Dash cam kit

[r6tn]

I'd be interested in a Slate dashcam, but I think the best dashcam is a hidden one meant for motorcycles. If a SlateCam hung in the windshield I'd just get a motorcycle cam.

 

[AeroWolf]

Less Tech the better. The only item I think Slate should do would be an option for its USB ports to send a separate "activate" signal through its USB ports that can signal certain devices to turn on with vehicle startup instead of just the connected device getting power

 

[tubes]

I got a fairly minor rear end tap on a hard stop on the expressway last year. Did $1.5k in damage, and I was OK but had to visit the doctor. I wasn't looking for a payday.

Well the adjuster still gave me grief saying I didn't need to go to the doctor. Turns out I have a rear facing cam in that vehicle that shows me, and shows my head jerking and hitting the restraint. Gave the video. They pushed back a little, but wanted to quickly settle for my doctor bill x2. Paid for the cam and more, because my health insurance would not have paid since it was listed as an "MVA" visit.

I'll be fine using my own cam, no need to complicate the Slate system.

 

[adele]

Less Tech the better. The only item I think Slate should do would be an option for its USB ports to send a separate "activate" signal through its USB ports that can signal certain devices to turn on with vehicle startup instead of just the connected device getting power

Less forced, integrated Tech, the better. I agree with you and Slate's mission to keep the Blank Slate as simple as possible. I'm fixated on Slate specifically because I don't want a car that forces unnecessary tech that I can't remove. So of course none of the dash cam stuff needs to be built-in to the Blank Slate. Options, options, options! Slate's biggest profit margins should be in the accessories; they should be working to expand that over time. The dash cam just seems like an easy profit opportunity.

 

[ScooterAsheville]

I know I'll get slammed for this, and it's cool. I've wished dashcams were mandatory on all vehicles forever. My reasoning? If everyone on the road knew they were being recorded 24x7, we'd all drive more safely.

 

[adele]

I know I'll get slammed for this, and it's cool. I've wished dashcams were mandatory on all vehicles forever. My reasoning? If everyone on the road knew they were being recorded 24x7, we'd all drive more safely.

I'm sympathetic to that position, I really am. I'm not as paranoid about "ooh scary surveillance tech" and "data privacy" as many are on this forum.

I only lean towards disagreeing with you because 1) enforcement efforts to make the dashcam nonremovable would inevitably sacrifice aspects of repairability of the whole car, and 2) I don't think people would actually drive more safely after getting used to the surveillance. People certainly still drive unsafely around Flock cameras and speed limit cameras.

 

[gnarly180]

Does Slate claim to offer a camera for their Forward Collision Warning system? I can't find it on their website main page, FAQ, Specs, or anywhere else.

They don't specifically say that it is a camera but most modern FCW systems use cameras with some kind of computer vision to detect objects and pedestrians, although sometimes they use a type of radar or sonar. Looking at the Slate maker renderings it looks like they will be using a camera based on how the area around the rear view mirror comes down around the windshield glass, allowing the camera to see out the front window (this is the typical location for camera based FCW systems). Also, they say they have "Pedestrian Identification", I don't see how they can do that without some kind of camera based system. Most of the time these systems are just closed box systems and you can't access the video feed, like the one in my Honda Fit, but Tesla uses the camera for its dashcam and sentry mode.

 

[sodamo]

Less Tech the better. The only item I think Slate should do would be an option for its USB ports to send a separate "activate" signal through its USB ports that can signal certain devices to turn on with vehicle startup instead of just the connected device getting power

Less doesn’t mean none. I think most of us don’t want mandatory, locked in, reporting home kinda stuff. Personally I have a list of possibles, but they will be independent. For instance, I’m toying with expending my home security cams to include 1 or 2 in my Slate, 1 to monitor my dogs when parked out and about.

 

[KevinRS]

A collision warning pedestrian identification camera is likely relatively low resolution, and has no storage to record videos.