Recommendation for Dash Cam?

[VRFlyer]

When I looked at dozens of models and the reviews by customers on Amazon I realized that reliability was going to be a problem with all of them and decided not to buy one.

Vantrue has been great on my cars for 4yrs. Before this brand, I used Anker's dashcams (ROVE), but they sold that market to an unknow source.

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[Kanuck]

I run a Thinkware F 200 Pro with rear camera and in the process of installing one in my wife's Equinox. In my truck, I picked up both battery and acc power from the fuse box in the passenger side fuse box. I used Fuse Taps from Amazon. There is a ground right beside the fuse box. I find it works great.

 

[roadPilot]

When I looked at dozens of models and the reviews by customers on Amazon I realized that reliability was going to be a problem with all of them and decided not to buy one.

Been running the VIOFO A129 Pro Duo 4K Dual Dash Cam for 2.5 years in my 2021 F150 with zero issues.

 

[G_Money]

Any good deals out there with black friday sales already going into effect? The viofo's seem to be the best cameras, but I really like the clean look of the fitcamx.

 

[G_Money]

Bumping this back up to see if anyone has tried the below mangoal Dashcam? They have upgraded it to a starvis2 sensor but you get the clean install look that this and the fitcamx have.

https://www.amazon.com/mangoal-STARVIS-IMX678-2013-2017-2015-2019-dp-B0FK4CVG9M/dp/B0FK4CVG9M/

 

[rugedraw]

Bumping this back up to see if anyone has tried the below mangoal Dashcam? They have upgraded it to a starvis2 sensor but you get the clean install look that this and the fitcamx have.

https://www.amazon.com/mangoal-STARVIS-IMX678-2013-2017-2015-2019-dp-B0FK4CVG9M/dp/B0FK4CVG9M/

I'm getting a Wolfbox G900 Tri-Pro installed on my truck right now; literally dropped off my truck at my installer's shop less than an hour ago. For another $135, I would consider that system instead. It also has Sony Starvis2 tech.

 

[moritzes]

Bumping this back up to see if anyone has tried the below mangoal Dashcam? They have upgraded it to a starvis2 sensor but you get the clean install look that this and the fitcamx have.

https://www.amazon.com/mangoal-STARVIS-IMX678-2013-2017-2015-2019-dp-B0FK4CVG9M/dp/B0FK4CVG9M/

Even with the better starvis2 sensor, my worry would be that for most people the software for this camera would be problematic. All of the cameras that look like the fitcamx (and there are many that use the same physical housing) seem to use the same basic software, re-skinned for the particular camera. See, for example, all of these apps. Their interfaces are basically all the same. I have this camera, KuTaiTai Dash Cam, and comparing screen shots on Amazon and the Google Play site, the mangoal physical form and its app (SkyCamm) look basically just like mine. I think just the sensor is different. (I also have a FitCamX in my Mach-E, and it has the same basic look and functionality in its app.)

The reviews for all the apps are uniformly bad. (For example, the SkyCamm app for the mangoal camera is rated 3.2 stars, as is the fitcamx app. The one I use, Viidure-Dashcam Viewer, is rated 3.7) The software is clunky (and instructions aren't good at all) and it's impossibly slow to review recorded video by transferring the videos to your phone over wifi. But the biggest problem (for many users, at least) is that in order to monitor the camera live on your phone on these apps you have to connect to the camera's built in wifi router. But then your phone can't get internet because the wifi connection to the camera now has priority over the phone's cellular connection. The upshot is that you can't use Android Auto (or CarPlay) to listen to streaming audio or get live mapping data, etc, while you are monitoring the dash cam. If you don't need the live monitoring functionality (or don't use AA or CP) than you are probably fine, though the app will still likely stink.

If you do need Android Auto or CarPlay functionality, just don't monitor the dash cam live. Instead rely on the camera recording to the SD card and review any footage after the fact on your computer. This is mostly what I do, just set and forget. Or, you can use a second phone as your monitor (I sometimes do this with an old Android phone I had sitting around). This works well and gives you a bed cam if you get the rear camera sensor (good for me b/c my 2025 Lariat didn't come with bed cam).

So, if the software is as I expect it is, then you will have to work around it. The actually installation and the video quality should be excellent though. I'm happy enough with my two similar dash cams that I would get them again. And I'd love to have the better starvis2 sensor, though maybe not at that great a premium, price-wise.

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tl;dr
I have not used it, but given my experience with two different but similar cameras I expect the video quality to be good but the software to have potentially major limitations, especially if you use Android Auto or Car Play and wish to monitor the camera live on your phone.
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[obert]

I'm getting a Wolfbox G900 Tri-Pro installed on my truck right now; literally dropped off my truck at my installer's shop less than an hour ago. For another $135, I would consider that system instead. It also has Sony Starvis2 tech.

Very nice

I am installing and reviewing on this weekend.

Are you going to strap it to your stock mirror or go for the full replacement.

 

[rugedraw]

Very nice

I am installing and reviewing on this weekend.

Are you going to strap it to your stock mirror or go for the full replacement.

It's strapped, but only because I didn't know it didn't include the bracket to mount it in place of the OEM mirror. I ordered the bracket and it arrives tomorrow, but it's installed and it is awesome. You're gonna love it. It takes some getting used to, but driving at night is insane. I never realized how utterly useless that mirror is at night until now.

 

[Kodiak]

It's strapped, but only because I didn't know it didn't include the bracket to mount it in place of the OEM mirror. I ordered the bracket and it arrives tomorrow, but it's installed and it is awesome. You're gonna love it. It takes some getting used to, but driving at night is insane. I never realized how utterly useless that mirror is at night until now.

I installed mine almost a couple of years ago. I also used the strap, and it has been perfectly fine. While it is a dash cam I actually have never viewed the vids. I bought it to add a proper digital rearview camera (like any of todays trucks should come with OEM). It has been great with the ARE topper I have.

I do not use it for backing up as the trucks OEM backup camera is better suited for that, but now driving with it on is a dream. Good luck with yours!

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

FitCamX here…….along with the rear cam

 

[G_Money]

Even with the better starvis2 sensor, my worry would be that for most people the software for this camera would be problematic. All of the cameras that look like the fitcamx (and there are many that use the same physical housing) seem to use the same basic software, re-skinned for the particular camera. See, for example, all of these apps. Their interfaces are basically all the same. I have this camera, KuTaiTai Dash Cam, and comparing screen shots on Amazon and the Google Play site, the mangoal physical form and its app (SkyCamm) look basically just like mine. I think just the sensor is different. (I also have a FitCamX in my Mach-E, and it has the same basic look and functionality in its app.)

The reviews for all the apps are uniformly bad. (For example, the SkyCamm app for the mangoal camera is rated 3.2 stars, as is the fitcamx app. The one I use, Viidure-Dashcam Viewer, is rated 3.7) The software is clunky (and instructions aren't good at all) and it's impossibly slow to review recorded video by transferring the videos to your phone over wifi. But the biggest problem (for many users, at least) is that in order to monitor the camera live on your phone on these apps you have to connect to the camera's built in wifi router. But then your phone can't get internet because the wifi connection to the camera now has priority over the phone's cellular connection. The upshot is that you can't use Android Auto (or CarPlay) to listen to streaming audio or get live mapping data, etc, while you are monitoring the dash cam. If you don't need the live monitoring functionality (or don't use AA or CP) than you are probably fine, though the app will still likely stink.

If you do need Android Auto or CarPlay functionality, just don't monitor the dash cam live. Instead rely on the camera recording to the SD card and review any footage after the fact on your computer. This is mostly what I do, just set and forget. Or, you can use a second phone as your monitor (I sometimes do this with an old Android phone I had sitting around). This works well and gives you a bed cam if you get the rear camera sensor (good for me b/c my 2025 Lariat didn't come with bed cam).

So, if the software is as I expect it is, then you will have to work around it. The actually installation and the video quality should be excellent though. I'm happy enough with my two similar dash cams that I would get them again. And I'd love to have the better starvis2 sensor, though maybe not at that great a premium, price-wise.

---------
tl;dr
I have not used it, but given my experience with two different but similar cameras I expect the video quality to be good but the software to have potentially major limitations, especially if you use Android Auto or Car Play and wish to monitor the camera live on your phone.
---------

Very helpful post - I have a 2nd 'work phone' that I could dedicate to connecting to the cam so I may pull the trigger.

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