Dash cams

[BKK]

Hi. Reference to dash cams in gen 4 Prius; some of you have stated that your Toyota dealer has fitted your dash cams. As my Toyota dealer has never fitted any before can you please tell me your dealers name/address/phone number so I can get my dealer to call them.  I have two Road Hawk DC2 cameras I'd like fitted and understand from Road Hawk that I'll need their hard wiring kid, for both cameras, that I am obviously prepared to purchase.

[MichaelM]

I have wanted a dash cam for my Gen 4 Prius but I have been reluctant to get one fitted by someone who does not have detailed knowledge of the Prius.  The Toyota dealer who supplied and serviced my Prius declined to help with fitting a dash cam.  If anyone knows a competent Prius dash cam fitter in central southern England (preferably a Toyota dealer) I too would be very interested.

[BhxTrev]

I also want to fit a dash cam front & rear on my Gen 4 Prius but I haven't done that yet because like Michael I also have concerns about someone fitting these cameras without detailed knowledge of the Prius. I did ask my own Toyota garage if they offered a fitting service, but they said they didn't. I also asked them if they could recommend a Company who would be able to fit the cameras, but they declined to do so! I live in the Midlands & if anyone knows of a fitting service, preferably a Toyota garage, that could competently fit cameras safely to my Prius, I would be grateful for this info. 

[MEP's Yaris GS]

They're DIY fit, why are people feeling the need to pay someone to do it? They're not much more complicated than a satnav. Stick to screen, run cable round and plug into power outlet.

[Heidfirst]

1 hour ago, MEP's Yaris GS said:

They're DIY fit, why are people feeling the need to pay someone to do it? They're not much more complicated than a satnav. Stick to screen, run cable round and plug into power outlet.

if you want them hard-wired (neater, can be set to record whilst car parked & left etc.) they  need to be connected into the wiring rather than using the cigarette lighter socket & should your car have an electrical issue down the line Toyota could void your warranty - having it done professionally by someone with liability insurance can be reassuring.

[Mike169]

If you want some free professional information/advise this shop the staff are very polite and have fitted literally 1000's of dash cams, they did mine, it's the shop that's a boy racers dream about with all the electrical goodies they sell and fit. The shop is called Pulse and their number is 01702 554433. Mike.

[Konrad C]

On 7/25/2017 at 9:11 AM, Mike169 said:

If you want some free professional information/advise this shop the staff are very polite and have fitted literally 1000's of dash cams, they did mine, it's the shop that's a boy racers dream about with all the electrical goodies they sell and fit. The shop is called Pulse and their number is 01702 554433. Mike.

I thought you were going to link to a post you responded to - 

Dash-cams are get more popular. 

[RWaggers]

I fitted a hard wired Dashcam recently.  I have a Nextbase 312GW and purchased a hardwire kit (basically a bit of wire with a spade connector to fit into the fuse box).

I followed the instructions at:

 

[Swerve74]

Fitted my thinkware f750 myself. Easy. Earth live and ignition switched live for parking mode. 

[cviclark]

I have fitted a dash cams to my Auris TS Hybrid and moved it to my new Gen 4 Prius. My cameras are a Lukas duo front and back. I have written it up and put pics of fuse taps and where the cables go both on this forum and dashcamtalk forum.. I would not recommend trying a cheap cig lighter installation. I do not like cameras that are obvious from the outside or suction mounted, or with screens that cause distractions while driving. They should be "black boxes" viewed when only needed. The Lukas can be viewed via an App on  phone or tab but this is only really of use when setting it up. Look for large capacity SD or micro SD. Chips (mine has two)  and capacitors rather than rechargeable batteries. The windscreen is a harsh, hot environment,  Even the best dash cams need looking after, the chips need re formatting occasionally and I try to update a check the recordings every three months.

In four years the only problem I have encountered was when I switched off the engine while the chips were reformatting.  The Battery in the car went flat after about a week. Now when I switch off I check for the " goodbye" sign off on the camera. Off course if I had reformatted the chips monthly, as recommended this would not have happened.  Read up on how they work, decide what you want them to do, and what owners recommend. Remember Toyota sell cars not Dashcams, computers or even good Sat navs. If you cannot fit it yourself you probably won't be able to fix it when it goes wrong so the closest reliable specialist is the best.

[Mike169]

Hi Ian and All.

I think dash cams are very good and it appears we have many different makes and I wouldn't want to say which ones are better than others.

As I have black windows in the back of my car so I was advised having a rear facing one may not be such a good idea as they have problems seeing through the darkened glass, whether this is true or not I don't know. 

Personally I have a silent Witness make, model number SW 010

  https://www.google.co.uk/search?site=&source=hp&q=silent+witness+sw010&oq=silent+witness+sw+010&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.35i39k1j0i13k1l2j0i13i30k1.2201.11095.0.16004.22.21.0.0.0.0.229.2050.18j2j1.21.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..1.20.1967.0..0j0i67k1j0i20k1j33i22i29i30k1.DVbdadJWvtU

It's a very neat camera and fits nicely behind the rear view mirror, full HD and produces very good pictures and they have doubled it's loading capacity, Gb's, for free on currently being sold models making it not really worth fitting an SD card.

I very much recommend this camera to anyone thinking of one but that doesn't mean I am against many other makes out there.

Mike.

[cviclark]

My Auris had privacy glass and if you look at the installation report you will see pics from the rear. No problem.  The settings allow for heavy tints or clear and the polarization filter can be adjusted to reduce most sun glare.  The Prius rear is not do good however due to the steep rake of the rear causing reflections and lens glare but I am not taking artistic home movies.  If something hits me from behind i will have evidence.  the important bit is to be able to download clips to VLC and take stills of decent quality, I find it easier to do this from the chip loaded into a PC or Android Tab. With dash cams people loose sight of what they are for.  

[kithmo]

My Prius+ had privacy glass and no problem seeing through it with the rear facing camera. You can put the rear facing cam in the smaller bottom window, under the spoiler, in the Gen 4 (and 3), I haven't bothered yet though because the 12v power socket is too far away for my liking and I would have to trail the wire under the rear seat. The Prius+ had a socket in the arm rest on the third row of seats which was closer.