Dash cams anyone?

[crankestein]

I have been watching significant amount of YT videos..

What is your experience; pros, cons, on dash cams?

Which one would you recommend? tips?

[upstatedoc]

I think there's already a thread on this. But still subscribed

[bayarea328xit]

In the past, I've DIY'ed front/rear dash cams (mostly Garmin Dash Cam 3X). With my G05, I opted for the BMW Advanced Car Eye 2. I would stick with the BMW ACE2 in the future (despite the higher cost).

See this thread for more information: Link.

Pros: if shit happens, and you are not at fault, you have some evidence to hold the responsible party liable

Cons: if shit happens, and you are at fault, ...

I know of someone who was involved in an accident at an intersection. They claimed that they had the green light so did the other person who was involved in the accident. No recorded evidence --> both parties 50% at fault.

Given my driving record, I'd rather have the recorded evidence.

[Kilabyte]

I've had this one for almost a year, great picture quality. I've had some other ones prior to this and what a lot of people don't realize is that the difference between the inexpensive ones and the good 4k ones is the ability to read plates, especially at night. I also like that it's dual channel (front and back)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...f_=as_li_ss_tl

[MsGoGoMoto]

The MINUTE I got my i3, my ever first BMW auto, it seems like I'm a magnet for near misses.
70Mai dashcam.

I want a front and rear cam system now. I want the one by BMW, but the price is so inflated.. thinking about it though.

[MsGoGoMoto]

Originally Posted by Kilabyte

I've had this one for almost a year, great picture quality. I've had some other ones prior to this and what a lot of people don't realize is that the difference between the inexpensive ones and the good 4k ones is the ability to read plates, especially at night. I also like that it's dual channel (front and back)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...f_=as_li_ss_tl

Whelp, I might consider getting that camera.
I like that it has a rear camera.

[vreihen16]

I have DOD Tech in two of my vehicles, and like them because they put the GPS coordinates and speed into the video image and not as metadata hidden in the files that only an app can read. One is a replacement rearview mirror, and the other one is dual front/rear cameras.

https://www.amazon.com/VIOFO-Buffere...dp/B07RXQJ148/

Someone posted a video here a few weeks ago from a Viofo A129 Pro (dual camera), and it had the GPS coordinates in the video image. I put it on my short list for future purchases should I need another unit, since DOD Tech seems to be hard to buy these days.....

[Kilabyte]

Originally Posted by MsGoGoMoto

Whelp, I might consider getting that camera.
I like that it has a rear camera.

I guarantee that the video quality is miles better than the BMW one. I bought it for the same reason you did. I paid $500+ tax, it seems like it came down in price.

If I had to choose it's either the one I have or this one:

https://www.amazon.com/BlackVue-DR90...f_=as_li_ss_tl

Both are pretty much the best available still. The Blackvue one might have a smaller footprint when looking for it facing the car, it will tuck behind the black part of the windshield around the mirror a little better than the one I have.

[M_Six]

I bought one a few years ago after a near miss at a stop sign. Idiot kid coming from our right blew right through it and nearly creamed us. But then I never got around to installing it because trying to hard wire it was going to be no fun. I just figured I'd have the dealer do it when the car was in for service the next time. I'm ashamed to say I never had that done. So the whole thing is still sitting in my office waiting for me to do something with it.

[Fritzer]

My Dad got me a Garmin one a few years ago. I only recently started using it this year. Still need to tuck all the wiring/maybe get the fusebox power wire. I enjoy having it, tucked right up underneath the rear view mirror. Caught some interesting stuff already, good for peace of mind too.

[upstatedoc]

Originally Posted by M_Six

I bought one a few years ago after a near miss at a stop sign. Idiot kid coming from our right blew right through it and nearly creamed us. But then I never got around to installing it because trying to hard wire it was going to be no fun. I just figured I'd have the dealer do it when the car was in for service the next time. I'm ashamed to say I never had that done. So the whole thing is still sitting in my office waiting for me to do something with it.

I have a custom shop that does all my "stuff" It's worth the money to avoid all the headaches

[Merami fan]

Worth a few hundred at least. To me, the most important potential benefit is not letting some idiot get away with hitting me.

I went with the Thinkware Q800PRO and the cable on their site, "EchoMaster OBD II Power Cable." $300 for the cams (front + rear) and 40 for the cable. I'm quite happy with it so far. If you don't need extended (well over 24 hours) 'parking mode' support, it's a good solution. Easy to set up, plugs into the OBD port for 12+ hours of parking mode, has a voltage cutoff option, and app/cloud support so you don't have to fiddle with the SD card to check recordings. Just mount with the included double-sided tape, tuck the cable into the headliner, and secure the excess length with rubber bands/tape. Shouldn't take more than 30 minutes.

See these threads for more info:
https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...05&postcount=7
https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1654274

[Tommy-G]

I have a Rexing V3 and love it. No issues at all. Has front and rear built into the main unit which works best for me b/c its a convertible.
The only thing I dont like is I cant log on remotely and activate the camera

[KennyFSU]

I love my Garmin 55, great quality and has wifi so you can DL vids right to your phone without a cable or having to remove your memory card.

[ggunn9]

I really like my thinkware dash cams. I just put this one in my X5. It can connect to your phone to display the video at the scene of an accident. I also have a thinkware F70 in my wife's Lexus. Both have the rear cam too.





https://www.amazon.com/Thinkware-F20...8XWRKX3S&psc=1

[Manny01]

I would overwhelmingly prefer an OEM solution. Something clean, no wires, integrated, etc. But sounds like BMW's solution is not good and way too expensive.

[bayarea328xit]

Originally Posted by Manny01

I would overwhelmingly prefer an OEM solution. Something clean, no wires, integrated, etc. But sounds like BMW's solution is not good and way too expensive.

I have BMW Advanced Car Eye 2.0 on my G05.

I agree with the expensive part - not sure how we can conclude that it is "not good".

The tests for image quality are very difficult to pull-off accurately.

I've seen some tests where multiple dash cams (with optimized settings) are installed on the windshield of the same car; that is probably a good test. No such tests that include the BMW ACE2 as far as I can tell.

[infinitekidM2C]

No added weight because racecar!!

[VAcurler]

I installed a Viofo one as soon as I got my car but that meant powering it via the USB in the console. I'm having a proper one installed once the parts arrive. Going with Blackvue because that is what the shop doing the work sells. If the F23 had a fuse box in my glovebox like my e90 than I'd have installed it myself but I don't want to mess with the power lines back to the trunk (appearance reasons).

[Capt Crunch]

Aren’t people worried that the dash cam could be a liability if it portrays you at fault? I’m pretty sure you could be compelled to surrender the footage even if it’s not in you favor.

[CTinline-six]

Originally Posted by Capt Crunch

Aren’t people worried that the dash cam could be a liability if it portrays you at fault? I’m pretty sure you could be compelled to surrender the footage even if it’s not in you favor.

It's not really an issue. If you are worried about it, don't mention you have one if you think you are at fault.

I was an insurance adjuster years ago, and dash cams were just coming out. Even then they were a huge advantage, because the camera gives a much more accurate description of the scene. Without a camera, you have to rely on a witness who *might* remember what happened, pictures of damage, or two drivers' word against each other. Sometimes you get a police report, but there were claims I waited a month to get the police report and it says "cars collided at intersection".

[Kilabyte]

Originally Posted by Capt Crunch

Aren’t people worried that the dash cam could be a liability if it portrays you at fault? I’m pretty sure you could be compelled to surrender the footage even if it’s not in you favor.

Pop the card out, who says you didn't forget to pop it back in after transferring videos to your PC of you destroying a Vette on a local Mexican freeway?