DH in a claim when he was hit from behind.

Twospaniels · 22/02/2020 14:29

I had one, it broke and then I had an accident, not my fault. I so wish I had had a dashcam because the other party is disputing and the insurance wrangle has been going on for 9 months and still not resolved. Might even have to go to court because it’s my word against his, no witnesses came forward even though there were some at the scene. If only I had footage it would be indisputable
I bought another dashcam and feel a lot more secure by having it.

WitchQueenofDarkness · 22/02/2020 14:29

I have one - there are so many idiot drivers out there nowadays.

PickleSarnie · 22/02/2020 14:52

I bought one after 2 incidents. One was when I was starionary at traffic lights and, when the lights went green, the person in the car went into reverse and lurched towards me. Didn't hit thankfully but it would have be nigh on impossible to prove I wasn't to blame.

Another was when I was on a 60mph road. Came round a blind bend to see an idiot on my side of the road attempting to overtake at least 2 cars, up and hill and on the blind bend. Literally just missed. A dashcam wouldn't have stopped me from dying if he'd hit me. But I would have taken so much pleasure in reporting the utter arsehole for dangerous driving.

I've never had to use the dashcam footage bit its reassuring to know it's there. Although all the footage probably is just me yelling at the kids to stop bickering and muttering at BMW to use their bloody indicators.

bigbluebus · 22/02/2020 15:00

I'm seriously thinking of getting one after an incident the other day where i had no proof. The police 101 call handler actually recommended it.

TeddyIsaHe · 22/02/2020 15:02

Absolutely. Worth every penny. I have a motion activated one because I have on street parking, and it’s caught someone that clipped my car and drove off. Reported it and insurance covered it. Great things.

Original poster
MissRabbitNeedsAHoliday · 22/02/2020 15:06

Thanks everyone I really think I'll get one. Any recommendations?

OP posts:
Onetwothreeeee · 22/02/2020 15:08

Dashcams should be fitted as standard. I think it’s crazy people drive about without one.

yellowallpaper · 22/02/2020 15:33

I've got one but keep forgetting to put it back in my car

yellowallpaper · 22/02/2020 15:34

Nextbase.

TheGreatWave · 22/02/2020 15:40

I absolutely need to get one sorted. It is always on my list to do but never gets done.

DGRossetti · 22/02/2020 17:15

Wouldn't be without it.

If you are going to get one, might as well get one that covers the rear too (I have).

LovingLola · 22/02/2020 17:21

We have front and back ones on both cars.

TheGreatWave · 22/02/2020 17:21

For those that have one have you had it hard wired?

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 22/02/2020 17:25

I second Nextbase.

I wouldn’t be without it.

TwoZeroTwoZero · 22/02/2020 17:27

Dh has a nextbase one. Cost about £60 on Amazon in a deal.

Ynci · 22/02/2020 17:44

Just had mine fitted by the garage last week. Really easy to use and it has Wi-fi so downloading is a breeze. Does everyone leave theirs in the car overnight?

mrsfee · 22/02/2020 21:38

I had ours fitted so it's hardwired in, if the engine is on it's recording. Also set up 'parking mode', or whatever it's called, as one of my reasons for getting one is the spectacular set of scratches across the top of the bonnet/bumper where someone at work has turned across the front of my car but not realised they've damaged it. Maybe no impact would have been detected, but I feel better for having the camera.

GlummyMcGlummerson · 22/02/2020 21:58

Yes I got one after being scammed in a crash last year. I love watching the near misses back Grin

DGRossetti · 23/02/2020 10:32

For those that have one have you had it hard wired?

Yes, I got a kit (c. £10) off Amazon. It' a long cable that has a fuse at the end. You find a circuit that's switched with the ignition and replace the fuse. Then every time you switch on the dashcam fires up. It does have a battery too, if you set it for parking mode.

When I first got it, I removed it every time which is a PITA. But since dashcam theft doesn't seem to be a "thing", just leave it up all the time.

I know some cars elsewhere in the world have dashcams fitted at the factory. Not sure what it is in the British car buyer that has stopped the trend reaching these shores ?

QuestionableMouse · 23/02/2020 10:37

I'm thinking about getting one. I drive a big car in an obvious colour yet so many people seem to think it's invisible. (including the taxi driver who reversed into me last night at work. Luckily the spot it happened is covered by the building CCTV because he tried to blame me even though I was parked in a space and the engine wasn't even on!)

Original poster
MissRabbitNeedsAHoliday · 23/02/2020 19:15

Ahh so i can not just buy one and plug it in, does it need to be fitted?
Good point re them being installed when the car was manufactured.

OP posts:
SlightlySleepy · 23/02/2020 19:22

I agree with nextbase. You can just buy one and plug it in, although getting it hardwired is tidier. It's better to get front and back cameras, you'd be so annoyed to only have a front one and then something happens to the back of your car!

ShowOfHands · 23/02/2020 19:30

I have now.

Somebody drove into my parked car (in a car park) with enough force to smash the grille, pop the bonnet, break the windscreen, cause a huge dent and the alarm had gone off leaving me with a flat battery. No cctv, no witnesses. I was so cross.