Dashboard camera frequent asked questions and problems shooting

Dashboard camera frequent asked questions and problems shooting

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Dashboard camera is a necessary safety driving equipment for car owner. This post summarizes some problems encountered during using of dashboard camera, and gives the analysis and solutions to those buyer who know a little about dashboard camera for references:

1.during video capturing, dashboard camera will automatically stop, can not take images and videos, how to solve?

Reason analysis: Once shooting high definition video,the data will be larger data larger, each frame of video will be stored in the SD card during shooting, if use poor quality or low speed SD card for storage, memory card processing speed can not keep up with the required speed for dashboard camera recording , then the automatically stop phenomenon will be appear during video capturing, and can not take pictures or video.
Solution: Check if the memory card has enough space. Please use high speed memory card which compatible with dashboard camera, high-speed memory card usually has C4, C10 and other marks, we recommended you to choose C10 memory card. Check whether the loop recording function turns on in the menu,whether screen saver function turns off.

2.recorder recording is not continuous, recording for dozens of seconds then it stop, but after a while it began to record ?

Solutions: Turn off motion detection. May buyer set the motion detection function after receiving the camera,but many buyers do not understand the motion detection function. Motion detection is used when parking,it is not used when driving.Once turn on the motion detection function,if there are horizontal objects movement before the lens, the dashboard camera will record ; no horizontal objects before the camera it will not record.

3, When we play back pictures and video, appear “file error”, “memory card error” or “Custer size wrong. Please format” tips, how to resolve ?

Reasons analysis: As the shoot high definition video files stored in the low speed card or poor quality memory card,the memory card can not completely capture the video, resulting in file loss, the screen will appear “file error ”
Solution: Please use a computer to format the memory card, then format the memory card in the dashboard camera menu again; replace a genuine Kingston ,Sandisk or other brand name C10 high speed memory card. It is recommended to use the original memory card equipped with the dashboard camera or buy memory card from the seller, because you can ask the seller to test it with your dashboard camera model,so it fully comply with your dashboard camera.

4.Why the captured video or images foggy ?

Reasons analysis: if there are obstacles, dirt on the dashboard camera lens,or dirt in the car front windshield , it may cause unclear or foggy images and videos.
Solutions: Check if there are dirt, fingerprints on the camera lens; before shooting, use the lens paper to wipe the lens; check the lens protection film is torn off or not; the front windshield is clean enough or not, you can use dishcloth to wipe.

5.In the cloudy days or indoor light source, the image quality is not perfect ?

Reasons analysis: due to cloudy or indoor light scene, the surrounding environment is dim, shoot video quality is worse than video captured in enough light circumstances, this is the normal situation. But sometimes it may caused by wrongly white balance setting.
Solution: Please check whether the machine “white balance” function is set to automatic; set the exposure compensation level step by step and then check the display changes to determine the effect of setting; check the dashboard camera angle, the camera can not directly face the strong light, the correct placement is to maintain the dashboard camera in horizontal line,without too much deviation, the color change problem usually because of wrong settings,you can try to restore the default settings in the settings menu.

6.Press any key and does not react, can not set the menu and stop working;but pull out the TF card and you can set menu normally, how to resolve ?

Reasons analysis:dashboard camera use poor quality or low speed memory card; TF card internal circuit shortage; the charger not match the dashboard camera;frequent operate keys in a short time .
Solution: Replace current memory card with genuine Kingston or Sandisk memory card; use original charger; reset the dashboard camera;

7.Why the screen be black after recording for a period of time, but the lights still lit?

Reasons analysis: This is because the screen saver function (timer off screen) is set.
Solution: Press “MENU” to enter the system menu, select the “screen saver”, press the Enter key to enter, turn off the function.

8.The dashboard camera can working under normal circumstances, but after connect to the car charger, it can’t work?

Reasons analysis: This problem occurs because the car charger output voltage does not match the dashboard camera working voltage.
Solution: Please choose the right car charger for charging, 5V dashboard camera should use 5V output car charger. If the car charge voltage dropping module damaged,it will lead to too high output voltage, but if USB output voltage exceeds 6V or more, will cause the dashboard camera instability, or burn the dashboard camera power IC module .

9.Turn on the motion detection function at night for a while ,then dashboard camera lack of electricity ?

Reasons analysis: motion detection function is generally open during parking at night, parking off the car,the car will stop power supply to dashboard camera, as the dashboard camera built in battery can only supply about 3-10 minutes, if the dashboard camera needs continuously working at night, need to connect an external power source to the dashboard camera.
Solution: can be connected to power bank or automotive battery for power supply, but the power bank must have voltage monitoring and current monitoring functions, using of inferior brand power bank may also cause the dashboard camera’s motherboard IC power module damage.If you connect it with car battery, you need to use voltage dropping module with low voltage protection functions.

10.Dashboard camera can’t boot ?

Reasons analysis: whether the dashboard has enough voltage; whether the dashboard camera uses a high speed memory card; whether the dashboard camera can be powered normally.
Solution: Use the car charger to fully charge the dashboard camera; use the high speed memory card (C10 brand name memory card); charge the dashboard camera to see if it can be powered normally; press the RESET button to reset and restart the camera. If above being tried,and still can’t boot,may be there is a problem with dashboard camera, need to contact the customer service center of manufacturer for help.

11.When the dashboard camera turn on the video loop function, after using for 1-2 months,frequently occur the situation of can not record phenomenon ?

Reasons analysis: If the video loop function is turned on, this phenomenon occurs may because of two reasons: the dashboard camera gravity sensor set to a high sensitivity,gravity sensing is easy to trigger during working, so the recorded videos are protected, the protected video file can’t being overwritten by the loop; or use a poor quality or low speed memory card;
Solutions:Format the TF card or Press the “MENU” button to enter into the menu, select the gravity sensor, press the Enter key to enter, select “low” option.

12.Why the recording time is not my pre-set time frame ?

Reasons analysis: the software system segment and save the file sometimes not strictly in accordance with the set time ,but as long as the video will not missing a second,then it is OK. In addition,use poor quality or low speed memory card; open the motion detection function, or high gravity sensor sensitivity settings may lead to file segmentation not strictly in accordance with the set time.
Solution: Please format the memory card or replace with a high quality C10 high speed memory card; press the “MENU” button, enter the function menu, turn off the motion detection function, or set the gravity sensing sensitivity to low.

13.Image black or shiny?

Reasons analysis: As the brightness contrast during the shooting ,it is affecting the dashboard camera’s automatic exposure function.
Solution: You can correct by adjusting the exposure compensation (EV) value in the dashboard camera setup menu.

14.Dashboard camera noise a bit large during recording ?

Reasons & Solutions: Once the dashboard camera in low battery conditions,it will produce low power current noise. Of course, there are some dashboard cameras on the market using motherboard with worse filter design, no doubt their current noise will be large .Some times car charger interference will be obvious ,please try to change another car charger.

15.Dashboard camera can’t automatically recording when connected to car charger ?

Reasons analysis: Car charger voltage and dashboard camera voltage does not match; USB pin sequence is wrong; memory card does not have storage space.
Solution: Replace a car charger that matches the dashboard camera voltage; remove or format the contents in the memory card and turn on the loop video function.

16.Currently, the car battery output voltage is usually “12V, 24V”, I would like to ask if battery with these voltage value,can dashboard camera access for power supply?

Answer and solution: dashboard camera input voltage is 5V, original car charger charger output voltage is 5V,car battery output voltage is 12-24V, so the dashboard camera must use a voltage dropping line ( module ) to access 12-24V car battery, and can connect to car charger directly.

17.Once you set up an operation , how to save?

Solution: short press OK/REC button; then press the MENU button when exit, pre-set can be saved.

18.Setting current time, after turn off for a period , restart and it will restore to the default settings, how to solve?

Reasons analysis: When the time setting is executed under low voltage (3.3V, normally 4.2V), the set time can not be memorized, resulting in the inability to save the current time setting.
Solution: It is recommended to set the time and date in the case of sufficient power.

19.Shooting the sky, the water and other scenes, the image is very dark, image color change, easy to distort, how to solve?

Reasons analysis: Larger contrast scene will affect the camera’s automatic exposure function, resulting in image discoloration.
Solution: You can correct by adjusting the “(Exposure Compensation) EV” value in the dashboard setup menu.

20.Dashboard recorder interfere radio?

Solution: unplug the car charger, use the built in dashboard camera battery to see if it still interfere the radio; to determine whether the car charger interfere or dashboard camera circuit interfere. Of course,if the same dashboard camera on the different cars, some cars were disturbed, and some cars anti-interference. Then the car charger and car radio frequency is repeated,please replace the car charger.

21.Get power supply from the fuse box or from the reading lamp ?

Solution: Better to get power supply from fuse box, connect the dashboard camera to fuse box with a voltage drop line , relatively simple and circuit can be checked easily.
Get power supply from reading lamp is more complex, you need to test the voltage and current, and must find the 12V output line and earth wire, you also need to observe the voltage changes before and after the engine starts.

Avoiding bad quality driving recorder causing spontaneous combustion to vehicle

Avoiding bad quality driving recorder causing spontaneous combustion to vehicle

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To avoid unnecessary responsibility and road fraud in traffic accidents,more and more car owners considering to buy or already bought a driving recorder. Ms. Lee spent around $50 to buy a driving recorder. a month later, the plastic case edge of the driving recorder has been spoilt since the installation is close to the front windshield. Professionals warning that during purchase and use of driving recorder,consumers should be careful, because poor quality products may cause the vehicle to spontaneous combustion.

Car owners:buy driving recorder for different purpose

Reporters found that car owner buying driving recorder for different purpose. Most owners are to protect their own rights when the traffic police or insurance claims investigation on site after accidents.There are owners think that the vehicle damage is affordable, if involved in the casualties of traffic accidents, if there is no monitor or no witness, then there may be a big trouble, driving recorder may be useful at this time. While the owner Mr.Zhang has another purpose,he is particularly fond of self driving travel, during rest on weekends he often drive whole family to the suburbs to have fun, usually there are beautiful scenery along the road, but as he need to drive all the way, so he can only ignore these beautiful scenery, a driving recorder can help to automatically photographing beautiful scenery during driving .

Driving recorder industry insider:poor quality driving recorder may cause spontaneous combustion to the vehicle

A dealer told reporters in Beijing Automotive Products Exhibition, a dealer told reporters that although driving recorder has been popular for years, but there are still many bad quality driving recorder on the market,below are some common knowledge about driving recorder:
A).Driving recorder and GPS navigator is similar, tconnect the driving recorder to the cigarette lighter, it can only work during the car running , once the car stopped the driving recorder can’t work too. If the battery is installed, some recorders can only work less than two hours after parking. The vechiles being designated, stolen and other issues, the driving recorder simply can’t achieve 24 hours a day video recording functions.
B).The shooting angle is not wide enough. Recording angle recorded by driving recorder lens from 70 degrees to 170 degrees range, no matter how you adjust the driving recorder, it can only taken the video in corresponding angle.
C).There are a wide range of driving recorder in the market now, ranging from 30USD to 500USD. Usually those hidden built in mounting style driving camera quality is better. For driving recorder cost only 30-70USD, owner should pay more attention during purchase and use. Because those driving recorders will be connected to the cigarette lighter. The more cheaper the driving recorders are, the more inconsistent with the car part , once the driving recorder with poor power protection and poor accessories, it may easy happen line ignition phenomenon, it is likely to cause the vehicle spontaneous combustion. With the rising temperature, the overall temperature of the car will continue to rise too, especially in summer, the maximum temperature of inside the car may up to 60 degree, if the driving recorder accessories quality is not good, the ignition point is too low, it is easy to catch fire, and then causing vehicle spontaneous combustion.

Insurance company: they have encountered only a few driver with the recorder evidence

In a motor vehicle rapid claims center, the company’s staff told reporters that they are agents of many insurance companies quickly claims business, they has only encountered a few car owner use the driving recorder evidence.
It seems that most of the car owners install driving recorder with the original intention of evidence taken for the accident, but only a few of them really use these evidence .However,driving recorder is still considered to be necessary equipment for either old car or new car. But car owner should pay attention to the driving recorder quality. In addition, the driving recorder appearance is almost same as a mobile phone, better to install in a hidden place inside the car, so it won’t bring security risks to owner.

Tesla spare no effort to promote replacing rear view mirror with mini camera

Tesla spare no effort to promote replacing rear view mirror with mini camera

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Tesla Model S is considered to be leading a revolution in the electric car market, from the Tesla new generation Model X SUV models, the company founder Elon Musk once again set off a change trend : replacing the traditional rear view car mirror with mini camera.

When Tesla Model X SUV debuted, its many features let people shine, such as “wing” style door, no traditional rear view mirror.Actually, Model X replaced the rear view mirror with a mini camera, and the images captured by the camera will displaying on the electronic touch screen lcd inside the cabin. Although this reduces the Model X wind resistance, but it also violated some of US security requirements.

The regulations of the US authorities on the use of car mounted cameras should originally in effect in 2013, during which Tesla had been lobbying legislators to revise the law, allowing mini cameras to replace traditional rear view car mirrors, so US lawmakers have been postponing the law implementation. In 2016, Tesla,GM, Toyota, Volkswagen and other 12 members from car manufacturers Union ,made a proposal to the NHTSA, and recommended to use the rear view camera to replace the traditional car rear view mirror.

Replacement of the rear view mirror can simplify the car body structure, while reducing the wind resistance at the same time.Currently, improving fuel efficiency and car energy efficiency, become more and more important for car manufacturers and car owners. It is estimated that if use mini camera instead of rear view mirrors, the vehicle wind resistance will be able to reduce up to 5%. In fact, Volkswagen XL1 and some other car models, has been considered no longer using rear view mirrors for energy efficiency, but Tesla is the only one company really want to promote the legislative reform for car cameras.

General knowledge about dashboard camera sensors

General knowledge about dashboard camera sensors

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When we choose a dashboard camera, we will certainly pay attention to the mastering chip ( we usually call it sensor ) of the dashboard camera. The common sensor used in the driving recorder were Ambarella, TI,Novatek,Zoran,STK and so on.

Today we would like to share you some knowledge about dashboard camera sensors.

1. Ambarella sensor from Unites States: Ambarella is the leader in high definition video industry, mention the name of Ambarella, it is estimated that no one did not know it in video industry, their sensor used to adopt by DV, and gradually used in the dashboard camera , their common sensor models are A1, A2, A3, A5, A7, A9,A12 ;A7 and A12 sensors are mainly used in high end dashboard camera with expensive price, A2 mainly used for common dashboard camera.

2.TI sensor by Texas Instruments from United States: it is estimated that few people heard about TI in video industry, its headquarter located in Dallas,Texas,United States, TI chip is mainly used in South Korea,TI sensor is the No.2 in this industry.

3.Novatek sensor from Taiwan: Novatek common sensor models are 96620,96630 and 96650, Novatek sensor is a bit cheaper than Ambarella and TI sensor, but their quality reliable too,ranked after the Ambarella and TI in video sensor industry. Dashboard cameras with Novatek 96650 sensor and magnesium light has a particularly clear video at daytime, while they can still guarantee a good night vision effect in the night, so dashboard camera with Novatek sensor is a good choice both for buyer or end consumer.

4. Zoran, STK these sensors I do not introduce them one by one here,as they are generally used in low end dashboard camera, the price is relatively cheap.

Ps: Shenzhen Luview Co.,ltd mainly adopt Ambarella or Novatek sensor for our dashboard cameras.

How WDR technology benefit your dashboard camera

How WDR technology benefit your dashboard camera ?

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WDR ( wide dynamic range ) is a technology used to make sure camera can capture video or images under very intense contrast. Broadly speaking, refers to region between change from the maximum value to the minimum or perhaps the minimum value to the maximum .

Usually in the case of strong light exposure or low brightness and other relatively low brightness conditions,the vidoe or image taken by camera will appear particularly bright or may be particularly dark, bright area is due to excessive exposure and dark screen is due to lack of exposure, severely affect video clarity and quality. This restriction is what we usually called “dynamic range”.

In short, traditional dashboard camera when you choose to use 1/100 seconds to obtain the exposured image inside the car, then the images outside the car in the light may will be whiten under strong exposure or low brightness conditions, if continuous in 1/10000 seconds do second exposure to the outside images, then the internal image may be eradicated or be black, when the two images merged together will eventually reduce the final image or video quality,which is also the shortage of traditional camera.

Dashboard cameras with WDR technology can handle the contrast of light source, improve the quality of the images and clarity,even under excessive exposure light source or ultra darkness environment,they are able to shoot high quality images.

Luview Co., LTD is proudly to make a promise to all our customers: all our dashboard cameras, either cheap price ones or specially designed for high end car dashboard camera, are all adopting WDR technology, please be confident in our dashboard cameras.

How to access video recorded by car dashboard camera

How to access video recorded by car dashboard camera ?

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As you are already have a dashboard camera installed on your car or you are going to buy a dashboard camera, and you don’t want to read the endless user manual, but you still have some questions about car dashboard camera. One question usually will be how can i access video recorded by car dashboard camera ? Below are four different methods.

1.Taking out the TF memory card from the dashboard camera,loading it into the card reader, and then connecting to the computer, you can use read the contents inside the TF memory card like using an U disk,sourcing the folder one by one you can find the video file.

2. Connecting the car dashboard camera to computer or laptop with a USB cable, the computer will identify the dashboard camera as mass storage devices, and sometimes there are screen prompts, you need to select the storage device. You can read the videos after you can the storage device,souring method same as above.

3. A lot of dashboard camera with lcd display itself, you can also play in the dashboard camera, the method is generally stop the video recording first, and then press the mode key, you can find the video which has been recorded, click ok to play it.

4. Some dashboard camera such as Luview branded built in hidden dashboard camera with WiFi function,you can use the corresponding mobile phone APP to watch the recorded video on the mobile phone. However, while the phone connected with dashboard camera, the phone will automatically disconnect the mobile network, so you can’t receive message from constant messenger such as Skype,MSN,QQ,Wechat etc,after checking the recorded video, remember to disconnect your cellphone WiFi connection with dashboard camera , otherwise it will affect the usage of cellphone.

dash cam 5 buying traps you should avoid

Dash cam 5 buying traps you should avoid

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Since the traffic fraud is more common now, dash cam ( also being called dashboard camera, dashcam, dash camera,dashboard cam;they are actually the same thing ) has become a must buy equipment for car. In addition to retaining evidence and protect drivers themselves, dash cam can also record the funny moments and along landscape during car running.

But there are so many dash cam on the market, the price ranging from a few bucks to several hundreds, and the high price dash cam usually come with many functions, but after use you may found these functions not so useful as the purchasing guide said.How can we avoid buying traps, not waste money? let’s take a look at below.

Trap one: camera lens pixels the higher the better

Some purchasing guide will recommend relatively high pixel dash cam, current dash cam pixels in the market ranging from several millions to 10 million pixels, naturally, the higher pixels the more expensive. But in general, 2 million pixels 1080P dash cam is powerful enough to capture clear driving videos. Higher pixel sensors will not only reduce the recording time, but also greatly increase the number of memory card rewrite times,which will lead to shorter memory card life.

Trap two: the more function the better

Some purchasing guide will recommend consumer to purchase a all-in-one dash cam, with additional electronic dog, reversing camera, GPS navigation function or something besides the basic driving video recording function, and the price will naturally rising. In fact, because multiple functions share the same CPU, all-in-one dash cam performance will be significantly reduced,and the effect can’t up to the effect as it said,besides,the service life will be shorter than the single function dash cam too.

Trap three: dash cam performance with Ambarella chip will be better

Most salesman will tell you that his dash cam is adopt the Ambarella A7 chip, but they just will not tell you the exact A7 chip number.The A7 series Ambarella chip is divided into high,middle,low three different classes, respectively is LA70, LA50 / LA55, LA30, low grade chip A7 chip performance naturally not as good as high end Ambarella A7 chip.

Trap four: view angle the wider the better

Some purchasing guide will recommend super wide angle dash cam, with wide view angle its blind area will be less. In fact,although wide angle can reduce the blind area, but it will distort the screen too, the wider view angle the more serious distortion, video effects will be affected too. In general, 120-150 degrees view angle dash cam can meet most driver’s requirements. Before you buy a 170 degrees or even 200 degrees view angle dash cam,consider it carefully .

Trap five: dash cam can be 24 hour monitoring while parking

Some high end car owners will think about a 24 hour parking monitoring dash cam, because their exposed car used to be damaged while parking.However, on the one hand the cam built-in battery and memory card can only support video of 8-16 hours, it is difficult to achieve 24-hour monitoring; on the other hand the dash cam monitoring angle is limited, certainly can’t achieve all-round monitoring. So you want to have a 24 hours monitoring dash cam for your car is not realistic, if the purchasing guide recommend this feature to you, then he must be lying .

Although is it a bit complex to choose a dash cam driving recorder,as long as you avoid these traps, being cheat choice may greatly reduced.

Wrong positons you should avoid during dashboard camera installation

Wrong positons you should avoid during dashboard camera installation

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Dashboard camera recorder is now the basic equipment of many vehicles. Install the dashboard camera can protect driving security;and avoid of road fraud at the same time. But if dashboard camera recorder installed in the wrong position, not only can not ensure driving security, but may also increase the front blind area, and bring a great security risk for driving .Below are the dashboard camera installation mistakes user should avoid:

1.The power cord is placed in the middle

Part of car owner install the dashboard camera with the power connection line directly in the middle of the the vehicle. This may result in the power line dangling during driving, and affecting the driver’s eye sight, thus bringing security risks. The correct way is to go through the power connection line in a hidden way,such as hidden in the interior joints, or be placed in the seal.

2.Installed at the top right of the front window

Some car owners think that dashboard camera installed in the front window , which make is closer to the sponge, and will not affect the eye sight. In fact, this position will lead to the dashboard camera effect greatly reduced. Although current dashboard camera view angle is not small, but the wrong position may make the front blind area greatly increased, resulting in opposite effect. After all, only the dashboard camera achieve the maximum effective view angle can it be better record the surroundings.

3.Connect dashboard camera power line with the reading lamp power supply

As the reading lamp power supply is relatively independent, and the reading lamp power supply position very close to the front glass, many vehicle owners directly open the reading lamp shell, and connect dashboard camera to the power supply circuit for reading lamp. So even if the car power off, the dash camera can still working by consumption of automotive backup power. This may result in driver can’t ignite the car next time, because the backup power is exhausted by the dashboard camera.

For the dashboard camera installation position, rear view mirror back side is the best position, with the best vision.

16G, 32G, or 64G memory card, which is suitable for your dashboard camera

16G, 32G, or 64G memory card, which is suitable for your dashboard camera ?

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Most driver driving a car in less than 90 minutes per day, while the 32 G SD card can record 320 minutes full 1080p HD video, recorded video can be saved for more than three days, for most people,it is enough.If you want to record video around your car the whole day, you must adopt a 64 G sd card.So we recommend 32 G SD card for Luview dashboard car camera user.

Besides,SD card reliability and service life is very important,at least class 10 is required, otherwise it can not keep up with high definition video read and write speed. We recommend Sandisk high durable series 32 GB SD card,it can record more than 5000 hours under temperature of -25ºC to 85ºC,which means it can work almost in all areas and conditions.Although it is a bit more expensive than those bad quality ones,but it is more reliable.

Why not suction cup mounting dashboard camera

Why not suction cup mounting dashboard camera ?

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When we sourcing on Amazon,Ebay or Aliepxress,we can get various dashboard camera prices, from low to high.Why ? because of different brand, different camera solution,different mounting method etc. We would like to share you knowledge about dashboard camera mounting method.

Usually,dashboard camera has three different mounting method: suction cup mounting, self adhesive tap mounting, built in mounting.

Suction cup mounting is the easiest mounting method,usually these suction cup mounting dashboard camera price is very cheap, but it can be easily fall off during car collision,in cold winter or summer sunshine exposure, and cause traffic risk to driver.

Self adhesive tape mounting dashboard camera is very common in the market.With a genuine 3M VHB adhesive tape,the dashboard camera can firmly stick on any of your vehicle position.However, it may affect the beauty sense of your car.And what’s more ,there are a lot of poor fake 3M adhesive tape on the market too, using these 3M adhesive tape mounting dashboard camera may cause danger to driver too.

Built in mounting dashboard camera usually used for high end car, as they are 3-4 times more expensive than suction cup mounting dashboard camera, as they are specially designed for different car brand model,they can’t be used in one for all form.They will be perfecting fit your branded car model,seamless combine with your rear view camera,no color difference, actually this kind of built in dashboard camera is the best car dashboard camera.

Luview is a professional developer and manufacturer from China focus on built in hidden dashboard camera, we will continuously developing built in dashboard cameras and issue new product weekly.