Dash Cam recomendations?

[Lightning 95]

I'm interested in installing a dash cam, and don't know what's the best for the money. I don't want to spend a lot, but don't want to cheap out either, and easy to install/use with good images is important with an adhesive mount instead of a suction cup. Thanks

 

[Larryjb]

I use Thinkware. It Is not cheap, but it's been great. With the wire in module it will record incidents and motion when parked. Rear cams are available also.

 

[08HoeCD]

I'm about to get this one. Highly rated, slim size/design, easy to use, affordable, good quality.

https://www.amazon.com/Dashboard-Re...um-20&linkId=b4c3c9bc5e301274bf2d06d514fcc82a

 

[Lightning 95]

I decided to go with the Vantrue X3 for $160. A little more money, but it has Wi-Fi which seems like a plus so I can use my phone, instead of messing with tiny buttons and screen mounted at the top of the windshield.
https://www.amazon.com/X3-Dashboard...1511535892&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=vantrue+x3

 

[Lightning 95]

I decided to go with the Vantrue X3 for $160. A little more money, but it has Wi-Fi which seems like a plus so I can use my phone, instead of messing with tiny buttons and screen mounted at the top of the windshield.
https://www.amazon.com/X3-Dashboard...1511535892&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=vantrue+x3

I got my Vantrue dash cam running today. Pretty impressed so far. Easy to set-up and use, good video, and the WIFI is great. Can do everything right on my iPhone, and watch what the camera is seeing too. Now I just need to figure out how to get the power adaptor connected to ignition on power, so it's not recording my garage door 20 hours a day! Both lighter plugs in the dash are always hot, so I might just buy a aux 12 lighter plug and tap into a switched wire going to the heater/radio or something? Doesn't draw much power. Was able to tuck the cable into the windshield trim, and will just tie the 12 volt adaptor under the dash to hide the wiring.

 

[Lightning 95]

Vantrue makes a hardwire harness which I will connect soon. I will use a toggle switch in an existing hole so I can easily power it off as needed. I am considering getting another one to mount on the rear window, and with the WIFI it would be easy to operate the camera without having to touch it. I need to get one for my wife's car. That will be her Christmas gift.

 

[Chuck_Finley]

Big fan of the Blackvues, I had one with a power magic pro (parking mode) on my last car and I caught a neighbor backing into my fender during a snow storm. I got her to pay for my repairs because of it, paid for itself that day.

 

[OptCodeVoid]

I have a Garmin (Ill have to find out which one I got, its been a few years), Its not cheap but what untimely made me get it was the fact that they have and will send out one of their lawyers to defend (in court) what is on the camera if it comes down to it. I don't have a link to where I read that but it was on their web site if I remember correctly. Only two issues with it really, nothing big... 1. It can only record in 1080p, it has other options but they are not reliable; 2. When its really hot out it will freeze up from time to time when it powers off and will kill its internal battery.

Again its been at least a few if not several years and I don't remember a lot of the details on it and I'm sure they have a better one out there now but the fact that they will defend you in court is what untimely made me buy it, if I dig up anything new I will update this post but its Garmin so it shouldn't be to hard to find. Not to mention it dose take good video,

 

[Danny3737]

I have 4 of these that I’ve all hard wired. Very happy with the video quality

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/281896180473

 

[Doubeleive]

I use a garmin dash cam 20 because it's small and tidy, comes with a sticky mount, and I like it because it integrates gps position and speed into the video information, it comes with a 12v adapter so I bought a 12v to 5v usb module that wires up to the vehicle power so whenever the key is on it is recording.

 

[OptCodeVoid]

That looks like the one I have, I love it! Props, Doubeleive, nice and clean looking.

 

[Doubeleive]

it just came in real handy too, I was recently rear ended at a fairly low speed but enough to require repairs and the guy said "I had cut him off on the freeway", my video proved I was in my lane for a 1/2 mile before traffic became stop n go and that I did not in fact cut him off. it showed the gps location, time and speed on the video data which matched up with cell phone pictures taken at the scene which also showed gps location and time.

 

[Doubeleive]

whichever you choose mount it on the ride side of the mirror because if you mount it on the left drivers side it blocks the rear view mirror sensor

 

[notnbutsubz]

Anyone hardwire to turn on with ignition, if so power supply description would be helpful. Thks

 

[Doubeleive]

yes I wired mine up in the little black box that is just to the left and up from the brake pedal, pull the cover off (it just pulls off) and there is multiple connectors going into the box, if one of the spots is empty just test the metal tabs with a meter till you find one that has power when the key is on (accessory power), mine is in the body shop till next week sometime or I could get you a picture, most of these cams are usb powered which is only 5v, I am assuming you got a 12v to 5v usb adapter to wire up?

 

[Larryjb]

My Thinkware has a special cable for hardwiring. It allows for motion sensing when parking, as well as impact detections while parked. It also monitors battery voltage and turns off at a preset voltage to prevent battery drain.

 

[yugrus]

The best way to hardwire is to tap into the mirror socket/terminal with 12v-to-USB adapter. This way you get switched power and no wires to route.

 

[08grey]

Look up street guardian. They sell only the best cameras. Mine has been going for years. The good resolution cameras draw allot of standby Power and will drain your battery on motion if you leave them on straight Power. Conection it to aux Power first and let it run with just the key in the on position if you can leave it for several hours and it doesn't completely kill your battery you will know how you want to wire it.

Mine will kill my battery to the point that it just doesn't charge well after in about 4 hours.

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