Best positions for dashcam cameras?

[RIP]

Toying with the idea of fitting a front and rear dashcam. I'm thinking of using cameras that then feed into a Raspberry Pi (a mini Linux computer), rather than using a propriety system.

What are your experiences of or ideas on positioning cameras? I've seen that you can buy external cameras or cameras that mount behind the windscreen. My rear window is tinted so would that force me to have to use an external camera?

Thanks!

 

[msh10]

Just fitted one, front camera behind the rear view mirror and rear camera inside the rear window (tinted windows made no difference to the image).

For info https://www.roadhawk.co.uk/articles/product-placement-is-your-dash-cam-breaking-the-law

 

[ajlelectronics]

Even easier is to use a rear view mirror dashcam. The screen clips over your internal mirror but works as a monitor when required. The camera is part of the housing so neat and legally positioned. They come with a cube camera for the back which can be mounted externally if required. I have mine mounted inside the tailgate looking through the top of the glass.

You are not allowed to have the camera anywhere in the MOT zones, so it can be a challenge fitting one legally where it is swept by the wipers.

 

[ajlelectronics]

This type of thing...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Car-Vide...2477&sr=8-4&keywords=mirror+dashcams+for+cars

 

[skotl]

Mine is attached to the bottom-right of the windscreen. Gets a decent view down the middle of the road, with both lanes and pavements.

 

[Shedendman]

Toying with the idea of fitting a front and rear dashcam. I'm thinking of using cameras that then feed into a Raspberry Pi (a mini Linux computer), rather than using a propriety system.

What are your experiences of or ideas on positioning cameras? I've seen that you can buy external cameras or cameras that mount behind the windscreen. My rear window is tinted so would that force me to have to use an external camera?

Thanks!

Been thinking of a raspberry Pi myself,how will you power it though,from what i gather it only needs 5V DC,some voltage reg perhaps?

 

[Shedendman]

Answers my question,should have gone here 1st,lol

 

[wristpin]

I've had a camera for over five years. First a Mi-Witness and now a Road Hawk.
I prefer the front camera to be as near behind the rear view mirror as possible. Also prefer a camera with no screen as they are smaller and less obtrusive.

 

[TechnicAl]

Ive got a next base front facing.......the pictures and sound are really good.....keep thinking about getting a rear view mirror one......I would have gone to Maplins and asked but now I cant.

 

[dcocks]

I've had a camera for over five years. First a Mi-Witness and now a Road Hawk.
I prefer the front camera to be as near behind the rear view mirror as possible. Also prefer a camera with no screen as they are smaller and less obtrusive.

i have a Black Vue had it a few years and mounted behind the rear view mirror.Can never see the point of one with a screen just gets in the way

 

[RIP]

Been thinking of a raspberry Pi myself,how will you power it though,from what i gather it only needs 5V DC,some voltage reg perhaps?

There's a few things to think about, including getting it to shut down gracefully when you turn off the ignition: https://www.instructables.com/id/Car-Raspberry-Pi3-Dash-Cam/
I'll also get the Raspberry Pi to be my music system via a 7" touch screen in the 2DIN stereo slot, so it's doing two jobs.

Advantage: You can get everything to integrate, eg get the Pi to integrate with my home media server, dashcams footage can be viewed from home etc. Everything these days is internet enabled and integrates!
Disadvantage: It's just another geek project to keep me up at night.

 

[aguycalledsteve]

I've had experience with two next base cameras and both times when I've relied on them for footage they haven't recorded a thing despite telling me on the display they they were recording.

 

[ibrooks]

I've looked at a few of the rearview mirror ones and much as they look to be a good idea on paper they've never been very good in practice. Either the camera wasn't up to snuff or the fixings were rubbish or both.

The Blackvue cameras I've fitted always seemed to work well and as has been said not having a screen built in are far smaller and all but invisible to the driver (even if fitted in a position that's not strictly legal by the letter of the law).

When fitting Nextbase cameras we would almost always fit them on the passenger side and close to the rearview mirror - again maybe not strictly legal positioning but from the drivers point of view hidden by the mirror. Being high and central means they get a good view of the road ahead (sometimes better than the driver which almost bit someone in the bum when a woman stepped out from behind a Berlingo and the camera could see her coming but the driver couldn't because his point of view was lower).

 

[ajlelectronics]

The only criticism I have is the rear camera not being 1080. Otherwise it is fine. I will post some footage if need be?

 

[Robotstar5]

Mines mounted top of screen behind the mirror so it doesn't block my view of the road.

First one was a permanent mount until it mysteriously disappeared one night

So I fitted a Nextbase with a magnetic mount so i could remove it when parked.

 

[RIP]

The only criticism I have is the rear camera not being 1080. Otherwise it is fine. I will post some footage if need be?

Hey AJ, long time The rear view mirror is a neat option for a decent and simple dashcam solution, but it won't work with my Raspberry Pi idea which I'm keen on. I read that article you posted about legally positioning the camera, basically it can't intrude more than 40mm into the swept area of the wipers or 20mm into the drivers main viewing area. So using remote cameras has an advantage here as the cameras should be less than 40mm in size

Doesn't this rule also make most peoples mobile phone mounts illegal? Which makes me think it's not an upheld rule anyway.

 

[Seadog]

Doesn't this rule also make most peoples mobile phone mounts illegal?

It should do. Seeing the positions that some people mount them I'm surprised that they can see the road ahead of them.

 

[Robotstar5]

It should do. Seeing the positions that some people mount them I'm surprised that they can see the road ahead of them.

Maybe they mount them in eyeline so they don't miss an episode of Jeremy Kyle while they're driving?

 

[Seadog]

Maybe they mount them in eyeline so they don't miss an episode of Jeremy Kyle while they're driving?

That may well be said in jest but I did see a cab driver (not a black cab), in a moving line of traffic, watching something with the screen mounted just below dash level.

 

[mr_splatter]

Hey AJ, long time The rear view mirror is a neat option for a decent and simple dashcam solution, but it won't work with my Raspberry Pi idea which I'm keen on. I read that article you posted about legally positioning the camera, basically it can't intrude more than 40mm into the swept area of the wipers or 20mm into the drivers main viewing area. So using remote cameras has an advantage here as the cameras should be less than 40mm in size

Doesn't this rule also make most peoples mobile phone mounts illegal? Which makes me think it's not an upheld rule anyway.

I just took a look at my 5 series BMW and I don't believe its even possible to legally mount the dashcam anywhere near the middle of the screen. The wipers sweep almost the whole top of the screen so there is no margin before you are into the swept area. I have stuck it behind the rear view mirror where I can't really see it so it's not restricting my vision (as the rear view mirror blocks it) but to the letter of the law I think it's not legal.