Dash cams

Polly05

Hiya.
I am looking for recommendations for dash cams. There are so many options out there and I'm bamboozled.
I just want something discrete (front and back) that I can forget about. But is there in case of an accident.
I don't want to have to take it out and in. I don't want to have to turn certain bits on and off (saw that on some of the descriptions). I want it to record if someone crashes into me while parked and I'm not in car.
Do all front ones have a screen? I don't really want a screen...
Thanks! 

UncleZen

Nextbase.
They have a screen, but it can be configured to turn off after 10 secs or so. 
Ensure you get a large sd card,  more that 64gb if you have a front and back cameras, pref 128gb. In the settings enable parking mode.  But beware this will trigger every time you get in the car, when washing etc, and the recordings are protected (not overwritten) and consume storage space thus reducing space for the day to day recordings (overwriten). To overcome this you will need to manually format the sd card, periodically (monthly) They say this in the manual.

Grumpy_chap

Nextbase is the one to go for. 
They have a wide range.
Visit Halfords, choose the one you like and they'll even install it for you.  
Easy peasy

TadleyBaggie

A few years ago I bought of eBay a system that had very small front and back cameras which connected to a box that did the actual recording that could be located in a very discrete location. Worked pretty well but unfortunately the video files it produced were in some non-standard format that needs a particular Windows program to display and export. Problem is I now only use a Mac.

facade

You also need a super expensive SD card designed for dashcam use- high endurance, which they don't tell you before you buy it.

A "normal" card is not designed to keep overwriting the data and quickly fails.

born_again

Polly05 said:

Hiya.
I am looking for recommendations for dash cams. There are so many options out there and I'm bamboozled.
I just want something discrete (front and back) that I can forget about. But is there in case of an accident.
I don't want to have to take it out and in. I don't want to have to turn certain bits on and off (saw that on some of the descriptions). I want it to record if someone crashes into me while parked and I'm not in car.
Do all front ones have a screen? I don't really want a screen...
Thanks! 

Without a screen how do you plan to ensure that it is covering the road? Unless it has a wifi connection that you can view on your phone while setting up.

You any good at installing stuff like this? S they are best hard wired into the wiring & you also have to feed wires from back to front of car taking trim off to do it. make sure you do not block any airbags, or it could lead to a world of pain when they go off.

Personally it is a waste to think that it will pick up someone hitting you car while parked. Unless you can find a camera that has 360 vision. Most hits are on the side, odds on will not trigger the camera. Also has a danger of flattening your car battery. Yes I know you can get them that switch off when voltage reaches a certain point. But that defeats the idea of coverage while parked.

neilmcl

Grumpy_chap said:

Nextbase is the one to go for. 
They have a wide range.
Visit Halfords, choose the one you like and they'll even install it for you.  
Easy peasy

I wouldn't call them "discreet" though.

@Polly05 my recommendation would be the Viofo A129 Duo. The wedge shape of the Viofo cameras make them very discreet and they are very good camera for the money. They do have a small screen but this can be set to turn off after start up so it isn't in any way distracting.

I'd recommend looking at the pages and forum on https://dashcamtalk.com/

EssexExile

The Garmin Mini is tiny and has Wi-Fi. I have a Mobius (also tiny) at each end but they are not dedicated dashcams so a bit of a pain to set up. There are plenty of sites listing the pros and cons of various dashcams, for example: https://www.techradar.com/uk/best/best-dash-cam

Car_54

neilmcl said:

Grumpy_chap said:

Nextbase is the one to go for. 
They have a wide range.
Visit Halfords, choose the one you like and they'll even install it for you.  
Easy peasy

I wouldn't call them "discreet" though.

The OP wants "discrete", not "discreet".

EssexExile

Car_54 said:

neilmcl said:

Grumpy_chap said:

Nextbase is the one to go for. 
They have a wide range.
Visit Halfords, choose the one you like and they'll even install it for you.  
Easy peasy

I wouldn't call them "discreet" though.

The OP wants "discrete", not "discreet".

That's what they asked for, but is it what they want?

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