Dash Cam Suggestions

[Onceaneagle]

I am thinking about a dash cam. Never had one before so 100% ignorant. Wiring is not my thing so looking for the simplest installation. Prefer a quality camera that records activity front/rear/perimeter. I have XPEL nano ceramic window film on the windshield and all other glass. What is the correct camera to see through that film day and night without interference? Do not want to mount the camera on the window film. What is a proper mount for the rear view mirror? Can I plug the camera into the Lariat's self dimming mirror for power using a USB C cable or adapter?

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[Ugga Mugga]

The @Wolfbox G900 has gotten good reviews here and elsewhere

https://www.ranger6g.com/forum/threads/wolfbox-g900-tripro-mirror-dash-cam-install-and-review.23030/

 

[bigb]

The biggest issue to me is leaving visible valuables in your vehicle when parked somewhere and I'm not going to be removing the dash cam all the time. They say thieves even look for the telltale suction cup mark on the glass which tells them there is probably something stashed in the console. The Wolfbox offers a solution although a lot of wiring involved. My choice is Fitcamx that looks like part of the mirror surround and can be installed with no wiring showing, plug and play.

I have been in contact with them and they are working on one for the Ranger which should be ready by the end of this month. I'll only have a front camera but I don't have a problem with that. The most common rear accident is going to be someone rear ending you and the sudden jolt will show up on the front camera along with the audio from the driver/passenger which should make it pretty obvious who is at fault.

BTW I have the Wolfbox on my Jeep and the only problem I've had with it is lately it has started to power up and stay illuminated when in parking mode and the only other issue is that it doesn't give you a monthly reminder to re-format the card and if you forget it will just stop recording, it only over-writes so many times.

 

[Onceaneagle]

The biggest issue to me is leaving visible valuables in your vehicle when parked somewhere and I'm not going to be removing the dash cam all the time. They say thieves even look for the telltale suction cup mark on the glass which tells them there is probably something stashed in the console. The Wolfbox offers a solution although a lot of wiring involved. My choice is Fitcamx that looks like part of the mirror surround and can be installed with on wiring showing, plug and play.

I have been in contact with them and they are working on one for the Ranger which should be ready by the end of this month. I'll only have a front camera but I don't have a problem with that. The most common rear accident is going to be someone rear ending you and the sudden jolt will show up on the front camera along with the audio from the driver/passenger which should make it pretty obvious who is at fault.

BTW I have the Wolfbox on my Jeep and the only problem I've had with it is lately it has started to power up and stay illuminated when in parking mode and the only other issue is that it doesn't give you a monthly reminder to re-format the card and if you forget it will just stop recording, it only over-writes so many times.

Thanks. I'll keep an eye out for the Fitcamx.

 

[sweeks888]

Also, with a ton of dash-cams on the market, some are absolutely horrid, especially at night. Project Farm on YouTube did a comparison some months back, for a fair amount of the cameras available at the time. Don't let the name fool you, this guy is very thorough in his comparisons...

 

[Onceaneagle]

Also, with a ton of dash-cams on the market, some are absolutely horrid, especially at night. Project Farm on YouTube did a comparison some months back, for a fair amount of the cameras available at the time. Don't let the name fool you, this guy is very thorough in his comparisons...

Very informative video. Thanks for providing it. He has a video on diesel fuel anti-freeze additives for winter and went with his findings for my tractors. No issues.

 

[Onceaneagle]

The biggest issue to me is leaving visible valuables in your vehicle when parked somewhere and I'm not going to be removing the dash cam all the time. They say thieves even look for the telltale suction cup mark on the glass which tells them there is probably something stashed in the console. The Wolfbox offers a solution although a lot of wiring involved. My choice is Fitcamx that looks like part of the mirror surround and can be installed with no wiring showing, plug and play.

I have been in contact with them and they are working on one for the Ranger which should be ready by the end of this month. I'll only have a front camera but I don't have a problem with that. The most common rear accident is going to be someone rear ending you and the sudden jolt will show up on the front camera along with the audio from the driver/passenger which should make it pretty obvious who is at fault.

BTW I have the Wolfbox on my Jeep and the only problem I've had with it is lately it has started to power up and stay illuminated when in parking mode and the only other issue is that it doesn't give you a monthly reminder to re-format the card and if you forget it will just stop recording, it only over-writes so many times.

I think you put in nano ceramic window film or similar? Since I have it, was wondering about clarity or interference in reading license plates and street signs especially at night.

 

[jordantii]

This guy is also very thorough.

 

[bigb]

I think you put in nano ceramic window film or similar? Since I have it, was wondering about clarity or interference in reading license plates and street signs especially at night.

I didn't. I only got the side windows and the rear cab window done. Was waiting for Summer to see how it goes. I do have a rear cam in my Jeep inside the dark tinted tailgate glass and no issue at all. (Wolfbox)

 

[DaStockRR]

I’m installing a few next week. Garmin X310 for the front view and Garmin DC Mini 3 for the rear view

 

[Onceaneagle]

I’m installing a few next week. Garmin X310 for the front view and Garmin DC Mini 3 for the rear view

Let me know what you think.

 

[Bubz58]

Just finished installing the Rove R2-4K Dual in my Lariat. Didn't want to pay for the best out there but needed something decent enough to help out if there's an accident. Tried to avoid products made in China but looks like they're all made there regardless of who sells them so went with an American company with a good reputation. Unit came with a 128gb memory card and they offered a $70 coupon so got it for $130. You could pay $100 more for the Pro version that has true 4K but I went cheap this time. Easy enough install - wires tuck up under the trim and weather stripping easy enough. If you want a totally clean install and not have a power wire connected to your USB port then recommend getting the extra hardwire kit which they sell on their site as well. I looked at more expensive units and almost got the VIOFO A329S but decided the extra $ just wasn't worth it to me - the Rove is good enough.

 

[Onceaneagle]

Just finished installing the Rove R2-4K Dual in my Lariat. Didn't want to pay for the best out there but needed something decent enough to help out if there's an accident. Tried to avoid products made in China but looks like they're all made there regardless of who sells them so went with an American company with a good reputation. Unit came with a 128gb memory card and they offered a $70 coupon so got it for $130. You could pay $100 more for the Pro version that has true 4K but I went cheap this time. Easy enough install - wires tuck up under the trim and weather stripping easy enough. If you want a totally clean install and not have a power wire connected to your USB port then recommend getting the extra hardwire kit which they sell on their site as well. I looked at more expensive units and almost got the VIOFO A329S but decided the extra $ just wasn't worth it to me - the Rove is good enough.

Thanks. Would be interested in your experience with day/night clarity vs grainy for reading license plates and street signs. I have Nano ceramic window film for the camera to deal with and also with mounting. Not putting any suction cups or pads on the windshield film.

 

[Bubz58]

Thanks. Would be interested in your experience with day/night clarity vs grainy for reading license plates and street signs. I have Nano ceramic window film for the camera to deal with and also with mounting. Not putting any suction cups or pads on the windshield film.

So far the daytime clarity is good - plenty good enough to support crash investigations. Haven't been out with it at night yet but will post some images when I can. I watched all the videos in this forum on dashcam reviews before making my decision - the Rove R2 isn't the best on finer details but that wasn't important to me - something is better than nothing. I have mine mounted on the windshield (suction on front camera and sticky pad on the rear [only option]). Prob need aftermarket product to have it on your dash.

 

[theGnat]

I got the Viofo A119M Pro during the Black Friday sales. It only has 1CH, so no rear or interior cams. It's only been under 2 months since I've installed it and so far, I'm satisfied.

I used the Dongar Dashcam Power Adapter and tapped into the rearview mirror. The connections were straight-forward. However, I had to modify both the male and female couplings of the Donger because the channels did not line up with the Ford couplings in the mirror.

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