Dash Cam and Mounting

[doc-ketamine]

Thinkware U1000. I figured since I spent over $60k on my JTR I can afford a premium dash cam.

https://thinkwarestore.com/product/u1000-front-rear-dash-cam-bundle-w-radar-us/

Got the kit with front and rear cams. Hard wired to the ignition and battery leads under the dash in the passenger footwells, ran the lines along the A-pillar and above the windshield. Tucks behind the rearview.

When my first JTR was totaled, the camera was very useful - footage was pristine.

Would I buy it again? Maybe not. Viofo makes some top-notch cameras with similar functionality and clarity, for less than half the price.

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[SightsOfIron]

When will vehicle makers get it, and give us a USB port on the back of the mirror or somewhere up there?

There was an adapter I had for my Tacoma that added a USB to the radar system/rear view mirror. Extremely clean and easy install.

 

[IPRoutes]

What device do you use to hold the phone?

I am using this- got it on Amazon. I cut it from the two grooves to make it narrower, and it fits great in the dashboard's center tray. I am also using a battery case for my iPhone 13 pro max, and it fits snugly into the holder.

https://a.co/eV9zKbo

 

[IPRoutes]

What device do you use to hold the phone?

Driver App maker also has a phone mount with a phone cooler. In summer the phone can get hot in Vegas weather using the app. I just cover the phone with a microfiber folded cloth leaving only the camera lens exposed. Does the job.

 

[Blade1668]

I don't remember what camera but mounted on passenger side hidden from drivers line of sight behind mirror. Tucked wires in windshield trim and under roll bar trim to back of hardtop then to rear camera in topper. Power wire down drivers side in trim under dash to power splitter that plugs to cigar lighter outlet power wiring plug. If I was doing over it would be to aux switch wiring (battery) that's continuously powered.

 

[PlayfulBird]

We have a ton of laws concerning how videos are stored, and in what length, what you can legally do with them etc.

Nextbase. Hardwired to fuse. They provide the wires to do a double fuse. All wires hidden and run appropriately like a pro would do. I ran the rear camera through the roll bar plastic covers. Ran above windshield pulled grab handle off and rain behind then off to engine bay. Did not take too long. Pairs to phone. Great camera mounted to the right of the rear view.

https://nextbase.com/

I second the nextbase call though. They are easiest to make work legally in most situations and great quality.

 

[ATL_Rubi]

We have a ton of laws concerning how videos are stored, and in what length, what you can legally do with them etc.



I second the nextbase call though. They are easiest to make work legally in most situations and great quality.

Is it more related to privacy laws that require stringent standards?

 

[PlayfulBird]

Is it more related to privacy laws that require stringent standards?

Yes and a huge bag of other crap.
Dashcams have been around for ever , but to the EU laws it is what they call Neuland (freaken inside Joke, but serious note, how long does it take for it not to be new, they still call the internet new land)
The videos are not usable to sue, illegal alltogether sometimes as you are spying and in some only to defend yourself and only if the court allows the footage.
The footage needs to overwrite itself automatically every few minutes and only is allowed to continuously record in the crash event.
Recent German case one person got crashes onto the side by another. The person crashing into their side accused the other of leaving the lane. The person accused of leaving their lane had a dashcam that showed he was with in his lane prior to the accident. Courts did not allow it as it only recorded what the driver of the crashed in vehicle saw prior the crash. Obviously he spun out after crashing into them and they deemed that footage was not evidence. Wtf right.

Some places you are not allowed to photograph or film in public without permission. They say spying/surveillance... which you are not allowed.
You are not allowed to film people or number plates and you are definitely not allowed to make that public without prior information and permission to film and another permission to share it.
All in all people and law don't want to deal with technological progress and therefore muddle if it is legal or not or make it a pain and super situational.

 

[KidBobot]

I went with the Blackvue DR900X Plus from BlackboxMyCar.com.

I really debated between the Blackvue vs. the Thinkware U1000, but ultimately went with the DR900X Plus for a few important reasons (important to me at least):

• More discreet footprint - the Gladiator's front windshield is small enough. With my the big plastic box housing all of the driver assist stuff, as well as my planned Quadratec interior lightbar, I wanted something small. There are smaller units out there, but not packed with this many features.
• Wider View of Angle - The DR900X Plus has a wider angle of view with 160+ degrees (vs. the Thinkware's 150-degree)
• Modularity - I ordered the 1-channel for now, but getting the rear-cam soon. Since the plug to the rear camera is on the actual main camera - and is modular (so can have an interior facing camera, or the DM-camera) - its easy enough to disconnect the rear cam when I want to take the freedom panels and rear roof off.
• Advanced Parking Mode - The D900X Plus can continue to record while parked (great for me when I part in the city) since it also has a built-in cut off, no worrying about draining my battery. Oh... and you can get auxiliary batteries (mounts inside) to extend the park mode even longer.
• LTE Connectivity - I didn't opt for it, but you can also hook up a cellular line to this so you can monitor your Gladiator in real-time from anywhere. (Can also be used as a hotspot)
• All of the above and its actually a little bit CHEAPER than the U1000.

Both the Blackvue and Thinkware both shoot 4K @30fps (2K @60fps), so resolution and night vision were both equal. You can't go wrong with either, but if you really want the best cam out there, I'd give it to the DR900X Plus.

 

[SightsOfIron]

so much great info! Ask and you shall receive! haha cheers

 

[exfil offroad]

Here is one that I did. A year later, no issues in either jeep.

 

[Vtur]

I've just installed this Kenwood cam. I think it's a good value and it's on sale atm.

 

[SubiRubi]

Yes and a huge bag of other crap.
Dashcams have been around for ever , but to the EU laws it is what they call Neuland (freaken inside Joke, but serious note, how long does it take for it not to be new, they still call the internet new land)
The videos are not usable to sue, illegal alltogether sometimes as you are spying and in some only to defend yourself and only if the court allows the footage.
The footage needs to overwrite itself automatically every few minutes and only is allowed to continuously record in the crash event.
Recent German case one person got crashes onto the side by another. The person crashing into their side accused the other of leaving the lane. The person accused of leaving their lane had a dashcam that showed he was with in his lane prior to the accident. Courts did not allow it as it only recorded what the driver of the crashed in vehicle saw prior the crash. Obviously he spun out after crashing into them and they deemed that footage was not evidence. Wtf right.

Some places you are not allowed to photograph or film in public without permission. They say spying/surveillance... which you are not allowed.
You are not allowed to film people or number plates and you are definitely not allowed to make that public without prior information and permission to film and another permission to share it.
All in all people and law don't want to deal with technological progress and therefore muddle if it is legal or not or make it a pain and super situational.

Don't they have police centers that watch every corner with cameras to catch people doing illegal things in Europe?? How is that not spying?

 

[PlayfulBird]

Don't they have police centers that watch every corner with cameras to catch people doing illegal things in Europe?? How is that not spying?

What the Government is allowed is governed under different laws, Police is also another can of worms(but our police (especially detectives) has to take a buttload of classes at a university on ethics, when what is applicable and what is allowed when, doesn't help much sadly. Many forget those lessons too quick or don't stay updated), but unless you are in the UK (ok, not EU anymore ) there are actually fewer cameras than you would think. The cameras in use need to store the footage on specific servers with special encryption. All in the name of Datenschutz everything falls under that and often is used as an excuse.
At work, if they want to check footage of my enterings and leavings they need my permission, or a judge's permission... and it goes on and on... also too many greyzones
In Germany we have the saying to be right and to be in the right are not the same.

 

[Swanny]

Hate having to run wires behind trim & also take up valuable power outlet space, so picked up this 12v to USB converter, identified a power wire for the mirror that’s on the accessory circuit & tucked it up behind the trim above the mirror. Just a short length of USB wire that comes down to plug into my Garmin mini camera. Works perfectly & was much easier & cleaner than stuffing/routing a long wire behind trim to get to an available power port.

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