Garmin Parking Surveillance Mode vs Thinkware Energy Saving Mode

Looking for a hardwired dash cam with parking mode recording. Did some research and found out that Garmin dash cams have parking surveillance mode but those who have the Garmin Mini faced overheating issues when connected via parking mode cable. It seems to also freeze when you start your car going back to drive recording mode. The Mini is the smallest among Garmin dash cams so definitely discreet.

Then there’s the 66W, 65W, 56, 55, 46 and 45 models. The battery type on these models seem to be rechargeable lithium-ion. Majority of reviews say to avoid dash cams with batteries they don’t last long and risk failing. So in that aspect the Garmin Mini would be the safer option as it uses a super capacitor.

Thinkware dash cams have more parking mode features like time lapse and energy saving. Time lapse will record a 15 second video file for a 10 minute period.

Energy Saving Mode conserves energy by going on standby and records footage when an impact occurs. According to Thinkware, this will reduce power consumption. A pre buffered impact video will record 10 seconds before the impact and 10 seconds after. But it will only record 20 seconds after the impact in Energy Saving Mode at the cost of minimizing power consumption which is 8mA.

Thinkware dash cams also have super capacitors so they should be more reliable than dash cams with internal batteries.

Any opinions?

Garmin 66W specs

 

I have the Thinkware F200D (front and rear cameras). I like it compared to my other dash cams that run on batteries. They freeze during winter time and sometimes in the summer when it is too hot inside the car or truck. I haven’t have issues with my F200D even when the temp was -40C.

 

Dash cams with super capacitors definitely handle the heat and cold better than dash cams that run on batteries.
According to Thinkware's site, the F200's operating temperature ranges from -10C to 60C and storage temperature is between -20C and 70C.
Surprising to see your F200D even handle extreme temperatures up to -40C.

 

So far thinkware is the best I've found I have mine ( F & R plus a second R & L) wired up to run all the time if you start your truck @ least once a week (the longest so far) it starts & sounds exactly the same as it does sitting 15 minutes.

As far as battery on the truck getting used up?

Nope

 

What Thinkware model do you have?
Maybe you can try using different modes like time lapse and energy saving to save your truck's battery.

 

I have no idea witch model I have other than the cost @ $400 each

While at the same time I had Harmon kardon subs, speakers & amps installed with a shitload of Dynomat stuck everywhere they could put it. they also wired my escort radar detectors front & rear w/remote alarm, both thinkware cameras & power for my UHF radio I mounted.

All said I dropped 3 grand in one really full day

Thank you!

Hi Fi Shop Riverdale Utah
These guys KNOW thier shit
Yes that was a plug for those guys.......they have been doing it for damn near 50 years

 

Not sure about Garmin's power consumption but Blackvue's power consumption ranges between 285ma and 320ma per hour for parking mode.
Thinkware's power consumption is 209ma for motion detection mode so less strain on my battery.
I don't really worry about my battery draining or going flat on parking mode.

Also you might want to check out Thinkware's OBD II power cable connection option.
It's really quick to install and you can get parking mode as well.

 

It'll probably be Thinkware U1000 4K model or Q800 2K model @ $400.
Can't go wrong with either.

Wow 3 grand! That's money spent alright haha