Dashcam help

[heidifuss]

We have 71 MG5 and are looking for a dashcam. But I'm totally flummoxed by all the choices.

We would like front view (not as bothered by rear view if out of price range ) don't want to pay subscription, max price around £150. Would like it to start automatically when car switched on. Do leads and SD cards usually come as separates?

Would really value any of your advice/ experience.
Many TIA

 

[Copes]

Order a hd 1 from nextbase can run of the cigarette lighter or usb or you can wire it

Next base will install if you want for a extra fee and come to your home to do it

 

[Rob Potter]

There's a vast number of dashcams out there. The more modern ones generally have a USB based power supply which is better that plugging in to the old style 12volt socket which didn't always give a reliable connection. I've upgraded to a Garmin Mini 2 which is small and has a high quality image. My old dashcam had a built in screen which I found quite obtrusive. The Mini 2 has an App whereby you can interrogate the images if you ever need to - a 64G micro SD gives around 20 hours of driving. The other point about the Garmin is that the clock seems reliable if you ever need to use it in evidence.
Fitting a dashcan is really easy - the cable can be slipped into the lining between the windscreen and the side pillar. The only thing to bear in mind is to have the lens sitting in the top right but wiped part of the screen otherwise it will always be looking through gunge. A couple of black cable clips to locate the cable in its travel across to its USB socket finishes the job.
It's possible an MOT tester will take issue with the location of a dashcam in the swept area of the screen - just unclip the dashcam from its mount...
Finally...dont expect dashcams to give you a good image at night. This, in my experience is their Achilles heel. In a well lit street you'll be ok with the image but on a wet night in the country you'll be disappointed if you need to look at it.

 

[johnnyg]

Have just fitted a Nextbase 622GW to my 72 plate PFL. Used the OBD power adapter which I accessed through the side panel of the dash on the drivers side. This means I can utilise the G sensor facility for unattended car parking incident. The main camera wire is easily hidden across the head lining and the side pillar. The camera has function to close down so power is not drawn continuously from the 12 v battery. Has been working well for several weeks. camera has magnetic mount so I can swap between my other vehicle with a Nextbase mounting.
There are also clip in cameras for rear view or wired kits. I have attached a few pics.

 

[Amun]

We have 71 MG5 and are looking for a dashcam. But I'm totally flummoxed by all the choices.

We would like front view (not as bothered by rear view if out of price range ) don't want to pay subscription, max price around £150. Would like it to start automatically when car switched on. Do leads and SD cards usually come as separates?

Would really value any of your advice/ experience.
Many TIA

I prefer to have my dashcams fed from the 12V socket, so that they start up when the car is switched on. I'm not that bothered about having them active all the time, so don't hard wire them.
I also prefer the cam to be on the drivers side, but unobtrusive - so avoid cams on stalks. I quite like Viofo cams, and mainly use the A119 v3 :-

https://www.amazon.co.uk/VIOFO-A119-Dash-Front-Camera-Black/dp/B07RXQLV5C/ref=asc_df_B07RXQLV5C/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=255689905117&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7038499134519624528&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9180678&hvtargid=pla-776959474529&psc=1&mcid=73857d14de6c3f3ebd9a5a54efa55e05

These attach using a choice of GPS or non GPS mounts, and now come with a static sheet - which makes moving/repositioning them quite easy. I like the way in which the mount stays attached but you can just unclip the cam.

 

[heidifuss]

Thanks everyone for your responses. Really helpful