Best dashcam

Thanks. I live in Mass too. Western Mass

 

I just ordered the Dual Cam 4K version. Ill post when installed. This is a no brainer completely hidden from view as it integrates into the TSS hub behind the rear view mirror. All plug and play.

However if you want the camera to operate in “parking mode” when the truck is off, they sell a specific $40 harness that gets run to the fuse block . If not, the unit will only work when the truck is running.

Extra wiring / battery backup to constant power is common with most dash cams.

 

great write up and love that you have your own website.

 

link to this unit?

 

Hah, thanks — I've been a web developer for almost 20 years now.

 

Nice write up. I like the hose drain install too. But I did it the same way and it cost me 12.00. I used a small pvc fitting and a piece of hose

What size is the hose that comes in the kit to extend the tubing downward?

 

Looks like the details are here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/a-c-drip-mod-kit….735474/#post-26186651

 

Front 4K and Rear 1080P Dash Cam for Toyota Tacoma Limited SR5 TRD Sport Pro Off-Road SR 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018, Fitcamx OEM Style Dual Car Recorder WiFi, HD Video Night Vision, G-Sensor, 64GB Card

$270 Fitcamx Front 4K and Rear 1080P Dash Cam Adapts for Toyota Tacoma 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Limited TRD Sport Off-Road Pro SR5 SR (N300), OEM Style, Dual Loop Recording WiFi, G-Sensor, 128GB Card

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TDTLY7J

 

So this unit says its for 2018+ Tacomas with safely sense. Why is that? Why would it not work for a truck that did not have safety sense? Anyone have any idea?

 

I think the reasoning behind this is because the safety sense is build into the wind shield in that covered area along within the hood behind the Toyota symbol, and your mirror would have to have the jack inside it.,

I purchased the Garmin mini

 

South Shore checking in haha..I have the Cobra SC200D and I'm happy with it.

 

Agreed. I haven’t seen it in person yet but the camera comes built into a replacement plastic housing that gets swapped with the TSS cover on the windshield. It also grabs power from the TSS harness there. If there’s no TSS , the unit has nothing to mount to and no harness to plug in for get power.
Thats my guess until mine arrives.

 

Good Luck ,let us know how it goes.

 

This is exactly correct. I installed one in my Tacoma SR5 today. If you use the default install (no parking mode only runs when the truck is on) it took about 10 minutes and that included the time watching an install video.

 

Cool. Mine arrived today. Just waiting for the separate hard wire cable which gives you the option of a parking mode, to record when parked . Everything was shipped from
China somewhere and took @ 2.5 weeks to arrive.

 

How do you like it so far?

 

does this splice into the existing power? or does it take the power away from the dimmable rear view mirror? the instructions in the image on Amazon make it seem like you don't plug the first thing back in?

 

I am on vacation, so here goes:

We have 2 (3) dashcams on our 2 (3) vehicles.

2017 Tacoma: GoPro Hero 5

$299 GoPro Hero5 Black (E-Commerce Packaging)

Amazon.com : GoPro Hero5 Black (E-Commerce Packaging) : Electronics

Pros - Works perfectly every time. Clear picture. Mount is already part of the window and rock solid. App for live view (fun for the kids in the back) and recordings has always worked perfectly, every time.
Cons - Not hard wired so I am switching batteries (I have a double battery charger in the center console so there is always a fresh one). I have to turn it on manually each time. Runs hot when using it for more than a couple of hours. Long road trips requires thoughtful battery replacement timing.

2018 4Runner:

VANTRUE T2 1080P 24/7 Recording Dash Cam with Motion Detection Parking Mode, 2'' LCD Car Camera with Capacitor, Night Vision, OBD Hardwired Cable, G-Sensor, Loop Recording, Support 256GB Max

Amazon.com: VANTRUE T2 1080P 24/7 Recording Dash Cam with Motion Detection Parking Mode, 2'' LCD Car Camera with Capacitor, Night Vision, OBD Hardwired Cable, G-Sensor, Loop Recording, Support 256GB Max : Electronics

Pros - Capacitor based. Clear picture.
Cons - Suction cup mount fails about once a week in the hot weather. Mount seems shaky but the video is rather smooth. OBD to USB port adapter was draining the battery to dangerous levels (switiching off the sentry part of the camera did not help) even though it was not supposed to. It has killed a 128GB Samsung memory card and this was not in a predictable way; I noticed some videos were not accessible then it refused to loop record saying that the card was full. I replaced the card and it has been fine.

Note: The OBD port adapter seemed like a good idea and running the wire took about 10 minutes max. I was dissapointed that it was draining the battery and it did not seem to matter what setting I used. The 4 Runner is daily driven so that was not really the issue. I ended up leaving the run for the OBD adpater and running another 12V to USB adapter to the center console location that switches off with the ignition.

Not a Toyota

2021 V90:

$180 Garmin Dash Cam 47, 1080p and 140-degree FOV, Monitor Your Vehicle While Away w/ New Connected Features, Voice Control, Compact and Discreet, Includes Memory Card

Amazon.com: Garmin Dash Cam 47, 1080p and 140-degree FOV, Monitor Your Vehicle While Away w/ New Connected Features, Voice Control, Compact and Discreet, Includes Memory Card : Everything Else

$48 Garmin Constant Power Cable, Compatible with Garmin Dash Cam, Fits Vehicle's OBD-II Port for Power Even When Parked and Turned Off

Amazon.com: Garmin Constant Power Cable, Compatible with Garmin Dash Cam, Fits Vehicle's OBD-II Port for Power Even When Parked and Turned Off : Everything Else

Garmin Mini Suction Cup Mount for Speak, Plus, Dash Cam 45, 55 and 65W, 010-12530-05

Amazon.com: Garmin Mini Suction Cup Mount for Speak, Plus, Dash Cam 45, 55 and 65W, 010-12530-05 : Electronics

Pros - Clear picture. OBD connection actually works without draining the battery...I think. I'm a little hesitant about this connection because of what happened with the 4Runner. Battery for shutdown procedure lasts long enough to fire it up on its own when the car is off. Has not failed yet.
Cons - The app portion is sketchy and often does not connect or work at all. Suction cup mount fails about once a week in hot weather but I do not want a permanent mount so that is on me. The mount with the suction cup is solid. The battery will fail: I am in South Texas. It is ugly and I can see it. It beeps with aggressive driving and no matter what setting I change I cannot get it to stop. I guess I could drive better...but the V90 is supercharged and turbocharged and has Polestar.

Random Notes:

I have exclusively stuck with Samsung cards and I am trying out the Samsung Pro Endurance card in the Garmin. The one card failure was dissapointing. I have decades of experience with memory cards/sticks/etc. and have had three failures out of hundreds. The last two were in the last year, both Samsung. Maybe those are good numbers?

For me, I am good with the GoPro in the 2017. I like having to turn it on, I know it is acutally on when I do this. This is not an extra step that my wife would want which necessitated moving to a "real" dash cam. If I were to do it again with the V90, knowing what I know about the poor app portion, I would go the GoPro route again with the battery charger in the center console. But I also enjoy changing my own oil...

 

There is a Y harness with the cam that is used to grab power . I cant recall exactly what the what the factory harness is powering, but its as simple as unplugging and then reconnecting.

 

Huh, nice specs plus the rear cam is waterproof for mounting behind a trailer. only $120 right now after discounted price+coupon might get this one myself.