Jeffrey_VB
New member
Thinking about adding a Dashcam to my Runner. Any models that you guys recommend? Any to stay away from?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Recommend a DashCam
- Thread starter Jeffrey_VB
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I'll be following this. Interested to see some suggestions. I'm looking to get one as well. I had one in the past that fried, but it was good to have. For example, I had a hooker approach me once at a stop light and uh, offer her services. I wasn't looking lol and if I got pulled over, the dash cam would have saved me as it was recording..
4RunnerFan
New member
I, too, am in the market. Have been following this site for a while: Techmoan's dash cam reviews. Highly recommend watching the beginner's guide video.
przm
New member
This is the one I have, it's the A118. Here's the link: Amazon.com : A118-C Capacitor Edition Car Dash Camera | 1080P Full HD Video | NT96650 + AR0330 | Stealth Dashboard Covert Mini Cam | 170 Degree Super Wide Angle 6G Lens | B40 G-Sensor Night Vision Motion Detection : Electronics
I installed it to be hidden behind my rearview mirror when driving. All I see is a cord. I love having a dashcam. I'm working on my compilation of stupid drivers, I've caught a lot of stuff happening with it already and I've only had it installed since christmas.
I installed it to be hidden behind my rearview mirror when driving. All I see is a cord. I love having a dashcam. I'm working on my compilation of stupid drivers, I've caught a lot of stuff happening with it already and I've only had it installed since christmas.
acas1229
New member
I went GoPro
I just installed a GoPro Hero 3. I used the suction cup mount to mount it to my windshield. I ran the power wire down the a-pillar and tapped into the cigarette lighter power wire. I chose to wire it up for long road trips, just in case. I can give you a more thorough write-up on the install if you want to go this option. The battery life of the GoPro is decent (+4 hours), so wiring is optional. The quality is HD day or night, and I've been more than happy with the results. I know the GoPro isn't exactly the cheapest option, but I use it everywhere not just in the car. Plus, they have a base model now for $129. I heard FORD made a camera that had a 360-degree viewing angle as an option. I am trying to track one down to confirm. I'll send pics of my setup when I get home.
I just installed a GoPro Hero 3. I used the suction cup mount to mount it to my windshield. I ran the power wire down the a-pillar and tapped into the cigarette lighter power wire. I chose to wire it up for long road trips, just in case. I can give you a more thorough write-up on the install if you want to go this option. The battery life of the GoPro is decent (+4 hours), so wiring is optional. The quality is HD day or night, and I've been more than happy with the results. I know the GoPro isn't exactly the cheapest option, but I use it everywhere not just in the car. Plus, they have a base model now for $129. I heard FORD made a camera that had a 360-degree viewing angle as an option. I am trying to track one down to confirm. I'll send pics of my setup when I get home.
paddlenbike
Member
There are lots of dashcams out there; my requirements included 1080p resolution and a small size that would mostly hide behind the rearview mirror. I bought the "mini 0803" based on the techmoan reviews and reviews from two of my friends that had the older 0801 models. I have no complaints, it works great, resolution is good, night time feed looks good too. I personally opted for one without GPS, but there is a GPS enabled model.
This is in my daily driver LEAF...hides fairly well behind the mirror.
I can't see it from the driver's seat.
this is what you see if you look behind the mirror:
I also like that it uses micro USB for power, so I was able to use a small adapter to power it from the rear view mirror, without running wires down to the dash.
Hope this helps. I have a demo video on youtube but it gets compressed on YT and does not represent the real output quality.
This is in my daily driver LEAF...hides fairly well behind the mirror.
I can't see it from the driver's seat.
this is what you see if you look behind the mirror:
I also like that it uses micro USB for power, so I was able to use a small adapter to power it from the rear view mirror, without running wires down to the dash.
Hope this helps. I have a demo video on youtube but it gets compressed on YT and does not represent the real output quality.
awdjunkies
New member
I was also going to recommend [MENTION=93434]gshadow325[/MENTION] the king of all cams LOL
I have the previously mentioned A118 B40, I like it for the money and no issues in like 3 months or so. Can't complain about daytime, night, not as great.
Decent reviews with day/night footage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3eDXKLNLys
My next one may be this tho, the night footage is exemplary for the money. This review is for the 803 but there is an improved 806 out already.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LWOq62cY6U
Decent reviews with day/night footage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3eDXKLNLys
My next one may be this tho, the night footage is exemplary for the money. This review is for the 803 but there is an improved 806 out already.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LWOq62cY6U
gshadow325
New member
Lol. OK since I was dragged into this.
My two cents.
Dash cam needs are actually deeper than you think.
Dash cam needs. ....
-reliability, how does it accomplishes this?
-how does it record it
-how does it playback
-quality of video playback
-GPS
-field of vision
-rear camera
-flexibility of install
That being said. Can your candidates cover all these things?
I have bought tons of dash cams, eBay amazon, allibaba etc.
I have two dash cams sitting under my desk collecting dust. That i have left i couldn't give away.
I love my compustar dash.
Why?
-records in 720p HD, any higher is useless and takes up to much space.
-dual front and rear cameras
-records front and rear camera into one video.
-it can record by triggers. Motion or impact/gyroscope. These triggers are saved into a separate file and directory.
-there is parking mode that will record of it senses motion into a 20 second clip with the motion event being in the middle, it records the 10 seconds prior and 10 second after = 20 second clip. Same thing for impact.
-it also has parking mode,
-it has touch panel
-it needs to be hardwired. Stupid cigarette plug is dumb. It always corrupts SD cards in every dash cam I have tested. I don't care about the glowing reviews about the new version with the capacitor that keeps the SD card alive to avoid corrupted files. They always crash, then the dating is messed up etc.
-GPS antenna option, this will auto set date time and location, speed then map it onto Google maps.
-this unit requires SD reformatting every two weeks to keep the SD fresh. None of the other ones do this.
It does audio very well.
Here is a front camera clip. Money shot is at 17 sec mark. Keep in mind Facebook lowered the quality of the video also.
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152482981841129&set=vb.212440966128&type=2&theater
My money is on my compustar dash. You will get a reliable video when you need it. Dual cameras, audio, GPS, and touch panel. You can also configure it on your PC. It comes ready to roll right out of the box with everything you need down to the SD card and SD card to USB adapter.
Msrp is 300. Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten. Remember that!
awdjunkies
New member
Damn!! that was a hard HIT .. Jeep on Jeep crime LMAO!! Good one.
PS: Thanks for chiming in, my friend..
PS: Thanks for chiming in, my friend..
having fun
New member
[MENTION=93434]gshadow325[/MENTION]... Thanks for a serious breakdown on this, saved me probably 3-4 days on research, been thinking on finding one also.
Next time just ignore [MENTION=25740]awdjunkies[/MENTION].... I thinks he's just bucking for promotion around here. :shrug:
Next time just ignore [MENTION=25740]awdjunkies[/MENTION].... I thinks he's just bucking for promotion around here. :shrug:
awdjunkies
New member
HAHAHA!!!! Crap!! My ice tea is all over my keyboard now!!! :hiding:
Travtaz997
New member
having fun
New member
Hopefully you caught that on Dash Cam...
ound:I'll bring you another ice tea when I come up for a bbq.
awdjunkies
New member
Hopefully you caught that on Dash Cam...
I'll bring you another ice tea when I come up for a bbq.
Oh Heck Yeah!!!!! You sir are invited, anytime... :wave:
gshadow325
New member
Compustar dash? I can arrange for one to be at your doorstop in a few days. Inquire with in. 
Seriously though, it's a well well thought out unit. look at my post here for a review.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/177998-dashcam-review-install-compustar-dash-cm3200.html
It's been installed now almost 6 months, it has not failed once. Files were always there, file names were always correct, file info was correct.
Can't say the same thing about all the others. I bought $20 units and I bought $150 units. Waited weeks for some to arrive from good old China. Only to be disappointed and a pain to return back to its homeland since it costs 5x more to ship it back.
Cheap and good rarely can be said in the same sentence. This is one of those cases.
Seriously though, it's a well well thought out unit. look at my post here for a review.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/177998-dashcam-review-install-compustar-dash-cm3200.html
It's been installed now almost 6 months, it has not failed once. Files were always there, file names were always correct, file info was correct.
Can't say the same thing about all the others. I bought $20 units and I bought $150 units. Waited weeks for some to arrive from good old China. Only to be disappointed and a pain to return back to its homeland since it costs 5x more to ship it back.
Cheap and good rarely can be said in the same sentence. This is one of those cases.
Synister
Member
I just installed the G1WH and am pretty happy with it so far. The cost is perfect, the image quality is fine (you likely won't find better without spending $150+) and the install was pretty easy. Some thoughts though
-Be wary of shady merchants. Avoid the G1WH's sold on Amazon, just google 'fake G1WH' and see how many came from Amazon merchants. I would recommend GearBest, Foxoffer or one of the highly rated Ebay merchants.
-I elected to also purchase this hardwire kit, along with an add-a-fuse circuit from NAPA. Easy install and no visible wires or cigarette adapter to deal with
-Not all memory cards are the same. I purchased a new Class 10 16gb Kingston Micro card and it was not properly formatted to work on this camera. I purchased another Transcend card (same specs) that others had had luck with and it worked no problem. I would go with Transcend if you buy this camera. The maximum capacity is 32gb which equates to a little over 4 hours of 1080 recording before it starts writing over the old stuff.
-Night time resolution is fine for identifying the types of other cars or for recording things happening at night but you likely won't be able to read the license plate numbers. Like I said, if you want this capability, you will spend a lot more.
I will try and get some pics of it installed a little later. Cheers!
-Be wary of shady merchants. Avoid the G1WH's sold on Amazon, just google 'fake G1WH' and see how many came from Amazon merchants. I would recommend GearBest, Foxoffer or one of the highly rated Ebay merchants.
-I elected to also purchase this hardwire kit, along with an add-a-fuse circuit from NAPA. Easy install and no visible wires or cigarette adapter to deal with
-Not all memory cards are the same. I purchased a new Class 10 16gb Kingston Micro card and it was not properly formatted to work on this camera. I purchased another Transcend card (same specs) that others had had luck with and it worked no problem. I would go with Transcend if you buy this camera. The maximum capacity is 32gb which equates to a little over 4 hours of 1080 recording before it starts writing over the old stuff.
-Night time resolution is fine for identifying the types of other cars or for recording things happening at night but you likely won't be able to read the license plate numbers. Like I said, if you want this capability, you will spend a lot more.
I will try and get some pics of it installed a little later. Cheers!
gshadow325
New member
And^^^^^^ that's the crappy unit I was talking about. I bought 3 versions of it. Waste of money. The "capacitor" that's supposed to save it from crashing. ...well doesn't do crap.
"1080p" and can't read a plate#. Yes agreed. It's not good quality with the "high quality" recording.
Like I said, look at the above like I posted to Facebook, money shot is at 17 second mark with the tag number plain as day.
Did I mention, the dash has a rear camera? You can use it as a back up camera since it will display both cameras on the LCD TOUCH SCREEN with picture in picture.
Instructions are written with someone that comprehends the English language. Not in Chinglish, I'm Chinese and I don't know what the fcuk they trying to tell me to do.
You get what you pay for.
"1080p" and can't read a plate#. Yes agreed. It's not good quality with the "high quality" recording.
Like I said, look at the above like I posted to Facebook, money shot is at 17 second mark with the tag number plain as day.
Did I mention, the dash has a rear camera? You can use it as a back up camera since it will display both cameras on the LCD TOUCH SCREEN with picture in picture.
Instructions are written with someone that comprehends the English language. Not in Chinglish, I'm Chinese and I don't know what the fcuk they trying to tell me to do.
You get what you pay for.
gshadow325
New member
Guys, I am offering my opinion and I'm not trying to incite a riot or start a fight lol. Just making that clear. Only voicing my personal opinion since I have tried several units,wasted a few hundred bucks AND when I needed the video the g1wh as listed above failed to record a video and audio. Now I'm fighting it out in court because it is turning out to be a he said she said thing.
