Reviews on Car Dash Cameras - what to buy?

[M37owner]

I would like to install a Dash Cam. Lot's of crazy drivers out there, and if anything happens I want to record it.

Can anyone recommend a decent camera?
Good low light performance, wide angle view, auto-on with ignition, recording to removable SD/micro-SD card (or similar removable media). Also must be able to stay in car all the time and survive the hot FL temps.

I would like to mount it behind/near rear mirror (so small footprint) and tie into the mirror power. Whatever I get it must have a good mounting system too.

Are there any "camera review" websites that are good?
I've been looking at websites that do reviews on dash cameras but it's hard to tell if the website is just a store front and rating "their brand" as best. The other problem is that there are a lot to choose from so no website is able to test them all.

What are the best/most-reliable brands?

Thanks

[Mjkkb2]

search amazon for reviews. I got mine there and been happy with it.
http://www.amazon.com/Black-Box-G1W-H-H ... ge_o01_s00

The suction cup mount is crap, so I bought the mirror mount for it later on:
http://www.amazon.com/iSaddle-Rearview- ... RZWDD0V7M8

Overall it is a decent camera, it's no name china product. I had some issues with features and there was no manual with it. The picture is very good, wide angle and it starts/shuts down with car starting/shutting off. I'd get it if you want something inexpensive. If you're willing to spend more $$ then there are better products out there for sure.

[M37owner]

I appreciate your advice. You always provide good information. I'm going to check that one out now. I don't mind spending more $$ if the item lasts.

BTW . I was just on the Amazon site. Way too many products to pick from.
I usually sort "by avg. review" (most Stars), then I skip all the reviews with only one or two reviewers. When I get to a product review with dozens or hundreds of reviewers and with a rating of 4.5 or more stars, I start there.

So the first 4.5 star review (2300+ reviewers) was for the "KDLINKS X1" this camera sounded great but a couple of the 1 star reviewers said it doesn't hold up good in "high temp" environments.

[M37owner]

Okay something weird going on. I click on your link (to Amazon) and it opens a "Jo Ann's" fabric store webpage.

Your second link opens a "Walmart" link to some bicycle item.

[pedsemdoc]

Okay something weird going on. I click on your link (to Amazon) and it opens a "Jo Ann's" fabric store webpage.

Your second link opens a "Walmart" link to some bicycle item.

Same thing happened when I clicked on the links:

I searched using the terms directly from amazon.com

I tried to post links too, and ended up on the Joann Fabric page and Walmart link.

So instead of the individual product page: I linked the search page (I think the camera is the 4th one down Black Box G1WH hidden dashboard cam):
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_ ... ck+box+g1w

Mount (6th one down - iSaddle):
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss? ... mount+bike

[Mjkkb2]

that is bizarre. I have pasted them directly from my amazon account after viewing purchased items. indeed ,although I only got the walmart link, the first one takes me to the right place on amazon

[Mjkkb2]

just to add, I had no overheating issues down here in Virginia and it does get hot in the summer here. It always powers up on start and records no matter how hot it gets inside the cabin.
My few issues were with loop recording (I would not overwrite and stop recording once the memory got full). If you want a budget one then I highly recommend it. But if you want something with a better built quality, then get something else....good luck.

[M37owner]

I found this website for Dash Cam Reviews. Does this site seem legit? http://dashboardcamerareviews.com/
They have very detailed reviews and there is a side by side comparison chart.

[Ilya]

Both of the links were fine for me, FYI.

[infinitedrift]

Maybe to prevent overheating you can put up a windshield reflector if the cars going to sit for a few hours.

[M37owner]

I tried to reply in my earlier post but it failed to post. I'll add some features and pricing, when I update.

I read that the units that are most reliable in high temp environments are the ones that use an internal capacitor rather than a battery.
The models I'm considering now are:

• DOD LS460W
  Lukas LK-7900 ARA
  Thinkware X500
  Street Guardian SG9665 GC
  Mini 0903 (a.k.a. Nano Q)

Does anyone have experience with any of these brands?

[AZhitman]

Check out the homepage - We did a comparison that included the Thinkware, and it was pretty awesome.

[M37owner]

@AZ what do you mean by the home page? Which one is that? I tried to search for "Thinkware" but the search engine is down (says "server load too high").

[Ilya]

@AZ what do you mean by the home page? Which one is that? I tried to search for "Thinkware" but the search engine is down (says "server load too high").

Here is the article he is referring to...towards the bottom of the main page for the site:

http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/dashcam-shootout.html

[AZhitman]

@AZ what do you mean by the home page? Which one is that? I tried to search for "Thinkware" but the search engine is down (says "server load too high").

Look up ^ there at the menu. Click 'Homepage.'

www.nicoclub.com is our homepage.

[M37owner]

Look up ^ there at the menu. Click 'Homepage.'

Duh. Thanks.

Found this GREAT site for reviews and discussion on Dash Cams. https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/

[InfinitiAce]

I have this dash cam:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SK8B47W/ref ... ENSM7CNYZN

It is outstanding. It is the most discreet one that I could find. Make sure you buy the capacitor edition if you live in a place where your car gets hot. Dash cams with batteries will explode if your car gets too hot.

I forgot to add: if you want to run your dash cam when your car is parked, just install one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008B8 ... detailpage

[infinitedrift]

@infinitiace, how long have you had that dash cam?

[austin713]

search amazon for reviews. I got mine there and been happy with it.
http://www.amazon.com/Black-Box-G1W-H-H ... ge_o01_s00

The suction cup mount is crap, so I bought the mirror mount for it later on:
http://www.amazon.com/iSaddle-Rearview- ... RZWDD0V7M8

Overall it is a decent camera, it's no name china product. I had some issues with features and there was no manual with it. The picture is very good, wide angle and it starts/shuts down with car starting/shutting off. I'd get it if you want something inexpensive. If you're willing to spend more $$ then there are better products out there for sure.

How did you wire it in?

[Mjkkb2]

I didn't, just plug in the cig lighter

[InfinitiAce]

@infinitiace, how long have you had that dash cam?

I've had that dash cam for about a year and a half. I live in SoCal and drive a black M37. That car gets hot when it is parked outside! It has not exploded like the dash cams with a battery will. I also run mine 24/7 using the Magic Pro... although my memory card only holds about 6 hours or so in 1080 definition.

[lKoRTy]

I had Street Guardian SG9665 for a while now, after comparing to DOD and Mini. I literally had three of them run at the same time and then compared footage. DOD and Mini can compare during daylight, but SG absolutely kills it @ night. Support for SG is extremely good as well. Would definitely recommend.

[M37owner]

I had Street Guardian SG9665 for a while now, after comparing to DOD and Mini. I literally had three of them run at the same time and then compared footage. DOD and Mini can compare during daylight, but SG absolutely kills it @ night. Support for SG is extremely good as well. Would definitely recommend.

Thanks. Great advice. The Street Guardian is a great product. I haven't ordered yet, but I'm close.

[Propa510]

Personally I'm a fan of my Blackvue 650 setup, has all the features I wanted and havent had a single issue with it!

[JCesar]

thinkware cams are great to have