Foretravel Owners' Forum

We purchased a high quality automatic drive camera for use in our motorhome and Jeep.
We had been using a low resolution camera/VCR for a year and decided having this information has a value to us.

We recently purchased FUHO CDR-E22 Vehicle Video Recorder from Total Guard Systems for $250.
CDR-E22 Full HD (1080P) Vehicle Video Recorder With Built-In GPS : Car Camera | (http://www.totalguardsystems.com/CDR-E22)

This video recorder is fantastic in how it works and in the quality of the recording and in the full function of its playback program.

Camera/recorder is small (like a pack of cigarettes), suction cupped to inside of windshield, HD 1920x1080 at 30 frames/second, automatic stop & start with ignition key, continuous loop recording, records date, hour, minute, GPS location.
Recorder has a 3-axis G-sensor to record sudden movements and will 'lock' video frames if movements are above settable sensitivity.
There are settings for lower resolution, etc.

Video playback on computer also shows driving speed, direction, location on a Google map.  Files can be stopped, slowed down, speeded up, skipped during playback.  Individual frames can be extracted to a JPG file.

Resolution is so good, under the right conditions, a license plate can be read.
Microphone will record inside sounds and voices and can be turned off.

Recorder uses SD memory cards.  Our 32GB SanDisk Extreme 45MB/s SDHC-I memory card ($38 Amazon) will record about 6 hours before it starts to write over the earliest video files.  Recorder comes with a 4GB memory card.
A new standard video format filetype .TS file is written to SD memory card about every one minute.  Each one minute video file is about 66MB in size.

I like it! ^.^d Good information, nice to have a record of events. Also could make for some interesting real life videos ( maybe a new reality show) for T.V.  ;D

I like it too... I've certainly had my share of bozos acting stupid. With all that information it should be admissible in court as evidence without too much trouble, too. I've been thinking about using one of my standard definition GoPro Hero cameras as an RV cam.

Bicylists in Portland, Oregon (and trust me, there are a LOT of them) are starting to use these cams to help convict hit-and-run drivers. One cyclist in the Bay Area was struck from the rear by a motorist and his helmet cam got a photo of the license plate. One less hit-and-run driver.

Probably need two of them though... one rear-facing and one front-facing. That way you also get the moron who tags the toad. Lucky thing SD memory is so cheap.

Craig

We were going to buy a bike/sports camera, but could not find any with HighDef resolutions.  This camera/recorder has it all for us. I was also looking at multiple security camera sets that come with a DVR, but this FUHO all-in-one is simpler and cheaper

Read about a cop that stopped a motorist saying they were measured with radar going too fast. Motorist response was "we have drive camera that will prove we were under the speed limit". Cop's response was 'bye, have a nice day'.

I had a question for Total Guard Systems, who sold us our video recorder and I mentioned that I like it so much that I shared my results with friends.

Their reply included the following: Please have your friends enter code TAKE10 for 10% off their purchase.  (Car Camera | In Car Camera | Vehicle Video Recorder | Total Guard Systems.com - (http://totalguardsystems.com/) )

On their website, the diagram shows that it has an audio/video out. Is that just a composite, or is it an HDMI? Also, does the output work for real time viewing or just recorded playback?
Thanks!
Don

Don,

I don't know if A/V out is real time, but my guess is not. It certainly is not HDMI. It is a single round jack and if it has video, it would have to be composite.

Camera comes with a remote control which will put the camera/recorder into play mode, displaying the video on the small screen. Maybe then, the video will output to the A/V jack.

There is a PAL/NTSC setting along with 50/60 cycle setting, so the recorder is designed to output to a TV.

Output video files can be view with a standard playback that accepts TS filetype.

But to display video along with GPS info that shows Google map location and MPH speed, the playback PC program on a CD that comes with camera is used.

Seller of our Fuho drive camera is offering a 10% discount:

enter code "TAKE10" for 10% off the purchase

The recent Siberia Russia space rock hit was widely recorded on hundreds of automobile dash cameras.

Looks like the day of the dash cam has arrived.

Even Dave is asking about it

We all better get on board before Dave has us beat.

Indeed, I appreciate Barry & Cindy's doing the Guinea Pig testing for us, so do not see a big need to worry about this Dave stealing oxygen from anyone. Besides every once in a while, even this dumb bunny gets an idea. ;D
Thanks 
Dave M

Drive cams are great! We have them on the charter buses I drive part time and it has saved my rear twice. Not just from the vidieo but from sound also. Once a parking valet was trying to get a car between the bus and curb at a hotel in downtown Seattle and hit the side of the bus. He said I was the one moving. The drive cam sound  proved I was stopped when he hit me. The other time I was making a right turn on a green when a bicyclist on the sidewalk hit the me. He  said he had a green walk sign. Drive came proved the don't walk was on also that the hit was intentional. Well worth the money!
Ty
Cheers

Ted

Ordered a dash cam on ebay couple days ago.  Coming from China so have my fingers crossed that
it will do what they say for about $50.00.  May even put one with motion sensor over where my Foretravel is stored so I can see if anyone is poking around. Some have a good battery and SD card.
Thats the one.  DAN 

Ted,

How did you present your camera video to prove your case? Did anyone look at it? Did it make it to court? Is the video court admissible?

I think that any dash cam without GPS to record your speed and location is unacceptable. Our FUHO has inside voice recording capability, that we have turned off.

Barry The units on the buses are commercial units from drivecam The Driver Safety and Driver Productivity System | Driver Risk Management (http://www.drivecam.com) .We never get as far as court. We sent the drivecam file to the hotels insurance company with a tongue-in-cheek note asking where was our error. As for the guy on the bike we email him a link to the vid and he backed down. We had one driver come back to his bus to find the drivers side mirror had been hit. When it was hit it triped the drivecam and the vid showed a Metro bus and the bus #. Starline sent Metro a bill along with a link to the vid. Metro sent a check no questions asked.

Thanks, Barry & Cindy. Will search for and order one as well. I love the idea of having backup proof in case of an incident.

Regards, Lee

Barry,
Thanks for the link for the FUHO CDR-E22, I am guessing that is the model you are using, it is now $249.00 -10%.
Looks like a proper unit, would like your take in it and opinion of the 32 GB SD stick.
Thanks
Dave M

Dave,
Donno if you are a Costco or Sam's member, but they sell the SD cards cheap...

Thanks Peter, Yes, on the Sams, just picked up 70 cases RotellaT 15W-40 this AM, 420 gal at $69.88 / case, quick $4,891.60, that is about 4-6 weeks worth. Cheapest in area.
Also get pallets of 10W-30 too, seems we use alot of oil.
Dave M

RCWNewMexico,
Looking forward to the report, and how complicated it is to use etc.
Thanks
Dave M

Not bad if you double up on the sale to installed genset customers...LOL

For the last year, we have been using FUHO CDR-E22 with 32 GB SD memory card. And it continues to work very well. We purchased it from
CDR-E22 Full HD (1080P) Vehicle Video Recorder With Built-In GPS : Car Camera | (http://www.totalguardsystems.com/CDR-E22) and all contacts with them have been VERY helpful. Our cost was $250. We use it in our motorhome when traveling in our Foretravel and move it to our Jeep when we stop in a campground. Each vehicle has its own USB Mini power cord.

Playback of our FUHO memory card on our computer allows me to slow down, speed up, pause, reverse, skip and grab a single video frame to make a JPG file. While video files continuously display on our computer, on the side of the screen we see our MPH and our driving location on a map.

One of the other important features of the camera is a built-in adjustable sensitivity accelerometer that notes unusual movement. Since the camera writes a new file about each minute, when there is no more room to write new files, the camera will start to overwrite earlier recordings. If there was an incident that triggered the accelerometer threshold, that file will be 'locked' and during overwriting, locked files are skipped and preserved.

Having the largest memory card capacity possible will keep a longer history. Since we are recording at the highest resolution, the files are quite large at about 60 MB each and we can only get about 6 hours. Specifications say 32 MB is the largest the camera will use, but I don't know if it will also use all of a 64 GB card.

I only know about our camera model and it seems hard to find good info on comparisons and to learn about all the manufacturers selling drive cameras in the USA. Both FUHO & TotalGuardSystems don't have the best web sites and are not easily found in Google searches.

I think drive cameras are popular consumer items in many countries, but not in the United States. Of course drive cams are very popular here with law enforcement, buses and commercial trucks. It is the consumer market that is quickly changing and current info is hard to come by. A year ago, we came across FUHO & TotalGuardSystems and made our purchase based upon high resolution, auto stop-start & GPS recording. We have not been disappointed, but do wonder what else is out there that will work the same or better.

There is also a highly defined sport/hunting video camera market in the US and YouTube is full of their results. USA made GoPro is probably the most well know. But I am not sure how well they will work as a drive cam, and in some cases they are more expensive.

Barry, Thanks for the info, that is about what I was looking / hoping for. Guess unless something else shows up, I most likely will go for it.
Thanks
Dave M

Attached is how FUHO dash cam Windows program display looks.

Also attached is a JPG snapshot from our dash cam video file as we watch fireworks.
During video playback, I can grab a single frame snapshot from the moving video.

Gotta get one, that first shot fully explains it to me, and the fire works shot is also good info,  thanks Barry, looks like you just made up my mind, or spending what I have left.
Thanks
Dave M

ps, Just ordered it, and got the added 10% off, so $225.00 + USPS
Now to get the correct physical size SD 32 gb stick. Mo toys!
Thanks again
Dave M

Dave,

Sure you have figured it out, probably before me, but for others buying the camera, video in most cases, requires a faster card than a MP3 player or a still camera so make sure the card is rated for the video camera. Especially true when capturing 1080p. Probably at least a class 6 card. Requirement will be in the instructions.

Pierce

Pierce, thanks for that info, as usual, I am hoping Barry can provide that info for us.  These things tend to be over my level, if it does not use oil, I'm most likely lost.
Dave M

Dave,

Here is a site explaining cards, speed, etc. Expect yours will take a class 6 for no latency with high resolution but it will say on the unit or instructions. Staples, Radio Shack, Office Depot, Best Buy, etc. will all carry the proper card.

Guide to SD/SDHC Camcorder Memory Cards (http://camcorders.about.com/od/accessories/a/guide_to_SDHC_camcorder_cards.htm)

Pierce

I can't speak to other memory cards, but we are using a 32GB SanDisk Extreme 45MB/s SDHC-I memory card and it works fine. Costco carries them for $45.

Hi Barry,

My in car (motor home) camera works great.

Thanks
John

@Barry For almost anything computer/electronic related I like NewEgg. They usually have the best prices, free shipping, fast delivery and great service. I've built several computers with parts from them. Done a couple of returns for defective parts and never had a problem. Highly recommended.

They have the SanDisk Extreme 32gb SD cards for $32.40 with free shipping.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=0DF-0005-00031&ParentOnly=1 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=0DF-0005-00031&ParentOnly=1)

see ya
ken

Ken,

Great price from NewEgg. We have been aware of NewEgg for decades and have also found them a good place to buy from. And they are stocking more than computer parts these days. Thanks for letting everyone know where to get the lowest price for the memory card for the Drive Cam.

Sometimes low prices are offset with little too high shipping and now Amazon is adding tax, so it is worthwhile to compare the total price. If Amazon carries what we need and order total is over $25, most of the time there is no shipping charge.

Tnx Ken & Barry, it is on the way!.

I also received my CDR-E22 yesterday and took it for a trial run today while exercising the Foretravel.  Everything worked as advertised and the viewing program (TransportStream) works fine on my netbook running Windows 7 Starter Edition.  However, when I tried to view the files on the media using my iMac the Mac gave a warning that the media had not been ejected properly and immediately dropped the link.  When I moved the card back to the netbook it worked fine.  Obviously there is something about the formatting that the Mac does not like.  If you have only Macintosh computers this may not be your best bet.  If I find a way around the issue, I will post more later.

Thanks, Monti. We're all Mac, and not interested in getting a Windows machine just to run the camera. Did you try connecting the media again, and then click and hold the media icon? That should turn the trash to an eject icon. Drag the media there and all should be fine.

Was the card ejected properly from the Windows box before it was removed and put into the Mac? That would involve choosing "Eject" or "Safe Remove Hardware" before pulling the card.

Did you see if the Mac "Disk Utility" might repair the file system on the card?

Does the camera have a choice or function to quiesce the file system on the card before you remove it?

It was ejected properly from the PC before I tried it in the Mac.  The Mac will automatically try to repair and damage done if media is not ejected properly the next time it is inserted.  In this case it briefly shows the files and then drops all connection to the SD after it shows the warning.  After that it takes a few insertion and removal cycles before it will even recognize the SD again.  I did not try Disk Utility because the repair should have been automatic.  I may give that a try but doubt if it will make any difference.  I haven't found anything on the camera that closes files to prepare for removal of the media.  With the camera unplugged you simply pop it out.  There are dozens of files recorded so, at most, only one should be corrupted if there was a problem ejecting it.  Since the camera has an internal battery, I think it automatically closes all files when power from the vehicle is removed.

Please check this one out:
Made in Korea Navicam Car Black Box HD 1280x760 NC1000W 8g with GPS and WiFi | (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Made-In-Korea-Navicam-Car-Black-Box-HD-1280x760-NC1000W-8G-with-GPS-and-WiFi-/261164159766?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cce98d316)                       
It is sold on eBay for $130 and the seller has it on their store website for $10 less.  The seller and manufacturer are in Korea.

What I find interesting is that this device uses wifi to send the video to a smartphone, tablet, or computer.  It is a very small device that can be mounted and connected to a power source, then left alone.  No need to remove the sd card to view the videos.

I am considering getting one what do you all think?

I think our CDR-E22's one-minute video files are individually watchable on all computers. My understanding is FUHO's TransportStream video playback software is a Windows only program, but may run under Windows emulation on Apple computers. TransportStream displays video files continuously adding GPS location & speed to the screen.

UPDATE!  Earlier I reported that I was unable to read the SD card formatted by the CDR-C22 with my iMac.  Today I decided to try it in my new MacBook Pro that has a built-in reader for SD cards.  The laptop read the card with no problems and I transferred one of the files to the laptop and converted it from the .TS format to .M4V using a downloaded video file converter.  It then played with no problems using Preview.  Obviously the files can be viewed on a Mac once converted to a compatible format.  I have no idea why my iMac will not read the SD card as both Macs are running the same version of the OS.  It might have something to do with the card reader supplied with the camera.

Thanks, Monti. Since new Macs are in the future for us it sounds like we need to get one that has the built-in SD card reader.

http://store.komando.com/p-1568-the-komando-dash-cam.aspx?utm_source=nl&utm_medium=kiminsider&utm_campaign=2013-02-17&utm_content=11 (http://store.komando.com/p-1568-the-komando-dash-cam.aspx?utm_source=nl&utm_medium=kiminsider&utm_campaign=2013-02-17&utm_content=11)
But I don't think it has a impact sensor or records speed.  But still good protection at only $100.00, from a known source.

And then there is this:  Dash Cam Comparison | Dash Cam Talk (http://dashcamtalk.com/dash-cam-comparison/)

Just received as a gift a HD DVR Dash Cam , Brand is Bully Dawg.  Will start using it tomorrow.  As usual the instructions are translated to English , from Korean and  Cyrillic so It looks like I will spend the evening trying to translate them. ???
Gary B

I just bought one. This was about $20.  I did not really need one but thought it might be worth the minimal expense.  It was on amazon.com. 


2.5-inch HD Car LED IR Vehicle DVR Road Dash Video Camera Recorder Traffic Dashboard Camcorder - LCD 270 degrees...

The individual 1 min files are playable on a computers media player program.  They will look much better than the player that comes with the device but will not show any of the information.  The image will be full screen if you want.

Load the card into a card reader or the built in dock.  When loaded use the media players file selection function to go to the card and you will see a long list of files.  Each will play for one minute. I use the following free program that I have found to be the best:

IrfanView - Official Homepage - one of the most popular viewers worldwide (http://www.irfanview.com/)

Keith

This may be more helpful (link)
Amazon.com: 2.5-inch HD Car LED IR Vehicle DVR Road Dash Video Camera Recorder (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0053DDNW6/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

Been playing the new camers CDR E22 I think it is.  Upcoming venture to Wy & Id should prove interesting.

Howdy Charles,  Wondering how this very inexpensive Dash Cam has worked out for you..
Thanks for your feedback, Dave A

Well, It was cheap.  The cost was the determining factor for me.  It does do color, grainy is what I can see on the computer  (can also view on the small screen on unit). I can hear my radio or other sounds.  Not HiFi but none the less can determine what is being said.  I can not read license plates but can tell it is a silver SUV passing me on the left.  It also will show you approaching a car and easily showing the other vehicle to be a green ford truck with a trailer in tow.  You can also determine the color of the traffic lights.  I think the value is there but not the quality of images that I have seen with some others.  I don't know if I can get a better image with tweaking. Perhaps this is available.  It does not turn off by itself.  Easily done by holding down the on/off button.  It does not come with SD card, this is a separte purchase.  Have not used at night yet as this is a very recent purchase.  I don't expect it to be as good then. 
Summation, I think it would be helpful in the event I am involved in an accident and believe that it would help prove my guilt or innocence.  An inexpensive aid, not as good as others.  To me certainly worth the $20. 

Charles I purchased the dash camera you have ordered.  I found it difficult to set up but do able.
It works great and I connected to my TV to watch.  The one I got had a HDMI cord slot, so it is easy to connect to the TV.  I find that you need a good sunlight for the best pictures.  DAN

Thanks Dan, I have to admit, I like it.  I am OK with the drawbacks/cost.  It, to me is not for home movies.  I think of it an insurance.  Thanks for the feedback. 

The TDD-01 that I got as a gift is near worthless.  The instructions are a joke and hard to follow. If I had paid for it I would be upset. This looks like the same one.

Amazon.com: New 2.5" HD Car LED IR Vehicle DVR Road Dash Video Camera Recorder (http://www.amazon.com/Vehicle-Recorder-Traffic-Dashboard-Camcorder/dp/B007U1X28Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1372439065&sr=8-2&keywords=hd+dvr+dash+cam#productDetails)

Gary B

Howdy Charles and Dan,
    Thanks for the feedback.. I think I'll get one and play with it.. You just can't beat the price, and it definitely beats what I have now, which is nothing!!!
Dave A

Charles and Dave:  when you get your dash cameras if you have problems setting it up give me a call
or private email and I will call you.  I have finally mastered the instructions.  You should get the best 32 bit card you can get.  It really is a clear picture on the TV.  DAN

Howdy Dan,  Thanks for the offer, I'll probably take you up!! 
Dave A

Thanks!

I received this camera from Amazon several weeks ago, and have been pleasantly pleased with its performance.  Definitely, not HD but its "good enough".  Like Charles, I think it will be helpful in the event of an accident.
Amazon.com: 2.5-inch HD Car LED IR Vehicle DVR Road Dash Video Camera Recorder (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0053DDNW6/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&tag=foreforums-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957)
< $35 for Camera, 16gig chip, free shipping. 
  The manual is less than helpful, but with a little playing with the menu, fairly easy to set up.  One of the reviewers on Amazon has a fairly detailed "how to".
Thanks to Charles and Dan for their reviews on this product.
Dave A

Make sure if you purchase one of these cheap dash cameras that you get one that will run continuously.  There are several which will only run for 5 minutes then shut down and start again.  You can not keep them from looping. They are made for motion detection only. I got mine to take video of the road traveled.  Need power source and at least 32 storage card to do this. Some friends spent the big bucks and got the gopro hero 3.  What a difference in the quality of the picture. I think if you are going to use it a lot this is the way to go.  DAN

I bought one of these back in July and used it in the SUV for our (tent) trip to Glacier Park. It's now in the Foretravel. Seems to work fine. Price is right. Not all that hard to set up (but the detailed information/review on Amazon is excellent).

Craig

I have one of these inexpensive Drive Cams, a HD DVR Dash Cam.  If anyone wants it they can have it for the postage. I don't need it now that the FT is for sale.
Gary B

Sorry folks, already spoken for

Gary B

Why not use it in your car?

Barry, I did have the camera in my PU for a while.  It was just too much trouble, Now that we have stopped traveling I rarely go very far and I just did not want to play with it. Its gone to someone who will make use of it.
Gary B