What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

My Dongar is in the mail ... USPS site has not changed the status since yesterday. I guess I will ... sigh ... become ambitious enough to plug it into the mirror and my GW522 ...

 

Just my 2 CENTS:
Have you ever try to charge the battery with normal, 110v. charger, let's say every 3-4 months?
You can be surprised, how many years it will serve, if you do so. Mine personal record - 8 years daily driving, Calgary climate, original KIA battery (whoever makes them).
Try it!

 

Took a short drive down the coast

Then saw this near my destination. Pretty cool setup

 

You guys installing your Garmin Mini dash cams got me excited for you.

I've had mine for about a month now...and love it!

 

I apologize for my complete stupidity here (and i will google it after I post this) but is this like an adapter to plug the dash cam into the rearview mirror? I've wanted a dash cam but havent committed because i know trying to get it to power will be a pain in the ass... maybe not??

Thanks!!

 

The Garmin Mini Cam + the Adapter will be all you need. As long as you have power to your rearview mirror, the adapter will provide what you need.

 

It is just that. Otherwise you run a long cable around the window and along the dash. Though some report that the dashcam can draw enough power from the mirror to impair its operation and go back to a normal power run. For me it is worth the #30 risk.

 

Brilliant! My 2018 was totaled by a jackass driver, been wanting a dashcam for the new truck.

 

Not the best pic but I did this at night.

 

That’s exactly what it is.

 

Thanks I'll try that on my new (warranty) one.

 

Mine was supposed to be here between the 24th and 27th. Glad it arrived early, gotta day trip coming up soon.

 

The harness I bought didn’t have that resistor? attached to it. I can’t find it on Amazon anymore either.

 

That’s just the max it can read. The blue line indicates I was only averaging 15mpg at the time

 

@Benny blanco

Try this one:

https://trailgridpro.com/products/dash-camera-power-adapter-16-22-tacoma?_pos=1&_sid=494c8b910&_ss=r

 

sorry what I meant is I have this one I was trying to find a link because it’s much smaller

*you can also see an always on cable hanging there.

ooh but I did get one of the polarized lens for it
Garmin Polarized rear Lens Cover for Dash Cam, (010-12530-18)

$26 Garmin Polarized rear Lens Cover for Dash Cam, (010-12530-18)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LDCK7ZR

 

I’ll post the install. It’s pretty simple actually.

 

Kinda odd to be able to remove the Micro SD card from the dash cam and download it to my desktop computer, reviewing my 35-40 minute commute to work and back today. Particularly this commute in the snowy, slushy conditions and watch it all again. Reliving the anger with all idiots on the road.

Something I won’t really do again but wanted to test that process out of saving larger files to the desktop and checking the quality of the video in early morning darkness and this overcast day.

More realistically I do like ability to quickly download a short clip when necessary to my iPhone without removing the Micro SD card. Removing the SD card causes the dash cam to move so It will have to be repositioned each time I remove the SD card via the live view feature on my phones Garmin Drive App.

I find the app on the phone is just okay but can be slow at times. Overall, so far so good. I will continue to tinker and experiment. Eventually tho, I will just set it and forget it unless something serious happens. Hope that never happens!

I would although consider saving an awesome back-road trip and watching it again on our TV.

 

Sounds like it’s worth the relatively small cost. I hope nothing serious ever happens either.

I just plan to set it and forget it, unless, as you mentioned, there’s an awesome back-road trip or SVRA trip. It would be nice to watch it on the TV.

 

I would suggest two or more micrSD cards if you want to record random trips. I often forget it is there while driving, which I think is good because it means I do not mess with my "last refuge" to defend me in a legal action. I kept the video of the idiot who blew past me on I-40 then rolled his truck across 3 lanes of freeway and onto the parallel sideroad ... just in case I ever need to prove he caused it. Also if I am unconscious due to an accident it will hold proof of (hopefully) my innocence and the legal fault of the idiot.

Keep a separate card for your "vacation videos", my advice.