Dash Cams

[Crowmangler]

I've never given much thought to wanting/ needing one but have recently seen lots of videos of insurance fraudsters causing accidents makes me more interested. I also have 2 teenage drivers.
For those that currently have them what are your thoughts? Are they worth it? Are they a big hassle?
Any recommendations? Was thinking something small & relatively good quality but not too crazy expensive because I'll need 3-4 of them
Having spent a few minutes looking around I'm leaning towards the Garmin Mini 2 that utilizes a mini SD card.
Thanks in advance...

 

[*zap*]

I think you would want front and rear video recording.

 

[Milestone522]

I've used the Viofo 129 for several years, front and back. Had an earlier model before that that lasted about 4 years. Image is great day and night, it's relatively inexpensive, and easy to download video off of mini SD card.

My wife has a similar model but her saved video goes to her phone by blue tooth. Her record button is remote from the front camera and also uses Bluetooth.

They are easy to install and you basically forget they are there until you see something to record. They automatically record in an accident.

Check out BlackBoxMyCar on YouTube for reviews on different dashcams.

 

[Yoder]

My wife bought a Redtiger. It's $130 on Amazon. It has a front and rear camera and comes with a micro SD card. It took me about 15 minutes to install. It works well, you don't even know it's there. I haven't tried to pull any video off of it yet.

 

[Weldor]

Use one on all my vehicles. Most people around here don't have insurance and love to hit and run, saves all the hassles with the cops and insurance companies. Even helped some folks out parked at Costco in fornt of me, some clown opened up the side of their suv like sardine can. They were still talking to the cops when I got back to my jeep, cop asks " does that camera work?" sure does, got the plate of the offender.

 

[ben h]

I have a small Garmin in my truck. They're cheap enough, that I don't see why you wouldn't want one. Thankfully I haven't needed it for insurance purposes, but i have used it to get pics of some sweet bucks, and a mt lion.

 

[bozeman]

My 18 year old son has had one for 1.5 years. Mini SD card. I want one that goes to a hard disk for USB access. Plan to upgrade with my other teen about to be driving. I believe they are worth the small cost.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

My son's caught the guys breaking into his truck, even got their car on cam driving up. Cops wouldn't even look at the video. I have one in my truck because of a guy who tried to blame me for an accident after he sideswiped me. Hopefully it never comes in handy. I think they're worth it though, except for my wife I don't want any video proof of her driving after an accident.

 

[pacoalcracker]

An attorney friend of mine highly recommends them and thinks everyone should use them..not just for accidents, car jackings and break-ins but also for police harassment and potential unnecessary police brutality. It happens folks. All of it.

 

[hotrodduck]

I been thinking of getting one myself. Definitely get front and rear. Just to have both ends covered

 

[Bubblehide]

Thete are some 4 camera systems that have front and and the other 2 go on the bottom your side view mirrors, covers it all.

 

[OkayestHNTR]

Doesn't fall under cheap, but we went with the Garmin Dash Cam Tandem (Currently $242 on Amazon). Camera works great. The videos can be watched by removing the micro SD or Garmin's Drive App. The Drive App was problematic last I attempted to use it. I contacted Garmin about the issue and after some time they claimed to have fixed it.

 

[AZ8]

Been looking for a wireless one. Can’t stand seeing a wire hanging down from the windshield and down the dash into the 12v plug. Lol

 

[3Esski]

Got a rove from amazon. Great peace of mind. Well worth it in todays world.

 

[Wrongside]

I have a small Garmin in my truck. They're cheap enough, that I don't see why you wouldn't want one. Thankfully I haven't needed it for insurance purposes, but i have used it to get pics of some sweet bucks, and a mt lion.

Do the Garmins work well without a subscription? Their site sounds like a subscription to “Vault” is required for full functionality?

 

[MuleyFever]

Does anyone know if there are systems that can tap into your current cameras? My GMC has cameras on all 4 sides already.

 

[OkayestHNTR]

Been looking for a wireless one. Can’t stand seeing a wire hanging down from the windshield and down the dash into the 12v plug. Lol

Garmin makes a longer cable that can be run over to an A pillar and down under the dash. They even make OBDII adapters, DC adapters, and hardwired cables.

 

[OkayestHNTR]

Do the Garmins work well without a subscription? Their site sounds like a subscription to “Vault” is required for full functionality?

The video could be viewed by plugging the micro SD into a computer or through the Drive App. The computer works but is cumbersome since the camera saves the videos in 1 minute files. The Drive app is free and when it works is the best way to view. No additional $$ needed after purchase.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

Been looking for a wireless one. Can’t stand seeing a wire hanging down from the windshield and down the dash into the 12v plug. Lol

I have my wire running down the windshield trim and into the dash power buttons behind the dash. I don't like having any dangling plugs always plugged in.

 

[ben h]

Do the Garmins work well without a subscription? Their site sounds like a subscription to “Vault” is required for full functionality?

I didn't know they had a subscription. Mine has a mini-SD card and I just erase it every 3-4 months or so. It is sort of a pain if you want to find something because there are tons of video files. Kind of like checking a trail camer with 1,000+ pics on it, but worse because they're videos. Honestly, I've only looked for something twice; once was a deer and the other was a bobcat. The red light goes off on mine when the card is full.