Inexpensive option for a quality dashcam

[danp]

I had a dash cam on every car I had (up until my tesla which doesn't need it) and I would always wire it into the fuse box. It's much cleaner than having wires hanging down to your 12v outlet. Just find a fuse that is switched (only on when the car is on) and use a fuse tap. It doesn't take long to do.

For the bike, don't use a car dash cam, find one specifically for bikes, because it'll have a forward facing and rear facing camera. I think mine was just over $100.

The key is they need to be set and forget, you want it to turn on when you turn on your engine, and turn off when you turn off the engine, and you never need to remember to do anything with the camera.

 

[mimico_polak]

I had a dash cam on every car I had (up until my tesla which doesn't need it) and I would always wire it into the fuse box. It's much cleaner than having wires hanging down to your 12v outlet. Just find a fuse that is switched (only on when the car is on) and use a fuse tap. It doesn't take long to do.

For the bike, don't use a car dash cam, find one specifically for bikes, because it'll have a forward facing and rear facing camera. I think mine was just over $100.

The key is they need to be set and forget, you want it to turn on when you turn on your engine, and turn off when you turn off the engine, and you never need to remember to do anything with the camera.

Agreed. I've had a dashcam on every car I've had in the last decade. The GTI is a temp car so that's why I'm not overly concerned.

I need to find that damn Thinkware camera and get it setup. Too many idiots out there.

I think the electrical work is beyond me, but I'm OK to just pull trim and make it a cleaner connection to a USB/lighter.

 

[JZ67]

This was the one I got for around $130 plus tax:

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B081YMLTFY?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

It records front and back on a loop and sits under my seat.

I second this option. Put this on my bike as well. Quality of recording is decent and wiring is pretty straight forward.

 

[GreyGhost]

only need to hardwire systems in if you want the parking - motion detector features; then you`re splicing into the wires.

otherwise it plugs into a 12v socket or usb port.

Or if you don't want dangling wires.

I install an add-a-fuse and run wire up the a-pillar and above headliner with a tail a few inches long to connect to camera behind mirror. Hardest part is getting a-pillar trim off as they all have airbags in there now.

Fwiw, I have some Chinese "4k" camera. It's fine. Blackvue or thinkware are undoubtedly better but almost an order of magnitude more money.

EDIT:
I have a Focuway M3. The 4K is functionally pretend (probably upscaled 1080p?) but otherwise it's decent. Has physical buttons not a touch screen. I dislike the lock button size and location (I would prefer it to be easy to find and large, a single button on the bottom would be ideal). Similar form factor to the one Evo likes with the shallow profile against the window and adjustable tilt lens. I need to download a bunch of clips from the past week to make a compilation.

Amazon.ca

 

[Evoex]

Or if you don't want dangling wires.

I install an add-a-fuse and run wire up the a-pillar and above headliner with a tail a few inches long to connect to camera behind mirror. Hardest part is getting a-pillar trim off as they all have airbags in there now.

Fwiw, I have some Chinese "4k" camera. It's fine. Blackvue or thinkware are undoubtedly better but almost an order of magnitude more money.

Nah you can hide it in the trim on pretty much every car I've seen. Don't need to pull the A pillar trim off, just pull it back far enough to slip the wire under.

I'll post my setup when I get the new whip back, being detailed currently.

 

[GreyGhost]

Nah you can hide it in the trim on pretty much every car I've seen. Don't need to pull the A pillar trim off, just pull it back far enough to slip the wire under.

I'll post my setup when I get the new whip back, being detailed currently.

To get from the fusebox to the a-pillar without a visible wire, I had to pull the trim completely in my car. Popping it out is simpler than removing it if that works for your application.

 

[Jampy00]

I think the app and mount I mentioned in my original post are still the cheapest and most versatile option for my limited driving.
Going to test things out and see how I like it, if anything the mount will prove useful even if the app is poop.

 

[FullMotoJacket]

I think the electrical work is beyond me, but I'm OK to just pull trim and make it a cleaner connection to a USB/lighter.

If your plug in the dash is switched run wires off the contacts on the back of it. Easy peasy. I wired in the lighted shift knob on my Audi directly from the contacts of the plug. 2 minutes. As long as the wiring harness steps down to 5v you're good to go.

 

[GreyGhost]

If your plug in the dash is switched run wires off the contacts on the back of it. Easy peasy. I wired in the lighted shift knob on my Audi directly from the contacts of the plug. 2 minutes. As long as the wiring harness steps down to 5v you're good to go.

His car is fancy. It's easy to make the lighter socket always on or with ignition only by moving the fuse over.

 

[mimico_polak]

His car is fancy. It's easy to make the lighter socket always on or with ignition only by moving the fuse over.

Tell me about it. Every shop I called for a hitch installed 'Oh....a GTI...well that needs this special unicorn wiring harness because you know...Germans...'

 

[LBV]

For anyone wanting a CAR dashcam that looks factory and clips under the rear view mirror while connecting to the wiring in that same rearview mirror I highly recommend FitCamX. They may or may not have for your model of car.

Bought 1 for my Polestar 2 and then bought another for the Bullitt to replace the one I already had there that would sometimes come on and sometimes not.

FITCAMX DASH CAM

fitcamx dash cam

fitcamx.com

I think they're also on Amazon but I suggest ensuring you get the proper model via their own website as manufacturers change the mounting places year to year sometimes.

 

[Jampy00]

For anyone wanting a CAR dashcam that looks factory and clips under the rear view mirror while connecting to the wiring in that same rearview mirror I highly recommend FitCamX. They may or may not have for your model of car.

Bought 1 for my Polestar 2 and then bought another for the Bullitt to replace the one I already had there that would sometimes come on and sometimes not.

FITCAMX DASH CAM

fitcamx dash cam

fitcamx.com

I think they're also on Amazon but I suggest ensuring you get the proper model via their own website as manufacturers change the mounting places year to year sometimes.

That is a nice option. Thanks for sharing.

 

[bigguy1]

How hard is it to hardwire in?

Very easy to hardwire

Inexpensive?

Viofo hands down.

If you are willing to spend some money: Blackvue, Thinkwarei

I”ll second the Viofo. I have the V229 pro front and rear camera. Works great and has come in handy several times. Once capturing a hit and run in front of me, shared video with the person hit, who shared with the cops. Easy to connect to your phone and download the footage. It also has parking mode, which is great for at work and while at the gym.

 

[bigguy1]

only need to hardwire systems in if you want the parking - motion detector features; then you`re splicing into the wires.

otherwise it plugs into a 12v socket or usb port.

No need to splice into wires. Just purchase a couple fuse taps. Very easy and clean

 

[Chris-CJ]

Just got a Thinkware F200 Pro fitted for an all-inclusive $400, front and rear cams on a hardwired installation.
Nothing fancy, just the essentials
- good picture under day or night conditions
- voltage sensor to save the vehicle battery
- monitoring during "park"
- heat sensor, to save the cam (it is on the windshield with direct sun exposure)
- clips viewable on a paired phone or from SD card on a PC