27 September 2013
The value of a dashcam
Dashcams are very popular in Russia because they provide documentation of faked accidents and injuries - as for example those created by the pedestrians in this supercut.
One note from the BoingBoing via: "Unfortunately someone really does get run over, so don't watch this if you think you might be disturbed."
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I have considered buying one of these before. I just wonder why they are not popular in the US? Every time you see a dash cam you can safely assume it's from across the pond..... --Ty
ReplyDeleteI don't have an answer, Ty. I have considered getting one myself because I think any accident I would be in would likely be the other person's fault. Leave a note here if you find one that is inexpensive and easy-enough-for-the-owner-to-install.
DeleteI suspect the main reason is that in U.S. you are never sure if by using such device you are not violating some form of "No shooting buffaloes from window" law, and also this: http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/14/criminalizing-photography/?_r=0
DeleteI got one of these dash cams (actually is very good as an action cam too) after a long search - price vs results: http://www.techmoan.com/blog/2013/6/9/sj1000-at-lasta-good-cheap-action-camera.html?currentPage=9 (right now it costs around 80-100 $ and it is very easy to install: follow the manual (for a Chinese is very good :) ) and plug the power, it works)
DeletePS: follow the comments on the link I posted, among ebay sellers quality is varying too (this item is known as SJ1000 or F10). Here is also a good source for such camera (SJ1000 or F10) - try the white model - think that will be in direct sunlight: http://dx.com/p/f10-1-5-ltps-waterproof-1080p-5-0-mp-cmos-sport-dvr-camcorder-w-g-sensor-tf-mini-hdmi-white-223882
DeleteThank you for the links, Catalin.
DeleteThat last one was a real fly-by-night operator! :D
ReplyDeleteI'd be tempted to actually run those jerks over.
ReplyDeleteIn a Rule of Law state the citizen is protected by the fact that he is insured and that every participant has to be insured (excluding pedestrians). Fraud of this kind is then insurance fraud, which is hard because insurances have a long memory and also methods of cooperation.
ReplyDeleteRussia has both a strong underclass of organized thievery and long tradition of bullying, corruption and recent decades of near anarchy, after the collapse of civil society and the following decline. A deep seated mistrust towards state organizations, puts the civilian in a situation where a driver is better off to solve / pay off problems on his own and thus becomes a mark for criminals.
A dash-cam is a technological "grasping at straws" solution to a societal problem, where the camera becomes the only advocate/avenger for the citizen.
Not very sunny there, huh?
ReplyDeleteFYI: There are also compilation of good deeds documented via same dashcams:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGEiA80ZL08&feature=youtu.be