Folks out there in the know or with an opinion:

Besides the $100 difference in price and obvious form factor and mounting differences, does one camera have any advantages or disadvantages over the other? Is the video quality the same? Are there bugs in one the other does not have? Anything?

I ask because I am using a Replay XD1080 bullet-style camera in my car now and it is in my rearview mirror field of view. I don't really notice it and I am concerned that having the SmartyCam HD mounted in the same place will be noticeable obtrusive. If I can avoid that for a mere $100, with no other downsides, I may want to get the SmartyCam GP HD instead.

Thanks!

 

I've sold about 110 GP's and a little more than 400 SC HD all-in-ones.

Only downsides I have with the GP is that the friction circle readout is inadequately damped and that the unit sometimes is more vulnerable to EMI than the all in one. Otherwise, no difference.

When people ask me, I recommend the SC HD Rev2.1 due to the friction circle issue and fewer cables. But you don't have to put that on the background of the GP video, either.

 

The friction circle readout is inadequately damped? What does the camera have to do with the friction circle when used with an MXG or MXS-based data acquisition system? Are you talking about when the SmartyCam is used by itself?

How vulnerable to EMI? What situations have you seen EMI be an issue? IS it a wire routing issue?

 

Scott

The battery in the GP is much smaller than in the Stand alone and it doesn't add much charge during a 30 minute session. It does create issues on occasion if you are sitting on grid with the main power off. You won't have any issues with visibility if you use the stand alone

 

I like the all I one for the mounting ease.

 

Scott, unlike the all-in-one, the GP has accelerometers (electromechanical) located in the bullet camera itself. It uses a complex, expensive and vulnerable to EMI LVDS (low voltage differential signal) cable between the camera and the box to transfer that accelerometer and video signal information. The damping is fine, until you fire up a lot of these old solid-core ignition wire cars, then the reading goes crazy. I used to think every GP had this issue, but I have a few Caymans that don't, so I know that it's not systemic. The video uses the accelerometer IN THE CAMERA to write this info on the video when connected to the logger. Also, when it is used standalone.

I have had more than my fair share of EMI issues using the SC HD GP, none yet using the standalone. However, the addition of a ferrite clamp on filter to the input power on the camera box does seem to mitigate this in some cases.

 

I have only had EMI issues with Radical cars. I've run the GP cameras in old Porsche, Ferrari, new cars, and some Cara similar to a Gt1 car without trouble. I think some. Cars arw just really noisy electrically.

 

Well, that settles it. I don't want any battery issues.

Thanks everyone for the feedback!

 

I've sold a few dozen pairs of GP's to be used in the same car. Could not keep the batteries charged off the AIM Data Hub. Robbie suggested a diode equipped, switched 12V feed to the hub through a five pin male plug. No more issues!

 

I have a SCHD mounted so that I can see it in the rear view mirror.

I like it for a couple reasons:

1) I can see if it's recording
2) It makes it easy for the camera to capture where I'm looking (since the camera can see the mirror, which can see my eyes).

I've never been distracted by the camera in the car.

Check out the video below for the perspective it gives:

 

Jeff, I think that's a 120 FOV wide angle, no longer available (I have one 120 FOVHD GP left).

 

Yes, that's the wide-angle SCHD (note it's not a GP).

I really like the wide-angle coverage of what's going on both outside and in.

And if I have my right side mirror adjusted properly, it's possible to see what's behind in the mirror.

 

Great view!

 

Something to add for posterity... I think the GoPro form factor is somewhat similar to the SmartyCam.

I doubt whether the form factor enters into a decision between a GoPro and a bullet-style camera like a Replay for most folks deciding on an in car camera.

But I have to remember that my views may be outliers as I was willing to rent and mount a full-sized VHS camcorder for in car learning purposes back in the day. Not for entertainment, but for learning.