Best DashCam based on quality + install
- Thread starter Dominus
- Start date
I'm having an issue with the A229 going into parking mode after I shut off the car (I also paired with the Dongar Pro and used the 5 pin connector above the light panel in the ceiling.) The issue is that the A229 will not go into Parking Mode after I shut off the car. According to Dongar, this is an issue unique to the A229. Do you have this problem? I want to be able to record video when parked, not just while the LC is on.
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The Dongar sends constant power (depending how you set it) to the viofo through the 5 pin, as the 5 pin always has power even when the car is off. However I don't believe the dongar passes through a specific signal/current type that the viofo needs to recognize that the vehicle transmission is off. In order to have "true" parking mode with the viofo, you must run the viofo power to one of the fuse boxes under the dash (there is one underneath both driver and passenger side). That requires a special adapter from viofo that is sold separately (sadly). I didn't want to run a wire under the dash to the fuse box nor buy the separate adapter, and preferred keeping everything nice and neat right up near the headliner. The dongar works for us, as I keep the setting to the 4 hour option. It keeps the camera powered for 4 hours after I turn off the car which I find works for our needs 99% of the time. Hope this helps!
I tried using the 4 hour setting this morning and I'm pretty sure it is working. But, if I understand you correctly, the Viofo just continues to record for four hours in normal mode, not parking mode. Is that correct? Thanks so much for the help. I contacted Dongar customer service and they were not terribly helpful. I also contacted Viofo customer service and they kept insisting that I needed to use their adapters or chargers. Again, not too helpful.
Yes, it will continue to record in normal mode for 4 hours and then shut off, unless you get back in and start the car before 4 hours pass
The DONGAR rep told me the Dongar Pro will not work with Viofo dashcams. Viofo "looks" for their proprietary parking mode connection. A separate hard wire kit connected to the dashcam. I haven't installed my camera yet. Trying to figure out a way to make a connect between the dongar pro and the Viofo hardwire kit.
The DONGAR Pro does work with the Viofo, but does not initiate parking mode. I may have skipped using the DONGAR Pro and just used the hard wire kit had I known this prior to purchasing both. I toggle my Pro between turning on/off when the car is on and the 4 hour shut down mode. The Viofo will record for four hours at full resolution after the car is shut off.
I'd like to find a way to connect the Viofo hard wire kit to use the connection intended for the Toyota dash cam. Would you get fully parking mode functionality from it connected that way?
I do not know if that would work. In my discussion with Viofo tech support, it sounded like any stable source of 5 V plus ground should work. But, it does not work with the DONGAR Pro even though it meets that condition.
I've been looking into dash cams as well. I had a very basic one on last vehicle. Here is one that sounds great, but I haven't done any of my own research. Also, I don't know what typle of vehicle he has. I beleive the person puchased it from Best Buy and they installed it. It's a front and back cam. WOLFBOX Mirror Dash CAm G900 Pro. Has STARVIS 2, IMX678 Sensor. Crystal clear footage, superior night vision with advanced 1/1.8" sensor. 5.8G WiFi+App control for fast, easy access. Voice control for hands free operation. Dual view for complete coverage. Parking surveillance and more.
My daughter worked at a hotel last summer where there was a roundabout just outside the entrance. One day on her way into work she saw a bicyclist deliberately run into a stationary vehicle in that roundabout, then proceed to get up off the ground and move his bicycle further beneath the vehicle before speaking with the driver.
I don’t know whether that driver had a dashcam, but I bought one after hearing that story. Link below - it’s fine.
REDTIGER Dash Cam Front Rear,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098WVKF19?tag=landcruiserforum-20
One thing I learned about dash cams is that to communicate with your phone they need to take over the WiFi connection, which you can’t do while running wireless CarPlay. So I figure if I have an event where I need my dash cam footage, I have to remember to reach up and unplug it within the first couple minutes after the event so that it doesn’t record over the part I need.
I do agree with the advice on not disclosing you have a dash cam to the other party. It may feel like a flex at that moment, but the other party just does not need to have that information. Give them the chance to keep lying until the footage outs them; give them zero time to think about how to walk back their previous lies.
FitcamX works great and its a Chinese company actually willing to provide support and fix problems. I was an early buyer and there was a fitment issue that left a gap. They did communicate and fix the problem with a new piece of trim after a few months of waiting.
The Toyota dashcam is a joke on this vehicle. Its designed for a slopped windshield where it is out of the view of a tall driver. It's inappropriate that theu chose to install it on the 250.
FitcamX is essentially invisible, including from the outside.
SD card corruption is a problem with most/all dashcams. The problem is no reporting mechanism when the SD card is inevitably wears out.
The Toyota dashcam is a joke on this vehicle. Its designed for a slopped windshield where it is out of the view of a tall driver. It's inappropriate that theu chose to install it on the 250.
FitcamX is essentially invisible, including from the outside.
SD card corruption is a problem with most/all dashcams. The problem is no reporting mechanism when the SD card is inevitably wears out.
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Other than manually removing the SD card, is there an app or wireless way to view the footage from the FitcamX?
The NY Times has Wirecutter reviews which generally hit the mark. In addition, Project Farm did a nice review recently (see below.) Based on those reviews, I went with the Viofo A229 Pro (2 channel.) Install was straightforward, but it is not 100% compatible with Dongar Pro. I'd probably get the Viofo hardwire kit if I did it again.
the app connects over wifi. You would normally only access the camera itself to replace the SD card, or remove it after an accident.
One potential upside of a hidden dashcam is that it's your choice as to when/whether to show a video to the police.
A large capacity card will also last longer. I have an airtag in the space with the camera. I'm going to replace the SD card whenever the airtag battery needs replacement. I also need to remove the speaker from the airtag
This is my situation exactly.
Me to, exactly.
