Garmin Mini 2 Dash Cam & Dongar Dash Cam Power Adapter Install in Honda Ridgeline & Review

Love the small size, no screen and basic functions on the Garmin Mini-2 dash cam. 1080 resolution is good enough, but 4k sure would be nice if they could squeeze it into the same 2"x1"x1" dash cam.
Dongar says the Honda 7-pin adapter fits the Honda Ridgeline, but my 2018 RTL-E mirror has a 12-pin plug. Fortunately, the Dongar 12-pin adapter for the 3rd Gen. Toyota Tacoma fits my Ridgeline perfectly.

[@MarkBlakley]

This was one of the best reviews and how-to videos I’ve ever seen. Every second was informative and helpful. Thank you!

[@Koolbob2]

Wow! Thank you @markblakley!

[@craigcarroll7790]

Thanks for the great review and especially for the tip on the Tacoma 12-pin connector working on the Ridgeline, as the Dongar speced for the Ridgeline is currently out of stock. **UPDATE The Tacoma model is out of stock as well.

[@Koolbob2]

Be sure to disconnect your mirror wire and see if yours has the 12-pin or 7-pin. If you need the 7-pin, get the Ridgeline adapter, if yours has the 12-pin connector, then get the Tacoma adapter. Bummer on the Dongar adapters being out of stock, check on-line places like Dongar, Amazon, BestBuy, Crutchfield and Walmart, there may be other places that don't come to mind.

[@designermuppetstring]

Nice review. I'm leaning towards this one for the same reasons as you.

[@Koolbob2]

I'm still very happy with my Garmin Mini 2, I forget it's there and then I see some crazy driving and I just say "OK Garmin, save video" and it goes 'beep' and the video is saved for easy downloading. I hope I never need it for accident footage, but it's good to know it's there just in case.

[@buckidan]

Great review. Very informative and user friendly.

[@motog6436]

Oh sweet, I needed to get one of these but wasn't sure which

[@Koolbob2]

After a day or two I completely forgot that there was a dash camera on my windshield. Exactly the effect I was hoping for. :)

[@user-pl4eu5jc5w]

Well done review. Thank You!

[@jrntucson]

Very informative. Now I have to go spend some more of my hard earned money! Thank you!😜

[@johnreagan2106]

I was just looking at dashcams for my 2023 RL and this really helped. I was wondering if somebody made an adapter for the powered mirror!

[@Koolbob2]

I am still stoked about the Garmin Mini-2. I have the peace of mind knowing I have a dash cam, but I don't even know it's there when driving.

[@jrntucson]

HI Koolbob2, is there a small dash cam with a screen that you can hookup to the mirror on my Ridgeline with a dongar adapter?

[@Koolbob2]

There are thousands of dash cams to choose from with screens that will work fine with the Dongar adapter. If the dash cam (or radar detector) has any sort of USB power jack it will work with the Dongar adapter.

[@jrntucson]

Thank you Sir@@Koolbob2

[@MikeOBrien0]

Very helpful, thx!

[@craigcarroll7790]

Koolbob sir, do you know if the 12-pin connector is a Type A or B? The examples on the Dongar site make it hard to tell. Mine looks exactly like yours. Thanks!!

[@Koolbob2]

Here's a link to the Dongar connectors that fit various Hondas. dongar.tech/pages/guide Scrol down to the third listing "12-pin Type A This mirror is found on select versions of Ridgeline and happens to be the exact same unit found on Toyota Tacoma." That is the one I used and it fit my Ridgeline perfectly. If your plug looks 'exactly' like this one in the photo with the two large taps sticking up on either side of the connector release tab, then this is your connector.

[@craigcarroll7790]

I had just found that. Again, I appreciate your help!

[@paulh6517]

How long does the memory card last before it rewrites over itself?

[@Koolbob2]

I'm using a 128gb memory card and most of my driving is short trips in town, probably 30-60 minutes driving per day and it takes about a month before the older videos get overwritten.

[@nain481]

I need an adapter for 2021 nissan sentra

[@AzaanGamer687]

Hi