How To Mount Dash Cam With Rear Camera
How to install a dash cam
Get your dash camera ready and ready for the road
(Image: © Casezy idea / Shutterstock)
If you've been looking at the best dash cams for your vehicle, then you'll have noticed that there are plenty to choose from. From forwards-facing to forepart-and-rear cameras, there are options for all kinds of driver. But whichever one you choose, there'south 1 of import step to negotiate before information technology's up and running: the installation.
Thankfully, this is usually a pretty straightforward procedure, only we've put together this handy guide to brand sure it goes as smoothly equally possible. Our tips may fifty-fifty help yous make up one's mind what kind of dash cam is best for you lot, or give you pointers on how to install it before it arrives.
Dash cam designers accept washed near of the hard piece of work and that means installation tin can usually be done in no fourth dimension. Unless y'all're going the hard-wired route, setting up a dash cam doesn't crave any real technical skill. Most models as well come with a bones installation transmission, at the very least.
However, there are a few steps that tin can make installing a dash cam fifty-fifty more than straightforward. We've outlined the core steps involved in getting your in-car camera online beneath. While at that place may be some variations on the theme depending on the model you've purchased, the general process is basically the same.
1. What you'll need
About nuance cams accept been designed for universal fitment, and then it'south usually possible to get your preferred model up and running in whatever kind of vehicle.
Your dash cam will probably come up with a microSD carte, but you might want to buy a larger capacity one for more than recording liberty. Check out our guide to the best microSD cards for some ideas – and don't forget to button information technology correctly into the built-in port earlier you lot begin your installation.
Yous might have more 1 dash cam to install, too. Some models, like the Nexar Pro, come with an additional interior camera for added security. Consider this option if you think interior security is a must-have. Other front-and-rear bundles have a rear-mounted photographic camera as part of the package.
You'll need to allocate a little fourth dimension for the installation, but the tools needed should be minimal. Grab a screwdriver and some tape for holding things in place. A light is also handy if y'all're working within the car or poking around under the dash. A 2nd pair of hands is always a bonus, too.
2. Choose a location
This is a straightforward step in the process but requires some forethought. If you're installing a forepart-facing dash cam you'll want an unobstructed view of the road ahead from a centrally-located vantage point.
Just under the rear-view mirror is a standard pick. Conversely, low down near where the windscreen meets the dashboard is another dependable vantage point.
The main thing to bear in listen is that the dash cam shouldn't obstruct your view in any way, in order for it to remain legal. This is also the case if you've got a rear-facing nuance cam to fit.
You'll besides want to ensure the dash cam is positioned so that it captures an even, key view of the road. Check that it'll meet far enough ahead without unintentionally having the view cropped by pillars, the bonnet or, indeed, the rear-view mirror. It's worth having a dry-run at this point, to brand certain the dash cam is in an optimal position.
3. Types of mount
Fixing your dash cam into position commonly involves a mount, which is likely to be one of two different kinds. There'southward the suction mount variety (similar the one below), which is the more practical option as it allows the mount to be easily moved. This is especially useful if you need to use the dash cam in more than than one vehicle or aren't happy with the existing location and need to adjust it.
The other type of mount frequently revolves effectually a subclass with a gummy self-agglutinative pad on it. This bonds in semi-permanent fashion to your windscreen, dash or like location. The downside of this mount pattern is that you lot need to become the position of the dash cam right first time, or be prepared to pull it off and start again. Some models come with spare sticky pads that allow you to do this, simply it's less highly-seasoned than the suction mount route.
Either way, the chief objective is to position the dash cam so it aligns with the horizon. Every vehicle is different, then this requires some careful thought and experimentation. Y'all might go lucky and position it right offset fourth dimension, but if you're working with a sticky pad-blazon mount information technology'due south best to practice a couple of times commencement. Some tape, a wipe-off marker and, ideally, a 2nd pair of eyes tin can all help get the camera positioned correctly earlier y'all fasten information technology into place.
4. Plug-in or hard-wired?
Dash cams are third-party accessories, which means you'll accept cables to bargain with – and this is the nigh circuitous function of the installation.
The most basic way to power your dash cam is to plug it into your automobile'south cigarette lighter/auxiliary port. Most models come with a bundled cord for doing this, though it's worth making sure it comes with a longer one (at least four meters, ideally) if you're planning to pipe information technology around your windscreen and underneath seats.
Deciding how to practice this isn't always easy, simply the vast bulk of dash cams come with fitment tools that allow you to push the cable backside trim, carpeting or headliner. The usual practice for longer cables is to road them behind your machine'southward headliner (simply above the windshield), then behind your door'southward weather seal and down under the automobile seat, earlier plugging into the cigarette lighter/auxiliary port (see above).
If y'all have a powered rear-view mirror, another practiced option is to plug it in there instead. The benefit hither is that it'southward a neater install and the camera will not utilize power when the car is turned off, removing any worries about draining the battery. The downside is you'll about probable need to purchase an adapter, like the ones available from Dongar Technologies, and at that place'll be limitations on factors like the voltage of your dash cam.
Another alternative is plugging your nuance cam into your auto's OBD2 port (to a higher place). This is normally used for diagnostic inspections but is some other route to consider, using a OBD2 to mini-USB connector.
The port may not always be easy to discover, only nearly modern cars accept it located somewhere down under the dashboard.
The neatest way to install a dash cam is connecting it directly to the wiring harness of your automobile. Some dash cams come with the kit needed to do this, while others might crave a 3rd-party accompaniment. Either way, this needs care and a professional installation might be more appealing.
In virtually cases, the end result will look tidier, but given the electronic complexity of many cars, the hard-wiring route might not be for everyone. It besides means at that place'south less flexibility if you want to switch the nuance cam between more than one vehicle, due to the more permanent nature of the fitment.
v. Tidying up and running checks
With everything plumbed in and powered upwardly you'll want to finish by checking all cables are out of damage'south way. Ensure no cables are fouling on any obstructions or are beingness pinched or chafed by trim components. Over fourth dimension, whatsoever compression points could cause habiliment and tear on the cablevision, which may upshot in a malfunction or the nuance cam non working at all.
Information technology's worth checking this again once the setup has had time to bed in, especially if you own an older vehicle that'south decumbent to lots of vibration. This can frequently be the reason a dash cam stops working as less than keen connections milkshake loose or cables even drop out altogether.
Most nuance cams come with a supporting app, which is frequently what you lot'll be using to review any footage if the need arises. This volition be the all-time manner to ensure everything works equally expected, too, if at that place isn't a preview screen on the nuance cam itself. It's worth driving around the block to ensure your unit is configured as expected and that information technology's capturing footage as desired.
six. Using your dashcam
This should exist the easiest part of the whole procedure. Most dash cams volition start automatically once y'all've powered upwards and started driving. It'due south worth noting that your dash cam draws power from the battery when the car isn't on though, which can happen with some models. You might demand to physically switch it off or unplug the cable to ensure it doesn't drain your bombardment.
Depending on the model, resulting video footage is either stored on the internal microSD media carte or transferred to your telephone. Some models practise both, with the added ability to shop whatsoever footage in the cloud, which is useful for archiving video content over time. It besides means you've got a permanent dorsum-up, just in case you need think any video prove afterward on down the line.
Rob Clymo has been a tech journalist for more years than he can actually remember, having started out in the wacky globe of print magazines before discovering the ability of the net. Since he's been all-digital he has run the Innovation channel during a few years at Microsoft as well equally turning out regular news, reviews, features and other content for the likes of TechRadar, TechRadar Pro, Tom'southward Guide, Fit&Well, Gizmodo, Shortlist, Automotive Interiors World, Automotive Testing Applied science International, Future of Transportation and Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology International. In the rare moments he'due south non working he's normally out and about on one of numerous e-bikes in his collection.
Source: https://www.techradar.com/sg/how-to/how-to-install-your-dash-cam
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