Dash cameras

[RoninPA]

It's been a few years since this was discussed. I got a new truck this year and am thinking about getting a dash cam. Any good recommendations that won't break the bank? There are so many out there nowadays and they all seem to be ok but what are the must have features now and the options that people seem to like? Thanks for your opinions. Oh, any good places to read about them, Consumer Reports maybe??

 

[Ranger]

We bought a red tiger off internet couple years ago. I used in minivan. Worked fine good video.

We recently bought a Momento... Only brand benchmark installer recommended and would warranty. Wanted professional installation in BMW suv. It seems to do fine too.

Think several brands do well; but none are perfect.

Having front and back uses memory card space quickly. Most rewrite.

The only time really needed, we didnt have turned on.

 

[gnappi]

I have had my dash cam (AZDOME WIFI DashCam I bought on Ebay) for 3+ years and it's never failed. I wouldn't hesitate to get another.

In my case all I need is to record to an SD card. WiFi to a phone could be nice top some because I could monitor the street in the limited WiFi distance but it's really impractical and I do not use it. As it is at something between $39 and $79 they will not break the bank.

Some boast their VERY WIDE angle view but I think narrower is better. Super wide puts everything way out closer to the horizon.

PS, leaving them running for two or more days can drain your battery especially if you have a RANGE controller always attached to the service port to disable GM's AFM system.

 

[Jeepnik]

I use a Garmin. Works well.

 

[Fox Mike]

Just a question. What purpose is there for having a dash camera? Not to start an argument, I personally can't' justify the need for one.

 

[AJGUNNER]

Just a question. What purpose is there for having a dash camera? Not to start an argument, I personally can't' justify the need for one.

I put on 30,000 to 35,000 miles per year on a company car. My wife asked the same question when I put one in my company car. First trip out of the driveway heading to town 5 miles on 2 lane rural hwy. I had a guy pass me in a double yellow---blind hill. I saved the video. Wife asks why I saved it. I watched from 1-2 miles back as same guy passed 2 more in double yellow no passing zone. saved that also. Told wife if that guy has killed someone or caused an accident further up the road, I will be more than happy to share my video with both the law and anyone that is hurt or has property damages due to this persons repeated negligent/dangerous driving. Something to think about if you are a crazy nut driver---you never know who might be watching and filming these days. I save video of lots of crazy guys on crotch rockets in thick traffic cutting and weaving. Wonder if their family might like to see how/why their loved one became an organ donor.


FYI---Mine is a Garmin and it does way more than I know how to use it for. It sniffs out radar or red light cameras, makes noise when I get too close to another car depending on my speed, can do slow motion video of entire trips, etc---I ignore most of the stuff. 1 feature I do use is a simple button to take a photo. Much simpler and easier than turning on phone, bringing up camera mode, then trying to take a picture while driving. Simple one button click and I have a photo---fairly decent quality also.

 

[Bruce51]

I use to watch a lot of dashcam footage on Youtube to pass the time on hot summer days. While the camera doesn't lie people do. The stories of the incident often do not match what was caught on camera. So I purchased a dashcam for under $40 as cheap insurance. Easy to mount on the window for a drivers view just in case. Some interesting videos I've seen are when someone throws themself into a car or backs up to fake a fender bump. Brake checks are also a big insurance scam especially for truckers. Just $40 and I can prove who is at fault.
Bruce

 

[gnappi]

One word, evidence.

 

[blume357]

Garmin is the way to go... unfortunately the one I would recommend they don't make anymore... it was a Dash Camera enclosed in a GPS and also had the option for a back up camera.

 

[NC FNS]

When I drove big things, the company installed them on all vehicles. Sudden movements would set it off, it would save the previous 20 seconds and the next 20 seconds. The dispatcher and I had fun watching them one day…you always knew something was going to happen in 20 seconds!
Funny thing - a lot of drivers that beat up on the equipment suddenly starting treating it nicer.

 

[AJGUNNER]

When I drove big things, the company installed them on all vehicles. Sudden movements would set it off, it would save the previous 20 seconds and the next 20 seconds. The dispatcher and I had fun watching them one day…you always knew something was going to happen in 20 seconds!
Funny thing - a lot of drivers that beat up on the equipment suddenly starting treating it nicer.

A friend is a commercial driver. What they have now is much more sophisticated. They can actually watch the drivers eyes and gauge how long the eyes are not on the actual road---changing radio stations, adjusting a mirror, picking the nose, peeling and eating a banana ---anything and everything the driver does they can see exactly where the drivers eyes are looking. Yes they are sill set off and recoded by rumble strips, sudden wheel movement or braking even changes in RPM's.

 

[Kevin]

Can you buy a dash cam that is integrated into the built in cameras already in the vehicle? So it’s an automatic sort of thing?

I don’t want some gadget propped up on the dash bouncing around with cables everywhere.

 

[WendyZXZ]

One word, evidence.

That is why we have dash cams. You have video proof...if you are the one in the right.

 

[Mobuck]

"Today at 2:48 PMJust a question. What purpose is there for having a dash camera? Not to start an argument, I personally can't' justify the need for one."
I think that's been covered but here's another use for dashcam video: Returning home from an agency meeting (on the clock) I recorded a driver crossing the median, bouncing into the opposite direction lanes and living to tell about it. This video was used extensively during driver safety training to show just how quickly things can go wrong. Myself and the other drivers had a measured EIGHT SECONDS to decide what to do as the oncoming driver approached.
As for brands, I have no good advice. My first one was an 'el-cheapo' bought on ebay. It lasted until winter's cold weather killed it. I replaced it with better(?) more expensive dash cams that didn't work nearly as well or as long.


Frank

 

[kentucky yeti]

Amazon Redtiger. We use them in every vehicle. The only issue ever was I ordered the optional OBD2 adapter. I had bumped one of them. My camera worked intermittently. I contacted them and they send a whole new camera setup next day. I then saw that I had loosened the connection with my knee. I tried to return the new unused one, and Redtiger told me to keep it, even though the other camera was fine.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098WVKF19?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_4

 

[AJGUNNER]

Can you buy a dash cam that is integrated into the built in cameras already in the vehicle? So it's an automatic sort of thing?

I don't want some gadget propped up on the dash bouncing around with cables everywhere.

Mine hangs securely on the windshield out of my sight behind the mirror. I ran the cord inside the trim across the windshield, down the door frame trim, and tied it into a lighter socket with my phone charger. Out of sight and out of mind but always there is/when you need it.

 

[Ranger]

The benchmark guy who only sold Momento cams said they are one of the very few that don't drain the battery. We wanted it professionally installed so wouldn't use power socket and would look better.

Evidence is a big reason. We didn't have it turned and wished we did when a big piece of lumber fell off semi in lane to right of us. I swerved to miss it; but it still hit enough to make a thump. I couldn't see any damage when we checked later; but...

Instant family video is another. On a couple recent trips, I bought several large capacity memory cards and changed them every few hours to ensure it didn't overwrite. When home, I transferred to external drive. At some point, I'll edit to preserve the neat stuff and delete the boring stuff.

 

[blume357]

I really need to get a third one of the Garmin GPS with dash camera I mentioned (Ebay) that they no longer make... the interesting thing is when I'm headed to a customer's house and have the address punched in.. when I get about 100 yards from the house the dash camera on the GPS comes on the screen and a circle with an arrow starts pointing in the direction of the house and the arrow turns as you get closer.... I'll try to remember to take a picture of this in a little while....

 

[Old1215]

When I drove big things, the company installed them on all vehicles. Sudden movements would set it off, it would save the previous 20 seconds and the next 20 seconds. The dispatcher and I had fun watching them one day…you always knew something was going to happen in 20 seconds!
Funny thing - a lot of drivers that beat up on the equipment suddenly starting treating it nicer.

I really need to get a third one of the Garmin GPS with dash camera I mentioned (Ebay) that they no longer make... the interesting thing is when I'm headed to a customer's house and have the address punched in.. when I get about 100 yards from the house the dash camera on the GPS comes on the screen and a circle with an arrow starts pointing in the direction of the house and the arrow turns as you get closer.... I'll try to remember to take a picture of this in a little while....

 

[kentucky yeti]

Can you buy a dash cam that is integrated into the built in cameras already in the vehicle? So it's an automatic sort of thing?

I don't want some gadget propped up on the dash bouncing around with cables everywhere.

It took me less than 15 minutes to run the cable to the rear camera and to the front. All was done and the wires hidden with only the plastic prybar supplied with the cameras. All wires are hidden under the trim- front to back. As for integration, on most vehicles, the cameras are part of the dash screen that also is a $6000 computer that controls most vehicle functions. I'd advise leaving your touch screen display alone.

 

[Old1215]

A lot of the commercial and professional drivers use the Samsa (spelling?) system. I believe it is a forward and reverse facing with a view of driver as well. I’ve looked at them and they can get pricey. I’ve had a cheap plug in version on every vehicle I drive. Cheap insurance on a he said/they said collision as long as you’re in the right.
When I traveled for work I caught a few interesting things on camera.
Once a hawk flew directly into the side of a truck trailer in front of me and basically exploded. Must have been focused on prey that pulled up just in time. Pretty wild. Well worth the price. Most all will turn on automatically for like 30-60 seconds if there is movement or a disturbance to vehicle

 

[Old1215]

A lot of the commercial and professional drivers use the Samsa (spelling?) system. I believe it is a forward and reverse facing with a view of driver as well. I've looked at them and they can get pricey. I've had a cheap plug in version on every vehicle I drive. Cheap insurance on a he said/they said collision as long as you're in the right.
When I traveled for work I caught a few interesting things on camera.
Once a hawk flew directly into the side of a truck trailer in front of me and basically exploded. Must have been focused on prey that pulled up just in time. Pretty wild. Well worth the price. Most all will turn on automatically for like 30-60 seconds if there is movement or a disturbance to vehicle

I do think I’ll upgrade to a front and rear facing w/driver view for police interactions and possible carjackings when I have to use lethal force to stop an attacker

 

[RoninPA]

Wow, Lots of great information to digest to help come to a conclusion. Keep the info coming, more information is always better when trying to determine what might be best. I thank all who have submitted and all who might add to the thread.

 

[jcole4455]

Look into the Rexing brand. I have one that mounts over the rear view mirror it has a front facing camera and comes with an additional rear view camera with blind spot monitor. I also added a 360 parked protection sensor.

 

[Gopher]

My biggest problem with them is the summer heat will kill one pretty quick.
I've lost two that way. I bought a better camera this time but haven't installed it yet.

 

[18 r0bert]

i need one of these cameras. i'm in my 80's,diabled nam vet,one leg,can't walk ! how hard are these to install ? an does the heat screw up them ?? i'm in florida ,cars garaged but not a/c for them. thanks for your ansers

 

[gnappi]

i need one of these cameras. i'm in my 80's,diabled nam vet,one leg,can't walk ! how hard are these to install ? an does the heat screw up them ?? i'm in florida ,cars garaged but not a/c for them. thanks for your ansers

Commercial components of today would be close to military grade years ago. Just think about your car radio or other electronics, other than tape / DVD players did you hear of a rash of car radios going bad? Nope!

Anyway, I'm in Broward county between Lauderdale and West Palm and my camera has not failed and it has been in the window full time.

As far as ease of installation goes, most I know of use USB power so you'd need a cigarette lighter USB port. As far as attaching them goes, most come with a suction type cup to attach it to the window, after that you only need to dress the single power wire to the door / window post. This can be an issue because the adhesive on the little hooks provided with the cam stinks.

I bought a sack of hooks with 3M adhesive and the hooks do not fall off. To address the suction cup issue, I only use RAM suction cups and they can be adapted to most devices.

 

[AJGUNNER]

As far as ease of installation goes, most I know of use USB power so you'd need a cigarette lighter USB port. As far as attaching them goes, most come with a suction type cup to attach it to the window, after that you only need to dress the single power wire to the door / window post. This can be an issue because the adhesive on the little hooks provided with the cam stinks.

Also if you do more than just tucking the wire into the trim across the top and down the side of the windshield, you need to be careful. Just tucking the wire in, is not a problem, but if you remove the trim pieces to put them inside, you need to take care or consult with dealer. The trim piece running down the side of my windshield has an airbag in it.
You don't want to mess with this.

 

[blume357]

The Gps I'm talking about, which last time I checked is no longer made, also had the option for a back up camera... but no wiring... other than installing the camera and hooking it up to the back up lights wiring...

Oh and here is what that GPS does when you are at the location you have punched in:

 

[tazbigdog]

Wife wanted one in her SUV when we drove across country for moving. EZDashCam in Tempe, AZ installed one. Automatically records when car starts or when if off, the car shakes or is hit. Been on for a year and a half. No issues, lots of filming. I go into it and delete a lot of footage if nothing happens.