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Browsing the forum it seems like more and more people are getting into accidents due to careless drivers and its been something I've wanted to do so I am curious to see who runs a dash cam setup & If so what setup do you run and approx. cost ? Been thinking about picking up a used go-pro for a dash cam, any feedback is welcome.
I have a Blackvue DR550 for my truck and I love it. The video is crisp and clear, even at night. Go on to YouTube and search Blackvue for examples of the video quality. They make systems for all price ranges.
I don't like the Go Pro since you have to open up the case to charge it and to download video, unless they have a new model out. It is good if you are in a wet environment since it is in a case. There are really good small HD cameras out there for the same or less money that are more versatile.
I think if I had a dash cam I'd be more likely to incriminate myself.
I do feel in time we might all have dash cams in our cars or at least they will be mandated after a certain model year (much like seat belts, third brake light, back up cameras)
I also have a Blackvue in my Corvette. It is hard wired into my fuse panel. the Blackvue has build in WI-FI an a micro card. I can view on my I phone real time.
I have one called a 'mini 0805'. Can't think of brand name off hand. It was well rated on Amazon. It is very small, and is not easily seen, when mounted.
I had a different one first, but it was too large, and too obvious when mounted. Worked good, but too easy to see from the outside. Sent it back.
Got the mini 0805 (I saw yesterday, they now have a newer version 0806 out). The 0805 sits behind the mirror on passenger side, and I can't even see it from drivers seat. It's hard wired, on and off with the car.
Easy to access mini sd card, and seems to take very good video.
Just search 'mini 0805 dash camera' for you tube videos about this one.
The dash cam was the FIRST add on in my Vette purchased in 2014. Having been driven off the road by drivers more intested in talking on their cell phones in my other cars, I have one in each of the 3 cars we drive. The second day I owned the Vette, some idiot turned right in front of me and it was a miracle that I did not hit him. The next day I ordered the dash cam. I have a Black Box G!W that is hard wired into the fuse box. Has voice recording and 140 degree recording. The dash cam will confirm stupid driving by others.
The dash cam was the FIRST add on in my Vette purchased in 2014. Having been driven off the road by drivers more intested in talking on their cell phones in my other cars, I have one in each of the 3 cars we drive. The second day I owned the Vette, some idiot turned right in front of me and it was a miracle that I did not hit him. The next day I ordered the dash cam. I have a Black Box G!W that is hard wired into the fuse box. Has voice recording and 140 degree recording. The dash cam will confirm stupid driving by others.
I'm interested in your comment that you hard-wired your camera to the fuse box. Is it set so it shuts down when the key is pulled and one of the doors opens? I'm trying to do this with my G1W using the supplied cigarette lighter plug, but the C5 has both lighter sockets powered full-time and it's a pain to remember to disconnect the plug each time I leave the car. I was able to solve a similar problem with full-time cig ltr sockets on my truck by installing an external fuse adaptor between the lighter fuse and the accessory fuse in the box. When I try the same thing on my C5, the best I can get is the lighter socket powering off when the ignition key is turned off. I'd prefer it remain powered during the retained accessory power cycle. How did you do yours?
I have been running an Amazon $59 HD cam for 2 years and am dealing with the non switched 12v ports. I am going to wire directly to a switched 12v source in the pass floor..I have yet to leave it on accidentally overnight, but would feel a lot better about it shutting down automatically.
Here is how I did the hot wire connection in my 04. I opened my fuse panel in the passenger side of the car. I inserted a piggy back fuse holder (absent fuse) that I bought at Auto Zone into Fuse number 11 (thanks to FM Mr. Sam for showing me what fuse to tap in the panel) that is open and not used. See Owner’s Manual for fuse 11 location. Fuse 11 in my 04 is a circuit that is off when the ignition is off. Then I bought a twin power outlet at Amazon and installed it under the passenger dash. I connected the hot wire from the piggy back fuse to the hot wire from the power outlet. I grounded the negative wire (black) from the power outlet to the screw that is at the bottom and outside of the fuse panel. I routed the dash cam wire that has the power male connector at the end along the top of the windshield’s plastic molding down the passenger side framing under the dash and inserted into the mounted power outlet. Finally, I inserted a 20 amp fuse in the piggy back fuse holder and tested. Dash cam worked fine and only when ignition is on. I hope this helps.
Here is how I did the hot wire connection in my 04. I opened my fuse panel in the passenger side of the car. I inserted a piggy back fuse holder (absent fuse) that I bought at Auto Zone into Fuse number 11 (thanks to FM Mr. Sam for showing me what fuse to tap in the panel) that is open and not used. See Owner’s Manual for fuse 11 location. Fuse 11 in my 04 is a circuit that is off when the ignition is off. Then I bought a twin power outlet at Amazon and installed it under the passenger dash. I connected the hot wire from the piggy back fuse to the hot wire from the power outlet. I grounded the negative wire (black) from the power outlet to the screw that is at the bottom and outside of the fuse panel. I routed the dash cam wire that has the power male connector at the end along the top of the windshield’s plastic molding down the passenger side framing under the dash and inserted into the mounted power outlet. Finally, I inserted a 20 amp fuse in the piggy back fuse holder and tested. Dash cam worked fine and only when ignition is on. I hope this helps.
Ron
Fuse 11 is good for "ACC and ON" power since it is not shared with anything. Just limited to 20 amps, which is a lot.
In the passenger foot well there should be 3 auxiliary power wires for 97-03 cars. 04's just have the fuses. For 97-03 cars you can use fuse adapters in lieu of the accessory wires, your choice.
Orange wire taped off. Always powered from Fuse #7 (20 Amp). This Fuse is shared with the cigarette lighter.
Orange wire to a connector. Always powered from Fuse #1 (20 Amp). Fuse is shared with the accessory power port in the center console.
Yellow wire taped off. Powered from ignition switch when in "ACC or On". Powered from Fuse #11 (20 Amp). Not shared with anything.
Browsing the forum it seems like more and more people are getting into accidents due to careless drivers and its been something I've wanted to do so I am curious to see who runs a dash cam setup & If so what setup do you run and approx. cost ? Been thinking about picking up a used go-pro for a dash cam, any feedback is welcome.
I have a Garmin Dash Cam 20 for my C5, and I'd never drive without it. Simple to connect, just like the Garmin GPS systems. The Dash Cam can easily be removed and the video/photos downloaded to your computer. The Dash Cam may also be removed and used as a video camera or a still-picture camera if desired. I bought it at Best Buy for about $200, best money I ever spent on my Corvette! Too many bad drivers out there, better to have your own surveillance system onboard to show the evidence to Police and Insurance Agents!
Dash cams
