On reflection, LCD screen rear-view mirror dash-cams probably weren’t worth looking into

[@eugenesnell6600]

Yes please, review the unit in your Mini Cooper. Since that is the unit you prefer. Thank you.

[@RuudK.]

I second that :)

[@ScarredRealist]

+1 to that

[@busog97641]

I agree.

[@dillpatason6656]

I have the VIOFO A129 Dash Cam having had dash cams now for over 6 years for me best cam ever i have a 128 card in it

[@guruk2714]

VanTop is best Mirror Dash Cam: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZDXZoeArNaSrrM

[@Norweeg]

Nice title. It really reflects your sense of humor.

[@godfreypoon5148]

He is just holding a mirror up to the rest of society.

[@y.k.9705]

Yes,yes it does .

[@y.k.9705]

@Budget Audiophile Driving roundabout?

[@E_y_a_l]

The puns here can use a little more polishing.

[@davidbutler8096]

@@E_y_a_l Asking my friend, Steve, Howe they could be better.

[@noahgeorgeson2573]

0:51 "Czech Points"! This advertising makes me laugh...

[@paulslaughter2366]

Just saw that, too. Made my day!

[@cpuuk]

You never know when someone from the Czech Republic is sneaking up on you ;-)

[@virgogreg]

Show me your papers

[@dashtesla]

giggity :D

[@sfmc98]

I googled it because I though maybe I was the dumb one!

[@houstonduckman1]

After watching this video, I recommended these to our fleet manager for our company vans. Our vans do not have any windows in the back. I am testing one to see how it works. It works as a rear view mirror and does a pretty good job at it. Management wanted cameras for our fleet vehicles. At the price point ($150 for the camera, micro SD card and hard wiring kit) it couldn't be beat!! Thank you for the idea!

[@strangulator42]

Nothing says hi-tech like a smudgy rear view mirror covered in fingerprints!

[@kurtownsj00]

with a hanging cord that plugs into the 12V socket for power.....CLEAN! :P

[@guruk2714]

VanTop is best Mirror Dash Cam: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZDXZoeArNaSrrM

[@n00g75]

so i guess the new audi A6 has a smudgy cockpit .. since its covered in fingerprings like the ass of the love of my life! ! :D ;)

[@SineN0mine3]

@@n00g75 you should wash your hands more often

[@kakurerud7516]

rear camera uses something called AHD analog hd. this one is 720p. its essentially the same as normal composite video signal but ran at higher frequency and bandwith.

[@man_eating_monkey]

It's a 4-pole connection, so it's more likely to be a standard YPbPr component feed than composite video. Could easily test it with a 3.5mm to RCA adapter.

[@guruk2714]

VanTop is best Mirror Dash Cam: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZDXZoeArNaSrrM

[@KeithYipKW]

1:12 Driving in Hong Kong while viewing the stream of the back camera in New York?

[@ramradj6248]

Neat tech innit

[@benwest5293]

It's a very long car

[@josephkarl2061]

Introducing the 2020 Chevy Suburban. Before, it was just state lines. Now... 😂

[@springbay1]

It's the display lag Techmoan mentioned in the review

[@pgtmr2713]

@Ben West UGH you got me... I'm dead :-D

[@BlueMastic]

I'm also using a dashcam-mirror like this one in my car and i am actually really pleased with the results it delivers. Like you mentioned the buttons on the display are verry inconvenient to press while driving but i normally wouldn't touch my mirror anyway. The model i have also automatically dimms the brightness of the screen at night so you don't get blinded by it an it delivers the same results like in your tests at night. I must admit though that the mirror is not as reflective as a normal mirror, just like you mentioned. Also my particular unit seems to overheat if the car was parked in the sun all day, it then has some nasty screen flicker but it doesn't stop recording though. So, ther are some issues with these kind of dash-cam-mirrors but overall i prefer it over the normal rearview mirror. [In case someone is interested, the model i picked is the "AUTO VOX X2"]

[@hassaslam]

How has it held up ? I’m looking into one :)

[@johnkesl7307]

That camera has Czech points. Very interesting, I'm Czech do I get points for using the camera? How many points? What can I use them for? Tires perhaps?

[@johnfrancisdoe1563]

John Kesl Maybe it's demerit points on your driving license. After a certain number of points, you are banned from driving...

[@johnkesl7307]

@@johnfrancisdoe1563 True! If you've ever driven in the Czech Republic then yeah, Czech points do make sense.

[@emkkahn]

I have to admit, the "Czech points" made me LOL! And YES you should get extra "points" of... something...lol!

[@MrWombatty]

Then when reversing it's Poles that you have to watch out for!

[@elia_berti]

In Italian Punti ciechi = blind spots, but also ceco/cechi = Czech. On the video there are also other hints the leaflet has been badly translated from Italian. Someone must have done a spelling error an typed cechi insetead of ciechi

[@lukeb0030]

Weren't worth "looking into" - oh yeah, I get it

[@matt4054yt]

I didn't notice it at first, but in hindsight, now I realize that the title starts with another pun.

[@JaredConnell]

In reflection...

[@inund8]

backup a bit... I don't get it

[@claudiobizama5603]

Gotta love his British humor

[@superscatboy]

Imagine being so proud of yourself for recognising an obvious joke that you feel compelled to leave a comment. Imagine also only getting half the joke.

[@tbrown5657]

I'd really like it if you did a review of your current dashcam- I'm looking at Viofo's cameras myself, but your perspective and experience is always appreciated.

[@guruk2714]

VanTop is best Mirror Dash Cam: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZDXZoeArNaSrrM

[@wakeupbomb]

I've been looking at these for the past week after buying a van with no rear windows or RVM. So glad to see your review appear. I wanted one to actually give me some rear view, better than none.

[@wakeupbomb]

@@johncoops6897 Like what? And is there a discrete screen? And in keeping with a vehicle like a RVM is? Without having some monstrosity mounted on the dash. I don't currently have a RVM, I want to a camera RVM, this fits the bill, if a little below par on quality.

[@wakeupbomb]

@@johncoops6897 And your suggestions are?

[@vdevov]

For years I’ve been hoping for decent reviews of 4 channel dashcams. I’ve had the unfortunate circumstance of being hit on the side on multiple occasions, and I think cameras for side impacts would be highly beneficial. Of course, a single dashcam would be better than no dashcam, but I know 4 channel systems do exist.

[@MrDemonsushiGuy]

Best thing to do would be to buy two 2-channel cams or four reliable single channel cams

[@Christopherastbury]

Interesting review, One issue I have had with a couple of dash cams is that when left on a hot (Swiss) summers day they tend to overheat and crash rendering the parking monitor useless. One of these was even manufactured by Garmin. Admittedly this was around 6 or 7 years ago so I hope they are much better now.

[@paulanderson79]

The issue I can foresee is that when you look into a normal flat interior mirror your eyes are focused at infinity as the image is distant. Looking at an image on a screen a couple of feet in front of your eyes is very much nearfield, so your eyes will be constantly refocusing between road ahead and rear view 'mirror'.

[@john-xg4ob]

Exactly what I am experiencing/noticing but just couldn't exactly pinpoint what before

[@paulanderson79]

@Ralph Reilly Beyond about six metres you're eyes will be focused at infinity. The mirror is much closer than that. Thus your eyes will have to refocus on a screen placed where the mirror is.

[@Super7videoman]

I have fitted one of these, not this exact model but very similar which was £39.99 from Amazon into my motorhome. To be honest I only really wanted for the reversing camera as I have no rear view, and for the money it is absolutely brilliant and the dashcam is as good as the nextbase on I have in my car. Once in a blue moon you pay peanuts, and you actually end up with a good product.

[@discipulussimplex]

Could you provide a link please . Thanks!

[@Super7videoman]

Of course, I should add that the cable for the rear camera was to short for my motorhome so I contacted the seller and they sent me a 8m one free of charge 👍. www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07DWRYV9M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@andersdenkend]

I‘m in China and literally everyone uses those in their cars to prevent fraud like grannies throwing themselves infront of your car and later suing you, etc. They are not meant to be „better rear view mirrors“. And the thing in China is, nobody uses their rear view mirror. Like at all. They barely even use their side mirrors! There seems to be this unwritten rule that, the car which is at least more than 50 % of its size infront of you, can do whatever it likes. It‘s up to the car behind him to get out of the way in case of a sudden lane change, etc. So, basically everyone at almost all times just looks forward infront of them and doesn‘t give a crap about stuff that is happening behind them.

[@pete3897]

I think his point (perhaps you missed it?) was that these consumers would be better served with a dedicated dash-cam due to their higher quality in nearly every way.

[@andersdenkend]

Pete Mundy Yeah, fair enough. That makes more sense, to compare it to dash cams.

[@jordanmcdonagh5883]

It’s because your communist overlords don’t care about the common people and don’t enforce any laws

[@souljastation5463]

@@jordanmcdonagh5883 Because your Capitalist overlords (oligarchs) care?

[@souljastation5463]

So, bad Asian driver is not a stereotype.

[@precbass]

I recognise that garage at 10:40 off the telly programme 'Bangers and Cash'.Nice.

[@MrPaulMorris]

Current 'Construction and Use' regulations require an internal mirror to be fitted in all vehicles built after 2010 (before that date the car could have either an internal or a nearside external mirror - plus an external offside). The only exception being vehicles where an interior mirror would not provide an adequate rear view, such as a van without windows in the rear doors, where such a mirror would serve no purpose. So, in general, this type of device would have to be reflective. It is also required that any mirror be mounted so as to avoid vibration (which these rubber straps don't seem to achieve).

[@pdrg]

I quite like these for quite specific circumstances - even the £16 models. I sometimes use a different HiLux or similar long vehicle each week for a season - they have slanty windscreens meaning a NextBase standard model actually cannot be tucked away behind the mirror so get in the way of your view. The reversing camera is handy if you have a back box. Don't bother with the reversing light tie-in, just leave the display on "rear", and easy to fit/remove when you move vehicles. In fact you reminded me to order a new one as I left my old one overseas for a friend!

[@Themadoutbacker]

A similar camera just saved my bacon when a careless u-haul driver hit my car. Cop gave the perp two tickets and he had to pay my copays.

[@pffyespff]

This is what this thing is meant for, after-crash forensics. Mr. Techmoan here for some strange reason expects this gadget to be I don't know what, video cam for filming your driving or something. It's not for that, so this moaning is kinda pointless. Use it as a (auto-dimming-?) mirror and if something happens, extract video.

[@kevinheckeler]

I've had two insurance claims in the past that went favorably for me because of the dashcam footage I had. Otherwise would have been S.O.L/at the mercy of the insurance companies.

[@SuperPickle15]

@@pffyespff he says in his video, that any fashion is better than none... the point of a video review of a product is IDK, talk about the pros and cons? After all, there's many cheap dual cameras that provide excellent quality without the gimmicks

[@guruk2714]

VanTop is best Mirror Dash Cam: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZDXZoeArNaSrrM

[@ellensalmon115]

I’ve had one of these for 8 months and it’s the best thing I’ve bought for my car

[@DrumToTheBassWoop]

It’s been a well known phenomenon, that in your blind spots, Czechs appear. So they teach you to always “check” your Czech points.

[@radekc5325]

Just a tiny correction if you don't mind, mov and mp4 are literally the same format. The MPEG consortium wanted a container, received proposals (apple's mov and microsoft's wmv mostly), and selected mov. About the only change they made is they stripped it of legacy features and down to only a few accepted codecs (rather than the wide selection quicktime had at a time). The file size is fully up to the bitrate of the streams it contains.

[@graealex]

At least in Germany, you don't need a rear view mirror at all, as long as you have both side mirrors. And there are many cars which have such limited rear visibility that a mirror doesn't make sense at all. So you're fine to replace the rear mirror with something else.

[@onometre]

it's the same in the US. You just need any 2 mirrors

[@Rzarecteh]

Alexander Gräf It’s the same in the UK

[@MorgoUK]

In the UK (so I’ve heard) you can’t take your driving test in a Mini convertible, -such as Matt’s - due to the blind spot to the rear of the vehicle. Would this camera overcome this restriction I wonder?

[@gwishart]

@@MorgoUK Depends whether they class it as an "electronic reversing aid" - in which case it would need to be switched off during the test.

[@michaelmartin9022]

@Gareth Fairclough Some old base-model cars only came with one wing mirror

[@stevecraft00]

I was in a stretch limo once, the mirror was a screen that came on when reverse was selected. But looked like a standard mirror. This was pre-dashcam days, i remember being impressed by it.

[@impressionistics4160]

Excellent review, one up for the avoidance of click bait, whilst guaranteed entertainment!🕵

[@wyrock7846]

I have one of these and love it. One plus you didn't mention is that when you put this over your normal mirror, you have a bigger mirror. For me, this was the most unexpected benefit. Mine runs on android and is basically a tablet in a mirror, so I can put other apps in it. Mine came with navigation software as well.

[@MoistMozzarellaSticks]

Do you have the name of the one you're using?

[@westsenkovec]

Kids these days don't remember but back in the day before he reviewed old expensive junk from eBay, techmoan used to review dash cams.

[@LetsDriveSomewhere]

I’m so old I remember those days... 😂

[@guruk2714]

VanTop is best Mirror Dash Cam: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZDXZoeArNaSrrM

[@lucklesscope8367]

You know someone is really young when they try to make 10 years sound a lifetime.

[@MrMairu555]

Your dash cam reviews are very informative and, importantly, consistent, and I think I speak for many when I say it would be good to see you review your current VIOFO A129.

[@dillpatason6656]

I have the VIOFO A129 Dash Cam having had dash cams now for over 6 years for me best cam ever i have a 128 card in it

[@CybranM]

Yes, more dashcam reviews please

[@Wildmutationblu]

I love watching your dashcam footage as I find it relaxing. I also enjoy working out where you are driving.

[@AsbestosMuffins]

3rd time someone drives into you and says its your fault, you get a dash cam because the police don't really have time to sort things out correctly you're not really supposed to or would need to lock files while driving I think, you'd do that once you presumably come to a safe stop

[@10p6]

Another nice review. Interestingly, a man from Northwest England developed the first dash cam rear view mirror over 30 years ago. His mirror (no screen) only used black and white cameras (Had numerous cameras for all sides of vehicle though) and only recorded a few seconds when impact was detected as memory prices back then must have been, well expensive. Still pretty cool though.

[@mescko]

10:47 Nice Pug 505, always liked those, especially without the bloody US bumpers.

[@whatifchinese]

Look at the Benz (?!) next to it! Is it a W180?

[@ParoxyDM]

Always nice to see the Mini out and about

[@Vormulac1]

Yes! Please review the one you're currently using :)

[@dillpatason6656]

I have the VIOFO A129 Dash Cam having had dash cams now for over 6 years for me best cam ever i have a 128 card in it

[@KarlBaron]

I once had a rental car with one of these fitted. It wasn't a chinese aftermarket one though, it was a Nissan factory model. It actually worked really well and I preferred it over the "real" mirror. The main pro to using the camera was that the car had large C-pillars that blocked a lot of the rear view. I wonder if the Nissan display was a lot brighter, or I just got lucky with the weather when I used it. I also didn't notice any lag. Seems like this idea lives and dies by the implementation

[@srtgrayfrance]

I winder if angling the rear camera down would have helped. One really doesn't need to see so much sky in the image, having the upper edge of the picture at about head height should be sufficient to see all number plates, and would have the advantage of howing what was immediately behind the vehicle (small animals or children) and removing the bright sky in the day.

[@zzco3640]

I was so pleased to see that you had reviewed this. As usual the best and honest review one can wish for. Your work is excellent.

[@AerikForager]

I will totally buy one, and use it as a reversing mirror in my simulation games! :D

[@MistahDave92]

That would be a useful application of said mirror.

[@gustavosilva85]

I have a mirror dash camera and it was expensive from a good brand, suppose to be top mirror but it is not. The brightness is the problem. During the day is too much bright and at night is worse. I suggest to not buy mirror dash cameras, it doesn't work properly. This video is great! Thanks for that.

[@MrDanJF]

Thanks for the clear review. I would definitely find a review of your Vofio unit useful!

[@computerbob06]

Yes please. A review of your current camera would be great!

[@efari]

Just buy a Tesla dashcam! Yes, It’s pretty expensive but it does come with a handy (and pretty decent) fully electric car built-in.

[@rafkyfauzan5646]

Don't forget the all-important front trunk!

[@denisrhodes54]

Rafky Fauzan standard on the beetle and corvair

[@guruk2714]

VanTop is best Mirror Dash Cam: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZDXZoeArNaSrrM

[@stiky5972]

@@rafkyfauzan5646 Front trunk aka the frunk!

[@phamptom]

In some states in the USA laws are ambiguous about whether it is legal to have a dashcam or not because of them prohibiting anything blocking the view in a vague way. Having this rearview dashcam is a good way around that, specially during trips across many states.

[@mastro4065]

Good presentation....you answered a lot of questions I had about these....

[@kurtownsj00]

Exactly what you said, if you want a clean install you'll have to go to a professional mechanic. It's never as easy as the instructions make it sound. Like the part for the reversing wire that you opted out of even messing with. ;) Being one of those mechanics who's installed a couple, one for a friend one for a customer who picked the product, let me tell you these cheap aftermarket systems are usually crap for reliability, with terrible install instructions that will usually require having access to wiring diagrams/connector views for the car (or else you'll be poking around with a multimeter trying to find which wire gets B+ in reverse.....and then deciding which is the most convenient place to tap in and run the wire through, etc). So even if you go through the trouble of getting a clean install with no visible wires (which often costs more than the cheap kits themselves), bombproof connections etc, you'll often have the chintzy super-thin gauge wire or connector act up in a year. Or the camera conks out. The absolute easiest time I had with installing a rear-view camera was a factory one on a Mazda. The owner was fortunate that he had a trim level where the camera harness was there, and already all connected up to the factory head unit. Take the trunk trim off to get at it, connect it up and it worked! NOW all you have to do is cut a perfect hole in that blemish-free bumper! If it's not just the right location and orientation the view would be off (since the camera isn't adjustable, it's designed to sit flat at the right point to be aimed as intended), so make it count or you might have extra "ventilation holes" in your trunk! :D

[@MrWombatty]

Good to see that it takes care of the 'Czech Points', but does it look out for Poles when you're reversing!?!

[@juliocesarpereira4325]

I agree. I bought a car and asked to install this rearview mirror camera and almost never look at it while backing up. My mom's car has just the sensor and a small display on the left hand corner just above the dashboard that displays countdown numbers. It emits intermittent beeps that get continuous when the reading of the display gets near zero. I find this much better. I also miss that feature the original rearview mirror has that allow me to filter the lights of the cars that approach from the rear on the road.

[@TheRealMrCods]

Please do a review of the current camera you are using in your car.👍👍👍

[@OutbackOverlanderG2]

I have an Autovox X2, it’s at the $249.00 US price point, but I have been very happy with it. The rear 720p is WDR, and I can see front plate numbers on cars behind me with headlights blasting the rear camera, if close enough for the 720p resolution. The rear also shifts into black and white at night and increases the color as the light increases. The mirror unit auto-dims, is very responsive. Records both as files. The main mirror screen is very bright. I have a white interior, no issue seeing illuminated rear image. But as I like just the MPH on the screen, I leave it in mode two, which is no image, just detail for Lane Wonder warning (off), and Speed display (On). I have greatly enjoyed the use of the X2 on my Outback. In truth, I like one single item on my window, rather then mirror + other device occupying other areas. As I also have a toll-transponder, it gets cluttered. But that is my solution, and at $249.00, it won’t be for others.

[@OutbackOverlanderG2]

It is also touch screen, which is just the way anything with a screen is going. Even the little wedge cameras are shifting to touch screen. I have used previously: Rexing USA V1 Rexing USA R1 Z-Edge Z2 Plus Dual

I had one like this. I didn’t even connect the rear camera. The mirror was dull, not very accurate and the vibration was bad. It stopped working so sent it back and got something else.

[@UkeofCarl]

Pádraig Floyd what did you get instead ?

Nextbase 312GW. It’s not as discreet, has no rear camera, but works just fine, every time.

[@guruk2714]

VanTop is best Mirror Dash Cam: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZDXZoeArNaSrrM

[@pandeomonia]

I have one of these except I mounted the rear camera at the top of my rear window, at the top. Works pretty good. Biggest issue for me was the mirror dash-cam adds weight to the rear-view mirror and causes it to slowly droop. So you have to readjust it up every time you drive, and also you start getting paranoid every time that you hit a bump that the mirror drooped again.

[@anonymousanonymous8372]

Only having a screen as a rearview mirror will never work. It'll never be the right brightness compared to the outside. And how could the screen work at night? Is it going to be a bright screen so you can see it in the dark? Or dark and just show headlights?

[@Gabbro506]

If it's a self emissive display (think OLED) with a high dinamic range sensor and low light recording (think Sony A7s II) then it should be better than any mirror at night.

[@OttosTheName]

I just saw a review of the new Honda EV with screens as side mirrors and the reviewer was super enthusiastic about it. That was in the daylight though, but I think proper screens with some clever software and light sensors so it can adjust brightness and contrast to lighting conditions míght just work.

[@straightpipediesel]

Buses and delivery trucks have had rearview cameras for decades. The trick is they put the monitor out of the way and put a glare shield on it. That way you don't have the light from the outside right next to the image. This is how most factory backup cameras work, they put it in the center console monitor. They also use automotive-grade LCDs which are far brighter. The dynamic range isn't an issue, as you can see from this product, a good CCD has better glare isolation than the eye. Your eyes are actually very crappy lenses, your brain is fixing a ton of problems.

[@FntX-Video]

As it turns out this heavily depends on the technology and safety considerations. In 2019, when this video went up, Daimler announced their "MirrorCam". It's now 2021 and trucks do come with cameras instead of mirrors as standard because a camera can provide a much wider viewing angle therefore lowering to likelihood of crushing bicycles. I assume this tech is now resilient enough to be considered safer than having an old fashioned, physical mirror. I'm curious though how long it takes for cars to receive such tech. On the other hand you can hardly get a car anymore without blind-spot assistants and other safeguards and even the rear camera is getting more and more common even on budget cars.

[@alexwright7666]

Another good video, thanks. I agree, manufacturers should be doing more to build recording facilities in so we don’t require such after-market devices!

[@Epinardscaramel]

Nice warning about “LCD display” 😅

[@pll009]

another great video. Problems with mirror dash cams explained well. Reflection and delay a real problem.

[@Cristofre]

I literally had the EXACT situation he mentions at about 11 minutes in: I stopped at a traffic light and the person in front of me backed into me, then claimed I ran into THEM! The said they were going to sue me right in front of the cops. The moment I mentioned I had a dash cam, they changed their minds. That's why I've had a dash cam in my car since then too.

[@hakonsoreide]

I wasn't really interested in the subject of this video, but I just had to say that must be the best wordplay headline I've seen on KZbin.

[@seafax]

Ee lad this were just like coming home again after being abroad for two years ;-)

[@stevegrace2134]

I found one of these in Thailand, just under 20 quid. I agree with most of the points made however I only had it installed a week before it paid for itself by refuting a malicious accident claim. Also it has increased my rear view mirror size my over half in my Nissan. As Matt says, even a bad dashcam is better than none at all.

[@chrisfreemesser5707]

0:50 What exactly is a "Czech point"? Is that bad Chinese english or do you Brits use that term to mean the blind spots at the back of a car?

[@Techmoan]

It’s a translation error.

[@mx0r]

Czech points is translation gold!

[@DDPNice]

i honestly thought it was changed just as some kind of joke

[@JogamaisFuze]

Bad translation for "Check point", really funny though haha

[@Avantime]

A bit like Star Wars: Backstroke of the West ;-)

[@andrewgardner9615]

Agreed -These seem similar to ones that we have just fitted to van at work(No rear view due to bulk head behind)Ours are simply reversing camera specific with no video recording and image quality is great.We use as a reversing camera but could easily be used as rear view.

[@NicholasHoward]

"on reflection"... Clever..

[@E_y_a_l]

You missed the "worth looking into" pun, did you?

[@NicholasHoward]

@@E_y_a_l nah I got that

[@Timooooooooooooooo]

@@E_y_a_l I totally missed that one

[@guruk2714]

VanTop is best Mirror Dash Cam: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZDXZoeArNaSrrM

[@GryphLane]

@@guruk2714 No it isn't.

[@enochrobbins4874]

Thank you for putting your opinion in the title! No "clickbait" here

[@allan.n.7227]

Great video as always! ;-) Do the VIOFO A129 Duo Dual Dash Camera review, please!

[@MrWolfTickets]

I used the Aukey dash cam I saw on THIS GREAT CHANNEL for a few years then got one of these style (but from VanTop) and the video is a little worse than the Aukey, but being able to use it as a rear view with a super wide angle is the one killer app for me, as my car has terrible blind spots (69 Charger). I'm going to add the recommended VIOFO A129 dash cam to my current setup. Perfect world: much better video quality and an OLED screen would make the ultimate Rear View Cam. Thanks for all these great product reviews, Techmoan!!!!

[@phinok.m.628]

Well, LC display may technically be alright, but it sure as hell doesn't sound right (6:27). :D

[@guruk2714]

VanTop is best Mirror Dash Cam: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZDXZoeArNaSrrM

[@amahlaka]

A rare one with actually good sized screen And even touch functionality This seems actually good compared to all the ones i have tried

[@mikeyaudio167]

Techmoan I see You bought the New Smart? Do you make a review of that one to?

[@tobyaman7644]

Hi Matt, absolutely agree with you, car manufacturers should install recording cameras as standard. I've watched what seems like hundreds of your dash cam vids with great disparity ...wires, files, cards, best one and worse one etc and still haven't bought one! It would be so easy for manufacturers to put a £300 cam and back up technology into a new car that's going to cost of what would have been a medium sized house 25 years ago. Come on car making people wake up and smell the car sales of a car with built in dash cam!!! Toby

[@ExplosiveAction]

"I'll just put this here, next to the wasp..."

[@StephenCole1916]

I have a similar unit here in the US and I like it. I think the mirror part is better as I can see just fine during the day and ok at night as long as there is a car behind me.

[@Avantime]

Xiaomi just launched their $75 Arlo competitor (Model: CMSXJ11A), any chance you'll review that?

[@Avantime]

Actually it's $69 if you use the code BGalibuy1080 at Banggood.

[@TheJONNYSHADOW]

Hi Another great video but I cannot agree with you this time because based on your review I ordered a slightly cheaper version at £43 & mine is so bright even in full sun it completely obliterates the reflection, so I disagree that all rear view dash cams aren't worth looking into. Keep up the good work......

[@TheJONNYSHADOW]

Further to the above the given picture you were critiquing was very contrasty & dark probably down to the fact that you had the camera pointing too high & included the sky which would shut even the most expensive of camera's exposure systems & not just comparatively cheaper dashcams.

[@robertreitze3192]

I hereby write in to inform you that the turn of phrase "LCD Display" is redundant. Please refrain from using it.

[@gwishart]

Perhaps you'd be interested in joining the Society For Tautology and Redundancy? For more information send a self-addressed SAE to: Department for Membership and Members. The SFTR Society. 73 Gunnersbury Ave. Avenue, London, West 5. W5 4LP United UK Kindgom.

[@tyttuut]

My grandma's 2008 Lexus RX350 has one of these from the factory. It's just a small screen (a couple inches across, maybe) on one side, so it's not intrusive. Just big enough to be useful.

[@henson2k]

I would appreciate factory installed dash-cam. Our cars probably have them already. They just work as blackbox for the single purpose. Tesla does it right.

[@johnfrancisdoe1563]

Nikolay Klimchuk Note the "police surveillance state" issues. Many people would not want their car to record anything the police could seize as evidence of their overall activities, such as where they go and who they meet. A standalone dash cam is deniable, the citizen can delete the file and claim they forget to turn it on or whatever else. A built in car feature offers no such escape.

[@henson2k]

​And how that's different with after market solution?

[@the_hobbyist]

Liked your review, which as always was quite objective, and I'm glad you still do reviews. More sad about missing answer from former post, but I guess that's what happens, when a channel becomes so popular, that comments also flood the place.

[@bepowerification]

first time I saw these rear view mirror cameras was in DTM and there they go blank every 20 seconds due to vibrations..

[@ianthomson9363]

I recently bought a very similar unit to replace the 'standard' dashcam I've been using in my firm's van. I'm retired now, so put the dashcam in my own vehicle. The problem with that is the black shading around the mirror mount- the sucker on the dashcam doesn't work on the shaded areas and the only place that I could fit the sucker I thought was probably not entirely legal, as the dashcam did obscure some of the windscreen. I'm quite happy with the new dashcam (front camera only), I've not noticed any vibration, and I've driven in various conditions from bright & sunny to darkness without any problems. Once the display's switched off, the mirror is pretty much the same as the original one, though maybe just a touch darker. I wouldn't use a rear view camera as a replacement for a rear view mirror, and as the new mirror is slightly wider than the original one it gives me a better field of view. It does what I want it to do, so I'm quite happy with it. It was also about half the price of the one tested here.

[@mariomariojr32]

0:50 Look at the right diagram, "Czech Points" 😂

[@PapaWheelie1]

Blind spots? Are the Czech mostly blind?

[@elia_berti]

Probably bad translation and spelling error from Italian Punti = points or spots Ciechi = blind Cechi = Czech

[@PapaWheelie1]

Chinglish is one of my favorite languages

[@rossswift]

Came across you're review by complete coincidence then realised I live within 10 miles of filmed footage!!

[@chopper602]

So you went through Pickering. NYMR? or did you go straight onto Scarborough?

[@2Nu]

I use a dual cam (fwd/rear adjustable pods) over mirror DVR called ‘Falcon Zero’. It has a smaller integral color LCD display plus IR emitters on both cameras for recording at night. This unit has proven invaluable in completely exonerating me in 2 MVAs in the past year.

[@HuntsmanLegacy]

Someday they will make Parking a car an Olympic sport and only true experts will be able to park a car using only mirrors.

[@Traitorman..Proverbs26.11]

That’s illegal in Denmark. We have to turn our heads and look over our shoulder out the rear window.

[@Traitorman..Proverbs26.11]

Matt Quinn Side mirrors

[@guruk2714]

VanTop is best Mirror Dash Cam: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZDXZoeArNaSrrM

[@dukesworld3020]

That's really close to the one I use in my truck. It doesn't come with a rearview camera. I wish it did. We have been looking at some new trucks (pickups) and they are starting to come with built-in front, rear, and side blind spot cameras. It's just hard to decide on a truck now LOL!!! Great review as always!! 👍

[@caraudiosolutions]

You haven't got a clue on how the mirror works I've fitted many of these mirrors the display is not meant to stay on.

[@AnonymousFreakYT]

For me, a good use for this is on my truck where I can't see out the back window anyway with stuff in the bed. Put this on the rear license plate frame, and it would mean I wouldn't have to rely solely on the side mirrors any more. I've been wanting to get a dashcam for it, and one of these would be good. I may more firmly attach it than just those rubber straps.

[@SianaGearz]

0:50 Czech points?

[@Gary85Paul]

Still happily using my DrivePro 200 that I purchased based on your review of a few years ago 😊

[@johnFruetel]

I'm a little suspicious of too much tech in cars. I don't mind backup cameras but in general I think that people are starting to rely on tech for lane changing, automatic braking, etc, and aren't necessarily paying as much attention to their surroundings and are instead relying on their cars to tell them something is happening. Tech is great but if I'm behind a truck on the freeway that has a smoking tire about to burst, I know to stay far away from that truck, not sure any tech can figure something like that out

[@chrisfreemesser5707]

Agreed...it's bad enough that cellphones and infotainment systems have created unhealthy distractions for drivers, but now the tech meant to make up for their lack of attention (blind spot monitoring, automatic braking, etc.) is also making them complacent drivers. They figure the car will do the work for them so they need not bother...until it doesn't work and bad things happen.

[@uss_04]

tech is a tool. We’ve known about too much glass in the operators field of view for decades. Fighter pilots called it Combat Overloading, and systems were streamlined to show relevant data in places where’d they need to be read first. Seems like “infotainment” missed that message, now its about bombarding you with shiny notifications. Heck, Fighter pilot cockpits are either a relaxing green or red illumination for instruments. Mosr vehicles have an attention getting Electric blue that even at its dimmest is annoying.

[@TheChloeRed]

Having followed a white audi estate in fog with it having no lights on... and I asked the driver when it stopped for a level crossing why he was driving with no lights and got the response "it's automatic"... agreed.

[@tOSdude]

I got one myself recently (different brand), so far it's alright. My car came with a tint in the rear window that I'm not going to bother removing, and this helps me see out the back at night. The added reversing camera function is nice since I didn't have one previously.

[@MoistMozzarellaSticks]

Which one do you have?

[@tOSdude]

@@MoistMozzarellaSticks Awesafe 12inch

[@MoistMozzarellaSticks]

@@tOSdude Thanks I'll check it out.

[@thejackofclubs]

teslas do let you use the cameras on the car as dashcams, you just have to put a usb drive into one of the usb ports.

[@Techmoan]

If I could afford a Tesla - 1) I wouldn’t buy one and 2) I wouldn’t need to make videos about terrible flawed mirror-based dashcams.

[@Leroset]

That's a great feature. Let's hope that other car manufacturers will add this feature. Although I'm still hoping for more quality electric vehicles to be manufactured by other brands.

[@alanw8834]

@@Techmoan have you been following electric car developments, if so what electric car would you buy today?

[@byzhiphop]

Hey Techmoan, I got a similar rearview backup dashcam. Autosomething M6. It seems like a lot better option than this one since the screen doesn't take up the entire size of the mirror, just a smaller window in it so it's the best of both worlds. It's not worse as a regular mirror as my built-in one, especially when the screen goes to sleep: I just have a large mirror. The screen is a lot brighter so it's pretty much visible at all times. You can get it to record at 1440p. The only downside to using it as an actual back-up camera is that it's not calibrated to the car so the guide lines are useless and since the camera is wide angle, it gets hard to correlate it to what's really going on behind you. It's really usable to see if anyone's trying to sneak through behind your car when you're about to reverse. The back-up camera part worked through rain and snow.

[@mookiecookie44]

Dear Techmoan: “LCD display” is redundant, because the “D” stands for “display.” Best, Mittens

[@TheChipmunk2008]

Welcome, fellow pedant

[@gwishart]

I think my new hobby is going to be setting traps for tautology pedants: MOT test LED display Video DVD CRT television etc.

[@gavjlewis]

When you think of what you get for the price it doesn't seem bad value. Maybe if they could get a front camera and the rear camera but no screen down to say £50 it would be great value. Maybe (for LOLZ) you could try it as a "dash" cam and mount it (somehow) on the lower dash and use it for a reverse cam and a night-time rear cam. It's dark 4 months a year to and from work anyway. Obviously you would still be recording the front cam just at a lower angle. Always love the dash cam videos. That's what most of us originally came for. 👍

[@jaskaborner9795]

Since I do most of my driving at night in an Audi hatchback with a rather small rear window, the idea of a nighttime camera mounted outside the car is quite appealing. Just seems like everything else would be too much of a bother, and plus I'm so used to cars without reversing cameras that I'd likely just be wasting my money. Good review, decent puns.

[@m14v81]

THANK YOU! the reason is because you are one of my Favs KZbin channels and also I trust the content you produce. 😁😮