[AlanHo]

My car is now equipped with two DOD dash cams.  A new DOD LS430W in the front and a DOD LS300W in the rear window.

I have had the LS430W for a couple of weeks but have only just got round to loading the DOD Viewer software onto my PC to view the files. I usually use Windows Media Player to view the videos but this will not show the GPS data – hence the need to use the DOD player.

I have also been playing with camera ISO and EV settings to optimise night use. This is an example of some night footage as seen through a windscreen which is desperately in need of a good clean.

DOD LS 430W at Night - YouTube

The beeping sound you can probably hear as I get to a turning is the sounders I had installed on the car because I was not able to hear the indicator clicker.



This is a screenshot of the DOD Player. As you can see it links to google maps and shows the route for that clip and the car’s location on the map.



I am very pleased with the DOD cameras and have only one reservation. That is I consider it a retrograde step to go to a 140 degree wide angle lens. My previous DOD F520, which is lying in a drawer waiting for me to find a new loving owner for it, has a 120 degree lens and shows reg plates more clearly and has less of a fish eye image.

For sure, these dash cams are best in sunlight – as soon as the sun sets video quality starts to diminish until at night it is questionable whether the video is really all that useful, especially on roads with no street lighting.

[Shambles]

Well I don't know about others, but I thought the video was crystal clear.

Also, the software looks amazing

[Doggie 1]

Nice one, Alan, looks good.
I'm not too sure that I like having the speed displayed though. 

[AlanHo]

Nice one, Alan, looks good.
I'm not too sure that I like having the speed displayed though. 

You can set the speed display and your  reg number off in the settings menu.

I have it on because it may be good evidence in the event of an accident. 

I was recently sent on a police speed awareness course in lieu of 3 points on my license. I am now usually a good lad and keep within speed limits.

[Alasama]

The video quality can be much better if windscreen is clean. 

[Dazzler]

Wow, that GPS mapping is awesome  ..says Dazz fitting his camera to Trish's car and ordering a better one for himself!

[The Gonz]

Thanks, Alan. Great post.

[AlanHo]

Wow, that GPS mapping is awesome  ..says Dazz fitting his camera to Trish's car and ordering a better one for himself!

I guess you are a gadget freak like me. If you are happy with the wide angle lens this latest DOD camera with the associated GPS mapping video reader is a wow. The mini CD that DOD supply with the camera has a version for windows and a MAC but not Linux or chrome. I think you need one of these Daz and Trish will be thrilled with her surprise gift.

I recall a few months back one of our members was thinking of buying a dash cam which had a 170 degree ultra wide lens. I can't recall who it was and hope he reads this and tells us how he gets on with such a wide angle of view.

Because the LS 430 and LS300 both have a landscape format - as opposed to the tall portrait format of the DOD F520 - they are unobtrusive. The 430 sits nicely behind the rear view mirror  and the 300 fits close to the top of the rear window without impairing rear view.

The cameras clamp firmly to the mount and are vibration free.  If anything - they clamp too firmly - because  they are the very devil to slide off.

The 430 came with two mounts - one with the usual sucker foot, the other with a plain foot loaded with black double backed adhesive which is less visible from outside the car. Whether either are Aussie heat proof I have no idea.

There are a couple of selectable features on the camera which I will not be using and have switched them off.
The first is a car speed display which replaces the video scene after a set time. I don't need this because the car has a speedo and my sat-nav displays the speed anyway.

The second feature is you can set up a speed limit and be given an audible and visual warning if you exceed it.  I cannot see how this is practical because you have to browse through the setting menu to set the desired limit and the camera cannot be recording whilst you do it. Hence it cannot easily cater for different speed limits during a journey.  Messing with the menu would be highly dangerous whilst driving anyway.

The LS430 lens mount is slightly different to the LS300 in that it has a small "peak" protruding forward at the top - perhaps a limited lens hood. This has made fitting a polarising filter more of a challenge - but I found a way.

[Phil №❶]

That member was me, Alan. I used the camera today and I'm reasonably happy with the output, however, the 170 deg wipes out oncoming car numberplates, which is a bit disappointing. I can't get a decent video sample to upload. I've tried u tube and photobucket and they always look like cr*p.

I wouldn't mind trying your video software on my files though. 

I love watching hd freight trains (in Oregon, USA), on u tube, so it's possible.

[Dazzler]

Thanks Alan, it won't happen overnight but it will happen!

[Phil №❶]

Sounds like a Sunsilk moment. 

[Dazzler]

Sounds like a Sunsilk moment. 

I thought it was Pantene (Hope Alan got the Advert over there) 

[AlanHo]

I wouldn't mind trying your video software on my files though. 

Here you go - 69 MB

DOD-Dream Of Digit-tech >DOWNLOADS

[AlanHo]

Sounds like a Sunsilk moment. 

I thought it was Pantene (Hope Alan got the Advert over there) 

What are you guys blathering on about? If it's a TV advert I have missed - then I'm not surprised. I rarely watch the commercial channels and if I do - I ignore the adverts.

[Dazzler]

Gee it is not cheap !

NEW DOD LS430W Dash CAR DVR Recorder Taxi Camera WDR Night Vision GPS Logger |

DOD LS430W - DASHCAMS AUSTRALIA

The second one is set up as an Aussie site but I think it is US $ ???

[Doggie 1]

I paid over $300 from memory for my LS300W.

[Dazzler]

I wonder if they have a model LS215W ? I'd rather only pay about half that...

[Doggie 1]

I have one in my car because in Western Australia we have lots of idiot drivers, plenty of road rage, etc and it's a sort of insurance so that if anything happens, I have it recorded.

I have video cameras mounted front and rear (thanks for my rear, Dazz  )

[Mike SX]

May I ask why people in other countries (never seen in Greece I mean) are installing cameras in their cars?I mean is it a precaution measure of something or what?
Beside the gadget freak of the case I don't grasp the point!I remember when the meteorite fell in Russia some time ago,utube went full of drivers's videos through their cars...

Police appeal to public for dashcam video evidence of dangerous drivers | Mail

[AlanHo]

Here is a short video taken in daylight. As you will see the wide angle lens does not always pick up clearly the reg number of oncoming cars. It seems to be the price you pay for having a wider field of view.

DOD LS430W Daylight Test - YouTube

The DOD player can also show the route and car position on a satellite view. Pretty innit.

[Phil №❶]

Cool,

Software plays my files too, but GPS was not turned on, so I'll test it tomorrow.

Thanks, Alan.

[Mike SX]

Similar, (number plate detailing), to this unit - as shown last night on  UK TV Gadget Show.

Crash Catcher® | Protecting the innocent, providing the evidenceCrash Catcher®

[AlanHo]

Similar, (number plate detailing), to this unit - as shown last night on  UK TV Gadget Show.

Crash Catcher® | Protecting the innocent, providing the evidenceCrash Catcher®

That Crash Catcher advertising video is awful. I hope the camera is better than that.

[Mike SX]

That Crash Catcher advertising video is awful. I hope the camera is better than that.

Agreed, the camera video quality seems poor as well, the rear facing lens also records a debateable
video, unless you need "seatview"

Also, it clips over the existing mirror, and, according to the reviews, would always be in the "anti dazzling" position.
Not such a clear rear view as previously seen

[rustynutz]

I paid over $300 from memory for my LS300W.

Where did you get yours from, Dave?
They are under $200 on ebay.... 

[Doggie 1]

I paid over $300 from memory for my LS300W.

Where did you get yours from, Dave?
They are under $200 on ebay.... 

eBay.
And they weren't back then. 

[AlanHo]

My DOD LS300 camera was fastened to the rear window using the DOD sucker mount. However this overlaps the window heating wires and the mount has fallen off a couple of times. The DOD LS430W camera on the front screen is fine because that one came with an adhesive mount.

I found this on Ebay and ordered two on the 8th January – they arrive today just 8 days later all the way from China for a cost of just $4.59 USD each including postage.

Car Mount Holder for DVR DOD LS300W LS430W LS330W GT300 GT550 LS650 F90 GS600 |

They don’t look like they are DOD originals – but if copies - they are very good ones.

How do they do it so cheaply and quick?  Its amazing.


I see they sell the new DOD LS430 W for USD 179 delivered.

[eye30]

I found this on Ebay and ordered two on the 8th December – they arrive today just 8 days later all the way from China

January?

Unless time passes soooooo sooooo slow in solihull

[AlanHo]

I found this on Ebay and ordered two on the 8th December – they arrive today just 8 days later all the way from China

January?

Unless time passes soooooo sooooo slow in solihull

Thanks for that - just testing you. I have corrected the post. I am in Zombie mode today.....