Dash cam/camera ideas?
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Member
Joined: Apr 2010
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2008 C350
Dash cam/camera ideas?
I'm interested in getting a dash cam...anyone have any recommendations?
I don't really want to mess with the wiring in the car so I'd favor a cigarette-lighter-powered adapter, and also recording in the dark or at night is a must. Sound recording would be a plus.
I'd also be interested if anyone has any good mounting suggestions. I don't want anything permanently mounted to the ceiling or dash, so the only I can think of is a windshield suction cup at this point.
Thanks in advance!
I don't really want to mess with the wiring in the car so I'd favor a cigarette-lighter-powered adapter, and also recording in the dark or at night is a must. Sound recording would be a plus.
I'd also be interested if anyone has any good mounting suggestions. I don't want anything permanently mounted to the ceiling or dash, so the only I can think of is a windshield suction cup at this point.
Thanks in advance!
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 344
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From: Houston, TX
'13 Dodge Dart, '16 Audi Q5
GoPro is definitely the way to go for 99% of the applications of a camera. It may have a bit of trouble recording in the dark, or extreme dark, without an external light source.
Other than that, mine works great, and I use it all the time.
HERE is a link to one of the first video tests I did with mine, mounted to the front bumper.
Other than that, mine works great, and I use it all the time.
HERE is a link to one of the first video tests I did with mine, mounted to the front bumper.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2010
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2008 C350
Thanks guys!
I am somewhat familiar with gopro from a bunch of sports etc. videos, but after looking into it a little further, it seems there is one main drawback, which is not having 'looping' recording (i.e. overwriting the oldest video file once the drive is full)? Or have you guys gotten around this somehow?
I am somewhat familiar with gopro from a bunch of sports etc. videos, but after looking into it a little further, it seems there is one main drawback, which is not having 'looping' recording (i.e. overwriting the oldest video file once the drive is full)? Or have you guys gotten around this somehow?
Last edited by dandelos; Mar 15, 2012 at 02:16 PM.
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CLK63 Black Series
A quick google search game up with this. I haven't tried it myself but it supposedly does loop recording
http://www.hoyttech.com/index.cfm/pr...met-camera.cfm
http://www.hoyttech.com/index.cfm/pr...met-camera.cfm
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 344
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From: Houston, TX
'13 Dodge Dart, '16 Audi Q5
Thanks guys!
I am somewhat familiar with gopro from a bunch of sports etc. videos, but after looking into it a little further, it seems there is one main drawback, which is not having 'looping' recording (i.e. overwriting the oldest video file once the drive is full)? Or have you guys gotten around this somehow?
I am somewhat familiar with gopro from a bunch of sports etc. videos, but after looking into it a little further, it seems there is one main drawback, which is not having 'looping' recording (i.e. overwriting the oldest video file once the drive is full)? Or have you guys gotten around this somehow?
If I am away from a computer for an extended period of time (aka vacation), I have multiple SD Cards. I actually have them numbered 1-4, and always start with 1.
I'm not OCD about it, I promise.
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From: Walnut Creek, CA
Vivid Racing '09 C63 AMG
Check out Contour as well. Similar product to GoPro, but different styling. I bought one to mount to my motorcycle and was thinking about getting a dash mount for it.
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From: Orlando, FL
'17 E300
No problems with getting a full frame. The black banding around the window doesn't show up. I DO have window tinting on the back window but the picture is great during the day, and just a little bit 'underexposed' at night.
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Joined: Mar 2017
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From: Vancouver, BC
2014 Mercedes C350 Coupe
I'm interested in getting a dash cam...anyone have any recommendations?
I don't really want to mess with the wiring in the car so I'd favor a cigarette-lighter-powered adapter, and also recording in the dark or at night is a must. Sound recording would be a plus.
I'd also be interested if anyone has any good mounting suggestions. I don't want anything permanently mounted to the ceiling or dash, so the only I can think of is a windshield suction cup at this point.
Thanks in advance!
I don't really want to mess with the wiring in the car so I'd favor a cigarette-lighter-powered adapter, and also recording in the dark or at night is a must. Sound recording would be a plus.
I'd also be interested if anyone has any good mounting suggestions. I don't want anything permanently mounted to the ceiling or dash, so the only I can think of is a windshield suction cup at this point.
Thanks in advance!
Why don't you want to hardwire the dashcam? It doesn't void warranty and if you get a qualified shop to install it, you can set it and forget it.
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 680
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2008 C350 Sport 4Matic Swap
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/SJ9000-Wifi-...t_qAImMvlc63eA
I've been using my SJ9000 for 2 years now and for the price, it paid for itself a long time ago, captures great quality videos.
I've been using my SJ9000 for 2 years now and for the price, it paid for itself a long time ago, captures great quality videos.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 321
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From: Massachusetts
2010 C350 Sport
The only issue with GoPro cameras is the narrow field of view, which is typically around 140 degrees. Most dedicated dash cameras have a viewing angle of 170 degrees if not more. The Aukey DR02 that I use captures nearly the entire windshield.
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Earth
2015 C300 4Matic Sport
He said Dash Cam people! 
I've had several dash cams in the past. It depends on how much you want to spend.
In any dash cam look for a good lens (Sony?), great night vision, high recording bit-rate, at least 1080p @ 30fps resolution and uses a capacitor (not battery) for safe shutdown. Do you/need want GPS?
Some also come with other built-in features like g-sensor (impact detection and recording), parking recording, motion detection and voltage cutoff (saves your battery from drain) or gimmicky features like lane departure warning, front collision warning. Also, do you want single channel (front camera only) or dual channel (front and back camera)?
A good starter cam is VIOFO A119S V2 GPS. around $100 (amazing features and image for the price).
Other good brands are Blackvue, Blacksys and Thinkware. I currently have the Thinkware F770 2-channel in my C300.
Lastly, Please research your local "one-party consent" law about recording audio without a person's consent. In some states this is illegal. (don't get sued or arrested)
Even a "friend" sitting in your car can sue you. Most good cameras have an external button to tun off audio recording.
Forums:
https://dashcamtalk.com/a119/
https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/
Good Retailer and Nice guys (fast shipping):
https://www.blackboxmycar.com/
I've had several dash cams in the past. It depends on how much you want to spend.
In any dash cam look for a good lens (Sony?), great night vision, high recording bit-rate, at least 1080p @ 30fps resolution and uses a capacitor (not battery) for safe shutdown. Do you/need want GPS?
Some also come with other built-in features like g-sensor (impact detection and recording), parking recording, motion detection and voltage cutoff (saves your battery from drain) or gimmicky features like lane departure warning, front collision warning. Also, do you want single channel (front camera only) or dual channel (front and back camera)?
A good starter cam is VIOFO A119S V2 GPS. around $100 (amazing features and image for the price).
Other good brands are Blackvue, Blacksys and Thinkware. I currently have the Thinkware F770 2-channel in my C300.
Lastly, Please research your local "one-party consent" law about recording audio without a person's consent. In some states this is illegal. (don't get sued or arrested)
Even a "friend" sitting in your car can sue you. Most good cameras have an external button to tun off audio recording.
Forums:
https://dashcamtalk.com/a119/
https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/
Good Retailer and Nice guys (fast shipping):
https://www.blackboxmycar.com/
Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 175
Likes: 24
From: SoCal
2020 Mercedes E450 Wagon
This one is my dash cam of choice at the moment.
http://DDPai mini2p Distortionless H..._ukxWAb1TNC14Q
Small, discreet and easy to mount. Also has capacitor rather than battery. On my Lexus, I have it hardwired into the fuse box below the dash since there isn’t an easily accessible 12V socket, but now I have parking mode enabled (for 1 hour after car turned off). On my C300, I have it plugged into the 12V socket in the glovebox but can’t use parking mode since the 12V socket isn’t powered after turning the car off.
http://DDPai mini2p Distortionless H..._ukxWAb1TNC14Q
Small, discreet and easy to mount. Also has capacitor rather than battery. On my Lexus, I have it hardwired into the fuse box below the dash since there isn’t an easily accessible 12V socket, but now I have parking mode enabled (for 1 hour after car turned off). On my C300, I have it plugged into the 12V socket in the glovebox but can’t use parking mode since the 12V socket isn’t powered after turning the car off.
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Joined: Apr 2018
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Toyota
Any good reviews about garmin best front and rear dash cam
Last edited by wonutaleva; Apr 3, 2018 at 11:44 AM.
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'13 GLK350 4matic,'10 C207,'15 GLA250,'07 Honda Odyssey, '18 GLE 43, '24 EQS 580
I use a SJCAM I think mine is a SJ5000. Then have a suction mount + cellphone holder contraption to hold it in place. It is small hides perfectly behind the rear view mirror. The good part is that I can take it out easily and use it as a action cam. I have 2 for each of my rides front and back. Saved me countless of times from people who don't know how to drive.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,413
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From: Earth
2015 C300 4Matic Sport
I use a SJCAM I think mine is a SJ5000. Then have a suction mount + cellphone holder contraption to hold it in place. It is small hides perfectly behind the rear view mirror. The good part is that I can take it out easily and use it as a action cam. I have 2 for each of my rides front and back. Saved me countless of times from people who don't know how to drive.
I don't get it. 
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'13 GLK350 4matic,'10 C207,'15 GLA250,'07 Honda Odyssey, '18 GLE 43, '24 EQS 580
why is it crazy? Some action cameras has a dashcam feature on them? Also can you take out your resistor based dashcam out and use it for something else? I dont think so. If a device can function the same thing and was built to do exactly what it needs to be (ei a dashcam/action cam which my camera is) what is the problem when you use it exactly what it is designed for? Also my camera setup cost only $70 each. Here is the camera in my R56.
