I have just ordered a 2.0 TSI 280PS 4x4 L&K estate (eeeeek) - and given it's the most expensive thing I've ever purchased (apart from a house) I was thinking about a dashcam as an extra bit of kit in case of any "disputes" etc (hope there aren't any!!)

I would get one hard wired in - any recommendations on which make/model without going too OTT? I've read a shedload of reviews - but some real world experiences are always good!

No rush as the estimated delivery isn't until September.

Thanks in anticipation.

I'm in a very similar situation, looking for the best possible dual channel dash cam to fit on the 2.0 TSI 280 Sportline estate that I have on order and that's due to be delivered end of September. I would prefer something that records in true 4K (not upscaled from a full HD sensor), but there doesn't seem to be anything like that on the market. Also important factors for me are the following:

• Support for high capacity micro SD cards (at least 128 GB, better still 256 GB)
• Recording using an efficient video codec (H.264 or better still H.265 - HEVC)
• Low form factor. I would like the units to be as non intrusive and discreet as possible
• Battery pack for recording while parked without depleting the car's battery (although most high end units seem to have this option)
• Good recording quality in low light situations

 

AFAIK 4k dual channel is unheard of. 4k is mostly actioncam territory (eg: Xiaomi Yi 2, GoPro).

 

But for a dashcam you don't really need a lot of vertical pixels - eg: 2560x1080 could suffice (JooVuuX).

 

And what's the point of hardwiring? The Superb gives current in the lighter socket even when parked.

2 hours ago, ionelmc said:

AFAIK 4k dual channel is unheard of. 4k is mostly actioncam territory (eg: Xiaomi Yi 2, GoPro).

 

But for a dashcam you don't really need a lot of vertical pixels - eg: 2560x1080 could suffice (JooVuuX).

 

And what's the point of hardwiring? The Superb gives current in the lighter socket even when parked.

 

Indeed, from the research I've done so far it would seem as if there is no 4K dual channel dash cam on the market as of yet. And yes, you're right full 4K resolution is not needed here, horizontal pixels are what are needed.

 

Thanks for the pointer to the JooVuu X camera! Unfortunately it's quite a bit larger than what I'm looking for. Ideally I would like to get something in a very compact form factor like the BlackVue line of dash cams.

 

The point of hardwiring is to have a tidy installation, without any flying wires. Also, with an external battery pack there is no need to have the camera always connected at all times to the car's battery and risking to completely deplete the car's battery.

I went for the Street Guardian V3, small/discrete and good quality. It is important to make sure you get one that has a capacitor rather than a battery as they handle the heat of being behind the windscreen better. You can see mine in the photo below, just to the left of the interior mirror. An L & K model will have a larger housing around the mirror than mine as it will have the TSR camera but you should still be able to fit to either side of this.  I have stuck it to the black dotted area, the lens is just below the edge of this.

 

Thanks for the picture Speedman, the wedge form factor is indeed very discreet.

 

After giving it some more thought the ideal setup for me would involve a 360 degrees coverage of the car. I'm not that much concerned about recording what goes on while driving, that's quite uneventful most of the time. On the other hand I'm a lot more interested in recording what happens when the car is parked. Many people here have little respect for other people's cars. Many times when exiting their car they will slam the door and leave huge dents and scratches on the car parked next to them. Similarly, some insist in trying to fit in the most improbable of parking places by giving a not so gentle push to the car in front and the one behind. So if you have your parking brake engaged or if the car is in gear that's bound to lead to quite some damage to the bumper. In fact the sole reason for me getting the retractable tow hook is to protect the rear bumper in these cases (I don't intent to ever tow anything with the car and never done it in the past).

 

It looks as if the minimal setup giving 360 degrees coverage would involve a set of 4 cameras, one in the front, one in the back and one on each side of the car. Fitting a font camera will be problematic as there isn't much space where it could be installed given that the middle part of the front grill is used by the radar. It could go underneath the front grille but it would mean that it sits quite low.

 

I've ordered the OEM rearview camera, I wonder if there is any way of tapping into the signal from it, when not in use (you are not going in reverse).

 

Did anyone attempt to replace the side LED lights underneath the side mirrors with cameras?

12 minutes ago, LiviuV said:

Many people here have little respect for other people's cars. Many times when exiting their car they will slam the door and leave huge dents and scratches on the car parked next to them.

Hahah this is really funny cause if you get any dark color you're doomed! I got the metallic brown and not even a year in it's full of small scratches. Touch your car with grocery bag? Bam! You got a scratch. Jacket with zipper? Another bunch of small scratches. I think better investment is to get some sort of paint protector substance - I'm looking for suggestions if anyone has.

6 minutes ago, ionelmc said:

 I think better investment is to get some sort of paint protector substance - I'm looking for suggestions if anyone has.

 

Ceramic coatings would be appropriate here, or PPF (Paint Protection Film) although this is usually used from a stonechip protection perspective.

2 hours ago, ionelmc said:

Hahah this is really funny cause if you get any dark color you're doomed!

 

I went for silver so hopefully they won't show that much.

 

2 hours ago, Wardy said:

 

Ceramic coatings would be appropriate here, or PPF (Paint Protection Film) although this is usually used from a stonechip protection perspective.

 

PPF is something that I'm considering. Unfortunately the price of a installing a good quality PPF (Xpel Ultimate and the likes), one that is machine cut and guaranteed to last for a few good years is insanely high. It's very likely that it will not make a lot of sense from a price perspective.

 

And in any case it would not help much. As I was mentioning some people slam their doors so hard that it will cause dents, not only scratches. With or without PPF, the dent will still be there.

Hi,

As has been pointed out the cigar ( is it P/C to still call it that ? ) socket is allways live . So to get a supply that switches on & off with the engine........

Then in the wee small hours ( medication ) i thought of the answer--- the units used for aftermarket DRL instalation . These switch on & off via a voltage rise ( and fall ) just a thought.................