Recommend a dash cam/backup camera combination?

[PingSpike]

I don't know much at all about these. Obviously there are tons of ones one amazon, all with glowing (probably fake) reviews. I see some of them hang over your middle mirror. I'm not sure if I like that or not.

I have a Subaru Outback 2011 which has no cameras that I want to put something on. But my wife has a newer 2019 Outback with a backup camera already and I wonder if their our products that could add dash cam and read cam recording capability to the existing system.

 

[darkswordsman17]

I'm sorry, but what is happening in that second paragraph?

Honestly cheap dash cams are kinda good enough so I wouldn't fret too much over Amazon reviews (just see what ones offer what features you want then look for reviews of them to make sure they don't have glaring issues). You can pony up for more expensive fancy ones (there's ones that might be what you're wanting that integrate rear cam into a screen on like the rear view mirror).

I doubt you could add OEM integrated stuff to an older one very easily. You might check and see if they had OEM ones for your older one though. 2011 is new enough I'd think there probably are ones, but I'd also guess it'll be expensive enough that it won't be worth it to have it retrofitted.

Oh just understood what you're wanting, yeah I don't think there's any that can be integrated to the current setup.

Which, I've got a different take. I'm wanting a VR dash cam setup. Rather I'm wanting to make a rig that can record VR video that I can make a rig to mount in my car (I'm thinking the rear wind baffle would make for an easy mounting spot). I'm thinking my best option might be some action cams mounted side by side, but not sure there's any that would offer what I want (ideally I'd have two that could do say 1/2 4K at 90-120fps with decent quality)

 

[manly]

FWIW the people over at DashCamTalk don't even look at the mirror dash cams, dismissing them all as junk. I've watched some reviews on YouTube, and they seem fine. I've considered one for an older car but if yours has auto-dimming rear view mirror, I wouldn't even consider strapping something inferior over it. VanTop seems to be decent.

 

[nOOky]

I have an Amazon cheapie mounted in the upper left corner of my windshield. It's easier to run a clean wire install if you run the power wire down the pillar molding and alongside the dash under the dash to a power source somewhere imho. It's also really hard to see unless you specifically look for it, and it meets the requirements for not blocking my view. I'd buy one good enough that you can actually read license plates from the video.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

Considering the rise in dash cameras you would think the automotive industry would start putting something like USB Type-C power points on the ceiling of the vehicle. Or better yet, make them fully functional ports to a central location in the glove box, center console, or even the head unit location. OK, just have them install a dozen cameras from the factory and sell the hardware/software as a service.

 

[Zeze]

Considering the rise in dash cameras you would think the automotive industry would start putting something like USB Type-C power points on the ceiling of the vehicle. Or better yet, make them fully functional ports to a central location in the glove box, center console, or even the head unit location. OK, just have them install a dozen cameras from the factory and sell the hardware/software as a service.

Ohh the latter is definitely happening. They're salivating at all the data they get to keep and also subscription fees.