Dash Cams - Decisions / Feedback

pgamboa · December 25, 2016

So I need to quit reading topics on here [emoji51]!

But I have a teenage son that will be driving on his own soon. We don't have a vehicle for him yet and probably won't for a while. I think there may be situations where he would drive my truck [emoji30].

I want to get dash cams installed. I've read several threads on a few models. Seems that Street Guardian, Black View, Thinkware, and Lukas are the models some (or maybe many) of you went with.

I think I want 2Ch for front and rear which might put Street Guardian out of the selection. I also like the discreet models as well.

It does get hot here in Dallas during the summer. Been reading about units overheating and not able to handle the extreme heat temps.

Needs some feedback from those who have or had any of the above. Pros/Cons, if you had to do it over again, would you buy the same product? Would like to hardwire it and have heard of either running to the either fuse panels, "hardwire kits", "Add a Fuse" (never heard of this), or tapping into the overhead console.

Thanks in advance!

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OkieDavid · December 25, 2016

This is one I went with, notice that it doesn't have a battery. No battery = better heat resistance. I hard wired it in with an add on harness that wasn't any big deal, just tapped into the fuse panel on the left of the dash, ran it up the A pillar and then across the headliner. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TXR2P40/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

OkieDavid · December 25, 2016

fyi, here's the harness: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L3XXRI0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

SilveradoSaver · December 25, 2016

So I need to quit reading topics on here [emoji51]!

But I have a teenage son that will be driving on his own soon. We don't have a vehicle for him yet and probably won't for a while. I think there may be situations where he would drive my truck [emoji30].

I want to get dash cams installed. I've read several threads on a few models. Seems that Street Guardian, Black View, Thinkware, and Lukas are the models some (or maybe many) of you went with.

I think I want 2Ch for front and rear which might put Street Guardian out of the selection. I also like the discreet models as well.

It does get hot here in Dallas during the summer. Been reading about units overheating and not able to handle the extreme heat temps.

Needs some feedback from those who have or had any of the above. Pros/Cons, if you had to do it over again, would you buy the same product? Would like to hardwire it and have heard of either running to the either fuse panels, "hardwire kits", "Add a Fuse" (never heard of this), or tapping into the overhead console.

Thanks in advance!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

https://www.blackvue.com/product/dr650s-2ch/

I have a Blackvue like this one, but it's only 1 channel. Love it. It's discreet, holds well (held up no issue in 30-35 degree Celsius weather), easy to use, great quality day/night, phone app, parking mode, and now I see they have some cool accessories. One of which is if you don't want to hardwire it in but want the parking mode features, you can buy a little battery box that plugs into the cigarette lighter and the camera plugs into that so it'll still record when parked.

block8head · December 26, 2016

I have Lukas 2 channel on all 3 of my vehicles within the past 7 years. All 3 of them already paid for itself, i would not get another brand. These are true HD for both front and rear and you have the ability to zoom in while replay your recording. Can't speak for other brand since i've never own them.

pgamboa · December 26, 2016

I have Lukas 2 channel on all 3 of my vehicles within the past 7 years. All 3 of them already paid for itself, i would not get another brand. These are true HD for both front and rear and you have the ability to zoom in while replay your recording. Can't speak for other brand since i've never own them.

Do you have model info? Thanks!

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aaronarf · December 26, 2016

I am running a Street Guardian 9665GC with 200gb microSD.

I'll post some screen grabs from driving in a bit. I've recorded some near misses, and hitting a deer in my honda with the cam.

Any dash cam is worth the investment if you are unlucky enough to be in an accident.

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Deke736 · December 26, 2016

I run a BlackVue in my Camaro. Front and rear HD video with GPS and sound. I like it a lot and it gives great piece of mind. It has multiple settings, including a low power mode so you can shut it off when it's parked for long periods of time. It's also all hard wired in so it turns on the "driving mode" when started or parking mode when it's stationary.

block8head · December 26, 2016

Do you have model info? Thanks!

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here is the one with GPS, http://www.ebay.com/itm/321654328791?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Without. http://www.ebay.com/itm/321654329426?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I don't need GPS so i bought the one without.

As for reliable. i have it well over 5 years and still working.

quise2024 · December 29, 2016

I also have the Street Guardian SG9665GC, true HD with sound & GPS (also tracks speed if you wanted). Their customer service is A1 and they respond immediately. I actually joined dashcamtalk.com and they have a few of their guys on that site that can assist with any questions

Cant find the one i have but looks like their 2017 model is already available with a bigger microSD and the CPL filter. Cam has a supercapacitor so it can withstand extreme conditions.

https://www.amazon.com/Street-Guardian-SG9665GC-microSD-Supercapacitor/dp/B019WXYCMM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1482981346&sr=8-2&keywords=street+guardian+sg9665gc

Here are some screencaps and sample video from mine. I'll try and get a night video posted tomorrow.

[Video]

I have it set up directly behind the rear view mirror, wires tucked underneath the headliner across the passenger side then behind the a pillar underneath the door seal under and through the dash to the cig lighter. The cord is long enough that i could run it to the back seat outlet if i wanted. The GPS unit is just resting on the dash i didnt want to tape it down, its not going anywhere.

Oh and for the camera i also didnt use the 3M tape to stick it to the windshield. They included static mounts (kinda like little plastic screen savers but thinner) so i stuck those to the windshield then applied the 3M tape mount piece to that. Its been holding up since July or August (think thats when i got the cam).

Can you see it?

Pros:

-true 1080p HD and wide angle lens

-no battery so it wont overheat

-can withstand extreme temperatures (hot or cold)

-A1 customer service

-can hold 128GB, maybe more

-very discreet when placed appropriately

-has motion detection, and parking mode (regardless if you hardwire or not)

-automatically saves video 1min before and after if the G-sensor detects incident/damage

-auto loops, records over the oldest file once card is full.

Cons:

-only a front cam

-some cars need CPL filter

Also a sidenote, while others offer 2-channel cams from viewing videos and reading countless reviews, the rear cam video is a lesser quality than the front. This is just what ive seen in videos and read so i really cant speak first hand on it, but you can get 2 regular cams cheaper or for the price of a 2-channel and get both 1080p quality.

In the end should you ever have an incident or accident the dash cam will pay for itself. Something is better than nothing.

pgamboa · December 29, 2016

I also have the Street Guardian SG9665GC, true HD with sound & GPS (also tracks speed if you wanted). Their customer service is A1 and they respond immediately. I actually joined dashcamtalk.com and they have a few of their guys on that site that can assist with any questions

Cant find the one i have but looks like their 2017 model is already available with a bigger microSD and the CPL filter. Cam has a supercapacitor so it can withstand extreme conditions.

https://www.amazon.com/Street-Guardian-SG9665GC-microSD-Supercapacitor/dp/B019WXYCMM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1482981346&sr=8-2&keywords=street+guardian+sg9665gc

Here are some screencaps and sample video from mine. I'll try and get a night video posted tomorrow.

[Video]

[Video]

I have it set up directly behind the rear view mirror, wires tucked underneath the headliner across the passenger side then behind the a pillar underneath the door seal under and through the dash to the cig lighter. The cord is long enough that i could run it to the back seat outlet if i wanted. The GPS unit is just resting on the dash i didnt want to tape it down, its not going anywhere.

Oh and for the camera i also didnt use the 3M tape to stick it to the windshield. They included static mounts (kinda like little plastic screen savers but thinner) so i stuck those to the windshield then applied the 3M tape mount piece to that. Its been holding up since July or August (think thats when i got the cam).

Can you see it?

Pros:

-true 1080p HD and wide angle lens

-no battery so it wont overheat

-can withstand extreme temperatures (hot or cold)

-A1 customer service

-can hold 128GB, maybe more

-very discreet when placed appropriately

-has motion detection, and parking mode (regardless if you hardwire or not)

-automatically saves video 1min before and after if the G-sensor detects incident/damage

-auto loops, records over the oldest file once card is full.

Cons:

-only a front cam

-some cars need CPL filter

Also a sidenote, while others offer 2-channel cams from viewing videos and reading countless reviews, the rear cam video is a lesser quality than the front. This is just what ive seen in videos and read so i really cant speak first hand on it, but you can get 2 regular cams cheaper or for the price of a 2-channel and get both 1080p quality.

In the end should you ever have an incident or accident the dash cam will pay for itself. Something is better than nothing.

Thanks for the detailed reviews, pictures, and video clips. I'm really impressed with the quality of this one! What does CPL Filter mean/stand for?

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quise2024 · December 29, 2016

Thanks for the detailed reviews, pictures, and video clips. I'm really impressed with the quality of this one! What does CPL Filter mean/stand for?

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I cant remember what it stands for, maybe circular polar lens, but basically its a lens filter you attach to the dashcam that reduces the glare off the dash. Some need it some dont.

When I ordered mine, if you needed it you had to purchase it for like $30, i didnt think i needed as only at times there was a slight dash glare. I see in their newest model though they offer it free with the cam

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Towerhog · December 29, 2016

CPL - Circular Polarization Lens. Used when you have a lot of reflection from the dash on the windshield. Comes included with the Street Guardian SG9665GC.

A good place for information, a lot of information. Make sure you check out the forums for the cams you're interested in.

https://dashcamtalk.com

quise2024 · December 29, 2016

Yup thats where i ended up before buying a dashcam. I watched youtube review videos and one video had the site in its description so i went there and they have reviews on tons of different cams available.

Few more screencaps from the summer time i posted on dashcamtalk

HGuertin · July 29, 2017

This is one I went with, notice that it doesn't have a battery. No battery = better heat resistance. I hard wired it in with an add on harness that wasn't any big deal, just tapped into the fuse panel on the left of the dash, ran it up the A pillar and then across the headliner. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TXR2P40/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Did you have to pull the headliner or were you able to tuck the wire in?