Looking for a dash cam...

[Gunza]

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.

Do you run an external battery for parking mode or do you use the built-in voltage monitor?

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[AutobotXJ]

Do you run an external battery for parking mode or do you use the built-in voltage monitor?

I haven’t tried the hard wire yet, mostly because I don’t want a dead battery later. Saving up for the blackvue battery.
“I plan on trying the hardwire kit for a couple days Later this week”. I’ve had this camera for several months now, and I keep repeating that line ? it’s just that I don’t trust the battery management system on the ranger.

 

[Gunza]

Just incase anyone is lookin to buy, both Thinkware and Blackboxmycar are running sales this weekend. Picked up the stuff I was planning to get at a decent discount.

 

[Aaron77]

What dashcam did you end up going with?

 

[Gunza]

What dashcam did you end up going with?

I picked up a Thinkware U1000 2ch with the radar module and a Thinkware iVolt battery. After reading a ton of reviews and watching way too many YouTube comparisons, the features it has are worth the extra money to me and the battery backup made sense to protect the Ranger battery, which has been finicky for some as well as give me extended parking mode capabilities.

 

[AzScorpion]

I picked up a Thinkware U1000 2ch with the radar module and a Thinkware iVolt battery. After reading a ton of reviews and watching way too many YouTube comparisons, the features it has are worth the extra money to me and the battery backup made sense to protect the Ranger battery, which has been finicky for some as well as give me extended parking mode capabilities.

Once installed you'll have to let us know how you like it. I noticed it's out of stock from the link you posted but I'm in no rush to get one yet.

Edit: I see Best Buy & Amazon have it for the sale price too.

 

[Morgan1002]

I have a Thinkware F800 Pro and its been super reliable. The wifi connection to download the videos and preview the feed is super handy too.

 

[Gunza]

Once installed you'll have to let us know how you like it. I noticed it's out of stock from the link you posted but I'm in no rush to get one yet.

Edit: I see Best Buy has it for the sale price too.

I got mine from blackBoxMyCar, they’re running the same sale and had it in stock with the battery. If you’re looking for just the camera, BHPhoto also has them in stock. Didn’t even think to look at bestbuy to be honest.

 

[AzScorpion]

I got mine from blackBoxMyCar, they’re running the same sale and had it in stock with the battery. If you’re looking for just the camera, BHPhoto also has them in stock. Didn’t even think to look at bestbuy to be honest.

Ok now I started looking at blackboxmycar and my OCD is kicking in again. lol Looks like there's 3 good choices for a 4K dash cam the Thinkware, Blackvue and the VIOFO.The VIOFO looks like a really nice 4K dash cam for the money. Granted it doesn't have all the features that the Thinkware has but I really don't care about the lane assist and other bells and whistles. It's almost half the price for the duo and has the highest bitrate. Did you look into the VIOFO? Looks like you can add the batter backup and they all have the parking feature. Thoughts?

https://www.blackboxmycar.com/produ...nnel-dash-cam-with-gps?variant=30270170169399

 

[Gunza]

Ok now I started looking at blackboxmycar and my OCD is kicking in again. lol Looks like there's 3 good choices for a 4K dash cam the Thinkware, Blackvue and the VIOFO.The VIOFO looks like a really nice 4K dash cam for the money. Granted it doesn't have all the features that the Thinkware has but I really don't care about the lane assist and other bells and whistles. It's almost half the price for the duo and has the highest bitrate. Did you look into the VIOFO? Looks like you can add the batter backup and they all have the parking feature. Thoughts?

https://www.blackboxmycar.com/produ...nnel-dash-cam-with-gps?variant=30270170169399

So the VIOFO camera has a heat warning against it on the dashcams subreddit. Apparently it gets *really* hot to get that 4k quality and could effect longterm durability as well as safety, which factored into my choice.
I went with the "buy once, cry once" idiom, got what several sites regarded as the best on the market, and what I considered to look the best when watching comparison videos.

I took a good long look at it and if the Viofo crapped out on me and I had to replace it, I'd be more upset than just spending the extra cash on the Thinkware.

The Backvue was quickly ruled out watching comparison videos, it didn't look as crisp as the other two choices at all.

 

[AzScorpion]

So the VIOFO camera has a heat warning against it on the dashcams subreddit. Apparently it gets *really* hot to get that 4k quality and could effect longterm durability as well as safety, which factored into my choice.
I went with the "buy once, cry once" idiom, got what several sites regarded as the best on the market, and what I considered to look the best when watching comparison videos.

I took a good long look at it and if the Viofo crapped out on me and I had to replace it, I'd be more upset than just spending the extra cash on the Thinkware.

The Backvue was quickly ruled out watching comparison videos, it didn't look as crisp as the other two choices at all.

Heat is a very big concern for me considering where I live. It's not uncommon for daytime temps to be 110+ so the radiant heat hitting the windshield will be a lot higher. I'm also a firm believer of buy once, cry once and I've not had a chance to watch a lot of Youtube videos and the reviews.

It looks like you're OCD like I am and really looked into this thoroughly. The Thinkware does look like the best one out there. What's good is I have time because I will be putting this in my Bronco and I won't even be getting that until next year. But I guess I could get it sooner and use it in the Ranger and transfer it over. It doesn't look to hard to wire up especially if you're using the battery back up.

 

[AzScorpion]

I picked up a Thinkware U1000 2ch with the radar module and a Thinkware iVolt battery. After reading a ton of reviews and watching way too many YouTube comparisons, the features it has are worth the extra money to me and the battery backup made sense to protect the Ranger battery, which has been finicky for some as well as give me extended parking mode capabilities.

Looks like I'm going to follow your lead and get the Thinkware U1000 2ch. For now I'm going to wait on the radar module and the iVolt battery. I talked with BlackboxMyCar and told them what I was looking for and intended use and he said to start with this set up first. I added the ODB cable and will draw power from that. I like that it has a shut off switch built into it so when if I'm home parked for an extended time I can just shut it completely off.

I rarely leave my truck anywhere for days (besides my garage) so getting the radar and iVolt just didn't make sense right now. It's backordered until 6/3/21 but that's fine as I'm in no rush for it. The only drawback is it will be scorching hot here by then doing the install. It shouldn't be to bad just running the rear camera wire and the ODB line down the headliner.

Thanks for all the links and info!

 

[AzScorpion]

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.

Ray, how was it running the wiring for the rear camera? Any tips I need to know about and what route did you go with it? Also if you don't mind could you post a pic of where you mounted your cameras both front a rear. I figure if it's been working good for you I'll follow yours and not have to overthink it. lol Thanks!

 

[Gunza]

Haven't quite figured out where I'm gonna mount my battery, maybe under passenger seat, maybe under the 2nd row seats in those little cubbies. Figure I'd snake the back cam cable through the headliner if there's room and it's not too much of a pain in the ass, or maybe along the same route the battery cable is going and then up behind the back seat

 

[AutobotXJ]

Ray, how was it running the wiring for the rear camera? Any tips I need to know about and what route did you go with it? Also if you don't mind could you post a pic of where you mounted your cameras both front a rear. I figure if it's been working good for you I'll follow yours and not have to overthink it. lol Thanks!

I wired it quickly, thinking I’d rework it later? but here are some pics. I placed the front cam on the driver side because I was planning on hard wiring using the fuse panel. But I really haven’t been too motivated to hard wire considering the 12v plug keeps the cam on for over an hour- enough for most of my shopping needs.
My rear cam was originally facing outside but I got an RSI shell so I need to relocate it. The cord should be long enough, I just need to work myself up to put a hole in the rubber grommet on the firewall. I just ran the cord for the rear cam on the ground, tucked under the trim where I could and then behind the rear seat.

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