Any Dash-cam suggestions for Bronco? Can I use Bronco camera as Dash-cam?

[Totomimibronco]

I think of dash-cam for Bronco. Any suggestions? Can I use Bronco camera as Dash-cam?

Sponsored

 

[ZackDanger]

It does not appear as though you can use the built-in 360 cameras at this point as a dash camera.

In the Bronco accessory catalog there are Ford dash cameras listed. They are the ones that you can already buy from ford for their other vehicles, which include integrated wiring harnesses for a clean plug-and-play install.

No idea how they intend to mount the rear camera considering the rear window is removable (and not always glass).

One could hope that an OTA update to Sync4 would enable the use of the 360 cameras for dash cam use... but I haven't heard of any plans for that (and you would have to solve the video storage issue... maybe with an attached USB drive of suitable speed.. but that's a pipe dream for me right now).

The breakdown of those are:

C - Front facing only
D - Front and Rear Facing
E - Front and Driver Facing

 

[HotdogThud]

Escort makes a decent one that I hear has good reviews, ties in nicely with their radar detectors, too

 

[Bud2020]

One could hope that an OTA update to Sync4 would enable the use of the 360 cameras for dash cam use... but I haven't heard of any plans for that (and you would have to solve the video storage issue... maybe with an attached USB drive of suitable speed).

I have been hoping for something like that. It just makes sense that you would be able to save the video output from the cameras. I thought I had read that using the Trail Cam feature you could share videos and GPS of your adventures off road. I am thinking I misread that and it's just sharing GPS data.

 

[HarderCorer]

Have to follow this thread. I plan to wire a dash cam to an aux switch.

First, I really need those switches to do something or I'll go insane.

Second, I basically live on a gravel access road that Google thinks is a nice paved road. When some jackass wrecks into me, I want some proof!

 

[Mickey21]

I have been hoping for something like that. It just makes sense that you would be able to save the video output from the cameras. I thought I had read that using the Trail Cam feature you could share videos and GPS of your adventures off road. I am thinking I misread that and it's just sharing GPS data.

That is correct, it was mentioned they could be recorded for sharing and later viewing.

 

[RG7]

Blackvue is a solid brand of dash cams. They have a few different offerings at different price points.

As the resident Bronco chief of knowledge (@ZackDanger) said, doesn’t look like the forward facing camera can be used as a dash cam. In all honestly you’d have to adjust the positioning as it’s pointed down IIRC.

 

[WatchYourSix]

Have to follow this thread. I plan to wire a dash cam to an aux switch.

First, I really need those switches to do something or I'll go insane.

Second, I basically live on a gravel access road that Google thinks is a nice paved road. When some jackass wrecks into me, I want some proof!

Only downside to wiring them to the AUX switches is you won't be able to use parking mode because the camera wouldn't be recording with the vehicle off.

 

[ZackDanger]

I have been hoping for something like that. It just makes sense that you would be able to save the video output from the cameras. I thought I had read that using the Trail Cam feature you could share videos and GPS of your adventures off road. I am thinking I misread that and it's just sharing GPS data.

That is correct, it was mentioned they could be recorded for sharing and later viewing.

Actually.....

If you pay attention to what has been said to-date about that trail mapping stuff... it sounds like you can "record" in the sense that you can upload just your track/route over the map. If you want to record video it needs to be done through your cellphone (mounted to your dash/windshield).

Using your cellphone and the associated app, you can marry the telemetry data from your Bronco with the video recorded on your phone, into one cohesive record.... and then upload that record to some social media platform for "likes" and "MeowMeowBeenz" from your off-roading peers.

From this thread here:

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/fordpass-performance-app-for-bronco-–-features-part-1.13273/

Bronco’s implementation of the FordPass Performance app will guide Bronco owners over more than 2000 trails across the US, Canada, and Mexico. It will deeply integrate with the Bronco to capture detailed telemetry data and then display that data in an overlay of the trail footage that is captured on a smart phone at the press of a button. That video and trail experience can then be exported and shared virtually anywhere the user chooses on the internet. Every Bronco with the MID package will have access to the entire Bronco FordPass Performance experience, all owners need is a free FordPass account.

 

[BEM-S4]

Escort makes a decent one that I hear has good reviews, ties in nicely with their radar detectors, too

One downside to this is you cannot use Escort radar detector, dashcam and laser jammer all at the same time. If you want laser and radar the camera will not work.

MirrorTap is a very easy way to power if you don't need parking mode.

 

[Used2jeep]

Escort makes a decent one that I hear has good reviews, ties in nicely with their radar detectors, too

Decent....Escort...

 

[Natai]

Actually.....

If you pay attention to what has been said to-date about that trail mapping stuff... it sounds like you can "record" in the sense that you can upload just your track/route over the map. If you want to record video it needs to be done through your cellphone (mounted to your dash/windshield).

Using your cellphone and the associated app, you can marry the telemetry data from your Bronco with the video recorded on your phone, into one cohesive record.... and then upload that record to some social media platform for "likes" and "MeowMeowbeenz" from your off-roading peers.

Good catch.

If only Ford provided some simple means to securely mount your phone for this purpose - perhaps a rail of some sort...

I'm still debating about a dashcam myself. I don't currently have a dashcam or GoPro. I was leaning towards a dashcam due to the benefits in an accident, but some of the KOH videos using a GoPro mounted in a variety of different positions have me seriously rethinking this.

 

[RedHotFuzz]

If only Ford provided some simple means to securely mount your phone for this purpose - perhaps a rail of some sort...

I just hope there will be an easy aftermarket way to add a USB port to the dash without the Lux package - which I can't even get on Black Diamond and wouldn't pay the large premium even if I could.

 

[Judge Rufus]

Garmin mini - $100
small - 2" x 1.2" weight - 1 oz.
1080p
140 degree angle
G-sensor (automatically creates a back-up file when an accident is sensed)
Integrated microphone
Built in wifi / bluetooth
Parking mode
Supports micro-sd

 

[Natai]

I just hope there will be an easy aftermarket way to add a USB port to the dash without the Lux package - which I can't even get on Black Diamond and wouldn't pay the large premium even if I could.

Should be fairly straightforward given the passthrough wires, if you're comfortable cutting the dash for the ports.

I was trying to research dashcam options that could be powered by the dash USB (I ordered Lux), since that would preclude needing the wiring harness with the cams available from Ford. Evidently virtually all dashcams are unreliable at best if you try to power them off a standard USB. They all use a wiring harness or cigarette light adapter. +1 to going with a GoPro

Sponsored