Dash Cam Reviews

Here's my review of the DR470 2CH, installed in a 2013 Tacoma!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5IbnycMxL4

The dashboard camera’s popularity has increased exponentially in the past few years, thanks in part to a meteor that entered Earth’s upper atmosphere above Russia with the force of 500 kilotons of TNT. The Chelyabinsk Event, as it’s been called, was captured on various dashboard cameras and uploaded to social media outlets with views totaling in the hundreds of millions. And while these cameras have been used for many years in Europe as a means to fight insurance fraud, they’ve only recently become a hot item in the Western world, thanks to that hunk of space rock burning up the sky back in 2015.

Most dashboard video cameras will live a rather mundane life, mindlessly recording daily travels, only to be called upon in the rare instance of an accident. But the dashcam can also pull double-duty as an easy way to catalog your off-road adventures. Wired into your vehicle’s electrical system, dashcams are truly a set it and forget it piece of equipment. In my case, I wanted a relatively affordable camera that recorded in 1080p, featured a parking mode (a standby mode that only records when it senses movement or shock to your vehicle), and had a rear-facing camera. I found all of that and more in the BlackVue DR470-2CH.

The DR470-2CH is the middle-of-the-road offering from BlackVue, with the upper models featuring GPS, Bluetooth connectivity to a smart phone, and a slightly better camera. I opted for the DR470 because of its price point at $199 and because I found no immediate need for GPS or Bluetooth – my life is connected enough! Installing the camera in my 2013 Tacoma was straightforward with no surprises; let’s get started and I’ll show you what it takes to install the BlackVue DR470-2CH and start capturing your overlanding adventures!

The camera was purchased from thedashcamstore.com and included everything to install the forward and rear facing cameras. I paid $20 extra for the Power Magic Pro, a convenient little power accessory that monitors a pre-selected battery voltage and turns off the entire unit once that voltage is reached. It’s perfect for parking-mode, especially if your rig is sitting for a few days.



I kicked off the installation by mounting both cameras. This is a painless step that involves pulling off the adhesive backing and sticking the cameras literally wherever you want them. On the Tacoma, the DR470 mounted neatly below the rearview mirror mount. In that location, it’s almost completely hidden behind the mirror from both the driver and the passenger; you’ll forget it’s even there! The rear window on the Tacoma slides open towards the passenger side, leaving me no choice but to mount the rear-facing camera on the driver’s side rear glass.



Now it’s time to tackle the wiring. Since I’m utilizing the Power Magic Pro to keep an eye on the battery voltage, I followed the included directions and wired it directly to Tacoma’s fuse panel under the dash. Anyone that owns a Tacoma will know the little spare-change drawer on the lower left side of the steering wheel never sees much action, and I’m happy to say that I’ll be putting it to use as a new home for Power Magic Pro! Start by pulling out the drawer to gain access to the fuse panel. We need to locate a constant 12v fuse and an accessory (or switched) 12v fuse. The constant is always providing power, regardless of ignition, and the switched only provides power when the ignition is on. Referencing the Tacoma’s fuse layout, I attached the yellow wire labeled battery (+) to the constant 12v fuse for my power door locks. I then wired the red accessory wire to my stereo fuse. Finally, the black ground wire was attached to a firewall bolt for a good grounding location. With half of the wiring complete, it was time to connect the cameras to the Power Magic Pro and finish this installation!



Now that we have the 12v Power Magic Pro connected to the fuses, let’s put that little blue headliner tool to use. Connect the barrel plug to the camera and start feeding the cable into the headliner above the windshield, across to the driver’s side pillar, and down to the bottom of the dashboard. The Toyota Tacoma is very forgiving with this step; I barely needed to use the tool at all. However, your mileage may vary depending on your vehicle.

Here’s where I deviated slightly from the instructions: the camera connects to the Power Magic Pro with a cigarette-lighter style male and female connection. I removed these two plugs and soldered the wires together, effectively eliminating the bulky connectors and roughly 10 feet of extra wiring. With all but the rear camera wired up, I mounted the Power Magic Pro in the change drawer with the included 3M adhesive tape and flipped the on/off switch… success!



We can wrap up this installation by connecting the rear-facing camera cable to the DR470 main camera, and following the same procedure of tucking the wire into the headliner; this time we’re running it along the passenger side and all the way back to the driver’s side rear window. With everything connected, I verified the system worked by taking the Tacoma for a quick spin around the block and then watching the footage it recorded on my computer when I arrived back home.



So how does the BlackVue DR470-2CH compare to an action camera? If you’re rating image quality, the GoPro or similar action sports camera is usually the winner with better dynamic range and overall pixel clarity. The DR470 is no slouch though; it records in 1080P at 30fps (frames per second) through its CMOS sensor. The image has a fisheye look, thanks to its wide angle 129-degree lens, which allows the DR470 to record not only what’s out front, but also a decent area off the quarter panels as well. The dashcam is also a fixed camera, which doesn’t allow for that picturesque style of mounting an action camera at different external locations on your rig.

Where the BlackVue DR470-2CH clearly excels is in battery usage, overall ease of use, and the obvious secondary rear-facing camera. As I stated earlier, you install this camera once and never touch it again, except to access the micro SD card. It’s always on, recording your daily grocery store runs as well as your adventures off-road. It’s constantly watching what dangers lay ahead, and what scenic spots you’ve left behind. For reliving your trail excursions or just having a security camera to watch over your investment, I would highly suggest taking a look at the BlackVue lineup of dashcams.

 

Finally getting around to editing some of my video from memorial weekend. This is from the black hills. All this footage is with a OVDRM action cam, super cheap but decent action cam. I reviewed it too ill post that below too:

https://youtu.be/0pz4sTRYhR4

https://youtu.be/EfZjCepKfMk

 

I am in need of a 2 channel, blue tooth/WiFi dash cam with those features ONLY. I have no need nor will I ever use voice alerts, collision alerts, parking mode and other types of useless gadgets. This camera will function when I am driving and only when driving.

 

there are a lot of different options out there, but that is sort of like asking for a tablet that doesn't have a camera or a laptop that doesn't have speakers. some sort of parking mode is in majority of dash cameras, whether its well implemented like thinkware/blackvue cams or not. its becoming a more desired feature as hit and runs in parking lots are rampant in many areas. it's hardly a "useless" feature when it can save you thousands of dollars and allows you to identify the car who hit you while you are parked at the mall. i would argue its far more useful than a feature like wifi that just is a convenience feature so you can watch clips or save clips on your phone instead of taking the memory card out and putting it in your computer/laptop.

that being said, a much easier way for someone to help find a camera for you is say your price range and your video quality requirements. all of the 2 channel dash cams i can think of that have wifi also have parking mode because wifi is typically a feature in higher end cameras (although some cheap single channel cams have wifi too). off the top of my head i can't think of a single 2 ch camera with wifi but no parking mode. there are many cheap cameras out there that you can get for under $50 that have 1080p front and 480p rear and low quality video, or you can spend $350 on something like the street guardian sg9663dc that has high quality 1080p front and rear but has no wifi or parking mode (currently). but then the blackvue dr490-2ch or dr590-2ch have great 1080p front and rear, no wifi, but a great parking mode because they consider parking mode more important than wifi.

if you think you are just going to save money by getting a 2ch system with just wifi and no other features your best bet is just search Amazon for those keywords and buy whatever you find and pray. all of the quality companies with 2 channel dash cams have some sort of parking mode, and wifi is typically a feature beyond that. blacksys is a company i would look at.

Also, there are no dash cams with bluetooth that I know of.

 

Thanks for the reply. Those other features are useless for me and my needs. I'm not looking to buy cheap either, I don't need or want to be bothered by sounds, beeps and alerts while driving. My first cam, an Eprance, just died and want the new cam to be easier to playback, I.e. iPhone.

 

Ahh, I understand. Eprance is a cheap brand. I would focus on just the features you want, and your price and make a decision based on that. Because it's going to be very hard to find a decent quality cam 2 channel dash cam with wifi but without extra features.

You can turn the beeps/noises off on most cams too. The exception is the F770 from thinkware I believe the parking alerts are on regardless of if you mute the cam. the new F800/F800 pro allows you to turn them off fully though.

i would suggest checking out the blacksys CH-100B tho, its relatively affordable and blacksys is a good company. the issue i have with it is it is a 2 year old cam, and the rear cam is only 720p. there are cams with better 1080p front and rear like from blackvue for around $200 but they do not have wifi or gps.

i reviewed the ch-100b here.

 

I agree on both issues. The Eprance is cheap but it was my first cam. The 2 channel BlackSys is nice from what I researched and watched your review. I will probably buy a BlackSys, BlackVue or Thinkware and mute all the alerts.
Thanks again.

 

New review, Vicovation OPIA 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbYNlAvOLG4

 

I'm going to try to review the BlackVue DR 590 2ch. Dash Cam and the BlackVue Power Magic Pro. At the the time of installating I was working with a sling on my right arm,in some discomfort and limitations (shoulder surgery). It took me about 3-5 hrs.with rest breaks. So first I here's the camera and Power Magic Pro from The Dashcam store .

First I mounted the front camera.

Next the rear camera. You will ask why did I mount the rear camera on the slider? Easy answer I never use the slider in the 9 years I have had the Tacoma only have opened it maybe 5 times.

I ran the power and rear camera wires across to the head liner to the drivers side A pillar. Pulling that off and down to the drivers side kick panel. Pulled the door seal gasket from door jam and floor door sill plates and ran the wire. Pulled the door seal gasket off and ran the rear wire up to the head liner over to the camera.
Used the fuse panel inside for constant hot and switched on.zipped tied all up and put everything back together.
Then I made a hole in the rear of the coin box holder and ran the Magic Power plug thru that and plugged it up.

Here is a still shot of the quality fo the camera

 

My new years 2018 top 5 dash cams video is up:

https://youtu.be/d-Pvei400i4

I talk about more than 5. its more of a top 5 cams with varying prices and features.

 

I am gauging interest in a group buy here guys if anyone might be interested: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/any-interest-in-a-dash-cam-group-buy.527906/

nothing is set in stone yet i just wanna see how many people would be interested. it would be for street guardian and innovv products, as well as cellpower (street guardians sister accessory brand).

 

probably no ride share drivers here but the vantrue n2 pro is a great option for people who need to record inside their car too:

 

great video of an elderly driver making a left turn as cammer and another driver are going through a green light. it turns yellow just as they enter but they for sure had right of way. OP said the elderly man instantly started blaming them for driving too fast and recklessly. at the end of the video you see he forgets to put it in park too and almost reverses into OP.

 

one of those yield turns is what totaled my truck. my word against hers unfortunately.

 

Dash cam group buy is going right now very strong, and open to anyone now via a coupon code. Get 10% off your entire order ($250.00 minimum) on any dash cams from blackboxmycar.com via coupon code "TACOMAWORLD". Check out more details on the cameras including info on how to install them, features of them such as parking mode, and reviews here:

Any interest in a dash cam group buy?

 

In other news, i bought a 2007 prius touring last week. only 118k miles. I crashed it yesterday.

This is the first time in my 15 years of driving that I was in an accident I was blamed for, but I think my dash cam video proves I was not (at least) fully at fault due to the circumstances. some people have agreed with me, some have not.

I only had my anker C2 in it, but debating if I will upload it. Might wait until insurance goes through.

 

I would wait.

 

i probably will. some people have watched it and said it should be partial falt, others have said i should have "known" to brake. its sort of bullshit tho because i was braking as soon as she went into my lane in front of me, but she slammed on her brakes immediately and I hit black ice. you can see in my video actually the prius's traction control light go off because i hit some black ice, thank god that weird ass long dash board lol. my argument is i couldnt have possibly known when this person pulled into my lane in front of me she would suddenly slam on her brakes. it might not necessarily be her "fault" either but i would argue from her vantage point she probably could see my lane was coming to a complete stop. from my view you could not see ahead of the car in front of me.

either way it sucks, i just hope my car won't be totaled because i seriously bought it less than a week ago and i really like it as a daily driver/commuter. i shopped around for quite a while before going for one.

 

Footage of a dude eating it on an electric bike from the Rexing V1LG mounted in my taco. Kind of an overcast day so not the greatest footage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qr4znPWl8JA

Better footage from a sunny day in Santa Cruz:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anKV3mtlUjI