Bought a dash cam. Should I wire constant on or switched on?

Wondering what most people do for their dash cams. Constant on or switched with ignition?

Constant would be nice for motion detection when parked, mainly because I am not sure if I trust the G sensor on the camera.

Switched obviously would preserve the battery. Which is nice to never have to jump the truck.

What are you all running? Constant or switched?

 

I would go switched. Why would you need it when parked?

 

Only reason was extra security I guess. Just constantly watching the truck. Worried that the G sensor on the camera isn't sensitive enough, like for instance a glass breaking incident.

 

If it’s double sided, I’d go constant to keep an eye on what happens in the cab when you’re away in the event your truck is ever broken into.

The amount of power it draws is probably negligible if you’re driving the truck daily.

 

15ft Micro USB & Mini USB Dash Cam &Type-C Hardwire Kit w. Mini(ACS)/LP Mini(ACN)/ATO(ATC or ACU)/Micro2(ACZ) Fuse, Micro to Mini/USB-C Port Adapters & 11.9V Real Battery Drain Protection

$16 NUNET 15ft MicroUSB & MiniUSB Hardwire Kit with Mini/LP Mini/ATO/Micro2 Fuse, Micro to Mini/Type-C Adapters, Battery Drain Protection System, 15ft Length Cord for Dash Cameras

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072J3L2JN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_4c7pEb422HN8A

 

Thanks, but I already purchased

$18 Dash Cam Hardwire Kit, Mini USB Hard Wire Kit Fuse for Dashcam, Plozoe 12V-24V to 5V Car Dash Camera Charger Power Cord, Gift 4 Fuse Tap Cable and Installation Tool（11.5ft

this one. Just still trying to figure out whether or not to wire always on.

 

i mean if you already have the battery protection to make sure it doesn’t kill your battery overnight some how i don’t see why you wouldn’t. drunk fuckers hit parked cars. there is literally no con to it

 

Always power it. My camera is sensitive enough it sometimes picks up and records if I slam the door shut too hard. Have cause one person backing into my truck too. Luckily I have a bumper but it’s a good piece of mind. Depends on the camera. But mine has a very low amp draw for the G sensor.
Mines a Kenwood camera built integrated with my head unit.

 

I am leaning towards always powered. Just really wanted to see if anybody has done it who constantly kills their battery. I still need to invest in a battery jump starter so I don't want to be stranded due to the camera. But really I want it always powered.

I purchased an Apeman C550. Cheap but not too cheap. Do you leave it always on w/motion sensor or just stand by with the G sensor?

 

if your product works as advertised, you won’t have a problem

 

Here's hoping. Gonna install it tomorrow and let it sit for a while before testing the battery with a multimeter.

 

Mine is switched with the ignition.

If someone breaks in, they will probably steal the camera anyway.

 

So I went ahead and wired it to always on/always recording. We'll see what happens. Luckily I have the day off tomorrow so no worries from me if it kills my battery overnight.

 

Also any tips on good settings on the cameras to catch license plates? Kind of funny, literally an hour after installing the front/rear cameras some lady bumped me at a stop light. She sped off immediately afterwards, so I couldn't stop and talk to her. But the rear cam (which I have mounted in the rear window) was too fuzzy to capture her license plate. The rear is 720p unfortunately, but I think I need to change the contrast to help capture it better? Heres an imgur link...

 

Pretty sure the only way you’ll get a cleaner video for plates is having the camera closer to your bumper or a higher quality rear cam.

 

Most new ones will activate on bumps with internal battery, so mine is switched.

 

That is what I am thinking of doing, putting it closer to my bumper. Gotta find a good place to do it that doesn't look tacky. I already have one of the aftermarket license plate backup cameras.

Only thing is after playing around with the camera, the internal battery sucks. It lasts maybe 10 minutes? What camera do you have?

 

So you can have video of someone backing into your truck while its parked

 

The purpose of the internal in mine is specifically to catch bump and runs. Sounds like you would do best with always on. How big is your memory stick? Mine would handle about 24 hours before it overwrites.