Dash Cam recommendations? "Inexpensive" but does the job.

I use Thinkware in all of my cars/trucks. I have a couple of inexpensive ones and a few expensive, the F200 with a rear camera option works great. I used half taps for the fuse panel so no cutting of wires. The cameras all have motion and bump sensing for parking lots. My wife's Rav was hit by a drive away and the camera recorded the incident and we got the plate number. Easy to install and I attached the rear camera to one of the ceiling buttons in the rear.

 

Yes I ended up fishing the wire over the airbags where it leaves the top right of the windshield. It was tricky but there is a route. The rest of the routing was above the airbags so good to go. I also stowed the extra length in the rear corner trim piece. I ordered the clip style mounts kmeeg posted above. This product really should include something like this already since you cant really install the rear camera without ordering the extra part. The wire fit in the front shroud is TIGHT but possible.

 

I went to their site & didn't see one for the 4Runner?? Never mind .Found it after the Trunda listing

 

Here it is on Amazon. I love mine!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B3MJPHWS?ie=UTF8

 

Knowing zero about dash cams, my question is, how is the video footage stored? And how do you access it?

 

SD card. Most cams have Bluetooth so you can download it to your phone or other device or remove the card and place it in a laptop or other compatible device to download the video.

 

So does the video continue to be stored until the SD is full, or does it overwrite after a certain amount of time?

 

I have mine set to overwrite every 72 hours. I can set it longer if im going to leave it parked somewhere for a longer period of time. My dash cam also has the option of storing an incident, recording motion front or back, recording if your truck is bumped or damaged while parked. It will automatically store an incident and not overwrite it. I can also push a button for manual recording.

 

Any one have a suggestion for a camera that would be good for taking footage so to speak. Basicly, when I’m driving through a scenic area or off roading, I want to record and check it out later, maybe load it up and play on my TV later.

I have considered the GoPro option, just haven’t pulled the trigger yet.

 

I'd say anything with Sony Stavis2 sensor and 4K would be perfect.
Eg-
Viofo (you would need high endurance micro SD card purchase separately)
https://amzn.to/3BUv28l

Blackvue (price changes with memory card size)
https://amzn.to/4faIanO

 

My biggest worry with these is it draining the battery while I am away from the vehicle for 2-5 days backpacking in a remote area.

 

Dashcams? No. When the vehicle is off 12v outlets are off on 4Runners.
(The only vehicle I've installed dashcams that have full time power to 12v outlets are Mazda. I don't know what other cars do not power off 12v outlets when vehicle is off.)

I have parking mode wire harness added to record while its parked but cameras like Blackvue already have a cut off voltage. I have added another level of protection adding a low voltage cut off device.

This is what I have - https://amzn.to/3YyRU5S
Again this is only needed if you get the parking mode wire kit to enable parking mode. Regularly they only record and stay on when the vehicle is running.

My Limited do not have a parking mode wirekit and dashcam does not drain the battery.

 

Ok. Thanks. Do you have the rear camera? If so how can it be mounted without tearing up the headliner?

 

Dang want this one, wish they made it for the 2019s

 

I have a separate cheapo dashcam in the rear. I don't like to recommend that even though it hasn't failed yet. I have a clip for the rear headliner and its not perfect finish to my taste but get the work done. This is the clip I bought.

https://www.thedashcamstore.com/custom-metal-mounting-bracket-for-adhesive-dashcam-lenses/

 

How far back in time does your dash cam go in time? Will it just keep all video until it fills up the SD card and start over again. I had a dash cam years ago but if you didn’t select keep video within 30 seconds of the event it was lost.

 

IMO this is a big no no for 2020+. I have already faced some glitches in Toyata safety sense. Imagine if you have to go to Toyota dealership and they see this camera added to the Toyota safety sense housing. GOOD LUCK..!!!
I'm not sure what other challenges if you were to replace the windshield. If you have a regular dashcam. Just unplug and plug it back when the new windshield is installed with a new 3M piece.

 

I'm very happy with the FitCAMX in our 2024 (Front and Rear)... If I didn't have that as an option, I do like the Garmin dashcams as well.

 

I use Thinkware cameras in all of my vehicles and have never had an issues with battery drainage, my 4Runner sometimes doesn't get driven for 2 weeks and our convertible gets driven maybe once a month. All of them use constant power.

 

Well, that varies based on a few things. But yes, the card just drops the oldest video so it can add a new video. It constantly writes over itself.

I have my dashcam set to record in 4k, in 5 minute intervals. That's a file about 880Mb. I have roughly an hour commute to work one way. Currently, my 256gig card holds about 2 weeks worth of driving. If I drove shorter distances each day or recorded in 2k, that would expand even further. I think 2 weeks is plenty.

The FitCam also has an impact sensor that will lock that file so it cannot be deleted. You can set the sensor to low-med-high. When it locks, you can still view it (via the app or if you put the MicroSD in your laptop) and it you have to manually delete it. It will not auto delete.

 

Garmin mini 2. Does not block my view any more than it needs to. You can buy the Garmin 47 if you must have a screen.

 

After a recent tbone rollover accident in my sr5-a dashcam may be in my future… it would have made who was at fault pretty easy. Police report took 7 weeks..

 

Been debating between the garmin mini 2 and the Fitcam, but even without owning them, these concerns are a little ridiculous.

first, if you have an issue with TSS, it is a quick 5-10 minute uninstall. The cable just acts as a splitter and you’re just replacing the housing cover.

second, issues with windshield install?? It’s literally right where the TSS hub is and is just a different cover. No more or less complexity than if it wasn’t there.


I think a reasonable concern would be the additional heat generated from the FitCam and how that would impact the TSS module/ components.

unfortunately, it looks like the garmin mini 3 has pretty bad reviews…

 

I'm curious... what are you seeing bad about the Mini 3?

 

Seems like the same issues as with the mini 2 - heat and slow upload. Granted just based off skimming bestbuy and Amazon reviews (not too many at this point)

 

Check out Thinkware, I have had great luck with them.

 

I had a Garmin Mini 2 in my last car and I had it in my 21' Toyota Tacoma. The quality is fine. But it's not 4k and the largest micro SD card I could put in it was 64gig. I guess that's fine for some people, but not for me.

The biggest thing that I didn't like was it didn't look OEM/Factory. It stuck to the inside of the windshield with a suction cup or a strong adhesive sticky. On several occasions while cleaning my truck and cleaning the inside of the windshield I would knock the dash cam out of whack and have to re-position it just the way I liked it. With my FitCam, I never have to do that. It always stays in a fixed position.

I don't need an LCD screen, and the FitCam doesn't have one.

Regardless of how great the dash cam is and if you caught someone being at fault in an accident it's worthless if they DO NOT HAVE INSURANCE. There are so many drivers out there that are un-insured or under-insured. Sure, get a dash cam but make sure you get under-insured/un-insured coverage on your policy. That way if/when you're involved in a hit-n-run, your vehicle will get fixed and it won't count against you. Well, that's debatable and we can argue that topic later. But get all the insurance you can and drive as defensively as possible. That's what I do.

 

Just got my fitcamx and installed it. Took about 5 minutes. Go slow and be patient so you do not break the tabs. I am pretty sure I will keep the cam.

 

i have a 2012 so i think fitcam doesnt make one for my runner...am looking at gamin mini 2 or 3. dont want a screen and i like that its out of the way. but the mini 3 is getting some bad reviews :/ the mini 2 is on sale for $99 right now so im tempted.

 

Viofo is a relatively cheap brand and around the price you are looking for, they have dashcams with newer Sony Stavis2 sensor.
This one is $139 but having a $25 coupon at the time of posting this on Amazon.

https://amzn.to/4hP8dDv

High endurance memory card is also on sale today -
(Just 14bucks for 128GB card as of now)

https://amzn.to/40RLtMP