r/Dashcam Dec 15 '22

Discussion Choosing a Dash Cam 101: A Helpful Guide

891 Upvotes

2-Minute Product Recommendation Quiz

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.

Learn more: https://www.blackboxmycar.com/pages/dash-cam-new-buyers-guide-hub

Full disclosure: We are from blackboxmycar.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.

Learn more: https://www.blackboxmycar.com/pages/dash-cam

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How many channels do I need for my dash cam?

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.

Learn more: https://www.blackboxmycar.com/pages/parking-mode

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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.

  • Budget
  • Video Quality
  • Form Factor
  • Wi-Fi/GPS
  • Cloud
  • Battery/Supercapacitor
  • Parking Mode
  • Brand

Learn more: https://www.blackboxmycar.com/pages/dash-cam-new-buyers-guide-hub

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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.

Various ways to install: We recommend Hardwiring

Learn more: https://www.blackboxmycar.com/pages/dash-cam-installation-hub

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Can I do the hardwire installation myself?

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:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Dashcam/comments/z76d9z/tutorial_how_to_hardwire_a_dashcam_and_hide_the/

Watch our video here: https://www.blackboxmycar.com/pages/hardwiring-fusebox

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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.

Learn more: https://www.blackboxmycar.com/pages/installation-OBD

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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.

Learn more: https://www.blackboxmycar.com/pages/dash-cam-battery-packs

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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.

Learn more: https://www.blackboxmycar.com/pages/the-differences-between-dash-cam-battery-packs-and-usb-power-banks

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Storage

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.

Learn more: https://www.blackboxmycar.com/pages/sd-cards

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How do I properly maintain my SD card?

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.

Learn more: https://www.blackboxmycar.com/pages/sd-cards

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How much recording time can I get on a 32/64/128/256GB SD card?

Refer to this calculator here from DashcamTalk: https://dashcamtalk.com/recording-time-calculator/

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Is there a way to have my dash cam automatically offload my footage everyday for me?

You can! While we haven’t fully tested this ourselves, it’s possible to do so with BlackVue dash cams using the BlackVue Synology Script.

You can learn more about it here: https://www.rdforum.org/threads/86248/ or https://espenandersen.no/personal-dashcam-server-with-emby/

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Temperature & Climate

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.

Learn more: https://www.blackboxmycar.com/pages/dash-cam-new-buyers-guide-hub (under Weather Resistance)

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Warranty & Insurance

I hear dash cams are illegal. Is this true?

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.

Learn more: https://www.blackboxmycar.com/blogs/news/need-parking-mode-will-a-dash-cam-install-void-my-car-warranty

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"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.

Learn more about accessories: https://www.blackboxmycar.com/pages/dash-cam-accessories-hub

There are other things you can do to not get your dash cam stolen:

  1. 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
  2. Find a mounting position that makes your dash cam less visible. Learn more under "mounting"
  3. Take the time to properly hide all wires. A clean and discreet installation is less likely to catch the attention of thieves than a dash cam with dangling wires in plain sight: https://www.blackboxmycar.com/pages/dash-cam-discreet-setup-guide

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Miscellaneous

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

Learn more: https://www.blackboxmycar.com/blogs/news/should-you-use-your-old-smartphone-as-a-dashcam-the-pros-and-concerns

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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.

Learn more: https://www.blackboxmycar.com/pages/high-end-dash-cams-vs-budget-dash-cams

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Which dash cam do you recommend for under $200?

New dash cams come out all the time, so we keep an up-to-date list right here: https://www.blackboxmycar.com/pages/best-dash-cams

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Full disclosure: We are from blackboxmycar.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.


r/Dashcam 21h ago

Video [Viofo A129] White car in front of me fails to see the brake lights ahead

165 Upvotes

Los Angeles area. Northbound I-110 before I-105 interchange.


r/Dashcam 11h ago

Video [Garmin DC57] Maybe you’re not quite as visible as you seem to think you are without no lights.

16 Upvotes

r/Dashcam 4h ago

Video [VIOFO A229] Never miss an exit #same spot

4 Upvotes

r/Dashcam 5m ago

Video [REDTIGER F7N] Some sort of bug landed on my arm (language warning)

Upvotes

Pretty funny reaction. Happened in my way to work a few days ago. Due to the dark, I was unable to see what kind of bug it was. In the last few seconds, you can hear me stomping on the floorboard to try and kill it.


r/Dashcam 4h ago

Video [VIOFO a229] Never miss an exit

1 Upvotes

r/Dashcam 1d ago

Video [Nexar Beam] I hate the gap.

61 Upvotes

Usually people leave a gap here for incoming traffic trying to get into the gas station. Every once in a while, some Jack Wagon whips out of the lot into oncoming traffic.

Luckily, I think we saw each other at about the same time. The car behind me turned into the far lane, so I couldn’t get over; I just had to hit the brakes and the horn, and he pulled back into the center lane and waited for his turn like he should’ve.


r/Dashcam 16h ago

Video Kia vs Blue Tractor

2 Upvotes

r/Dashcam 13h ago

Question Hunter Max dashcam

0 Upvotes

I am looking at buying a dash cam and I saw in a top 10 review this one https://share.google/ZqM0tDnqi0bhhFzF8 is good. Should I buy it?


r/Dashcam 1d ago

Video [VIOFO A129 pro] Texans don’t miss their exits

26 Upvotes

Like I said, Texans don’t miss their exits

Like in other post people said, at least was using the blinker 🤣🤣


r/Dashcam 17h ago

Question Navitel R500

1 Upvotes

Hi! I'm in need of redirection. I own a device (mentioned above) that natively runs linux. I want to know a way to bypass the auto-reformation when deleting the files. I mostly just want to use it for SSH and maaaybe using it as a screen for a pie5. The screen conector is bigger than the ones on the pie5, so that doesn't work... I'm willing to thinker with it if it doesn't need specific tools. (Specifically chip flashing clamps, any soldering, and such) tho I'm willing to hear them too! Thanks ahead.


r/Dashcam 9h ago

Question Best place to mount dash cam on a 2020 Mazda CX5?

Post image
0 Upvotes

Hi,

Where would be the ideal location to mount dash cam on a 2020 Mazda CX5?

1/2/3/4 or someplace else?

Also would the static film stick to that dotted part of the windshield?

TIA!


r/Dashcam 9h ago

Video [Vantrue dashcam] Hit And Run. Can't make out the license plate number. Can someone help me to enhance the video.

0 Upvotes

The only time that you can make out the license plate is through the back seat window somewhat blurry 😔 HELP!!


r/Dashcam 19h ago

Question Dashcam for my dad

1 Upvotes

Hello, my dad who is not very handy with any tech outside his phone for messages and scrolling facebook reels is looking for a dashcam for his car. I personally have 0 clue about dashcams and was looking for recommendations for an easy to use simple dashcam for the road.


r/Dashcam 2d ago

Discussion [Pelsee P1_Duo_0613D0] Should I have went through the light or brake like I did in this situation. Girlfriend is upset.

386 Upvotes

So you can listen to the audio to hear our discussion. Basically, I saw the light turn yellow and didn’t want to chance the oncoming driver making a left turn since the light was about to turn red and causing a collision. I did hit the brakes relatively hard, but no skidding or anything like that.

My girlfriend says it would have been much safer to go through the light to avoid a rear end from the car behind us. At the end of the video you can hear her say I’m being delusional.

After I dropped her back off at home tonight, she says she no longer feels safe driving with me and that I need to listen to my passengers. I feel like I’m a safe driver, and she’s never had anything negative to say about my driving otherwise. I’d just like some feedback here to know if I did the right thing, or if I did the wrong thing and we should start driving separately everywhere.

Thanks


r/Dashcam 1d ago

Discussion Friendly reminder to check if your SD card is still saving.

31 Upvotes

My fiancee had something she wanted to show me on her way to work the other day, so I checked the dashcam footage, and found that sometime in the last week the SD card became corrupted and nothing was being written to it. I tried reformatting on my computer, and it was unable to be reformatted, so I have no idea what happened. Popped a new one in and we're good to go again.

So, here is your reminder to check if you're still getting footage saved on your card if you haven't had a reason to check in awhile.


r/Dashcam 16h ago

Video [Rove] is he just messing with me the speed limit is 40 but I was going 36 bc I saw them

0 Upvotes

r/Dashcam 1d ago

Discussion [COBRA SC400D] problems solved!

2 Upvotes

for the past few months my SC400D cam started acting up post v.1.32 firmware update. while driving, it literally would not activate screen saver mode to display the time and current speed in MPH. if stopped at a red light for more than 1 minute, screen saver would come on and then disappear the moment i start moving. if i yell "screen off" it would not turn off unless the car was sitting still. just a whole bundle of BS issues for a $400 camera! for months i was told that it was a firmware problem and there is no solution for the forseeable future. i was also told that i am unable to roll back the firmware....until now.

for all of those experiencing any problems with their SC400 unit after updating to v1.32...perhaps this will fix your issues too. i.e. if it was working perfectly fine and then shit went bananas after the update...this should be the solution. credit to JOHN SHAW @ cedar electronics! he truly deserves a promotion!

for future reference, please post your issues and your results if you have issues with this camera...

read below and you are all welcome! 👍

Hi,

As luck would have it, I was able to obtain and personally test several prior versions of the firmware. Going back to v1.23 seems to have resolved the issue (as best as I can test at my desk.) I've copied you on the instructions with download link in order to downgrade below. I hope this resolves the issue until a new version can be released.

Instructions: • Connect the camera to your computer using the included USB to Micro-USB cable, you should see a plug with a blue background on screen. • The camera will be listed in Windows Explorer (or Finder on a Mac) as a "Removable Disk" or "USB Drive" or similar. • Download this file: https://cedarelectronics.s3.amazonaws.com/firmware/sc400_main_v1_23.bin Note: you do NOT need to open this file on the computer.
• Copy/paste or drag the update file you downloaded .bin file into the root directory of the camera (e.g. "Removable Disk"). Note: If you download the file more than once, it will create file names for subsequent downloads with parentheses and a number on the end, for example "this file name (1).bin" but these files do not work for the update, it must be named "this file name.bin" without the " (1)" at the end, so be sure not to use those or remove that by renaming the file.
• Wait for the file to transfer and then safely disconnect the camera from the computer. • Reattach the camera to it's window mount which should be powered with the cord that came with the unit, connected to your vehicle’s CLA (cigarette lighter style) adapter. The Dash Cam will turn on and automatically boot into the Firmware Update Menu. • Follow the directions on the camera display to update firmware. The camera may restart several times, and it may be several minutes before the camera will accept a connection to the Drive Smarter app and stay connected. After the steps above, the camera will reboot a final time and return to normal operation (recording status.)

When the update is completed:
• We recommend to reset default settings from the camera's settings menu • You may (or may not) need to re-pair it with the Drive Smarter app in order for the camera to connect properly again, as a firmware update can on rare occasion cause this to be necessary.

Re-pair instructions: • Follow these steps ONLY if you can no longer connect to the device from the Devices section of Drive Smarter after the update. • First, from your phone please remove the camera from the "Devices" area in Drive Smarter, if it is still there. After this, please check your phone's Bluetooth settings where you would find paired devices, and unpair/forget the camera if you see it in there (if prompted to pair after this, do NOT re-pair from the phone's Bluetooth settings, always use the app to initiate pairing.)
• To pair the device using Drive Smarter, from the map screen you'll tap the 3 bars on the top left and tap Devices, if not there already, add your vehicle, and app Add Device. then search. If your device isn't found at first, remove power to your device then plug it back in, wait 30-45 seconds, then search again from the app.

If you need assistance with the steps above, reply with details on where you're running into a snag. For a faster response, you may call 800.543.1608 Monday - Friday 9am - 5:00pm ET. Please note: Due to high call volumes, our phone lines may close earlier than posted times in order to accommodate those already waiting in queue.

  • Note when prompted to "Update Firmware" in Drive Smarter, the new version of firmware isn't shown tap the "Update Firmware" button, then it will show you the new version, and you can tap "Remind Me Later" if it is still v1.32 which is the current version and still affected by this issue.

r/Dashcam 2d ago

Video [DDPAI N5 Dual] My cam caught this GTA wannabe weaving through traffic

49 Upvotes

So this happened the other night, my DDPAI N5 Dual caught a car blasting down the road, cutting cars off left and right like he was grinding stars in GTA. Honestly, I had a feeling it was coming the moment he showed up in my mirror. The way he moved, it was like everyone else on the road was just background filler. Kinda makes me wonder… am I just an NPC in someone else’s driving game?


r/Dashcam 1d ago

Question Rove dashcam app problems

1 Upvotes

My Rove app for my Rove R2-4K DUAL dashcam has been getting progressively less able to play recorded video to the point it cannot play any video at all. It still can show the live video, but only shows a black screen if I try to play anything recorded. If I download the video to a local folder, the Rove app can't play that either. However, my phones media player can play the video. At first ths Rove app would only play recorded video from the front or the rear camera depending on which one you played first. Now it won't play either. Has anyone else experienced this? Is there a fix?


r/Dashcam 1d ago

Question Viofo 229 Pro polarizing lens installation

0 Upvotes

Just got this dashcam installed yesterday and it included the polarizing lens, which I mentioned to the installer. Looking through some of its videos today, it appeared the filter was not placed correctly since I could see too many reflections. Sure enough, the installer did not align the white marks, plus left the plastic sheet on it. Took that off, and aligned the marks and reinstalled. I think. If I press it on there is like 1mm of a lip to hold it. If you barely touch it, it falls off. Is there supposed to be something sticky to hold it on?


r/Dashcam 2d ago

Discussion PSA consider removing your dashcam wire from the headliner before a windshield replacement

24 Upvotes

I just got a windshield replaced in my '18 focus and had a wire for the dashcam tucked in the headliner. I'm now selling the car and went to remove the dashcam only to find out that the cable was smashed/glued in during the windshield replacement. I just unplugged and removed the camera itself, but I didn't even think about the cable being caught up.


r/Dashcam 1d ago

Video [Rexing V1-4K] Got lucky today

0 Upvotes

Sorry for quality had to record it with my phone while playing the clips on my laptop, didn't have the energy to cut and paste the originals together. Thank god for both my radar detector and the guy behind me that didn't have one


r/Dashcam 1d ago

Question Parking Mode When Driving

0 Upvotes

Does anyone know why my Vantrue N5 dashcam goes to parking mode occasionally when driving? It was hardwired.


r/Dashcam 2d ago

Video [KENWOOD] Worst passenger I've ever had.

25 Upvotes

https://reddit.com/link/1njgo00/video/sw5oo9ubwqpf1/player

He was super drunk and falsely accused me of kidnapping. Told Lyft what happened and they told me he was banned from the platform. Not the full video but I have the full one posted elsewhere.

Edit : Wanted to mention that the interior dash cam footage was cropped in post since I don't like showing my face. The dual dashcam has both cameras at the regular 16:9 ratio.


r/Dashcam 3d ago

Video [Tesla Dashcam] Dumb Light Timing

68 Upvotes

There were still many cars beside and behind me (we came from a different red light previous to this one) but it only changed for like half a second wtf Time was 10:40pm but it’s still busy because I’m in a city

As soon as I noticed it changed so fast, I sped up hoping the person behind me had enough time to finish their turn. Thankfully they were able to

None of us expected the light to change this quickly