It's not my truck or my video. Just something I found on Youtube while searching for dashcam quality videos.
Hey, so i finally got around to playing with the Garmin Dash Cam Tamdem. I just gave the cam power to see how setup is, and it needs to link the phone to its own wifi every time a video or picture needs to be taken. It's a pain bc the connection to the wifi on the cam disconnects the phone from Android Auto. If you want to view videos or pictures on the phone, you have to connect the cam's wifi. The audio and video are great for the interior and exterior of the camera. There's no screen on the cam, so everything is done via the phone app. I'm going to take it for a drive around my neighborhood to test overall functionality. I'll report back on that shortly.
I too just installed a Garmin.
You've convinced me that it makes sense to have the camera shut off after a certain period of time has passed. I like the 2 hrs period as well. Did you have to drill any holes for your hard wiring? I'm trying to find a video of someone doing a hardwired dash cam on a 2021 and surprisingly I can't find anything.I have about 8 years of dash cam experience and have installed them on probably 6 cars. I've always done dual dash cams in the past. Seems like the rear of the vehicle is every bit as important as the front. This time I decided to go with a 3 channel dash cam (Viofo A139) so the interior is covered to. This camera is very small and discreet. I was worried the lack of a screen would bother me but the phone app seems to work just fine. You can change the settings, synchronize the time, playback videos, download videos all on you phone. Price is very reasonable considering it's a 3 channel. You can also get them on sale like I did last month for 20% off. So far very pleased. I really can't think of much of an improvement other than maybe going from 2k to 4k on the front, but I'm thrilled to have 2k. I did send them an email saying the app wasn't updating the firmware and they are looking into it. Not a big deal. I downloaded the latest firmware onto microSD card and it loaded. Pretty neat the phone will be able to update firmware though!! One modification I always do to my dash cams is to keep it powered on for 2 more hours after I get out of the vehicle (ACC power turns off). I do this with a timer relay. The relay senses when ACC power is removed and then starts a countdown. After a preset time it then removes power to dash cam. I really don't want the dash cam running all night long in my garage or all workday in the parking garage but I also don't want it to turn off immediately while I am at a restaurant or Home Depot, etc. So I decided 2 hours was the sweet spot!!
As is always the case in my forum posts........I hope this helps!!!
Again I almost feel like this is the perfect dash cam hence I bought 2 more of them while they were on sale (and no tax) on their website.
Amazon: Viofo A139
Viofo website
PC World Article
I didn't drill holes. Just found an ignition circuit and a constant on circuit and used add a fuses. You'll also need a timer relay.
That's all good info! My Rexing is 1080p and if I catch something I transfer to my phone and can zoom in and see plate numbers! I also hard wired it in to the fuse panel on the passenger side so it runs constantly. It has yet to drain my battery. I guess it detects lower voltage and shuts itself off. Typically, my personal trucks is in the garage for 5 days while I work and drive by company truck, and neither this one or my previous one has had a dead battery when I go to start it up on my off days, although it dude for in to a sort of "power saving mode" according to the instrument cluster.As jamill posted where he is front plates may not be mandatory . So you maybe SOL if the person back out and never shows you their rear plate . That being said that is very unlikely in most scenarios . They need for 4k or at least 1080 is the more you zoom in the less the pixelation and ability to see the plate or even the person. All things being equal most cameras will get the car that struck you and will be good enough for insurance companies or the police if you have the offender . There 3 places where the higher end dual channel (front & rear camera) shine . 1 resolution (4k best) as of now or 1080p. 2 Low light capability ie night driving . The ability to capture plates or color of the car goes down dramatically . Giving reasonable doubt that it was the car that struck you . 3 The ability to transmit that data to the cloud with the unit having its own SIM card . So if some steals the camera or try to disable it which maybe even the police (proof that you didn't break that traffic law) it will upload it to the cloud where you only have access. There are a lot bells and whistles out there and a lot of unnecessary stuff in some opinions. The Walmart $50 set up will work a lot of the time. But think about it you spend $50k on a truck and you worrying about a one time $500 purchase that could change if your paying out or they are . I'm a working stiff like most people out and you and I all spend more than $500 a year more on crap coffee etc . The time delay is a great thought for those of us that have the ability (will be doing thanks) other wise if you park for an extended period of time say at work it would be great to catch that person/ plate that did it. Battery issues aside and how you chose to power the thing. Worth while investment it has saved my bacon a couple of time.
