Budget dash cams

Looking for a dash cam that doesn’t break the bank(like go pro)
fits in the go pro mount
can take direct power while still recording
auto turns on/records with that power.
Just keeps writing over oldest drives
Would prefer an action camera that can do these things instead of a dedicated dash camera style system

 

Garmin mini? It’s cheap, small and good quality video. No screen though. I got one and I love it! I plugged it straight into the back of the mirror.

 

There are options that mount behind the mirror where you can't see them and connect to the mirror harness. If that's not good enough, you can always attach a generic GoPro clip to the camera and use the GoPro mount that way.

 

Any rear view arm mount like those available for the black vue?
https://blackvue.com/product/blendmount-dashcam-mount/

 

Viofo A129 pro would be my recommendation.

 

I don’t think so. I might be wrong though.

 

I run the one from Cobra in my vehicles, works so well it caught me rear ending someone.

 

Rexing

 

Viofo A129 gets my vote. Ive been using the older model A119 for years now and no issue. Small, inconspicuous, just works.

 

Here is my exact setup (hyperlinks)

$151 Garmin Dash Cam 46, Wide 140-Degree Field of View In 1080P HD, 2" LCD Screen and Voice Control, Very Compact with Automatic Incident Detection and Recording

Dashcam (Garmin 46) + 256 GB SD Card

$33 Dongar Dashcam Power Adapter (12-pin for '15-'23 Toyota Tacoma. Also Compatible with Select Sienna, Honda, and More), Connects to Rearview Mirror, Built-in USB Power Source, Easy to Install

Dashcam to rearview mirror adapter (not required)

Total spent ~$183

Practically invisible from behind


Small like a gopro (can be mounted on a gopro mount too)


Here is that adapter that allows you go plug the USB into the back of the mirror

 

I bought this one a few years ago in the non wifi version for my Jeep and moved it over to the Tacoma when I made the switch.
https://www.amazon.com/AUKEY-Dashboard-Supercapacitor-Nighttime-Recording/dp/B072FGL63X?th=1

Its does a good job and it's cheap. I had to use a samsung pro endurance sd card with it because the rewriting cams do usually wrecks standard cards and it wrecked a Sandisk ultra I tried in it. in the Tacoma I have it wired to an add a fuse thats powers on with the engine and its been recording every trip.
I did have an issue with the power cable/motion sensor accessory they sold to go with it in the Jeep that powered it off the OBDII port, it would sometimes power down but I think that was the Jeeps issue. I still would not use that accessory item.

there is a dual camera version too, I might upgrade too.
https://www.amazon.com/AUKEY-Wide-Angle-G-Sensor-Dual-Port-Charger/dp/B075S7W6FR?ref_=ast_sto_dp

Link to the SD card I was successful with

$35 Samsung PRO Endurance 128GB 100MB/s (U1) MicroSDXC Memory Card with Adapter (MB-MJ128GA/AM)

https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Endu...1619030388&sprefix=samsung+end,aps,182&sr=8-1

 

I have cheap DP Video dash cam. Whatever you get, a GoPro Grab Bag of parts may come in handy getting it to fit in the mount.

$20 GoPro Cameras Grab Bag (GoPro Official Mount)

https://www.amazon.com/GoPro-Grab-Bag-Official-Mount/dp/B01GCKO9IK

 

I've got the little Aukey dashcam in all of the family vehicles and I'm using one from 70mai. They're all HD and do a perfectly acceptable job of recording.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072FGL63X

70mai Dash Cam,1944P FHD Dash Camera Pro DVR Driving Recorder with WiFi and Night Vison for Cars, Voice Control, APP Control Dashboard, G-Sensor, WDR, Parking Monitor (2020)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PFJY4KW

You can easily get tied up with analysis paralysis when going down the dashcam rabbit hole. If you just want a dashcam that loops for a few hours of video in case of an emergency, just about any of them work well. Just make sure to get a quality SD card.

If you want it for something more advanced like trail recordings or whatever, then maybe an action cam is a better option.

 

This adapter works great too and stay hidden. I went with a cheap Apeman Dashcam and have been happy with it. I would buy a dedicated action cam so you don't have to worry about it sitting in the sun and heat which could degrade the components inside. I rather ruin a $40 cam than a $300+ cam. The new 360 cams have been really fun to play with and you don't have to worry about missing anything since it captures everything.

$13 OBD2 Dash Camera DVR Charging Cable Micro USB Power Adapter with Switch Button - 16Pin OBD2 Connector Direct Charger for Dash Cam Car DVR GPS 11.5FT 12-24V

https://www.amazon.com/Camera-Charg...028099&sprefix=dash+cam+power,aps,187&sr=8-18

 

Another with more ratings.

OBD2 OBD Power Cable for Dash Camera, Ssontong OBD to Mini USB OBDII Adapter Hardwire Charger Cable 24 Hours Surveillance and Acc Two Mode with Switch Button(Mini USB Port)

https://www.amazon.com/Ssontong-Ada...cam+OBDII+power+adapter&qid=1619028738&sr=8-5

 

That is the exact dash cam I have. is good 1080 res. though things look a little distorted due to the wide angle lens its kinda how most cams are but the quality of the video is real good. if you are looking to have something to use if there were an accident this is plenty good enough. It has a little screen but I have mine behind the mirror so it doesn't distract me.

If I could figure out how to post them I could post samples of the video from it.

 

mini-dash cam, literally took 2 minutes to install...less than 130 with all accessories.

 

Oh, and the plug to pull power from the mirror is great. No need to run wires and tie up a USB outlet elsewhere. A little expensive though but I found it worth it.

 

If OP wants to use the existing GoPro mount location there's a GoPro to DR02 mount sold (or available to print) for the first option you mention. Just Google "GoPro to DR02".


I use the Aukey dash cam (linked below) and chose not to use the GoPro mount because placing the camera behind the rear view mirror was preferred. It comes with a suction cup and sticky mount (the sticky mount is smaller.)

AUKEY Dash Cam Full HD 1080P Dash Camera for Cars with Supercapacitor and 6-Lane 170 Degrees Wide Angle Lens Car Camera with 2'' LCD, Motion Detection, G-Sensor $62.99

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M592J9C


SanDisk 128GB Ultra MicroSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter $19.49

$15 [Older Version] SanDisk 128GB Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card with Adapter - 120MB/s, C10, U1, Full HD, A1, Micro SD Card - SDSQUA4-128G-GN6MA

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08GYKNCCP


Optional: Motion detection and hardwire kit. (I have not installed this yet so cannot comment on it's utility.)

https://www.amazon.com/AUKEY-Hardwire-Detection-Dashboard-Cameras/dp/B07J3BLFBN

 

That's really awesome that there is a gopro adapter for the DR02. that was not an option for me since I have a 2020 and they took the gopro mount out in the 2019 model year on.
I would not pick a sandisk ultra card like that, I had issues with that card. this one is better and the one I been using for over a year. Samsung Pro endurance 128GB

$35 Samsung PRO Endurance 128GB 100MB/s (U1) MicroSDXC Memory Card with Adapter (MB-MJ128GA/AM)

https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Endurance-128GB-Micro-Adapter/dp/B07B984HJ5/ref=sr_1_1?crid=379KSRVOOAX00&dchild=1&keywords=samsung+endurance+pro+128gb&qid=1619030388&sprefix=samsung+end%2Caps%2C182&sr=8-1

I had the motion detecting hardwire kit in my Jeep prior to getting the Tacoma and it's not as it's pictured. the one end had an OBDII connector to plug in for power. I'm not sure if it was the bastard Computer setup in the Liberty CRD or what but it would randomly power the camera down. in fact even that thing the insurance company gave me to plug in and drive with didn't work properly with that Jeep so it was likely the Jeep's fault. Just saying id check the recordings if you buy that to be sure it works with the truck. I tossed it out so can't test it on the Tacoma.
I do want the GPS antenna that's $20 that adds location and speed to the video.
https://www.amazon.com/AUKEY-Antenn...aukey+gps&qid=1619030924&s=electronics&sr=1-3