Mirror mount dash cam

[Daveyboy999]

Hi, Has anyone bought or used a mirror mount dash cam. They have a rear view camera also that records. here is an example .
TOGUARD Mirror Car Dash Cam FHD 1080P Touch Screen Dual Lens Reversing Camera UK 6219597751781 | eBay

I would like to wire the live feed into the interior light if possible so as to make a neat job also where would be the best route of the wire for the rear camera . Where would be the best place to mount the rear view camera. Any information from your experience would be appreciated. Thanks 

[Argos69]

You'll get a few different views on the "best" way to go with this, but there are already some posts on camera positioning (including mine, which was fitted to a van door), so just do a search for that bit.

I ran my rear camera cable overhead on the left side. You're already overhead when you get the wiring for the power supply, so running over the door tops, using the internal roof bar access holes as "fishing holes" also helps. You can then get into the rear harness bellows on the left and cross over into the rear tailgate.

You then need to remove the internal tailgate cladding panel and mount the camera whichever way they tell you.

To be completely honest though, I've seen better looking rear cameras than the one in that kit. I used a drill through panel mounted flush fit camera with no faffy little brackets to rust or get bumped. You really do get what you pay for with vehicle camera technology. I fitted an expensive one for someone 9 years ago and it still works fine and I also know someone who bought a budget one which steamed up in cold weather then packed in during it's first winter. It's a bit of a lottery really but the work involved is about the same. Just need a big garage or a nice day (remember those?) to do it. Oh, and buy some spare clips for that rear tailgate panel beforehand, as you'll snap at least a couple.

[Gryffindor]

For the wiring, there is another approach though it might be overkill - send the video signal wirelessly between rear cam and DVR unit.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124083428240

This is from a UK seller, selected because the description includes fitting instructions, though you can get the same thing from overseas at less than half that price. I've bought one but haven't got round to trialling it yet.

One downside is that the rear cam with wireless sender will need their own 12v supply at the back of your car - rear courtesy light?

As for the rear camera, I agree these little square box cameras would look okay on a 1910s car but that was a long time ago! There are lots of separate rear view cameras sold on their own and most cams and DVTs have universal connections, so pick and choose both rather than go for these all in one packs which have this ugly rear cam (lots do!). Of course, make sure your choices are compatible with each other.

It's not easy coming up with a search term for just the cameras - all I can suggest is leave 'dvr' out of your term (e.g. 'car rear cam'); lots of dvrs will still come up, but so will the solo cameras.

lastly, for the DVR itself, once again there are a lot of cheapo offerings all gathering together around one bargain basement price, and a lot of them are the same 3 or 4 models under different brand names. I can't speak form direct DVR experience but I can from truck sat nav experience, and the cheap ones of them fall under the same cheapo brands and cheapo price point - they are generally okayish but often a bit quirky, and do not place life and limb in their hands!

If I were going for a rear view mirror version I would think about moving up one gear, and at the moment on eBay I think this means the Azdome PG12. Azdome are yet another Chinese setup, but they have a good reputation for their products beyond mere eBay feedback (which often relates more to item delivery than anything else).

One trick I have is to actually read the feedback a product has on Amazon, where reviewers sometimes actually review the product, and then see how much cheaper I can get that product elsewhere. At the moment the PG12 is about £50 on eBay and a lot more than that on Amazon! (though it does come with a slightly nicer rear cam in the Amazon listing I looked at).

Of course there are far better units than this if you want to spend more and you could spend what you car is worth on installing a DVR system, but moving up just one step from the bargain basement section has some merit I would suggest.

[Gryffindor]

BTW there are some Youtube vids on Azdome cams.

[Gryffindor]

Just found this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AdkxuB7f8E

[Pedronicus]

Correct me if I'm wrong but, with these rear view mirror cams, is the screen active all the time? By that I mean is it taking the place of the passive rear view mirror? If so then I would not be fitting one to a vehicle in the UK as you would risk getting a pull from old bill who will tell you that it is illegal to have a live view video screen that the driver can see whilst driving (other than a reversing camera which should only operate when reverse gear is selected). It would probably play havoc with your night vision in the dark as well.

[Sol]

Don't think that's right mate, a dash cam has a live video view constantly when driving. No more distracting having a rear view camera, than a real rear view mirror..

[Pedronicus]

My dash cam has the facility to turn off the screen after 30 seconds of switch on. Also it must not be fitted more than 40mm inside of the wiper swept screen area. This also applies to satnavs and phone holders.

[Argos69]

Hi,
It "appears" to have been legal to use a screen for some time, according to an excerpt from Parliamentary minutes (Hansard I think).
I used one for years in various vans, just so I could see who I was about to reverse over   Providing you use common sense and fit the screen around where the normal rear view mirror would go, then it would be very unlikely you'd get prosecuted as it would open a huge can of worms on many modern cars. Also the MOT has been happy with mine for the last 5 years. 

On a technical note. Small CCTV cameras often seem best kept warm (ie powered up). If it's just on the reverse supply, then it may be steamed up when you need it. Mine is often a bit misty on a frosty or wet morning. This goes after a few minutes powered up. Just a thought.

======== Hansard excerpt.
Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the policy of the Government is in relation to the legality of (a) fitting and (b) using television equipment in cars which operate while a vehicle is stationary at traffic lights. [222347]
Mr. Jamieson: It is legal to fit television equipment in a motor vehicle. However, if the screen of the television can be seen by the driver then it is only lawful to display information about the state of the vehicle, or about the location of the vehicle and the road which it is on, or information to assist the driver to see the road adjacent to the vehicle, or to assist the driver to reach his destination.
It is unlawful for the driver to watch screens for entertainment purposes (e.g. TV programmes or DVDs) at any time while driving, including when stopped at traffic lights. 
 
17 Mar 2005 : Column 352W
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[Pedronicus]

I still haven't ascertained if these mirror type dashcams take the place of the rear view mirror, i.e. for rear ward view is one watching a video display on a screen?