Recommendations on dashboard cams that offers BEST video quality?

Perhaps so, but you would need input from more than just the cameras for your black box hypothesis.

 

Yikes on the prices! Two of the cameras I purchased would be $160. Plus, it is generally advisable, if you want rear view, to install two cams since the view is limited by items/people in the cabin. One a cam is setup and installed, it just keeps running until you have a crash, which is saved and protected automatically.

 

The 2channel (2camera) set-up by BlackVue or Lukas, has the rear camera attached to the rear window, for an unobstructed view of the rear.

Both companies employ an auto save event triggered by g-force (accident), so the event isn't accidently recorded over.

Yeah, ouch on price. But the features and the quality of video. Sooo tempted.

 

FYI from the manual (p.268):
The pre-collision system is equipped with a sophisticated computer that will record certain data, such as:
• Accelerator status
• Brake status
• Vehicle speed
• Operation status of the pre-collision system functions
• Information (such as the distance and relative speed between your
vehicle and the vehicle ahead or other objects)
• Images from the camera sensor (available only when the pre-collision
braking function or the pre-collision brake assist function was
operating)
BTW, the pre-collision system does not record conversations, sounds or
images of the inside of the vehicle. )))

 

Hmm, that's an interesting thought about the models with Safety Sense will record the moment if pre collision was activated, but I don't think there is an easy way for the driver to pull out the footage themselves.

I would highly recommend Dash Cameras for everyday use, some of the more expensive ones may seem expensive, but it could mean the difference between getting blamed for something when it wasn't your fault and getting rates raised or going after someone who bumped your car in the parking lot and just drives away.

I'm running the Street Guardian Panorama G right now, but I'm planning to switch it out with a Street Guardian SGZC12RC that separates the body of the camera so I can be more stealthy about it and also not have it in my view. The pre collision camera/sensors take a lot of room where I would normally put the dashcam.

 

Check out the Car Cam Central channel on YouTube. IMO that guy does the best, most comprehensive dash cam reviews online.

I agree that would be nice if the built in front and rear cams were integrated into a factory dash cam system, but they aren't. The built in cameras are also not high enough resolution, nor high-enough bitrate, to compete with current top-quality dash cams. So even an eventual hack of the system (if one ever is available) will be sub-par and inadequate - sorry, the stock hardware just isn't good enough.

FWIW, my wife's Matrix was hit and run a while back so I did some research into dash cams. First, anything 720p (if it doesn't say 'Full HD", or greater, then it's 720p) is not acceptable - you'll almost always be unable to read license plates on captured video. After looking around, and some discussion with both my insurance agent and my body-shop guy, I picked up the Thinkware F770 system, with the optional rear camera. I'm with BobTheJedi; the good ones are pricey, but worth it. The F770 comes with 1080p Sony Exmor CMOS sensors (on both front and rear cameras) which do really well in low-light, and has all the latest features. It doesn't have a built-in display, so it's stealthier; rather, it comes with built-in wi-fi, and you run an app on your smartphone to review the captured video, download the MP4 video files, adjust the settings, etc. Comes with a 32GB microSD card, and supports up to 64GB (be sure to use Lexar 663 microSD cards). Works great, very good low-light performance and I can read license plates well. Overall, it is really quite awesome. Yes, there are much cheaper cams, and a few are available with 'super HD' {higher resolution than 1080p), but they aren't dual-camera and usually come with built-in displays so they are less stealthy. I think the F770 rocks and Definitely Would Buy Again.

 

I have a Lukas Duo 7950 WD which was installed in an Auris and is now awaiting installation into a Gen IV next week. I bought it in Canada two years ago as they are very expensive here in UK. I love it as it really is just black box, fit and forget and you can view instantly via an App on the phone. All installation and pics were posted on Dashcamtalk.com a couple of years ago.
With dashcams you get what you pay for. They need to be hard wired in but removable with ease if you are worried about theft. Keep away from those that have a battery Capacitors are best and you need to ensure you have a voltage regulator either in built or external. On the Auris it hid behind the mirror and could hardly be seen from outside or in. No distraction
but it remain to be seen if I can hide it as well in the Gen lV

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Isn't the built in front camera behind the mirror on the Gen4?

Also, what's the reason for wanting to hide cameras and be stealthy? Is this just security? Would have thought visible camera would be deterrent to crooks who might be put off trying Imsurance fraud on you.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Yep, the built-in front camera is below the mirror in the Gen 4. Depending on which dash cam you get, and how you mount it, the dash cam might just look like some sort of flex-pass, or another sensor - or, conversely it might shout out to the world "I'm a camera!". Which for example I think the Lukas WD and similar cameras do - they actually look like a digital point-and-shoot camera (deliberately, perhaps?).

As to stealth or not, and why some cameras try to be 'obvious' while others do not: I think (yes, I know I'm generalizing here) that there are two basic schools of thought/philosophies/reasons why:

1) "I want people to know they are on camera and their actions are being recorded." To discourage theft, car tampering, bad driving, etc.

or

2) "I don't want my dash camera(s) to attract any attention to myself or my vehicle."

The larger physical-format, obvious cameras appeal more to the first group. The Korean domestic market for example, has a relatively-low rate of car-theft and car-burglary, so having an obvious camera doesn't really make it a theft-target, and the focus (heh) of a dash camera is more to capture bad driving. The best selling dash cams in the Korean market tend to all have large-ish displays too, so they project a tech-y presence and are a sort of status symbol there.

OTOH, the stealthy cameras aren't big sellers in Korea, but are (IMHO) much more desirable in the US market, where car-theft/car-burglary is a significant issue. Having an obvious dash camera can make the car a bigger, juicier target for burglary and theft ("heyyy, lookit that fancy dash cam - I wonder what other tech goodies are to be had in that car!"). Having a big display on the dash cam only compounds this issue.

Since I live in an urban area in the US, I am part of the latter group - a stealthy system helps avoid car burglary, and I have it installed in a removable manner, so I can go even further and stash it away as needed, if parking in a risky or theft-prone area (which of course I try not to do, but is sometimes unavoidable).

Depending on your insurance deductible, a single smash and grab incident can more than pay for the cost of a superior, stealthy system. So I went the stealthy route, and with 1080p front and rear (so I can read license plates if needed), and no display since my smartphone has a bigger and better display than the biggest display on any dash cam available in the US market.

Your needs and priorities can of course differ; these are just the reasons I chose as I did. No regrets so far!

 

I changed out my older street guardian with the smaller "remote" camera model, the main body of the unit is my glove box for now, but you can tell its a lot smaller

Also because the wipers of the Prius wipe pretty far up which is nice to keep the camera view clear when its raining