Small 12-volt Dash Cam

[rk911]

Looking for recommendations for a small 12-volt dashcam. Small means doesn’t take up much windshield space. 12-volt means plug-in to ‘cigarette lighter’ plug or USB port either for primary power or to recharge/power internal battery.

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[Ratbert]

There are a handful of rearview mirror dash cams that take up zero space and record front and rear. They're great if you otherwise can't see out of that mirror due to spare tire size, etc. They're also very discreet, so if you're in an accident you choose whether to let anyone know that it's recorded.

 

[Chou]

There are a handful of rearview mirror dash cams that take up zero space and record front and rear. They're great if you otherwise can't see out of that mirror due to spare tire size, etc. They're also very discreet, so if you're in an accident you choose whether to let anyone know that it's recorded.

Does anyone know if you can hook up a front Dash Cam to the box that holds the rearview mirror?

 

[AndySpill]

Does anyone know if you can hook up a front Dash Cam to the box that holds the rearview mirror?

 

[kah.mun.rah]

I wish someone would invent a memory storage device that connects to the stock front and rear cameras so that we don't have to duplicate them if we want a dash camera. Hint hint Z Automotive...

 

[Aonar]

I use Garmin Mini. Front and rear. Here is a post from another thread. https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...t-stay-secured-to-roll-bar.90822/post-1890673

 

[nositting]

garmin dash mini 2. small, cheap, easy, works.

 

[nositting]

i actually ran mine to a cheap usb port in the passenger footwell that’s powered by the ignition switched power line that’s already under there if you have aux switches. this kept cords off the dash for a clean look. you don’t see the camera or a cord.

 

[rk911]

garmin dash mini 2. small, cheap, easy, works.

Took a look and it's a real possibility. How are you powering it? I like the constant power option usimg the OBD port.

 

[rk911]

i actually ran mine to a cheap usb port in the passenger footwell that’s powered by the ignition switched power line that’s already under there if you have aux switches. this kept cords off the dash for a clean look. you don’t see the camera or a cord.

I want to be sure I understand. The ignition switched USB port in the passenger seat footwell...it's only there IF I have the aux power switches (which I don't)?

 

[ijp4fun]

Cobra Road Scout, combination dash cam and radar detector, they work great.

 

[Ratbert]

Ideally you'd tap into the mirror writing.

 

[nositting]

I want to be sure I understand. The ignition switched USB port in the passenger seat footwell...it's only there IF I have the aux power switches (which I don't)?

you’d have to go a different route. those who have the aux switches actually have 6 wires in the passenger footwell. 4 for the 4 aux switches and two power lines. of those two power lines, one is always hot and the other is switched or only hot when the vehicle is on accessory/running. i put a cheap usb port hidden in the footwell for the dash cam. i think the usb port was 6 or 7 dollars maybe? it’s powered by the ignition powered line in the footwell.
i believe all the power ports are battery powered which you wouldn’t want because you wouldn’t want the battery running the camera all the time.
other option IF you didn’t want cords showing would be piggy back an ignition switched fuse i believe or tap into the wires to the cigarette lighter.
honestly, easiest thing would be to have the cord visible and just plug into the cigarette lighter like most do. no big deal. up and running in a minute or two.
i’m sure others know far more than me about all of this!

 

[rk911]

you’d have to go a different route. those who have the aux switches actually have 6 wires in the passenger footwell. 4 for the 4 aux switches and two power lines. of those two power lines, one is always hot and the other is switched or only hot when the vehicle is on accessory/running. i put a cheap usb port hidden in the footwell for the dash cam. i think the usb port was 6 or 7 dollars maybe? it’s powered by the ignition powered line in the footwell.
i believe all the power ports are battery powered which you wouldn’t want because you wouldn’t want the battery running the camera all the time.
other option IF you didn’t want cords showing would be piggy back an ignition switched fuse i believe or tap into the wires to the cigarette lighter.
honestly, easiest thing would be to have the cord visible and just plug into the cigarette lighter like most do. no big deal. up and running in a minute or two.
i’m sure others know far more than me about all of this!

Thanks for the clarification. I'm used to burying wires behind the dash or tucking them here and there for my ham radio setup. But haven't done that yet on my JL 2-door. Don't like wires showing and would prefer an auto on/off setup. Another poster suggested tapping into the rear view mirror power. Looking for videos on how to do that.

 

[nositting]

Thanks for the clarification. I'm used to burying wires behind the dash or tucking them here and there for my ham radio setup. But haven't done that yet on my JL 2-door. Don't like wires showing and would prefer an auto on/off setup. Another poster suggested tapping into the rear view mirror power. Looking for videos on how to do that.

not sure how to do that. some rear view mirrors have a port on them where you can plug in, not a usb cord, but some kind of aftermarket connector. jl doesn’t have that.
the camera runs from a usb cord so i believe you’d have to add an outlet either way.
maybe easiest would be the previously mentioned piggyback of an ignition powered fuse and tucking the usb outlet in engine bay and run the line through the side cowl and up the window frame. i’d think this would be your best option and would be pretty quick. i dropped my windshield to make hiding the line easier.

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