The definitive dashcam thread

[StorableComa]

Anyone know if a company makes a power adapter that a dashcam could use from the auto dimming homelink mirrors some might have?

Similar to this?
https://dongar.tech/collections/adapters

Doesn't look like it'd be hard to build. Just need to confirm our mirror is 12v.

One issue though is if the camera has a standby mode, I believe the mirror is on an accessory leg, so it only powers with ignition turned on.

If the camera only has to function while driving- no parking mode, it would be easy to do. Confirming the mirror is 12v now, then just need to confirm the mates for the connectors if interested.

 

[DangerDane2008]

I’m running a rexing V1P and can’t stand it. The hardware is fine and operates fine but the software/app is the absolute worst experience. I’m in the market for something else. Wanting to spend no more than $350. I’ve heard good things about the Viofo. Any other suggestions?

https://viofo.com/dash-cam/293-viof...ashcam-with-sony-starvis-2-imx678-sensor.html

 

[Chubby Bunny]

I have Viofo in all my vehicles, so far so good, I like the simplicity and options available. No Complaints

 

[SPLR337]

I had a KD Links camera. It was a bit big, with a suction cup mount. Worked well and did its job but I recently replaced it with a Garmin mini 2. Not very impressed. The power cuts out over bumps, it has connection issues, and the quality isn't any better than my previous camera. However, it is very small and easy to hide behind the rear view mirror.

 

[avenali312]

I’m running a rexing V1P and can’t stand it. The hardware is fine and operates fine but the software/app is the absolute worst experience. I’m in the market for something else. Wanting to spend no more than $350. I’ve heard good things about the Viofo. Any other suggestions?

https://viofo.com/dash-cam/293-viof...ashcam-with-sony-starvis-2-imx678-sensor.html

V1P 3rd Gen? I love mine for the simplicity, and other than a weird issue I had a couple of years into ownership that was solved by a firmware update (pretty responsive tech support, which I found surprising for ran Amazon purchase), it has been solid. I don't use the app though since I feel like pulling one of those files wirelessly feels like it would take forever. I always just pop out the SD card and pull video that way. Obviously, that's not great if you were at the scene of an accident. I think my next one might be one of the Garmin offerings.

 

[Acadia18]

The Dride 4K says it's finally shipping. But the front only. Rear cam will come in another few months...

 

[axsys]

I have a link in my sig for my hardwiring tips for anyone who needs it.

I’ve used A119 cams in both cars for 4+ years with basically no issues.

Recently traded my GTI in for an S4 and fortunately there is tappable power in the mirror so it makes it super clean and easy to install any front cam. I ended up finding one that doesn’t seem quite as good as the A119 but I’m happy to have it for the stealth look.
It’s by a company called FitCamX on Amazon. Not sure they make anything for certain VW models or not though.

View attachment 208358

Are you still using the FitCamX? I have been looking at adding one to my GTI, but there are not many reviews on Amazon for it. Any issues you've experienced in the last 2 years?

 

[ReadTheBook]

Are you still using the FitCamX? I have been looking at adding one to my GTI, but there are not many reviews on Amazon for it. Any issues you've experienced in the last 2 years?

I actually sold the car that had it a year ago in favor of an MK4 R32.

Just picked up a Spektrum and was looking at cams and saw the fitcam is offered for the platform.

My experience was fine, but only fine. The app available at the time was 3rd party and pretty janky. It seems like they have their own app now and the ratings are pretty terrible. Shame because it could be awesome combo if the software didn’t suck.

 

[Acadia18]

The Dride 4K says it's finally shipping. But the front only. Rear cam will come in another few months...

Ahahaha. Nearly two months later, still not shipping. Update two weeks ago said it would start shipping last Monday. Still hasn't happened...

 

[the]

My recommendation is the VIOFO A119 V3 or the A129 if you want front and back. You want the wedge cams that don't hang or rely on a hinge. All that cheap plastic stuff fails and it's best to avoid it.

I stole this list from reddit, it has been pretty spot on for a long time.

Best value (Solo Cam):

• B1W ($55-57 USD) (Firmware update to fix ios playback issues)
• B4K ($120 USD)
• Viofo A119 v3 ($88-120 USD)
• Viofo A129 Plus ($112-140 USD) - Similar to A119v3, but 60fps

Best value Dual cams:

• B4K ($120 USD) + Rear Cam ($25 USD) Rear cam
• Viofo A129 Plus Duo ($142-176 USD)
• BlackVue DR590 ($216-240 USD)

Premium Dual Cams:

• VIOFO A129 Pro Duo ($200-249 USD)
• Thinkware Q800PRO ($350-400 USD)
• BlackVue DR750X-2CH (LTE MODEL) ($378-420 USD)
• Thinkware U1000 ($500 USD)

Taxi/Uber Cam:

• VIOFO A129 Plus IR 2CH ($179 USD)
• VIOFO T130 3CH ($240 USD)
• Viofo A139 3CH ($270 USD)
• BlackVue DR750S IR 2CH ($380-400 USD)
• BlackVue DR750X IR 2CH LTE ($404-450 USD) LTE Cloud

 

[Salami]

Just picked up a Spektrum

What color is it?

 

[ReadTheBook]

What color is it?

Dark Violet Pearl

 

[Chubby Bunny]

My recommendation is the VIOFO A119 V3 or the A129 if you want front and back. You want the wedge cams that don't hang or rely on a hinge. All that cheap plastic stuff fails and it's best to avoid it.

I have both of these, A129 in GTI and A119 in my Palisade, they are both great. I do have some issues with the power glitching and I have to reset, thinking I am going to get an internal battery bay. But overall, great cameras and a good price

 

[KyACRASH]

I've had the A119 v3 for about a year, would definitely recommend - up until a few weeks ago, it has started constantly power cycling. No identifiable rhyme or reason to it, sometimes it just turns off and then back on. I've been troubleshooting but no solution yet.

Other than that, for the price, features, video quality, ease of installation, etc., it's a great camera.

 

[Acadia18]

So. after about 18 months of delays, I finally got my Dride4K in.

Well, half of it at least. The rear cam will be sent separately, and won't arrive for probably another year. Considering they posted the 'Production finished, we've gotten all the units!' update on April 10th, and it took almost 5 months after that to actually get my camera in. And since I want a rear cam, I won't be taking out my Viofo T130 until that comes in.

Initial feedback from others who have gotten their camera is... not that good. Despite being 4K, the video quality is pretty close to ass.

Dride footage starts at about 2:10 in the video. But here's a zoom comparison between a different dashcam and the Dride:

Fucking yikes.

I plugged it into a USB wall outlet to play around with it, and wasn't super impressed. The app is kinda slow and annoying to use. But that can at least be improved over time. Hopefully it's functional next year when I get the rear cam in

The camera itself uses a USB C cable for power. Initially they said it could be plugged into a USB port in your car for power (even calling it out in the instruction booklet), but have since gone back on that, stating you must hard wire it.

An update they posted on Indiegogo

They do give you the stuff to hard wire it included in the box. My guess is, many car built in USB ports and cigarette lighter USB power adapters don't provide enough power to the camera, so they just said "Yeah, you can't do that". I'm still going to grab a 12V 3A car USB adapter, and see if I can get it to work that way just to test it. I'm not going to hard wire 2 dash cams into my fuse box at the same time, but wouldn't mind playing around with it.