Night Vision Dash Cam

[jyl]

Ah, another PacNW winter. Which means another twelve months of driving on narrow, pitch-dark nighttime streets plagued with black-clad phone-scrolling stoned-drunk blithely-suicidal pedestrians suddenly materializing before your rain-streaked windshield.

Should I mention my night vision is not what it used to be?

FLIR used to make a thermal imaging camera for vehicles, that was supposed to show people (and deer) glowing brightly on the screen, even in the darkest night and foulest weather. Unfortunately, it cost $2,500 and has been discontinued.

Some fancy dashcams claim to have “night vision” front cameras. I’ve always been skeptical, but saw this Youtube review of one that seems to be possibly maybe a little bit not-fake. https://youtu.be/iCdZUp48Kv8?si=jMtaX_zMyRhfnPv8 Go to 15:24 for the night vision part.

Anyone have something like this? Do you think it would make for safer night driving? I’m thinking the screen could be mounted on the dash right above the instruments.

[ramonesfreak]

My dash cam has good night time capabilities. But the screen only stays on 3 minutes for good reason…..it’s very distracting. If your looking for a way to watch a screen as you are driving rather than out the windshield, don’t. It’s extremely dangerous and I doubt any product will allow such a function any more than being able to watch YouTube videos via CarPlay

[masraum]

Anyone that ever drives in rain should be using RainX. THe original RainX that you apply like a wax (wipe on, let dry to haze and then wipe off) is great, but a pain. There is a RainX washer fluid additive. You just squirt some of it into your windshield reservoir when you add fluid to the reservoir. That way every time you use your windshield washer you reapply. It even works if it's raining. It makes a HUGE difference to how well you can see when it's raining.

[Seahawk]

^^^ Spot on RF.

I have a lot of NVG time in helos and also have boo-coo hours operating FLIR/EO/IR, etc.

I would not use what the OP posted driving solo.

There are some interesting Heads-Up-Displays for cars but so far they are pretty basic. Amazon has a few.

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by masraum

Anyone that ever drives in rain should be using RainX. THe original RainX that you apply like a wax (wipe on, let dry to haze and then wipe off) is great, but a pain. There is a RainX washer fluid additive. You just squirt some of it into your windshield reservoir when you add fluid to the reservoir. That way every time you use your windshield washer you reapply. It even works if it's raining. It makes a HUGE difference to how well you can see when it's raining.

Check your manual first!

for my MINI, it specifically advises DO NOT put RainX products in washer system as it will destroy the system and the forums confirm that it does

[jyl]

Sigh - so, I guess the only alternative, other than going back in time to when I had a young man's eyes, is to install some flamethrowers.

The thing about older cars is that their headlights are not good, compared to modern cars. I put 130w H4s or similar in everything that accepts them, and that helps a little. The Vanagon, however, only takes rectangular sealed beams. I have some Hella driving lights sitting around - maybe time to install them.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by ramonesfreak

Check your manual first!

for my MINI, it specifically advises DO NOT put RainX products in washer system as it will destroy the system and the forums confirm that it does

Freaky!

[masraum]

Originally Posted by jyl

Sigh - so, I guess the only alternative, other than going back in time to when I had a young man's eyes, is to install some flamethrowers.

The thing about older cars is that their headlights are not good, compared to modern cars. I put 130w H4s or similar in everything that accepts them, and that helps a little. The Vanagon, however, only takes rectangular sealed beams. I have some Hella driving lights sitting around - maybe time to install them.

Assuming it's the large single sealed beam per side (6054) there are H4 conversion kits for that. Format, including adding LED bulbs. I put H4 6054 in an old Jeep Cherokee years ago, and it offered some improvement. I can't vouch for LED conversion, but I suspect there are some out there that are worth a shot.

[dlockhart]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

^^^ Spot on RF.

I have a lot of NVG time in helos and also have boo-coo hours operating FLIR/EO/IR, etc.

I would not use what the OP posted driving solo.

There are some interesting Heads-Up-Displays for cars but so far they are pretty basic. Amazon has a few.

I don't know how you guys do it. In my very limited time, I found it very disorienting.


.
I am looking forward to semi affordable thermals for pig hunting.


.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by masraum

Assuming it's the large single sealed beam per side (6054) there are H4 conversion kits for that. Format, including adding LED bulbs. I put H4 6054 in an old Jeep Cherokee years ago, and it offered some improvement. I can't vouch for LED conversion, but I suspect there are some out there that are worth a shot.

It is a weirdo square hi-beam + rectangular lo-beam.

However, glad you jogged me - checking, looks like the Vanagon parts vendors are reproducing the euro version of these, optionally with LED bulbs.

What do you all think - get these with halogens, or try the LEDs?

https://vancafe.com/rectangular-headlight-bright-lights-upgrade-kit/
https://www.vanagain.com/product/vanagon-h4-square-headlight-kit-with-led-bulbs

[masraum]

Originally Posted by ramonesfreak

Check your manual first!

for my MINI, it specifically advises DO NOT put RainX products in washer system as it will destroy the system and the forums confirm that it does

I've found some stuff online complaining about this RainX product



What's I'm talking about is the following, which is a thin, clear liquid. It still may be an issue. I have been using it in my Boxster as long as I've owned it (over 9 years). I have had the windshield washer level sensor replaced once in that time, about 1-2 years ago.

[ramonesfreak]

My manual references not putting any “Silicon-containing additives” in the system. Not sure what’s in the products you show….

I just make sure my wipers are always in good condition and windshield is free of sap etc.

[jyl]

I've never had luck applying Rain-X to the windshield - it works fantastic but not for very long if you're actually using the wipers. Great on the freeway, not so much in town. Had never thought about putting it in the wash fluid!

[masraum]

Originally Posted by ramonesfreak

My manual references not putting any “Silicon-containing additives” in the system. Not sure what’s in the products you show….

I just make sure my wipers are always in good condition and windshield is free of sap etc.

If you put water or the blue stuff in your washer reservoir, you add a little of the additive into the reservoir. Any time you squirt your windshield, it get applied. If you never use your windshield washer, then it would be useless.

This is from the MSDS for the additive. No Silicone.