Howdy

[Disastrophe]

Just installed my first dash cam yesterday. Vantrue e1 pro. Ive been meaning to get dash cams for quite some time, then on my way to work i watched a crazy semi driver do an unintentional pitt maneuver on a small car in front of me, and that sealed the deal. I had actually just been researching dash cams the night before. I pulled over and called state patrol and gave my info and a statement but i sure wished id had dashcam footage to give them.

Anyway, ill test this one out for a while, see how i like it, then this spring ill be putting dash cams in 2 other vehicles. Maybe the same type, maybe something different.

 

[kamkar]

Welcome to the forum Disastrophe.

The E1 pro is a OK little system to get your feet wet with.

 

[Disastrophe]

So the way you said that sounds to me like "it aint that great". Im new to this. Would like a top notch unit for my challenger. Open to suggestions, and would like to know what it is about my e1 pro thats lacking. Not trying to be defensive at all, hope i dont come off that way. Just really interested in input from people who have more experience than myself with these things. Brand new to me.
The one thing ill point out is that my e1 pro is in a truck with a canopy. So i figured a unit with a rearward facing camera would be pretty pointless. Not only does the canopy block light and vision, but if youve ever driven a truck with a canopy you know that back window collects dirt like crazy. So a rearward facing cam is not a step up for my purpose in my trucks. They both have canopies.

 

[LateralNW]

Open to suggestions, and would like to know what it is about my e1 pro thats lacking. Not trying to be defensive at all, hope i dont come off that way. Just really interested in input from people who have more experience than myself with these things.

a truck with a canopy you know that back window collects dirt like crazy.

The Vantrue E1Pro currently in my car, I love, but, it gets very hot so hot I don't like touching it.
In Australia we are currently going through a heat phase 42c yesterday today 32c and rising again by the end of the week.

I do wonder how it will cope in the long term.

Because you're in a real truck lol I'd expect vibrations to be high do look for dash cams that have a firm fitting base.
The E1Pro because of its short connection method handles vibration well. I drive on bumpy dirt roads to test these dashcams. (I'm probably ruining my suspension! All in the name of science)

Depending on how long your trucks are you might consider the Viofo A329w as you can have a rear camera mounted to the back and its water proof. I haven't tested this model but the concept seems perfect for your use case perhaps.

VIOFO A329SW 2CH 4K 60FPS+2K Waterproof Rear Camera with Sony STARVIS 2 Sensor HDR, Support SSD Storage, Cables in Various Lengths for Flexible Installation

Powered by Quad Core ARM Cortex A53 chipset and Sony STARVIS 2 sensors, A329SW 2CH captures every 4K and 2K detail with unmatched clarity, even in low light. Built-in Wi-Fi 6 and GPS, Smart Voice Control & Notification, Supports Up to 4TB SSD, Low Power Impact Detection, Hybrid Parking Recording.

www.viofo.com

Good luck and hope you don't have a driver trying to get you to pit maniver them. Eg cut across you!

 

[Disastrophe]

My vehicles are rarely exposed to extreme elements for very long. I have plenty of covered storage at home. Heres a pic of one of my trucks. Crew cab silverado, standard bed. The other is identical. Cant imagine any rear facing cam being functional with this set up.
As far as the challenger, its hibernating in my garage for the winter. Still have some time to decide if id rather have rear facing dash cam, or louvres.

 

[Disastrophe]

 

[kamkar]

Nice kit you have there, former Raptor man myself.

The E1 pro is by no means a crappy system, not even mediocre, but is is not hanging with the latest stuff, but far above the " any dashcam is better than no dashcam " category.
I tested the E1pro and have nothing bad to say about it really, it for damn sure is not memory card fussy.


These are all 256GB cards
Adata high endurance. - black red - OK
PNY XLR8. white red - OK
Kingston Canvas Go plus ( GEN 3 ). - black blue - OK
Lexar professional. grey - Black - OK
Adata Premier pro. black green - not OK ( camera ask for format now and then )
Sandisk extreme pro. Black -red - OK
Sandisk extreme plus. gold red - OK
Samsung Pro Plus - Blue - OK
Trancend Ultra performance - black silver - OK
Samsung PRO ultimate. Black - OK
PNY PRO Elite. - grey black - OK
Samsung EVO Plus U3 - white - NOT OK ( formatting in camera fail )
Kingston canvas select plus ( GEN 2 ). Black - OK
WD purple.( old non QD101 ) - OK

You can always go rear external dashcam, most offer this, but the question is will the wire reach all the way back there, seeing you have EXT cab truck, but most also offer up a " super " long wire for remote cameras.
Downside is a rear external camera, well as a truck man i am sure you have noticed how much crud can build up back there.
You could also put regular rear camera on the inside of the hardtop hatch ( assuming it have a window like the one i had on my similar form factor Bitsu mishi L200 EXT cab back in the day ) But again crud buildup and no washer / wiper on that hatch.

similar to my old Bitsu mishi L200.

 

[Disastrophe]

Yeah, the crud buildup on the back window of the canopy has me fully in the thpught that fwd facing only is the way to go for the trucks. The challenger though, im thinking a dual fwd / aft combo is the way to go. The back windows of the canopies are just dust / mud / snow magnets

 

[kamkar]

I have run dashcams for well over a decade now, and only once did i wish i had rear footage.
Meaning i did have a rear camera ( this was back in the only single camera age ) BUT ! i had that rear camera on a too long and cheap USB wire from a power source in the front of my almost micro car, so it did not record me getting rear ended.
Not that i needed it, the guy took the fall just fine.
But otherwise, me also running side cameras for many years, well it is mostly the front camera i have had to go to for footage of idiots in traffic.

A single front camera record all you do, and if you are driving cool within the boundaries of your traffic code, well what ever happen off camera surely can not be your fault.
So i have not ruled out single cameras even in this day and age, but i do recommend people get a dual if it is within their financial envelope,and their vehicle can " carry " it