Recommendations on a Dash Cam? Something I can tuck behind the rearview and hardwire in. Review film later if needed type of thing. I do about 30k a year and wife does about 20k a year in hers.

Got too much tied up in vehicles, life, property etc to leave up to a he said / she said on a police report for insurance to handle.

I've been happy with the Garmin mini 2. The setup was easy. Video is decent. License tags are probably not readable more than 15 yards(?). I'm sure there's better video but the cost/size is nice.

What types of vehicles? After researching, most of them have the same camera quality regardless of how much you pay. I went with Fitcamx's for multiple vehicles that they make an integrated option for and have been happy with them each time. Lacks some of the app features of Blackvue and the like, but does what I need it to and it's not an eyesore in the vehicle due to the OEM-style integration. Easy install too.

This guy does really extensive reviews on them:

Project Farm just tested a bunch of dash cams too. I was happy to see that the Viofo cams are still highly rated.



I have a Thinkware F70 which is a no-frills basic cam that has no screen.
https://www.amazon.com/THINKWARE-Dashcam-G-Sensor-Buffered-Parking/dp/B0C8HGNZT2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2Y4MLOGV2F5E3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MGbY3Zp_HxKGl7xuv_xV_XIAs080pIc4wHPDUSD9QBpBPfmccoC5fwo-4nc2FhpJHFDIowHK4WdBt7kvQf56RyBbjb13sEvB-1rR0JTeS5aQy_nOANOqyaxy_4rm2xINUWgoMC8K1qMVLJ3Bh9AZrL2l5asnUT3XqVM7JUuEe0CajDUm--u5ymRhqj_Ip6qjaG_dJuEfQK9INLMC8Pjm0NpBwFIFSe3rxrMwULUHDmM.JVQ89HBUgzqso35yALj-BRgF_DsbIPeihm5726Uta80&dib_tag=se&keywords=thinkware+f70&qid=1743947426&sprefix=thinkware+f70%2Caps%2C129&sr=8-1
It has a bluetooth app which you can use for setup and to download video. I haven't tried to DL video yet, I imagine it would be slow. The F70 is slightly bigger than a Bic lighter. It also has the same image sensor and software as the Viofo A119.

The Viofo A119 is what I bought for my daughters car.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SRQH4R7?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

This has a screen and more bells and whistles, but has the same image performance as the F70. It is quite small too, but you would want to mount it somewhere that you can see the screen, so no hiding it behind the rearview.

We have two viofo a229. Been happy with them. Also have a vantrue and it's been on as well. Let me know if you want some video samples and I can post links here

I've had 3 cheap Roav brand dash cams in our vehicles for at least 5 or 6 years in the hot SA sun and they all still work great. I'm sure you can get a better quality image at a higher price point, though.

I have a Garmin DC57 and am really happy with it

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/731443

TexasAggie2006 said:

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What types of vehicles? After researching, most of them have the same camera quality regardless of how much you pay. I went with Fitcamx's for multiple vehicles that they make an integrated option for and have been happy with them each time. Lacks some of the app features of Blackvue and the like, but does what I need it to and it's not an eyesore in the vehicle due to the OEM-style integration. Easy install too.

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Have you seen the quality in person? I've tried a few dashcams. Have fitcams on two cars and Viofo on a few others. There is a very noticeable quality difference between them. The fitcam looks OE, but the app and video quality is poor compared to something like a Viofo A119 or A229. Also, the first one I received was bad out of the box.

It's 2025. I don't understand Fitcam not offering GPS on their camera's. That's been a standard feature on most cameras in that price range for over a decade. MercyLion seems to be in the same OEish realm as fitcam but they offer GPS. I have them on my list for the next cam I install.

I really like the Viofo cams. Look nearly OE, good quality, and just work. I've had an A119 in my F250 since 2017 that's still working fine.

Pulled the trigger on a VIOFO A329 and been very happy so far. It's crystal clear, even in darkness.

Pleased with my hardwired 2 channel viofo a139pro.

Expedition and F350.

Consensus seems to be Garmin DC70 (or the newer X310?) and the Viofo

I dislike the size of the Viofo 229 compared with the couple Garmins i've seen in person. But the quality of the Viofo's seem better.

I have seen the quality versus others in person. If it's not quality enough video to read a license plate while moving, then it isn't worth 2-4x the price to me. Just offering a suggestion. YMMV

How's it mounted in the F250? Up high or on dash etc?

I've two Viofo A119 and only the mini has wifi access to pull videos without removing the card.

Depending on the vehicle, you might be able to get a USB adapter to use the rearview mirror plug to power it so no need to hardwire. I've gotten a couple from here:

https://dongar.tech

https://www.amazon.com/REDTIGER-Camera-Included-170%C2%B0Wide-Parking/dp/B098WVKF19/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=WKFMW4D4YGOC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.bJfIa99xDAJ1uLaHV0bnuI1cd3ONcxPg0QMzkqsIeAk6Fou35Uu5zc59RCK-gUiVgNmRu3J6U9luv0lOC3vsU-NQ33htlLWJfeVdpt-C2oB8jnpRQZAcEilvJ1nTV-Jb9vVkuhL3Jr8K-zfm-Y3jgI333otx6RUZag8BGbE1jGgfKKIVqOE9ZdgZFqAeT0mBf_dnbmvVDhJKtfOtNUYQgQ.MZf_AaU0ifMdWMk5TDg0G6Y96kgrXCV6OP4PrNt7U2A&dib_tag=se&keywords=red+tiger+dashcam&qid=1744039173&sprefix=red+tiger%2Caps%2C149&sr=8-3

I've got this one, and it's worked fine. The hard wire kit is separate.