Blackboxmycar.com and Vortex Radar on YouTube do amazing reviews and comparisons. I have a Blackvue 2 channel in my wagon and just put a Viofo A329s 3 channel in my new daily. Dual mode hybrid parking recording and lots of nice features on the viofo. Though I prefer the form factor of the blackvue.
Viofo would be the top recommendation. It offers the best picture quality out of any of the available dash cams.
As far as which Viofo model to chose from, I would go with the Viofo A119 MINI 2 with the Sony STARVIS 2 image sensor.
Personally, I was debating between Viofo and Blackvue (for the cloud features) but ultimately went with the Viofo A329S with the cabin camera (so I can also have footage of the sides of my vehicle when parked).
I originally wanted the cloud features so I can remotely view my dash cam from anywhere, similar to my previous Tesla. However after looking into the power consumption of the Blackvue LTE module, it made more sense to forgo the cloud features and just go with a traditional dash cam. (LTE module would use up too much battery for it to be usable for my needs, at least without using a dash cam battery)
For parking mode, you'll either need the hardwire kit or the obd kit to have constant power to the dash cam. And the installation is relatively easy if you're familiar with how to run wires throughout your car. There's multiple youtube videos detailing the process.
I bought the Viofo A329s 3 channel. Been using an A129 2 channel in another vehicle for years without issue. The main reason for using Viofo is I just power the cam with a powerbank (same you would use for a mobile phone) and let it run 24/7.
>but $500 is reasonable and acceptable.
VIOFO is one of the most suggested brands. It's pretty much plug and play. Running the wiring through the liner is simple and the power source is a cigarette plug so there is no tricky wiring. With the $500 budget you can get the VIOFO A329S with front and rear or the three channelone. I've always had VIOFO in all my years, never had an issue even with the Texas heat.
VIOFO A329S 3CH with HK6 hardwire kit. The fisheye lens interior camera can see out the left and right side of your window is giving you nearly 360
coverage
I had many Street Guardian Dashcams in the early days, but the founder passed away unfortunately so they stopped making new SG products. VIOFO and Street Guardian were from the same solution factory in the early days years back. VIOFO owns their own factory now and is growing fast it seems. I have an A229 Pro in my Tesla Model Y, but I’ll be getting an A329S 3CH soon.
VIOFO A329S 3CH if you use the upcoming VIOFO OBD2 power supply for parking mode. (Don’t use any 3-wire hardwire kits from any brand on a German vehicle)
A329 3CH but get the special combo rear rear I know you can get both rear cameras waterproof. Pretty sure you can get the internal versions as well if you ask them.
Some people get two 2cg systems. One of the main cameras on the front rear camera to the left other rear camera on the rear with its rear camera facing out the right.
If you get the VIOFO A329S you can add an optional external SSD drive and hide that under the dashboard in the glove box for stealth storage. That way the video footage is still safe even if they take the dashcam.
The interior camera is always a secondary camera to the primary. They don’t make an interior only dash Camera.
Get the VIOFO A229 Plus (best price)
Or VIOFO A329S (best video quality)
The 4K front camera will be better than the built-in one for catching license plates.
B5_S4
