Dashcam: Good insurance, or just another doodad?

[Mike Lewis]

Does Uber and/or Lyft require cameras in their cars for hire?

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Mike Lewis

Does Uber and/or Lyft require cameras in their cars for hire?

No, they don't require it. In fact, I think they discourage it. It kind of goes against the mantra that you're getting a lift, rather than using a taxi.

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[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Mike Lewis

Does Uber and/or Lyft require cameras in their cars for hire?

While the Uber/Lyft driver will have the answer, I would be surprised if they are required. As we have learned here in Alberta, Uber doesn't even require their drivers to hold the legally required class of driver's license, or to carry valid insurance. Unless a camera helps Uber (and I don't know how it would, since it could prove liability of an Uber driver), I don't know why they would require it; the only party that Uber cares about is Uber.

[DeadEyeDan]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

While the Uber/Lyft driver will have the answer, I would be surprised if they are required. As we have learned here in Alberta, Uber doesn't even require their drivers to hold the legally required class of driver's license, or to carry valid insurance. Unless a camera helps Uber (and I don't know how it would, since it could prove liability of an Uber driver), I don't know why they would require it; the only party that Uber cares about is Uber.

In California, there is no requirement I am aware of to have a Dash Cam, nor any discouragement I am aware of either. I choose to for my own safety. Passengers sometimes ask about it, most are supportive. Basically it is like going into anyplace that has a security camera.

RE: Insurance. California requires Ride Share companies to carry 1 million dollars in insurance that covers drivers while a passenger is in the vehicle, and a lesser amount during the period where you have been dispatched and are on your way to pick someone up.

While online (available) but not yet dispatched, there is no coverage. My insurance company (AAA) advises that they would deny a claim from that period, but offers an inexpensive endorsement to fill the void. I choose to carry that endorsement but many drivers foolishly choose not to.

And what Brian said is true. Uber cares about Uber. Once driverless cars are legal and reliable, I will take my place on the bench next to the guy who used to bring ice to your house for your ice box.

[War Eagle]

Anyone with an update on this topic? Any personal reports of practical usefulness? Newer/better dash cam models out there being recommended by/for RV travelers? Is a simple GoPro camera good enough to document road incidents that might occur in front of you? Just curious....

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by War Eagle

Newer/better dash cam models out there being recommended by/for RV travelers?

I now have a couple of them, and would only want one with an integrated GPS receiver, so it continually tracks location and speed. Acceleration sensors add more information, and are amusing for later follow-up ("hmmm... only pulled 0.3 G through that off-ramp - felt like more"). There should be a button to mark a time of interest so it can be found later, since not everything seen by the camera is a trip-ending collision. There should be a viewer application included which conveniently shows all this information. My guess is that most dashcams would have these features - even a CA$100 Swann does.

Originally Posted by War Eagle

Is a simple GoPro camera good enough to document road incidents that might occur in front of you?

The problem I see with a GoPro - other than the obvious need to manually turn it on and off - is what it does when it runs out of storage space. Any device intended as a dashcam keeps as much video as it has space to store, usually splitting it into files covering a few minutes each and overwriting the oldest file with the newest one. I wouldn't want to check on the contents of a GoPro each trip, and manually delete old stuff.

[Mike Lewis]

If I ever try a dashcam again I might buy a few small 4GB cards for it and keep them handy. Let the dashcam video loop around on a small card. Then if something interesting happens, pop that card out of the dashcam and replace it with a spare, and review the first card later. It would be easier to search through a 4GB card than a 32GB card, and the smaller cards should be cheap by now, though I haven't checked.

[float5]

A 16 GB or even a 32GB only last a few minutes, right?

[Mike Lewis]

I had an 8GB card in the Magellan and it lasted at least 20 minutes, probably more. I didn't use it enough to get a better idea on how fast the cards fill up. Also, I don't know about screen resolution, etc. I found the product to be a turkey and quit using it.

I would not recommend getting a combination dash cam / GPS. If you want both, get one of each. I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone and it didn't work out.

[BCnomad]

I won a dash cam at the ETI rally. Still trying to make sense of the "English" instructions but nevermind.


32G card on 720p and voice setting is listed as 1hr39m recording time, so Mike's 4GB card might be ... 12 minutes??

[Mike Lewis]

Yeah, that sounds right, as I got at least 20 minutes out of my 8GB card. The Magellan also had a g-switch that would lock the card if a force of 2 g's or over was detected. I assume this is probably standard with dashcams as well. Hope you can turn off the damned microphone.

[rbryan4]

I don't own a dashcam, but just wanted to point out that ultra high capacity memory cards are now much cheaper than they used to be. My phone has a 256GB card in it for example. Amazon is your friend, or at least, a friend that helps you spend your money.

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[BCnomad]

My cheapo camera lets me turn off the voice recording in the settings.


My dash cam looks like it chops up the files into manageable bites, about three minutes each.

[gbaglo]

You all are assuming that having video of the accident will be in your favour.
Don't think that the other party's lawyer isn't going to ask you if you had a dash cam. And, if he asks you, he likely knows the answer.

[Mike Lewis]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

You all are assuming that having video of the accident will be in your favour.
Don't think that the other party's lawyer isn't going to ask you if you had a dash cam. And, if he asks you, he likely knows the answer.

In that case, let the chips fall where they may.

[ReagentGrade]

Originally Posted by Mike Lewis

In that case, let the chips fall where they may.

Exactly! I'll be responsible for my actions, I just want the other guy to be responsible for his actions too.

Make sure your dash cam has a parking feature. I can't count the number of times my wife's car had been sideswiped in a parking lot by someone who just left.

[Mike Lewis]

I thought I'd bump this thread to see if there are new developments / recommendations on dashcams. Anyone?

[War Eagle]

Originally Posted by Mike Lewis

I thought I'd bump this thread to see if there are new developments / recommendations on dashcams. Anyone?

We have the Garmin 30 with GPS coordinates recorded on the video, and we like it, but it's not in production anymore. Its replacement (with voice control added), the Garmin 55 gets good reviews and is even smaller, which can be helpful in states that restrict how much of the driver's view through the windshield can be obstructed. https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/567282

[caddoster]

our dashcam has mostly been used as a recording device for weird activities.. a lady plucking a tomato off my front yard and I happen to drive into the driveway... some guy dangling out of the car window taking picture as we were driving toward him towing a trailer..

[Fun&Sun]

We have the Garmin 51 with drive assist and dash cam. Works well for us but have incidents triggered when off roading.