Dash Cam Thoughts

[Jim Nobles]

Any thoughts about dash cams like , makes and models, install thoughts ect....

 

[JV Ram]

Following this one. Been looking for one also.


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[Rado]

Also following

 

[Jim Nobles]

Here is a youtube video of a guy that did one, I like how he taped into power from the overhead console instead of running a wire from the fuse block up the A Pillar then under the headliner

 

[dexter]

Make sure you select one that can stand the heat.

There have been some that burst into fire.

 

[pwjouster]

blackvue DR series

 

[17Delmonico]

The big deciding factors are the features that you want. Constantly recording when car is off (will record anyone trying to do something to your car before they do it), start recording if it feels a bump (will hopefully record the person driving away), recording if it sees motion (start recording as they are about to hit you), or not record at all when truck is off. Each of these options affects battery use.

Wifi connectivity - allows you to get video from the camera without pulling the memory card out.
Multiple cameras - allows recording forward and backward views on one device.
In-cabin camera - allows forward camera, plus records inside the truck (more for Uber/Lyft/cabs when you have passengers you don't know)
Camera quality and speed
GPS - records location and speed
Size - do you want it hidden from view, or can it be relatively large and obvious?

Once you decide what features you do and don't want, you can narrow down the field a lot.

 

[Knight King]

I have a Thinkware F200, Front and rear cameras, GPS, hardwire kit that I haven't installed yet. Had it for a couple of weeks no problems so far. Has phone app and wifi so you can download the videos through the app onto your device. there are higher models with more features depending what you want or lower as well.

 

[dearchristopher]

https://www.amazon.com/Dashcam-Dashboard-Resolution-Nighthawk-Wide-Angle/dp/B07DF8MQX1

Here is the one i have. No complaints, everything has stood up just fine to well over 100* humid heat here in Texas. I wired a fused dual 12v outlet behind the dash, and hid the wires completely behind the headliner and a pillar. i'll try to get pics. I did it this way because the unit has a battery inside of it that trickle charges off the 12v, and i wanted to utilize the battery functionality. when it's on constant power, it just records everything. when it's on battery, it shuts off and only records if motion is detected, or the vehicle is jolted. this way, i get full use of all features. so when the key is on, the dash cam gets truck power. so far i love it. very clear quality.

 

[CantRepeat]

I purchased and installed 2 Thinkware F800 Pro 2 channel cameras.

Very clear images.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07C39QJZP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[blackbetty14]

A119C 2k up front, tapped into mirror power with 5v converter, has GPS and Speed adapter so location and speed is recorded as well.

Rear is a goluk T3, hardwired and I have a manual switch to turn it on and off. I can leave it on if I’m parked to record all the time as it has a real good parking mode.

Both capacitor models, don’t get anything with a battery. I have like $200 invested in both and no other camera set will give you 2k front and full 1080 rear for that price.

 

[Jessica Smith]

A119C 2k up front, tapped into mirror power with 5v converter, has GPS and Speed adapter so location and speed is recorded as well.

Ditto, albeit with the A119 V2, as I didn't know the A119C existed. I thought they all are capacitor now?

For the 12V to 5V mirror tap I used:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BFRWC3X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Because I wanted it as high as possible to keep the camera under the black dimples (out of the sun), and to convert mini usb to micro USB I used this angled adapter:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DEM7L48/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also invested in this anti-glare polarizer that only serves to make the dashcam even more discreet:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L75RMP8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Super happy with the results, as you can just see the screen from the driver's seat as its partially obscured by the mirror, doesn't interfere with my sun shield, and is virtually invisible from outside the car since only a bit of the actual camera lens actually pokes out to be seen and has the mirror right behind it leaving no real outline to notice.

 

[blackbetty14]

Ditto, albeit with the A119 V2, as I didn't know the A119C existed. I thought they all are capacitor now?

For the 12V to 5V mirror tap I used:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BFRWC3X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Because I wanted it as high as possible to keep the camera under the black dimples (out of the sun), and to convert mini usb to micro USB I used this angled adapter:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DEM7L48/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also invested in this anti-glare polarizer that only serves to make the dashcam even more discreet:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L75RMP8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Super happy with the results, as you can just see the screen from the driver's seat as its partially obscured by the mirror, doesn't interfere with my sun shield, and is virtually invisible from outside the car since only a bit of the actual camera lens actually pokes out to be seen and has the mirror right behind it leaving no real outline to notice.

View attachment 168144 View attachment 168145

Your right, all the A119 are capacitors (they learned lol) and I have the version 2 with the better pins, they also updated the foam gasket on the gps unit.

With cameras it’s all about features, video quality and longevity.

A lot of cameras will go 1080 at 30 FPS which is about the minimum I would ever recommend. The A119 goes 2k at 30 FPS and 1080 at 60fps which in recording is a big difference in video quality. Same with the goluk T3 which does 1080 at 60 FPS. I personally like the goluk bc it’s very small tube shape and it has a good parking mode.

You should also be running a high endurance quality SD card.

 

[Pacman079]

I went with the escort m1 just for the install simplicity of attaching it to my detector. The price was a little higher than I wanted to pay but the video quality is excellent.


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[HEMI_Finn]

Is there a "dash cam for dummies"? I've been interested in this for a while now but haven't pursued it.

 

[dputnam01]

I just bought the TOGUARD 10" Mirror Dash Cam. With the Crew Cab and 8-foot bed with cap, my stock rear view mirror was pretty ineffective. My Tradesman does not have bells and whistles, but routing wiring was not bad. The TOGUARD has a separate rear camera that I mount to the back and pipe up to the mirror giving me a rear look. With image off, it makes a nice rear-view mirror. Still under evaluation, but has good hi-res image. Will need to get used to the reverse rear image? I'll let you know how it pans out. If you get this, they will send you a free GPS module if you provide a review.

 

[Jessica Smith]

I just bought the TOGUARD 10" Mirror Dash Cam.

Nice, that's the first mirror dashcam I've seen that doesn't have horrible reviews on Amazon.

 

[rotwiler]

If you want good and cheap get a Yi dash cam, there's the regular one for like $35-40, then one with a little different lense ratio for like $45-50 both have wifi built in to download videos it too. Just put in a 64gb SD card. Buy a dash cam harness that matches the plug, usually micro or mini USB. If you have a power sliding rear window, pull the plastic overhead console down, use quick taps to tap the positive on the slider and negative. Install took me less than half hour. Had this cam year and half and is excellent. Day videos are great, night time can get fuzzy, but is overall a great cam for cheap. Comes on with harness automatically when start truck, goes off when turned off. If you want it on all the time or with movement need to wire to full time power. If you buy the cheaper one, get the one that is like $10 more, I have one in my truck and in wife's car and the $10 more one is worth it, better at night and shows a little more of road. They also make a Yi 4k model. Here is video I took with the dash cam when I installed it.

 

[KnurledNut]

I run 2 cams. It was cheaper to buy them separate then get a true 2-cam system. I prefer the Anker Roav brand. Be sure they are temperature rated. Cheap cams will melt.

Also be aware of the imbedded video info. If your cam shows speed and you get into a ruckus and they pull your videos...well, you get the idea.

 

[madtrucker2016]

I installed a two cameras system front and rear HD set from Street Guardian.com it has capacitors instead of battery's .So the high temp don't do crazy things to it . Also installed a auto switch that turns it on when my truck is parked any little bump on the truck turns on both cameras and starts recording . also it can be downloaded to your cell phone little pricey but worth it comes with 3 year warranty also