James Burleigh
Well-known member
I have been wanting to "document" my rides, so naturally I had a GoPro in mind. But based on the purpose and functionality I sought, along with price sensitivity (GoPros are $300-$400+), and given the recommendations on this website, I went with a dashcam instead of a GoPro. Specifically, I got the G1W-C ($69.95; model with capacitor vs. battery).
It comes with a stick-on windshield mount. But knowing I didn't want that for my FJR windscreen, I ordered the rear-view mirror mount accessory ($7.95). I didn't know how I was going to actually mount it till I got all the pieces and started poking around my dash shelf (see below for the teeny issues I encountered).
The G1W-C dashcam takes a cigarette-lighter adapter, so I picked this one up via CycleGear online. I thought about placing this obnoxious device under my seat, which would have worked great since the power cord that comes with the dashcam is about 6 feet long! But I wanted to be able to easily switch the camera to our automobile if I wanted to; so I couldn't run the power cord under my tank.
I also needed to get a memory card, which I picked up at a Staples. The above-linked Wirecutter website recommends a 4GB class 6 ScanDisk card (approx. 1 hour of recording time), but I got the 32GB class 10 ScanDisk, based on what was in stock and a price comparison.
What's cool about the dashcam is that you don't have to turn it on and off all the time: it turns on with the key (I connected the cigarette-lighter adapter to my fusebox so it's only hot when the key is turned on), and it records automatically, over-writing the memory card when the card gets full. So I don't have to think about it; it is always recording what's ahead of me.
When I park at the commuter-train station, it will be an easy removal to stow in my trunk till I'm ready to ride home (I never mount all my other dash-shelf accessories when taking the train and parking at the station all day; but I will mount this).
One teeny issue: the dashcam is designed to be mounted in an automobile, either dangling downward off the windshield or downward from the rear-view mirror. I had to mount it "upwards" on my dash shelf (photos below). As a result, the image is upside down. But that's no big deal, because if I ever need the footage, I can easily reverse it on Microsoft Movie Maker or Youtube (the date and time would then be inverted).
I haven't been out on the bike with it yet (just finished installation today). But when I first got it, I hooked it up to the Fang's car cigarette lighter, recorded video, and came inside and uploaded it successfully to my computer.
My installation is, admittedly, not as elegant as others on this forum are capable of; but I believe the electrics are solid, and it is functional for my needs. Pics below....
It comes with a stick-on windshield mount. But knowing I didn't want that for my FJR windscreen, I ordered the rear-view mirror mount accessory ($7.95). I didn't know how I was going to actually mount it till I got all the pieces and started poking around my dash shelf (see below for the teeny issues I encountered).
The G1W-C dashcam takes a cigarette-lighter adapter, so I picked this one up via CycleGear online. I thought about placing this obnoxious device under my seat, which would have worked great since the power cord that comes with the dashcam is about 6 feet long! But I wanted to be able to easily switch the camera to our automobile if I wanted to; so I couldn't run the power cord under my tank.
I also needed to get a memory card, which I picked up at a Staples. The above-linked Wirecutter website recommends a 4GB class 6 ScanDisk card (approx. 1 hour of recording time), but I got the 32GB class 10 ScanDisk, based on what was in stock and a price comparison.
What's cool about the dashcam is that you don't have to turn it on and off all the time: it turns on with the key (I connected the cigarette-lighter adapter to my fusebox so it's only hot when the key is turned on), and it records automatically, over-writing the memory card when the card gets full. So I don't have to think about it; it is always recording what's ahead of me.
When I park at the commuter-train station, it will be an easy removal to stow in my trunk till I'm ready to ride home (I never mount all my other dash-shelf accessories when taking the train and parking at the station all day; but I will mount this).
One teeny issue: the dashcam is designed to be mounted in an automobile, either dangling downward off the windshield or downward from the rear-view mirror. I had to mount it "upwards" on my dash shelf (photos below). As a result, the image is upside down. But that's no big deal, because if I ever need the footage, I can easily reverse it on Microsoft Movie Maker or Youtube (the date and time would then be inverted).
I haven't been out on the bike with it yet (just finished installation today). But when I first got it, I hooked it up to the Fang's car cigarette lighter, recorded video, and came inside and uploaded it successfully to my computer.
My installation is, admittedly, not as elegant as others on this forum are capable of; but I believe the electrics are solid, and it is functional for my needs. Pics below....
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