Dash cam recommendations?

[Buyer2021]

A question about dash cam image quality (yes, I'm attracted to the previously discussed
Fitcamx Front 4K+Rear 1080P Dash Cam for its super easy installation and, to my eye, unobtrusive mounting location, both which have value for me) .....

My interest, I believe, is a 'set it and forget it' cam, the objective being to have 'evidence' in the event I'm hit and in case of question of 'who was at fault' by LEO or my insurance.

Do I really need to be able to 'read a license plate' for that objective? I could care less about anyone catching the 'other guy' if they hit-and-run, just want to be able to aid in correctly assigning fault to the extent that's possible.

Is my logic flawed? Do I really need to be worried about 'reading license plates', and if so, why?

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[JBMCEQY]

Do you have any pics of the install?

I will try to take some and post in the next day or two.

Though just FYI regarding the Viofo A229 Pro, I haven't had a chance to use it with hot weather yet. But the other day I spent 4 hours driving on the highway when the temp got up to about 80 and I think I heard it restart at least once. So I have some concerns about how well it'll hold up from overheating once summer hits.

 

[Micho523]

I will try to take some and post in the next day or two.

Though just FYI regarding the Viofo A229 Pro, I haven't had a chance to use it with hot weather yet. But the other day I spent 4 hours driving on the highway when the temp got up to about 80 and I think I heard it restart at least once. So I have some concerns about how well it'll hold up from overheating once summer hits.

I've had a Viofo A129 Pro Duo for several years now, no issues overheating in the Florida sun or on LONG road trips.

I did have an issue with the little USB cable not providing enough power. I upgraded it to one with a larger gauge wiring and it has been problem free since.

 

[Kodiak]

Is my logic flawed? Do I really need to be worried about 'reading license plates', and if so, why?

I do not think so. More information is always better than less information but there are plateau levels where getting that little extra, just may not be cost effective or worth perusing.

With that said 4k is significantly better than 1080. However, even with 4k if you are recording at 30fps there is a high likelihood that the image will be blurred anyway. 4k at 60fps for dashcams is what is needed for motion, but that animal does not exist, at least yet anyway.

I was holding out for 4k @ 60fps but finally gave up and got a Wolfbox G900. This is a unit that attaches to your regular mirror and will give you a proper digital rearview mirror. I have a topper so this is a little more important to me. I have not even downloaded the Wolfbox playback software yet as the dashcam is less important than that rearview camera to me.

If you really just want to capture the moment so when someone starts lying and says "you hit me" when he clearly hit you, then you really should just get what works best for you as far as windshield positioning and cost. Any of the somewhat "better" dash cams will serve you well if you just want to see who is telling the truth. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Calson]

When I read the reviews for dozens of dash cameras that were posted on Amazon I decided not to buy one. Their life expectancy was less than 12 months. I would however go by the thousands of reviews on Amazon and not few dozen on a car forum.

 

[The_Auto_Tech]

I do not think so. More information is always better than less information but there are plateau levels where getting that little extra, just may not be cost effective or worth perusing.

With that said 4k is significantly better than 1080. However, even with 4k if you are recording at 30fps there is a high likelihood that the image will be blurred anyway. 4k at 60fps for dashcams is what is needed for motion, but that animal does not exist, at least yet anyway.

I was holding out for 4k @ 60fps but finally gave up and got a Wolfbox G900. This is a unit that attaches to your regular mirror and will give you a proper digital rearview mirror. I have a topper so this is a little more important to me. I have not even downloaded the Wolfbox playback software yet as the dashcam is less important than that rearview camera to me.

If you really just want to capture the moment so when someone starts lying and says "you hit me" when he clearly hit you, then you really should just get what works best for you as far as windshield positioning and cost. Any of the somewhat "better" dash cams will serve you well if you just want to see who is telling the truth. Good luck with your decision.

This was my thoughts as well. The issue isn't being able to catch every tiny detail in the event, it's just being able to get a good overview of the situation. It's very easy to tell even with lower quality of who's at fault in an accident when there's footage. I just wanted to be able to show if someone rear ended me or pulled out in front of me who was at fault for sure. Look at surveillance footage from a convenience store. It doesn't take much to be able to discern the situation, even in low quality footage.

 

[sone]

Agreed on the Viofo's as they have been great. I have them in several vehicles for my family.. saved us a couple of times while other driver tried to say accident was our fault.

 

[AnthemMike]

I just installed the Garmin Dash Mini 2 and used the Dongar plug so I didn't have to splice/run wires. Plugs right into the back of the rear view mirror.

 

[adt1982]

I just installed the Garmin Dash Mini 2 and used the Dongar plug so I didn't have to splice/run wires. Plugs right into the back of the rear view mirror.

That's the exact setup I have. The only issue I had was a fault USB cable from the adapter to the camera. Once I swapped that out I haven't had any problems.

 

[JohnMcClane]

I have been recently eyeing a Garmin 67w.

I enjoyed the write up @powerboatr did on the thinkware unit and it’s definitely in consideration for me.

As others have said, some footage > no footage.

I have also been kicking around utilizing a late generation GoPro, which can do 4k at 60fps with ease, but that is another rabbit hole.

 

[themlruts]

Sure isn't 4K video as they claim on their website. My old phone from 15 years ago took better pictures. I don't know about this brand, but maybe you need to adjust the settings? Because your screenshot is not even Full HD resolution, it's 1350x1120. With a decent camera, you can see license plates in 4K both day and night.

I 100 agree with you. I found out they are using a 4mp sensor.
Here is the spec sheet of the sensor.

https://www.gophotonics.com/products/cmos-image-sensors/galaxycore-microelectronics/21-117-gc4653

Basically image sensor takes in 4mp and they upscaling to make it look like 4k. 8mp his is what your tv does.
I emailed support and called them out on it but wouldn’t respond.
you can only make crap look so good.
this is the one thing holding me back from getting a fit cam.

 

[Infotroll]

So the point for reading plate would be to have their insurance pay instead of yours viofo 4k 60 frames per second yes it is worth it I have their cameras on all of my cars and will be upgrade the rest of the cars soon

 

[2024lariatbap]

I am looking at getting a viofo a229 pro dashcam with the rear camera but I want it to be under the 3rd brake light. I saw a post in this thread that had a set but I only want the 3rd brake light part. Does anyone know if there's just the 3rd brake light camera that can integrate as the rear camera for the viofo a229 pro?

 

[The_Auto_Tech]

It's possible you could modify a camera to fit in the space of the third brake like camera that comes factory. I used the Brandmotion kit that has the bezel that mounts under the third brake light as I wanted something that was properly secure without having to epoxy a camera into my Morimoto third brake light.

 

[2024lariatbap]

It's possible you could modify a camera to fit in the space of the third brake like camera that comes factory. I used the Brandmotion kit that has the bezel that mounts under the third brake light as I wanted something that was properly secure without having to epoxy a camera into my Morimoto third brake light.

So what type of connection does the brand motion 3rd brake light camera use? I'm thinking if I can get the 3rd brake light bracket with the camera if it would be compatible to plug into another dashcam brand and i could use that as the rear camera.

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