Competitive Reviews
Like everyone else, we have competitors. The notable ones are Digital Ally, ICOP, Interceptor, Mobile Vision and Watchguard. With several exceptions, the primary focus of the other competitors is to reduce cabin clutter. ICOP places the Digital Video Recorder (DVR) in the dash by replacing the AM/FM radio. Both Digital Ally and Watchguard have moved the DVR/Camera system above the driver (in an oversized mirror with Digital Ally and above the windshield in the space normally used for overhead lights by Watchguard).
There some significant trade-offs. Notably, higher cost, less efficient cameras (in particular with rear seat viewing capability) and other factors that may not be immediately apparent.
It may be interesting to review the bid results for a requirement calling for eight (8) vehicle cameras. Falcon Direct quoted cameras based on the use of Compact Flash Card (CF) technology, moving JPEG versus MPEG-2, and a separate rear seat camera to provide full viewing of the back seat area. Here are the prices quoted by each prospective vendor.
Interceptor - $5,220 each
ICOP - $ 4,700
Watchguard - $4,125
Falcon Direct - $3,795
As you can see, Falcon was significantly lower in initial cost than the other brands. Falcon's installation cost was also lower than all other vendors except ICOP. The two year warranty and overnight exchange program clearly made Falcon the best value. The improved performance of a solid state DVR and separate camera provided the performance and reliability required for law enforcement use.
For additional information on other vehicle camera systems, click here. For a more detailed comparison of the Watchguard DV-1 and systems offered by Eagleye please click here. For a competitive overview of the Mobile Vision system, click here.
Sometimes the bidding process works well. Sometimes it doesn't! Sometimes the bidders are all qualified and ethical. Sometimes they are not. We thought you might benefit from the story of how terribly things can go wrong for buyer and seller alike. The good news is that the story has a happy ending (at least for most of us)! Read all about it at www.info4u.us/Gardendale_story.pdf.