dash cam

[stringbreaker]

I don't want to spend and arm and a leg on a dash cam. Ive seen them really cheap on Amazon but as the old saying goes you get what you pay for. I would like to stay under $150.00 any suggestions.

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[subquark]

I don't want to spend and arm and a leg on a dash cam. Ive seen them really cheap on Amazon but as the old saying goes you get what you pay for. I would like to stay under $150.00 any suggestions.

That's a tough one and you're right, you can get a good one in your price range.

BlackBoxMyCar.com is a good resource.

I'm partial to Nextbase and have 622GWs for me and one for Kate, both with rear cam.

My install: https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/what-did-you-do-to-your-ranger-today.3511/post-607735

NextBase has one for $99 and it's 1080p: https://nextbase.com/dash-cams/222-dash-cam

But take a careful look at what you need. Do you need parking protection? The Nextbase takes long (6 seconds) to fire up, so I'd likely miss anyone hitting me parked.

And if you have more than a base XL, you can probably use a Dongar mirror connector to make it easy to install.

Edit: and I'm what's known as a social influencer, here's what a dashcam can do for you (waiting on that mad influencer money to roll in). =p

 

[Jmarler]

I got one like this for xmas 2022 and it works really good. Its on sale for 49 for prime members. I think it was 79 in 2022. Takes great videos

Dual Dash Cam 1080P, Dash Cam Front and Inside, Dash Camera for Cars with 32GB SD Card, Infrared Night Vision, 1.5 inch IPS Screen, Loop Recording, Accident Lock, WDR, Parking Monitor for Taxi Driver https://a.co/d/8in7V0d

 

[Dr_Strangelove]

One of the biggest reasons why folks spring for the 4k resolution models is; if you look at comparison videos online (link to one here,) you'll see that the biggest selling point is being able to read license plates at all times of day for hit and run situations.

A dash cam in general is a great tool, especially if both vehicles are stopped and you need solid documented proof of what happened. In a hit and run situation, however, you may find that you are unable to get a good plate read on a fleeing vehicle, especially at nighttime.

Just some info for you to fill in some context as to why you "get what you pay for."

 

[StarLord]

I have a Garmin Mini. It's small and does what I need it to do. I like it and have recommended it to others.

 

[Msfitoy]

Wolfbox...$129.99 with discount...front/rear cams...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B1LLMCS9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[thorn726]

obviously you can get a better one if you spend more but im happy with this which wow/ is even cheaper now, less than $50. I dont use the rear cam it is not great. front cam will help in an accident, records the odd things we see on the freeway. Colors will be off in weird sunlight like sunset but image quality is pretty good overall. Strangelove has a good point about 4k above. this one is good but you wont always be able to read a license plate https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B7QX8GLC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Tom_C]

Don't get a 1080. It looks good at first and then you realize you can't see everything you'd like to. Get a 4k if you can find one for that price.

 

[got3fords]

How do you have the rear one wired up?

 

[ppfd]

I got a clearance one at wal mart a few years ago for $18.00. Has an app to control it.
Does a decent job.

 

[Larchmount]

One of the biggest reasons why folks spring for the 4k resolution models is; if you look at comparison videos online (link to one here,) you'll see that the biggest selling point is being able to read license plates at all times of day for hit and run situations.

A dash cam in general is a great tool, especially if both vehicles are stopped and you need solid documented proof of what happened. In a hit and run situation, however, you may find that you are unable to get a good plate read on a fleeing vehicle, especially at nighttime.

Just some info for you to fill in some context as to why you "get what you pay for."

Thank you, it seems really worth it.

 

[subquark]

How do you have the rear one wired up?

Poorly!!! =D

The cable for it is 18 feet long (I'm not exaggerating) and I ran it from the front cam in the headliner over to the A pillar, into just the very top of it, then along the side of the headlined in my scab. I tucked as much wire as I could as I went along. Then into the rear pillar (C?) just enough to hide it, then into the rear edge of the headliner. It wasn't bad.

The biggest thing was getting past the suicide door loop (on which I smashed my skull).

Some pics are in this link:
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/thre...-your-ranger-today.3511/page-1342#post-607735

 

[subquark]

Thank you, it seems really worth it.

I enjoy the rear cam on mine because I can make it the full view and use it as additional visibility for backing and even changing lanes. It has a mirror mode so that it flips it and acts like an additional rear view mirror.

LOL, I can also keep an eye on anyone riding in the back (which is still legal in New Hampshire). =)

 

[subquark]

Thank you, it seems really worth it.

I got mine an accident too late, so most any dash cam is better than no dash cam.

I'd been looking at them and waiting for a sale when my wife was sideswiped in a hit-and-run. Old couple in a BMW SUV decided not to turn left from their protected left turn lane and decided to go straight and merged into Kate when the light turned green.

They took off to Maine like a bat out of hell (only a mile away) and no one got a tag number (and my daughter was riding with her!). =(

A $500 deductible and 3 weeks later, her car was almost as good as new (and subsequent hike in our insurance payments and loss of trade-in value).

While I like our Nextbases, they have a tiny battery and won't record for long if there's a hit when the car's off. As I mentioned, it takes too long to power on for parking protection to be useful. This could be overcome, to an extent, with an external battery pack but those are pretty costly.

I'm not convinced that my 4K is much better than 2K cams. It's more than just the stated resolution, it's how the video is processed and saved that affects the final legibility of tags.

Another concern is how many channels. Need only a front cam? Then a single channel is more economical and might mean higher quality than a two-channel cam. A 2-channel lets you add a rear cam, or maybe an internal facing cam (like if you're an Uber driver and need to record the passengers in the cab). And a 3-channel is more rare but allows for rear and cab cams.

Fun video demonstrating parking protection and time for a cam to spool up:


UPDATE: This seems like a nice deal for around $150, I'd certainly feel good with it as my cam:
https://www.blackboxmycar.com/products/viofo-a129-plus-duo-dash-cam-with-gps

 

[Awg9Tech]

Edit: and I'm what's known as a social influencer,

Dang it. Now I have to get a lazy boy for the truck bed.

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