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What are you folks using for dash cams? I figured I had better get something as I keep hearing how they help with insurance issues. Is a wifi connection that important or used very often? How often do you need to upload data anways? I'm not sold on the LCD screens as they feel so big and bulky. Do you place them high on the passenger side of the rear view or? Is GPS worth the expense?
Currently I'm looking at the Thinkware F200DG (wifi and no screen) and the Thinkware X700 (no wifi and a screen)
Any other suggestions or things I should be looking for?
I’ve used a couple different ones. I’m currently running a BlackVue 900 single 4K camera. No lcd screen. I copy data from it about 4 times a year via WiFi.
i had an earlier version that gave me some issues but this one has been great. Considering a second for the wife’s new truck.
Seems like they’re all pretty good at this point. I wanted something as small as possible with only basic features so I bought a Garmin Mini and it’s perfect. Not very noticeable, good image quality and easy to access with the app. I’ve only reviewed footage a couple of times when I’ve seen oddities on the road. Once I saw a guy’s bumper fall off on the highway and another time when I saw a guy with a truck camper that was tied down with ratchet straps wrapped over the top of the camper, down the side, under the frame of the pickup and then back up the other side. Hoping I never need it to review an accident but at least it’s there if I do!
I've been using a Mobius action cam (wide angle lens) for 5+ years now. They're small and super simple and only about $100 or so. I only had one die and that's because I left it recording on a super hot day. You will need to purchase a capacitor to replace the battery (batteries explode) and make sure you buy a high endurance SD card too. They are made for dash cams.
My dash cam has been helpful for small collisions and stuff but it also got me out of a felony kidnapping charge a few years ago. It's a long story but the camera saved my life. I will note that I had the audio recording turned on and that was helpful to record the verbal interactions.
Don't be fooled into buying an expensive dash cam. Everything breaks or gets stolen eventually. My buddy spent $500+ on a dash cam with 1000 features and it died in less than a year.
I actually just finished a install yesterday. I finally went to a nicer resolution front and rear camera setup. I have been upgrading the dash cams in all my vehicles as of late because my dash cams were old rexing 16gb 1080p and you couldn't see much. The picture quality of the new one is pretty amazing and you can download straight to your phone and do additional zooming or panning.
I can actually see clear image's and can slow down video and read license plates now.
I only have the front and the image is very good but the one I have is only SD card viewable. I only have one other one in my other vehicle to compare the image to and it is night and day for clarity over it.
Another Blackvue user. I had a DR900S 2-CH (Front/Rear) in my 2016 F-350 and just upgraded to the DR900X 2-CH for the new F-450. The DR900X adds smart battery management, so it no longer needs the Power Magic Pro for hardwiring, along with the ability to add an external LTE modem if you want connectivity when not near a WiFi hotspot.
I've found the front camera running @ 4K resolution produces the best image quality whereas the back camera is not as good running only at 1080p. I hardly ever download the files unless I capture something I want to save and that's quite easy using either the phone app or the computer application. I did upgrade the SD card to 128GB Samsung which allows for a lot more storage of video clips (especially when setting the video encoding to H.265).
With all of the poor, inattentive drivers on the road, I find having a dash cam a requirement to protect yourself against the idiots.
I use a ThinkWare Q800 Pro 2-channel (front and rear). I'm "semi-satisfied." It captures video and does what it's designed to do. I think there are most likely systems out there that would give better video and have a better user interface.
I've got a Garmin DashCam 56 that I am satisfied with. It connects easily to my Android phone. Last time I connected to the phone it told me that I had irrecoverable SD card errors and I'd better replace it.
I’ve used BlackVue DRS900s dual cam for 3 years now. It’s been great. WiFi is a must. I just picked up thinkware U1000 dual cam and will install shortly. I decided to try to thinkware to compare. Highly recommend a dash cam no matter which mode you get.
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