Dashcam suggestions?

[HankB]

I've been toying with the idea of getting myself a dashcam - I don't want some big gizmo, but something a bit more discrete. There are  all kinds of items on the market with all kinds of prices - from $1.99 to >$1k at Amazon - I was just wondering if anyone has a suggestion of what's a good choice now in 2023. (Also if there are any "don't buy the XXX, I tried it and it's a piece of excrement" opinions, please share.)

[Brad Johnson]

I have the Viofo A119 v3. Both vehicles. Seems a nice compromise of performance and price. Went ahead with the polarizer cap and GPS mount. Glad I did.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=viofo+a119+v3&sprefix=viofo+%2Caps%2C126&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_6

Couple of vids from it.

Colorado, US 40, Kremmling to Fraser: https://youtu.be/YaXOoyck9iQ

Colorado, a short misadventure on CR 116 southwest of Idaho Springs: https://youtu.be/GYSefiXtS9M

No matter what dashcam you get, be sure to get a good SD card. Car interiors are harsh environments, especially on hot days. After a lot of research, I ended up going with the SanDisk High Endurance line. No problems after several years, including two summers of 105+ degree days in the west Texas sun.

https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Endurance-microSDXC-Adapter-Monitoring/dp/B07NY23WBG/ref=pd_day0fbt_vft_med_img_sccl_1/145-4860350-8343208?pd_rd_w=DJEPS&content-id=amzn1.sym.3c994a31-f452-4c52-a22c-87246b78a3b3&pf_rd_p=3c994a31-f452-4c52-a22c-87246b78a3b3&pf_rd_r=GJYSTDCSRQ3R4T11SNSM&pd_rd_wg=7Ecvx&pd_rd_r=462a80d9-22b3-4848-a181-274d61311d8f&pd_rd_i=B07NY23WBG&psc=1

Also, I found a solution which solves the headache of hard-wiring a dashcam. Taps power from the rear view mirror power feed.

https://dongar.tech/

Brad

[HeroHog]

I bought this one:
Car Camera Dash Video Cam-Superior HD1080P Supports Two 64GB SD Cards. Wide Angle Lens GPS Data. Motion Detection and G-Sensor. Lane Departure Warning. Forward Collision Warning System. Amacam AM-M86

and liked it but later upgraded to this one and LOVE IT! EASY install, even for my gimpy self in my SUV:
https://www.amazon.com/Vantrue-N4-Infrared-Capacitor-Detection/dp/B083V6K8RH
Vantrue N4 3 Channel 4K Dash Cam, 4K+1080P Front and Rear, 1440P+1440P Front and Inside, 1440P+1440P+1080P Three Way Triple Car Camera, IR Night Vision, 24hr Parking Mode, Capacitor, Support 256GB Max

[HankB]

Thanks for the suggestions.

That dongar.tech stuff looks interesting - I'll have to take a closer look at the connections to the mirrors in both my vehicles. (They're both 2006s, a Nissan and a Toyota.)