GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: pauliem on 25 October 2013, 11:19
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Thought I would share this, just installed a brodit proclip in my GTI. It is a nice position for charging the phone. I have an iPhone 5S, but the mount position would obvioulsy be the same for any phone:
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab108/pauliem78/null_zpsb8cc7f4e.jpg) (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/pauliem78/media/null_zpsb8cc7f4e.jpg.html)
Goes in nice and solid, but does make the gap between the dash and the rest of the console slightly larger.
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Nice, I used to use Brodit stuff and they're definitely the market leader for mobile phone car mounts.
For me though, I got fed up with buying new cradles every time I changed my phone though so I moved to a Tetrax X-Way vent mount, you stick a tiny metal disc on the back of the case and it holds it in place without vibration.
(http://wanstall.co.uk/image-hosting/2012-10-01-08.45.png)
You can buy new metal discs much cheaper each time you get a new phone :)
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I used to have Brodit clips back in the days when we had hardwired handsfree phone kits, but why do need a phone in a cradle theses days?
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Sat nav?
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Yep - I use it for sat nav. Just ordered my brodit but went got the central mount :smiley:
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I ordered both but decided on the side mount. Nav is the main reason I use it, much cheaper and arguably superior to the nav system that comes with the car (always up to date, traffic aware etc).
Also you can turn the phone sideways when navigating if that is preferable. Also just ordered one of these so that I can keep the console closed:
http://amzn.to/H7GrAl (http://amzn.to/H7GrAl)
Also I hate having the lightning adapter connected as it just looks messy. Hopefully this will tidy things up a bit.
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Just received the Belkin charger and installed it. Here is how it looks in the car. Nice to be able to close the console up and the position of the mount means there are no cables trailing over it:
(http://i854.photobucket.com/albums/ab108/pauliem78/IMG_0002_zps2cf8686b.jpg) (http://s854.photobucket.com/user/pauliem78/media/IMG_0002_zps2cf8686b.jpg.html)
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Looking good there. I thought the lower dash mount would be too low but your photo shows its pretty good.
I tend to have a lot of gear connected up to my car so I always struggle to keep things tidy.
(Two phones, 2x hands free kits, satnav, dashcam, laptop charger etc!)
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I think there is another version of that Belkin charger that has 2 x USB ports. But that still is not enough for your needs!
Perhaps you could have a charger for your other devices, use the MDI port to charge your phone.
Whats a dashcam?
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Yep, my current car (Volvo S80) is a bit of a mess ;)
One handfree kit is hardwired into the car, and the other takes turns with the phones to charge its batteries.
I have been using this for the power, works quite well.
http://www.ringautomotive.co.uk/uk/products/Cars/Multi-Sockets/Multi-Sockets/RMS10
And the dashcam is this:
http://www.smartwitness.co.uk/product/781/svc100gps
Been bumped into a few times, and since I have had this in the car not had an issue. :laugh:
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Nice to be able to close the console up and the position of the mount means there are no cables trailing over it
You're really close to the glovebox there and guess what's behind it? The fusebox. All you need is a cigar lighter socket and tap into an ignition switched feed and that cable alongside the seat would disappear... :wink:
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And the dashcam is this:
http://www.smartwitness.co.uk/product/781/svc100gps
Been bumped into a few times, and since I have had this in the car not had an issue. :laugh:
Interesting, I've been looking at this DVR for the car http://www.amazon.co.uk/E-PRANCE-Original-Ambarella-Resolution-View%C2%A3%C2%ACSupport/dp/B00F5WP7H4 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/E-PRANCE-Original-Ambarella-Resolution-View%C2%A3%C2%ACSupport/dp/B00F5WP7H4) do you have any tips on what makes a good one? Do you think yours could be better in some way, i.e. anything you wish it could do that it doesn't? I like the price of the mini 0801 :smiley:
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..do you have any tips on what makes a good one? Do you think yours could be better in some way, i.e. anything you wish it could do that it doesn't? I like the price of the mini 0801 :smiley:
One thing that was important to me was to make sure that the software that pulls the video and gps info from the device is decent, smartwitness have been around a while so their software has been pretty good. If the software is rubbish, the unit can be useless.
The rest I was just lucky, the 32gb SD card I have in there records 2 or 3 days of driving (I have mine on all the time just in case). I like the way the recordings overlap so if you watch through and the event is at the end of a clip, it will be well into the next clip. I have had the unit installed for over 3 years now and its been reliable.
The only 3 things I would want on the next one I get would be a longer recording length (SDXC 64Gb+), a higher resolution (mine is only 640x480), and switchable audio (commentary and environmental audio can be useful in certain situations..).
The unit is expensive, but I would consider getting the upgrade version if I wanted to upgrade or add one for the rear of the car. I did toy with the idea of getting a gopro, but aside from the increased cost, lack of autorecord on power, it cant continuously record in small segments. Plus it would be a magnet for smash and grabs.
If you get that unit, let me know as I dont want to spend any more than I have to either!
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pauliem - Any chance of sending over a link to the clip? Keen to order one based on your recommendation/pictures, but don't want to order the wrong one!
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Cheers for the detailed answer, I think I'm definitely going to get one of these, there is a guy on YouTube who does loads of video reviews for these cameras and he says this is the one camera he wanted (and decided) to keep for his car.
The Review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdPHXv8Hzj8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdPHXv8Hzj8)
His beginners guide:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQ0Tm9FFpKM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQ0Tm9FFpKM)
Full HD and a decent sensor that seems to do well in low light as well as daytime with the usual auto start etc. I can't see why it wouldn't be a good buy. I need a car to put it in first though... :whistle:
Why to do you want to store more footage? Doesn't your unit record over old stuff?
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Why to do you want to store more footage? Doesn't your unit record over old stuff?
Thanks for the links, I will check them out - likewise a few weeks until the new car arrives :laugh:
With regards to the recording total, its probably just me being paranoid but maybe 10 years ago I was accused of bumping into someones car, near insurance renewal time and I had a heck of a time "proving" I was no where near the alleged incident.
Camera+GPS records would have been perfect for that. An edge case but if you have one fitted to the vehicle why not go for as much benefit as possible, fit it and forget about it right?
Also, in case anyone is wondering, if at any stage it would be "inappropriate" to record anything, I tend to accidentally unplug it :wink:
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Camera+GPS records would have been perfect for that. An edge case but if you have one fitted to the vehicle why not go for as much benefit as possible, fit it and forget about it right?
Also, in case anyone is wondering, if at any stage it would be "inappropriate" to record anything, I tend to accidentally unplug it :wink:
Ha! :wink: yeah, the guy in the video says the GPS thing can actually prove you were speeding which can go against you in an accident, even 35 in a 30. Can't help but feel if you're gonna have one up front, you should have one in the back too...
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If you want a cheap effective alternative to a dashcam and you have an IPhone go to the App Store and download Witness Driving. Gives good quality video and only costs 69p.
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If you want a cheap effective alternative to a dashcam and you have an IPhone go to the App Store and download Witness Driving. Gives good quality video and only costs 69p.
Definitely cheaper but a pain in the backside to keep turning it on and off :smiley:
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pauliem - Any chance of sending over a link to the clip? Keen to order one based on your recommendation/pictures, but don't want to order the wrong one!
I can't give you a link directly to the proclip because the website does not support that. But the item number is 654854
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Thanks!