I want a dashcam that I can install once and then forget. I drive daily in the city with some highway trips. I want clear footage day and night and a simple parking mode that just works.
My budget is around $200–$250 for a front setup, and I can stretch if a front and rear kit makes clear sense. I plan to use a hardwire kit, so a simple install and good guides help.
There are many models that list 4K, HDR, and parking features. Reviews mention crashes, corrupt cards, and apps that feel broken, which makes me nervous.
If you were choosing a dashcam in 2025, which model would you trust and why? Do you think front only is enough, or would you go front and rear from day one?
For one channel: Vantrue E1 Pro 4k is hard to beat - only $110 on Amazon right now.
Some people use a second E1 Pro as a rear camera because that's cheaper than most 4k two channel products.
That’s what I have right now. E1 Lite is even cheaper and sufficient for most people. Stick with one of the brands that has a good long history like VanTrue, VIOFO, Blackvue, etc. Here is a post with some options. Or look at the sidebar.
That’s a solid point. I like the idea of a strong single cam that just works, especially at that price. Using two separate units instead of a combo kit is actually smart if reliability is better.
The biggest advantage is that you don't have to run a cable between the two. As you say, if the front one fails, you can just move the rear one to the front.
If you don't mind lower resolution, Viofo A119 Mini 2 was under $90 last time I looked.
Viofo. Bought a 129 some years ago which i think died on me due to heat exposure. When that went out on me I replaced it with a viofo 229. No complaints. I just installed a viofo 329 in my wife's new car. They work great.
Heat killing older cams is exactly what I’m worried about, so it’s good to hear the newer models are holding up better.
I was a bit concerned after the first one went out on me but I gave the brand another chance because I liked the camera and quality while it was functioning. I've had no issues with the newer ones so far.
VIOFO A229 or A329 series
VIOFO seems to be the most consistently recommended brand so far. Leaning toward them mainly because of video quality
Thinkware Q200 fits your budget and Blackvue Elite 9 fits your desired specs.
Cams claiming to do both tend to lie about specs and/or be unreliable trash.
Yeah, that’s what I’ve noticed too. The brands that specialize in parking mode and reliability seem to matter more than chasing specs
I feel like this question gets asked pretty daily, do people not look in the sub before asking questions?
I did browse a bit, but specs and models change fast and I wanted some fresh opinions for 2025 specifically
I mean this questions has been asked weekly lmao don’t think week to week things change much :)
Buy: Viofo, Vantrue, Thinkware.
Avoid: Rexing, Apeman, anything Amazon recommends
I don't think that's changed much the last five years. Maybe Garmin dropped off.
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I’m very happy with my viofo a329s. Also haven’t had any issues with my vantrue x4s which was half the price though. Both are hardwired now.
That’s reassuring, especially since both are hardwired. Heat reliability is a big concern for me
I just picked up the Viofo A229 3ch for under $250. 4k front, 2k rear, FHD interior
That’s actually a crazy good deal for a 3-channel setup. Do you notice any reliability or heat issues with the extra camera running?
I’d go with a DDPAI front + rear setup within your $200–$250 range. DDPAI cams tend to give reliable clear day/night video, the parking mode actually works, and the supercapacitor keeps time/date stable without weird battery issues. With a hardwire kit and a 128GB high-endurance card, I set mine and haven’t touched it since it just records what matters. Front-only is fine if you really need to save money, but getting rear coverage from the start gives you way better overall protection for city driving and parking situations.
Vantrue N5S
Interesting pick, I’ve seen mixed opinions on Vantrue overall, but people who own them seem pretty happy long-term
1CH - Viofo A119M Pro 2CH - Viofo A229
Front-only vs 2CH really seems like a budget vs peace-of-mind decision more than anything else