Suggestions on Dash Camera?

  • Thread starter Thread starter dnb
  • Start date Start date
  • Replies Replies 24
  • Views Views 5K
D

dnb

Active Member
I used an A119 with my old car and still have it, but noticed there are some newer options now and I also don't have a way to mount the old one so would need to get some tape or something for it, but I was wondering what you guys are using, and also how you've wired it. Are you using the cig lighter output or did you directly hardwire it so it can turn on if needed (parking mode)?

Also looking at some of the dual ones they have now since having a rear facing camera would be nice as well.
 
I wired my A119 to the fuse box.

What do you need to mount your A119. I have some parts left over that may be what you need.
 
Heino said:
Owl cam. Easy one wire install that pulls power directly from the OBDII port using an adapter.
Less than 15 minutes to install.
Click to expand...
Looks like a great product but $350 is a lot of dough. Looking forward to hearing other suggestions, but Owl Cam seems very well thought out.
 
I love my REXING cam, I have them in all three of my vehicles, including my Clarity. For the clarity I purchased the $9 hardwire harness that simply plugs into one of the open fuse slots under the dash, total install time was around 25 minutes including concealing the cable completely... also it’s $99 :D

Rexing V1 Car Dash Cam 2.4" LCD FHD 1080p 170 Degree Wide Angle Dashboard Camera Recorder with Sony Exmor Video Sensor, G-Sensor, WDR, Loop Recording https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X528FNE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_xyD4BbW95ATNW
 
Sorry for stirring things up. I thought I had an extra GPS module for the A119, and a couple of sticky tape mounts. I looked but I was wrong.

If you use the A119 my only suggestion is to buy the black sticky mount rather than grey. The grey shows up and I'd rather hide the camera as much as possible.

There is also an A119S which has a Sony sensor that is just a bit better. I've been pleased with the two A119 units we have. They just record all of the time the car is powered up. The only time we plan to take them down and look at the video is when there is a reason like an accident.
 
jdonalds said:
I wired my A119 to the fuse box.

What do you need to mount your A119. I have some parts left over that may be what you need.
Click to expand...

I'd bought the GPS one so yeah it has the extra mount, I might just get an extra sticky pad if these are still "good" units, figured with BF coming up there will be some good deals on the newer models. Think my kiddos got a hold of the box for it, I thought I had some extra stuff in it but it was empty when I found it :D

How did you hard wire it? Have any pictures or install instructions I could follow? What extra HW did you need to do it?
 
dnb said:
I'd bought the GPS one so yeah it has the extra mount, I might just get an extra sticky pad if these are still "good" units, figured with BF coming up there will be some good deals on the newer models. Think my kiddos got a hold of the box for it, I thought I had some extra stuff in it but it was empty when I found it :D

How did you hard wire it? Have any pictures or install instructions I could follow? What extra HW did you need to do it?
Click to expand...
Sorry I didn't document mounting the GPS but others have. Search here on insideev.

The installation was pretty easy. From memory this is the rough method
- Position and fix the dashcam mount to the windshield.
- Run the power cord inside the black cover for the mirror wire. It's a tight fit but it works.
- There may be a step here to remove the cover in the ceiling where the garage opener buttons are. The car isn't here so I can't check.
- Push the cable along the leading edge of the headliner. It just stays there without any clamps.
- Pull the rubber off the door jam and run the wire down inside of it.
- Remove the left kick plate by the driver's feet.
- Find a screw or bolt for the ground wire.
- Attach a fuse adapter to the 12V GPS power wire https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014K93ROM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 The fuse adapter allows you to plug into an existing fuse socket, install the fuse that was already there, and add a second fuse for the camera.
- I've connected the power wire to the fuse box using the low-left corner fuse marked 7.5A which is an accessory fuse.

This way the wires are hidden.

I've installed dashcams in three cars so I may have this wrong. A variation is to remove the cover over the A pillar and run the wires there instead of under the door jamb rubber gasket.
 
Ok thanks, I just ordered some new 3m "tape" and will hook it up for now just through the 12v since I don't think the A119 has a real parking mode from what I remember when I bought it. So don't really need it directly hooked up.

Are there any details on where you can and can't push the cord in around the airbags? Whats the potential for setting them off if I'm messing with the trim?

For now I'll probably put the wire along the passenger side since thats where the 12v outlet is closer to and I rarely use it except for the kids stuff :D
 
I have the Owl dashcam. So easy to install (magnetic ODBII power only, no CAM bus), no fuse hacks, 4G built in free for 1 year, inside (and side windows) and outside, great easy to use app for IOS or Android. I have the VAVA dashcam with the sony night imager in the back. Bot will record in park mode without running down the battery.
 
jdonalds said:
Sorry I didn't document mounting the GPS but others have. Search here on insideev.

The installation was pretty easy. From memory this is the rough method
- Position and fix the dashcam mount to the windshield.
- Run the power cord inside the black cover for the mirror wire. It's a tight fit but it works.
- There may be a step here to remove the cover in the ceiling where the garage opener buttons are. The car isn't here so I can't check.
- Push the cable along the leading edge of the headliner. It just stays there without any clamps.
- Pull the rubber off the door jam and run the wire down inside of it.
- Remove the left kick plate by the driver's feet.
- Find a screw or bolt for the ground wire.
- Attach a fuse adapter to the 12V GPS power wire https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014K93ROM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 The fuse adapter allows you to plug into an existing fuse socket, install the fuse that was already there, and add a second fuse for the camera.
- I've connected the power wire to the fuse box using the low-left corner fuse marked 7.5A which is an accessory fuse.

This way the wires are hidden.

I've installed dashcams in three cars so I may have this wrong. A variation is to remove the cover over the A pillar and run the wires there instead of under the door jamb rubber gasket.
Click to expand...

I believe you’ll need a low profile mini add-a-circuit fuse versus the mini fuse linked. Like the one below.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LFXA5XM
 
KentuckyKen said:
Tha Clarity is the easiest car to hide a windshield mounted dash cam wires that I have ever owned. See this thread for how I ran it completely hidden from mirror area, down A pillar, to under dash.

https://www.insideevsforum.com/comm...ires-of-a-windshield-mounted-“dash”-cam.1235/
Click to expand...

Nice thanks!

How important is that tool? I don't have one, I just used my fingers and maybe a CC or something to help push it last time on my old car

Hows the quality on that camera? Any issues with night recording?
 
ClarityDoc said:
Looks like a great product but $350 is a lot of dough. Looking forward to hearing other suggestions, but Owl Cam seems very well thought out.
Click to expand...

Yes, the camera is not cheap - but it is more than a dashcam. It is also a security camera which uploads video to the cloud. I wanted to protect my investment, even while parked.
 
dnb said:
Nice thanks!

How important is that tool? I don't have one, I just used my fingers and maybe a CC or something to help push it last time on my old car

Hows the quality on that camera? Any issues with night recording?
Click to expand...
Don’t really need the tool once you get the rubber gasket pealed back in one place, but it does make it go easier. A dull rounded butter knife would do as well. I had it left over from an iPhone repair kit.
Camera quality is excellent but recording both front and back at the same time reduces it from 4K to 1040p. I found that’s ok since I only need to read the license plates of cars close enough to have “interacted” with mine. I really like being able to record the interior (and interactions at the side window and through the rear window if rear ended) without having to run any wires back to a rear camera. Night recoding is on par with good quality cams. It adjust to light levels very well. I’m happy with it.
 
Heino said:
Yes, the camera is not cheap - but it is more than a dashcam. It is also a security camera which uploads video to the cloud. I wanted to protect my investment, even while parked.
Click to expand...

The Owl looks really intriguing. The high price is a concern, but it seems to be well-designed, easy to install, and its security functions are attractive.

I'm curious where you installed yours on the Clarity. Did you offset the location away from the center of the dash to avoid interfering with the sensor and speaker that sit right in the middle of the dash? Also wondering if you are using the Android or Apple mobile app. The ratings on Android look pretty poor, and several mention that the Apple version is superior.
 
vicw said:
The Owl looks really intriguing. The high price is a concern, but it seems to be well-designed, easy to install, and its security functions are attractive.

I'm curious where you installed yours on the Clarity. Did you offset the location away from the center of the dash to avoid interfering with the sensor and speaker that sit right in the middle of the dash? Also wondering if you are using the Android or Apple mobile app. The ratings on Android look pretty poor, and several mention that the Apple version is superior.
Click to expand...


I installed my Owl camera maybe half an inch to the left of the light sensor as to not to interfere with it. But the camera does come with several brackets, where it may not even be a problem to install it directly dead center, as the camera can be placed higher up.

I just wanted to play it safe...

I personally use an iPhone and have a great experience with the app. The company is very committed to providing improvements, so any software issues will surely get resolved. They seem to stand behind their product.

As for price, I have two referral codes for $50 off of the current price if purchased before November 18. If anyone is interested, send me a message, I’d be more than happy to provide a discount code.



81AA8DB3-6157-486A-AE16-8ECC9A5C522D.webp
248462BB-7C17-42BF-8E06-CACCC0745E6E.webp
 
I decided to post my coupon codes as someone else posted theirs as well. Feel free to give them a try.. $50 off is a really good deal for this dashcam.
—-

This is just a friendly reminder that your referral codes expire on November 19th.

Here are your unused $50 off coupon codes:

STDS

MFMN

The codes can be redeemed in our website checkout - https://owlcam.com/

Share with your friends and family. You can even use one too! Don't worry we won't tell
 
Heino said:
I decided to post my coupon codes as someone else posted theirs as well. Feel free to give them a try.. $50 off is a really good deal for this dashcam.
—-

This is just a friendly reminder that your referral codes expire on November 19th.

Here are your unused $50 off coupon codes:

STDS

MFMN

The codes can be redeemed in our website checkout - https://owlcam.com/

Share with your friends and family. You can even use one too! Don't worry we won't tell
Click to expand...
Please do not share STDs with your friends and family.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top