Let’s talk Dash Cams

[mgr1001]

The wiring harness just tucks behind the dash and with the OBD-2 port as does a standard hardwire kit as long as you buy a proper one if the battery drops too low it kills power to the dash cam.

Thanks for the reply. Please forgive my confusion, but still not sure what you mean by having a second OBD port. It would seem that plugging in this unit would disable the original OBD port for servicing the vehicle. Is it simply a matter of unplugging the unit for vehicle service, or do you now have a splitter for the OBD with one input and two outputs, or possibly a "pass thru" type of OBD plug?

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[Toddman45]

Thanks for the reply. Please forgive my confusion, but still not sure what you mean by having a second OBD port. It would seem that plugging in this unit would disable the original OBD port for servicing the vehicle. Is it simply a matter of unplugging the unit for vehicle service, or do you now have a splitter for the OBD with one input and two outputs, or possibly a "pass thru" type of OBD plug?

With the OBD2 port hardwire kit it just plugs in to the OBD2 port if you need to use it for service you simply unplug the dash cam harness and run diagnostics or whatever needs to be done then the dash cam could be plugged back into the port.

 

[SafetyGuy]

HEAT PROBLEMS
One of the problems I seem to have with my Dash Cams is the heat.
I live in Texas and my vehicles are parked outside usually.
I have 3 Viofo A119 units that have all failed. They last about 6 months before they start randomly rebooting.
—
I suppose I could go through the effort of disconnecting and putting in glove box when not driving - but….
—
Do any of you have a Dash Cam that’s somewhat impervious to windshield heat?

Good day

I don't think any manufacturer can produce something for the masses that can with stand the type of heat you experience.

I would suggest the simple addition of an insulated and reflective sunshield may be your best bet!

I use a Mabett front windshield cover, and I then tuck the bag for it between the window and my camera as well.

Full disclosure, my wife did extend the center opening and sewed it up nice, so it fits around our Roam camera.

I would also suggest, if possible, to always park so the front of your truck is not facing the sun. This can help the sunshield keep the heat down a bit.

I know, I know, you probably already do this but I am sure someone reading this may get some help, realizing this trick can help.

You wanna go cheap with something you already have? Get some of that Reflectix...the aluminum foil cardboard looking insulation and cut a piece of that for your whole windshield or at a minimum, cut a piece 12 inches wide that reaches from the dash to hide your camera from the heat....give your Maverick a sparkly Brazilian!

Everyone else needs a bit of sparkle in their life, right?

Anyways, hope this helps,

Andy

 

[Pointyears]

Thanks for this Matt!
I’m thinking that maybe a rear-view mirror mounted camera may be better because it’s back away from the windshield and would be shaded by the sun screen (which we have to use from beginning of June through September here..
Good tips!

They unsnap from the mounts when parked, if you want....

 

[SafetyGuy]

I like the dash cam you recommend, but it's not clear to me how the installation works, particularly the OBD connection. How did you hide the wiring harness? Is there a problem if the battery voltage drops too low?

Good day

I did my research before I did my install of the camera system.

I would recommend everyone who is installing a device to go and watch several videos online on doing a camera install.

Watch several, and make sure you see one that warns you about the airbags in the pillars. You have to make sure you route the wires so as not to impede an airbag inflation.

Also, my Roam cameras came with a plastic trim removal tool to help remove trim pieces without damaging them. I already had a full set of these inexpensive tools, I recommend that they be used, they help immensely!

Some of the pillar panels are a little tricky on their removal and installation so keep the video handy for repeated reference....just saying this from my experience, and all went well in my install, with no damage or surface marks.

The OBD as a power point is easy-peasey...just plug the piece in my earlier post into the port, plug your wire from the camera into it...they should both be USB-A type.

The rear camera wire is routed after you find where you want to place the rear cam...my earlier post has a pic where I decided it got the best rear coverage. That camera plugs into your front dash cam.

As for voltage drop, the OBD plugs I have have a switch so you can select if you want the camera on all the time (the OBD port pin iit connects to is always powered), or not and it will turn off eventually.

I can turn my OBD switch on when at the mall to stay on in case somebody hits me and drives off...but I usually don't as we don't stay there for too long.

The truck also has a feature we are almost all aware of, where if the truck battery gets too low, all power is turned off so you can still start and drive away. I prefer this not too happen.

Cheers

Andy

 

[plnc0792]

Good day, @Big-Foot

Your story and reasoning of young dip-sh☆☆☆....using age of other drivers as a get out of jail free card excuse, screw the truth, is believable. Old people can be douche-bags as well, just for the record... trust no one!

So, commiserating completed, here is what I have and like very much.

As well, I added a pic of how I plug it in, through my OBD port. Yes, I have an extra one just in case.

Perfect for me, simple and effective with no messing around with splicing, fuses etc. And easily removed or even moved, if needed.

I also recommend that on top of your cam wishes, add another....a 2nd rear (dual) camera!

Indispensable if you get rear-ended.

I have 2 Rove camera vehicles, my camper van only needs a fwd cam but my Mav has a forward and a rear facing cam in the rear window. If you look closely, at the first Pic, you can see where I found my preferred back cam location.

Good luck, and ask all your questions now to find what camera and system works best for you.

Andy

Hi Andy,

I like the idea you have regarding the location and the use of the OBD port; however, my concern is the use of the OBD port as to whether it would have any adverse effects on the Mavericks main computer, which is an issue with some insurance companies that rely of their customers to use a device to monitor their driving habits, which has caused havoc with the computer functionality of some vehicles.

I am very interested and will most likely install a cam camera such as you have. Thank you for the information, very much appreciated.

 

[SafetyGuy]

Thanks for the reply. Please forgive my confusion, but still not sure what you mean by having a second OBD port. It would seem that plugging in this unit would disable the original OBD port for servicing the vehicle. Is it simply a matter of unplugging the unit for vehicle service, or do you now have a splitter for the OBD with one input and two outputs, or possibly a "pass thru" type of OBD plug?

Hello

I think you are confusing the term OBD2. This refers to the single OBD port under your dash, normally drivers side.

There was a previous version of OBD, but standardization (the 90's, I believe) between all major manufacturers the port is now called OBD2.

There is only 1 port.

ANDY

 

[SafetyGuy]

Hi Andy,

I like the idea you have regarding the location and the use of the OBD port; however, my concern is the use of the OBD port as to whether it would have any adverse effects on the Mavericks main computer, which is an issue with some insurance companies that rely of their customers to use a device to monitor their driving habits, which has caused havoc with the computer functionality of some vehicles.

I am very interested and will most likely install a cam camera such as you have. Thank you for the information, very much appreciated.

Good day

You have posed an issue which I have no experience in...nanny insurance plugs where you give any privacy away to an insurance company to save some cash.

You can see I have an issue with anything of this nature, and would not allow it unless legally required.

I don't have anything to hide, but insurance companies are not to be trusted. I already have a phone where I daily wage a privacy battle, and doing okay so far! ;-)

As for voltage issues, the pin that provides my cam power is just that, a power pin only, to my knowledge.

The camera draws very little power so a camera alone should not induce voltage fluctuations, but I can not comment on the nanny insurance monitoring devices...

I hope this helps,

Andy

 

[plnc0792]

Good day

You have posed an issue which I have no experience in...nanny insurance plugs where you give any privacy away to an insurance company to save some cash.

You can see I have an issue with anything of this nature, and would not allow it unless legally required.

I don't have anything to hide, but insurance companies are not to be trusted. I already have a phone where I daily wage a privacy battle, and doing okay so far! ;-)

As for voltage issues, the pin that provides my cam power is just that, a power pin only, to my knowledge.

The camera draws very little power so a camera alone should not induce voltage fluctuations, but I can not comment on the nanny insurance monitoring devices...

I hope this helps,

Andy

Thank you!

 

[DScruggs]

by electrons, usually siphoned via usb or 12v if it has a usb converter in it's wiring harness.



on an sd card



The bigger the SD card the more video you can store on it. obviously varies based on bitrate, resolution (720/1080/2160p aka 4k) whether you have 1 recording camera or a system with 2+ cameras.



probably for pulling power from the obd port.



You can get separate systems that can do 3 cameras, or sometimes have a front unit that also has a 2nd camera on it that faces backwards so it's more of an interior cam.

Thanks! I do need to get one.

 

[bill dalton]

Everyone talks about "features" but what are they? My $70.00 dash cam records -- isn't that enough? Just trying to understand what I may be missing

such things as parking monitor,if someone hits you in a parking lot it automatically records, gps tracking, night vision, audio recording, etc.

 

[Bob The Builder]

After using my dash cam for over six months now a few observations.

- Stay off of Reddit for opinions on the best one. They are all great when they work and a piece of shit when they do not. I have a non Starvis Cam which gives great 4K at night and I do not own a top of the line Viofo or the like.

-Buy the highest cap card card your camera will accept. This seems to be cam cost related as the bigger dollar ones seem to accept higher cap cards. This minimizes overwrites. Most cams will accept at least a 128GB. Accept nothing less.

-Buy High Endurance SD cards. These "supposedly" are made with dashcams and security cameras in mind due to the continuous overwrite. These devices are very hard on non high endurance cards and you will not save money on cheap SD cards.
You want A1, U30, V3 specs.

-Most dash cams do not like temps above 160F. Interior of a car can get much hotter. HE SD cards generally are rated around -13F - 185F.

Format your SD monthly if your dash cam is used daily. Adjust proportionately if you drive less. On most if not all dash cams you will be able to format via wifi on your dashcam app.

Many people attribute dashcam issues to buying sub 200-300 dollar units when in reality they are using the wrong SD card for the job. YMMV.

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