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Comment by xxs | Hacker News Reader

A simple test for quality - if the clam shell/body is made of ABS (instead of polycarbonate or nylon), it's very likely bad. The dashcam appears ABS, judging from the pics.

You can return stuff back when bought online in 14days, I think this part remains after the 1st of Jan.

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ABS is not a low quality material. It is a tough polymer which maintains its toughness over a wide range of environmental conditions. That is why it is widely used in applications like automotive interior and exterior panels. It's probably a good choice for a product like a dashcam which will be exposed to a wide temperature range.

I guess the most famous part "low quality" ABS is that UV unstable along with low resistance to organic chemicals like gasoline[0] (and acetone, which is ABS glue). Compare that to nylon[1]. Flip note ABS becomes brittle at lower temperatures (say -20C).

As for why I thought it was ABS. It's glossy and if it was nylon or polycarbonate (esp. glass/carbon fiber composite, or even PC+ABS), it'd be written a major pro in the marketing materials.

[0]: http://www.kelco.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/abs-chemi...

[1]: https://www.calpaclab.com/nylon-chemical-compatibility-chart...

How can you tell the difference? It seems like you're making a judgement based on just the product pictures, what specific things make it looks like ABS to you? What would a polycarbonate or nylon plastic look like?

Nylon won't be glossy for sure. PC can be glossy, though. However China goods are very often glossy ABS and it'd be mentioned if they'd use PC (or some PC composite)

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