Has Anyone Installed a Dash Cam?

Vis a vis the brakelights, you just don't run fast enough!!
Get a friend to put on the brakes while you watch the back; they are screaming bright!

The Garmin will show you graphics of all your landmarks, turns, etc. The new one lists street names and vocally references landmarks. It automatically stores all the RECENT places you've visited. You can adjust the brightness, volume, etc. with simple voice commands. It's got a magnetic mount, auto dimming for night. Since it links to your phone, anything your phone knows, it knows.
You've got to see it to believe it!! My super fancy one was only $249.95 including all charges.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
AChoiredTaste.com

 

I believe you, but I just can't imagine buying a third source for navigation.

 

I'm with you! It's just that I've had a top model of the Garmin, before I had the cars with built-in GPS, and even before the so-called "smart phones", and the Garmin is still better. At $249.95, it's worth it to me. Remember, I navigate in Socal, to new destinations all the time, and the Garmin I use is just brilliant and reliable. Lastly, when I get calls, there's no conflict for the single-purpose Garmin.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
AChoiredTaste.com

 

I 100% agree and also have an older Garmin that I always bring on business trips, etc. It does traffic better than the smartphone, it is easier to use and all around I find it to be the least frustrating and most accurate of the various options.

I also believe that with smartphones and in-dash navigation, the business model for stand-alone GPSs is challenged but until (and I assume it will happen eventually) the phone or in-dash people start making a better product, there seems to be a real value to these other products.

 

I'm also in So Cal. It sounds like the Garmin is very good, but even as much better than the tablet as my iPhone/Apple watch combination is for navigation, I'm not likely to use it much. I just don't think I'm willing to futz with the phone or a Garmin for 95% of my drives. The greatest advantage of the tablet is that it's always there and always on. For me, that is a huge advantage. I'm still learning how to use it. There are certain ways to phrase verbal commands that work better than others. I'm hoping that it will eventually become my favorite in all ways except for the lack of integration with my watch. I'd be curious to know where you'd rank the iPhone/Apple watch combination if you used it for a while.

I forgot to ask about something else that occurred to me. Do you leave your Garmin mounted to your windshield when you park? It seems to me that, being a standalone unit, it would be a popular theft item begging thieves to break into your car.

 

I am not a fan of Apple, anything. I'm really holding back here!! I've been in IT 32 years, and have helped several companies move from Apple to PC. Don't get me wrong, I hate Microsoft for their arrogance and unethical behavior too. It's the poor clients I deal with, a majority of them women, who suffer from the lousy programming, and terrible support out there.
Yes, with the magnetic quick disconnect, I pull off the Garmin, which I pocket in LA, and hide in OC. This car setup leaves the Garmin almost always fully charged and ready to go. I can even use it to find my parked car in a large parking area.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
AChoiredTaste.com

 

Ah, an Apple detractor. I can only say that since switching to Apple 10 years ago, I have had no issues with viruses or malware. The one hardware issue I had was resolved quickly and locally by my local Apple store.

With PC, the anti- virus and malware software was constantly wrecking my system, and I tried every brand out there. You don't need it at all with Apple. Also, if I had started video editing on PC, I'd now be paying a monthly subscription fee for Adobe, whereas Final Cut Pro X hasn't had a paid upgrade since it was introduced. I'm sure there are many reasons an IT person would dislike Apple, but it is has been a trouble-free operating system for me.

For me it comes down to this: There are always only a limited number of Apple computers out there with a limited number of configurations. Apple knows all of them. When I do have the rare question or issue, their tech support is fantastic. For me it is like the difference between buying a car made by a major manufacturer and assembling your own car from various parts, the amalgamation of which will have every mechanic scratching their heads as they try to figure out how it is built and how the various components interacting might cause problems. I would rather have a car that I only need to drive and a computer that I only need to use, both without any need to be concerned with the ability or need to service them myself. Also, I used to be on call 24/7 for my mother's tech support needs. I bought her an Apple and haven't had to deal with her computer issues since. You get a more-expensive, less flexible system, but the trade-off is great stability, reliability, tech support and service.

It seems to me an IT person recommending PCs might be a bit like my mechanic telling me how he buys Chrysler vehicles for himself and his family. He admits they are more problematic, but he can service them for free himself. Had I your tech knowledge and ability, PC might be the better choice for me, too.

There, I did it. It probably wasn't right to, but I'm not trying to throw down the gauntlet or anything. I just like to explain why Apple makes sense for a great many people.

 

Hahaha! Nice!

When I want to check my brake lights, I just jam a snow brush/ice scraper between the brake pedal and the front seat. Or anything long enough to activate the lights.

(PSA: With the engine off - or at least not in ready - and in park.)

 

To check my lights, I pull up to a building not far from my house that has ground-to-ceiling plate glass windows painted black. But I really need to see the prime from behind while I'm driving an SUV and we're moving at a good speed.

 

Im just running a YI cam, nothing fancy.

 

I'll bite. What is a "YI" cam?

 

Check amazon...$30

 

I'm just going to say this calmly, Apple doesn't let a person like me who needs CUSTOMIZATION of the system, perform his job. I do custom programming which I can't do in an Apple environment. This ability has sustained me financially for over 32 years, and continues to this day.
Apple severely limits choice, and prevents INTERESTED people, programmers especially, from easily delving behind the scenes. My designs not only work on PCs, they work splendidly on my Samsung S7 Android phone; they won't work in an Apple environment. BTW, careful with viruses and other malware with your Apple devices. They are vulnerable, and they HAVE come under attack. Bottom line, it's about flexibility, openness, and choice.
Oh yeah, my superfast systems are also less pricey. The running gag at my company is: You've heard of Adam and Eve? One day Eve gave Adam an Apple, then look what happened to paradise!!
P.S. Eset NOD33 works great for virus, etc. protection. You might also look at MalwareBytes, a very good product. They both support Apple. Eset has an office in San Diego, California; They answer the phone, and speak English, a rare find these days!



Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
AChoiredTaste.com

 

This is obviously a big issue for you since it concerns your career. I don't want to offend you. I can see why some people would prefer PCs. However, I encounter too many PC people who are completely dismissive (or worse) of Apple.

I agree with much of what you've said. I know what you are saying about Apple limiting choices and the ability to customize is true. It is something I encounter not infrequently using Apple devices, and it is aggravating. One example is not being able to use a mouse with my iPads. Another example is having to buy a Mac Pro (or the under-powered Mac Mini) to avoid what I consider the idiotic design of having the screen and computer combined (as is the case with the iMacs). I broke the glass on my 2013 iMac, only to find it was fused to the LCD panel. That meant it was a $800 repair vs. just $100 or so if the glass was separate.

I can see why someone with your skill set would not like Apple. Apple will not do for a lot of business users and gamers, etc. But for those for whom it will work (like in my business or especially for casual home users), Apple can be the best choice by far.

The flip side of the lack of the ability to customize hardware and software setups is the stability and reliability that Apple offers. I have owned 3 iMacs, one Mac Pro, 3 iPhones, 5 iPads, 3 Apple TVs, one iPod and one Apple Watch. None of them has ever required any kind of servicing. I have never had a single virus. Any issues I've had were easily worked out with tech support calls to Apple Care.

I think MalwareBytes is a scanner Apple recommends on their website for adware. I think I've used it a few times, but it has never found anything that I can recall.

Your bottom line is that it comes down to flexibility, openness and choice. For me, it comes down to stability and reliability. I don't want to spend even five minutes dealing with software and hardware issues, and I'm willing to pay more and give up some features to have trouble-free computing. It seems to me that many of the problems PC users have are the result of too many cooks spoiling the broth and endless combinations of hardware configurations. I just want a computer that I can rely on.

 

Am I blocking any sensors here (behind the mirror)? See pic

 

I don't think so. The way Toyota designed everything up there on the windshield, I don't think you can block any of the sensors mounting something inside the car, can you? The only holes there look like vent holes to me. That's where my Blackvue is, thought I'm going to try moving it today with a Blendmount. It may not work because of that large black plastic enclosure behind the mirror. It may extend down the windshield too far.

 

Your point is well taken!! Reliability is, I think the number 1 problem with the computer industry today, and Apple with its standardized designs helps overcome some of that. I couple client support, malware exposure, and app design in my overview of reliability. Client support is just plain terrible in almost any electronic avenue, whether it's lack of voice phone contact, terrible language skills of support staff, or simply ignorance regarding the topic. This applies to car questions, to computers, cable tv, etc., all the devices that have become increasingly more complicated and less well-supported. Viral and other attacks have created a dangerous background for the miserable consumer victims, with the government almost completely oblivious to this HUGE and eventually catastrophic problem. Cyber Security IS the number one problem facing our country today!
Our so-called modern Apps are another problem creating huge financial and efficiency losses for our country. The designs are sloppy, and are always released needing updates or fixes almost immediately. Both Windows, and yes Apple operating systems have ongoing serious problems, requiring frequent updates. They make everything less reliable!! Granted I may sound alarmist here, but I deal with this compost heap every day! Yeah, and I've seen ALL the changes in the industry in that time, many not for the better.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
AChoiredTaste.com

 

I do Android chat support at present, and I must say I find Apple devices hard to work with. But I grew up with command lines, BSODs, Lycos, etc. so I am accustomed to flexibility, customization, and all that.

There are plenty of international customers who chat in and have devices we can't support. Some people need more explaining about how we can't help them than others.

You bought a cheap phone in the US that's carrier locked to AT&T, and you expect it to work in India? No dice, my friend, the frequency bands that phone supports and the frequency bands Indian carriers support do not overlap at all.

You want firmware for your carrier-grade piece of network hardware? Sorry, you'll need to go to this corporate site, we support only handsets and tablets for the North American market.

You speak Turkish? (I can recognize it, but I can't read or speak it) Sorry, we only have English chat support. Please visit the international support site.

Cybersecurity is vital.

However, it's not easy. I had fun doing my master certificate and would go back for more. At the time I finished, all the places recruiters were shopping me said "girls don't like that". Talk about a club I'd never want to join!

One of the rules to live by is security by obscurity is the same as no security at all.

That said, it's hard to keep up with patches. Let's talk Android.

Carriers go to manufacturers and have them build devices exclusively for them. Carrier-locked devices are updated by the carrier.

The $49.99 device you bought at Walmart that has 1GB RAM/8GB ROM is probably never going to get an update beyond what it shipped with, and that is how the carrier designed it.

Factory unlocked devices are updated by the manufacturer. For example, my Nexus 6P shipped with Android 6.0 Marshmallow and now runs 8.1 Oreo. Future Pixel devices will be guaranteed 3 Android versions, if it ships with P, you'll get Q, R & S. (It's rumored Android P will be announced on Pi Day, 3/14.)

We all need to be vigilant however, wherever, and whatever we use to connect to the internet. We have more control over some things than others. Research before you buy, keep alert, patch your systems and plan to update the things that can't be patched when they're too old.

As for cars, we need to tell Toyota how we feel. No pop-up ads for me, thank you!

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

All great points; good to know! Sorry to hear about the jerk "boys club" attitude you encountered; sometimes I think the male gender should be sterilized at birth, what with the progress made with frozen embryos! You see a lot of it in the huge arrogance of some of these guys, usually in the 20-35 year-old range. The irony is most designers are males in that age range, while the users (office staff that I support) are mostly women!! The increase in the number of women designers, I believe, will foster a greater empathy for the end users.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
AChoiredTaste.com

 

I didn’t know dash cam had Pc and Apple problems.