Dannni
New Member
Hey all. I am hoping you guys can help me with this. I am looking for a dash cam that is less than $200 (the closer to $100, the better). However, I have limited power supply options and I am really confused about this whole thing. Let me explain:
I just leased a Mazda CX-5.
I have only one 12V outlet in the front, located in the compartment between the two front seats. It is constantly powered, so the power isn't cut when the vehicle turns off.
I have a radar detector that I use on my drive to and from work every day. It gets plugged in to the 12V outlet (I unplug it when I park the car). Unfortunately, the wire for it dangles across the center console, but it's not that bad since I put the whole device away whenever I am not driving on the highway anyway.
I do have two USB ports where most cars would have a 12V outlet at the bottom of my center console.
Okay, so I am not sure how to go about getting a dash cam. My usual power source is already occupied, and I am not sure that I can hardwire the cam to my LEASED car. Anyone know the answer to this? Also, do you guys always leave the cam up? I want to leave it in my car because I want to know if someone breaks in or tries to steal the car, but wouldn't people want to steal the camera? If the camera is stolen, then the data on the SD card is lost, correct? I guess I can't have it recording all night anyway if I have to use a battery to power it. I don't care about GPS, I have no idea what the benefits of having WiFi are, and I would prefer a front and rear camera but it's not a deal breaker. Can anyone help me out??
I just leased a Mazda CX-5.
I have only one 12V outlet in the front, located in the compartment between the two front seats. It is constantly powered, so the power isn't cut when the vehicle turns off.
I have a radar detector that I use on my drive to and from work every day. It gets plugged in to the 12V outlet (I unplug it when I park the car). Unfortunately, the wire for it dangles across the center console, but it's not that bad since I put the whole device away whenever I am not driving on the highway anyway.
I do have two USB ports where most cars would have a 12V outlet at the bottom of my center console.
Okay, so I am not sure how to go about getting a dash cam. My usual power source is already occupied, and I am not sure that I can hardwire the cam to my LEASED car. Anyone know the answer to this? Also, do you guys always leave the cam up? I want to leave it in my car because I want to know if someone breaks in or tries to steal the car, but wouldn't people want to steal the camera? If the camera is stolen, then the data on the SD card is lost, correct? I guess I can't have it recording all night anyway if I have to use a battery to power it. I don't care about GPS, I have no idea what the benefits of having WiFi are, and I would prefer a front and rear camera but it's not a deal breaker. Can anyone help me out??