I’m looking for dash cam recommendations for my ‘67 and other cars.

i have one but it’s an inexpensive one that only works with an SD card. I’d like to find one that works with an iPhone app.

Any ideas? I’ll need 4 of them so cost is a bit of a factor but not as important as a quality device.

Thanks,
Steve

 

I don't have a specific recommendation, but, I've had several of them and this has become one of those rolls of the dice purchases so be cautious. Some are thrown together pieces with indecipherable instructions with poorly translated English and the "manual of arms" to operate the thing is rockets science - and the videos may be fuzzy and jerky. Ergo, don't cheap out and do your homework....

Another consideration in Florida is that these cameras will be exposed nearly constantly to blistering heat and sunlight so get a robust unit. Let us know what you come up with. I have one in my Tundra that serves my needs and seems to work well but not sure I'd recommend it wholeheartedly.

The more sophisticated ones have GPS capability to determine speed & location in case of an "incident", some have motion detectors to "turn on" if somebody approaches your car in a parking lot and others have "G" sensors to automatically capture and store the last two minutes (or whatever) of video in case the excessive G force was due to an accident. The better ones will date/time stamp the video. Some will have small LCD screens so you can see what its recording or playback recordings- mine doesn't, I found the extra size of the unit to incorporate the screen makes them larger than I care for...just personal preference.

So, the cheap ones are truly cheap and the high-end ones may have more features than our old brains can handle.. Most require constant power and so you'll have a wiring dilemma...

Do a clean install which may require removing trim panels in a modern car to route/hide the wire(s) or just let them dangle which is unsightly and a PITA at times. I'm a "dangler" (No jokes please)..

They are also a pain in the butt if you use one of those sunshades that you unroll behind the windshield to protect the interior in the hot summer sun. The camera is always in the way.

Just some considerations I've run into during my use of the devices..

Here is a video from the Tundra taken last year showing a tree just falling on its on in front of a delivery truck on a quiet Sunday morning in Winter Garden - guy did a damned good job of avoiding it:

 

Thanks Frank.

I've seen that video before. Pretty responsive driving by that truck driver. A perfect example of an accident you can avoid if you're not texting.

Before I start throwing money at dash cam devices, I'm going to try out a couple of apps that turn your iPhone camera into a dash cam. Have you tried any of those? The write-ups sound like they do everything the devices do. If so, all you have to do is buy iPhone dash mounts for all your vehicles. Also, no dangling wires as long as your phone has a charge. AND you can still stream music with them. Sounds too good, actually.

Steve

 

Haven't tried the iPhone app dash cam stuff - I HAVE tried the iPhone backup camera app extensively...

The problem is that if you like to listen to Amazon Music, Pandora, etc.. off your phone and you're also dealing with external video input it gets to be a problem. If the connections are Wi-Fi or Bluetooth it can get tricky and music sound may be supplanted by the video input.

I got it all to work with the backup camera AND music - but it was a PITA and tricky..

Just bear that in mind when you hear vendor claims.

 

I downloaded the app called "Dash Cam" (there are others) and gave it a try this morning with the '67. I can't give it a full thumbs up because I need a decent dash mount for my iPhone. The holder I have is too low so all I got was an hour's worth of windshield wiper closeups. I could see a little above and below the wipers but not much.

The app has a lot of features including GPS. It appears to have all the features the dedicated dash cams have. It has a lot of options you can set up.

Oh yes, I used it while streaming Amazon Prime Music AND using Google Maps GPS. All 3 applications played nicely with each other. I had the voice recording turned off on the Dash Cam app so I don't know if that would mess up things or not if it was on.

When playing back the video of my windshield wipers, I noticed the image was jumping around a bit. I assume that's due to the cheap mount I was using. The app has an "image stabilization" function. That may make a difference, too.

I'm going to look for a dash mount so I can see what the image looks like. I assume it will look pretty much like what you normally see with the iPhone video camera.If it looks good, I'll pay the upgrade to the ad-free version (the ads really aren't very obtrusive on the free version) and get holders for the other vehicles.

Steve

 

Ok. Maybe I’ll try it. I have the large black “clamshell” dash mount. Maybe that’ll work.

 

Let me know how the image looks.

Meanwhile, I’m rummaging through my junk boxes in search of a better iPhone mount.

Steve

 

Steve,

I used this RAM setup for my iPhone when I used its map but now use it for my Garmin GPS. It's very sturdy and adjustable.



RAM makes all kinds of mounting components:

https://www.gpscity.com/mounts/&p=1&c=3&b=ram+mount

 

Hey Robert,

Thanks! That looks pretty beefy, not flimsy like most. I think it might do the trick.

How are are you and Laura doing?

Take care,
Steve

 

For a modern car, the Owl Cam is incredible. Not only does it function as a front and rear dash cam but it also has a motion/shock sensor that functions for car security. If it's activated then a light activates inside the car and you receive a text and can view inside/outside your car in real time. It's amazing. You do have an annual subscription of $100 for the cellular data service which I feel is reasonable for what you get in the package. It requires an OBD port, so the C2 is out, but it might be a good option for your modern cars.

https://owlcam.com

 

That’s a nice device. I like the theft deterrent which is good for two of my vehicles but not my two convertibles. If I parked them with the top down, I wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving that $350 device sitting up on the dash.

Same thing with the app I’m playing around with. It can “wake up” to record someone messing with your car but you have to leave the cell phone in your car. If you have the app set for iCloud storage, the cops might be able to catch the thief if his face got picked up. I assume you can also do that with the Owl.

Steve

 

The Owl automatically sends the clip to your phone through their App so it's super simple. Since the Cam has it's own data service it acts just like a phone. If you get a break in notification you can not only see what's happening in real time, but you can "say something" to the perpetrator through your phone and they'll hear it through the cam. It's pretty crazy technology. Owl has a policy that if the cam is ever stolen, you provide the footage to them and they'll send you a new one. You can buy extra power cords/mounts so I use the same one in 2 of our cars - especially if we're taking a longer trip in one. Otherwise it just always stays in my GMC truck.

The cam records continuously when running, but if something interesting happens, you can say "OK Presto" (not sure why they used that) and it'll send a 20 second clip to the app so you don'y have to look through everything later. It's a really well thought out system.

 

The Owl is definitely a top-of-the-line device. I can’t justify buying four of them but I could see buying one for long trip use and a less expensive solution for the other cars.

Thanks for giving me another option. I had never heard of the Owl before.

Steve

 

Steve, my wife bought me an HD mirror cam as a gift. Not too terribly expensive but works well, and easy to install. Can be moved simply from one car to another as long as the cig lighter still works/for power. Video loads to a card that can be downloaded on a PC.
I have noticed that people drive more courteous around me when they see the device is on, so for that reason alone Best of luck with the hunt.

Ray

 

Ray - which dash cam did your wife get you?

I don’t know what I’m going to do with my other vehicles yet, but for my ‘67, I’m going with an an actual dash cam device because I don’t want to give up the ability to do this:



It was very thoughtful of the General to think ahead and provide us an iPhone mount.

Steve

 

You guys and your fancy doodads——cellaphones, hand warmers. Phifft!

 

You’re missing some stuff <LOL>.

Steve

 

You're right - I actually had a WiFi (wireless) backup camera on my 63 coupe - got to the point it was cumbersome and I never really used it and never trusted it completely.... Took a bit of time to set it up on the smartphone when you did want to use it...

I snatched it out over a year ago....more hassle than it was worth - and I don't miss it.

 

Well that’s a fine how do you do. On your post and recommendation I installed the wifi back up camera setup you were using on your car on my C6. It isn’t perfect (what is) but it beats the dog doo out of nothing. I find it very useful as there is very limited vision with the top up.

I also use it in an active mode when driving on 95 to see what threats are lurking/approaching from the rear. Nothing like the non helmeted biker moron playing Speed Racer on the interstate.

 

Steve,
Google HD mirror cam...Should pull up some good info.

Ray