Dash Cam Recommendations

[Yo'sDad]

23 CX-5 Carbon. First want to apologize if this has been addressed but I cannot find anything. I was almost in a head-on this week with a car crossing the line and heading straight for me. Was on a two lane road with a guard rail on my side. Fortunately, the other driver 'woke up' and swerved back into his lane. This made me aware that a dash cam would be a good idea. I would welcome any recommendations and private contacts for a set up that includes:

• Two cameras, one front, one rear, don't need an interior camera
• Connection option to the ten-pin in the mirror "understand I will need the optional dongle"
• Nice clean/clear picture
• Don't need parking coverage or anything other than when actively driving
• Desire it to start recording automatically when engine is started
• Don't need cloud storage, writing over a full memory card is fine
• Don't need a play back screen on the camera, a link to iphone is good enough, only need it for playback in case of an accident.
• Price not an issue (within reason)
• Logical interface and simple reliability is desirable

Many thanks to those of you who have replied to me in the past. Again apologies if this has been covered... please refer me to that thread.

Thanks, Tom

 

[gtbigup]

My only experience is with Thinkware U1000. Have it in two vehicles.

 

[SimpleCanuck]

I have the Thinkware Q800 Pro with front and rear camera. This is the only one I have experience with.

 

[HyFlyer]

Not exactly to your specs but I like viofo A129 duo. Good quality image

 

[N7turbo]

Open this thread, and in the search limit the scope to "this thread"

K

Thread 'What have you done to your CX-5 today?'

Feb 16, 2013

Figured I'd try a thread where everyone can post up what they did for their ride today.

I gave her a nice hand wash and sealed her with some JetSeal 109.

Dodo Juice is on deck...

• Kayger12
• Replies: 9,522
• Forum: CX-5 General

• 

Search for dashcam, viofo, thinkware, etc.

 

[Yo'sDad]

Open this thread, and in the search limit the scope to "this thread"

K

Thread 'What have you done to your CX-5 today?'

Feb 16, 2013

Figured I'd try a thread where everyone can post up what they did for their ride today.

I gave her a nice hand wash and sealed her with some JetSeal 109.

Dodo Juice is on deck...

• Kayger12
• Replies: 9,522
• Forum: CX-5 General

• 

Search for dashcam, viofo, thinkware, etc.

Thank you, I did searches for 'dashcam, cameras, etc, but did not search for specific brand names.'

 

[GrampaSlade]

I got the fitcam, only because I don't like things laying around that might invite a broken window and removal. FITCAMX Dash Cam For 2017-2024 Mazda CX5 CX-5 CX3 CX-3 Mine plugs into the sunroof power.

 

[RL911]

I have three of these, work great. They are a bit higher than the $38 I paid a few weeks ago. Not hard wired, runs off cigarette lighter. Has front and rear cameras, easy to run the wires, good app integration, excellent picture day and night.

https://a.co/d/8b2NA4O

 

[skid00skid0]

After a year of contemplating a purchase, I got a Viofo A139 with front and rear cam.

Viofos usually have very good reviews.

I have mine set up to record while parking, in addition to while driving. They sell a wiring kit that cuts off the camera drain when the voltage gets to an amount you specify.

 

[Yo'sDad]

Thanks again for everyone's reply. Quick question, if you have a rear camera and did the install yourself, did you run the wire through the headliner, tucked in the edge of the headliner, or under the door sill plates, or maybe some other way. Any tricks or traps when running the rear camera wire? Thanks, Tom

 

[MotoToph]

I have the Viofo A129 Plus duo in two vehicles.

I ran the rear cable along the windshied to the drivers side then through the headliner on drivers side and then out the hatch along the factory cable route. The biggest pain was getting the ran with the wiring with rubber protector going into the hatch. I can post a photo when I get home this afternoon.

 

[Mazdiod2]

Thanks again for everyone's reply. Quick question, if you have a rear camera and did the install yourself, did you run the wire through the headliner, tucked in the edge of the headliner, or under the door sill plates, or maybe some other way. Any tricks or traps when running the rear camera wire? Thanks, Tom

If the camera is in the license plate holder you have to use the hatch. I put a camera in the bumper, using the hole for the screw-in tow hooks.

 

[Yo'sDad]

If the camera is in the license plate holder you have to use the hatch. I put a camera in the bumper, using the hole for the screw-in tow hooks.

Mazdiod2, thanks, but I am talking about the rear camera of a dash cam bundle. It will go inside at the top of the rear glass. Thanks again, Tom

 

[Yo'sDad]

I have the Viofo A129 Plus duo in two vehicles.

I ran the rear cable along the windshied to the drivers side then through the headliner on drivers side and then out the hatch along the factory cable route. The biggest pain was getting the ran with the wiring with rubber protector going into the hatch. I can post a photo when I get home this afternoon.

Bronzeglide, thanks for your reply. Does the headliner separate from the edge easily or did you just tuck the wire into the molding? Pics would be very nice. I fear damaging the headliner if I get too aggressive. haha

 

[Mazdiod2]

Mazdiod2, thanks, but I am talking about the rear camera of a dash cam bundle. It will go inside at the top of the rear glass. Thanks again, Tom

If the camera goes anywhere in the hatch you'll have to get into the roof to wire it.
The camera I bought from AMAZON was probably made for the hatch, I decided to install it in the bumper so I would'nt have to get into the headliner.

 

[N7turbo]

If the camera goes anywhere in the hatch you'll have to get into the roof to wire it.
The camera I bought from AMAZON was probably made for the hatch, I decided to install it in the bumper so I would'nt have to get into the headliner.

Interesting; you have an interior camera exposed to the elements? And did you seal around the hole in the bumper?

 

[Mazdiod2]

I don't think it was an interior camera, I think most of them are designed to be installed on the license plate holders. I removed the plastic plug for the tow hook and just crammed the camera into that hole and routed the wires up through the trunk pan and then under the carpet to the front.

 

[Yo'sDad]

mazdiod2, Sorry for any misunderstanding. What I am talking about is the wiring to the rear camera of a set such as the Viofo series. One wire goes from the front camera mounted typically on the windshield, to the rear camera, typically mounted on the inside of the rear hatch glass. Getting this wire from point A to B is my question..... which at this time is a mute point, since I just pulled out a bunch of door seal rubber and popped on a panel rear hatch, pulled down the headliner some and snaked the wire. I even put it through the rubber gators at the top of the hatch where the factory wires go. I'm all good to go now. I took some pics along the way. For me, the biggest concern was to not interfere with the yellow (airbag) wires, etc. All hidden and tucked away. Thanks to all for your help. Tom and P.S. Max was of no help... he just slept through it all.

 

[Mazdiod2]

You snaked it from the rear all the way to the front? I was kind of worried about that part, which is why I used the bumper mount, which I read about on another forum.
I have been thinking about getting a newer camera, they are all better resolution these days. I should probably be more ambitious and use the hatch route. The camera isn't hooked to my dash cam either, but maybe an experience like you had would convince me. We'll see.

 

[vrsick]

So many great dash cams on the market. One of my CX-5 has the front only Viofo. My other CX-5 has Dual Viofo. No complaints or issues. Just make sure you get a "High Endurance" card. 256GB card is nice as you can back track footage from up to 2 months of recordings.