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Does anyone else use their phones camera to film while Driving?

nimoxp

Well-Known Member
Jan 18, 2012
118
9
San Antonio, Tx
Hi, I recently Got the Galaxy S3 4GLTE through Cricket, and I must say I am extremely pleased and amazed with this phone! I'm also amazed that Cricket has gone this far to offer such high end phones now. I'm very happy.:D

Ok, so after some recent Near accidents from morons, as well as cops pulling tricks on me, to get a ticket, I decided to always have a camera running while driving.

My question is if it is legal to have it filming when I drive, because as it films it does show on the screen, and I'm not sure about the laws on that. I like that I can see what is being filmed, but it may be illegal to have a video playing while I drive. I think the laws are different in every state, so I couldn't find an answer, but maybe someone here knows?

I'm currently using my last phone a ( Mercury), but when I drive though heavy police located areas, I switch to the Galaxy cause of the much better quality.

If it is illegal, I'm sure I could find a app that would film without the video showing on the screen, or I could just block it with some paper.

Here's an example of how I have it set up. I found a great phone-gps holder at Best Buy (I only had to lower my Radar D. a little)

20121218_144519_zps3711f6f8.jpg

Please excuse how dirty my car is.
20121218_140903_zps0fb447f5.jpg
 
it is not illegal to have a radar in texas.
the cops may have a bias against you for having it. but no law broken.

you are not watching a vid.. you are seeing the same thing on the device as your front windshield... so you are not distracted.

if you are in an accident.. this might be a 2 edge sword for you!


good luck...i know i cant do this every time i get into the car!
also, in the summer.. that device will get really HOT as you drive around.
 
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First, get a better car dock - Look on AT&T website for the Samsung Infuse 4G car dock. The S3 fits PERFECTLY(with no case) in it and you can even have it charging as well and export audio.


Second, download an App called AutoGaurd.Get the pro version. The Pro version has the ability to Background record (audio and video) so you can't see that it's recording except for the widget has a small circle that blinks.

Autogaurd is what I have been using for months now. Haven't had any issues.

Also in Texas it is 100% legal. Law in Texas is as long as 1 person involved in the recording is aware that there is a recording occuring, you're fine. This is why I have audio recording as well since you really can't see me in the videos :D
 
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it is not illegal to have a radar in texas.
the cops may have a bias against you for having it. but no law broken.

you are not watching a vid.. you are seeing the same thing on the device as your front windshield... so you are not distracted.

if you are in an accident.. this might be a 2 edge sword for you!


good luck...i know i cant do this every time i get into the car!
also, in the summer.. that device will get really HOT as you drive around.

I never said radar detectors were illegal in Texas. I was pointing out that if you get pulled over for anything, regardless of how trivial, if the trooper sees a radar detector in your car, you ain't getting a warning. LOL :p
 
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Video camera and radar detector? Sound like offensive driving not defensive driving. Too much stuff going on. I never understood how some people have no problems and others feel they need all this stuff to "be safe"

I do it for evidence. I used to work in insurance(and still hold a valid Texas Adjusters license) and lane change accidents were the worst. It is basically a he said / she said situation unless there is a witness.

I've come close many times of being hit by a person cutting over 3 lanes on the DNT.

I never said radar detectors were illegal in Texas. I was pointing out that if you get pulled over for anything, regardless of how trivial, if the trooper sees a radar detector in your car, you ain't getting a warning. LOL :p

Really depends on the trooper. I've been pulled over many times by troopers. As long as you're not a dick to them, and driving like a complete asshole, they're cool with you.


Here are the consensus regarding windshield mounts(referring to GPS - but a phone now has GPS navigation :p ) - FYI - Texas is a resounding NO to windshield mounts(but I've never had an issue about it from cops - I think most understand people have/use them and let it slide)

Key
Yes - GPS receivers can be mounted on the windshield. This is either through being specifically mentioned as being exempt from a regulation, or through the law not specifically mentioning GPS receivers at all while mentioning other items as being prohibited. See the appropriate law for details.
Yes (Limited) - As “Yes” above, but the law limits the location where the receiver may be mounted, usually at the bottom of the windshield in a 5″ square on the driver’s side or a 7″ square on the passenger’s side. See the appropriate law for details.
No - GPS receivers may not be mounted on the windshield. This is generally because of a mention of “non-transparent material” not being allowed on the windshield. A GPS mount would fall under this definition. See the appropriate law for details.
United States
Alabama: No, 32-5-215
Alaska: Yes, 28.35.161
Arizona: Yes (Limited), 28-959.01
Arkansas: No, 27-37-302
California: Yes (Limited), 26708
Colorado: Yes, 42-4-201
Connecticut: No[1], 14-99f
Delaware: No, 21-4309
District of Columbia: No[2], 50-1731.04
Florida: Yes, 316.2952
Georgia: No, 40-8-73
Hawaii: Yes (Limited), 291-21.5
Idaho: No, 49-943
Illinois: Yes, 625 ILCS 5
Indiana: Yes (Limited)[3], 9-19-19-3
Iowa: No, 321.438
Kansas: No, 8-1741
Kentucky: No, 189.110
Louisiana: No, 361.1
Maine: Yes[4], 1916
Maryland: Yes (Limited)[5], 21-1104
Massachusetts: Yes, I-XIV-90-9D
Michigan: Yes, 257.708b
Minnesota: Yes (Limited)[6], 169.71
Mississippi: Yes, 63-7-59
Missouri: Yes, 307.173
Montana: No, 61-9-405
Nebraska: No, 60-6,256
Nevada: Yes (Limited)[7], 484D.435
New Hampshire: Yes, 266:58a
New Jersey: No, 39:3-74
New Mexico: No, 66-3.846
New York: Yes, 375
North Carolina: Yes, 20-127
North Dakota: No, 39-21-39
Ohio: Yes[8], 4513.24
Oklahoma: No, 47-12-404
Oregon: No, 815.240
Pennsylvania: No, 4524
Rhode Island: No, 31-23-16
South Carolina: No, 56-5-5000
South Dakota: No, 32-15-5
Tennessee: Yes, 55-4-249
Texas: No, 547.613
Utah: Yes (Limited)[9], 41-6a-1635
Vermont: Yes, 1242
Virginia: No, 46.2-1054
Washington: No, 46.37.410
West Virginia: No, 17C-15-36
Wisconsin: No, 346.88(3)
Wyoming: No, 31-5-955
Canada
Alberta: Yes, 115.3(1)
British Columbia: No, 7.05(4)
Manitoba: Yes, 57(3)
New Brunswick: No, 238(1)
Newfoundland and Labrador: Yes, 32
Northwest Territories: Yes, 58
Nova Scotia: No, 184(4)
Nunavut: Yes, 58
Ontario: No, 73(1)
Prince Edward Island: No, 138(1)
Qu​
 
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First, get a better car dock - Look on AT&T website for the Samsung Infuse 4G car dock. The S3 fits PERFECTLY(with no case) in it and you can even have it charging as well and export audio.


Second, download an App called AutoGaurd.Get the pro version. The Pro version has the ability to Background record (audio and video) so you can't see that it's recording except for the widget has a small circle that blinks.

Autogaurd is what I have been using for months now. Haven't had any issues.

Also in Texas it is 100% legal. Law in Texas is as long as 1 person involved in the recording is aware that there is a recording occuring, you're fine. This is why I have audio recording as well since you really can't see me in the videos :D


First off, thanks for all the replies. I had a mod. move this thread to the right location, and didn't realize people had replied. I will try and respond to everyone when I get a chance.

Netso: Thank you very much for that app suggestion. That is exactly what I'm looking for.

Though your car dock works nicely (especially with that hole for the camera) I will be keeping my dock for a couple reasons. I use another phone (Mercury) which is a 4inch display phone to record as well.In fact it is my main recorder...it's the phone displayed in the original picture. So I needed a dock that adjust to any phones. That's the main reason.

I also love my dock due to it's ability to stretch all the way to the passengers seat (without having to remove the suction cup or anything) in case my girl wants to look at the GPS or what ever. It also rotates in whatever position is possible. I can easily move the camera view more towards the left or right if something is happening out of view. Here's a photo from the side which shows how it has the ability to stretch.
383_zps0e2dae70.jpg


Also thanks for the info about the laws about what can be mounted on the windshield. I am really surprised it's a no for Texas. Every other car here seems to have a window dock for GPS etc.

I have also until recently had a Garvin GPS docked for the last 4 years, been pulled over, and no cop has said anything about my window mounts, including a-hole cops. So I no worries about window docks.

Someone mentioned about the Radar Detector not being a good idea if a cop pulls u over. In my 11 years of owning them, that has never come up. In fact my second to last pullover the cop (who was actually a nice one) just gave me a warning, with my radar detector in full display. They are without doubt one of the best investments I have ever made.

Someone asked what I meant by tricks cops do to give me a ticket, I will explain that when I have more time a bit later. The main reason for recoding is not cops, but for morons possible crashing into me. The police thing I mentioned is a plus.

Again appreciate the replies, and thanks for that app I wil be downloading soon. The Pro version! Do you know if that APP works if you switch to the front camera? I wouldn't mind switching it to the front facing camera in case a cop were to walk up to my window (It would be nice to have him on film. My Docking port easily stretches to a sideways view towards the side window.
 
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I use the IBolt dock in the car along with Auto Guard app for a dashcam. I tried several other app, but that was the only one I could get to work worth anything.

Slap the phone in the dock and the recording starts in the background. Phone can get a little slow while it's recording sometimes.

The week after I started using it I got someone running into the back of me.
 
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I use the IBolt dock in the car along with Auto Guard app for a dashcam. I tried several other app, but that was the only one I could get to work worth anything.

Slap the phone in the dock and the recording starts in the background. Phone can get a little slow while it's recording sometimes.

The week after I started using it I got someone running into the back of me.

Oh that's awesome. If I were to get a new dock (Which would only happen if I happen to get another S3), I would for sure get the IBolt. That has to be the best Dock for the S3 I have ever seen.
 
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i think its illegal in the UK as you are not allowed to take moving or still images of number plates. Also you have to have sign's on your vehicle to say that you are recording.

What app are you using?


Just to advise DaddyCee, I live in the UK & the information is incorrect.
In car cameras are freely available to install, & because of the number of false whiplash claims road hauliers are being encouraged to have them fitted to their trucks, with incentives of reduced insurance costs.
I have 2 fitted in my own car, 1 between rearview mirror & windscreen, & on rear facing from rear window.
If there are any good apps for the S3 to record, then by all means go for it - if you are in the UK.

Hope this helps.
 
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Update:

I just wanted to update this thread and say that I got the (AutoGaurd pro) app. and it far exceeded my expectations!

Not only does it film secretly, but it also shows how fast you are going (N,W,S,E) as well as GPS location!

I was always thinking that there should be an app that shows video as well as speed as well as GPS and this already has it! Splendid. Someone beat me to the idea!:D

It's no wonder the nickname for this app is "car blackbox". It truley is!!

I so wish I had this the last time I was pulled over. I would be $150 dollars richer! :mad:

Thanks again for the info! :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gh0TfmadRBU
 
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In California, radar detectors, gps, phones etc can only be mounted legally in certain areas of the windshield. I believe devices are to be mounted in a 7"x7" square located on the lower left hand portion of the windshield so as not to obstruct the driver's view. That being said, I see people everyday with devices mounted in the middle like the op and have never heard of anyone being cited.
 
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