Dash Cams

[Spizz]

I've been of a mind to get a dash cam recently but good grief there are millions of them out there. So just looking for a few recommendatons for a reasonably priced unit to filter out the rubbish. Preferably front and back view, would like it to be wireless if such a thing is practical?

 

[HAL 9000]

Have a look at the range available from VIOFO...

VIOFO Official | 4K Dash Cams with Sony STARVIS 2 | 1CH to 4CH Systems

VIOFO specializes in professional-grade dash cameras featuring Sony STARVIS 2 IMX sensors, 4K ultra-high-definition recording, and advanced multi-channel systems from 1CH to 4CH. Known for superior license plate capture — including dedicated telephoto dash cams for long-range identification.

www.viofo.com

 

[Spizz]

Have a look at the range available from VIOFO...

VIOFO Official | 4K Dash Cams with Sony STARVIS 2 | 1CH to 4CH Systems

VIOFO specializes in professional-grade dash cameras featuring Sony STARVIS 2 IMX sensors, 4K ultra-high-definition recording, and advanced multi-channel systems from 1CH to 4CH. Known for superior license plate capture — including dedicated telephoto dash cams for long-range identification.

www.viofo.com

There are some amazing pieces of kit, but looks like not available in SA and very high prices.

I should clarify that by back view I mean inside, so just a single unit

 

[Binary_Bark]

Depends, do you want it to record speed and location too (with GPS), or recording only?

 

[WAslayer]

There are some amazing pieces of kit, but looks like not available in SA and very high prices.

I should clarify that by back view I mean inside, so just a single unit

I bought my Viofo dashcam from cardashcam.co.za a month ago.. They have other brands too, which you won't find in SA.. Their website is not loading at the moment, unsure why .

However, Viofo is pretty much always coming out tops in the vast majority of reviews, so recommend you look at Viofo.. Viofo has a companion app, allows you to connect from your phone via WiFi to configure the settings and retrieve footage directly from your phone..

Number one thing to look for though, is a camera using the Sony starviz 2 or later sensor, which offers the best quality in all conditions.. Following that, whatever resolution and frame rate you want, 4k 60fps with or without HDR and other features like GPS coordinates and speed etc..

Also, prepare to spend a decent chunk of change on a micro SD card as well.. You will need to get at least UHS-I V30, that can guarantee sustained 30MB/s write speeds, maybe even V60 since you will have at least two cameras and depending on your resolution you want to record at for each camera.. I had to fork out R 760 for a 64GB card.. Some cameras will refuse to record or cut out intermittently if you don't use the correct micro SD card..

 

[Spizz]

Depends, do you want it to record speed and location too (with GPS), or recording only?

Just recording would be fine.

 

[Spizz]

I bought my Viofo dashcam from cardashcam.co.za a month ago.. They have other brands too, which you won't find in SA.. Their website is not loading at the moment, unsure why .

However, Viofo is pretty much always coming out tops in the vast majority of reviews, so recommend you look at Viofo.. Viofo always has a companion app, allows you to connect from your phone via WiFi to configure the settings and retrieve footage directly from your phone..

Number one thing to look for though, is a camera using the Sony starviz 2 or later sensor, which offers the best quality in all conditions.. Following that, whatever resolution and frame rate you want, 4k 60fps with or without HDR and other features like GPS coordinates and speed etc..

Also, prepare to spend a decent chunk of change on a micro SD card as well.. You will need to get at least UHS-I V30, that can guarantee sustained 30MB/s write speeds, maybe even V60 since you will have at least two cameras and depending on your resolution you want to record at for each camera.. I had to fork out R 760 for a 64GB card.. Some cameras will refuse to record or cut out intermittently if you don't use the correct micro SD card..

Good info, thanks. I'll check that site out later, it's not loading for me either.

 

[airborne]

Also, prepare to spend a decent chunk of change on a micro SD card as well.. You will need to get at least UHS-I V30, that can guarantee sustained 30MB/s write speeds, maybe even V60 since you will have at least two cameras and depending on your resolution you want to record at for each camera.. I had to fork out R 760 for a 64GB card.. Some cameras will refuse to record or cut out intermittently if you don't use the correct micro SD card..

Does the sd card need to also be high endurance so that it can take the extreme levels of data writing from all the recording?
Some say they aren't totally necessary but I have had two good quality high speed cards designed for photography fail using them in security cameras with continuous recording.

 

[HAL 9000]

Here's two models from REDTIGER that have 3-channel capabilities at an affordable price...

Redtiger A3 3-Channel Dash Cam – 2.5K Front + 1080P Cabin & Rear, Voice Control, GPS, 5.8GHz Wi-Fi, 3.18" Touchscreen, Night Vision, Type-C Power, 24/7 Parking Mode, WDR, G-Sensor, Loop Recording​

Redtiger A3 3-Channel Dash Cam – 2.5K Front + 1080P Cabin & Rear, Voice Control, GPS, 5.8GHz Wi-Fi, 3.18" Touchscreen, Night Vision, Type-C Power, 24/7 Parking Mode, WDR, G-Sensor, Loop Recording : Amazon.co.za: Electronics

Redtiger A3 3-Channel Dash Cam – 2.5K Front + 1080P Cabin & Rear, Voice Control, GPS, 5.8GHz Wi-Fi, 3.18" Touchscreen, Night Vision, Type-C Power, 24/7 Parking Mode, WDR, G-Sensor, Loop Recording : Amazon.co.za: Electronics

www.amazon.co.za

REDTIGER VP20 3-Channel Dash Cam – 2.5K Front & Cabin, 1080P Rear, IR Night Vision, 530° Wide Angle, 3.18” Touchscreen, Parking Mode, G-Sensor​

REDTIGER VP20 3-Channel Dash Cam – 2.5K Front & Cabin, 1080P Rear, IR Night Vision, 530° Wide Angle, 3.18” Touchscreen, Parking Mode, G-Sensor : Amazon.co.za: Electronics

REDTIGER VP20 3-Channel Dash Cam – 2.5K Front & Cabin, 1080P Rear, IR Night Vision, 530° Wide Angle, 3.18” Touchscreen, Parking Mode, G-Sensor : Amazon.co.za: Electronics

www.amazon.co.za

 

[WAslayer]

Does the sd card need to also be high endurance so that it can take the extreme levels of data writing from all the recording?
Some say they aren't totally necessary but I have had two good quality high speed cards designed for photography fail using them in security cameras with continuous recording.

Typically, majority of UHS-I cards are high endurance.. When I was shopping around, don't think that any of the available options were not high endurance..

 

[airborne]

majority of UHS-I cards are high endurance

That term just refers to the bus speeds they can handle, both the cards that failed were UHS-I certified, photography cards may handle high burst write speeds but not extended continuous writing.

 

[WAslayer]

That term just refers to the bus speeds they can handle, both the cards that failed were UHS-I certified, photography cards may handle high burst write speeds but not extended continuous writing.

I know the term refers to the bus speed and that was my point, that all of the cards I looked at, at that bus speed, were rated for high endurance..

 

[JerryMungo]

I've been of a mind to get a dash cam recently but good grief there are millions of them out there. So just looking for a few recommendatons for a reasonably priced unit to filter out the rubbish. Preferably front and back view, would like it to be wireless if such a thing is practical?

Wireless - yes
Front and back - yes
Affordable - yes
Good quality image - yes (but you can go better with a Sony STARVIS 2 based camera)

WIFI DVR Dash Camera

WIFI DVR Camera

maxmotorsport.co.za

C1080 Dual 1080P Hidden Dashcam WiFi App

C1080 dual dashcam records front and rear in Full HD 1080P with WiFi app control, 170 degree lenses, audio, MP4/TS formats, and supports 16GB to 128GB TF cards.

www.rivoniacarsound.co.za

I have the same model purchased through the KIA dealership at a much higher price.

 

[Spizz]

Wireless - yes
Front and back - yes
Affordable - yes
Good quality image - yes (but you can go better with a Sony STARVIS 2 based camera)

WIFI DVR Dash Camera

WIFI DVR Camera

maxmotorsport.co.za

C1080 Dual 1080P Hidden Dashcam WiFi App

C1080 dual dashcam records front and rear in Full HD 1080P with WiFi app control, 170 degree lenses, audio, MP4/TS formats, and supports 16GB to 128GB TF cards.

www.rivoniacarsound.co.za

I have the same model purchased through the KIA dealership at a much higher price.

This looks very good and I like the positioning behind the mirror. Although a consideration is that I often park in the street overnight, so not sure if it's integrated enough to look like part of the car or if it would be a target for a thief?

 

[JerryMungo]

This looks very good and I like the positioning behind the mirror. Although a consideration is that I often park in the street overnight, so not sure if it's integrated enough to look like part of the car or if it would be a target for a thief?

It definitely looks like it's part of the car. No visible cables.
You can also have it record periodic snapshots for an hour or more after parking.

 

[JerryMungo]

 

[airborne]

I know the term refers to the bus speed and that was my point, that all of the cards I looked at, at that bus speed, were rated for high endurance..

I've never seen run of mill SD cards being rated for high endurance writing, what is your definition of high endurance?
Post a link to the cards that you are referring to.

 

[JerryMungo]

I've never seen run of mill SD cards being rated for high endurance writing, what is your definition of high endurance?
Post a link to the cards that you are referring to.

SanDisk High Endurance microSD™ Card - 64GB

Designed to record for up to 40,000 hours1, the SanDisk High Endurance microSD card gives you the peace of mind that your dash cam, home monitoring or security system will capture crucial footage when it happens, recording and re-recording worry-free. It’s built tough too—ready to record in...

computermania.co.za

https://www.sandisk.com/products/memory-cards/microsd-cards/sandisk-max-endurance-uhs-i-microsd

 

[airborne]

SanDisk High Endurance microSD™ Card - 64GB

Designed to record for up to 40,000 hours1, the SanDisk High Endurance microSD card gives you the peace of mind that your dash cam, home monitoring or security system will capture crucial footage when it happens, recording and re-recording worry-free. It’s built tough too—ready to record in...

computermania.co.za

https://www.sandisk.com/products/memory-cards/microsd-cards/sandisk-max-endurance-uhs-i-microsd

Yes that's specifically a high endurance Sd card designed to record for up to 40,000 hours, not just some random UHS-I Sd card that @WAyslayer seems to believe come as high endurance as standard.

Typically, majority of UHS-I cards are high endurance

 

[HAL 9000]

I had a 64GB Sandisk SD card that I got from HiFi Corp installed in my Garmin DC45 dashcam from Dec 2017 to about the middle of last year before it popped up error messages & I re-formatted it - I have since replaced it with another one, which should hopefully last another 8 years or so...