Entry level dash cam

[Captorofsin]

Hello. I'm looking for an entry level (*) dash cam that can withstand Florida heat. Definitely something with supercapacitors.

*I don't need GPS for any other bells and whistles. I'm on the fence on whether or not I need Wi-Fi.

The reason I might seem like a cheapo (not wanting all the bells and whistles) is because (from what I have gathered) a dash cam that can withstand high temperatures cost a lot of money. Without all the bells and whistles, I can get it down to a reasonable price.

 

[speedingcheetah]

Hello. I'm looking for an entry level (*) dash cam that can withstand Florida heat. Definitely something with supercapacitors.

*I don't need GPS for any other bells and whistles. I'm on the fence on whether or not I need Wi-Fi.

The reason I might seem like a cheapo (not wanting all the bells and whistles) is because (from what I have gathered) a dash cam that can withstand high temperatures cost a lot of money. Without all the bells and whistles, I can get it down to a reasonable price.

If you are looking for a single channel Front only, I always recommend the VIOFO A119 Mini 2. It is a excellent quality 2K resolution dash cam.
You can often find it for around $100 or so when on sale on Amazon.
You would also want to pick up one of the Recommended SD cards for the camera. The VIOFO Industrial cards are best for overall longevity and performance, but are a bit pricy.

 

[Captorofsin]

If you are looking for a single channel Front only, I always recommend the VIOFO A119 Mini 2. It is a excellent quality 2K resolution dash cam.
You can often find it for around $100 or so when on sale on Amazon.
You would also want to pick up one of the Recommended SD cards for the camera. The VIOFO Industrial cards are best for overall longevity and performance, but are a bit pricy.

I have never had a dash cam. I have been juggling between 2k and 4k. I just want something that will record good enough to be "evidence" in case something does sideways.

I drive a 2022 sienna. I want to pull the power from the electronic / electric at the rearview mirror.

 

[Captorofsin]

If you are looking for a single channel Front only, I always recommend the VIOFO A119 Mini 2. It is a excellent quality 2K resolution dash cam.
You can often find it for around $100 or so when on sale on Amazon.
You would also want to pick up one of the Recommended SD cards for the camera. The VIOFO Industrial cards are best for overall longevity and performance, but are a bit pricy.

Looks like there are two power jacks. One at the top and one on the side. What's the difference?

 

[speedingcheetah]

Looks like there are two power jacks. One at the top and one on the side. What's the difference?

U plug in the usb c power to the GPS mount. The other usb port is if you want to power the camera when off the mount, like when indoors.

Most good cams come with GPS standard these days.

I want to pull the power from the electronic / electric at the rearview mirror.

I would not recommend that and that could interfere with the vehicles sensor and safety systems to tap into that.
It is recommended to use the included USB CIG adapter and usb cable to power the camera. OR, purchase the Hardware kit (is required if you want to use Parking Mode recording)
The cam needs a steady 5V and certain amperage to operate. Also, if you power it off a always on circuit, it will always be on, and thus it will drain the cars battery. That is why the hardwire kit has Low Voltage Cuttoff.
I suggest you search and read a bit around on here, and also look at youtube video about dash cam install options.

 

[Captorofsin]

U plug in the usb c power to the GPS mount. The other usb port is if you want to power the camera when off the mount, like when indoors.

Most good cams come with GPS standard these days.


I would not recommend that and that could interfere with the vehicles sensor and safety systems to tap into that.
It is recommended to use the included USB CIG adapter and usb cable to power the camera. OR, purchase the Hardware kit (is required if you want to use Parking Mode recording)
The cam needs a steady 5V and certain amperage to operate. Also, if you power it off a always on circuit, it will always be on, and thus it will drain the cars battery. That is why the hardwire kit has Low Voltage Cuttoff.
I suggest you search and read a bit around on here, and also look at youtube video about dash cam install options.

There are adapters for that. I would just looking for a good adapter

 

[speedingcheetah]

There are adapters for that. I would just looking for a good adapter

Well, must be vehicle specific thing? First i have heard of such a adapter. Not sure if they are that popular a thing...others would have to chime in on that aspect.

 

[Captorofsin]

Well, must be vehicle specific thing? First i have heard of such a adapter. Not sure if they are that popular a thing...others would have to chime in on that aspect.

Please see attached picture of screenshot. It shows the two different power ports.

Lookat 6 and 13

Also, here's a link to those adapters I'm talking about.

Dash Cam Install Easy as 1..2..3..

Convert your mirror into a power source for your dash cam!

dongar.tech

 

[speedingcheetah]

Please see attached picture of screenshot. It shows the two different power ports.

Lookat 6 and 13

Also, here's a link to those adapters I'm talking about.

Dash Cam Install Easy as 1..2..3..

Convert your mirror into a power source for your dash cam!

dongar.tech

As I mentioned, and the manual goes on to show for install, you connect the power cord to the mount. The mount powers the camera when installed in a vehicle.
You can slid ethe cam off the mount, and use the USB C power port on the cam to power it when off the mount, if you need to for whatever reason.

As far as a Rear View Mirror adaptor goes, again, if you are looking for advice or suggestions on how well those work, or general advice on "hardwiring" a dash cam, there is a "Hardwire and Batteries" section that may give you better insight.
You can also use the search function, and see if others have posted about using a dash cam with those kinda of adapters, the pros and cons of them.
Though, i would think that most manufactures of dash cams may consider using such a Rear View Mirror adapter to be a un-supported type of install method, and you may not get any Support should you have any sort of issues or malfunctions with the dash cam itself. Most are going to tell you to use either the included Cig lighter to usb adapter and usb cord, or, their approved dedicated Hardwire Kit (that connects most often to a fuse box)

 

[Captorofsin]

As I mentioned, and the manual goes on to show for install, you connect the power cord to the mount. The mount powers the camera when installed in a vehicle.
You can slid ethe cam off the mount, and use the USB C power port on the cam to power it when off the mount, if you need to for whatever reason.

As far as a Rear View Mirror adaptor goes, again, if you are looking for advice or suggestions on how well those work, or general advice on "hardwiring" a dash cam, there is a "Hardwire and Batteries" section that may give you better insight.
You can also use the search function, and see if others have posted about using a dash cam with those kinda of adapters, the pros and cons of them.
Though, i would think that most manufactures of dash cams may consider using such a Rear View Mirror adapter to be a un-supported type of install method, and you may not get any Support should you have any sort of issues or malfunctions with the dash cam itself. Most are going to tell you to use either the included Cig lighter to usb adapter and usb cord, or, their approved dedicated Hardwire Kit (that connects most often to a fuse box)

The only thing that steers me away from a rear camera is I don't want to screw up my headliner.

 

[speedingcheetah]

The only thing that steers me away from a rear camera is I don't want to screw up my headliner.

For multi-channel dash cam models, A rear cam, typically mounts on the rear glass directly. The cable, is tucked into or in-between trim panels. Do not have to mess with headliner at all.
Though, each brand multi-channel dash cam, have their own different designs. it can vary wildly as to size, weight, and look of the rear channel cam.
The cables themselves, also, can vary. Ones that use USB based cables, are thicker and hard to route. Ones that use Coax cables, are often much thinner and much easier to route and tuck into places.
Most people route a rear cam's cable, down along the lower door trim, then back up the rear rim by the rear window.
It can get more, complex, if you have a hatchback, or anything other than a standard sedan.

 

[Captorofsin]

For multi-channel dash cam models, A rear cam, typically mounts on the rear glass directly. The cable, is tucked into or in-between trim panels. Do not have to mess with headliner at all.
Though, each brand multi-channel dash cam, have their own different designs. it can vary wildly as to size, weight, and look of the rear channel cam.
The cables themselves, also, can vary. Ones that use USB based cables, are thicker and hard to route. Ones that use Coax cables, are often much thinner and much easier to route and tuck into places.
Most people route a rear cam's cable, down along the lower door trim, then back up the rear rim by the rear window.
It can get more, complex, if you have a hatchback, or anything other than a standard sedan.

Wouldn't you know it, I own a 2022 sienna.

Not trying to sound like a broken record, but I absolutely positively do not want to mess with the headliner.

With a dongar power adapter, I can pull power from where the rear view mirror pulls its power. Easy peasy.

 

[speedingcheetah]

Wouldn't you know it, I own a 2022 sienna.

Not trying to sound like a broken record, but I absolutely positively do not want to mess with the headliner.

With a dongar power adapter, I can pull power from where the rear view mirror pulls its power. Easy peasy.

Is it switched with the ignition though? You would not want it tied to a always on circuit, else it will drain your cars battery.
Unless, you want to always have to manually power down the dash cam every time you park overnight etc.
It does look like Dongar have a adapter that has a switch to set a timer to turn off the cam's power.

 

[Captorofsin]

Is it switched with the ignition though? You would not want it tied to a always on circuit, else it will drain your cars battery.
Unless, you want to always have to manually power down the dash cam every time you park overnight etc.
It does look like Dongar have a adapter that has a switch to set a timer to turn off the cam's power.

I think it switched for the ignition. The adapter that I'm talking about is pretty much "plug and play".

 

[speedingcheetah]

I think it switched for the ignition. The adapter that I'm talking about is pretty much "plug and play".

From the ones i looked at on that site, looks like it would work fine. As long as it can provide the needed current to the camera. Some cams can be quite picky over what power it receives.
Since the USB port for power using that adapter would be very close to the camera, you may want to buy a much smaller length USB cord then(if not included with the adapter), since the one that comes with the camera is quite long.

 

[Captorofsin]

From the ones i looked at on that site, looks like it would work fine. As long as it can provide the needed current to the camera. Some cams can be quite picky over what power it receives.
Since the USB port for power using that adapter would be very close to the camera, you may want to buy a much smaller length USB cord then(if not included with the adapter), since the one that comes with the camera is quite long.

I've also entertained the idea of a wolf box rear view mirror camera. The only thing I don't like about those, is there's no home link button(garage door opener). I wish there was a easy walkaround (besides the handheld controller).

Would be really neat is if I could put something on my garage door opener that would sense when my vehicle was in so many feet away and would automatically open.

 

[Captorofsin]

I know one of these is a power wire and the other one more than likely goes back to the rear camera. I just like to know what's the purpose of having the third one plugged in

 

[kamkar]

The new systems support a external / mobile HDD, up to 2 terabyte, that’s probably the #3 cable in that picture.

 

[Captorofsin]

Just don't understand why the HDD would be hooked up in a vehicle.

 

[Kuya]

I know one of these is a power wire and the other one more than likely goes back to the rear camera. I just like to know what's the purpose of having the third one plugged in
View attachment 86541

That would be the interior camera. The dashcam display also shows all three angles.