Looking for a dash cam...

[Jrel209]

I got this viofo a129 pro with hardwire kit. No rear camera (but has option) and hardwire kit allows it to record while parked.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07RZQJYDW/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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[Zeus]

I got this viofo a129 pro with hardwire kit. No rear camera (but has option) and hardwire kit allows it to record while parked.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07RZQJYDW/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Does the monitor stay on while driving? Or is that like to watch an instant replay?

 

[Jrel209]

Does the monitor stay on while driving? Or is that like to watch an instant replay?

monitor turns off while driving. There is a wifi button you press on the camera if you want to replay a video or download and control it via your phone app, i have an iphone so not sure how it is ok other flavors.

 

[Aaron77]

I know I'm a little late, but on my previous vehicle I had a Thinkware F770 dual camera system. I had the rear camera pointed out the rear window, but you could just as easily mount it to record the cabin instead.

They make a kit to hardwire it to your vehicle so the camera powers on when you turn on your truck, and also can record when it's off and parked. The camera has settings to power off if you're vehicle battery gets to a certain level so it doesn't kill your battery, definitely something to consider if you want to record while parked! I usually just had it record a few minutes before it would power down, but I could have changed the settings to record a picture every few seconds instead of video to get more timeframe coverage.

I had that camera for a few years and loved it. I did wish the camera quality was a bit better, front was 1080p while the rear was 720p, but the newer ones are available in 4k (which is important if you're trying to read a license plate). They also sell a battery pack so it can last longer when parked and not run off the vehicle battery, but it's not cheap and I never got it.

I'm considering getting one of the newer 4k models for my new ranger, (hello by the way lol) I still have my older F770 but might throw that in my wife's car.

Before I bought the Thinkware I was also looking at BlackVue which offers similar competing models, but ultimately I liked the flat profile of the Thinkware.

Only problem with the Ranger is I can't figure out where the heck I'm going to mount a camera since there's that massive thing behind the rear view mirror. I wish car manufacturers would just build these things into the vehicle like a rear view camera for backing up.

 

[Zeus]

monitor turns off while driving. There is a wifi button you press on the camera if you want to replay a video or download and control it via your phone app, i have an iphone so not sure how it is ok other flavors.

Ok cool. I will look into this one also. Thanks.

 

[Gunza]

So I've been mulling over this exact question for the past few days, doing research and such, and I've got it down to 4 choices I think: (listed in order of expense)

1. Thinkware U1000 ($499msrp) https://us.thinkware.com/product-page/u1000-front-rear-dash-cam-bundle/

2. Blackvue DR900x-2ch ($479msrp) https://blackvue.com/product/dr900x-2ch/

3. Thinkware Q800Pro ($399msrp, $299 on their site sale) https://us.thinkware.com/product-page/q800pro-front-rear-dash-cam-bundle/

4. Viofo A129 Pro Duo($249msrp) https://www.viofo.com/en/home/149-2...ry_card-no_card/warehouse-china_stock_for_all


And this is where I'm stuck. trying to balance the features of each with the form factors and other considerations.

Opinions appreciated.

 

[Tom_C]

I actually use 2, one front and one rear. I thought it was easier to have 2 than to run all the wiring to have one record unit and front and rear cams.

Front: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HD6PIDC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Rear: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M592J9C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Going on over 3 years without problems. I use 32G memory sticks and it will record many hours (8+) before overwriting.

The front cam is a bit higher res and will continue recording for a short time after power is disrupted, in case an accident causes a power outage. The rear cam will stop recording almost instantly.

Only problem with the Ranger is I can't figure out where the heck I'm going to mount a camera since there's that massive thing behind the rear view mirror. I wish car manufacturers would just build these things into the vehicle like a rear view camera for backing up.

My front cam is mounted to the right of the RV mirror. The rear cam is mounted to the left of the rear headrest (as looking from inside the cab) and fits in between the sliding window and headrest.

 

[Viscerol]

If it records while it is parked, be prepared for a dead battery. They make external battery packs but they are as much as the camera in most instances.
I am getting the one (can’t remember the brand) that has front and rear camera in the one unit that goes in the windshield. You still get the rear of the vehicle, interior and out front without having to run the cable all the way to the back.

 

[Trigganometry]

I’m using one of these contour roam2 because I already have a coupe of them. High def and orientation isn’t an issue. Can also wifi to your phone.

 

[Rene Michaels]

What price range are you looking at? I ask because these range from $99.00-$1000.00. I don't have one yet but after looking around a lot I'm pretty sure this is the one I'll get. IIRC someone on here has this one and the video is great! I'm interested to see what others have to say too because it's been a while since I looked into them.

https://www.amazon.com/BLACKVUE-DR9...1C6B5/ref=dp_prsubs_2?pd_rd_i=B07CZ1C6B5&th=1

I've been buying on Amazon for many years. But lately I've noticed they no longer have the best prices (regardless of what their current TV commercial says). It seems Amazon has been raising prices on almost everything lately. They were always my go-to for the lowest prices, but not anymore. Once I decide on what I want to buy, I always spend a little time comparison shopping for the best price.

Amazon seller wants $574.63 and here it is on Adorama for $369.99:
https://www.adorama.com/bvdr9s1ch16g.html?origterm=blackvue+dr900s-1ch&searchredirect=true

CORRECTION, the one on Adorama is the 1C model. ;They no longer have the 2C model. I would still shop around

 

[Tom_C]

I've been buying on Amazon for many years. But lately I've noticed they no longer have the best prices (regardless of what their current TV commercial says). It seems Amazon has been raising prices on almost everything lately. They were always my go-to for the lowest prices, but not anymore. Once I decide on what I want to buy, I always spend a little time comparison shopping for the best price.

Amazon seller wants $574.63 and here it is on Adorama for $369.99:
https://www.adorama.com/bvdr9s1ch16g.html?origterm=blackvue+dr900s-1ch&searchredirect=true

True. I usually always shop around. The only caveat is that if you buy from Amazon the return process is typically painless. Not true from other sellers. But, if you save enough then that issue can be worth it.

 

[Gunza]

also have to watch out for fakes on amazon, especially with electronics.

 

[TomC]

Here is a good website…bought 4 from here, dual channel setups. Not the cheapest, but lotsa info.

https://www.blackboxmycar.com/

 

[Chicago_2]

Watch the reviews on the cheap ones. They are useless if they cannot clearly record a license plate number. I have a BlackVue with dual cameras and a backup battery. It is probably more than I need. It is more than you want, so I won’t say you need that one. Just stay away from the dirt cheap ones, they are useless and a waste of money.

I'd disagree. I owned two Blackviews, one with front and rear. I don't think there was anything great about the quality and they are not user friendly, the WiFi sucks and making out plates is tough. When I bought the Ranger, I bought one inexpensive Rove dashcam ($130/Amazon) and I was pleased. I'm not making movies with it but It was 1/4 the price of the Blackview. I ended up buying three more. I have one in the front window. I also have an ARE Z2 cap and I have cameras facing left, right and to the rear. Also, 5% tint on all windows behind the drivers door. They perform well through the tint during the day but night is a bit tough. I also bought the additional devices that put them into parking mode which can be set to a shock sensor or motion. It does have WiFi but I do not use that.

 

[AutobotXJ]

So I've been mulling over this exact question for the past few days, doing research and such, and I've got it down to 4 choices I think: (listed in order of expense)

1. Thinkware U1000 ($499msrp) https://us.thinkware.com/product-page/u1000-front-rear-dash-cam-bundle/

2. Blackvue DR900x-2ch ($479msrp) https://blackvue.com/product/dr900x-2ch/

3. Thinkware Q800Pro ($399msrp, $299 on their site sale) https://us.thinkware.com/product-page/q800pro-front-rear-dash-cam-bundle/

4. Viofo A129 Pro Duo($249msrp) https://www.viofo.com/en/home/149-2...ry_card-no_card/warehouse-china_stock_for_all


And this is where I'm stuck. trying to balance the features of each with the form factors and other considerations.

Opinions appreciated.

I have the Thinkware u1000 and it’s great! Camera quality is nice and comes with rear cam and hardwire kit. The only thing is that the collision detection auto record comes on a lot when you are going offroad?
When I first set off to buy a dashcam, I was going to go the cheap simple route but figured I might as well spend more to get something that will do exactly what I want and at the video quality I need. I don’t want to end up purchasing this unit anyway after the cheaper unit quits in a year or so.

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