Roadhawk in-car camera GPS and black box system

Wannabyourhero · Occasional Visitor Joined: Sep 12, 2005 Posts: 51

Price of the Roadhawk is now down to £199 which is a lot more appealing.
The SmartWitness camera is also available in a non gps mode which might appeal to those who would rather not provide evidence of speed at the time of the accident.

Darren · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 10:41 am Post subject:

I've published the review now. Roadhawk have received a huge amount of publicity as a result of this YouTUBE footage and have reduced the price to £199.99 as a result.

I think its a superb unit, very easy to install and use and great evidence should you ever need it.
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Darren Griffin

NickG · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 3:45 pm Post subject:

Darren · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 3:49 pm Post subject:

Not sure Smartwitness is that much smaller, difficult to tell from the site but certainly the RH-1 is small enough that it cannot be seen from the driver seat when installed behind the rear view mirror.

It's certainly unobtrusive when installed.
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Darren Griffin

NickG · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 3:50 pm Post subject:

Darren, any idea if this camera is exactly the same as the XDriven camera? the XDriven is cheaper and seems to look identical. I wonder who the original manufactuer is?

Darren · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 3:59 pm Post subject:

I don't, certainly looks identical but whether there are specification differences I couldn't say. It lists the same recording modes so probably the same.

Expansys don't make it very clear if the temporary suction mount is included in their model but if you plan on a permanent install then that won't be a consideration.
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Darren Griffin

NickG · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 4:10 pm Post subject: Discount Code

If ordering from dogcamsport.co.uk, use promo code mtbuk2000 for a £10 (5%) discount Smile

According to users on another forum, the Expansys one does NOT come with the suction mount (worth £20).

I've ordered one now and it was apparently dispatched within 10 minutes! Thanks for the review Darren.

Darren · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 4:31 pm Post subject:

Excellent and good work with the promo code. It's a nice device, cable clips etc are supplied and for hard wire just snip off cigarette plug as it accepts 12v natively.
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Darren Griffin

BigPerk · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 6:14 pm Post subject:

This thread is a personal review by Wannabyourhero of the Smart Witness Vehicle Journey Recorder which might be of interest. It mentions several features which do not seem as good as the Roadhawk, such as the total recording time and the resolution.

Admin Edit to insert link to the referenced thread
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David
(Navigon 70 Live, Nuvi 360)

NickG · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 11:03 am Post subject:

Darren · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 11:26 am Post subject:

Indeed, requires external 12v power and wide angle lens not best suited for anything other than view forwards.
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Darren Griffin

BigPerk · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 11:44 am Post subject:

I used to have a mini digital key-ring camera from Digital Dream's L'Espion, which I carried in case of the need to take photographs outside the car. It cost about £25. I have been looking for a replacement recently, but it seems to be out of stock now unfortunately.

If anyone knows of an equivalent, it would provide a cheap (admittedly low-res) solution for external photographs (and I'd like to know!. Cool

)
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David
(Navigon 70 Live, Nuvi 360)

Darren · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 11:49 am Post subject:

Digital photos aren't necessarily great evidence for use in accidents etc because the images can be tampered with or manipulated. The very best solution is a cheap disposable film camera.

That will give you photos that will be accepted as well as negatives to back them up.
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Darren Griffin

NickG · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 12:16 pm Post subject:

Got mine this morning. Very impressed with video quality as it doesn't look at all YouTubey Smile

The hardest thing is going to be trying to find a source of ignition switched power that I can easily run a cable to... I don't think there's anything I can use in the headlining, so I'm going to have run a cable all the way down to the ciggy lighter area (thankfully they supply quite a long cable!).

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