Comprehensive DVR and security camera system

[nryn]

Originally Posted by InterBlog

^^ These are the kinds of perspectives that are gained by reading full threads in context.

I’m not sure why you’d go through such lengths to disqualify an alternative perspective but it’s duly noted.

For what it’s worth:

A) I have been following this thread since it’s inception
B) I live in an urban area
C) security and video surveillance solutions are not exclusive to vans, boondocking, or urban areas. I was researching the same solutions you were.

Anyway, it’s your thread and I am sorry for participating. Best of luck with your mobile fortress.

[InterBlog]

Originally Posted by Shermy1987

This thread reminds me that an Orwellian Dystopia is a possible future reality.

With drumbeat consistency, I have offered the context that the way I use our Interstate is not the same as what most other people do, and therefore my security needs are not the same as the average owner’s. That’s the type of perspective that should be accepted gracefully at face value in good user forums, and in life.

This week I am wrapping my mind around the fact that I just won a national award for innovations in public service. I am not putting those details on the open internet, but this is a point of perspective to support what I have been saying all along. Public service transformation is tough work that always involves pushing envelopes. It can be risky, but it’s the most meaningful and purposeful work of all.

My work would not be possible without our Interstate and its many off-grid modifications – it has been my base of operations through thick and thin. The award has re-energized me, but I am still without the additional security enhancements that I need to take some of that work to the next level. But time continues to pass, new products are emerging on the market, and maybe I’ll get there.

Meanwhile, I am reminded of this famous paraphrase below, which describes human nature so perfectly, both on- and off-forum. For the life of me, I don’t understand why people find it so necessary to discount people who are trying to accomplish important things. But I do understand that, this week, I won, and that along that journey, I did actually see roads that looked a bit like this:

[ITSNO60]

Originally Posted by InterBlog

A placeholder update to this 2.5-year-old thread.

So, I ended up concluding that the Owl Cam was the best low-end, non-DIY product on the market at the time of my earlier postings.

What happened next? The company apparently went bankrupt and its assets were sold, and maybe even sold again - or whatever happened, I haven't had the bandwidth to try to sort out what the changing ramifications are and whether there is any residual value in the high-quality hardware that I still have.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, new and updated products continue to emerge, including the Kingslim D4 4K Dual Dash Cam, which shoots footage forward and backward, and which can be operated while the vehicle is off.

I don't know the limits of that product yet, but I'm posting here so that I can revert to studying it when I have time.

What brought it to my attention was a video it shot of someone slashing tires at Cassels Boykin Park, which is a popular park about a mile north of Texas Airstream Harbor; I go there frequently. The owner had parked their vehicle and trailer after launching their boat, and along comes some bubba who decides that he needs to slash tires. And of course the resulting footage was then posted on social media as the local community hunts this ****** down.

Anyway, that was impressive - vehicle's engine turned off, owner away, and the Kingslim captured pretty good footage of the crime. Definitely a product for future evaluation.

I was pretty excited about the Owlcam till I found out that is requires an OBD connection, my OBD port is busy all the time with vehicle live data monitoring and the only time I tried a splitter the data rate slowed to a crawl. I am standing by to see if you try the Kingslim product and to see if there are any alternatives to using the OBD for power. The Amazon reviews are quite mixed.

[Rocinante]

To power our Mobley device from ATT, I use an adapter that goes from a 12-V plug on one end to an ODB II socket on the other. Maybe you could do the same to power the camera mentioned above?

Here's what we use: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GR15HCW/

[ITSNO60]

Originally Posted by Rocinante

To power our Mobley device from ATT, I use an adapter that goes from a 12-V plug on one end to an ODB II socket on the other. Maybe you could do the same to power the camera mentioned above?

But doesn't that still tie up the OBD port? I need it to be free for other uses.

[Rocinante]

Not if you only need an ODBII socket for power. The adapter consumes a 12V "cigarette lighter" socket to power the ODBII end of the cable. However, if the camera is also using the ODBII connector to pull data from the vehicle, that data would obviously not be present.

[ITSNO60]

Originally Posted by Rocinante

Not if you only need an ODBII socket for power. The adapter consumes a 12V "cigarette lighter" socket to power the ODBII end of the cable. However, if the camera is also using the ODBII connector to pull data from the vehicle, that data would obviously not be present.

OK I got it, I mis-understood the configuration. That's looks like a viable option for a power only use, thanks.

[Alex AVI]

Originally Posted by ITSNO60

I am standing by to see if you try the Kingslim product and to see if there are any alternatives to using the OBD for power. The Amazon reviews are quite mixed.

BRIAN - I do not have the Kingslim. But I have the Vantop 12" rearview mirror replacement. I use it to replace my Mini Cooper's rearview mirror with the built front dashcam and add a rear cam to the Mini.They are the same units manufactured at same factories in China just branded under different names. I know Kingslim also has the 12" model. In context of this thread, I don't think my unit (nor Kingslim) would satisfy the needs because they only provide front and rear cam capability. No ports to add sidecams.

But in terms of video quality, I use the 4k/2k combo and very happy with it. Nighttime images are so much better than any of my rear cams in my other vehicles. The Sony Starvis sensors have a excellent reputation for good quality images at daytime or night.

The unit can be powered via cig lighter adapter, straight to USB charger port or with a hardwire kit ignition or battery. Since I don't use as a security device, mine is via ignition wired.