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Automotive Upgrades That Help Seniors Drive Safely

01/30/2022 By BestCarAudio.com

Senior Driving Safety

A variety of technologies are available to help our seniors drive safely. It’s been shown repeatedly that independent mobility improves the wellbeing of those of us lucky enough to have retired after a long career. A backup camera, parking sensors, lane departure warning and blind-spot monitoring systems are great ways to help everyone on the road reach their destination without an accident or a close call. Let’s look at how each of these technologies works.

Backup Cameras for Safer Maneuvering

It’s been proven that having a backup camera on your vehicle can dramatically reduce the chances of accidents or injuries when parking or maneuvering. These cameras mount on or near a license plate, or they can be integrated into a tailgate handle on a pickup truck or third brake light on an SUV. The camera provides an unobstructed view of the area behind the vehicle.

Depending on the make and model of car, truck or SUV you drive, the image from the backup camera can be displayed on the factory-installed infotainment system screen, on a replacement rearview mirror with an integrated display or on a compact stand-alone display. The camera image appears automatically when reverse is selected in the transmission.

Senior Driving Safety
The Momento R1 replacement rearview mirror includes a 4.3-inch auto-dimming display that can show everything behind the vehicle when backing up. A second video input can be integrated into a forward-facing camera to make parking easier and more accurate.

Parking Sensors See the Unseen

A parking sensor system incorporates a series of ultrasonic transceivers, usually mounted in the rear bumper of your car or truck. When you are backing up, the sensors emit a radio frequency signal and look for any reflections. Even an item as small as a parking signpost can be detected by the system.

When the sensors detect an object, an audible alert is provided to the vehicle operator, usually in the form of a series of beeps. The frequency of the beeps increases as the vehicle gets closer and closer to the object. Finally, at a distance of about 1 foot, the beeps turn to a solid tone to let the driver know he or she should stop the vehicle.

A key benefit of a parking sensor system over a backup camera is that it’s an active technology: You don’t need to remember to use it, and it alerts you when you need to react.

Senior Driving Safety
The ParkAlert system from Echomaster includes four ultrasonic sensors and a small display that will let you know when you are approaching an object. The system works with objects as far as 2.5 feet away from the vehicle.

Lane Departure Warning Systems Keep You On The Straight and Narrow

With advances in computer image processing, we now have access to reasonably priced lane departure warning systems. These systems use a camera mounted high on the windshield to watch the lane markings on the road as you drive. If you veer toward the curb or the lines, an audible warning is provided.

A system called the MDAS-9 not only lets drivers know when they are moving out of their lane, the camera system can alert the driver to impending accidents with pedestrians or cyclists approaching from the side. A small display module mounted on the dash provides a visual indication of the potential accident.

Senior Driving Safety
The Movon MDAS-9 is an Advanced Driver Assistance System that provides lane departure warnings, forward collision warnings and pedestrian collision warnings and includes a two-channel dashcam.

Blind Spot Monitoring Systems

If someone is driving alongside your car or truck but they aren’t visible in your peripheral vision or your side mirrors, they are said to be driving in your blind spot. Two types of blind-spot monitoring systems are available to alert drivers to the presence of vehicles in their blind spots. A sensor-based system such as the USA Spec BSM 200 includes a pair of LED indicators that are mounted in the vehicle and a set of ultrasonic sensors that are mounted behind the rear bumper cover. If someone is in your blind spot, the indicators will illuminate. If you put on your turn signal while someone is beside you, the system flashes the indicators and provides an audible warning so that you won’t change lanes and cause an accident.

Senior Driving Safety
The BSM 200 from USA Spec lets you know when another vehicle is in your blind spot. The system works with cars and SUVs with plastic rear bumper covers.

Another blind spot solution is a camera-based system. Compact cameras mounted on the side of the vehicle, typically in or under the side mirrors, show an image on a screen when you activate your turn signal. Many of these systems can be integrated into a factory-installed infotainment system screen for a seamless and tidy look.

Seniors Can Drive More Safely with Advanced Automotive Technology

If you or a family member could use a co-pilot on the next road trip, drop by your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer and ask about adding one of the driving safety systems we’ve talked about in this article. They would be happy to explain how the system works and provide you with a detailed quote to integrate the safety solution into your vehicle.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Driver Safety, RESOURCE LIBRARY

LTE-connected Dashcam Solutions Provide Peace of Mind

12/26/2021 By BestCarAudio.com

LTE Dashcam

It was only with the adoption of 3G cellular service that streaming video from our phone systems became a reality. 4G cellular services offer a bump in data transfer speed with a theoretical maximum that is more than 50 times faster than 3G, making it easy and reliable to stream high-resolution video. Dashcam manufacturers like BlackVue have developed cloud-based solutions that allow you to use a Wi-Fi hotspot in your vehicle, smartphone internet access tethering or proximity to a hotspot in your home or office to keep tabs on your vehicle. Let’s look at how it works.

Dashcam Internet Connection

Once you’ve had your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer install your dashcam for you, all you need to do is use a smartphone app to connect your dashcam to an internet connection. Many General Motors vehicles include Wi-Fi hotspots, and Ford recently announced they’d be including 4G connectivity in upcoming models. You can also source a mobile hotspot solution from most key cellphone companies like Verizon, AT&T and Sprint in the US and Telus in Canada.

Once the connection is set up, you can connect to your dashcam anytime it’s powered to see what it sees. You can also configure notifications to be pushed to your smartphone should the motion sensor be triggered while your vehicle is parked or if someone or something comes into the camera’s field of vision. If you are worried about vandalism or theft or want to know which cat is walking across the hood of your vehicle, this is the way to go.

LTE Dashcam
Having the ability to see what your camera sees using the BlackVue Over the Cloud app on your smartphone adds incredible piece of mind.

Several models of Thinkware cameras can send notifications about driving impacts or when the camera enters or exits a preselected zone.

LTE Dashcam
Push messages on your Android or iOS device let you know if someone or something is near your vehicle.

Because these dashcams have an integrated GPS antenna, they can be used to provide an alert if someone tows your vehicle away. The difference between the solutions we’ve discussed is in the ability to see the camera image remotely.

Will We See Dashcams with Built-In LTE Connectivity?

Absolutely! In fact, many are already on the market. The Waylens Secure360 4G is one option. Waylens offers several data plans that vary in bandwidth and cost. There are some solutions from lesser-known brands out there. We haven’t tested them in terms of image quality and video compression nor have we determined how easy their interfaces are to use. Be sure you check those things out before purchasing.

LTE Dashcam
Accessing video files store in the cloud makes it easy to review and share information with insurance companies and law enforcement agencies.

The Importance of a Quality Dashcam

As we’ve discussed in detail, having an inexpensive dashcam is great if you want to know if a light was green or red when you entered an intersection or the direction a car was travelling when it hit someone. If you want to capture details like license plates, something that is crucial in identifying vehicles that have left the scene of an accident, then you need a camera with a high-resolution image sensor, high-quality video compression algorithms that preserve detail and excellent hardware that will ensure the system works when you need it. Expect to spend at least $300 on a good quality dashcam plus the cost of installation.

Protect Yourself with a Premium Dashcam

Undoubtedly, we’ll see more and more dashcams with Wi-Fi cloud solutions and LTE connectivity come onto the market over the next few years. Where a dashcam is like having a co-pilot keeping tabs on everything that happens in front and behind your vehicle as you drive, a connected dashcam is your personal night watchman, guarding your pride and joy all through the night. If you are interested in a video recording system for your car or truck, visit your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer today.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Driver Safety, RESOURCE LIBRARY

Understanding Advanced Dashcam Features

12/12/2021 By BestCarAudio.com

Advanced Dashcam

By now you know that having a dashcam in your car or truck is the best way to protect your self against fraud and false accusations in the event of an accident. As with any type of consumer electronics product, there are basic dashcams and models with advanced technologies. If you want to know what’s going on around your vehicle, even when you’re at home, in your office or on vacation, then you’ll be interested in what these cloud-based technologies offer.

Wi-Fi Connectivity

Advanced DashcamWe’ve talked about dashcams in the past that forego the inclusion of an LCD screen in favor of Wi-Fi connectivity. In many of these cameras, the Wi-Fi connection is used to connect the camera to your smartphone and not specifically to the internet. Thanks to an application on your Apple iPhone or Android-based smartphone, you can connect directly to the camera and watch or download videos stored on the device. You can also adjust the camera settings in real time from the app on your phone, once again negating the need to remove the microSD card and go back and forth to a computer.

Connecting to your dashcam using Wi-Fi offers several benefits. First and foremost, you don’t need a computer in order to access the video files. If you witness or are involved in an accident, you can download the video file to your smartphone right on the spot. The viewing software provided with cameras like the Momento M6 allow you to edit video clips right on your device and upload them to Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.

Advanced Dashcam
You can connect to your advanced dashcam using an easily configurable Wi-Fi connection.

 

Advanced Dashcam
Camera manufacturers provide smartphone apps that make viewing and managing your videos easy.

Advanced Dashcam

Once connected, you can view or download the videos stored on your dashcam right to your smartphone.

Cloud Connectivity

Advanced DashcamSome camera systems like the BlackVue DR900S-2CH include the ability to connect to the internet through a mobile router in your vehicle or your home Wi-Fi network for real-time remote access. Once your camera is connected to the Internet, you can access the camera from anywhere in the world to see what it sees. If you have a mobile hotspot, you can initiate two-way communication with the driver as he or she drives using the speaker and microphone built into the camera.

You have access to all the video files stored on your camera and you can download them for viewing or back them up to your cloud storage. You can even stream video to Facebook Live or YouTube Live if you have an Apple iPhone.

When your camera is in parking mode and connected to the cloud, you can configure the system to send an instant push notification to your phone if your camera system detects an event. The event can be triggered by the impact sensor or motion in the image.

Advanced Dashcam
You can configure up to three Wi-Fi connections to provide cloud access.

 

Advanced Dashcam
View live or stored videos from your device and see the vehicle location on a map in real time.

Vehicle Locating and Tracking Service

Because all of the dash cameras at these feature levels include a GPS receiver, you can check the location of your vehicle on a map. For business owners, BlackVue offers a corporate service called BlackVue Fleet Tracking. You can monitor the location of your vehicles in real time, view vehicle location history and stream live video from up to four cameras at once using the BlackVue Viewer Pro application on your Windows computer. Geographically based warnings are another handy feature to let management manage their assets.

Advanced Video Compression

Though not a benefit in terms of real-time safety, cameras like the BlackVue DR900S-2CH include the option for H.265 image compression. Where most cameras use the H.264 codec to compress the video data, the more advanced H.265 (also called High Efficiency Video Coding or HEVC) format allows for a reduction in file size by about 50% with no additional loss of detail. What does this mean to the owner of a dashcam that offers H.265? You can store almost twice as many video files on the microSD card. This is an important feature for cameras that record in 2K and 4K resolution.

Advanced Dashcam
You can store as much as 10 hours of 4K video from the front camera and 1080p video from the rear camera on a 128GB memory card.

Advanced Dashcam Features and Technology

If you are in the market for a dashcam with advanced features like cloud connectivity and Wi-Fi, visit your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer today. They would be happy to show you what is available and arrange for their technicians to integrate one into your vehicle.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Driver Safety, RESOURCE LIBRARY

The Importance of Professional Dashcam Installation

12/05/2021 By BestCarAudio.com

Dashcam Installation

When it comes to dashcams, getting the right dashcam and having professional installation are key to creating a system that functions reliably and remains safe. Dashcams come in a variety of configurations with many options so that you can capture video of the events in front of and behind your vehicle. Proper installation not only ensures that the camera turns on when it’s supposed to but remains on in the event of an accident — without adding wire clutter to your vehicle interior. Let’s look at why professional installation is a wise choice.

Dashcam Power Options: 12V Charging Port

Dashcam InstallationYour dashcam system will be powered in one of two ways. Some cameras come with a power harness that has an integrated plug that connects to a 12V charging port (formerly known as the cigarette lighter socket). While it’s obvious how this type of power connection is made, running the wiring neatly is an issue. You’ve also used up your charging port. If you need to connect a smartphone charger or a portable navigation device, you may be out of luck. A professional installation technician can add a hidden power outlet or upgrade your system with a hard-wire harness to make sure things are neat and tidy.

Dashcam Power Options: Hard-Wired Connections

Dashcam InstallationThe second charging option for dashcams are those systems that include a power plug with two or three bare wires at the end. To ensure that your camera operates reliably, these power wires need to connect to the proper wiring in your vehicle. Knowing which wires to use so that the camera functions reliably can be tricky. With modern computer-controlled data networks used in many vehicles, you can easily damage control modules if you guess incorrectly or use improper test equipment to probe wires or terminals. Hard wiring a dashcam isn’t a task we’d recommend for someone without proper training.

Concealed Wiring

The first and easily the most important benefit of having a professional install your dashcam is the confidence you have in their making the right connections. The second benefit is that all the wiring will be routed safely through the vehicle in a way that won’t interfere with safety systems like airbags in the dash or A-pillars. Knowing how to remove the associated trim panels to conceal wiring takes experience, something a specialist mobile enhancement retailer can offer.

Dashcam Installation
All wiring must be routed safely around airbags. The dashcam system and remote car starter antenna in this vehicle could easily be ripped off of the windshield if the airbag inflates.

Wiring Reserve Power Sources

Dashcam InstallationMany people who purchase dashcams add a battery pack or power management system so that they can use the parking mode feature of their camera system without fear of draining their vehicle’s battery and leaving them stranded. The first installation consideration for these modules is that they are mounted securely. The last thing you want is a 4-pound metal box flying around the interior of your vehicle if you’re in a serious accident. Second, the unit needs to be wired correctly to ensure that enough current can be provided so that it can charge again once you start the car. Some larger battery packs draw significantly more current than a standard 12V accessory plug can supply.

Dashcam Setup and Alignment

Dashcam InstallationIf you have chosen a dashcam with an integrated display, ensuring that the camera is aligned perfectly is pretty easy. If your camera has Wi-Fi connectivity, chances are that the manufacturer also has a smartphone app that will let you view the camera image. No screen and no Wi-Fi? No worries: Your installation technician can check a sample of the video footage on a computer to make sure everything is aligned correctly. Settings for the shock and motion sensors, time zone, daylight saving time and smartphone connectivity should also be set by the technician.

Some camera systems have specific requirements to format the SD or micro SD memory card they use to store video. Having your dashcam installed by a professional means that you don’t have to worry about this procedure. Your car, truck or SUV will leave the shop with the system working perfectly.

Choose the Right Retailer To Install Your Dashcam System

As with any aftermarket accessories, buying quality products and having them installed and configured properly is more important than getting the best price. When you are shopping for a camera system, be sure to ask about what the business offers in terms of installation services. You want both the dashcam and the professional installation to be reliable. Drop by your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer today to find out how a dashcam system can protect you from fraud and false accusations or capture the next “I can’t believe that just happened” moment on your drive to work.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Driver Safety, RESOURCE LIBRARY

Why Dashcam Resolution Matters

11/21/2021 By BestCarAudio.com

Dashcam Resolution

One of the key specifications you should look at when buying a dashcam is its resolution specification. Resolution refers to the number of pixels that the video camera records. This specification directly translates to how much usable detail the system offers. If you witness dangerous driving or an accident, being able to provide accurate information about the parties involved is crucial. In this article, we’ll compare images from dashcams from AccFly and Mio and the flagship product from BlackVue.

What Is Field of Vision?

In talking to consumers, it appears that some people get confused by the difference between the camera’s field of vision and its image resolution. Field of vision describes what the camera sees and is specified as an angle from the center of the lens. With a higher field of vision specification (also called viewing angle), the camera can see farther to the sides of the vehicle. Here are a few examples.

Dashcam Resolution
This inexpensive camera has a field of vision specified as 120 degrees. You can see the first third of the car door on the left side of the screen and half of the sign on the right. Note the presence of the lens flare in the lower left corner of the image and the poor contrast of the text on the main shopping plaza on the right.

 

Dashcam Resolution
The DR900S-2Ch has a field of vision of 136 degrees. You can see most of the car door on the left and all of the sign on the right. Almost the entire dash of the car is in the image. Impressive! High-quality optics prevent light reflections within the camera and prevent lens flare. Advanced exposure compensation makes the sign information much clearer.

What Is Dashcam Resolution?

Resolution refers to the number of pixels contained in an image. More pixels mean that more detail and information can be captured. You can never have too much resolution.

Dashcam Resolution

In our comparison, we’ll look at our three cameras and compare cropped images of the back of the school bus to the left of the master image.

Dashcam Resolution
The writing on the back of the bus is illegible. You can only just make out the last two numbers of the bus number and the license plate is completely blurred.

 

Dashcam Resolution
Stepping up to the 1296p resolution of the Mio makes the bus number legible. You can almost make out the license plate number.

 

Dashcam Resolution
The 2160p resolution of the BlackVue DR900S-2CH makes reading the writing on the back of the bus very easy. Not only can you read the bus number and license plate, but the writing on the door is also legible.

Dashcams Are a Great Safety Investment

The motivation for this article came from a friend who was in a sideswipe accident. The car that hit him kept on driving. Although his dashcam recorded that it was a blue Honda sedan, he couldn’t read the license plate, and the police were never able to find the owner.

If you are shopping for a dashcam, choose one with great optics and a high-resolution image sensor. You only get one chance to record details like a license plate. Drop by your local specialist mobile enhancement retailer to find out what is available for your vehicle.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Driver Safety

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