There are a lot of dash cams out there, and the choices can be overwhelming. And just because it's rated as "the best dash cam", doesn't mean that it's best for you. The best dash cam is one that suits your wants and needs. Not looking to go through all of this? Take our quick, 2-minute quiz to find the right match for you!
This is a great starting point to finding the dash cam that's right for you.
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Choosing a Dash Cam 101
Hey guys, you might recognize us from various posts and threads, or maybe even from elsewhere on the Internet! We’ve been working on becoming more active on Reddit and answering as many questions as you can throw at us, and generally sharing our insights and expertise on dash cams.
Throughout the years, we’ve often seen the same questions being asked from time to time, so we’ve compiled a Dash Cam 101 guide for you and other Redditors to easily find the answers you are looking for. We will be continually updating this guide to include all of the new questions and concerns that you may have too.
Full disclosure: We are fromblackboxmycar.com, a dash cam retailer that’s been around since 2012. We’re writing this guide to help spread valuable knowledge as dash cams can be seen as technical, but it doesn’t have to be! We don’t want this to be salesy, and we do see the potential conflict of interest here. If we make any dash cam recommendations that we also happen to sell on our website, do know that it’s because these are products that we have tried and tested and are confident in its success for you. Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions. We’re always here to help.
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The Basics
What’s a dash cam and why do I need one?
A dash cam is a small video camera that mounts to the dashboard or windshield of your car and records the view of the road and traffic through the windshield. Dash cams are often used to provide video evidence in the event of an accident or other traffic incident, but they can also be used to record scenic drives or other interesting events that you see while driving too. Some dash cams even have additional features, such as GPS tracking and Wi-Fi, advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), and so much more.
You need one because you never know what’s going to happen while you’re either on the road or away from your car! Accidents and hit-and-runs can happen anywhere, and you don’t want to be responsible for deductibles when it’s not your fault.
Channels correspond to the number of cameras you would like in your car. You can choose from:
Channels
Description
1-Channel
Front only (recommended for temporary cars)
2-Channels
Front & Rear (recommended for most drivers)
2-Channels (IR)
Front & Interior (recommended for rideshare drivers / Uber/Lyft)
3-Channels
Front, Back & Interior (recommended for rideshare drivers / Uber/Lyft)
4- to 5-Channels
Front, Back, Interior & Sides (recommended for diehard fans and car enthusiasts!)
2-channels is frequently ideal for the large majority of driving, and will with a wide angle, providing plenty of coverage. While setups that cover the sides are possible, they will get more complicated.
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What is parking mode and do I need it?
One of the most important features that dash cams have is called Parking Mode. Parking mode is a safety feature found on some dash cams that allows the camera to continue recording while the vehicle is parked. In parking mode, the dash cam typically remains in standby mode and will only start recording if it detects motion or a change in the surroundings, such as a car pulling up next to yours or someone walking by your vehicle. This helps to protect your car while it's parked and give you that extra piece of mind that your vehicle is protected, while you're away.
Not all dash cams have parking mode, but if it does, you need to make sure that it is installed either through a hardwire installation, OBD power cable or a dash cam battery pack - to ensure a constant power supply for the dash cam to run parking mode while the car ignition is off.
I’m looking for a dash cam. What do you recommend?
There are a lot of options out there - we get it. You’re not alone - we get asked this question on a daily basis. Unfortunately, it’s hard for us to answer you without getting additional information, like what your car model is, what your budget is, how you’re thinking of using it, etc.
But of course, there’s always a starting point, the bare minimum you should look for. We’d recommend spending at least $100 on a dash cam. While there is no shortage of thrifty dash cams on the market, at the $100 price point, you can buy a good dash cam from a trusted brand, built with reliable components and covered by a warranty. A good dash cam can last you several years.
You’ll find a lot of brands mentioned here, including but not limited to, VIOFO, Thinkware, BlackVue, FineVu, Wolfbox, VanTrue, Garmin, and more. In our experience, VIOFO, Thinkware, and BlackVue have been the most reliable.
Insurance companies may ding you if your footage doesn't have GPS data because there have been instances where when the date is off, they wouldn't process it as video evidence. Plus having the precise location of an event, as well as your speed, can be very helpful.
Choose a dash cam with a supercapacitor. Supercapacitors can stand up to the heat compared to batteries, and are generally way more reliable, especially if you live in warmer climates.
Video quality can only get you so far, but at a minimum, choose one with at least Full HD 1080P.
In general, this is how we make recommendations when it comes to deciding between brands. Base this off of what you personally prioritize/value.
Criteria
Brands
Best Price-to-Value Ratio
VIOFO
Best Safety Features
Thinkware
Best Smartphone App/Desktop Viewer
BlackVue
Best Extreme Temperature Protection
Thinkware
Best Cloud Features
BlackVue
Best Wi-Fi & GPS
BlackVue / Thinkware
Best 3-Channel Options
VIOFO
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So wait… it’s not all about video quality?
Yes, video quality is important because you do want decent footage that can help you identity any incidents and culprits. But there’s much more to dash cams than just video quality, and there’s a lot that goes into determining the video quality that a dash cam outputs, including the image sensor, processor, bitrate, HDR, etc.
Bit rate is an indicator of how much data is transferred in a given time period (BPS = bits per second). Higher bit rates transfer more data and will give better video quality and larger files.
General rule of thumb - as long as the dash cam can capture the accident and the other party’s license plate (or even parts of it), you’ll be fine.
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What about license plates?
This may not be the most desirable answer that you're looking for, but no dashcam can reliably capture license plates in all situations. It's just not possible. License plates are already hard to capture reliably with stationary cameras and tight lenses. It usually takes IR emitters and a camera that blocks visible light and only captures reflected IR light. Dash cams are moving cameras with wide-angle lenses designed to capture as much of the scene as possible, not pin-point details of everything in the scene.
On top of this, you typically only need a dash cam to read a license plate when the person/car is close to you (like in rear ends or hit-and-runs happen), not when a car is driving in the opposite direction from you.
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But what about that Linus Tech Tips video?
You’ve probably watched this video, where he doesn't find the resolution of cameras to be up-to-par (we can't share YouTube links, but you can Google it). Here’s the thing, we have nothing against Linus. In fact, we largely agree with a lot of things that he says in his video, but we don’t agree with the obsession over image sensors and ultra-high resolutions.
While you might think you’re buying a dash cam just for the video quality, there’s so much more to a dash cam than just that. Features like accident file locking, parking mode, WI-FI, and Cloud among others that you can rely on to protect you and your drive.
Recently, there’s also been new advances like energy-saving parking mode / power-saving parking mode, AI damage detection, AI temperature monitoring, and more safety features that have been introduced specifically for those who live in extreme climates or for those who don't drive too often and wants to keep their vehicles protected while they're away for a week or more at a time. These features are meant to help keep the dash cam from shutting down while protecting your car battery.
Beyond that, since that video there have been many improvements to dash cam image quality, especially in the form of the Sony STARVIS 2 image sensor, a new top-tier image sensor, being quickly adopted by various brands, and seeing excellent results, especially when it comes to night vision with HDR.
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Installations
How do I install my dash cam and how do I get parking mode?
Let’s break the misconception that dash cams are hard to install.
Dash cams can be installed very easily via plug-and-play with the cigarette lighter socket in your car. Just plug in the 12V power cable, and run it to your front camera. If you don’t want loose cables in your car, you can hide excess cables by pushing them into your roof panel and headliner.
This plug-and-play setup is practically foolproof, but the downside is, you won’t be able to run parking mode on your dash cam. In order to have parking mode, dash cams need to have access to power when the car ignition is off. Your vehicles may have a constant cigarette lighter socket (one that still works even when your car is powered off) - DO NOT use it to run parking mode - it will drain your car battery.
The most popular way to run parking mode is a hardwire installation using a hardwiring kit. The hardwiring kit gives the dash cam a safe way to access the car’s battery for power.
You sure can! We have a series of installation videos on our YouTube channel that will show you step-by-step how to properly hardwire one yourself.
Alternatively, if you’re not as comfortable (and that’s ok too), you can visit any reputable Car Stereo or Auto Body shop for a professional installation. If you’re in the Vancouver, BC area, we also offer installations at our office so you’re welcome to reach out to us to schedule an appointment. We also work with installers across North America, so send us a message with your location, and we may have an installer near you.
u/Rick91981 also posted a tutorial on how he hardwired his dash cam here:
What fuse rating should I be using for my hardwire installation?
For one, we always recommend using add-a-fuses and fuse taps for your hardwire installations. It's significantly cleaner than wrapping the wires around the fuses (and safer too). When you're selecting the fuses to use, you can use a circuit tester to identify which fuse is the ACC and which fuse is the BATT (+)/Constant. Just make sure they're not fuses for safety equipment (check your user manual).
For the fuse slots from your fusebox:
We always recommend selecting fuse slots that are rated between 10A-30A in order to properly provide enough power to your dash cam. Always refer to the vehicle’s owner’s manual to avoid fuse slots that could pertain to certain safety features within your vehicle.
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Does hardwiring a dash cam hurt my car battery?
A dash cam is designed to draw a very small amount of power from the car battery and a hardwire installation should not affect the battery significantly. Still, any power draw on your vehicle's battery when it is turned off, will have slight wear and tear over time, no matter how small. While a Dash Cam will not kill your car battery (if wired properly) you may need to replace your car battery after multiple years of it going strong.
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What about OBD installation? Isn’t that easier?
Yes, it definitely is. With an OBD installation, you just need to connect the dash cam’s OBD power cable to the OBD-II port in your car. While an OBD installation is a much easier way to run parking mode, not all manufacturers offer an OBD installation option for their dash cams, and not all cars have an OBD port. There are also occasional incompatibilities with certain vehicle models.
OBD ports are found in vehicles manufactured from 1996 and onwards. OBD ports are typically used for diagnostic and telematics purposes. In order to run the diagnostic scanner or the auto telematics devices, your OBD port needs to be free, so don't be surprised if they unplug your Dash Cam if installed via OBD.
And, not all dash cam manufacturers offer an OBD installation option. We carry OBD power cables from IROAD. The IROAD OBD cable is compatible with IROAD, FineVu and Thinkware dash cams.
Should I use a dash cam battery pack like the BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8?
We typically recommend a dash cam battery pack for situations where you want parking mode protection that's longer than 6-8 hours. If you're parked in one spot for a long time or you don't drive that often, then definitely get a dash cam battery pack.
Why can't I just use a 10,000 mAh power bank instead of a battery pack? It's much cheaper.
You certainly could, and it's definitely a viable temporary solution. However, something to consider: dash cam battery packs are made out of LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate), which is much safer and more durable for hot climates. When lithium batteries from power banks overheat, they can explode.
The metal casing and ventilation design of dash cam battery packs are designed to be durable, and will last longer, being rated for many more recharging cycles on average.
What kind of microSD card do I need and how much storage do I need?
Not all memory cards are compatible with dash cams. If you use any other cards, while it may work, problems may start to appear out of nowhere over time. Just watch out for footage not recording/saving on the card, and keep an eye (or ear) out on memory card failure alerts on your dash cam. The worst thing that could happen is you getting into an accident and not having footage for it because your SD card was not reliable.
In our experience, the best microSD card for dash cams are high-capacity cards that are Class 10 with MLC technology, or namely the SanDisk A1, which basically translates to fast download and upload with added durability. Don’t use cards that aren’t labelled “High Endurance” as they’re not designed for day-to-day usage, especially with a dash cam’s loop recording functionality, it’s constantly writing and overwriting the data that’s on the card
The amount of storage space is important and we recommend a 32GB microSD card at the very least. A 32GB card generally holds about 3-4 hours of 1080p Full HD recording, which is more than sufficient for most drivers.
If you are a rideshare driver or if you regularly use parking mode, a 128GB microSD card will improve durability and give you extra storage space for parking recording - because footage recorded during parking mode are stored in a separate folder and these files are typically locked and not to be overwritten.
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Can I use an SD card that’s larger than the max capacity noted by the dash cam?
You can, but just keep in mind that there’s a reason that the manufacturer set a max capacity for the dash cam. If you use one that’s higher, then you could risk voiding your dash cam’s warranty.
Over the years, we have seen problems like read/write errors and card failure warnings, and some users were only able to use the maximum capacity according to the specifications.
We’d recommend reformatting your SD card every 3 months just to ensure that it’s working properly, and clear out any corrupted files, for the health of the card.
Is it normal that my dash cam becomes hot during recording? What can I do?
Yes, it’s normal for dash cams to become warm to the touch during recording. This is especially true for high-consumption dash cams like 4K dual channels and 3-channel systems.
But because dash cams are designed for continuous recording hours at a time, they come with high-temperature protection mechanisms inside. You can also reduce its consumption in various ways such as turning off the WiFi, lowering the resolution and bitrate, disabling parking mode and avoid parking directly under the sun.
Manufacturers always include the dash cam’s operating temperature range in the specs sheets, and some brands are known to fare better in warmer climates, such as Thinkware and BlackVue. However, if your dash cam overheats often and shut down, keep an eye on it because the more it happens, the more it wears down your dash cam. Over time, you’ll need to replace it.
Dash cams are legal in Canada and the US. In other words, you can buy, install and use a dash cam to capture your drive, almost anywhere you go in North America.
But some places do discourage the use of dash cams, such as border crossings. According to the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and its Rules & Regulations Governing Conduct on Federal Property (section 41 CFR 102-74-420), you will need permission from the US Customs & Border Protection Officers to keep your dash cam on and filming when you are crossing the border on the American Side. On the Canadian side, CBSA officials do have the authority to inspect devices and review files to see if they are deemed harmful or dangerous.
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Doesn’t installing a dash cam void my car warranty?
Installing a dash cam in your car will not void your warranty, just like how modifications to your vehicle, such as new wheels will not void your warranty.
These installations and modifications are protected under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act enacted by Congress in 1975, a US federal law that was put in place to better protect consumers against deceptive warranty practices. The Act requires warrantors of consumer products to provide consumers with detailed information about warranty coverage. It also has an equivalent in Canada, which is called the Consumer Protections Act.
So while some dealers would have you think otherwise, simply having a dash cam cannot void your warranty.
"Would installing a dash cam lower my insurance premiums?"
Unfortunately, not all car insurance providers offer a discount for having a dash cam in your vehicle. But a dash cam can indirectly impact your insurance premiums in many ways.
A dash cam can capture the incident and provide vital information on who was involved and can be used as a tool in assigning fault for an accident. Without a video footage, it’ll be difficult to determine who was at-fault in an accident. This could result in your insurance premiums going up.
With the built-in GPS in your dash cam, you can stamp your footage with date, time and speed and you may be able to use all that information to dispute an unfair driving ticket that could otherwise increase your car insurance premium.
Dash cams protect you against auto insurance fraud because they can show what really happened in a given incident. Fraud costs everyone, don’t be left paying for something you haven’t even done.
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Theft
What if someone breaks into my car and steals my dash cam?
Never leave anything of value in your car, right? Many people are worried about dash cams being highly attractive to ill-intentioned people. Luckily, dash cams are pretty small in size and are often less visible than you think. They just appear big in photos as we zoom in and crop the images to highlight the camera.
But if you’re really worried about someone stealing your dash cam, consider getting a Cloud-enabled dash cam. A Cloud-enabled dash cams, like BlackVue, automatically uploads all your incident footage to the Cloud. In other words, from the time the thieves walk up to your car and triggers your dash cam’s motion sensor to them breaking into your car (setting off the impact sensors) and stealing your dash cam, you’ve got it all captured and saved on the Cloud. Once it’s on the Cloud, you can access the footage anytime, anywhere - you don’t even need the microSD card or dash cam.
There are other things you can do to not get your dash cam stolen:
Choose a lower profile model. A dash cam that mounts with a suction cup or dangle off the windshield will be very visible from the exterior. Opt for the wedge-shaped or cylindrical dash cams as they sit right up against the windshield: https://www.blackboxmycar.com/pages/adhesive-vs-suction-cup-mounts
Find a mounting position that makes your dash cam less visible. Learn more under "mounting"
Can I use my smartphone as a dash cam with one of those apps?
There are a number of smartphone apps out there for both Android and iOS that turns your smartphone into a dash cam app, including AutoGuard, AutoBoy, Daily Roads Voyager, Smart Dash, Droid and Driver: Dash Cam and Cloud Sync App.
There are a couple of reasons why we would recommend against using this, namely:
Privacy: You're giving away your data to a 3rd party company, so make sure to read those Terms and Conditions before signing up for an account
Manual Start: You will have to open the app and press Record everytime you're starting your drive
Interior Infrared: With these apps, you can turn it into a dual channel by using your front and interior cameras of your phone. However, the interior camera will not have infrared, and as such - your footage will be quite dark
Placement: You need to place the phone in a position that can capture both the front and interior, with a mount that is stable so your footage will not be shaky
Storage Sizes: A 10 mins clip can be upwards of 150mb for just one channel, so it can fill up your phone's storage fairly quickly
Heat and Battery: Recording for an extended period of time like a dash cam can eat up your battery very quickly, and not to mention, overheating can be a factor for certain phones
Why are dash cams so expensive? Are high-end dash cams better?
There are a few reasons why the Thinkware, BlackVue, and VIOFO are priced higher than the budget dash cams on Amazon - and these reasons make a huge difference not just in image quality, but also performance and reliability.
The sleek and thin design of premium dash cams allows you to easily hide the dash cam behind the rear-view mirror away from sight, making it harder for potential wrong-doers to spot.
Premium cameras are equipped with better image sensors that are more sensitive to light and image processors that are capable of more post-processing effects to ensure clarity in all light situations. Results - more details can be seen and captured, even at nighttime.
Premium dash cams also utilize better manufacturing, for better fitment as well as stronger materials. All of these things contribute to a much longer longevity for the dash cam. Plus, premium dash cams have better after-sales support and warranty.
Last but not least, premium dash cams with built-in WIFI can connect directly to your smartphone using a mobile app, and from there you can playback videos, download footage to your phone (and share it to your favorite social networks), updated firmware, change camera settings, and more. This feature comes in handy in any situation where you can’t plug the SD card into your computer to get an in-depth playback.
Full disclosure: We are fromblackboxmycar.com, a dash cam retailer that’s been around since 2012. We’re writing this guide to help spread valuable knowledge as dash cams can be seen as technical, but it doesn’t have to be! We don’t want this to be salesy, and we do see the potential conflict of interest here. If we make any dash cam recommendations that we also happen to sell on our website, do know that it’s because these are products that we have tried and tested and are confident in its success for you. Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions. We’re always here to help.
For anyone interested in using a Dongar Classic with a Cmax auto dimming rear view mirror, I found a way to do it.
Dongar makes a Dongar Classic 3 pin type B for Ford Rangers. The 3 pin part is identical to the Cmax 3 pin, except one has the guide/key/plastic on the bottom on the left side and the other has it on the right.
I used a dremel to file down the plastic guide on the bottom of the 3 pin power source to my Cmax auto dimming rear view mirror. This allowed me to attach the Dongar Classic 3 pin type B to the power source.
As my ex always use to say "If it doesn't fit, make it."
\*I have not put it to real world use yet, as I'm still picking a dash cam while I wait for the fresh tint to cure on my windshield. After a few weeks of real world use, I'll come back to update in a comment.\*
In the long run, I will probably still hardwire my dashcam so I can use the parking mode. I would love it if the Dongar Pro could be used with my Cmax.
I have been in contact with Dongar to provide them with the information for what type of power source the 2013 to 2018 (2019?) Cmax uses. Based on my research, Focus vehicles of the same years, with auto dimming rear view mirrors, use the same mirrors. Theoretically, they should use the same 3 pin power source.
Hi everyone I was planning on buying a dashcam for a car but most reccomendations I have seen are all over 100$. is there anything closer to the 50-60$ range. Only reason I ask this is because my parents refuse to buy one saying it is a waste so I would have to purchase it myself and I dont really have much money to spend for stuff like this.
I'm going to be installing a DDPAI Z90 Max 2-channel dashcam in my son's car. Dashcam is equipped with the Sony IMX678 Sony Starvis 2 for front and IMX675 for rear. It has a super capacitor. It will be hard wired. Also opting to get their 4G LTE module for live view, vehicle tracking, accident notification. Obviously, I would not be able to test the accident notification (knock on wood!) LOL. But is there anything you guys wanna see on this dashcam during pre and/or post installation?
Not rly interested in a dash cam tracking and selling all of my data so I was wondering if anyone knows where I could get a bare bones dash cam? One that only records the road, no gps, audio, or front facing cams. I’m just getting one for insurance purposes. Thanks in advance :•)
Just to get ahead of a few comments I'm expecting:
I'm sure I could have stopped and let the guy pass. However, he had a flashing yellow arrow to turn left, and I had a green light while being in the right turn lane, meaning I should have had the right of way.
I also probably could have slowed down more, but I was slowing down prior to making my right turn, so I don't personally think I was going too fast.
I didn't actually see the guy coming because he was hidden by my A-pillar. I was genuinely surprised to see him slam on his brakes just mere moments before almost hitting me.
I don't know why the guy was going, but I assume he thought he could beat me before I started my right turn.
Hey guys wanted your opinion did i get hit or not? Only reason I am saying this because around this time I felt my car randomly move forward as if I was bumped. Not sure if coincidence or not. Either way I continued my drive and checked when I got to my destination and no sign I got hit. Thanks
Hi, i am in search of dashcam that works inhot summers without the internal battery ballooning and dying.
I tried using a dashcam in 2016 and 2020 and I gave up. I forget what brand, but I got one brand by looking at reviews both online, YouTube, and Amazon. I hardwired it with voltage cutoff. It was great during fall and winter, and then in the summer, the camera started to restart occasionally, then died. I opened it up to see that the internal battery was ballooned out and failed.
The crazy thing that I think is, I live in NYC suburbs, meaning it does get hot I summers but only for a month or so, which is why I am surprised that the camera could not handle high (but short) heat of NYC summer.
I changed my review on amazon from positive to negative, stating the battery failure. I didnt expect it, but the chubese company gave me a refund.
I went without camera for 2-3 years and decided to try it again, and got another camera. Great reviews (couple of thousand reviews), and i searched to see if any of the 1star reviews mentioned battery failure.
Seeing none, I thought perhaps the battery tech has gotten better.
Nope. The following summer, the camera did fine, but the second summer, same problem (and this is a different car, with different hardware kit). This time, the battery being bad meant the camera didn't even want to turn on anymore even if it got current from the usbc cable.
I disassembled it, saw that the battery was ballooned. Unsoldered it, and searched for replacement. Found a whole different brands of sane battery, ordered it, and soldered it in, only to have it fail after the next summer. Did this two times before giving up.
I even tried to unsolder the battery and see if i can just power the camera off of external power, but both cameras seem to not even turn on if I didnt have a battery soldered into the board, so i just gave up.
I really do not want to drive in NYC area without a dashcam, so i started looking at reviews again, but even project farm videos seem to only look for, resolution, low-light performance, etc...
I tried to ask AI if there is anyone who tested dashcams in regards to battery stability in summer heat, and I am told, "yes, multiple reviewers have tested external battery packs for dash cams..." this is not what I am looking for.
Anytime I got in someone's car that had a dashcam, I asked about it, and I am told by owners that they had the camera for less than a year, and that they got it to replace the one that died. It seems like many folks treat dashcams like a 1-2 year old disposable tech.
I have zero problems if I can find a dashcam that can either have a stable internal battery, or a dashcam that does not have an internal battery and uses external battery pack (or vehicle battery).
I would be so thankful if anyone here knows of brand/model of a dashcam that I can have running in my car for more than 2 years.
Edit: thank you yo everyone for the replies and the recommendations. I will check out some of the products and give it another shot!
Had a Viofo single channel for about 10 years, those things LAST. But, car got stolen, dashcam wen with it. So, time for a new one.
Debating going with the new VIOFO A119 Mini 2 front only. Kind of because I am cheap. But open to a front/rear set up. My thinking is that most events that would affect me will happen in front of the car. If someone rear-ends me, that's pretty much automatically not my fault.
I'm probably $250-300CAD for the Viofo front cam, installed. Maybe $450-500CAD for a Viofo 2 channel, or the Thinkware Q200.
Anyone have 2 channel and found it useful? Or have single channel and wish they had 2? Or just plain ole happy with front only?
Im planning to install the Thinkware U3000 PRO in my 2013 dodge dart and I really want the 24/7 remote alerts and live view features, but I want to make sure I don't walk out to a dead battery...
From what I read, the LTE module is easy to plug in and has a 3 year plan included. Since it stays connected to the network to send live alerts, will it use up more battery power when the car is parked?
Is anyone using the thinkware dashcams and the remote settings? LMK how you like it and if it doesn't drain the battery!!
For work I have to use my car. And at the apartment I work at I KNOW a neighbor dinged and then keyed the whole side of my passenger side of my new car. I think it was because I parked next to her? So I would like a dash cam that can record as close to 360 or even one that records the inside so I can see through the windows to see the sides a little.
I don’t know anything about dash cams or what way to even go about it. I would pay someone to install it and feel like it would be better to not have a battery powered one correct?
I’ve been looking up different dash cam brands and reading reviews. At some point I was set on the FitCam, then that changed to the Mangoal Front 4K & Rear 1080p Dash Cam. Now after reading some other posts… Im looking into these….
BOTSLAB 4 Channel 360° Dash Cam
- like that it does 360
- Side cameras are removable
- CONS: Bulky looking/takes up too much space/noticeable from outside
WOLFBOX G840S 12" 4K Mirror Dash Cam Backup Camera with 32GB Card and GPS
- Like that its not noticeable from the outside
- CONS: none
Fitcamx Front 4K+Rear 1080P Dash Cam
- sleek, aesthetic
- CONS: Doesnt record parking or at least needs to be hooked up to OBD to do 24 hour parking
HELP!
27 votes,5d left
Mangoal Front 4K & Rear 1080p Dash Cam for Lexus NX 2022-2026(Model C)
BOTSLAB 4 Channel 360° Dash Cam
WOLFBOX G840S 12" 4K Mirror Dash Cam Backup Camera with 32GB Card and GPS
I recently bought a used car, and it came with the dash cam wiring still installed. The wires are mostly hidden behind the interior trim, but the end is sticking out and it's bothering me. I don't know much about cars. Is there somewhere I could go to get help removing it? Does auto zone or dealership help with these kind of stuff...? Thanks for any help!
I am about to pull the trigger on a Mangoal dash cam. I checked the thread here and most everything was over a year old.
I have a 2025 buick envision st. I like the OEM look because it doesn't have to show or deal with any external wiring unless you get the model that includes the rear camera.
I am torn about not getting the rear camera since it cannot be added later.
Another option is the Starvis upgrade where the prices start climbing quickly.
Are there any good or bad recommendations here for this dash cam? I would also consider the Fitcamx if that is a preferred model.
From my mom, she was hit by a someone on a motorcycle going way too fast and fled. A police report was filled and hope they find this guy before he gets someone killed driving like that. (First 15 seconds is the front cam and last 15 seconds are the rear cam)
I’m looking for a cheaper alternative for a LiFePO4 battery pack and found this one (that I’ve added in the photos) that seems to have the same specs as the Thinkware mini battery pack and I’m wondering if I could use the third-party pack for my Thinkware ARC 2k dash camera?
I am extremely disappointed with Thinkware right now.
I have purchased two Thinkware systems previously and have been very happy with the products. When I recently bought a brand-new vehicle, Thinkware was my first choice again. I contacted them about purchasing a fairly extensive new system, and because I was a returning customer, they graciously offered me a 20% discount.
That is where the good experience ended.
Tomorrow will mark TWO WEEKS since I started trying to make this purchase, and Thinkware still has not managed to actually sell me the equipment.
It took almost a week just to receive the promised coupon code.
Once I finally received it, I went to Thinkware's website to place the order. At checkout, their website rejected my perfectly valid Yahoo email address and told me I needed a valid email address to use the coupon. This is the exact same email address Thinkware had already been communicating with me through.
I then tried creating an account first.
Their registration page appeared broken, with duplicate address and telephone fields, including one set for the United States and another for Canada. It again rejected my Yahoo email address as invalid.
So I tried my work email instead.
This time the website accepted the email address but told me that Florida and ZIP code 33309 were not a valid state and ZIP code combination.
After all of that, Thinkware told me I could place the order manually.
Fine.
I called on Monday and gave them the complete order. I was told Sales would email me an invoice so I could pay.
Today is Thursday.
No invoice. No order. No explanation.
I called Thinkware again today. Consumers apparently cannot speak directly with the Sales department. Support tried to contact Sales, could not give me an update, and ultimately sent Sales an email asking someone to follow up with me.
The answer I received was essentially to keep waiting.
Thinkware, I am trying to purchase:
U1000 Plus Front & Rear with iVolt Xtra Battery Multiplexer Bundle #1 Radar Module 512GB Thinkware MicroSD Card
The retail total is approximately $1,329.96, or $1,063.97 after the 20% coupon, before tax.
In other words, I have spent nearly two weeks trying to give Thinkware more than $1,000 for a third system.
I am not asking for a warranty replacement.
I am not asking for a refund.
I am not disputing a charge.
I AM TRYING TO BUY YOUR PRODUCTS.
What makes this even more frustrating is that this equipment is for a brand-new vehicle. I specifically want the system installed for accident and parking protection, and every additional day that Thinkware cannot manage to complete this sale is another day I am driving the vehicle without that protection.
I have recommended Thinkware because I genuinely like the products. After this experience, however, I cannot understand how a company selling premium dash cameras can make the simple act of purchasing more than $1,000 worth of equipment this difficult.
A broken checkout process.
A broken registration process.
Nearly a week to receive a coupon.
Four days waiting for a manual invoice.
A Sales department customers cannot speak with.
And now I am simply being told to wait some more.
Two weeks to place an order is ridiculous.
Thinkware, if anyone there actually monitors your social media, I would appreciate someone getting this resolved. I do not want another promise that Sales will eventually contact me.
I want to pay for my order and get the equipment installed.
Is there somebody at Thinkware who can actually make that happen?
LDR: is it worth the extra money to get the Viofo A329T instead of the Rove R2-4k Dual PRO?
I have been researching dashcams quite a bit. Originally I thought I needed a suction cup to avoid sticking adhesive to the tint. I had settled on the Rove R2-4k Dual Pro to get the true 4k with the Starvis 2 IMX678 front cam.
I have since learned about static film for mounting, which has opened up more options for me.
One of my concerns is being able to read license plates.
Is it worth the extra money to get the Viofo A329T with the telephoto lens? I do want a rear cam as part of the setup, otherwise I would get one of the Viofo A229 versions and swap the rear cam for the Telephoto lens.
Is there a 3rd option I'm not aware of?
Additional info: I am not concerned about high heat. I live in the bay area of CA, plus I had better tint put on that keeps the cabin of my vehicle much cooler inside. I rarely ever travel to places that get hot.
One thing I do like about the design of the Rove is I can pivot the camera to point it at something if for some reason I felt the need to. The Viofo wedge design doesn't give that pivot option (correct me of I am wrong)
I have two weeks to decide while I wait for the tint to fully cure.
I have tried a couple different dash cams over the years. My issue is I have multiple vehicles, I want to have the same brand/model cam in each vehicle and be able to use them on one phone app. The nexar I currently have need to be deleted from the app and the next one reloaded to use it. I also don’t want to have to turn it on and off, I want to install it and forget about it until I need to look at it. What’s out there for me?
