Dash cam recommendations? (road rage story)

[Wiggity]

So last night I experienced the most extreme case of road rage I have ever personally seen. I've had several cases over the past 8 years where someone was raging at me for no good reason; however, this one was the worst and its not even close.

I was on southbound I-25 in the DTC on my way home from work. Solid drive. Traffic lighter than normal. Looking to get over to the left, I put on my left turn signal and begin to merge. As I was about half way into the other lane, the white SUV I was merging in front of decided to speed up and lay on his horn. I assume this is because he did not want me to merge in front of him. As I was already mostly into the lane and he was behind me, I finished merging. He immediately pulled into the lane on my left and drove along side me, rolling down his window and yelling/pointing at me. At this point, my middle finger immediately reacted to the situation and arose from my hand (clearly against my better judgement).

The driver of the white SUV then swerved at my car and entering into my lane. As I swerved away and slammed on my brakes, he pulled in front of me and brake-checked me to a complete stop right in the middle lane of I-25 as cars are passing by on each side. I have never seen a person purposefully do something so dangerous in a car in my entire life. As the situation escalated, I remember my G19 is literally right in the seat next to me in a bag just in case. The man gets out of his car and approaches my driver's side door right in the middle of the freeway.

Now having been an angry teen, I've been in my share of scuffles. That combined with being a 6'1" college boxer for 3 years and hitting the gym consistently, I don't mind throwing down. However, I'd much rather avoid it at this point in my life. On top of this, the last thing I want to do when armed is get into an unnecessary physical altercation. At this point, cars were stopped all around us and he was approaching my driver's side. Using my better judgement this time, I began to pull into the lane to my right. Opposite of his position relative to his SUV. As I was pulling away, the man runs to my door and attempts to open it. As his hand slipped off my moving door handle, he then kicks the back of my car. As much as I wanted to confront, I decided this was neither the time nor the place and drove off. This left him looking like a complete idiot walking back to his car in the middle of I-25 as I sailed away. My behavior could have slightly improved and I assume he was having a terrible day. However, his reaction was akin to dropping a 2000lb bomb on an ant hill.

All this to say, I'm now in the market for a dash cam. Had I hit the back of his car during his brake check, I would have no way to prove it was his fault unless I had a witness. On top of that, if I wanted to pursue road rage/assault charges, all I would have to do is hand the video over to the police. My innocence would not be questioned and I would have undeniable evidence of his guilt. I don't believe going to the PD for absolutely everything is the correct decision; however, this driver was exhibiting abundantly dangerous behavior that could have EASILY resulted in serious bodily injury.

Any one have similar experiences or recommendations on a dash cam?

[hurley842002]

No recommendations for a cam, but I've made it my policy to not flip people off while I'm carrying or while my family is with me, and since I'm pretty much always carrying, it's worked out pretty well for me. I'm sure you don't need counseling from the collective minds, but I'm also sure you knew someone would say something about it. Good luck in your search for a dash cam.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[Wiggity]

No recommendations for a cam, but I've made it my policy to not flip people off while I'm carrying or while my family is with me, and since I'm pretty much always carrying, it's worked out pretty well for me. I'm sure you don't need counseling from the collective minds, but I'm also sure you knew someone would say something about it. Good luck in your search for a dash cam.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Yes this is why I admitted in my original post that it was a bad idea. I don't need y'all telling me it was a bad idea after I literally just told you that I already know it was a bad idea.

On top of that, most people would be lying hypocrites if they said they have never done the same thing.


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[BushMasterBoy]

Any sign of trouble I call *277 (*CSP) and report it to the Colorado State Patrol. This call line is specifically designed to handle "road rage" events. With a video as evidence, I'm sure they would go visit the guy at his address. All you really needed was the tag number. I guess in a pinch a "Go Pro would work. Glad to hear you weren't injured. And yes, these incidents need to be reported to CSP.

[Wiggity]

Any sign of trouble I call *277 (*CSP) and report it to the Colorado State Patrol. This call line is specifically designed to handle "road rage" events. With a video as evidence, I'm sure they would go visit the guy at his address. All you really needed was the tag number. I guess in a pinch a "Go Pro would work. Glad to hear you weren't injured. And yes, these incidents need to be reported to CSP.

That is a good call. I probably should have grabbed his plate number.

I do have a go pro, but it only holds so much video, then I'd have to delete it. I'd rather have something that turns on when I start my car and continuously records and stores the last hour or so of video.

[hurley842002]

Disregard, no point in dirtying up the thread.

[OneGuy67]

Instead of calling the CSP, who just records the information and if enough complaints are lodged against a driver, will go out and speak to them, call 911 and have an on duty cop come to you. Give them the plate number of the other person. You were in Greenwood Village at the time of the incident and they would have been happy to deal with that person.

[Wulf202]

Irving had a thread about the one he uses. I'll be getting that one next.

[Wiggity]

Well, do stupid irresponsible things, expect criticism rather you want it or not. Yes, I've flipped people off while driving, probably hundreds of times, even a few times after I started carrying. Once I realized the seriousness of escalating things while carrying, I immediately stopped acting stupid. Yes, I would have expected people to tell me "flipping the bird while carrying is stupid!", and I would have deserved to be told this as many times as it took, to get me to stop doing it.

How is your criticism going to be beneficial when I literally admitted that I already know it was a bad idea? Not all criticism is helpful and there is a term for this type of criticism. Its called "beating a dead horse". Thank you for beating this dead horse.


Instead of calling the CSP, who just records the information and if enough complaints are lodged against a driver, will go out and speak to them, call 911 and have an on duty cop come to you. Give them the plate number of the other person. You were in Greenwood Village at the time of the incident and they would have been happy to deal with that person.

That's a good idea as well. I've never felt the need to call 911 because of a road rage incident, but this one was a completely different animal.



Irving had a thread about the one he uses. I'll be getting that one next.

Have a link to the thread? Definitely interested.

[00tec]

https://www.ar-15.co/threads/155748-Dash-camera

[BushMasterBoy]

I'm pretty sure CSP would go to the drivers house in your case. I say call CSP because you are on the interstate. If you are off the interstate call 911.

Here is the official CSP link https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/csp/report-aggressive-driver

[SuperiorDG]

Conter to what i have said in other threads don't buy any KD-Links cams. I have two and they both are very buggy. This one: https://www.amazon.com/KDLINKS-X1-Dashboard-Camcorder-G-Sensor/dp/B00N8BM0BU/ref=sr_1_1?s=car&ie=UTF8&qid=1461161129&sr=1-1&keywords=kdlinks+x1 and this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GOOVTOG?psc=1

[OneGuy67]

I'm pretty sure CSP would go to the drivers house in your case. I say call CSP because you are on the interstate. If you are off the interstate call 911.

Here is the official CSP link https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/csp/report-aggressive-driver

As a LEO with over 25 years experience, I'm going to respectfully disagree with you. The CSP is responsible for highway or road safety in unincorporated areas of the state only. They do not handle crashes that occur in city limits unless asked by that jurisdiction. In the Denver metro area, call 911 if you actually want LE to respond. In some rural areas of the state, the CSP dispatches for the local and county LE, so calling 911 will get them if you are in that type of area.

Again, I am aware of the CSP's aggressive driver program and they will not do anything until a person accumulates a number of complaints, then they contact them about the complaints.

[Big E3]

I went over to Micro Center and picked up a $35 cheapo dash cam that’s been working good for the last six months. Before that I used to keep an old digital camera in my car, any time someone was harassing me I would just start snapping pics. Make sure the flash is on so they see it, most just drive off. You could also use your cell phone in camera or video mode.

[CS1983]

Here's a thread:
https://www.ar-15.co/archive/index.php/t-160831.html


In it, I have a link to the one I got:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C9R23E2/ref=twister_B01N97Y7VV?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

First video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YSYpBgFz9Q

Continually records on a loop. 10 hours worth or something. Comes on when the car comes on. Turns off after turns off. Can do settings where it will come on with motion when the car is off, which may or may not be desirable.

We have two. I've been happy with it.

[Wiggity]

Conter to what i have said in other threads don't buy any KD-Links cams. I have two and they both are very buggy. This one: https://www.amazon.com/KDLINKS-X1-Dashboard-Camcorder-G-Sensor/dp/B00N8BM0BU/ref=sr_1_1?s=car&ie=UTF8&qid=1461161129&sr=1-1&keywords=kdlinks+x1 and this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GOOVTOG?psc=1

Copy.


As a LEO with over 25 years experience, I'm going to respectfully disagree with you. The CSP is responsible for highway or road safety in unincorporated areas of the state only. They do not handle crashes that occur in city limits unless asked by that jurisdiction. In the Denver metro area, call 911 if you actually want LE to respond. In some rural areas of the state, the CSP dispatches for the local and county LE, so calling 911 will get them if you are in that type of area.

Again, I am aware of the CSP's aggressive driver program and they will not do anything until a person accumulates a number of complaints, then they contact them about the complaints.

So would you recommend calling 911 in this situation instead?

[GilpinGuy]

I too am interested in getting 2 of these.

My wife was run off the road last winter, sort of. Basically my wife was driving on our dirt, snowpacked road and a lady came flying out of a side street. Wife had to ditch into a snowbank to avoid hitting her. Lady admitted fault, appologized profusely and gave us her insurance info immediately.

Her insurance said Tough Shit. No proof our client did anything wrong. Don't care that she admitted anything. Go ahead and try suing us. The insurance c*nt hung up on me after several not-very-nice things were uttered in her direction. It was Farmers.

Luckily, it was minor damage we didn't bother to fix, but I still get annoyed when I see it.

Maybe a video would have made a difference here.

[Jeff350]

I run a Viofo A119s. Video quality is great during the day. Night video is just OK but I don't have any other cams to compare to

I really like the form factor. It hugs the windshield and stays out of the way. Comes off the mount quickly to move between cars. There is a button you can push to save the current video clip from getting written over, and it has a G sensor to save the video in the case of an accident.

Spent about $90 on Amazon through Spy Tec. Plus a 32GB SD card.

[Squeeze]

I went over to Micro Center and picked up a $35 cheapo dash cam that’s been working good for the last six months. Before that I used to keep an old digital camera in my car, any time someone was harassing me I would just start snapping pics. Make sure the flash is on so they see it, most just drive off. You could also use your cell phone in camera or video mode.

That is actually a pretty savvy idea. You could get a dash mount for your cell phone, keep the camera on, but not actively recording. When/if, crap like this starts up, hit the record button. Just make sure you have enough on-board memory to accommodate a lengthy recording.

[Wiggity]

That is actually a pretty savvy idea. You could get a dash mount for your cell phone, keep the camera on, but not actively recording. When/if, crap like this starts up, hit the record button. Just make sure you have enough on-board memory to accommodate a lengthy recording.

Man, in most situations I would need it, I'm not sure I could hit record before I needed it. This road rage thing happened really fast and required 100% of my attention. There is no way I would have had enough time to hit record.

[Squeeze]

Man, in most situations I would need it, I'm not sure I could hit record before I needed it. This road rage thing happened really fast and required 100% of my attention. There is no way I would have had enough time to hit record.

That is certainly the "con" in regard to the cell phone being used. You would really have to be on your "A game" in order for that concept to work. An active recording dash camera is by far the better choice.

[Bailey Guns]

I'd get a dashcam...but I'd most likely just incriminate myself.

[Coffee]

I don't drive aggressively and I don't get in pissing contests with other drivers, nor do I rage...but I tend to hand out "you're number 1" gestures like they're free to the idiots that deserve them.

[spqrzilla]

That's a bizarre story. That guy sounds like he really really wanted to get shot by somebody. Or run over.

[Great-Kazoo]

OK here's my input on the incident.

No matter what, you should have called the local jurisdiction when you had time, Like immediately after leaving the scene.

WHY?


911 what is your emergency?
Yes i'm in a white (insert make) SUV and while trying to turn in to a left lane i was cut off by a (insert OP's vehicle) . Yes. Well after being cut off i hit my horn . At that time the driver waved what looked like a hand gun at me.


While you're on your way home or pulling in to the driveway. There's 1/2 doz LE's wheeling up with guns drawn.

You (while being in the right) at least by your post are now arrested for brandishing a firearm AND road rage. 2 felony's before dinner.

[spqrzilla]

Yes, as the Great Kazoo points out. You always want to be the first person to report. You are then automatically The Victim.

[Bailey Guns]

Wow...I sure arrested a lot of "victims" back in the day.

"You can't arrest me. I'm the one that called you." Ummm...yes, I can.

[rondog]

Next time, just blow him a kiss. That really messes with them.

[cstone]

Last interesting, aggressive driver I encountered had actually pre-printed and laminated sign(s) in his vehicle. I only saw the one, but assume that if you are going to the trouble of printing and laminating that you would do several for various occasions. After riding my bumper for a mile or so, he sped around me and as he pulled alongside, he held up a sign that read, "Stop picking your nose and drive." My teenage daughter was in the car and I asked her if she saw the sign and she said, "Yes, but you never picked your nose." I thanked her and dropped a little farther back to let the driver have some personal space as he seemed to need some time alone on his road.

If anyone presents a danger, and you are safely in a position to do so, call 911. That number is so much easier for me to remember and I really don't care which department I am talking to. Give a good description and make certain that you are honest and concise in your description. Odds are that nothing will come from it, but there is always a chance that you are reporting a fleeing felon that some department somewhere lost because one of their litigiously fearful officials called off their pursuit due to the danger it presented to the public.

I do like to smile big and give a big open handed wave to those who seem irritated or attempt to communicate their sexual attraction to me through finger gestures.

Be safe.

[theGinsue]

I do like to smile big and give a big open handed wave to those who seem irritated or attempt to communicate their sexual attraction to me through finger gestures.

Be safe.

That's exactly what I do and have found it pisses people off more than giving them the finger, but they rarely continue on or escalate from that point. Of course, I usually also say something within the confines of my vehicle that only myself and my other occupants can hear: "Have a nice day, dumbass."

[spqrzilla]

Wow...I sure arrested a lot of "victims" back in the day.

"You can't arrest me. I'm the one that called you." Ummm...yes, I can.

You know what my point was.

[GilpinGuy]

That is actually a pretty savvy idea. You could get a dash mount for your cell phone, keep the camera on, but not actively recording. When/if, crap like this starts up, hit the record button. Just make sure you have enough on-board memory to accommodate a lengthy recording.

There are "dash cam apps" for this. I have an old iPhone that I might try to do this with. Still need another cam for my wife's car though.

[Squeeze]

There are "dash cam apps" for this. I have an old iPhone that I might try to do this with. Still need another cam for my wife's car though.

Wow...they seem to have apps for everything these days.

[GilpinGuy]

Wow...they seem to have apps for everything these days.

Yeah, if you have an old cell phone and want to do it on the cheap it's a viable way to go. The app will use your phone's storage and loop it. Now, you might have to turn it on every time you get in your car and turn it off every time you get out, but it will work. And some dash mounts are rather cheap. Again, I never tried this so no guarantees, but it is a cheaper option. I did check out a few YouTube videos of guys doing it though and they look fine.

[Ridge]

I have a Rexing V1 as my dashcam. You can get it with just the front camera, or add a rear facing camera and/or gps unit as well (I have neither of those).


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-hrTFZzr4k

[Irving]

Conter to what i have said in other threads don't buy any KD-Links cams. I have two and they both are very buggy. This one: https://www.amazon.com/KDLINKS-X1-Dashboard-Camcorder-G-Sensor/dp/B00N8BM0BU/ref=sr_1_1?s=car&ie=UTF8&qid=1461161129&sr=1-1&keywords=kdlinks+x1 and this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GOOVTOG?psc=1

I realize this is an older thread, but I wanted to confirm that my KD-Links cam is also buggy. It does pretty well most of the time, especially considering that I usually have a lot of time behind the windshield. Sometimes the image on the mirror freezes up, and I have to go into the menu, then back to "record" and it's fine. When it does that, it seems to only be an issue with the display, and not the actual recording. The one time it did mess up, it did it in a big way. I hit the button to save a recording (labels it differently so that you can find it easier later), and it actually deleted what I wanted to save and about 15 minutes of video on either side. That is pretty much the worst possible thing that can happen if you want to save something. I'm not too worried about that at this point though, mostly because I've found that with a 16 gig micro SD card, the camera saves about a weeks worth of video at a time (that was with me driving over 700 miles that week alone). So if something important happens in the future, if it's bad enough that I won't be driving anymore, I can just pull the card (as other members have suggested). If it's not bad enough to disable my vehicle, I can pull the card and save to laptop as soon as I get home.

In case you're curious about the footage that I lost, I've been trying to save things the camera captures so I can make a "Year in the life of a dash cam" type video, and the thing I was trying to save was a girl pulling over on the high way to throw up out of her driver side door. So, not at all important, but I'm still bummed that the file got dumped. I am finding that sometimes screen shots end up more exciting than the actual video itself, which is surprising.

Oh yeah, my wife's dash cam (also KD-Links) that I bought her about a year before mine seems to be completely crapped out now (with some SD card issue). I don't know the model off the top of my head though.

[TEAMRICO]

I got my wife the HD Mirror like the the one on the infomercial! Built in video screen in the mirror and can handle up to a 32 GB memory card. Instant playback on the device and the camera swivels easily.
She is enjoying it so far.