Dash Camera Discussion / What Dash Cams are you guys using?

[H2O_Doc]

All,

I’ve kept one or more dash cameras in all of my vehicles since being left in a smoking and spinning pile of 5th Gen Toyota 4Runner wreckage (courtesy of a Congressional staffer). Well, because of that and all the crazy clips caught by East European dash cams subsequently posted to Youtube (I have a theory on that amongst other things).

Turn to the eve of 2021: I’m now in an MKV and would like to know how you might have set up your dash cam. Where did you put it, how did you wire or, which model did you buy, and any other thoughts? Also, if you have a clip that shows the camera perspective, or just an interesting clip from driving, please post as well.

Thanks in advance for whatever you are willing to share,

H2ODoc

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[TexasMKV]

Check the DIY section. We have a topic covering the dash cam install and model.

 

[diablo2112]

Fits great.

 

[H2O_Doc]

Check the DIY section. We have a topic covering the dash cam install and model.

Appreciate the note, but the thread I saw (maybe there is another) was titled for a specific model and I was interested in a broad view of models and so I didn’t check-out that thread (my mistake). Having said that and thanks to thread-drift, I now see folks have expanded the discussion. In any event, and wherever posted, I do hope to see a variety of options on windshields and maybe what the recordings look like.

And thanks again.

 

[2Cool]

Mount mine in the same spot as diablo2112 above, puts the screen out of direct view while driving so less distractions.

I am using a cheap cam, it works fine and does the job: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XB78LTH/

I am powering it from the fuse block by the passenger footwell, using a piggyback off of one of the large fuses that are switched, even though they show hot when you first open the car and stay hot for 5-6 minutes after shutdown. Works great for both my radar and camera from the same fuse.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088YWCLZS/

 

[H2O_Doc]

What I am doing for the time is using my Nextgen 322 (has WIFI, 1080P, GPS). Here is how I mounted it to the windshield:

This give you an idea of how things look form the passenger's seat:

The camera is obscured by the rearview mirror from the driver's seat:

I haven't decided how I'll route the cable and connect to a power source.

 

[AP1]

All,

I’ve kept one or more dash cameras in all of my vehicles since being left in a smoking and spinning pile of 5th Gen Toyota 4Runner wreckage (courtesy of a Congressional staffer). Well, because of that and all the crazy clips caught by East European dash cams subsequently posted to Youtube (I have a theory on that amongst other things).

Turn to the eve of 2021: I’m now in an MKV and would like to know how you might have set up your dash cam. Where did you put it, how did you wire or, which model did you buy, and any other thoughts? Also, if you have a clip that shows the camera perspective, or just an interesting clip from driving, please post as well.

Thanks in advance for whatever you are willing to share,

H2ODoc

Check CYHY brand. They make camera specifically for BMW, which MkV is, hidden in mirror base. Need to find one that matches mirror used in Supra (obvious will be one for Z4, but some other models use the same mirror). For details you may have better luck on BMW forums.

 

[BA9092]

I've had the BlackVue front and rear cameras on my past 3 cars. Haven't had any issues or complaints.

I installed the front below the rear view mirror (TX toll-tag on the left, R3 radar detector on the right), the rear camera on the 3rd brake light surround and the parking-mode battery pack in the glovebox so I can turn it off from the driver's seat when in my garage to save charge.

 

[Rob_Supra21]

Rexing V1 Dashcam.

Wired to empty fuse spot 47 in the front fuse spot.

Interesting footage? How about a small car accident I got into with my old Rexing V1?
Car Accident YouTube Video

 

[H2O_Doc]

Rexing V1 Dashcam.

Wired to empty fuse spot 47 in the front fuse spot.

Interesting footage? How about a small car accident I got into with my old Rexing V1?
Car Accident YouTube Video

1) Damn! That’s a good reason to have a camera.

2) Thanks for posting: an example of another piece of equipment not to skimp too much on

 

[MannyC224]

Shout out to jgoad13 for this DIY for BlackVue DR900S-2CH. I followed this install.
https://www.supramkv.com/threads/blackvue-dr900s-2ch-install-diy.4921/

Only difference is that I used this instead of sticking it to my windshield.

 

[H2O_Doc]

Shout out to jgoad13 for this DIY for BlackVue DR900S-2CH. I followed this install.
https://www.supramkv.com/threads/blackvue-dr900s-2ch-install-diy.4921/

Only difference is that I used this instead of sticking it to my windshield.

That attachment is dang-slick.

 

[Toast]

the parking-mode battery pack in the glovebox so I can turn it off from the driver's seat when in my garage to save charge.

Is there any advantage to that over unplugging the forward camera? I put my battery in the back and rarely worry about turning it off, but I did unplug the camera for winter storage.

 

[BA9092]

Is there any advantage to that over unplugging the forward camera? I put my battery in the back and rarely worry about turning it off, but I did unplug the camera for winter storage.

Good question. I never tried it. The camera plug is behind and under the rearview mirror so it's harder for me to get to and I'd want to use both hands as the DR750 plug is a tight fit.

The on/off switch for the battery pack in the glovebox is definitely a single hand only flick of the switch. That was my reason to tap it into the passenger footwell fuse location rather than in the rear hatch area. I didn't want to drain my dashcam's battery with footage of my car parked overnight in my garage.

 

[zoltiz]

I'm in the Blackvue camp, did a modified hardwire / hidden install with backup battery that was linked above. These cameras are expensive, but I've been buying them for 5 years and had pretty decent success rate.

Re: unplugging the battery vs. pulling the power wire from the camera - I do it all the time with the rear camera when I'm backed to the wall - this doubles effective parking mode recording time. Wish I could find a mini-coax cable switch. But the conclusion is that pulling the power cable from the camera is same as unplugging it on the batt side. There is no charge control / voltage step down IC chip in the fat 12v plug (battery side), so camera is the only power consumer.

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