[jmh600cbr]

Dash cam - best priced and quality and easy install?

[omgf80]

Blackvue 900x-2CH gets my vote

[jmh600cbr]

Originally Posted by omgf80

Blackvue 900x-2CH gets my vote

How hard is it to install it yourself?

[dtox9]

Originally Posted by jmh600cbr

How hard is it to install it yourself?

IF you only want to operate it while driving (and not parked), it can be as simple as plugging it into a 12V power port.

IF you want to permanently hard wire it, it's typically three wires - hot / ground / camera.

IF you want it to function while parked and the ignition turned off, it's best to connect it to an external battery pack.

They're all pretty much the same... you just need to research what kind you think will work best for you.... ratings, sizes, aesthetics, video quality, etc.

I installed the Viofo A129 Plus Duo a month ago and couldn't be happier with it so far.

[Violator]

Originally Posted by omgf80

Blackvue 900x-2CH gets my vote

BlackVue 2CH is a great option, I’m on my 2nd one. Easy to install depending on how you want it, it can be super simple as previously stated, or more difficult to “hardwire.”

[omgf80]

Originally Posted by jmh600cbr

How hard is it to install it yourself?

As others have said, it just depends on if you want it hardwired or not. Its fairly easy to run the wires across the headliner, down the A-Piller and then back to the trunk. That's where you will use a fuse tap for power/hook it up. Tommy L Garage did a pretty helpful video on how to hardwire (any) Dashcam on our cars.

[Wolf 335]

Originally Posted by omgf80

As others have said, it just depends on if you want it hardwired or not. Its fairly easy to run the wires across the headliner, down the A-Piller and then back to the trunk. That's where you will use a fuse tap for power/hook it up. Tommy L Garage did a pretty helpful video on how to hardwire (any) Dashcam on our cars.

Why all the way to the trunk? You can tap into the glovebox fuse panel.

[MaximusB]

Personally I hate blackvue. I don't like how it doesn't have a true built in parking mode and how it relies on the power magic add on.

My preference is the Thinkware F800 or Q800. Everything you need such as parking mode, red light/speed camera warning, lane departure warning...etc are all built-in into the camera itself. You have the option of turning on/off each feature. F800 model is a bit older and does 1080p. Where the Q800 is their newest model which is 2k. Personally 2K is a sweet spot resolution wise because the file size is still somewhat small, so it is faster to transfer footages to your phone, and it is clear enough to read license plates from a fair distant. Thinkware also makes a 4K version but I don't like the look of that camera.

I have 2 F800 and 1 Q800, as well as have installed several of them in my friend's cars. So far not a single issue whatsoever. Installed a Blackvue for my friend's car and it was nothing but headaches, such as parking mode not kicking in at random times, fail to record to SD card, randomly formatting the card while driving..etc. This friend tossed the Blackvue after a month and switched to the Thinkware Q800 and he liked it so much that he ended buying another one for his weekend car.

[Fast.F10]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Purchased 1 for my E60 5 years ago, moved it to my F250 SD, and now in my F10. Records as soon as the car starts and shuts of like 20 seconds after turning car off. Saved to microSD and over writes after X days.

[MaximusB]

Originally Posted by Wolf 335

Why all the way to the trunk? You can tap into the glovebox fuse panel.

You need to run it all the way to the back if you want rear camera. Also some cars such as the Mercedes C63 and X5 have the main fuse panel in the trunk. I prefer to get constant power and ground off the battery, and only tap into the fuse for acc. power.

[GenXer]

I love my Garmin 46 Dash Cam.
It's small. Comes with 2 cords ( 90 degree down to a cigarette lighter. 90 degree up towards the roof so you can hide the cord in the headliner) 2 mounting pads that serve as metal base for magnetic mount.

Auto recording, voice control, lane keeping assist, collision warning, moving traffic assist, traffic camera warning and GPS location. Garmin software could stitch addition cameras to the video if needed.

I got mine at Bestbuy for $119
I like it so much I bought two and gave one to my friend as a Christmas gift.

[rbryantaz]

I have an aliexpress version on my e70 and e90. It works just fine and is well hidden.


https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...%2315608%23156


It only supports 32gb cards though. I got the front and rear cameras. Make sure you get the one that matches your rear view mirror housing style, there are a few over the years for e70/f20/e90/etc


The rear can mount the license plate light if you buy that housing (there are 2-3 versions of these).

I think this driver side one is the better light shell because it is more sealed:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3299...archweb201603_


The passenger side one is open on one side. On the e90 I use both (one for the backup camera, one for the DVR, both have to be fisheye cameras on it or it is too low though so I had to do some hacking to make a different camera work than the one that comes with the DVR)

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3299...archweb201603_

Note how this one is open, I sealed mine with some electronics safe silicone. The light doesn't plug right in like the first one either so you have to splice it in or add a connector. I also had to trim the tabs a bit with a utility knife on it because the metal is too thick and it doesn't click in. So the driver side one is just better...

-Rich

[bumpy]

If you need something to record while driving, most on market will do the job, Viofo A119 or A129 have good rep for video quality and reliability, Vantrue N2 Pro or N4 are also decent.

If you care about recording during parking, like I do, Blackvue or Thinkware is the only way to go.

I run Blackvue DR750X-2CH on wife's Audi and DR750-2CH LTE on my X2. Video quality is mediocre but have stealth design, app that's easy to use with enough setting granularity, built in LTE for live view during parking and instant impact/motion notification made it a fairly easy decision for me. Just released DR900/750/590 X series have built-in voltage detection so they instantly switch between parking and driving mode now, as well as preventing battery drain, if you decide to hardwire it.

Rear cam install was easier than expected on both cars, just tuck the wires under trim. On X2 I'm using battery bank that's connected to cigarette outlet to power the cams during parking without hardwiring.

[jd__m4]

I use a Blueskysea B1W hardwired to my acc. It's pretty no frills, I only record while driving. I've had it for two years and in three different cars, no complaints.

[7smurfs]

Have a BlackVue 900X-2CH on mine. Only thing would say is that with parking mode hardwired, and voltage set to 12.5V cut off, you may still get battery drain while stationary warnings.

So to avoid this, I simply remove the power plug every time I’m parked in the garage. A bit annoying!