Ever envied the security cameras that are built into police cars and certain taxis? Now you can have your own in-car camera courtesy of Navman’s new MiVue products.
These ‘digital drive recorders’ are designed to protect drivers from fraudulent accident claims. Using a 3-axis G-shot sensor, it can detect any sudden changes – such as when an accident occurs – and log the direction of the impact to help determine how the encounter happened.
According to the press release, the six-glass lens enables the camera to capture clear footage, even in fog or harsh weather condition. High sensitivity in low light areas also enables it to capture clear footage in places like car parks.
“The data captured on the records makes it so much easier for drivers to report incidents to police and insurance companies,” said the marketing director for Navman Australia, Wendy Hammond.
“On top of this, they shield you against becoming a victim of fraudulent car accidents or crash disputes.”
The camera has a 120-degree wide-angle lens, and while the video recording only covers the front of the vehicle, it creates a wave diagram with arrows that show the direction of the impact for accidents that occur out of the camera's field of view.
There are two models available. The 338 has a 2” display and captures video in 720p HD (available for $149), and the 358 has a slightly larger 2.4” display and captures video in 1080p Full HD (available for $199). The 358 also has a motion detector feature that can capture footage if your car is hit while it’s parked. Both require a 4GB class 6 microSD card to record video footage, which isn’t included.
But guarding against fraudulent accident claims isn’t the only use for the MiVue. You can use them to keep a record of road trips that can complement any footage you shoot with other cameras. If you’re a nervous parent unleashing your teenager onto the road for the first time, you can also use it as a nanny-cam to monitor their driving habits.
