I've been Hybridized

[Brian1208]

A ride in a Prius taxi with a very enthusiastic driver (should be paid a commission by Toyota) resulted in me having a long look at the Yaris Hybrid. After much reading and watching  of reviews I decided to investigate buying one and after a road test my wife and I decided to do it. Of course the one we were after was sold just before we got to test drive it but the helpful salesman found us a nice fresh 2015 with only 9k+ miles and full history. After 3days getting acquainted with it (and still finding it cute to drive as its so different 🙂 ) we are falling in love with it. Still only averaging around 58mph with stop / start driving but we need to learn to drive "The Hybrid / Method". One quick question (if I may) what do you think of the Toyota Dashcam, is the benefit of having a genuine Toyota accessory fitted good value to having another make fitted, say be Halfords?

[Heidfirst]

Hi Brian, welcome to TOC 🙂

I didn't realise that they had started selling Toyota-branded dashcams in the UK?

[Brian1208]

thanks for the welcome Scott, according to my main dealer we got the car from they are a stock item, £250 fitted. I looked at the Halfords video on how they fit a dash cam and there seemed to be a lot of interior trim removal, something I would feel happier with Toyota doing as its then covered by their warranty (they also told me that they wouldn't fit a non-Toyota dash cam) 

[Heidfirst]

I knew that Toyota Canada & Australia offered their own (different) Toyota-branded dash cameras but even in the Spring of this year according to my dealer Toyota UK did not.

I would start (indeed I did) by working out what you want the Dashcam to do & have featurewise, does the Toyota-branded meet those? Without knowing what camera Toyota are using (possibly a Nextbase 380GW for commercial) my suspicion would probably be that you could get an equivalent cheaper but if they are going to cover the full installation under their warranty (how many years?) I would say that was worth something.

Halfords installations appear to be pretty variable - there are obviously some good centres but I also know an installer near me who does quite a lot of work fixing/replacing Halford's installations ...

If all you want is a front camera then there shouldn't necessarily be much trim removal - if you want front & rear cameras it is more.

[Brian1208]

Good points, essentially all I want is a "Crash Cam" as there seem to be more and more lunatic drivers around these days.  From memory its 12 months on the dash cam but its also a  way of ensuring that any potential electrical problems that may occur can't be blamed on poor installation by a 3rd party (I'm a very old and cynical man now and think "Belt and Braces" is a bit slipshod 😉 )

[FROSTYBALLS]

If the car isn't new, I think usually the warranty on fitted accessories is one year.

Wonder if the Toyota dash cams are Philips, as there is an existing supplier relationship. Hyundai also use Philips dash cams.

[Brian1208]

8 hours ago, FROSTYBALLS said:

If the car isn't new, I think usually the warranty on fitted accessories is one year.

Wonder if the Toyota dash cams are Philips, as there is an existing supplier relationship. Hyundai also use Philips cash cams.

thanks for that Mike

[Heidfirst]

17 hours ago, Brian1208 said:

From memory its 12 months on the dash cam but its also a  way of ensuring that any potential electrical problems that may occur can't be blamed on poor installation by a 3rd party (I'm a very old and cynical man now and think "Belt and Braces" is a bit slipshod 😉 )

me too but if you can find a good specialist installer they will stand by their work.

16 hours ago, FROSTYBALLS said:

Wonder if the Toyota dash cams are Philips, as there is an existing supplier relationship. Hyundai also use Philips dash cams.

This is what had me wondering if it was a Nextbase 380GW being offered www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Toyota-Lexus-Approved-Dashcam-Nextbase-380GW-1080P-HD-WIFI-GPS/113256887440?

[Parts-King]

The genuine Dashcam is a Nextbase, as above link

 

 

[Brian1208]

thanks for the link Kingo, you brought back some memories,  if I remember correctly I purchased a Toyota form Lindop way back in the 80's when we lived in Chester 🙂 

[Parts-King]

Yes probably Brian, we have been around for over 40 years lol 

 

 

[Brian1208]

Thanks to all, on your advice I've had a poke around the various seals and head lining and decided I will have a go at the simple install (via cigarette lighter socket) myself, probably getting the Nextbase 512GW as that seems to be best value at present

[Heidfirst]

On 11/5/2018 at 4:40 PM, Brian1208 said:

thanks for the link Kingo, 

'twas I that provided the link ... 😢  😝

[Brian1208]

t'was the link to Lindop Toyota I was referring to Scott, I as I said, I am grateful to all for their help 🙂 

[meldrew7]

I have a Toyota fitted dash cam on my CH-R 2018, Fitted  £250, the model is a Nextbase GW380,

[Brian1208]

thanks for that information, do you consider it to have been good value for money?

[Brian1208]

a quick update and repeat of my previous thanks to all who responded. I purchased the Nextbase 512 GW and had it fitted within half an hour of unboxing it, connected to the cigarette socket. As promised, it was quick and easy and the finished job is unobtrusive. Initial tests indicate its all working as it should be but I will give it a proper test tomorrow