I want to get a dash camera for the 405, but have the issue whereby the cigarette lighter socket is constantly powered which is too risky in case it was left hooked up and flattened the battery.

As a result, I think the best compromise would be to have a camera which doesn't need to be hooked up and could be turned on and off manually, using a battery much like a camcorder.  That way, even if you forget to turn it off you'll only get a flat camera battery, rather than a flat car battery!! 

I've heard though that dash cameras all have very poor batteries which only last a matter of minutes, so is there one out there with a decent (2-3 hour) battery life?  I could plug it in for long journeys of course, but it would be good to be able to use it "wireless" for shorter journeys, just charging it up every few days independent of the car.

Of course, it would also be good for the purpose of leaving it on in car-parks etc...

Thanks!

use a piggy back fuse thats only live when the key is on rear fog lights are like that only live in start and run 

i use a power magic pro when the battery voltage drops it automatically switches the camera off saving you from a flat battery.

I've used the piggy back fuse method and tapped into the rear wiper. Works a treat

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I would highly recommend the Mobius ActionCam,

Check this official eBay listing for details (also available on UK websites).

Camera: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161577541220?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Mount: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Windshield-Suction-Cup-Mount-Holder-Mobius-Action-Cam-16-Car-Key-Camera-/181166005622?hash=item2a2e55dd76

3M Cable: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-Meter-Car-Charging-Cable-Mobius-ActionCam-Sport-Camera-16-Pocket-Recorder-/151072001797?hash=item232c97cf05

 

I've used it for 15 months and feel lost without it, I use it in the same manner as you described.

I do loads of short (10-15min) trips to work, girlfriend and family, a full charge will easily record over 2 hours.

I use it in works van too so I'm never likely to hardwire it, so I just pop it in my work bag.

I often use if to get to work and then the 90min drive to Grimsby, I just use the charging cable for the return trip.

 

The quality is excellent, even more so considering the price (I wish my DJI Phantom 2V+ drone had the Mobius quality).

I have a thread on here, it's got various clips to check out, including a HGV smashing into a car full of teens.

 http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/66638-raider32s-mobius-camera/

50 minutes ago, RAIDER32 said:

I would highly recommend the Mobius ActionCam,

Check this official eBay listing for details (also available on UK websites).

Camera: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161577541220?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Mount: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Windshield-Suction-Cup-Mount-Holder-Mobius-Action-Cam-16-Car-Key-Camera-/181166005622?hash=item2a2e55dd76

3M Cable: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-Meter-Car-Charging-Cable-Mobius-ActionCam-Sport-Camera-16-Pocket-Recorder-/151072001797?hash=item232c97cf05

 

I've used it for 15 months and feel lost without it, I use it in the same manner as you described.

I do loads of short (10-15min) trips to work, girlfriend and family, a full charge will easily record over 2 hours.

I use it in works van too so I'm never likely to hardwire it, so I just pop it in my work bag.

I often use if to get to work and then the 90min drive to Grimsby, I just use the charging cable for the return trip.

 

The quality is excellent, even more so considering the price (I wish my DJI Phantom 2V+ drone had the Mobius quality).

I have a thread on here, it's got various clips to check out, including a HGV smashing into a car full of teens.

 http://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/66638-raider32s-mobius-camera/

I'll bear that in mind Ian!  Thanks!!

I had 2 cams as one is a spare ( Mobius) and all i did with the Mobius is stick to window to try it just off battery and works for a 1 hour drive

and still had loads of power left,the one i have in the car now is as a lot have done a piggy back fuse off ignition.

tap into a fusebox feed and use that as the power source, if however, they all seem to be on 24/7 (unlikely) but if they do, then you can use that as a power supply, put it into a relay and set a trigger from something like the engine sensors.

 

Thats what I am running at the moment anyway!

1 hour ago, jeebowhite said:

tap into a fusebox feed and use that as the power source, if however, they all seem to be on 24/7 (unlikely) but if they do, then you can use that as a power supply, put it into a relay and set a trigger from something like the engine sensors.

 

Thats what I am running at the moment anyway!

Engine sensors?  It's an IDI designed in the 1980s - ain't got no sensors!

There will be a few fuses that only get power with the ignition on though, so I'll use one of them when I get around to it.

shhhh it has sensors.... the one that turns the fire on when it gets too hot!