Any thoughts on a GoPro as a dashcam?

"Abject_Penitent" (nosek)
07/15/2014 at 15:02 • Filed to: dashcam

Can I viably use a GoPro 3+ Silver as a daily dashcam? I know it can be used as one but is it a real pain to manage or anything? I have neither a dashcam or GoPro and it would be awesome if I could knock both out in one purchase. I know the waterproof case covers the USB port so I would just buy a skeleton case with it.

DISCUSSION (15)

Lekker > Abject_Penitent
07/15/2014 at 15:06

It might be a pain. battery won't last long if you have a long commute, and you would need a large SD. I have a 64gb one that has lasted me around 2 hours of footage at 1080p wide view. Also, its super cool that you can set up a preview from your phone/tablet, so that is a huge plus. On the other hand, real dashcams have speed sensors, date and time showing at all times which if you intend to use in legal matters, is a must.

jkm7680 > Abject_Penitent
07/15/2014 at 15:06

I'd just say get a regular $50 dash cam, the GoPro hasn't the best battery life.

Jayhawk Jake > Abject_Penitent
07/15/2014 at 15:11

Yes.

I haven't tried but I've considered. You can run a USB cable to power it, then put it in re-write mode where it basically acts like a DVR and only saves the last XX number of minutes when you press the capture button.

McMike > Abject_Penitent
07/15/2014 at 15:15

Terrible idea.

Dash cams are like security cameras. They need to be always charged, always filming, and discrete.

A dedicated dash cam is small, always looping, and can be wired to your ignition (or even motion) They can record speed, position, and have a time stamp. You will forget it's there, and that's the point. When something happens, you pull the SD card, and get the incident.

A GoPro is none of these things. Sure, you'll be able to connect it to power, but you'll need to change out the SD card on a regular basis, remember to turn it on/off every time you get in the car, and always remember to put it back in the car after using it for something else.

It will not be recording when you need it.

Abject_Penitent > jkm7680
07/15/2014 at 15:20

For sure. I could charge while driving with the skeleton case on but that would almost certainly murder the battery and its overall lifespan. Thanks

Abject_Penitent > Jayhawk Jake
07/15/2014 at 15:21

Yeah it's one of those things where I know I can but other people are making really good points on why it's not the best idea. Thanks

Abject_Penitent > Lekker
07/15/2014 at 15:22

Had not thought about the extra sensor data and all that. That could really make the difference in event of an incident. Looks like I'm buying two cameras, thanks.

Abject_Penitent > McMike
07/15/2014 at 15:26

I know I can set it to loop recording but those are all excellent points. Looks like I'm going for the two camera solution, thanks.

E92M3 > Abject_Penitent
07/15/2014 at 16:15

Can they loop? Mine always stops recording once the SD card is full. If you want to save money theres an app called "daily road voyager" that you can use with your phone. It's pretty handy. It allows you to allocate storage for recording. Say you allowed 8 gb. It will keep the last 8gb of video, and overwrite as necessary starting with the oldest footage. I like that it manages storage for you. Only downside is your phone is in the windsheild while driving. That can be a good thing as it keeps you from texting and other nonsense while driving

Abject_Penitent > E92M3
07/15/2014 at 17:59

I have read that the 3 and 3+ have looping. I think I will get that app as a back up. I live in Phoenix and right now my phone gets warm just sitting in the passenger seat. I couldn't imagine how hot it would get on the dash in the sun while recording video. Thanks for the heads up on the app though

E92M3 > Abject_Penitent
07/15/2014 at 18:08

Good to know! That would be a good reason to upgrade from my Hero 2.

mike > Abject_Penitent
07/16/2014 at 11:28

i use a 3 with loop mode... every few days i clear off the card and run a usb cable to it and its not too hateful.

Abject_Penitent > mike
07/16/2014 at 15:11

I landed on buying two cameras. The skeleton case I would have bought for it costs 45 and the dashcam costs 50 so I just decided to get two. Thanks though, if the dashcam ever breaks the go pro will be a solid replacement

SteveDu > Abject_Penitent
07/03/2015 at 22:29

I bought a GoPro and used it on a trip west a couple of weeks ago. As others have posted, battery life is not great. So I concluded it’s no good as a dashcam because it probably wouldn’t be running when I needed it. The remote sucks. Once I have it synced to my camera, I expect to hit “on” and have the camera up and running. If I have to mate the remote and camera every time I use it, what good is it? I might be able to use the GoPro as a dashcam if I could leave it dormant, and hit the remote if I sensed trouble brewing, but that’s not what you get. The displays, on both the camera and the remote, are so tiny they’d be a deadly hazard in traffic. The GoPro is tiny, so a tiny display is a given, but the remote is TOO tiny. What I DID use it for was time-lapse photography, and the 120 degree field makes a very useful wide-angle camera for tight spaces. When I hang glide off Half Dome I’ll let you know.

jonny2tim3 > Abject_Penitent
07/15/2015 at 14:08

Go for the blackvue 650 dashcam

Thinkware 750

Those are the two best cams on market Look up the specs and what they can do u wont be disappointed

(Jonny2tim3)