Dash Cam for DD

What is the Groups suggestion for a forward looking Dash Cam for the daily driver.

Drivers in the Charlotte NC Area are head over heals involved with phones, brushing there teeth, shaving and etc..

Have 12v power handy on the dash.

Thanks

Got this one based on someone's recommendation here.  Had it about a year.

https://a.co/d/69qx0SX

This was pretty informative.

Thank you

Down the Rat Hole we go

My BIL lived in the Charlotte area for over 10 years, so we made a habit of visiting them yearly. I used to think a local requirement was in place where all Charlotte drivers have to have a phone pressed to their head whenever driving. 
 

Very valid observation

In reply to RacingComputers :

Here is the geek-out site for dashcams including an owners forum.  

https://dashcamtalk.com/

https://dashcamtalk.com/best-dash-cams-of-2025/

In all years past, VIOFO brand has always been on top. 

02Pilot said:

This was pretty informative.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/uLjGazIxjEA?rel=0

 

For those who just want the answer:
 

This video compares the performance of various dash cams across different price ranges, testing their license plate readability [00:09], image capture quality while moving [00:14], and night vision capabilities [00:19]. The video assesses each camera's performance in different lighting conditions, including facing west into the sunset [00:51], driving at 35 mph [07:48], night vision [12:44], and a light box sign with a digital display [15:08]. The video concludes with a ranking of the dash cams based on their overall performance, with the Vifo dash cam being the best [17:33].

I bought this one for my son and it works great. 

Yeah, I got the Voifos for my wife and son. I went with them because the Vortex Radar guy recommended them, and he seems to know his stuff.

I've been quite happy with my Wolfbox G840S I got off Amazon, which also is a useful backup camera:

https://wolfbox.com/products/wolfbox-g840s-12-4k-mirror-dash-cam-2160p-full-hd-smart-rear-view-camera-mirror-dash-cam

They carry a few different models:

https://wolfbox.com/collections/dash-cam

I watch a lot of dashcam videos on YouTube, because it's good entertainment. Seems like a lot of the ones with a clear video are RedTiger brand.

In reply to ddavidv :

I have this one sitting in my cart because of a video some posted on the local FB group showing clear video:

Red tiger 4k

In reply to Keith Tanner :

Thanks Keith  The guy has an interesting voice.  LOL

The shop that installed my stereo for me recommended I think it was an Alpine set up with a really small front camera (like you can hide it behind the rear view mirror and not see it. And also has a camera for the rear. 

But I remember the installed price was pretty $$$. But I would trust them to do it. To install the OEM Audio+ stereo they put in the car you basically have to pull apart half the interior, you'd never be able to tell that anything has been done because they put it all back together perfect. 

OEMs are even getting into the dash cam game. Before I left Audi several years ago they had factory accessory Front/rear cameras they could install on brand new cars. It was fairly pricey at around $1k and I don't know what hardware they were using but if you're ponying up for a brand new audi it'd be nice to get dash cam with a warranty.

z31maniac said:

The shop that installed my stereo for me recommended I think it was an Alpine set up with a really small front camera (like you can hide it behind the rear view mirror and not see it. And also has a camera for the rear. 

But I remember the installed price was pretty $$$. But I would trust them to do it. To install the OEM Audio+ stereo they put in the car you basically have to pull apart half the interior, you'd never be able to tell that anything has been done because they put it all back together perfect. 

I hard-wired the Viofo into the Exploder, front and rear. It was damn near an all day job by the time I ran the rear wire through the headiner and everything. But, it's very seamless and clean looking. I can't stand to have extra wires hanging all over the place.

I ran Viofo cameras for a long time, but ran into several issues where they said they were recording but actually weren't. I missed several recordings due to that. Luckily, none of them involved crashes, just stupid company driver. 

I ended up going to Garmin cameras. 

I have a front-facing Dash Cam 47. 

And also run a rear-facing Mini 2

I have had the Viofo for many years, although mine is branded as an Anker. That basic design is sold under a lot of names, and varying quality, so buyer beware. Its not bad, but not outstanding either. 

I also have a Garmin Mini and find the UX a lot better to interface with. It is very small, and does a good job IMHO. 

I put a Viofo (front and rear) in my wife's car and a cheap ARIFAYZ in mine. Both work fine. 
 

A pillars with air bags pop off really easy and I tuck the wires under the door jamb seals going to the back. Exposed wiring drives me crazy. 

DITTO on exposed wires.

iansane said:

OEMs are even getting into the dash cam game. Before I left Audi several years ago they had factory accessory Front/rear cameras they could install on brand new cars. It was fairly pricey at around $1k and I don't know what hardware they were using but if you're ponying up for a brand new audi it'd be nice to get dash cam with a warranty.

my x5 has a built in drive recorder. Its not very high resolution, but sufficient to show fault if someone brake checks you or something. I think it started with the G series chassis with idrive 7+ check in your apps.

Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter) said:

z31maniac said:

The shop that installed my stereo for me recommended I think it was an Alpine set up with a really small front camera (like you can hide it behind the rear view mirror and not see it. And also has a camera for the rear. 

But I remember the installed price was pretty $$$. But I would trust them to do it. To install the OEM Audio+ stereo they put in the car you basically have to pull apart half the interior, you'd never be able to tell that anything has been done because they put it all back together perfect. 

I hard-wired the Viofo into the Exploder, front and rear. It was damn near an all day job by the time I ran the rear wire through the headiner and everything. But, it's very seamless and clean looking. I can't stand to have extra wires hanging all over the place.

That's exactly what I will have them do if I end up pulling the trigger on it. 

Which I'm pretty is sure how they do it anyway. When they did the stereo install on my car the other 3 cars there were a GT500, NSX, and Lamborghini. 

Interesting Rabbit Hole of what to buy or not to buy

Thanks