Dash cam recommendations

I have a 2019 Tacoma that I'd like to add a dash cam to, for all the usual reasons. Having both a front/rear cam would be nice, but the front view cam IMO is more important. So, where to start? Amazon of course has many to choose from, but there's always to usual pitfalls for getting the wrong product. I'm getting less inclined to DIY in my old[er] age lol. Maybe a specialty shop that does stereos, tires and other installs? Of course, I'm up for any easy-peasey installs, maybe something bluetooth with a cellphone app?

 

https://dongar.tech/pages/tacoma?sr...jwyKZxDj1X9w4GDDBCyN7MskPMQzJgdEdji3a#shopnow

I have the Garmin mini 2 and the dongar adapter. small and out of sight. easy to install. software isn't difficult. I recommend

 

If you have a powered mirror, get a Dongar adapter to slave power from that connection.

Many like FitCamX but maybe not for the 2019 models. Many buy the small almost-micro Garmin models that have no screen but require a BT connection. I use a NextBase 522 but I had it already when I bought the Tacoma and like a screen. Regardless you will NEED a microSD card that writes FAST, minimum 45 MB/sec. My Netbase does not even run with cheap cards, and have a 90 MB/sec-write to be safe.

 

I TOO have the Garmin mini 2 and the dongar adapter. small and out of sight. easy to install. software isn't difficult. I ALSO recommend

 

I have garmin mini 3 and dongar, no complaints

 

Yes, as others have said, Garmin Mini 2 with the Dongar adapter. Can’t go wrong.

 

Hands down the wolfbox is worth the money. The G850pro just came out and will give you blind spot and pedestrian detection as well as a crystal clear back up cam and front/rear dash cam all in one.

 

After watching a shit load of videos and researching I found out there are basically lots of dashcams but the components in all of them are basically the same. There are some with upgraded components that are a little better than the one without the better components but not by much. The real kicker is the price range all over the place so that you can end up paying two or three times more for one dashcam than for one with the same or even less quality components.

So I went the other route - my dashcam cost less than $1 (actually $0.79) plus shipping costs which was ~$16 or something like that. I plug it in the cigarette lighter and ran the cable under the dash and up the A pillar out of site so the dashcam is high out of the way on the driver side windshield. The battery sucks so running it off the battery is a no-go. and about every 10 days I have to reformat the sd card because it does not over write it like it claims it will but that is easy enough to do (few button clicks in steup - takes about 5 seconds).

The camera perspective mkes it look bigger and more intrusive than it really is

$1 Generic New Dash Cam, 1080p Hd Car Camera, Car Dash Camera with 2.0" Mini Screen, Built-in G-Sensor, Loop Recording, Auto Overwrite & Video Saving, Wireless Driving Recorder, Black

https://www.amazon.com/Generic-G-Se...sprefix=dashcam,specialty-aps,113&sr=8-3&th=1

 

The Viofo lineup is tough to beat for image quality. I have had a A129 Duo since 2021. There are newer units now, with better image quality than the A128, from Viofo and others. YouTube has quite a few vids that compare features and image quality.

 

Another vote for the Garmin Mini 2.

Thanks, @TACO-TY !

 

Another vote for the Garmin dash cam here. I’ve had one for several years and it still works like the day I bought it.

 

Anyone happen to know if the Dongar adapter works with 3rd gen SR models?

 

While I have a dash-cam, I am looking for an upgrade / replacement since its internal battery is for shit, and replacing it would be a nightmare (or simply not time well spent considering the cost of a new camera.

Does anyone have a solution that makes use of the OR's GoPro mount? My current camera supports 1/4"/20 camera mounts, and I have the widgets to connect it to the GP Mount behind the RV Mirror....

 

I just happened to see that “Project Farm” dropped a video recently on YouTube in which he reviews dash cams.
I haven’t watched it yet, so I can’t spoil the suspense.

 

Question regarding the garmin mini 3 adn dongar.... When connecting through the mirror, does the garmin automatically power on when you start up the engine? Or do you have to manually power it on and off all the time?

 

Sorry as I do not know for the 3, but the 2 powers up automatically when you start. No need to ever touch the camera. The start up / shut off chirp can be turned off in the app settings.

 

I also have the garmin mini 2 with Dongar adapter
I've had it for about a year and no complaints so far.

 

I use a Nextbase 322GW. Comes with everything needed (comes with both adhesive and suction cup windshield mounts), and cigarette-lighter adapter). The cam easily detaches from the (magnetic) windshield mount when needed (maybe for safe-keeping while parked in questionable areas). Resolution is standard HD (1920x1080) 60fps which is pretty good, although capturing license plates more than 40-50 feet away could be better (been thinking of upgrading to the 622GW which is 3840x2160p).
I used a fuse-tap to an ignition-on source so it's only powered on when the engine is running (didn't think about tapping into power at the mirror until afterward).

Like mentioned, SD card type is important, but not difficult to find (look for "U3" rated cards, it might also have a claim: "good for 4K UHD video recording" or something similar). I use a Sandisk U3 32GB card.

 

I have the Garmin Mini 3 with the Dongar Pro. It powers on when the truck is turned on for the setting I have on the Dongar Pro.

 

It looks like the FITCAMX will work with the 2019 tacos and I would recommend you consider it. After installation it’s not obvious it’s there and it is very easy to install and comes with the harness to plug into the factory wiring. There’s lots of YouTube videos that review it. Video quality is good enough for me. The Garmin seems popular but I have no experience with it. As another tw member stated, project farm on YouTube just put out a review on dashcams, I would recommend you check it out. He doesn’t include the FITCAMX but does compare many others
https://fitcamx.com/products/fitcamx-dash-cam-for-all-toyota?variant=40686041333932