I want to get a dash cam for my LS430 daily driver. But I have a few other vehicles too, LS400, VW passat tdi, and an F-250. I suppose I could get one for each car but my preference is to just get one that goes in my daily driver but move it to others vehicles as I drive them. I know next to nothing about them and have questions:

1) Do suction mounts to the windshield work well for these devices?
2) is there an option to hang it from a rear view mirror?
3) what are the advantages of having a model that looks to the rear and side?
4) how frequently does the video recording last before it starts recording over the previous video? Do you simply do nothing, let it record over itself, and let it record for days/months at at time until something happens and you need to preserve the video by uploading to a computer or phone?
5) what else should I be considering?
6) what is your favorite model and why?

Thanks for any responses.

 

I would get one on each car. otherwise you may forget to bring it along. You want to make sure you have all of the wiring in place for each car so that it's easy too.

the best entry level one is a viofo A119 v3 for around $100 on amazon. it's forward facing but you can get one that has a forward and a rear cam for not much more. YOu will need to buy a SD Card that is designed for this use case too. that will dictate how long your storage will be.

 

Any more recommendations for a reliable dashcam? I am looking at some from VIOFO in the sub ~160 bucks range. Ease of use to access videos and reliability are key.

And looks like powering from OBD port is very easy for a hardwire option.

 

Can't go wrong with Viofo I have 3 of them they are dead reliable. Running a 256GB card which means you have hours of video before the old stuff starts getting over written.

 

While I have no idea if there are models for Lexus, many on the Mercedes forum use Fitcamx. I'm considering one for my GLS. They are plug and play, integrated into the fixture around the rear view mirror.

 

I have two Viofo A119 and one A129 with rear camera. They are reliable. The size of the SD card, length of videos and resolution determines when it starts overriding the existing files. I have pretty close to the highest on mine and with a 128 card it records about a day’s worth.

If you carry the cigarette lighter power cord you can carry it between cars. Viofo includes these plastic static stickers that stick to the windshield. You can just remove and attach to the next car.

Rear camera is more complicated. Same idea but you have to run the wires to the back.

 

I’m looking at the FitcamX as well for my Cayenne for the same reason, it looks like it’s plug and play but I’m wondering if it is good quality video and easy to use.

 

I have a FitcamX. It’s been pretty solid. No complaints. It was easy to fit and it looks like it was factory-fit/OEM.

Only wrinkles are if you are using wireless CarPlay you may need to temporarily disconnect that before you connect to the FitcamX WiFi network, and you may have to hide some extra wire as you plug the unit into your mirror.

 

same here... but my kit including a replacement for the oem mirror shroud that makes it all completely hidden and integrated. really nice.

 

1) Do suction mounts to the windshield work well for these devices?
YMMV with suction cups. I personally prefer 3m 'extreme' velcro that can hold 10-15 lbs. I like this because A) It will never fall off the windshield B) I can easily remove the cam if i ever have to.

2) is there an option to hang it from a rear view mirror?
I haven't seen this option, but i'm sure someone could 3d print a mount for it. Maybe check etsy?

3) what are the advantages of having a model that looks to the rear and side?
Like anything, in a situation you need to prove your innocence (ie: someone hit you), the more video/angles, the better your odds.

4) how frequently does the video recording last before it starts recording over the previous video? Do you simply do nothing, let it record over itself, and let it record for days/months at at time until something happens and you need to preserve the video by uploading to a computer or phone?
Most dashcams will record until the memory card is full, and then start overwriting the oldest video on it. You don't have to touch it - i literally haven't touched my dashcam in ~3 years and it's going strong. I do recommend a good memory card that can withstand temperature changes. Sandisk and others have them.

5) what else should I be considering?
Understand that unfortunately, most dashcams on the market today use the same chips and optics inside of them. So you're more or less choosing between software and reliability. Watch this vid:
6) what is your favorite model and why?
I use Viofo's in every one of my cars for the past ~6 years. Never a problem, their app is decent, and they just work. I use it with a fuse kit, so it's hardwired to turn on with the car, and off with the car. I literally don't touch it.

 

Yes, mine does too. Apparently some of them aren't quite as OEM-ish as others.

 

One bad thing about Viofo is their hardwire kit has way too high parasitic draw.