Dash cam recommendations

Hi! I’m planning to get a dash cam for a 2024 SR5 premium. Any recommendations on which one should I get?

 

If you want something a little more intricate, Wolfbox makes a great system.

For me, I’ve been running a $30 one off Amazon for the last 4 years. Caught my wreck just fine. They’re all going to be decent.

 

Been eyeing this unit from Garmin. Home renovations have slowed my mod purchases.

https://www.4runnerlifestyle.com/collections/interior/products/garmin-dash-cam™-live

 

lol why buy garmin from 4rlifestyle ?

 

I installed a Nextbase in my 4 Runner

https://nextbase.com/dash-cams/522gw-dash-cam

 

Just a reference. Not saying I would purchase from site...Bruh

 

I have a FitCamX in my 4Runner. I love the OEM look of it. Most days, I forget it's there, because I can't see it. I've had other dash cams before, but this one is excellent video quality and it doesn't move at all.

$170 Fitcamx 4K Dash Cam Suitable for Toyota 4Runner 2020 2021 2022 2024 TRD Sport Limited Pro Off-road Venture SR5 Premium, OEM Look, 2160P UHD Video WiFi, G-Sensor, Loop Recording, Easy to Use, 64GB Card

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09PNJ3JSW?ie=UTF8




Here are a few clips showing, driving at night, driving in low-light and driving in broad-daylight. I record in 4k.

 

I have a Garmin Mini 2, it's nice and tucked away, especially combined with the Dongar adapter for power. Probably can find it for sale around $100-110 occasionally.

Direct transfer to phone is convenient but pretty slow which is a damper on the feature. Make sure to get a high endurance microSD card too no matter what cam you get to better survive the constant rewrites.

That said, you don't necessarily need to spend that much. Before this one I had a no-name one I won in a raffle almost a decade ago.

 

I've been running a Nexar Beam for the last few years, just transfer it from vehicle to vehicle. Recent video of some dumbass in a Suburban turning left (fast-forward to the 30-second mark)...

Nexar Beam GPS Dash Cam - Nexar (getnexar.com)

SUV turning into lane_20231117 - YouTube

 

For last two years I used VIOFO A119 V3 from Amazon, I like form factor of the camera and it has clear videos. Maybe I would also look on VIOFO A119 mini 2 - it has wifi and can be managed from phone. Check out reviews on youtube.

 

This is what I have been using since August and it works perfectly well. It's easy to hook up and I can't even see it behind the mirror while driving.

• Garmin Mini 2
• Trail Grid Pro power adapter

 

This is the same route I went and I love it. The transferring can be slow as stated, which is the only down side I’ve had with this cam. I got it because of its small size and easily being tucked away. I’ve recommended this cam and the dongar adapter to all my friends.

 

Any pics on installs.
We're planning a trip from Texas to AZ this summer.

 

I have old Viofo A119 on my 2019 since 2019 and so far no issues.

I also have Blackvue DR590X on my 2021 since 2021.

Recently I installed Viofo A129 Pro Duo on Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride. Seems working perfectly per my buddy. And they have newer and better cameras too.

Even the Blackvue have newer / better versions than I have, like Blackvue DR970 and more.

I have included Amazon link just for you to check prices and what not. I'm not a seller. Just a customer who buy for my vehicles and do installs for my friends vehicles for free as a friend. No business.

 

Same price as the Garmin website.

 

I've had the Viofo A series duos in my past 4 vehicles. Newest version each time. Good 2 or 4 K quality at decent price.

Which ever you choose, go with 2 channel. Front and rear cameras.

 

This is the one to get if you want OEM look and minimum dangling of cables. Quality is on par with any other average camera in the market. Fair warning though, the install process is a pain just because it is so well integrated. Build up your patience before attempting the install.

 

I disagree. The install took me about 3 minutes. It took me longer to unpack it from the box that it came in, than it did to install it. It's a very simple plug-n-play.






I had a Garmin Mini2 in the past, and the quality was good, but this dash cam records in 4k. My Garmin didn't. Not a huge deal, but I can see even more details now. The main thing I like is it looks OEM and it never moves. With my Garmin, it would sometimes move and not be "centered" on the area that I wanted to record.

 

Yeah... you see towards the end of the install tips how he struggles with tucking in the additional wires and sliding back the cover in place to a point that it looks even a little crooked when he says its finished? I bet he had to fiddle a bit more with it to finally align everything. The same happened to me and it took me almost 20 mins to successfully slide back into place. Again, once in place its the best look for sure.

 

I run Garmin and Coxpal. Coxpal has three cameras.

 

i have the mini garmin dash cam and have it connected directly to the mirror for the power source when the car is on.. camera is clear and works great.. BUT the only thing is on a warm day in the bay area when parked outside the adhesive mount falls off from the heat.. while driving or when i come back to the car.. i then bought the suction cup mount and same issue on a warm day.. will be looking into getting one of those rear view mirror digital camera ones..

 

Also have this, it's been great and can't even see it behind my mirror.

 

I had Thinkware before and it died in a couple of years because there is a button cell battery on the board that died. I did purchase it used though.

I have a Blackvue DR900S in my Runner and the video quality just isn’t as good. My next camera will be a Thinkware again.

Yi, Garmin and Cobra make good budget friendly cameras.

 

I just did a quick search and looks like newer Thinkware, Blackvue, Viofo use the same sensor. Checked for Blackvue 970, 770 vs Viofo 229 pro, plus vs Thinkware Q1000.
Maybe same story for older models? I'm not sure. I'm thinking dashcams are same as batteries, they are the same thing and just the packaging changes? Not sure

 

What are your needs? There are a few top tier dash cams like Blackvue & Viofo, but they are very different. I just added a Viofo after having my Blackvue for 10 years. My plan was to add the Viofo A229 Pro, but since my Blackvue still works i wanted to see how Viofo would do so i went with the super cheap but good Viofo A119 Mini 2. It's a great little dash cam for price and has good video and the Stavis 2 sensor, but no LTE cloud like the Blackvue. I would lean towards Viofo since they have refined there Stavis 2 sensor more so than Blackvue and Thinkware.

I will likely get the Viofo A229 Pro since it seems far better than the majority out there and will be a closer replacement to my Blackvue.

 

Most of the offerings being discussed on this thread seem to be for 2020+ models with the safety sense radar and such, so I don't know if FitCamX offers one for the pre 2020 models. I'd be interested in what you find at Thinkware. I don't know if there are dash cams that don't have power cables snaking across the windshield and down the A-pillar, but I would be interested in any that don't require that.

 

It's up to you. Most dash cams if used as driving video can easily tap into any 12V power, like a powered mirror. Model or year of vehicle won't matter.

 

Would you mind sharing pics?

 

My Thinkware was a older F750. The new models from both brands may have the same sensor but the software that processes the image is different. It seemed like the older F750 did a better job than the newer DR900S I have now.

The battery is just for time keeping.

If you take your time with the install, you can hide most of the wiring. I ran it through the OEM wiring cover.

 

I have the same one. Honestly the quality isn't great but I do like how low profile it is. Pretty easy install thanks to the Dongar power adapter as well.