[johnb87]

I'm trying to figure out which one to order and also how to install it. In prior years, it seems you could install an adapter into the back of the powered rear-view mirror so you could really cleanly install a camera, but the plug seems to be covered in the larger piece attached to the window now, so I'm not sure if it's still possible.

If not, are people installing with the OBD2 port, or hardwiring with a kit?

Any suggestions are welcome.

 

[WiiMaster]

Not on a Pilot but perhaps it can be of some use.

This is the dashcam I installed in my Accord, it's even on sale. It has a front camera, an interior camera (which swivels so if you get pulled over or something and want to record the interaction, you can do that), and a rear camera.

https://www.amazon.com/VIOFO-Channel-Supercapacitor-G-Sensor-Supported/dp/B09D3GN2P1

I've had it for a month and I've been very happy with it. Even on a car that sits outside with the sun hitting it, it has held up great with no issues. I bought the separate hardwire kit for it and installed it directly to the fuse box with a couple of mini low-profile fuse taps so that I could use the parking recording feature. Even with the wire running down to the fuse box, it's still a very clean install with the wires tucked in the headliner and the A pillar. The hardwire kit even has a battery cutoff that will cutoff power to it if the battery voltage drops below a point of your choosing.

The hardwire installation wasn't difficult at all. I used a $5 Harbor Freight multimeter to check which fuses in the interior fuse box had constant power and which ones only had power with the ignition on, and I chose the two fuses to tap into accordingly, which ended up being the driver's power seat fuse and the wiper fuse.

 

[Ruturaj]

Most camers on market are pretty much outdated now. I would be getting one with Sony Starvis 2 sensor. I think there is only one out there, VIOFO A139 PRO. It comes just as front or combo of front, rear, interior. If more come out by the time I actually end up buying new car, I would have choices.

 

[WalterDog]

I'm trying to figure out which one to order and also how to install it. In prior years, it seems you could install an adapter into the back of the powered rear-view mirror so you could really cleanly install a camera, but the plug seems to be covered in the larger piece attached to the window now, so I'm not sure if it's still possible.

If not, are people installing with the OBD2 port, or hardwiring with a kit?

Any suggestions are welcome.

That cover near the mirror looks like it can pop off but I haven’t tried it.

 

[WiiMaster]

Most camers on market are pretty much outdated now. I would be getting one with Sony Starvis 2 sensor. I think there is only one out there, VIOFO A139 PRO. It comes just as front or combo of front, rear, interior. If more come out by the time I actually end up buying new car, I would have choices.

While true, the image quality from the T130 seems quite good as well. Not the same Starvis sensor but they both have Sony sensors.

 

[jerrym303]

I think there is only one out there, VIOFO A139 PRO.

I am going t use a Viofo, but can't decide which model. I want front and rear. The A139 Pro offers 4K front/ 1080 rear while the A229 Duo offer 2K front/2K rear. There is pretty big improvement from 1080 to 2K. If they offered 4K/2K, I would do that, even if 50 bucks more.

 

[Ruturaj]

I am going t use a Viofo, but can't decide which model. I want front and rear. The A139 Pro offers 4K front/ 1080 rear while the A229 Duo offer 2K front/2K rear. There is pretty big improvement from 1080 to 2K. If they offered 4K/2K, I would do that, even if 50 bucks more.

Probably due to processing load, rest of the hardware doesn't seem to have received update. The sensor makes the major difference though.

 

[2hondas2]

I'm trying to figure out which one to order and also how to install it.

I'm old school & I admit it. There is no easy answer to your questions. I've installed 6 dash cameras in 6 different family vehicles in the last several years including 2 different cameras in my 16 Pilot and left several comments in this old Piloteers post 2017 pilot dash cam install. Much of what people contributed in that old post is still useful today. I am not familiar with how to power a camera from the rear view mirror electrical connection, but pretty sure it has been done on some Pilots. I've hooked dash cameras up to battery packs, hardwired directly to a fuse box, and simply plugged the camera's power cord into a 12V AC outlet. My suggestion would be to go to some reputable dash cam sites like BB my car and/or Cam Talk and read up on their installation advice and tutorials. Choosing the right dash camera is not easy. They are expensive and their quality varies greatly. Installation can be a pain. I've relied on those sites for years, and have bought all my camera's thru BlackBox because of their customer service, no hassle return policy and after-the-sale technical support. I'm not promoting them, just saying I've had 6 good experiences with them.

And FWIW, 2 weeks ago I upgraded the camera in my Pilot with the VIOFO A229 Duo so I could get a higher resolution video than the blurry video my 7-year-old Thinkware camera provided. I used VIOFO's hard wire kit in order to use that camera's parking mode feature. If I didn't want to use a dash camera's parking mode features, I'd simply plug the camera into my car's 12V AC outlet cause it's so easy!! My new VIOFO is a nice camera and works well in my old Pilot.

Good luck

 

[WiiMaster]

They are expensive and their quality varies greatly.

I also thought this was true, but it seems this is actually not true. Most dashcams on the market, both cheap and expensive, use practically the same mass produced components.

This LTT video was very intriguing:

The VIOFO cams are definitely solid. I used the hardwire kit as well (the HK4 I believe it's called), and it had a selectable low voltage cutoff which is nice to have.

 

[Ruturaj]

I also thought this was true, but it seems this is actually not true. Most dashcams on the market, both cheap and expensive, use practically the same mass produced components.

This LTT video was very intriguing:

The VIOFO cams are definitely solid. I used the hardwire kit as well (the HK4 I believe it's called), and it had a selectable low voltage cutoff which is nice to have.

That video is outdated since Sony's new sensor, starvis 2 came out. The CMOS sensors discussed in video are IMX 334/335 and Starvis 2 is IMX 678.

There were follow up videos others created

Comparison video, also watch night time part at 16:37

 

[jerrym303]

As I said above, I was undecided on which VIofo model to choose - A139 Pro or A229 Duo. I decided on the A139 Pro since probably 75% of what I want covered is in front of the car. I'll make the compromise in the rear.

 

[UnoPilot]

This Blackvue at BBMC says it has a new Sony Starvis sensor but does not says it's the model 2.

BlackVue DR900X-2CH Plus Dual-Channel Cloud Dash Cam

I always read good reviews about the Blackvue cameras and was thinking about this one. However, after reading good comments about the Viofo, I might consider one. Only issue I see on the photos is that it has a large footprint. It does not stay in the way?

 

[Mingus Jim]

I'm trying to figure out which one to order and also how to install it. In prior years, it seems you could install an adapter into the back of the powered rear-view mirror so you could really cleanly install a camera, but the plug seems to be covered in the larger piece attached to the window now, so I'm not sure if it's still possible.

If not, are people installing with the OBD2 port, or hardwiring with a kit?

Any suggestions are welcome.

I just went with a Garmin Drive Assist 51 as it has a dash camera built in. The quality of the video is good. It is handier for navigation than looking at a screen in the center of the dash and I get four free map updates a year. It also has some other useful features.

 

[Highspeedbail]

For y'all still deciding on which dashcam check out the Dashcam Reddit

r/Dashcam

r/Dashcam: Everything about vehicle Dash Cameras

www.reddit.com

Check out the wiki on that page, they have different recommendations and you can search by model which one you're interested in to judge the quality yourself.

Don't forget to get a high endurance memory card.

I picked up the Viofo A129 plus duo over the holidays as it went on sale for $135. Hooking it up this weekend if all goes well.

The best Dashcam is working and in your vehicle... Reading a license plate at midnight at 1000 ft?!? well sometimes it just needs to show your insurance company that you're not the idiot / driver at fault.

 

[tadesenfants]

DONGAR Technologies produce the USB adapter that plugs into the rear of the power day/night rear view mirror. I've been using mine for over a year on my 2015 Touring without any problems. No wires hanging. Amazon also sells the item.

 

[UnoPilot]

I stopped by Car Toys and they showed me a Momento. However, I haven't heard of this brand. They also had Thinkware but recommended the Momento brand.
Any experience with this one?