Best DashCam based on quality + install

[Norseman]

I just finished installing a Viofo A229 PRO 3 channel. I used this to hook up the power source to the camera. https://a.co/d/2btX4GR

The OBD2 connector has a switch that leaves power on for about 20 minutes after parking or always on until low voltage is sensed. I don't think it actually activates the built-in parking mode though, haven't tested it out to be sure.

 

[uraniumrich]

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

The police can not compel you to share your video.

 

[Don]

The police can not compel you to share your video.

same as a phone. If the video may contain evidence of a crime they can get a warrant.

 

[uraniumrich]

same as a phone. If the video may contain evidence of a crime they can get a warrant.

Exactly my point. They can not compel you to share the video, but a court/judge would be different. Of course, I doubt you'd still have a copy of that video by the time that happened, right?

 

[Don]

Exactly my point. They can not compel you to share the video, but a court/judge would be different. Of course, I doubt you'd still have a copy of that video by the time that happened, right?

Like a phone, police can take possession and then seek a warrant if they have probable cause that the SD card contains evidence of a crime that is a risk of being destroyed.

Also, if you are arrested for drug smuggling in your LC, police will immediately try to look at your phone. What they find can't be used as evidence without the warrant, but that doesn't mean they can't look

 

[Dongar]

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.

FYI it does work. To clarify what our support guy means, is that the default low-data / low-framerate 'parking mode' can only be triggered from a Viofo hardwire kit. With our PRO adapter the Viofo's will continue to run in full recording quality after you park your car. Our kit will still shut off power to the dashcam after the timer has elapsed or the low-voltage threshold is met. The downside is that your SD card will fill-up a little sooner... e.g. the Viofo hardwire kit will tell your dashcam to record in half quality and therefore hold twice as much footage.

We actually know the Viofo guys out in China and they've told their customers parking mode will turn on when the camera's accelerometer does not detect motion. E.g. if you used a Dongar PRO (or 3rd party battery pack) with Viofo, it'll enter parking mode after 5 minutes no matter what:

I was disappointed to keep reading mixed results on this feature so I'm releasing a new product to emulate proprietary hardwire kits. The Viofo uses a non-standard USB-C by repurposing one of the data pins so its a non-trivial solution because there's no way of a USB power source knowing if a Viofo is plugged into the other side of it.

 

[Proyota]

I've got a Fitcamx in my Mini and it has a decent wireless interface to retrieve footage. I had my local dealer install the Toyota dashcam in my new 4R Pro. We all know it looks like a circa-1980 top loader VCR, but it works. After the drama with my Land Cruiser accident all I wanted was peace of mind, I had it mounted on the passenger side of the rear-view mirror, and I don't even see it. Reading the online reviews is a sea of people complaining about how hard it is to connect to, but they must be a bunch of morans, because it's worked first time, every time for me.

 

[uraniumrich]

FYI it does work. To clarify what our support guy means, is that the default low-data / low-framerate 'parking mode' can only be triggered from a Viofo hardwire kit. With our PRO adapter the Viofo's will continue to run in full recording quality after you park your car. Our kit will still shut off power to the dashcam after the timer has elapsed or the low-voltage threshold is met. The downside is that your SD card will fill-up a little sooner... e.g. the Viofo hardwire kit will tell your dashcam to record in half quality and therefore hold twice as much footage.

We actually know the Viofo guys out in China and they've told their customers parking mode will turn on when the camera's accelerometer does not detect motion. E.g. if you used a Dongar PRO (or 3rd party battery pack) with Viofo, it'll enter parking mode after 5 minutes no matter what:
View attachment 37357

I was disappointed to keep reading mixed results on this feature so I'm releasing a new product to emulate proprietary hardwire kits. The Viofo uses a non-standard USB-C by repurposing one of the data pins so its a non-trivial solution because there's no way of a USB power source knowing if a Viofo is plugged into the other side of it.

When I contacted both Viofo and Dongar, this was not the information I received. I'd be much happier with the combination of the Dongar PRO and the Viofo if I could get the A229 Pro to enter parking mode when my car is not in my garage. Can you help us understand the settings to use on the Viofo in combination with the Dongar PRO to get Parking Mode to work properly?

The partial solution I've been given is to set the Dongar PRO to the 4 hour on mode. However, as you point out, this will keep operating the A229 Pro in it's regular video mode, which will use a lot more memory.

 

[Meteor1]

When I contacted both Viofo and Dongar, this was not the information I received. I'd be much happier with the combination of the Dongar PRO and the Viofo if I could get the A229 Pro to enter parking mode when my car is not in my garage. Can you help us understand the settings to use on the Viofo in combination with the Dongar PRO to get Parking Mode to work properly?

The partial solution I've been given is to set the Dongar PRO to the 4 hour on mode. However, as you point out, this will keep operating the A229 Pro in it's regular video mode, which will use a lot more memory.

FYI it does work. To clarify what our support guy means, is that the default low-data / low-framerate 'parking mode' can only be triggered from a Viofo hardwire kit. With our PRO adapter the Viofo's will continue to run in full recording quality after you park your car. Our kit will still shut off power to the dashcam after the timer has elapsed or the low-voltage threshold is met. The downside is that your SD card will fill-up a little sooner... e.g. the Viofo hardwire kit will tell your dashcam to record in half quality and therefore hold twice as much footage.

We actually know the Viofo guys out in China and they've told their customers parking mode will turn on when the camera's accelerometer does not detect motion. E.g. if you used a Dongar PRO (or 3rd party battery pack) with Viofo, it'll enter parking mode after 5 minutes no matter what:
View attachment 37357

I was disappointed to keep reading mixed results on this feature so I'm releasing a new product to emulate proprietary hardwire kits. The Viofo uses a non-standard USB-C by repurposing one of the data pins so its a non-trivial solution because there's no way of a USB power source knowing if a Viofo is plugged into the other side of it.

Sorry, I didn't explain that very well, this was the information I received from your customer service. I won't get full functionality from the Dongar Pro when connected to the Viofo. I've already got the dashcam and the pro. If you're coming out with something that will work with Viofo and allow me to not have to "hide" their wiring kit I might hold off installing until your solution is released. I'tll also save me from experimenting to find my own wiring solution .

 

[Masbirdies]

I have the FitcamX Front and Rear in my 25 LCLC Premo. Today, I installed the OBD hard wire cable for it. This installation allows for 2 modes of vehicle parked operation

1. is the Fitcamx normal parking mode. The camera is off unless the G-Sensor in the camera is activated by a bump to the car. Then the camera comes on and records for a few minutes, but a vibration must be sensed to turn the camera on. There are setting for the sensitivity of the vibration (I haven't played with them yet to see what difference there are between them).

The 2nd mode is 24/7 mode. When this mode is activated, the camera just continues to record until the vehicle is started or the 24/7 is manually turned off.

The OBD connector has a toggle switch, on the adapter, for ACC mode (which needs the vibration to turn the cam on) or 24/7 always on mode.

FIrst, I really like the integrated look of the Fitcamx. It was a simple install and even running the wiring to the rear cam, it only took about an hour. Second, I'm good with the manual 24/7 mode/ACC mode combo for some kind of parking recording capability. I mainly want to use this in parking lots (like when shopping) or at events. Don't really need the 24/7 mode all the time. But, there are places I want it recording everything vs. depending on a vibration to initiate recording.

 

[Dongar]

When I contacted both Viofo and Dongar, this was not the information I received. I'd be much happier with the combination of the Dongar PRO and the Viofo if I could get the A229 Pro to enter parking mode when my car is not in my garage. Can you help us understand the settings to use on the Viofo in combination with the Dongar PRO to get Parking Mode to work properly?

The partial solution I've been given is to set the Dongar PRO to the 4 hour on mode. However, as you point out, this will keep operating the A229 Pro in it's regular video mode, which will use a lot more memory.

You'll need support on Viofo's side (I can't speak to whether you'll get any case-specific inquiries because they're a huge company based in China Dongar is 3 fulltime guys in the US including me) because they say that their parking mode will enter via a timer when no motion is detected which would make sense for the many people who are keen on running their dashcams on external battery packs. But perhaps they backtracked to sell their hardwire kits (most likely because hey, its a business). What I can tell you is that the Dongar stuff follows a standard and legit USB-C implementation whereas they do not.... in fact you can take most dashcams from a China-based company and plug it into the built-in USB-C port in your Toyota, or even something like a MacBook charger and 85% of the time, it won't even power up because they don't do real power negotiation as USB-C standards require. Viofo takes the USB-C power pin used for power negotiation and repurposes it for their own use. So with our kit you could even power 12V items and fast charge an iPhone etc., have a robust setup with a Vantrue BlackVue, etc.

Nonetheless I've heard you guys and I'm coming up with a new solution for second half of this year. The technical challenge is that for a hardwire kit, there's no way of knowing what brand of camera or device is plugged into it, so we're giving you guys a very similar kit with user-adjustable parameters like voltage cut-off, adjustable timers, etc.

@uraniumrich I'll send you a PM with more information since it's not ready for public yet!

 

[jefkat2]

I have the Viofo A229 Pro with rear camera. I power the cam using Blackbox powercell 8. Its charged through the accessories fuse box with a fuse tap. When normal operating and shutdown of the car the cam shuts off but if I select parking mode through the app or long press the mic button the parking mode is on. When I shut down the LC the cam goes into parking mode. I have 48 hours on single cam and 34 hours on front and rear cam. The powercell is small enough I have it under the passenger seat and recharges in about 10 minutes after you start up the car normally. Will take some pics and show the setup if anyone is interested.