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Best Dash Cam

jimothy

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I'm about to order the BlackVue DR750X-2CH along with an SD card, fuse taps and maybe a bracket to center the rear camera on the slider. Is there anything else i need to add? Thanks!

BlackVue DR750-X

Fuse Taps

SD Card
Bracket
Make sure you get your 10% discount. You can either subscribe to their newsletter, or leave your items in your cart after you’ve entered your email address, and they’ll send you a coupon code.
 

dbark

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Make sure you get your 10% discount. You can either subscribe to their newsletter, or leave your items in your cart after you’ve entered your email address, and they’ll send you a coupon code.
After I added to the cart and entered my email address, the coupon code popped up as soon as I tried to switch to another window. Thanks!
 

Mb7640

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I have thinkware u1000 and I really like it al lot. I do not use the safety features it has. I bought that one because it stands up to the Phoenix heat. I just bought my ram on Sat so I have not installed it as of yet so I can't post pics I should have it installed by the end of the week. I have been using it in a challenger. I also have two battery packs the bi 750 and the be 750. While parked it will last for approximately 3 days. Hope this helps
 

BNeal

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Ram could make this so easy if they would enable the existing cameras to function as a dash-cam. MG, I've got like 5 cameras hanging off that truck - why won't these manufacturers open up that tech. I mean, I would even pay extra for it.
 

Cliffrunner88

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I have thinkware u1000 and I really like it al lot. I do not use the safety features it has. I bought that one because it stands up to the Phoenix heat. I just bought my ram on Sat so I have not installed it as of yet so I can't post pics I should have it installed by the end of the week. I have been using it in a challenger. I also have two battery packs the bi 750 and the be 750. While parked it will last for approximately 3 days. Hope this helps
Does it sort of work like a radar detector? Those extra features sounded that way but I haven't seen any reviews yet that focus on those aspects.
 

securityguy

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Mb7640

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Does it sort of work like a radar detector? Those extra features sounded that way but I haven't seen any reviews yet that focus on those aspects.
It will tell you where the red light cameras are. I have a escort max 360c so I have not used it. I was going to get a black view but black box my car said it will overheat here in Phoenix. I really like the u1000
 

securityguy

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It will tell you where the red light cameras are. I have a escort max 360c so I have not used it. I was going to get a black view but black box my car said it will overheat here in Phoenix. I really like the u1000
Been using Blackvue's in FLORIDA heat for 5-years and NEVER any issues. There was one Blackvue model that had an issue years back...there are no issues with the models that have been available for the last 3+ years. You got bad information by someone who is not in the "know". However, Thinkware is an excellent camera and both the Blackvue and Thinkware rank right at the top of all dash cams so you bought a great camera regardless. Enjoy!
 

Cliffrunner88

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So after reading through all the info here and looking at all the specs online, it seems like the Thinkware U1000 is the best you can buy and the 2nd best is the Blackvue 750x+ (which will save you about $250).
 

dbark

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So after reading through all the info here and looking at all the specs online, it seems like the Thinkware U1000 is the best you can buy and the 2nd best is the Blackvue 750x+ (which will save you about $250).
I went with Blackvue for a number of reasons, one of them being the size, the trim cover for the rear view mirror is already so big making is tough to mount in the center, i wanted mine to be as discreet as possible, the thinkware is huge.
 

Mb7640

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Been using Blackvue's in FLORIDA heat for 5-years and NEVER any issues. There was one Blackvue model that had an issue years back...there are no issues with the models that have been available for the last 3+ years. You got bad information by someone who is not in the "know". However, Thinkware is an excellent camera and both the Blackvue and Thinkware rank right at the top of all dash cams so you bought a great camera regardless. Enjoy!
Thats good to hear I only know what Blackboxmy car told me. I do like the u1000
 

Cliffrunner88

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I went with Blackvue for a number of reasons, one of them being the size, the trim cover for the rear view mirror is already so big making is tough to mount in the center, i wanted mine to be as discreet as possible, the thinkware is huge.
Do you have a pic where you put it and how much room it takes up?
 

bud007

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This has been a good timely post as i was looking to get a dash cam for my truck . Thanks for all the info on the various dash cams .. after going to youtube and Amazon , watching videos and reading info /reviews on the various cams and shifting through the pros and cons along with info on wifi .. non wifi ... cloud ... options ... software and cost ( enough to make my head spin ) i decide to go with the Thinkware Q800 Pro, just didnt get a warm fuzzy feeling on the blackvue ;) thanks to securityguy on his insights on the dash cams .
one question that i have is i notice on some of these dash cams they talk about parking mode and its my understanding that once the vehicle is turned off it will go into parking mode ( if you set it up that way ).. they have a battery monitor the will shut the unit down to save your vehicles battery ... it seems they mention how good this option is but really dont make too much mention of a battery backup to use this option ... i dont know maybe i just havent seen as much about it but am i wrong to think that if you want to use this type of function that you will also need to purchase a battery back up ? .... so the question to you guys that have these types of high end dash cams ... do you use a battery back up or just dont use things like a parking mode option .... maybe i am missing something. thanks (y)
 
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GKIII

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This has been a good timely post as i was looking to get a dash cam for my truck . Thanks for all the info on the various dash cams .. after going to youtube and Amazon , watching videos and reading info /reviews on the various cams and shifting through the pros and cons along with info on wifi .. non wifi ... cloud ... options ... software and cost ( enough to make my head spin ) i decide to go with the Thinkware Q800 Pro, just didnt get a warm fuzzy feeling on the blackvue ;) thanks to securityguy on his insights on the dash cams .
one question that i have is i notice on some of these dash cams they talk about parking mode and its my understanding that once the vehicle is turned off it will go into parking mode ( if you set it up that way ).. they have a battery monitor the will shut the unit down to save your vehicles battery ... it seems they mention how good this option is but really dont make too much mention of a battery backup to use this option ... i dont know maybe i just havent seen as much about it but am i wrong to think that if you want to use this type of function that you will also need to purchase a battery back up ? .... so the question to you guys that have these types of high end dash cams ... do you use a battery back up or just dont use things like a parking mode option .... maybe i am missing something. thanks (y)
I don't know about the thinkware but with the blackvue you can run parking mode off the vehicles 12V battery. You can set it to turn the camera completely off if it falls below a certain threshold either (12 or 12.5v...I do the latter).
 

securityguy

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This has been a good timely post as i was looking to get a dash cam for my truck . Thanks for all the info on the various dash cams .. after going to youtube and Amazon , watching videos and reading info /reviews on the various cams and shifting through the pros and cons along with info on wifi .. non wifi ... cloud ... options ... software and cost ( enough to make my head spin ) i decide to go with the Thinkware Q800 Pro, just didnt get a warm fuzzy feeling on the blackvue ;) thanks to securityguy on his insights on the dash cams .
one question that i have is i notice on some of these dash cams they talk about parking mode and its my understanding that once the vehicle is turned off it will go into parking mode ( if you set it up that way ).. they have a battery monitor the will shut the unit down to save your vehicles battery ... it seems they mention how good this option is but really dont make too much mention of a battery backup to use this option ... i dont know maybe i just havent seen as much about it but am i wrong to think that if you want to use this type of function that you will also need to purchase a battery back up ? .... so the question to you guys that have these types of high end dash cams ... do you use a battery back up or just dont use things like a parking mode option .... maybe i am missing something. thanks (y)
To use Parking Mode, you need battery voltage once the vehicle is shut down. You have three choices:

1. You can install the Dash Cam directly to your fuse panel using a hard wired kit and connect it to a device like a Power Magic Pro that maintains voltage post IGNITION-OFF for a set period of time. You can select the cut-off voltage and the length of time it will run for off the vehicles battery.
2. You can run an external Dash Cam battery and wire your Dash Cam straight to that back-up battery. It powers the camera while driving (and the battery charges as well) and then at IGNITION-OFF, the battery powers the camera without using the vehicles battery for about 3 days or so.
3. You can buy a camera like a Blackvue DR750X Plus that has the Power Magic Pro built into the camera so all you have to run are wires direct to the fuse panel and the camera will monitor vehicle battery voltage and shut it down automatically once you hit the threshold you program via the app.

All are solid options. #3 is the easiest. The external battery install is a bit more complex and you need to find a space to mount it (like under a seat, etc.) and option 1 is what folks have been using your many years and is also very easy to install.

I hope this helps you better understand parking mode. Most all cameras are capable of it, you just need battery voltage post-shutdown to keep the camera running.
 

Cliffrunner88

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Mine arrives tomorrow but there are lots of pics on various threads throughout the site. This is a very helpful thread if you haven't read it already.

Hard-wire Dash Cam Install
Thank you, I had not found this one.
Did you dremel that hole in your rear view cluster and pop it off to run it in there? I haven’t looked at taking anything apart yet, I need to get up in there and take a look. I’m afraid of popping it off and a tab or something breaking off and not being able to put it back on.
 

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