Best products from r/houston

For everyone asking about dash cams, here are a couple of links that I think will help. They're really not very expensive and can be installed for free by you if you don't mind a little effort (or a wire to your cigarette lighter), or you can get one hardwired (with the wire tucked away so it's barely noticeable) for $50-$100 from a local car stereo shop. The good thing is they're small and don't really stick out like a GPS, so they're not really going to raise the chances of someone breaking into your car to get at it.

This is a wonderful review site for those of you who like to research things before buying.
Dashcam Talk Forum/Blog

Here's their best value cam in all black from Amazon.

Here's the one I'm using which is just a little more money but also a tiny bit better in quality (you won't notice a huge difference, I just like the style better).

And here's a 32GB microSDHC memory card that you'll need.

To address the question that usually comes up, they record in loops. That means they record in segments of a few minutes (usually 3, 5, or 10 minute files) and then once the card fills up, they start recording over the oldest files first. 32GB is usually enough space for 5 hours of recording. Yes, you can usually click a button if you record something (or get into an accident) that will tag the last file to not ever get recorded over. They do record sound as well. Neither of those have GPS but you can get some more expensive ones that do.

I'd totally recommend getting a dashcam if you're a driver in Houston as if there's ever an accident you're involved in and not at fault, now you have a very good chance at having proof that it wasn't your fault, which can go a loooong way with insurance. Also, you can capture stuff like op here did, along with you know, russian dashcam worthy footage on occasion. :)

If you're sharpening a fine, expensive blade, I can't stress enough that you should do it yourself. I used to send my knives out for sharpening with a handful of services, some of which were expensive and had excellent reputations. Sometimes they would come back great, sometimes they would come back absolutely BUTCHERED. One time it looked like they had sharpened it on the machine they used for lawn mower blades.

Anyway, there's no substitute for a good, multi-stone sharpening system. If you've got a lot of commodity blades to go through (like if you run a restaurant kitchen), by all means use a service or use a motorized sharpener like the Work Sharp (I own one and use it regularly).

But if you want the finest edge you can get and you want to really take care of a nice, expensive chef's knife; sharpening in a way that won't mar the appearance or take off too much metal each time (like the Work Sharp is known to do), a multi-stone kit is the way to go.

I've always used the Lanksy kits and absolutely love them. Here's an excellent general-purpose kit: http://www.amazon.com/Lansky-Deluxe-5-Stone-Sharpening-System/dp/B000B8IEA4

And don't worry, it's super easy to get the hang of. The guide included will take care of the angle for you, which is the hardest part. And there are short videos out there that detail the process, if you need them.

I'm pretty happy with my Honeywell WiFi thermostat. Schedule interface on PC desktop is really well designed, easy to use. Phone app is neat - I can see what's up with my A/C or heat, indoor temp, etc., at a glance.


I just wish it would give me reports like the Nest or Ecobee.

Honestly, if you are looking for a higher end hiking boot for a backpacking trip in 2 weeks, you can't go wrong with these: https://www.amazon.com/Salomon-Quest-Backpacking-Boots-Phantom/dp/B074KHJW8F/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=Salomon%2BMen%27s%2BQuest&qid=1568300945&s=apparel&sr=1-4&th=1&psc=1

I got the previous model a couple years ago and have worn them for over 100 miles of elk hunting in Colorado and absolutely love them. The first time I wore them was a 7 mile hike on the first day of a hunt (40lb pack, steep and rocky terrain) and they performed great. No slipping, great ankle support and not even a hint of a blister even with zero prior break-in.

I started with this book and it's helped a lot--> https://www.amazon.com/Index-Card-Personal-Finance-Complicated/dp/0143130528/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=personal+finance+index+card&qid=1565197060&s=gateway&sr=8-1

It simplifies everything for you. Made me realize I don't need an FA, but if you do need one there are resources in the book to help make sure you choose someone who will actually help you and act in your financial interests. Not all financial advisers do that, nor are they required to.

Also I saw one of your other comments about the house issue -- if you're not making much right now not sure how you would expect to pay off a house that quickly unless I'm misunderstanding your question. Also for side income, a house isn't really a sure thing except in certain circumstances. A huge portion of your investments would become tied up in one asset that could flood, get damaged in a hurricane, etc. Nothing wrong with buying a house for yourselves to live in if that's what you want and can afford it, but sounds like you're getting way ahead of yourself with the decision to buy a house as an investment.

Ok lemme try to help you out, you can hire a pest control person to come out and pay $70-100 per visit, or you can try the diy route. I'll tell you what I did to eliminate the bugs around my home and it worked.
First and foremost, go buy a few bottles of this https://www.amazon.com/Cutter-Backyard-Control-Concentrate-HG-61067/dp/B000PGE032 attatch to your garden hose and spray your entire yard, bushes, grass/lawn, everything. That L. Cyhalothrin ingredient in it works. Wait a about a week and do it again to kill any new bugs that have hatched, then wait another week and do it again to be sure you've eliminated the cycle of bug life. It's best to spray in the evening hours so the midday sun doesn't just evaporate it away and a lot of time bugs are more active at dusk.
Now you'll also need to spray your foundation and sides of house. Go-to Ace hardware and get a 2 gallon pump sprayer and this packet of insecticide concentrate called Demon WP. It is cypermethrin and great at killing bugs. Mix it into the pump sprayer per directions on the packet, then spray the whole perimeter of your house. Aim up and get the eaves really well too. Now this stuff will dry and leave a residual perimeter to kill whatever crawls across it.
Last, if you have roaches get this https://www.amazon.com/advion-Syngenta-Cockroach-1Plunger-Excellent/dp/B01FP7QRTA/ref=pd_aw_lpo_86_tr_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=PG98MZNJ0C5TBRMA1TGE. Only buy the advion stuff, it is like crack to roaches and it kills them dead! Try to put a dab of it in places where you've seen roaches congregate, inside or outside the house. Also don't forget the attic if you have one.
Now if you have pets/kids, it's best to not let them come in contact with this stuff especially if it's fresh. The lawn should be fine once it dry, but the others I would keep away from pets/kids as they are neurotoxins. Good luck.

I actually just ordered 2 dash cams for my car and my wifes car. I posted a link on another comment of mine here but I can post again.
Black Bo G1W. $50 free shipping with prime. Easy to setup. I've been running with it all week and I'm surprised at how clear the video is.

This is the one that I have in my car, but there are other cheaper options that should work pretty well also. You can get a perfectly decent one for $50 or even less. The cheaper ones just tend to be a bit more unreliable.

I've got this one, and I like it:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X528FNE

Paired with this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010Q57S62

I barely ever grab video off of it, but when I have it's been pretty easy to do, and the video is very clear.

You are very welcome. I'm glad there's a place for my acquired years of knowledge and experience.

Here is a great book that I highly recommend along these very lines.

Are you paying their equipment leasing fees? Or do you own your modem and/or DVR box? There are some upfront costs if you buy your own equipment, but it's cheaper in the long run. For instance, [Comcast compatible modem] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004XC6GJ0/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER) is only $70 bucks, and if you're paying $7/month to lease their modem, that's 10months for roi.

There are also DVR's that take a cablecard instead of using their cable boxes. I'd have to research current boxes, but I know Tivo units are compatible with a cablecard from comcast (although I'm not sure if you would still get showtime/hbo).

Personally, I haven't had cable for years, and only pay for internet and tivo service. As someone else mentioned, once you've gone a month or two without it, you really don't miss it. You can buy an indoor HDTV antenna for under $50 that'll pick up all the local channels, and if your tv is under 3-4 years old, it's got a tuner built in, free HDTV over the air (but no DVR).

I have a Tivo unit, that I bought a couple years ago and I pay $15/month for guide/dvr service, and I have that plugged into my antenna. $15 is much better than whatever cable companies are charging for basic channels and HD and DVR service. Their new boxes are pretty much the same thing as what I've got, and I personally think the interface is much better than cable DVR's. Granted, I only get locals, but I have Netflix, Hulu, Tivo and 45Mbs internet for under $90/month.

I also managed to get AT&T to match comcasts new pricing when they doubled their speeds recently. Check AT&T's prices, and see if they're any lower. Don't be afraid to tell comcast that AT&T is offering the same package for $xx cheaper a month, and ask them to price match. Unfortunately, if you're under contract, they're less likely to renegotiate with you, since they know you're locked to an early termination fee if you want to switch.

Didn’t see your pile-up as I was already at work. Sorry.

As for dashcams, I’ve been using an A119c (with a capacitor) for a little over a year now. This one specifically: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HN0HBFG There might be other listings now with a better price, be sure to search around. Just make sure you get the one with a capacitor and not a battery.

I’ve had no issue with the dashcam itself, though some important bits of the GPS mount melted when I was somewhere deep in the Mojave this past August. Air temperature was close to 120 °F and I was on top of a big black lava dome in direct sunlight, so it’s hard to tell how hot the GPS mount was when it failed. Thankfully Houston doesn’t get that warm.

The GPS in the mount continued to work, by the way, even in its deformed state. The camera can backfeed power into it, which I’ve found to be more reliable anyway. I eventually replaced the GPS mount after my windshield caught a rock and cracked, just to be safe.

If anyone is interested in doing their part, I've been using this one for about six months. Works great, footage is clean and clear, and I never have to mess with it.

Got my first holy shit near-miss with a fuckwit this morning, and of course the armchair driving specialists of /r/houston are tearing it up ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Thanks OP. The hypertext link didn't work for me on mobile, but I google searched the context and came up with this: http://www.amazon.com/Black-Box-Original-Dashboard-Dash/dp/B00FONBG1A Looks like a nifty little device.

I've had a Rexing V1 for a couple of years. $100 makes it a bit on the expensive side, but I'd rather have something I can count on. It has a capacitor, not a lithium ion battery, which is important in high heat environments. I was able to hide the cord pretty easily under the passenger front floor mat, A pillar, headliner, etc. Plugged it into a power port in the center storage box under the armrest.

​

https://www.amazon.com/V1-Dashboard-Recorder-G-Sensor-Recording/dp/B00X528FNE

I have the Spy Tec A118-C as the capacitor is much better for the direct sunlight/heat our windshields receive. Amazon says I purchased it August 14, 2014, and it's still going strong, although my drives are so boring now that I'm recording.

Does anyone know if this thing works?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B012T2E4ZI/ref=mp_s_a_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1504211020&sr=8-19&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=quick+dam&dpPl=1&dpID=31Wr71okxtL&ref=plSrch

I was walking around before the storm and saw a house with one and kind of laughed. I also assumed they'd cost like $40. Kind of curious now but when you compare it that's the cost of like 2 years of flood insurance for a lot of houses. (Not that it's either or.)

Allow me to sincerely recommend a book to you.

https://www.amazon.com/Rage-Step-Step-Overcoming-Explosive/dp/1572244623

I use a G1W, which is a pretty cheap Chinese dashcam. It works great, I typically get about 8-9 hours of recording at 1080. The mount is terrible, and the sound is pretty muffled, but it's cheap and works well. I may upgrade in the future.

I haven't used the broadcaster version in a long time since my recent cars don't require it.

I use to have a small broadcaster version similar to these:

https://www.amazon.com/Handsfree-Bluetooth-Transmitter-Compatible-Smartphones/dp/B01M0SFMIH/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=iclever+bluetooth+car+receiver&qid=1566404404&s=electronics&sr=1-4

https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Transmitter-Receiver-Microphone-Announcement/dp/B0785NSRYL/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

but there are hundreds of them and they get pretty big in size.

I leave it in and it's hooked up to the 12V socket. Most are designed to be pretty hard to notice, and it's only powered on when the power is turned on.

I have a B40C and an A119C.

They're easy to remove if you choose to take them out of your car when you leave it, usually just snapping onto the mount. Depending on the model, some need to be re-hooked up, but some are wired to a GPS mount and the camera itself can just snap in and out easily.

Get one!

I bought one of these (you do need a tub). Seemed like a good investment. https://www.amazon.com/WaterBOB-Emergency-Container-Drinking-Hurricane/dp/B001AXLUX2/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1536781041&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=water+bob&psc=1

Wow, only 50 bucks on Amazon. Now that's worth it.

I bought a Spy Tech A119. They are supposed to be the best bang for your buck if you want a discreet 1 camera system.

It's been over a year since I got it, it's now $99.
But I'm sure there are a bunch of good ones for around 50. Just check out reviews and make sure the night vision isn't just flat out terrible.


Rexing V1 2.4" LCD FHD 1080p 170 Wide Angle Dashboard Camera Recorder Car Dash Cam with G-Sensor, WDR, Loop Recording https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X528FNE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_zxvnzb723644V

Got this one with GPS last April and it's awesome for what I need it to do.

Night video leaves a lot of be desired, but it gets the basic job done fine.

I've read a lot of great reviews on the A119 from SpyTec.

https://www.amazon.com/SpyTec-A119-Logger-1440p-Camera/dp/B01HN0HBFG

Also more advice over at /r/Dashcam

I am currently rocking the Rexing V1 ( $99.98 on amazon currently ). It's a great dash cam. It can hold a 128 gig micro sd card (Currently using a 32 gig Micro SD card). I just got it a few days ago, but will update as soon as i get more testing on it. From the different reviews i've seen online, it appears to be good quality video for its price.



I''ll post this too:

Copied and pasted from a different thread:


I have a few dash cams and they work well enough.

I bought this one for $15.83 at the time

After knowing the ins and outs of this camera, I have it on the back windshield to record anything from behind. It says it is 1080p, but it does not look anything like it, but it works enough to know what is going on behind you.

Behind my truck with tinted windows

Night time driving in the front of the vehicle

I also have the cobra 820 dash cam that actually has much better quality video. Look below:

1
2

It was around 80 bucks when I bought it and is in Amazon for a little over 50 bucks.

All of these cameras have battery in them instead of the capacitor, so My Cobra 820 is starting to fail on me. luckily i kow how to use it that it isn't that big of a deal for me, but if i forget to press the 3 buttons, before i drive, then it won't record anything. the summer heat made it so when the camera loses power, the next time it comes back on, it will have the date and time reset back to January 1, 2000 at 12:00 AM. But i just press 3 buttons and it records normally.

But if you are willing to drop 250 on a dash cam, I say get a go pro. Set it to record on 1080 with 60fps. It will record much smoother than most dash cams. The only issue i have with having a go pro as a dash cam, is if you want to use it as a regular action camera, but forget to place it back on as a dash camera, or the fact that it is a recognizable item and may be prone to people wanting to take it, while the vehicle is parked.


Do not get a dash cam that records front and back. The reason is that the rear/inner camera usually suck. Also if you are driving at night, the camera won't be able to see you, even with the "night vision" infrared diodes. They don't work as well as I wish they did, and you will use up space with unusable video footage. If you do want dual cameras, either have 2 dash cams set up or one dash cam that has the rear camera that hooks up via a cable, but remember that most of the secondary cameras are usually low quality.

No experience installing. Super easy, just hide wires.
A118-C 1080p HD Car Dash Camera with Capacitor G-Sensor 1.5" HD Screen 170 Degree Wide Angle Lens Records at 60 FPS with Loop Recording https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SK8B47W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_qSLWAbKRGJ2M4

I have this modem: ARRIS / Motorola SB6121 SURFboard DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem

and this router: Linksys WRT54GL Wi-Fi Wireless-G Broadband Router with the firmware swapped out for Tomato.

The router shouldn't have anything to do with limiting the connection speed until that connection speed is amazing (i.e. never).

I'm an idiot, I just went to good old google and found this. Ive heard it has great performance, but I distinctly remember it costing about $35-42 before s/h. Maybe its from a different supplier than amazon though

Got this beauty right here: http://www.amazon.com/Recorder-Dashboard-Dashcam-Authentic-NT96650/dp/B00KZ0GKVS

I read about it in another /r/houston thread and finally bought one after considering it for a few years. Thought it would be a prudent move to have footage if another driver causes us to have an accident. If you're considering it, get this memory card with it: http://www.amazon.com/Transcend-MicroSDHC-Class10-Adapter-TS32GUSDU1E/dp/B00CES44EO/ref=pd_bxgy_e_img_y/183-8570118-1316142

Class 6 micro SD cards seem to work better with it than class 10, except for that one above. Camera records video, you can toggle audio recording on/off, it loops to record over old segments when the SD card is full, and you can lock a current video segment with the push of a button to keep it from being overwritten. I like this particular camera because it seems to withstand the Houston summer heat well, no suction cup to mess with, and the unit is small and unobtrusive.

If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me!

General question : What are some good dashcams out there? I already have http://www.amazon.com/Black-Box-Original-Dashboard-Dash/dp/B00FONBG1A for one car, I'm debating getting more for the family or going with a different model.

I've had some luck wit products like this. It seems to work from a month or two but less if it rains a lot as it gets washed away.

I recommend this rexing dashcam here is an accident I filmed a week after I installed it. video

Keep in mind that the video was uploaded in 720p and youtube reduces the quality. The source file is clear as day.

It's really really easy to have them drop it back down to the lower price.
Call and select the option to downgrade or cancel service.

Those guys will hook you up.

I did it yesterday and got a 12 month extension.

Without question, buy your own cable modem. They are now charging $10/month for their modem. You save money in 7 months flat.

$69 for this: http://www.amazon.com/ARRIS-Motorola-SB6121-SURFboard-DOCSIS/dp/B004XC6GJ0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420157127&sr=8-1&keywords=docsis+3.0

I have this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Box-Original-Dashboard-Dash/dp/B00FONBG1A/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1416530530&sr=8-2&keywords=dash+cam

It's about $70. Automatically comes on when the power comes on. Requires an SD card. READ the comments. The newer faster memory cards don't work. The older slower speed cards do. That saves you money. Just make sure you get the right card.

I may have bought it from a different vendor. But it's the same camera.

One tip: Never do a factory reset. The default language is not English. Otherwise you have to figure out how to change languages back.

Can't go wrong with a SpyTec A119

Yeah, getting your own pays off in less than a year. Everyone should do this.

http://www.amazon.com/ARRIS-Motorola-SB6121-SURFboard-DOCSIS/dp/B004XC6GJ0/ can handle up to 160mbps
http://www.amazon.com/ARRIS-Motorola-SurfBoard-SB6141-DOCSIS/dp/B00AJHDZSI/ can handle up to 320mbps

Not that it matters right now, but the 6141 has a little more futureproofing.

From the screenshot, it says REXING DASH CAM: https://www.amazon.com/V1-Dashboard-Recorder-G-Sensor-Recording/dp/B00X528FNE

I have the one mounted on the windshield behind the mirror. Never had to take it off except when I got the windshield replaced, that's about it. this is the one I have

This little guy right here
"Spy Tec A118-C Capacitor Edition"

Have used this for 3 years.

This one: http://amzn.com/B00FONBG1A

It's cheap but does the trick.

I got this on Amazon: Arris SURFboard. I got it for ~$70 but they just bumped the price to ~$90. Watch it and the price may dip again.

It is smaller and more reliable and I stopped paying the $10/mo rental fee.