Which Dash Cam?

[Campingfamco]

Hi Guys,

I’m looking into getting a dashcam for my 21 Denali. I’d like something that can continuously record, front, back, time stamps, and motion sensors for when the vehicle is off. I’m also curious how you’ve mounted and wired it up. If anyone has any details with pictures that would be great.

 

[Micahsd]

CNET’s Roadshow just reviewed some for 2021 and below is a link to their article. Within the article is a 9 min review video showing what their person recommends (Brian Cooley in the video and who wrote the article has been reviewing different car stuff for them for several years).

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/best-dash-cam/

That Vantrue N4 model sounds pretty cool with how it can record 3 streams at one time…never heard of the brand but features seem appealing.

 

[waynehead99]

I have the Blackvue 900 2 Channel that does front and back. Best cam on the market right now, but it is a little pricey.

 

[swathdiver]

Hi Guys,

I’m looking into getting a dashcam for my 21 Denali. I’d like something that can continuously record, front, back, time stamps, and motion sensors for when the vehicle is off. I’m also curious how you’ve mounted and wired it up. If anyone has any details with pictures that would be great.

Just purchased my third dash cam, this one is a Cobra SC201 and works very well and comes with more features than I'll likely use. At present the wire just hangs but am looking into an adapter harness that plugs into the back of the mirror.

Dongar Technologies LLC

Dongar Technologies LLC

dongar.tech

 

[SnowDrifter]

From the ones I have experience with:

Rexing V1LG is a good budget option

Blackvue is great if you have the budget - particularly parking mode and mobile communication so you can pull videos off without dicking with SD cards. Basically... Does better at auto on/off/battery.

 

[BG1988]

Hi Guys,

I’m looking into getting a dashcam for my 21 Denali. I’d like something that can continuously record, front, back, time stamps, and motion sensors for when the vehicle is off. I’m also curious how you’ve mounted and wired it up. If anyone has any details with pictures that would be great.

VIFIO V119a v3 i know it's a single channel... but the 139a is another option 3 channel... i showed a local Sheriff he was impressed by the video (but it was a UHD screen shown on) esp how crisp the night video is...

CPL filter is a must


the quality of the photos is better then showen below due to site image compression etc....

(not a screen cap fro the original vid) scrapping off the plate will not stop a clear cap 4xUL264

1080p/60
scrapping off the coating made it more visible

 

[Bill 1960]

I have a couple of Thinkware. Mainly because they use capacitors rather than batteries internally, which makes them more resistant to heat.

The ability to connect a phone to it with WiFi and download recordings and make settings is nice. No need to plug in cables or pop out a memory card.

I also try when I can to not support chicom manufacturers. Thinkware Is Korean. AFAIK there is no product made in the USA.

 

[swathdiver]

Thinkware Is Korean. AFAIK there is no product made in the USA.

I think you are correct, I searched for hours and still missed Thinkware as being Korean.

I am also endeavoring not to give the Chicoms the bullets (money) so they can fire them (war) back at me.

 

[grouch]

I've got 2. An older Garmin (about 8 years old) that plugs into the cigarette lighter socket and a Cobra I got about 2 years ago. The Cobra is fairly expensive but has a lot of features. There's even an app to play back the video on your phone. I didn't get the rear camera but my next one will have it if I put it in something that will have a place for the camera. (My cars doesn't)

A dash cam is a GREAT investment though. The GF had barely learned to manually set the record when someone crossed the line and hit her. She was freaking out because she had wrecked my truck but the dash cam clearly showed the woman cross the line, holding her phone, and hit the GF. My truck gor paid for and she didn't get a citation.

 

[fozzi58]

I have the Blackvue 900 2 Channel that does front and back. Best cam on the market right now, but it is a little pricey.

I have a Blackvue 650 2ch since 2017, but I am thinking of upgrading to the 750-3ch. The 750 does everything the 900 does albeit with a few missing features but the 750 and 900 both have the built in battery voltage meter which turn off the camera based on how much voltage has drained from the battery. 750 comes in 1, 2 or 3 channel now as well (forward cam, rear cam, passenger cabin cam).

Both will accept 256GB SD cards which is almost 4 weeks of driving in full HD.

The Thinkwares are nice also from the reviews I have read by my experience is with Blackvue.

 

[JimRockford]

Great thread. I've been looking for one for my 05 Tahoe Z71 and was very interested in the Blackvue, but think I'll keep looking after reading this:

Reasons I Regret Buying a BlackVue Dash Cam — John Huntington

I’ve used portable Dashcams for many years, but this year, before departing on my 8000+ mile storm chasing trip , I thought I’d get one permanently installed. Having had great luck with Garmin in the past, I looked into those units, but my local car electronics dealer—who recently did a great job

controlgeek.net

I have no idea how credible the author is, but thought I'd pass it along.

The Wolfs are out of the running as they cover the stock rearview mirror which takes out the OnStar buttons and outside temp display.

My wish list is all around the vehicle, and hard wired 24/7 parking lot recording, but with battery discharge protection

 

[Shunto]

Gee I thought with some of you paying better than $80k for a truck a Dash cam would be standard issue.

 

[DmaxDenaliXL]

Gee I thought with some of you paying better than $80k for a truck a Dash cam would be standard issue.

I couldn’t agree more. The vehicle has good cameras built in. Why should I have to scab on another device with more cameras? Why can’t the existing hardware record to an SD card or thumb drive. Teslas can do it. Likely others.

 

[BG1988]

Great thread. I've been looking for one for my 05 Tahoe Z71 and was very interested in the Blackvue, but think I'll keep looking after reading this:

Reasons I Regret Buying a BlackVue Dash Cam — John Huntington

I’ve used portable Dashcams for many years, but this year, before departing on my 8000+ mile storm chasing trip , I thought I’d get one permanently installed. Having had great luck with Garmin in the past, I looked into those units, but my local car electronics dealer—who recently did a great job

controlgeek.net

I have no idea how credible the author is, but thought I'd pass it along.

The Wolfs are out of the running as they cover the stock rearview mirror which takes out the OnStar buttons and outside temp display.

My wish list is all around the vehicle, and hard wired 24/7 parking lot recording, but with battery discharge protection

solar panel?

 

[Steebu]

I have a couple of Thinkware. Mainly because they use capacitors rather than batteries internally, which makes them more resistant to heat.

The ability to connect a phone to it with WiFi and download recordings and make settings is nice. No need to plug in cables or pop out a memory card.

I also try when I can to not support chicom manufacturers. Thinkware Is Korean. AFAIK there is no product made in the USA.

Second the Thinkware cams - we swear by them because of the feature set you mentioned. Super-easy to use and install and will get another set (front/rear) with our next car. These days you really shouldn’t drive without a dash cam if you can afford it, just too many crazies out there …

 

[Larryjb]

We have been using Thinkware in 5 vehicles (in the extended family) for years now and are still using our first Thinkware X500.

Just to clarify an earlier post, the capacitors are for recording in the event of a serious crash causing electrical failure. The dashcam will continue to record for another 5 or 10 seconds. They need to be either hard wired (not too difficult) or may be plugged into an accessory. Ours, if hardwired, have a parking mode which records when motion or physical event is detected. We also use the rear dash cam with it.