Temporary installation

[tasdisr]

Just wondering how you route the cable for a temporary install such as a rental car. Do you just let the power cable hang down the middle of the windshield or try to route it up out of the way?

 

[Nigel]

Depends on the dashcam, I quite like to mount the camera at the bottom of the glass, or on the dash itself - it is a dashcam! Then the cable just goes over the dash to the power socket.

If it needs to go at the top then I normally route the cable above the passenger sunvisor and tuck it into the door rubber down the A-pillar, not too bad if you don't have a passenger.

 

[lufa6977]

Most people, if they have it, use the cigarette lighter adapter and the cable for it. Just let it hang down. If you have a USB port that will provide enough power, they you can use that.

 

[Nigel]

Yes, it is worth checking for a USB-C charging socket up by the mirror these days, makes things a lot easier/neater.

If you are using sticky pads, it is well worth using a static sticker on the glass first, much easier to remove then!

 

[tasdisr]

Most people, if they have it, use the cigarette lighter adapter and the cable for it. Just let it hang down. If you have a USB port that will provide enough power, they you can use that.

Yes, it is worth checking for a USB-C charging socket up by the mirror these days, makes things a lot easier/neater.

If you are using sticky pads, it is well worth using a static sticker on the glass first, much easier to remove then!

Thanks, I plan on using a static sticker for the glass. I did not know if it was ok to just let the cable hang down. Just need to figure out which dashcam to get.

 

[tasdisr]

Depends on the dashcam, I quite like to mount the camera at the bottom of the glass, or on the dash itself - it is a dashcam! Then the cable just goes over the dash to the power socket.

If it needs to go at the top then I normally route the cable above the passenger sunvisor and tuck it into the door rubber down the A-pillar, not too bad if you don't have a passenger.

What dashcams will work at the bottom of the glass? Would that restrict the view?

 

[Nigel]

I did not know if it was ok to just let the cable hang down.

It depends on the vehicle, it can be inconvenient and distracting, or on some cars no problem at all. There are also questions of legality - does it block the driver's view. Generally best to avoid just letting it hang, unless you mount the camera on the dash, then there is normally no problem.

 

[Nigel]

What dashcams will work at the bottom of the glass? Would that restrict the view?

On some cars it will restrict view, on others the glass goes down out of sight and there is no issue.

Small cameras like the Viofo A119 Mini 2 and Viofo VS1 will happily sit on my dash, upside down, with the rotate image option set. The 70mai Omni also looks OK at the bottom of the glass, although I wouldn't put that on the dash, it is a bit heavy and may want to go flying.
Larger camera are likely to block too much view.

I don't know your laws on blocking of views, unless you are going to be visiting here. Some US states don't allow anything stuck to the glass, another reason to mount on the dash.

 

[tasdisr]

On some cars it will restrict view, on others the glass goes down out of sight and there is no issue.

Small cameras like the Viofo A119 Mini 2 and Viofo VS1 will happily sit on my dash, upside down, with the rotate image option set. The 70mai Omni also looks OK at the bottom of the glass, although I wouldn't put that on the dash, it is a bit heavy and may want to go flying.
Larger camera are likely to block too much view.

I don't know your laws on blocking of views, unless you are going to be visiting here. Some US states don't allow anything stuck to the glass, another reason to mount on the dash.

This is what it says about the state of Ohio. I have gotten conflicting opinions from police with one saying if it blocks any part of the windshield at all it is not permitted.

While dash cameras are permitted in Ohio, their mounting regulations have specific stipulations. According to Ohio law, electronic devices, including dash cameras, are allowed to be mounted on the windshield if they qualify as "vehicle safety technology" as defined in 49 C.F.R. 393.5, and comply with 49 C.F.R. 393.60(e)(1)(ii). These devices must not restrict the vehicle operator's sight lines to the road and highway signs or signals and must not conceal the vehicle identification number.

Therefore, it is permissible to mount a dash cam on the windshield provided it meets these criteria. Otherwise, it should be installed on the dashboard to ensure it doesn't block any part of the windshield. Ohio law also permits video and audio recording inside the cab as long as the mounted dash cam doesn't obstruct the driver’s view.

 

[DT MI]

...are allowed to be mounted on the windshield if they qualify as "vehicle safety technology" as defined in 49 C.F.R. 393.5, and comply with 49 C.F.R. 393.60(e)(1)(ii). These devices must not restrict the vehicle operator's sight lines to the road and highway signs or signals and must not conceal the vehicle identification number...
..

Just one reason why I'm a big fan of mounting on the sensor housing if at all possible.

Post in thread 'Best place to put cam?'

Dec 30, 2016

I have the same issue. Mounting on the sensor cover worked for me.

• DT MI

• 

 

[lufa6977]

Basically, what that is saying is do not mount it in front of you. If you mount it up behind the rear-view mirror or to the right of the RV mirror you should be OK.

 

[Nigel]

Basically, what that is saying is do not mount it in front of you. If you mount it up behind the rear-view mirror or to the right of the RV mirror you should be OK.

It doesn't actually say that, it seems to say that if you mount it anywhere on the windshield, then you must turn on the ADAS functions!

 

[lufa6977]

§ 393.1 Scope of the rules in this part.

(a) The rules in this part establish minimum standards for commercial motor vehicles as defined in § 390.5 of this title. Only motor vehicles (as defined in § 390.5) and combinations of motor vehicles which meet the definition of a commercial motor vehicle are subject to the requirements of this part. All requirements that refer to motor vehicles with a GVWR below 4,536 kg (10,001 pounds) are applicable only when the motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles meets the definition of a commercial motor vehicle.

Only applies if a commercial vehicle.

Vehicle safety technology. Vehicle safety technology includes systems and items of equipment to promote driver, occupant, and roadway safety. Examples of vehicle safety technology systems and devices include a fleet-related incident management system, performance or behavior management system, speed management system, lane departure warning system, forward collision warning or mitigation system, active cruise control system, transponder, braking warning system, braking assist system, driver camera system, attention assist warning, Global Positioning Systems, and traffic sign recognition. Vehicle safety technology includes systems and devices that contain cameras, lidar, radar, sensors, and/or video.

Commercial / fleet vehicle. But, video is mentioned.

§ 393.60 Glazing in specified openings.
49 C.F.R. 393.60(e)(1)(ii)

(e) Prohibition on obstructions to the driver's field of view—

(1) Devices mounted on the interior of the windshield.

(i) Antennas, and similar devices must not be mounted more than 152 mm (6 inches) below the upper edge of the windshield. These devices must be located outside the area swept by the windshield wipers, and outside the driver's sight lines to the road and highway signs and signals.

(ii) Paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section does not apply to vehicle safety technologies, as defined in § 393.5, that are mounted on the interior of a windshield. Devices with vehicle safety technologies must be mounted:

(A) Not more than 216 mm (8.5 inches) below the upper edge of the area swept by the windshield wipers;

(B) Not more than 175 mm (7 inches) above the lower edge of the area swept by the windshield wipers; and

(C) Outside the driver's sight lines to the road and highway signs and signals.

Still commercial / fleet vehicle. Is this a commercial vehicle or a private vehicle?

 

[tasdisr]

Only applies if a commercial vehicle.



Commercial / fleet vehicle. But, video is mentioned.




Still commercial / fleet vehicle. Is this a commercial vehicle or a private vehicle?

It is a private vehicle, but I would like to be able to use it in rental cars also.

 

[lufa6977]

Take a look at this :

Ohio Revised Code 4513.24

In particular, look at (2) which gives the passenger vehicle an 'out' as long as the dash cam is not blocking direct line of view to the road or signs.

However, once you go rental, the rules change back to the commercial 393.1 reg. You also will likely need to identify the car as a car for hire to the State and your insurance company. If you do Uber, I would guess you would now be operating as a commercial entity. Not to mention, there may be some different law in larger areas like Cleveland, Akron or Dayton. I would chat with the BMV and OSP and see what they say. Keep in mind that cops are the next to last person to ask what is legal, people on the internet being the absolute last.

 

[tasdisr]

Take a look at this :

Ohio Revised Code 4513.24

In particular, look at (2) which gives the passenger vehicle an 'out' as long as the dash cam is not blocking direct line of view to the road or signs.

However, once you go rental, the rules change back to the commercial 393.1 reg. You also will likely need to identify the car as a car for hire to the State and your insurance company. If you do Uber, I would guess you would now be operating as a commercial entity. Not to mention, there may be some different law in larger areas like Cleveland, Akron or Dayton. I would chat with the BMV and OSP and see what they say. Keep in mind that cops are the next to last person to ask what is legal, people on the internet being the absolute last.

Thanks! I wonder if in my personal car they would consider the cord hanging down an obstruction? Our son was a police officer in a large metro area in Ohio for around 16 years and still is close to a lot of the people he worked with. I will ask him to reach out to a friend who was a Captain in the traffic division.

 

[lufa6977]

If I asked anyone in a PD, it would be the Traffic Division or a paralegal for the presiding Judge or DA. If your son has good contacts that would be a good way to start out. As for the dangling wire, that generally is not an issue. People hang a lot of things from their mirrors and generally do not have any issues with the local PD. If someone has a 2 foot rectangle framed whatever hanging from the mirror that blocked the driver view, I am fairly certain the PD would then have an issue.

I lived in Dayton, about 35 years ago and we had many things hanging from the RV mirror, but that was 35 years ago. Most any place I live, I make it a point to browse the State web site for traffic laws, and again when new laws are enacted on a yearly basis I take a look at them. People would be surprised the amount of laws that are enacted every year. It is almost as if the politicians had nothing better to do.