I never really thought about a dashcam but after seeing all these Russian videos I think it might be a fun thing to have. In Russia they say they cost about US$40.

Anybody have any experience of using these in CH? Are they even legal here? Any ideas of prices or availability.

I did some google searches but did not find a Swiss provider.

Hubby expressed interest in having one so I bought him this one for Christmas. It appears that it isn't available right now at amazon.de, but I think it was on the order of 70€ plus about 20€ shipping (I think it came from Hong Kong). Hubby didn't like it, not "nice" enough for his Audi so I have it now in my minivan.

I like it - in case anything happens we have documentation (unless it was my fault, then the card will mysteriously disappear!) and who knows, maybe I will catch that next meteorite flying through the sky and become "famous". It is low enough cost that I figured, what the heck, go for it!

Hubby wants this one...a bit more expensive, but also provides a lot more info and better looking, according to him! Haven't bought it, yet...

On google.ch you need to search for tailgate cam.

I have this one for one week now. Produces very good quality video and is fairly inexpensive. Got to pay 45 CHF extra to the Swiss post however due to 8 CHF import tax and 37 bullshit storage / inspection fee. But in the end it's still not that expensive.

Next time, get it sent here:
http://www.grenzpaket.ch/shop_conten...Jestetten.html
or
http://www.lieferadresse-deutschland.de/

I've been using a dash cam fro the last few months. Cost approx CHF60 and the SD card was extra. But no Russian-style accidents to post as yet, but I'm trying hard...

You don't need to buy a specialised bit of kit at all. I bought an HTC prepaid phone (for less than SFR80), unlocked it (for free via official HTC method website) and use a free Android app called Dailyroads voyager. I leave it in the car in a windscreen mount and it records video constantly with subtitles of GPS co-ordinates, speed etc. If I tap the screen (or on gforce over a certain limit) it saves the last 2 minutes video. I have already some shocking excerpts, and I have it as proof in case something happens. You can even set it to start stop automatically when the phone gets power from the charger (e.g. on start of ignition)
Other similar apps are available.
Having it on the phone also means that I can switch to other software, use it as a phone, navigation device, camera, video, voice recorder etc - all useful in an accident etc.

Are they on Youtube?

Be very careful, in Switzerland you should not have anything on the dashboard or windscreen that stops your view of the road. Yes I know the Autobahn Vignette does.... so maybe you should mount it over on the right side.

Does that include navigation systems?

I know California used to have the law that nav systems couldn't be attached to windscreens so you would get a beanbag to place the Garmin or whatever other brand on your dashboard - but if what you are saying is true that wouldn't work either.

Is it illegal to drive a car here with a Garmin attached to the windscreen or mounted on your dashboard - in which case why are they sold in local shops?

Is it illegal to drive a car here with a Garmin attached to the windscreen?

I have heard of people being fined in ZH Kanton for this & it is also an inspection failure at the Strassenverkehrsamt.
Some people said it it seems to be better accepted by the police if you put the GPS low on the left side rather than in the middle.

About "in which case why are they sold in local shops?" - so are guns but it does not mean you are exempted from the gun laws

I always mount my Autobahn Vignette behind the rear view mirror; although theoretically I suppose you should rip off the rear view mirror!!

It would be useful if someone could point to the specific law on this. There is a lot of misquotes of laws on the forum e.g. regarding driving foreign rental cars in Switzerland which can be very misleading.

If a GPS nav system can neither be mounted on the windscreen or on the dashboard then it is completely useless or dangerous as it would be more difficult to view it anywhere else.

Are you being serious??

I mean, I know the Swiss police are always looking for new ways to hassle their predominantly law abiding citizens & relieve them of even more cash & their own boredom at the same time, but that's gotta be taking the piss, no?

I think that its not generally against the law. One is allowed to attach it against the window (I do). It just shouldn't block your view of the road so put it either at the corner or right at the bottom of the screen. Just not right in the middle of screen like one occasionally sees.

The same theoretically goes for anything hanging from the rear view mirror. A few months back the local radio reported a person got fined in AG for having one of those football team thingys hanging from the mirror.

Unfortunately what is blocking the view of the road is in the judgment of the police officer so it will depend how much of a pain he wants to be.

Back on topic. I know AXA and I think one or two others give out free blackboxes with which you could prove who rear-ended who.

I found the link to the GC fan It cost him 254 fr for having a GC pennant which you can see in the photo hanging.
The law is also explained in the report. One needs to be able to identify an object which is 12m or further on the street and objects like these could represent blind spots but its up to the police officer to decide what to do about it

Art. 71a VTS (SR 741.41 Verordnung über die technischen Anforderungen an Strassenfahrzeuge)

So the relevant pieces with regards to a navigation device Google translate as:

1 "the leader or the leader must, at a height of 0.75 m above the eyes of the seat, on the outskirts of a semicircle of 12.0 m radius, the roadway can overlook free. The licensing authority has the necessary requirements (additional mirrors, passengers, support vehicle), if this condition is not fulfilled at work motor cars."

and
4 "slices, which are necessary for the view of the driver, or the leader must allow a clear, distortion-free view to be weather resistant and let through even after prolonged use at least 70 percent of light. In front of or behind these discs No objects should be placed, which impair the vision of the leader, or the leader, and reduce light transmission by 70 percent. Excluding items that are required by law or provided or attached temporarily for use in the security service (eg mesh), and navigation devices are outside the view circle in paragraph 1;"

Now that translation renders the law somewhat muddy. Can anyone please provide a better translation of the piece about 0.75m above the eyes of the seat i.e. "bei einer Augenhöhe von 0,75 m über der Sitzfläche" as that seems to be the key to the positioning of my Garmin!

I would translate this as "the view from your eyes must be measured at a height of 0.75m above the seat cushion" - so assuming an average person height - no doubt somebody can better translate this.

I would assume, for example, that you are OK if the device is mounted so that a straight line from a height of 0.75m above the seat cushion touches the top of the GPS & then touches the body of the car - so does not obstruct view of the road.

But, a policeman could always say the GPS obstructs your view & it would be hard to argue against

1 The driver must, assumed his eyes are exactly 75 cm above the seat, be able to overlook all parts of the road that are at least 12 meter away (from the drivers eyes?!).

4. [...] On, before or behind screens no objects which will hinders the drivers view must be affixed. Except, objects mandated by law or sat-nav devices which are outside the minimum viewing area as defined in Subparagraph 1.