Let's talk dash cams...

2110 Views 27 Replies 10 Participants Last post by PNWariya, 7 d ago

PNWariya

Discussion Starter · 2 mo ago

Dash cams ... I welcome your thoughts and experiences regarding dash cams. Worth it for documenting incidents (and near misses)? How easy for a handy person to install (or leave it to the pro)? Just one for the windshield, or another looking out back? Nissan has an oem dash cam that can be installed in the Ariya -- for those who went that way, how does it perform? There's a super tiny Garmin that's unobtrusive, how does it compare? There's lots of articles on the web comparing all kinds of dash cams, I'd be interested in reading the opinions and experiences of my fellow forum members.

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ab13

· #2 · 2 mo ago

I use a Rove R2, which is set at 1080 resolution at 60 fps. This has a 150 degree field of view which is okay, but having a wider view is better. My previous cam was wider but the battery failed after a few years. The 60 fps is for better night viewing, and not using the higher resolution because it isn't much better on this cam.

I also have a Rexing 4k with 170 degree view, but it's too large to mount for now, however the 4k image is really good and that view angle is good. It also uses a supercapacitor instead of battery should that shouldn't fail over time. I didn't try it at night yet though. I would prefer to use the Rexing if I find a good location for it. My cam use is to put it just on/above the dashboard with the cable running down to my 12v socket. Not clean but not too noticable on my Toyota.

My preference would be to find a high res with wide angle that isn't too big. Need to check the night visibility on it too.

PNWariya

Discussion Starter · #3 · 2 mo ago

ab13 said:
I use a Rove R2, which is set at 1080 resolution at 60 fps. This has a 150 degree field of view which is okay, but having a wider view is better. My previous cam was wider but the battery failed after a few years. The 60 fps is for better night viewing, and not using the higher resolution because it isn't much better on this cam.

I also have a Rexing 4k with 170 degree view, but it's too large to mount for now, however the 4k image is really good and that view angle is good. It also uses a supercapacitor instead of battery should that shouldn't fail over time. I didn't try it at night yet though. I would prefer to use the Rexing if I find a good location for it. My cam use is to put it just on/above the dashboard with the cable running down to my 12v socket. Not clean but not too noticable on my Toyota.

My preference would be to find a high res with wide angle that isn't too big. Need to check the night visibility on it too.

Good point about night time visibility. Another thing is that for some cams the footage stores on a little SD-type card, maybe overwrites depending on how much the card can hold. And others say there is cloud based storage. Some pair with a phone (but can they pair with more than one?) -- what if it is paired to one person's phone but their spouse happens to drive. Hmmm. While I really like the idea of a permanently installed tiny cam, there could be advantages to a larger, better performing cam that plugs in when you want/need, and then could stash it in the glove or in the secret tray when not in use.

DJP

· #4 · 2 mo ago

Had the Nissan OEM installed in my 2018 Leaf (Thinkware: front and rear cameras). It came in handy a number of times when reporting other people's accidents and those that happened to me, plus sharing interesting things, like wildlife near the road or weird stuff you see in the city. Consequently, I had the latest similar Nissan OEM installed in my Ariya --also a rebranded Thinkware front and rear cameras. It's nice having visual proof of what happens. I wish that Nissan, like Tesla, provided this service with the cameras that are already part of the car.

Reactions: 2

DallasEV

· #5 · 2 mo ago

DJP said:
Had the Nissan OEM installed in my 2018 Leaf (Thinkware: front and rear cameras). It came in handy a number of times when reporting other people's accidents and those that happened to me, plus sharing interesting things, like wildlife near the road or weird stuff you see in the city. Consequently, I had the latest similar Nissan OEM installed in my Ariya --also a rebranded Thinkware front and rear cameras. It's nice having visual proof of what happens. I wish that Nissan, like Tesla, provided this service with the cameras that are already part of the car.

Using the Ariya's built in cameras for that would require a significant upgrade of the camera hardware. Except for the rear camera (which can replace the rear view mirror) the other cameras are very low resolution - they're only meant to show you that 360 birds eye view. When you look at the moving object detection (MOD) images, its pretty grainy.

Tesla intended their cameras to be used for autonomous driving, so they had to put in much better hardware. The difference in image quality between Tesla and Ariya is dramatic.

scott

· #6 · 2 mo ago

I have a third-party dashcam setup - same setup for my Leaf and Toyota Corolla. That being said, it would make great sense to me to have an OEM-offered solution, if possible, since you remove risk of such an important add-on by having the manufacturer (Nissan in this case) own and install that option for you. If anything happens, Nissan owns it - vehicle operation, insurance, etc.

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bufkey

· #7 · 2 mo ago

My improvised dashcam with 360 3-D view and USB-C charging. Going to add a 128GB micro SD and velcro it onto the dashboard.

Camera accessory Cameras & optics Toy Optical instrument Circle

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PNWariya

Discussion Starter · #8 · 2 mo ago

bufkey said:
My improvised dashcam with 360 3-D view and USB-C charging. Going to add a 128GB micro SD and velcro it onto the dashboard.
View attachment 1931

Interesting! I would like to read more details and see more pics when installation is completed!

bufkey

· #9 · 2 mo ago (Edited)

It's the Samsung Gear 360 I got for free with my Galaxy Notes years ago, and still working very well. Recorded videos require some software processing, but have very good quality and you can select different viewing angles - You can look up some sample videos on YT.

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ab13

· #10 · 2 mo ago (Edited)

I ended up ordering this Rexing deal. I'm going to play with this, even though I'd prefer higher res, this price is worth trying out. Front and rear 170 degree cameras in one module.

Rexing V3 Bundle Dual Camera Front and Inside Cabin Full HD 1080p with WiFi and Built-in GPS | Rexing USA

www.rexingusa.com

www.rexingusa.com

Font Output device Cameras & optics Screenshot Gadget

This appears to be the 4K 3 camera deal, $179.99

Rexing V5 Bundle Dash Cam 3-Channel Premium 4K with Wi-Fi and GPS | Rexing USA

www.rexingusa.com

www.rexingusa.com

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PNWariya

Discussion Starter · #11 · 2 mo ago

ab13 said:
I ended up ordering this Rexing deal. I'm going to play with this, even though I'd prefer higher res, this price is worth trying out. Front and rear 170 degree cameras in one module.

Rexing V3 Bundle Dual Camera Front and Inside Cabin Full HD 1080p with WiFi and Built-in GPS | Rexing USA

www.rexingusa.com

View attachment 1942

This appears to be the 4K 3 camera deal, $179.99

Rexing V5 Bundle Dash Cam 3-Channel Premium 4K with Wi-Fi and GPS | Rexing USA

www.rexingusa.com

Wow that is a good price. Do you plan on DIY for the install? I'm always interested in trying to install things myself, but not sure how involved dash cams can get!

ab13

· #12 · 2 mo ago

PNWariya said:
Wow that is a good price. Do you plan on DIY for the install? I'm always interested in trying to install things myself, but not sure how involved dash cams can get!

I'm just going plug into the 12v outlet for now. Not sure I'm adventurous enough to plug in the fuse wiring, since those might not even fit the Ariya without modifications. Didn't bother to check the fuse box yet. I just want to see if the 2 camera thing works for parking mode to see what the video is like, and I wanted a smaller camera then what I'm using now.

DallasEV

· #13 · 2 mo ago

ab13 said:
I'm just going plug into the 12v outlet for now. Not sure I'm adventurous enough to plug in the fuse wiring, since those might not even fit the Ariya without modifications. Didn't bother to check the fuse box yet. I just want to see if the 2 camera thing works for parking mode to see what the video is like, and I wanted a smaller camera then what I'm using now.

I have a similar setup with the dashcam plugged into a 12v outlet to USB adapter. The Ariya provides power to the 12v outlet when it is powered on, and then cuts it when you power off. My dashcam uses a capacitor rather than a battery but this hasn't been an issue. I previously tried connect to the USB ports directly and also using an ODB2 to USB adapter. Both those sources would keep the camera powered on even after turning the car's power off, so I was worried about draining either the 12v or primary battery.

Running the cables via the headliner was pretty simple. Good luck with your install!

new2niss

· #14 · 2 mo ago

I’m interested in seeing how you lay out wiring and all. Would like to try DIY but I’m not very handy..

PNWariya

Discussion Starter · #15 · 2 mo ago

ab13 said:
I'm just going plug into the 12v outlet for now. Not sure I'm adventurous enough to plug in the fuse wiring, since those might not even fit the Ariya without modifications. Didn't bother to check the fuse box yet. I just want to see if the 2 camera thing works for parking mode to see what the video is like, and I wanted a smaller camera then what I'm using now.

Good idea. I'm also interested in a camera that is smaller and unobtrusive, maybe can even fit right behind the rear view mirror somehow so that there isn't any argument that it obstructs the view through the windshield.

DallasEV

· #16 · 2 mo ago

PNWariya said:
Good idea. I'm also interested in a camera that is smaller and unobtrusive, maybe can even fit right behind the rear view mirror somehow so that there isn't any argument that it obstructs the view through the windshield.

We had ours sitting in front of the rearview mirror (from perspective of driver) - this was a good spot. Unfortunately I had to remove it when the front windows were tinted. Now that I can't attach it to the windshield anymore, I'm thinking of attaching it to the side of the rearview mirror assembly, onto the kumiko pattern. The curved surface at the center of the rearview would probably be too difficult adhere to.

PNWariya

Discussion Starter · #17 · 2 mo ago

DallasEV said:
We had ours sitting in front of the rearview mirror (from perspective of driver) - this was a good spot. Unfortunately I had to remove it when the front windows were tinted. Now that I can't attach it to the windshield anymore, I'm thinking of attaching it to the side of the rearview mirror assembly, onto the kumiko pattern. The curved surface at the center of the rearview would probably be too difficult adhere to.

Yes there are all different ways to get them attached. I saw online some clamp-type contraptions that are supposed to attach to the stem part of a rear view mirror assembly, but that might not work very well depending on the mirror and all. I am also looking into adding a dash cam to our current car (ID.4), and for it there is one that is sort of integrated into the housing that the rear view mirror assembly is attached to. Choices, choices. There is also the choice of whether to install a second camera for out-the-back view, or to get the kind of front camera that also has in-cabin view, which can pick up some of the view out the back.

bufkey

· #18 · 2 mo ago

2

bufkey said:
My improvised dashcam with 360 3-D view and USB-C charging. Going to add a 128GB micro SD and velcro it onto the dashboard.
View attachment 1931

My improvised dash cam setup on an adjustable tripod that can be velro taped onto the dashboard, easily replaceable. It's the Samsung Gear 360 that can record 4K 3-D looping video. It can record longer than 2 hrs per charge, but can't charge and record at the same time - So it will be recording while driving and recharging while EV being recharged.

Wood Camera accessory Tripod Cameras & optics Hardwood

Motor vehicle Hood Grille Font Automotive exterior

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PNWariya

Discussion Starter · #19 · 2 mo ago

bufkey said:
My improvised dash cam setup on an adjustable tripod that can be velro taped onto the dashboard, easily replaceable. It's the Samsung Gear 360 that can record 4K 3-D looping video. It can record longer than 2 hrs per charge, but can't charge and record at the same time - So it will be recording while driving and recharging while EV being recharged.
View attachment 1956 View attachment 1957

That's a creative setup! I never thought about using one of those little mini tripods -- I have one of those sitting around. Can have it on the dash and then stash it in the secret drawer when not in use! I'm still trying to think of all kinds of ways to mount a dash cam -- some States have restrictions on what can be attached to the windshield, whether it might block the view for the driver, etc.

KainDRG

· #20 · 2 mo ago

bufkey said:
My improvised dash cam setup on an adjustable tripod that can be velro taped onto the dashboard, easily replaceable. It's the Samsung Gear 360 that can record 4K 3-D looping video. It can record longer than 2 hrs per charge, but can't charge and record at the same time - So it will be recording while driving and recharging while EV being recharged.
View attachment 1956 View attachment 1957

I’m not sure that tripod stand is gonna hold if you get into an accident. Better be careful, the camera will be a fast flying projectile

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