Non-Hard-Wired Dash Cam Recommendations?

[AndySpill]

I want to be sure I umdetstand. The recordings are stored in the device. How and when do they get to my iPhone?

Let me speak to the way my dash camera works. Its recordings are stored on a SD card mounted in the dash camera. It's content can be accessed by my phone over a WiFi connection between the dash camera and my phone in the same way that your phone may be looking at this post, stored on the internet (the SD card) over a WiFi connection to some internet provider.

Can I transfer the content of some of the videos from my SD card on to my PC or phone? Sure.

Sponsored

 

[rk911]

...
Can I transfer the content of some of the videos from my SD card on to my PC or phone? Sure.

Thanks! WiFi transfer? Or so I have to stick the SD card in a reader?

 

[AndySpill]

Thanks! WiFi transfer? Or so I have to stick the SD card in a reader?

In my setup, if i wanted a video placed on my phone I would turn off the dash camera, temporarily remove the SD card, and plug it into a USB SD card reader, the other end of whose cable would interface with a computer or phone. I could then copy the desired video files from the SD card to my computer or phone, or first to my computer, and then from my computer to my phone.

YMMV.

If your willing to shell out $, there are cameras that will put videos on the cloud so you can access them from anywhere, even if your miles away from your vehicle.

 

[rk911]

Thanks again.

 

[SadRobot]

I have the Galphi. On Amazon right now for $40. You need an SD card for it.

It comes with a cigarette lighter plug. I have mine wired behind the dash with a 12V converter.

I only have it recording when the Jeep is on. It continues to overwrite old footage. If you want to save something you can connect via an iphone app and download the clip. Super easy.

 

[flyer92]

I want to be sure I umdetstand. The recordings are stored in the device. How and when do they get to my iPhone?

They are stored on the camera's SD card and are transmitted to the Rove app on your iPhone via the wifi unit that is integrated in the camera.

 

[rk911]

They are stored on the camera's SD card and are transmitted to the Rove app on your iPhone via the wifi unit that is integrated in the camera.

Thanks. Looking for a CAM that's small, can be permanently powered (preferably to the Jeep's battery), and can/will send the videos to my phone either automatically (prefered) or upon command, and 24/7 surveillance when parked. Alerts when parked would be a huge plus. I don't need GPS, speed warnings, etc.

 

[ErAcEr]

A small anecdote for the wire. Get a 10ft USB power cable and then some Wire Holder and run along the top roll cage to the back 12v socket, this kept my front dash area free and clear.

 

[flyer92]

Thanks. Looking for a CAM that's small, can be permanently powered (preferably to the Jeep's battery), and can/will send the videos to my phone either automatically (prefered) or upon command, and 24/7 surveillance when parked. Alerts when parked would be a huge plus. I don't need GPS, speed warnings, etc.

The Rove products do all that and more, and at a very attractive price point. I think you can get the R2-4K Pro on Amazon now for $119, which is pretty amazing value IMO.

 

[mgarciaknight]

And access to the footage is the key! There are plenty of dash cams that record in 4K, but how easy is it to access the footage?!? The Rove company has the best app to easily access the footage, WITHOUT having to take out the micro sd card. All others apps suck, just look at the app ratings. You can access film at the scene without having to get to a computer.
Amazon right now is running a $30 coupon to get the Rove2-4K for $90, which is amazing. That is what I have in both my vehicles. Such a small footprint on your windshield too. Hides right behind your rearview mirror.

 

[AndySpill]

Thanks. Looking for a CAM that's small, can be permanently powered (preferably to the Jeep's battery), and can/will send the videos to my phone either automatically (prefered) or upon command, and 24/7 surveillance when parked. Alerts when parked would be a huge plus. I don't need GPS, speed warnings, etc.

Dash cameras that record while the vehicle is parked often have 3 wires to energize them: 1 ground, 1 hot when the vehicle is on, and 1 hot all the time.

When only the "hot all the time" wire is energized the camera knows that it is in parking mode, and often switches to a lower power setting, in addition to having the ability for the owner to program at what low battery voltage the camera shuts off, so as to preserve the battery (or in the case of dual AGM battery JLs) batteries.

Places to source for power when the vehicile is on include the cigarette lighter in the dash, the 12V behind the dash https://www.quadratec.com/p/quadratec/12-volt-power-adapter-jeep-wrangler-tj-jk-jl-jt the electric mirror if equipped, Aux switches if equipped, or the vanity lights in the sun visor.

Sources of constant battery power include, again, Aux switches if equipped, the cargo area plug if equipped (which by default is always on from the factory) or pin 16 of 16 on the ODB 2 port.

https://components101.com/connectors/obd2

 

[rk911]

The Rove products do all that and more, and at a very attractive price point. I think you can get the R2-4K Pro on Amazon now for $119, which is pretty amazing value IMO.

Thanks

 

[rk911]

Dash cameras that record while the vehicle is parked often have 3 wires to energize them: 1 ground, 1 hot when the vehicle is on, and 1 hot all the time.

When only the "hot all the time" wire is energized the camera knows that it is in parking mode, and often switches to a lower power setting, in addition to having the ability for the owner to program at what low battery voltage the camera shuts off, so as to preserve the battery (or in the case of dual AGM battery JLs) batteries.

Places to source for power when the vehicile is on include the cigarette lighter in the dash, the 12V behind the dash https://www.quadratec.com/p/quadratec/12-volt-power-adapter-jeep-wrangler-tj-jk-jl-jt the electric mirror if equipped, Aux switches if equipped, or the vanity lights in the sun visor.

Sources of constant battery power include, again, Aux switches if equipped, the cargo area plug if equipped (which by default is always on from the factory) or pin 16 of 16 on the ODB 2 port.

https://components101.com/connectors/obd2

Thanks. I'm thinking direct to the battery. Maybe construct a 12v buss bar as at some point I'll be installing my ham radio mobile. Does the auto-dim mirror have constant 12v power?

 

[rk911]

And access to the footage is the key! There are plenty of dash cams that record in 4K, but how easy is it to access the footage?!? The Rove company has the best app to easily access the footage, WITHOUT having to take out the micro sd card. All others apps suck, just look at the app ratings. You can access film at the scene without having to get to a computer.
Amazon right now is running a $30 coupon to get the Rove2-4K for $90, which is amazing. That is what I have in both my vehicles. Such a small footprint on your windshield too. Hides right behind your rearview mirror.

I didn't mention it but you're right. A small footprint is a must given the comparitively small winshield. We had a KDLinks cam in our motor home...lots of real estate there but the KDLinks is huge on the JL windshield.

 

[flyer92]

Dash cameras that record while the vehicle is parked often have 3 wires to energize them: 1 ground, 1 hot when the vehicle is on, and 1 hot all the time.

When only the "hot all the time" wire is energized the camera knows that it is in parking mode, and often switches to a lower power setting, in addition to having the ability for the owner to program at what low battery voltage the camera shuts off, so as to preserve the battery (or in the case of dual AGM battery JLs) batteries.

Places to source for power when the vehicile is on include the cigarette lighter in the dash, the 12V behind the dash https://www.quadratec.com/p/quadratec/12-volt-power-adapter-jeep-wrangler-tj-jk-jl-jt the electric mirror if equipped, Aux switches if equipped, or the vanity lights in the sun visor.

Sources of constant battery power include, again, Aux switches if equipped, the cargo area plug if equipped (which by default is always on from the factory) or pin 16 of 16 on the ODB 2 port.

https://components101.com/connectors/obd2

The USB port in the center console stays hot after the ignition is off. If you plug the camera into that port, doesn't it achieve the same result without having to mess with wires?

Sponsored