When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
The cheap ones I have turn off after be inactive for so many minutes. Once these die I will be get one that upload to a phone/cloud. I have a 64Gb in there now, but if I get in a huge accident and I'm unable to grab it. I prefer my camera with card don't go missing.
So do the dash cams loop the video? Or do you need to have like a huge memory card or drag a trailer size hard drive ... LOL?
I can't imagine having to change memory cards all the time. I can easily see a scenario where I forget to change the card and have an accident and it didn't record.
Yes, it loops and records over the oldest files unless the camera detects a collision or something or you save a video yourself. If the cam or you save the video, it won't overwrite it.
So do the dash cams loop the video? Or do you need to have like a huge memory card or drag a trailer size hard drive ... LOL?
They "eat their tail" when they start to "loop", overwriting the oldest footage. The larger the memory card you have, the more footage you have before you start to lose it.
Some units offer a way to "lock" recent footage (e.g., a button) so video of an event doesn't get overwritten when the camera starts eating its tail, such as right after an accident or something.
Some units have a "parking" feature where it monitors when the vehicle is turned off (parked) and stores any activity (motion sensing), but those have to be hard wired.
Most hard wire kits will shut down the camera power if your vehicle battery below a specific voltage.
Also, some camera manufacturers offer cloud storage of video that's recorded, but that usually requires a monthly subscription.
There are lots of options!
Originally Posted by Ronnie Lee
That's what I am wondering, also can you hardwire it so it comes on with the key or what. I am researching but don't know a lot yet
See above. Some cameras offer a way to power it via key-on, while others do that PLUS have a "parking" mode that monitors when the vehicle is off, saving any footage if there is some type of event/activity.
My wife bought me a cheap mini dash cam about a year ago. It was from amazon for <$25 at the time of purchase, make/model: AUKEY/DRA5. It did not come with a memory card so that was extra and I purchased the largest it could take, 128GB. I just plug it in a power port and leave it 24/7 and it will record when parked if motion is detected. Been thinking of getting another for the back of the truck.
Really happy with my Garmin DC 57. Got it from Dongar and includes their rear view mirror power supply. Plug n play. The provided SD card is big enough for my driving needs. Their ‘Drive’ app is easy to work with too.
Really happy with my Garmin DC 57. Got it from Dongar and includes their rear view mirror power supply. Plug n play. The provided SD card is big enough for my driving needs. Their ‘Drive’ app is easy to work with too.
++ On the Garmin 57 with Dongar adapter. I just installed this setup a couple days ago and it was super simple. You give up the park mode feature, as it only gets power when the vehicle is on. Video quality seems fine at 1440p.
Perfect, will check out Garmin and Viofo cameras to see. Would like something for front and rear, would like it to work when vehicle is off that way if someone hits in parking lot I have it.
