Any Dash Cam recommendations? Almost got scammed on the road.

Posted by jon_barack@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 44 comments

Got into a situation today where someone brake checked me and tried to claim I hit them.

Another driver had a dash cam and the footage proved what actually happened, otherwise this could've been expensive.

So yeah, I need to buy a dash cam, can't believe i've been driving without one for so long. Looking for something reliable that actually works when you need it, preferably under $50-60. Don't need 4K cinema quality, just clear enough to read plates and show what actually happened.

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WheresRomey@reddit

I'm following this thread too for the reviews. With so many road rage incidents, I want one but also need easy installation.

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ThickProfessional670@reddit

The website https://phonedashcam.com specializes in offering a comprehensive dashcam application for Android devices that transforms any compatible phone into a fully functional automotive dashcam. The platform emphasizes AI-powered features such as real-time detection of vehicles, pedestrians, animals, and impact incidents, alongside a vast database of over 336,000 traffic, security, and police cameras across the United States. Its core functionality includes loop recording, crash detection with auto-save, parking mode with motion detection, and cloud backup via Google Drive, providing a hardware-free alternative to traditional dashcams. The service caters to a wide range of drivers, including commuters, delivery personnel, street parkers, long-distance travelers, and fleet operators, by offering features like live alerts for speed traps and traffic cameras, event recording, and GPS-stamped multimedia. The app’s primary selling points are affordability, privacy (processing occurs locally), and ease of setup—requiring only an existing Android phone. It offers a free basic version with optional premium upgrades, aligning with the automotive industry's focus on vehicle safety, evidence collection, and traffic law compliance.

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Sea-Rip3902@reddit

Red tiger are affordable.

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jon_barack@reddit (OP)

thought about this brand too, but bought another one

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Mochalover-@reddit

Which one did you pick?

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Sea-Rip3902@reddit

Get a Viofo or Vueroid Dashcam

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Vitriolic_III@reddit

Have an old phone? Use a $10 suction cup mount from amazon and that phone.

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Sea-Rip3902@reddit

Don’t do this. The phone isn’t designed for this. Just sell the used phone and use the money to buy a quality camera.

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jonwickkkko@reddit

Honestly a solid front/rear setup with good low-light footage would give you way more confidence out there, something like Viofo or Thinkware usually hits that sweet spot.

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SamAndBrew@reddit

I’m sure there’s better ones out there but Chortau on Amazon was like $40 when I bought mine. I liked it enough to buy two more.

Has a separate rear camera (so the cabin/driver is not being recorded) that can be setup as a backup camera.

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jon_barack@reddit (OP)

so it actually works if you buy something budget $50-60 ?

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SamAndBrew@reddit

It certainly can. You get what you pay for with this one though, I’m not sure mine’s image quality is clear enough if I ever needed to use it to find someone’s license plate but it hit a few points I specifically wanted.

Front and rear recording. No cabin/interior. No GPS. No Microphone. Loop recording. Automatic collision recording (although this feature doesn’t work great anymore because the internal batteries don’t hold a charge well).

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monica_gracia@reddit

this dash cam are a solid pick overall

it’s compact so it sits neatly near the rearview mirror.

super easy to use

reasonably priced

definitely good choice

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jon_barack@reddit (OP)

pretty intresting, has good reviews on amazon, if you can trust them...
attractive discount tbh

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smileynofrowny@reddit

ngl, just go with a viofo product. worth the money. you want a camera that can capture license plates at a great quality. i use the a229 pro.

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GroveStreetHomie@reddit

I have the Viofo A119 Mini 2, paired with a High Endurance SD card.

I would advise to up your budget to around the $100 mark. There are a lot of cheaper dash cams on the market but most importantly you need reliability that it’s recording constantly. Video quality is a great second benefit.

SD card choice is also important so be sure to get one that is rated for dash cams or high endurance.

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1lazysloth@reddit

I have Viofo a119 Mini 2, it was the number one recommended item for budget cameras on the dashcams subreddit. It's great so far, captures plates well and easy to set up

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MrNeo602@reddit

I got 2 for mine and my gf's cars. I saw the review on Project Farm, so I went with those. I did have an issue with mine a month after getting it. They sent me a replacement and haven't had a problem. My GF's hasn't had any issues. I like the wi-fi feature, and the ablility to set up the camera on the app or through the camera itself.

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Powerful_Weekend5674@reddit

Installed a DDPAI in my daily driver after watching too many scam videos online. Setup took like 10 minutes, and the clips are easy to pull from the app when something weird happens on the road.

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jules083@reddit

Might be me being paranoid, but I set my dash camera to NOT record audio.

Something to think about.

I had this weird visual in my head where I'd be sitting in a courtroom showing my dash cam video to a judge while I was either saying something fucked up in the background or listening to a really weird audiobook or something like that. Lmao

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jon_barack@reddit (OP)

lol, mb you can ask lawyer to turn off the sound while watching ))

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jules083@reddit

Probably. Still paranoid. Lol

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Geminimadman@reddit

Consider saving for a slightly nicer one around the $125-150 range as you get 4k resolution and WiFi with both can make a huge difference in certain scenarios. 4k resolution provides a quality image that can be zoomed in a quite a bit to get smaller details such as license plate numbers and WiFi is great for instant uploading/backing up to cloud storage. It’s never happened to me but I’ve seen videos where someone just reaches in and snatches the whole camera to get the SD card. Something to think about anyways. I have a similar one to the example below.

4k w/ WiFi

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No-Contract3749@reddit

I don’t think they make the one I have anymore. I love it though and it does ease a lot of fears because people really can be scandalous. I would recommend getting one with a front and rear camera for sure. Mine is a Pruveeo

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jon_barack@reddit (OP)

this is might work, thx

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Wholesome_Stalker@reddit

Don't need 4K cinema quality, just clear enough to read plates and show what actually happened.

Keep in mind that it's the "4k cinema quality" cameras that will actually be able to read plates at further distances, especially in dark conditions. They also have features that are beneficial such as parking detection.

While the more affordable cameras will be great at showing who was at fault, they may have a hard time catching a plate at an odd angle that is moving quickly through the frame. Affordable cameras may also advertise parking detection, but many times they use the G-sensor to turn on and start recording, which often takes just enough time for the violator to drive away.

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No-Contract3749@reddit

Sure thing, check reviews too! 4.1/6k. If you can use a smart phone you’ll have no problem figuring this out. I’ve had it for over 5 years, it’s never gave me a problem and I never used the app. I just use my computer to review stuff when needed. 110 degrees F to -30, in my car always. Safe travels!

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OM1979@reddit

I have this front and rear camera and love it. The recordings are very clear. It’s not in the way and records in parked mode as well. https://www.momentocam.com/dash-cams/m8/md-8100

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silicontruffle@reddit

I got a Vantrue S1 Pro front and rear. Been working flawlessly for two years. I got the add-a-fuse hard wiring kit and CPL filter at the same time. I've never had any accidents in that time but I have checked the videos and they're very good. The low light mode looks really good when it's dark. That's where you really see a difference in the quality of the video between a cheaper one and a good one. For the parking videos or driving around in not perfect lighting, it's pretty important.

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singelingtracks@reddit

Viofo pick your features/ price..

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MaxPanhammer@reddit

I like my Blackvue cameras because I can connect to them and download video locally (no cloud subscription), if that's a thing you care about

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albearcub@reddit

Same. Had mine installed when I did ppf, tints, ceramic. Specific model I'd recommend is the DR970X.

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lucidone@reddit

I've had two of these (one for the front, one for the back) for at least 5 years now:

https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-140-degree-Monitor-Connected-Features/dp/B0931YZ82P

Haven't had any problems with them. Previous ones I had either couldn't take the summer heat or couldn't take the freezing cold winter. This one doesn't seem to mind hot or cold.

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Jugzrevenge@reddit

Get at least a three channel. Front/rear/interior.

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Dry-Discipline-2525@reddit

I got a Viofo front, inside, and rear camera a couple years ago. I love it. The app leaves a bit to be desired though

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ayo_ninja@reddit

ROVE is my pick, 2 years working without any problems, its $200+ though

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NotMuch2@reddit

r/dashcams

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Chemical-Amoeba5837@reddit

Double your budget and you have some very good options. I have run a few Viofo cameras (in different cars), the newer ones come with wifi so you can watch on your phone.

Make sure you get a high endurance SD card, standard ones will burn out in a few months, high capacity high endurance ones will last you YEARS of rewrites.

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molly_bolly@reddit

I really like my Rove dash cams, never had problems with them, very simple in use, good quality and comes from a brand that actually stands behind its products.
not sure there is cheaper $100...