Dash Camera Discussion & Recommendations

Sanyo wrote: ↑ Are there any have wireless dash cams?

And how much to get a dash cam installed, im very bad when it comes to these things.

What do you mean by wireless dashcam? Do you mean WiF? Front/rear channels wireless?

As to installation, it depends on the camera, your car, single or dual channel (or more), hardwired, battery pack etc. I would say easily $200 on a basic setup.

Most handy guys/gals can install it, actually not too difficult. Just need some trimming tools (cheap online). If you want to hardwire to car fuse or hardwire a battery pack, you will need additional tools like a crimper, fuse taps, a circuit tester or multimeter.

Has anybody received a distracted driving ticket for a dashcam screen staying on? I know you can have the screen turned off after a few minutes, but leaving it on tells me that it's working/recording. It'll be ok if it's mounted behind the rear view mirror?

Having it on doesn't mean you're distracted. Today's cars also come with head units that are always on, but I often have to interact with it to turn on heated steering wheel, change radio station, adjust heat, etc.

n0thing wrote: ↑ Has anybody received a distracted driving ticket for a dashcam screen staying on? I know you can have the screen turned off after a few minutes, but leaving it on tells me that it's working/recording. It'll be ok if it's mounted behind the rear view mirror?

If you're interacting with it while its on then its distracted driver, but in the same way a phone being mounted on the dash isn't DD, neither is a dashcam.

Personally i found the screen hugely annoying and it was one of the reasons my current dashcam doesn't have one.

Ecsta wrote: ↑ Personally i found the screen hugely annoying and it was one of the reasons my current dashcam doesn't have one.

this

That's why I have the screen turned off except for the first 30 seconds and have it placed behind rearview camera. As long as the picture is good at boot up and the LED is blinking, I know it's working.

I understand the interaction part (just like cellphone, headunit, etc), how police would see that as distracted driving. But rather the fact that it's in the view of the front windshield, because apparently a friend of a friend got ticketed for it. Then again, you see many people with windshield mounted cellphone/GPS.

n0thing wrote: ↑ I understand the interaction part (just like cellphone, headunit, etc), how police would see that as distracted driving. But rather the fact that it's in the view of the front windshield, because apparently a friend of a friend got ticketed for it. Then again, you see many people with windshield mounted cellphone/GPS.

Then that friend of a friend must have had it smack dab in front of the driver's view. That would be no different than a GPS unit or even a crack in the windshield.

Buy a unit with the smallest footprint and place it behind the rearview mirror.

n0thing wrote: ↑ I understand the interaction part (just like cellphone, headunit, etc), how police would see that as distracted driving. But rather the fact that it's in the view of the front windshield, because apparently a friend of a friend got ticketed for it. Then again, you see many people with windshield mounted cellphone/GPS.

I can't speak for the particulars of this incident, but it sounds like the unit was positioned in a way that was blocking view. Mine has a very low profile and it stuck to the windshield with a double-sided tape (I hate suction cups) right next to the rear-view mirror. You can't even see it is there from the outside (and look like something worth stealing).

Distracted also means hands-free so if the individual is observed operating the dashcam while driving, they will likely get a ticket. A cam that doesn't sleep and has constant live view positioned upwards in front of the rearview mirror and not in direct forward view of the driver should not be of concern.

Hi there!!!

Can someone help me out?
I'll be purchsing the VIOFO 129 duo. What wire kit do I buy so my husband can use the parking mode?

Was hoping to see this go on sale for Christmas now thinking it won't.

Thanks for your help!!!

tbumstead wrote: ↑ Hi there!!!

Can someone help me out?
I'll be purchsing the VIOFO 129 duo. What wire kit do I buy so my husband can use the parking mode?

Was hoping to see this go on sale for Christmas now thinking it won't.

Thanks for your help!!!

https://www.viofo.com/accessories/108-8 ... t_included

Thank you so much!!

See a lot of people recommend the Viofo here. Getting my first camera and wondering if something like the the Yi 2.7" which is about $50 from time to time on Amazon any good ?
Dont want to spend $100 even tho I would assume Viofo is better overall ?
Thanks

savemoresaveoften wrote: ↑ See a lot of people recommend the Viofo here. Getting my first camera and wondering if something like the the Yi 2.7" which is about $50 from time to time on Amazon any good ?
Dont want to spend $100 even tho I would assume Viofo is better overall ?
Thanks

You get what you pay for. (That said, I wouldn't go buy one of those $400 cams.)

savemoresaveoften wrote: ↑See a lot of people recommend the Viofo here. Getting my first camera and wondering if something like the the Yi 2.7" which is about $50 from time to time on Amazon any good ?
Dont want to spend $100 even tho I would assume Viofo is better overall ?
Thanks

There's a reason why Viofo is highly recommended.
You can wait until it goes on sale, usually below $100 without the gps.

Looking to purchase a dual cam combo for relative's Lexus NX300.

Which of the 2 options below is a overall better investment?

1. Viofo A129 combo with 3 wire kit for parking mode
2. Vantrue N2 Pro or N2

Major criteria:
- Needs parking mode
- prefer on-board LCD screen

Does any of you that have experiences with either of these units have any advice to share? ATM can't decide between the 2. We like the wider coverage of the Vanture units, but also like the low profile of the Viofo unit. All our other dashcams are low profile units.

TIA.

libballeng wrote: ↑ Looking to purchase a dual cam combo for relative's Lexus NX300.

Which of the 2 options below is a overall better investment?

1. Viofo A129 combo with 3 wire kit for parking mode
2. Vantrue N2 Pro or N2

Major criteria:
- Needs parking mode
- prefer on-board LCD screen

Does any of you that have experiences with either of these units have any advice to share? ATM can't decide between the 2. We like the wider coverage of the Vanture units, but also like the low profile of the Viofo unit. All our other dashcams are low profile units.

TIA.

The Thinkware f200 front and rear with wifi and gps when on sale as it is here for $199.99 is a good choice. The f800 non pro with rear cam goes on sale from time to time for $300. I bought it for $300 and love it. https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/th ... 43273.aspx?
https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/th ... 14235.aspx?
Bear in mind though that if you are serious about parking mode you likely will also need a selink neo battery backup. With out battery backup one to two hours of parking surveillance is all you can expect with one hour being the usual norm in winter.
Also most all dash cams list -10 as being the cold limit for operating temperature. This is kind of an ambiguous number as I don't see lower temps being much different to a camera. I have used thinkwares x500 in -25 ambient temps with no problems other than reduced parking surveillance times and that is due to your cars battery not the dash cam. You can set the cam to turn off at the cars battery voltage, I set mine to turn off when the cars battery gets to 11.9 volts.

anyone think the Viofo 129 will go on sale next couple of days?
Been waiting....

tbumstead wrote: ↑ anyone think the Viofo 129 will go on sale next couple of days?
Been waiting....

Don't wait, just buy it. Best investment you'll make. What happens if you get into an accident while waiting for it to go on sale?

I have not seen the Garmin speak plus with Alexa discussed in this thread. The only thing that seems like a deal killer is the field of view being really small at 82 degrees. I have seen videos from reviews and it doesn't seem like that bad of a problem. Can anyone comment on how important it is to have a really wide field of view and what angle should be considered a minimum.