Opinions on Blackvue Dashcam
 

I have been looking at Dashcams since Kneeman was recently clipped in his Turbo. In his Accident Thread folks have mentioned installation of Blackvue 750 cameras. I am about to do the same but saw that they also had streaming to the cloud...which sometimes means it could be complicated to get it all working. So here are some questions I would like some opinions on:
1) If I don't use the cloud, is it simple plug and play. In other words, can I just use it with local storage on microSD so that I can play it later on computer without any thing else needed?
2) I saw something that you need an iPhone to control it? Again, can it just be left for a simple on and off based on whether I am driving or not?
3) Does it cycle over old videos once the memory is filled.
4) How easy was the installation?
5) Any other words of wisdom.

My second choice is a Rexing V1 that is cheaper and has some decent reviews. THoughts on that would be appreciated as well.

I have the 750. There is now a 900 that I suggest you do.
1. You don't need to use the cloud.
2. You will want a phone so that you can hook up to it via direct wifi and set it how you want.
3. It does cycle over old videos
4. I paid to have it done, so don't know how hard it was.
5. Love mine. Has come in handy already. Like I said, I have the 750 and would upgrade to the 900 if you can.

-TJ

I have two different BlackVue cameras on 2 of my cars and I love them. I have the dual channel setups and the technology i have is likely older since one has been in the car for 3+ years and the other one for 2+ - I have been very satisfied with them and very easy to use and pull/save videos when needed. I do not think you will be disappointed with any of their new stuff.

Agree with Top Jimmy on 1-3.

4) I installed my own and routing the cables under the trim (even from the rear camera) was relatively easy with the plastic tool provided. I plug into the lighter outlet in the glove box. Cables are. I also bought the battery backup (also in the glove box).
5) Get the polarizing filter (s) Without it I had a reflection off the windscreen, was not necessary on the rear camera. Do an internet search to find.

Here is a post on the 900 install and drive: https://rennlist.com/forums/991/1071...k-dashcam.html

-TJ

Blackvue is good, 4K is a nice option to have.

Does anyone have experience with the Escort M1? It connects to the radar, not just Escort, and seems like a clean setup for $200. WIFI connectivity, does not record 4K and does not record when car not running. It also is only 1 channel.

I have had several Escorts before, just the radar, and have worked well for me, looking to get the 360c.

https://www.escortradar.com/products/m1

I use a Garmin 45 Dashcam. Very simple installation as it includes a very strong adhesive windshield mounting magnetic disc.
If you want Video when parked Garmin optionally provides a cable which can be connected to both switched and unswitched power.
Lot less expensive than the Blackvue, P/N 010-01750-00 now at @ $129.95 on buy.garmin.com.
The Model 45 provides GPS location and Time monitoring, Lane following, Audible warnings for traffic moving
ahead of you and excessive closing speed of traffic in front of you while driving.
Garmin 45 is VERY small and inconspicuous and can be easily removed from its magnetic base for loading footage directly into
your computer via a cable or into your phone using Bluetooth. Garmin also maintains a staff of support technicians you can call for
telephone assistance. You can buy separate inexpensive windshield mounting discs for moving it to different cars in a few seconds.
Video seems very sharp and clear which makes it easy to read license plates on nearby cars.
My previous Dashcams used both front and rear views but personally feel the rear view is usually unnecessary as a legal record
since rear damage is almost always judged the fault of the driver behind you and increases installation complexity considerably.

Thanks guys, this has been super useful....I think I will go with BV 900 though a bit afraid of the file size thing....but since I have a dozen cars, I think I will also buy an escort as well and stick that to the side of V1 detector so that as I move the detector from car to car I have coverage. The turbo gets the built in BV since I have a 9500ci also integrated. Once again...thanks...

Jeez...right when I thought I had made a decision....does look a lot simpler

First thing I do when I get a new car is have front and rear Blackvue and K40 installed. 4 cars currently and several that have been sold. It tucks nicely behind the 911 mirror. You will forget it is there. They do recommend you reformat the SD card occasionally but that only requires holding a button down until it resets.

One thing I really liked on the Blackvue is that it also has motion sensing when parked in parking mode. If you get bumped in the parking lot, or someone is around your car, it will capture video of it. It is like a second security system, and is nice for when you come back to the car and someone has backed into it and driven off.

Also, you can get larger memory cards to put into the Blackvue. Mine came with a 16MB, that I upgraded to 128MB. It holds days of video on there in case I need to go back and look at something.

-TJ

I use the blackvue 750 2 channel too. I have it on the car for about 6 months with no issues. I havent really used the cloud but everything else works just fine. And it is not too complicated.

My second favorite and much easier camera to use is the viofo 119s. I put it on my wife's car. Probably the second best night video quality I have seen after the blackvue. And I have tried about 5 different models...

+1 on Garmin 45. I was going to install blackvue and talked with an installer who highly recommended it. However my wife wanted something simpler and we decided to give the Garmin a try. We chose a 45, as it has all the options listed by FastLaneTurbo and the only miss is 4k which I do not care for a document type of dashcam video.

Install was super easy.

https://s2.gifyu.com/images/Garmin.jpg

https://s2.gifyu.com/images/Garmin1.jpg

It is super small and you do not even see it from driver's seat as it is behind the mirror. It has two cable options, as mentioned above. You can go with a dual power set-up and it will record while the car is parked. It will power on automatically on engine startup and all the operations are super easy and seamless.
My wife loves it for simplicity. You do not need to do anything with it. It cycles the memory and once set-up (very easy) it just works.

So now I am on a fence for blackvue for my car :D

Thanks everyone for your inputs...here is what I decided to do:
1) For my TUrbo S...I decided to order the Blackvue 900S daul channel....this intergration will pair itself nicely with my integrated 9500ci.
2) Also liked the VIofo so ordered that for my Daughter's old E320...due to its simplicity and price and seems to be recommended by many. If this works I will replace the el cheapo dashcams in two of my sedans with Viofo since they have compatible power connectors.
3) I am also going to order the Escort M1 though I need to do some research. Specifically what I want to do is attach it to my Valentine one permanently so that As I move the detector from car to car ( I have 12 cars, 8 of which will not have any camera with only the turbo having an integrated 9500ci. So I think this way I automatically will have a camera for whichever car has the detector in it.

Once again thanks for all of your help.

Interesting. Never looked at VIofo. I guess you can't go wrong with any of those cheap and simple ones. Please post how you like your blackvue 900S once installed. I am considering doing it for my TTS.