Dash Cam? Recommendations

[plasma800]

Wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a dash cam setup.

 

[unxpctd]

I run a Z3, purchased from Amazon about 2 years ago:

https://www.amazon.com/Z-EDGE-Dashb...F8&qid=1517173950&sr=8-4&keywords=Z3+dash+cam

Another model:

https://www.amazon.com/Ambarella-In...F8&qid=1517173950&sr=8-3&keywords=Z3+dash+cam

Looking at my Amazon history I have the 2nd one...purchased June 2016. 1.5 years. Never given me any issues.

There are a ton of them out there. When (and if) my Z3 ever goes out I may look into the Garmin model.

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/587334

Most of them have looping recording...so its plug in and forget. If you ever need footage then you can pull the micro SD card out and download it. I haven't had to do that yet (knock on wood).

My cord is run along the headliner, down the side, under the dash and along the center console. I then have it (along with a Garmin dash GPS) plugged into one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/Ninth-City-C...2&keywords=vehicle+extension+cord+with+switch

That cord (with switch on it) runs to the back of the center console to the cigarette adapter plug in. Whenever I want to turn the items on I just reach back and flip the switch. I did this so I wouldn't have to do any hard wiring or splicing of anything. Just my preference.

Good luck with your choice!

 

[plasma800]

Likewise, do you have to flip that switch to turn them off when the vehicle is turned off? Or does that circuit shut down on it's own.

 

[unxpctd]

It is a hot connection. Even if the truck is off the switch keeps my GPS and Dash Cam on. Its nothing for me to reach back and flip it on or off though.

I like it that way and I didn't have to do any splicing or hard wiring. Figured this was the best workaround and everythings out of the way.

 

[mdifilippo]

Just got a BlackVue DR750S 2Ch. Pricey but incredible quality. Features 2 cameras (1 front 1 back) and cloud functionality. Super happy with it. https://www.blackvue.com/dr750s-2ch/


You never want to have it connected directly to battery. You want either a battery system for parking mode or a time out module which will connect between the camera and the battery. It will shut off either at a time interval or once the battery drops below a certain voltage so that you don't drain the battery

 

[unxpctd]

I only run mine when my truck is running. That is the simplest for what I want...I don't need it recording all the time.

Blackvue is another good name...they've upped their game recently...they didn't have all those models available (on their website) when I was researching a couple years ago.

 

[plasma800]

So many mixed reviews on these things.... makes it tough to decide.