I took the advice of Fran Hogan and bought an inexpensive $90 car cam.
Wide Angle Car/Truck Dash DVR Cam
It was easy to install and I shot the video below before I played with time and date.
Setup instructions are in Chinglish but this might help
1. Unpack and check that all the parts are there
2. Insert battery and connect to a computer to charge the battery, starts red ends up with no light.
3. Connect to TV or other monitor to set time and date using the time button and the record button. It is a pain just like a VCR be sure to use Panama's, day/month/year option
Never remove the battery of you will need to do the time and date setup again.
4. Install window mount and power supply in car.
It works, it's cheap and I suspect if you ever need the video it will be well worth the investment.
If you do not have one of these and drive anyplace the investment will pay for itself if you ever have an accident.
Replies
The case for car cams:
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Charges-Dropped-Against-For...
And this one was in the police car!
Lee, should have invested in wiper blades first. Good video non the less. Dan
Am I missing something here? I ordered and received the dashcam described here but when I went to set the date and time on it, I noticed it is set for 2009 and will only increase in 1 sec increments. I held the buttons down for over 30 minutes and had not even moved one month in 2009. At this rate, I figure it will be 2014 before I get it to 2012 if I hold it down for 2 hours per day. What am I missing? Is there some way to make the time go by faster while setting it. Please do not suggest a "time mahine"- I already thought of that and would have tried it but........ Thanks
B.J. Allen
I posted the instructions for setting the time, you need to hook it to a television.
I found another camera option that I am going to order to test out. It is a direct from Chine model, higher resolution, half the price. I have ordered from this company before.and they mail direct to Panama. I needed to go to David to pick it up.
link to my prior experience.
http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?u=513358&b=257979&m=29482&a...
To clarify the order direct from China. When you order your address is your name, Boquete Panama. Then you go to the post office, COTEL in the Municipo in Boquete and check once a week or so until either the package or a receipt to pick it up in David arrives. If you need to pick it up in David, it is at the Post Office and they change a daily storage fee if you wait too long.
Hi This is Dave Veilleux, we are stocking 4 different models and they are higher priced that the one Lee has. Ours use a micro SD card (up to 32gb), audio can be turned off, cameras have gps built in and so your coordinates are shown on the video and can be used with google maps, there is also a 'G' force sensor that locks the video (preventing overwriting of a particular file) in case of a crash. The cameras turn on automatically when the car is turned on.
At this time, the software does not work on Mac's but we have engaged the manufacturer to correct this.
We have them on display in both David and Boquete offices if anyone is interested.
Cheers
Dave
Lighten up Fran, it was a joke. No offense intended against yours and Lee's choice of car cam. It's the one I have. Just chill and listen to a little Wings, Moody Blues or Hollies and, like me, think about when those joints didn't ache quite as much -- "Remember The Time" -- oh sorry that was Michael Jackson and not on my Brit Group list for today.
A couple of questions that I could not find answers to on the cam website.
1. When the SD ?? chip is full does it then record over again from the beginning automatically?
2. Does the camera start recording automatically when you start the car?
3. What did customs charge you to import?
Thanks for your response,
The customs duty was 5%, sales tax 7%, so total 12% taxes.
shipping weight 410 grams