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Not to be confused with Backup cameras, which I understand to be for backup-only, after reading Amazon, etc. reviews on front/rear/rearview cameras, many untrustworthy, thought to ask here for recommendations from actual users of these aftermarket products.
Some reviews talk of the poor quality of these devices, or how they appear to be recording but actually do not, of them failing after a short time, etc.
Ideally I'd like a unit which provides provision for 2 cameras (or more, for sides) front- and rear, to record driving history. Some of these are integrated with the internal rearview mirror, some are merely cameras linking to a receiving unit.
From what I've come to know these may not be as common in the US as what I've seen in other countries. The positive applications for these should be obvious.
I've got a Mini 0801 and an Ausdom A261. Both have been chugging along reliably producing good video and logging GPS data for several years now, but they're not current models anymore.
I bought a Vantrue R3 (I think it's discontinued now) and while the screen is small because of the small size of the unit the video it captures is amazing. It is front only, but they have many types. I read a post by someone asking about setting up a front camera in both the front window and back window. That might be a solution that's better than one on the windshield aiming back if you're wanting better road coverage than a backup camera.
Yeah, currently in our SUV it just runs to the power outlet back there. But in sedans I've also just run a power line from the fuse box tucked up along the headliner to the back as well.
Are any of them battery operated so you don't have to run a wire for electricity? I'd like to have one just to share some of the things I see out my windshield, like the bald eagle that filled my entire windshield earlier this week, avoiding impact by maybe a foot or less. (Another baldy swooped at my side window 5-10 minutes after that one.) Those weren't the first ones, but it's a pretty neat thing to see.
And of course, it would be good if I was in an accident (maybe). About 20 years ago some yahoo in my oncoming traffic crossed the center line as we met on a narrow bridge. Our driver's outside mirrors collided, denting our doors (same make and model pickups). I was alone so had no witnesses with me, while he had 3 in his truck, and another 3 in his group was following him. They all said I crossed the center line. I did have one witness who was following me who saw it the way I did, and in fact said she was afraid he was also going to hit her. She gave me her name and phone number as a witness, but when my insurance carrier called her, she didn't want to get involved. A dash cam would have solved that problem, not that there were dash cams 20 years ago.
I just hate wires dangling from my windshield. I see some of them advertise wifi, but what I'd really like is a battery operated one. I don't know if that's available or even practical.
Wires don’t dangle, you tuck them into the headliner and down the pillar.
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