Dash Cams

[ANMEKNG]

David @subquark I just found this video and I thought you might like it as it compares all the Viofo dash cams. I didn't know there's a newer one out the A 139 pro which has a new Starvis 2 sensor. It gives you better low light pics and they have it in 1, 2 and 3 channel cams. I like the 2 channel 4K and I'm going to dig into that one a little more now. Hope this doesn't confuse you any more.

https://www.blackboxmycar.com/produ...nnel-dash-cam-with-gps?variant=40114234261559

This is actually the dash cam I ended up installing in my truck, the Viofo A139 Pro.

Quality is pretty good, no complaints, it does it's job.
Biggest downside is it's size, didn't want to put it under the factory camera so I put it to the right of it and because of the wide angle there's a tiny blind spot. I can still see pretty much everything that I need to though.

I'm a stickler for having things pretty much unnoticeable when I drive. I'll try to pull a recording or a screenshot later.

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[AzScorpion]

This is actually the dash cam I ended up installing in my truck, the Viofo A139 Pro.

Quality is pretty good, no complaints, it does it's job.
Biggest downside is it's size, didn't want to put it under the factory camera so I put it to the right of it and because of the wide angle there's a tiny blind spot. I can still see pretty much everything that I need to though.

I'm a stickler for having things pretty much unnoticeable when I drive. I'll try to pull a recording or a screenshot later.

Thanks for the info. I haven't bought it yet because I was still deciding on which one I wanted and we were leaving on vacation and I didn't have time to instal it. For the money this one seems like it's a good one and has everything the more expensive ones have.

The only thing I really like about the Thinkware is that you can use the OBD cable for power. That makes it much easier to instal and also shut down (just reach down and unplug it) if you're going to be parked for an extended amount of time.

 

[JACKSMYDOG]

Currently I have a Thinkware DC-E1-FG and I am very happy with it. I had the dealer install it when the truck was new, so over 2 years ago now, and no problems at all. It is mounted right of the rear view mirror cluster, and the power wire plugs in right on top, so it can be unplugged easily for extended parking.

It's hard wired so it does parking monitoring, and even has a voice report when you start the truck of how many visual motion or physical motion induced events while it was parked.

 

[9zero1790]

recently did a new dash cam Akaso 12 smart mirror. I like it. easy to install and it has more features than I really need like voice command and GPS tracking with camera footage etc.

 

[TuggerNutz]

So I'm on my 3rd dash cam in my truck. I started with the Blackvue 900s. Then switched to the VIOFO A139 pro 3 channel. And now the new Thinkware U3000 2 Ch.

Had all 3 hardwired to Blackvue external battery with expansion battery located under rear passenger seat. So I never ran into the risk of draining my truck battery. And was able to extend my parking mode run time.

I'll just give you my opinion right off the bat. The Thinkware is the best hands down. It's the latest to come with the starvis 2 sensor. It's app is way easier to use. Has a cloud option that can hook up to a hotspot. So you can have hook up to your trucks hotspot while you drive or an standalone one. The truck one will shut off in parking mode. Standalone can run as long as it has power. There's ways to hook it up to the external battery.

Can use a OBD II port for easy install with the Thinkware. But it's
pretty easy to just install an external battery to really see it shine. Out of all these that I used the U3000 has the best parking mode run time. The VIOFO parking will shut off after a few hours no matter what settins I use. And I'll still have about 60% on my external batteries. This resulted in me not getting my parking lot collision because of it. That was the last straw for that camera. The app is a pain to use as well. And no cloud features. You can be trying to change settings of the camera and it will automatically turn back on to recording before you finished. Very frustrating especially during a very stressful situation after an accident.

The biggest gripe I have with the Thinkware is it talks a lot with no way to turn off that I've found. It's really only speaks whenever you start up so not all the time though. It'll give you how many times it was bumped in parking mode. Then start up it'll say it's recording and if it's connected to the internet. The others can be silence through the app.

The Thinkware also has a thermal sticker to help protect it from the sun and a software setting to turn off if it gets too hot. Which is nice feature to extend the life of the camera. I have the Thinkware right under the Ford front collision camera. It doesn't really block your view too much and you get used to it after awhile. Here's a picture of the Thinkware. It's got ba cool security light that you can turn off if you want. I got it to go left to right like Kit from Knight Rider.

Sorry I see if I can get better pics if you want.

No matter which one you get though always get an external card reader that you can use with your phone. You'll be able to find the video clips faster and save them and share if you have to.

 

[Loweredon33s]

So I'm on my 3rd dash cam in my truck. I started with the Blackvue 900s. Then switched to the VIOFO A139 pro 3 channel. And now the new Thinkware U3000 2 Ch.

Had all 3 hardwired to Blackvue external battery with expansion battery located under rear passenger seat. So I never ran into the risk of draining my truck battery. And was able to extend my parking mode run time.

I'll just give you my opinion right off the bat. The Thinkware is the best hands down. It's the latest to come with the starvis 2 sensor. It's app is way easier to use. Has a cloud option that can hook up to a hotspot. So you can have hook up to your trucks hotspot while you drive or an standalone one. The truck one will shut off in parking mode. Standalone can run as long as it has power. There's ways to hook it up to the external battery.

Can use a OBD II port for easy install with the Thinkware. But it's
pretty easy to just install an external battery to really see it shine. Out of all these that I used the U3000 has the best parking mode run time. The VIOFO parking will shut off after a few hours no matter what settins I use. And I'll still have about 60% on my external batteries. This resulted in me not getting my parking lot collision because of it. That was the last straw for that camera. The app is a pain to use as well. And no cloud features. You can be trying to change settings of the camera and it will automatically turn back on to recording before you finished. Very frustrating especially during a very stressful situation after an accident.

The biggest gripe I have with the Thinkware is it talks a lot with no way to turn off that I've found. It's really only speaks whenever you start up so not all the time though. It'll give you how many times it was bumped in parking mode. Then start up it'll say it's recording and if it's connected to the internet. The others can be silence through the app.

The Thinkware also has a thermal sticker to help protect it from the sun and a software setting to turn off if it gets too hot. Which is nice feature to extend the life of the camera. I have the Thinkware right under the Ford front collision camera. It doesn't really block your view too much and you get used to it after awhile. Here's a picture of the Thinkware. It's got ba cool security light that you can turn off if you want. I got it to go left to right like Kit from Knight Rider.

Sorry I see if I can get better pics if you want.

No matter which one you get though always get an external card reader that you can use with your phone. You'll be able to find the video clips faster and save them and share if you have to.

I have the Thinkware Q800pro and I can turn off the audio. Mine is silent. I’m also extremely happy with it in pretty much every way aside from occasional connectivity issues but it’s rare.

 

[AzScorpion]

So I'm on my 3rd dash cam in my truck. I started with the Blackvue 900s. Then switched to the VIOFO A139 pro 3 channel. And now the new Thinkware U3000 2 Ch.

Had all 3 hardwired to Blackvue external battery with expansion battery located under rear passenger seat. So I never ran into the risk of draining my truck battery. And was able to extend my parking mode run time.

I'll just give you my opinion right off the bat. The Thinkware is the best hands down. It's the latest to come with the starvis 2 sensor. It's app is way easier to use. Has a cloud option that can hook up to a hotspot. So you can have hook up to your trucks hotspot while you drive or an standalone one. The truck one will shut off in parking mode. Standalone can run as long as it has power. There's ways to hook it up to the external battery.

Can use a OBD II port for easy install with the Thinkware. But it's
pretty easy to just install an external battery to really see it shine. Out of all these that I used the U3000 has the best parking mode run time. The VIOFO parking will shut off after a few hours no matter what settins I use. And I'll still have about 60% on my external batteries. This resulted in me not getting my parking lot collision because of it. That was the last straw for that camera. The app is a pain to use as well. And no cloud features. You can be trying to change settings of the camera and it will automatically turn back on to recording before you finished. Very frustrating especially during a very stressful situation after an accident.

The biggest gripe I have with the Thinkware is it talks a lot with no way to turn off that I've found. It's really only speaks whenever you start up so not all the time though. It'll give you how many times it was bumped in parking mode. Then start up it'll say it's recording and if it's connected to the internet. The others can be silence through the app.

The Thinkware also has a thermal sticker to help protect it from the sun and a software setting to turn off if it gets too hot. Which is nice feature to extend the life of the camera. I have the Thinkware right under the Ford front collision camera. It doesn't really block your view too much and you get used to it after awhile. Here's a picture of the Thinkware. It's got ba cool security light that you can turn off if you want. I got it to go left to right like Kit from Knight Rider.

Sorry I see if I can get better pics if you want.

No matter which one you get though always get an external card reader that you can use with your phone. You'll be able to find the video clips faster and save them and share if you have to.

I had the Thinkware U1000 in my '19 and of course as soon as the warranty was up it died. I tried to see if they'd either replace it or help (take a few bucks off buying another) but they wouldn't so it kind of soured me on getting another from them. Also, they're supposed to have the highest heat rated one out there that's why I bought it. At this point I don't know if any of them will survive our summer heat so I doubt I'll waste more money on another one. I've already thrown almost $500 (cam + radar module) away and this new one is even more.

 

[rydfree]

Thanks for the info. I haven't bought it yet because I was still deciding on which one I wanted and we were leaving on vacation and I didn't have time to instal it. For the money this one seems like it's a good one and has everything the more expensive ones have.

The only thing I really like about the Thinkware is that you can use the OBD cable for power. That makes it much easier to instal and also shut down (just reach down and unplug it) if you're going to be parked for an extended amount of time.

I have the Thinkware from Ford installed in my Bronco and so far I am satisfied with it.

https://accessories.ford.com/products/dashcam-with-rear-facing-camera-bundle-1

Install was super easy with the OBD port connection but it is a t-harness so would not be easy to unplug it. It plugs in line with the factory port then tucks away under the dash, The new OBD port goes into the factory bracket.

 

[TuggerNutz]

I had the Thinkware U1000 in my '19 and of course as soon as the warranty was up it died. I tried to see if they'd either replace it or help (take a few bucks off buying another) but they wouldn't so it kind of soured me on getting another from them. Also, they're supposed to have the highest heat rated one out there that's why I bought it. At this point I don't know if any of them will survive our summer heat so I doubt I'll waste more money on another one. I've already thrown almost $500 (cam + radar module) away and this new one is even more.

Yeah your situation is on the extreme side of heat. I don't know if your last one came with the heat shield sticker like the U3000 comes with. I'm actually surprised you haven't had any issues with that camera on your truck. That sucker gets super hot as well. I guess that's why the plastic cover is overly big and they have all of them black dots to dissipate heat.

I believe Blackvue now has dashcam that separates the cameras from the main unit.

 

[ANMEKNG]

Thanks for the info. I haven't bought it yet because I was still deciding on which one I wanted and we were leaving on vacation and I didn't have time to instal it. For the money this one seems like it's a good one and has everything the more expensive ones have.

The only thing I really like about the Thinkware is that you can use the OBD cable for power. That makes it much easier to instal and also shut down (just reach down and unplug it) if you're going to be parked for an extended amount of time.

Well, I completely forgot I never posted the photos.

Excuse the rainbow on the screen grab of the camera. My entire windshield is tinted and I have the polarizing lens on the camera to help with glare which gives it that rainbowing.

Only downside of where I mounted the camera is as you can see on the screen grab the bottom left corner is blocked by the factory camera. Otherwise, its out of sight, out of mind. Barely even notice it when I'm driving.

 

[Kawffin]

Has anyone used this?
Dongar Dash Cam Power Adapter (3-pin for Select Ford Vehicles. Compatible with 2019+ Ford Ranger, and More). USB Power Source, Connects to Rearview Mirror, Easy to Install – Compatible with Garmin https://a.co/d/5SsdbQv

 

[tnewcomb6370]

Has anyone used this?
Dongar Dash Cam Power Adapter (3-pin for Select Ford Vehicles. Compatible with 2019+ Ford Ranger, and More). USB Power Source, Connects to Rearview Mirror, Easy to Install – Compatible with Garmin https://a.co/d/5SsdbQv

Just installed one for my Nexar dash cam. Easy as can be and don't need to run a wire all the way down. Use one of the short adapter wires that they supply and it worked perfect.

 

[lukdeg]

Just installed one for my Nexar dash cam. Easy as can be and don't need to run a wire all the way down. Use one of the short adapter wires that they supply and it worked perfect.

can you explain how to remove the plug from the mirror? I tried searching everywhere and I an prone of broking plastic clips and parts....!!!

 

[tnewcomb6370]

can you explain how to remove the plug from the mirror? I tried searching everywhere and I an prone of broking plastic clips and parts....!!!

Just worked my finger in there and pulled down if I remember right.

 

[VengeanceWithin]

This seems to be relatively new and integrates into the Ranger like an OEM part. Little on the prices side but I really like the OEM look. They have a few different models 4K, 4K w/rear cam, 2K w/rear cam. Rear cams are 1080p. Easiest install required rain sensors.

Fitcamx Front 4K+Rear 1080P Dash Cam for 2019-2023 Ford Ranger XL XLT Lariat (Has Rain Sensor), OEM Look, Dual HD Video, Built-in WiFi & APP, Loop Recording, G-Sensor, Easy to Set, 128GB Card

https://a.co/d/iVMRryF

Here’s a review as well

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