INSTALLED! Vantop Dash/rear cam screen over rearview mirror

VanTop H612T 12” 4K Mirror Dash Cam for Cars, Voice Control Full Touch Screen Rear View Mirror Camera, GPS Tracking, Waterproof Backup Camera 2.5K Max, 8MP Sony Sensor for Super Night Vision https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089SVCW1X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_zE3kFb0J4TFJ8

I am looking at this guy. I have a Leer camper shell and with cab tint and shell tint there is no visibility out of my back. I was considering making my own ipad back up camera setup with the ipad located in the rear view mirror area when i cam across these. Seems the perfect solution and pretty cheap all things considered. Just would like some real world feedback from my fellow Tacoma people. The reviews on Amazon for this model seem a little fake sounding which doesnt mean the product is bad, but maybe they tried to get a jump start on their reviews pool. Their lower end models have a lot of positive reviews so it seems some people are pretty happy with this style rear facing camera.

the built in dash cam is a nice plus if it works well.

yeah i have a backup cam connected to my receiver, but i want an ‘on all the time’ solution for my rearview area while driving.

anyone use one of these?

 

Fine, i ordered it.. guess i'll be the Guinea pig lol

 

Im thinking about getting this also.. how did it go, did it fit alright

 

First of all, let me say thanks.

I have been moving this thing around my work bench damn near 3 months. You inspired me to get my ass in gear and install it today.

One thing to mention, after receiving the dash cam kit, I decided I needed the optional hard wire kit which I think was like $10 or something.

The whole install took me a couple hours maybe. Initially I was waiting to install this as I was thinking I would mount the rear camera to my cap roof rack once I had that all done, but I said screw it as that could be another couple months out. I ended up putting it under the bottom rail of my swing out. My initial location selected was the top side of the bottom rail, which offered a little more protection, but the image was upside down and I could find no way to swap it, so I ended up mounting it to the bottom. I will fab a bracket or something to protect it one of these days.

Once I selected the location of where the camera would mount, I decided to lay the cable out and figure out where I was going to run it. I got really nervous that the rear cam cable was going to be too short once I laid it all out next to my DCSB as it seemed like I was on the razor edge of it not being long enough. So I started running it anyway because that was the only way I was going to know for sure. I ran it from the rear view mirror accross under the head liner and down the passenger side pillar, down under the sill trim, and out through a rubber plug in the floor under the front passenger seat along the frame to the back bumper, and up and out along my swingout with almost 12 inches to spare.

I protected the cam cable with a 1/4" mesh cable sleeve, and then a plastic corrugated 1/4 cover which I had on hand for lighting projects.

As soon as I plugged the fuse adapters in it started working just like it should. after testing the camera and seeing the picture orientation, I mounted the camera, and did a minimal amount of adjusting, and let me tell you, this thing is awesome.

The picture quality is excellent, the front and rear facing cameras both give a nice quality picture. You can hold your finger on the left side of the screen and slide up and down to select the view angle you like the best. The camera and screen could have a little higher frame rate I guess, as its a hair jittery when driving, but the field of view is outstanding, and as a person who has not been able to use my rear view since I have had the truck, its now better than a rear view mirror ever could be as far as seeing what's going on behind me.

I hope this thing holds up, but only time will tell..

While Driving:



You can drag your finger up and down on the left side to change viewing angle:






My spare 12 inches :


the camera cable run in the sill cover, where I am holding it is where it cuts up under the seat to the plug in the floor.



The plug in the floor I used, there are a couple to chose from. this one was directly under the seat, so it is protected from someone stepping on the cable where it runs under the carpet. The rubber sealed tight around the cable, but I may go back and add a little sealant:


Here is just a terrible picture showing the cable run down along an existing cable right above the frame rail:



I ended up using the empty fuse spot on the top row for the ACC, as the two adapters would not fit side by side in the actual ACC slot. I have no idea what this slot goes to, but it has power only when the key is on. Maybe someone can chime in and tell me what a bad idea this was..

 

nice set up i think i need the 10 inch mirror so it will fit... thanks for the pics. and review

 

This was perfect for me. Just enough room for the front facing camera to sit to the drivers side of the mirror without seeing the mirror stick out on the passenger side. If the front facing camera isnt there 10” would be just right. If i had a choice i would move my mirror up as far as it could go on the windshield. This screen is pretty good sized. May be distracting for some.

 

@Aardvark13 Nice write up. Where did you place the rear cam? did you do anything with the factory camera? I'm looking for a dashcam to put into my 2015, this one looks really interesting for the price.

Also, when the screen is off the mirror can be used as normal right?

 

I mounted it to my rear swingout right above my license plate. I imagine if I didnt have the swingout I would put it there above the plate on the bumper, or get a license plate frame I could mount it to. My factory camera is still hooked up to my after market head unit, but it too is on the swingout but over to the passenger side under the spare tire which restricts its usability.

You can turn off the screen anytime, and it does have a mirror finish so it can function as a standard mirror. It will continue to record when the screen is off while the car is on also.

 

Awesome. I’m going to take a chance with it. Besides the wiring harness, which Im assuming you got the V9H that pops up on the Amazon page.... did you have to get any other wires/tools to install? I’m going to get what I need, plug it all in before actually installing to make sure it works lol

 

That was it. I didnt need anything else. I had some mesh cable protection i used just as a precaution for the rear camera cable.

 

Smarter than me testing it first!

 

I figured out the unused fuse slot in the dash. where I put the ACC connection is actually tied to the headlights. Since I always run with headlights on, I did not realize this until the other day when I shut my headlights off while driving, and my Vantop shut off.. I feel like I didnt use the ACC because it was a little tight with the power next to it, so I may need to use a different system for a tie in. I have learned running my headlights all the time could damage my headlight housing faster so this is why I probably will be moving this soon.

 

Awesome write up I am going to be picking this up soon! Thank you

 

No problem! This thing has been great. Hope you enjoy it as well!

 

Do the visors clear the mirror? Seems like they'd hit every time

 

Driver’s side hits on the front facing dash cam version. I can flip it down but not all the way to the windshield without moving screen. I got used to it so it doesn’t bother me but at first I would forget and it was pretty annoying.

 

Anyone having trouble with their Vantop dash cam? My rear camera won't stay connected. If I push down on the 2.5mm plug for the rear video feed (on the mirror unit itself), it will come on which tells me it's probably the jack on the primary mirror unit.

 

Mine has been solid. The only thing I had to do was put shrink wrap on the rear camera plug at the back of the truck as water wast getting in it when it rained.

 

Thanks for sharing that positive report. Figuring I must had a lemon, I just got a used one on eBay for $35 and now works great. Using the old rear camera and hardwire kit. I only replaced the mirror head unit; plug and play.