With folks getting back in their cars after lockdown it strikes me the standard of driving locally has dropped. Therefore, and being late to the party, I'm in the market for a dash cam. I have no smart phone and use no apps so that side is of  no interest to me. I can't afford the dosh for forward and rear facing cameras but will require the unit wiring in professionally.
A friend has recommended the Halfords HDC200 which seems a cheap and reasonably specced unit at £44 + £35 fitting. Next up would possibly be a Garmin 66W at £169 + £35 fitting
Is there any feature I should be specifically interested in and does anyone have any recommendations, given that Halfords would be an ideal place to have the thing fitted?

Okay, I have some experience here.

I have a NextBase 402 GPS.

You want:

GPS - So you can prove exactly where you/they were, and the speed you/they were doing.

Small amount of battery built in.

Ability to install a decent size data card, video takes a lot of space.

Ability to 'lock' video segments, prevents them being overwritten. (Dash cams generally write constant video in certain size segments, when the space is full they overwrite from the beginning)

Decent grade, wide angle lens. Obvious reasons.

I'd have a look at online Tec reviews to see what's currently rated the best.

If you can wire a layout you REALLY don't need to pay Halfrauds to do a half-arsed job.

Last year I got a clip of the guy behind me at a 'wonky' crossroads on a corner overtaking me as I turned and nearly causing a four vehicle pile up. I spoke to Thames Valley PF, uploaded clip. A few months later I had response from TVPF to say they spoken to the driver and given him a caution and retained the info in case he does anything again.

So, can be useful.

Be aware though, it records your speed and road position as well as theirs!

@Newportnobby Mike makes some very valid points in what to look for. I have the Nextbase 522GW, (with rear facing camera as well) and it was easy to fit. I just used a 'piggyback' fuse connector into a fuse box underneath the dash. The 'piggyback' replaces the original fuse and then the original fuse is plugged into the 'piggyback'. All the wires, (there are only two on mine), fit easily behind the car trim and are totally hidden. Do a quick Google search for your vehicle and dashcam, e.g. Ford Focus Dashcam fitting - there will be some videos on Youtube no doubt.  I fitted mine to my previous car after two 'near misses' in as many weeks - naturally, since shelling out the money, it has not been needed. Still, it is a bit like insurance, nice to have but you hope you never have to use it. 

Addit: After you have watched some videos on fitting, you may decide it is more prudent to pay someone to fit the camera - depends on where the fuse box is and how agile you are feeling. Have you got a friendly neighbour/mechanic who wants to earn the price of a pint?

Quote from: dannyboy on August 30, 2020, 01:38:15 PM
Have you got a friendly neighbour/mechanic who wants to earn the price of a pint?

Blimey, how much is a pint in Leitrim? 

I don't think I could afford a night out there.

I was just making the point that £35 seemed a bit dear for what could well be a 15 minute job.  .  .(Not my fault I am from Yorkshire!). However, for somebody who wants the convenience or isn't as nimble shall we say, as they used to be,(no names mentioned), it may well be worth paying £35. 

Having looked at the spec, it looks like you need a Smart Phone to view the video, otherwise you would need to take the memory card out. I had a Nextbase fitted by Halfords on my previous car. They did a good job and the one I had had a mini USB to connect to it.

Cool mask, Malc 

Quote from: dannyboy on August 30, 2020, 02:46:53 PM
I was just making the point that £35 seemed a bit dear for what could well be a 15 minute job.  .  .(Not my fault I am from Yorkshire!). However, for somebody who wants the convenience or isn't as nimble shall we say, as they used to be,(no names mentioned), it may well be worth paying £35. 

having seen, while on the AA, the number of times they'd managed to fit headlight bulbs the wrong way, I'd be tempted to rethink the Halfrauds route 

Hi

I have a Nextbase 312gw and can't fault it. It might be a bit over the top as it allows you to connect using a smart phone to view the videos without removing the memory card. I would agree with the other posters about being aware that it also records everything you do.

Cheers

Paul

cynical me reckons the £35 install is for plugging it into the cigarette lighter accessory socket

Quote from: themadhippy on August 30, 2020, 06:36:24 PM
cynical me reckons the £35 install is for plugging it into the cigarette lighter accessory socket

I very much suspect that will be their installation.

I've got a Nextbase 312GW. I fit it each time I go out with two rubber bands round the mirror, and plug into cigarette lighter socket.

I remove it when I get home and download to Apple Mac (this ensures permanent record and not nicked overnight while parked outside house). If parking in a "risky" area I also de-mount it and take it with me. 

It also has the advantage I can release it and use it hand-held to take video of any incidents in car parks etc.

Just to clarify a couple of things, apart from pumping up tyres, checking oil and washer bottle levels I do nothing to my car as I know the results could be more expensive than me paying someone. The same goes for any problem locos. Letting me loose on anything electrical courts disaster
My friend who suggested Halfords is, in fact, a Yorkshireman who resents paying £1 full day charge to park at Leyland station for an hour I believe they hard wire it into the ignition wiring but will be checking that out. Thanks for the replies so far.

When I needed a bought my new Navi, I got a Dashcam....
Garmin DriveAssist 51 LMT-S

Adds as security feature a lane change and collision detector. Even in countries were Dashcams are forbidden, I could drive with it, because of the security feature. "I see you have a forbidden dashcam!" - "No way, that is only the lane change and collision detector of my Navi."

Has almost all needed Dashcam features. Wide-angle is the (for me) the only missing feature.
And it means: only 1 device to add/set up

They wired mine into the ignition such that it comes on as you start and goes off about 10 seconds after you switch off. They did a lovely job. They moved it to my next car when I changed, again a lovely job. This time my car has one already fitted. This too is a Nextbase, but you need a smart phone to watch the video.