- First Name
- Andy
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2019
- Threads
- 59
- Messages
- 1,658
- Reaction score
- 1,266
- Location
- SanFrancisco
- Vehicle(s)
- JL Wrangler
- Banned
- #16
Peter: where I think I might be able to add come color commentary for you that is useful is with the following:Looking for some suggestions/recommendations! I'd like front and back dash cams that are easily detached for safekeeping. We go to a ton of kids' baseball tournaments and don't want to leave them out for easy taking when the top is down. I'm not worried about what happens while I'm parked I guess, and want it mostly for potential road issues. Thanks in advance to all!
I own a Thinkware Q800Pro. I like it a lot, along with the outfit I purchased it from, Canada's Blackboxmycar.com.
It sounds like it may be overkill for you as not only is it a dual dash cam but unlike your leaning, mine leaning was to a dash camera that records all the time.
If you decide that such parked monitoring is for you then make sure your dash camera has a configurable cutoff on battery voltage so your engine will still crank if you find yourself recording in parked mode off the battery (for 3.6L batteries) for extended period of time between cranks, especially when the weather is cold.
I hard wired my dash camera into wires that lead into the sun visor rather than the 12V outlet in the dash. Either of these places are only energized when the vehicle is on (i.e. accessory outlets.) You'll typically need a battery outlet (like the one in the cargo area, by default, if equipped) that is always energized if you want parking mode protection.
That 12V outlet in the cargo area, if equipped, is by default just such an always on outlet, i.e. "battery" outlet (changeable as per the manual to only on when the vehicle is on with the switch of a fuse.) I actually run a wire back there too.
This wiring to the rear cargo plug is not a substitute in my case for either the 12v plug in the dash or the one I did instead in the sun visor, either of which is an accessory plug. You need both, as when the connection in the front of the vehicle stops becoming energized when the rig is off signals the dash camera to go into parking (energy saving) mode (and get its current from the rear 12V plug,) or driving mode when the front connection to current is live.
I suggest you think about whether you want two cameras, parking mode, and/or recording to the cloud before purchase so you don't end up buying a cheap, and then a midline dash camera kit if you change your mind on features.
I doesn't sound like you, but for extended parking mode users (like those who park at airports) external batteries become useful.
Sponsored