I bought a Garmin Dash Cam 55 about two weeks ago and am not to the point of saying I'd recommend it or not. I just don't have enough experience with it much less its competitors. But I thought I'd go ahead and post my experience thus far.
I started looking for a dash cam after missing a Canadian lynx sighting on my trip last month. My brother was driving and I was busy with maps when the lynx crossed not far in front of the truck. My brother got a good look at it but I saw nothing but the briefest flash of gray. That incident reminded me of all the times I've had that kind of thing happen and it suddenly clicked-- I need a dashcam!
As noted, there are so many options it's tough to decide. I think in the end I decided on Garmin as my experience with their products has been mostly positive. I've had my frustrations but I'm generally satisfied with them (I'm referring to GPS, satellite-comm and mapping products).
I first had to decide if I wanted the wide-view Dash Cam 65 (180-degree view) or the 55 (122-degree view). After looking at footage various users have posted on YouTube, I decided I preferred the latter.
I also looked at the 45 model but eventually decided on the 55 for video resolution options... up to 1440p, 60 fps, HDR, etc... and for voice control. I'm not enough of a camera fan to know how I'll use the video resolution options yet but I didn't want to limit my choices.
This
Garmin Differences Between Models page helps us see which camera has which features. That's good for some basics but just keep in mind it's not a comprehensive list of features.
I bought the camera to record wildlife crossing ahead of me but of course it also captures anything that happens. I do have to remember, though, that the camera is recording continuously and the files are very big. Therefore the camera simply fills up the available memory on the card, then starts over-writing the oldest (unsaved) files with new ones.
There are several ways to save footage. It's automatically saved, for example, by Event Detection. If, for example, the camera's motion sensor detects violent movement, the camera automatically saves the last three minutes of footage to the Saved folder. (Note- the three-minute time interval is not adjustable).
Footage can also be saved by pressing a button on the side of the camera.
And it can be saved via Voice Control (talking to the camera). Saying 'OK Garmin' causes the camera display to light up with your options (Save Video, Take a Picture, Record (or stop) Audio, Start (or stop) Travelapse). Say the phrase to make it happen.
I wasn't looking for some of the other features but now that I have them, why not see how well they work...
1. Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS). I'm still trying settings to see if it improves as I'm getting some false warnings and sometimes no warning at all. (Note-- So here's what I'm talking about when I say I don't have enough experience yet: I just now found this
lane departure warning tips page that tells me LDWS only kicks in above 40 mph.... thus the lack of warnings on my tests at lower speeds)
2. Forward Collision Warning System (FCWS). I kinda like this one. It puts out a subtle beep that reminds me to pay attention. It didn't seem to do much at first as it seemed to warn too late. But I just changed from low to medium sensitivity this weekend for a trip out the interstate and into city traffic and it seems about right.
3. Go Alert (Traffic is Moving warning). A quick beep when traffic moves out and you're sitting there 'thinking'. I like it.
4. Red Light and Speed Camera warnings. Essentially the camera can be downloaded with a database of red light/speed cameras (called Cyclops) to warn you when you get close to one (in your path). That feature is optional and is a $25 yearly subscription. A 30-day trial comes with the camera. I've not done anything with that but probably will in the future.
OK-- other stuff....
The default camera mount is a peel-and-stick one. You adhere a nickel-size metal disk to the windshield and the camera-holding portion of the mount magnetically attaches to that disk. I've not used it yet as I bought Garmin's optional mini-suction-cup mount so I can test different camera positions and move the camera between vehicles. I also saw the peel-and-stick mount is supposed to be done when windshield temperature is between 70 and 100 degrees F and it's supposed to cure for 24 hours. I didn't have a way to easily do that in this weather and will just use the mini-suction-cup mount for now.
The power cord also takes some thought. The cigarette-lighter-style plug is fairly large and the cord is long so you can run it around the edge of the windshield, down the A-pillar and dash and perhaps under carpet to the outlet. I just have it running across the dash for now. I had thought I might opt to just use a short power cable to it (particularly in a second vehicle) but when I tried charging with an alternate cord, the camera displayed a warning. I called Garmin and was told the camera-to-PC cable that came with the camera can't just be plugged in to a USB port for charging. Also- there are no shorter charging cables available from Garmin.
Viewing video.... One of the things I have to figure out is why I don't have sound when I view footage on my Mac on QuickTime Player. I can see the mounted card in Finder and see and select one of the MP4 files for review. But for some reason I don't get audio. Garmin suggests using the Virb app on a smartphone. I put it on my iPad and can indeed see the footage and hear the audio. I see there's also a Virb Edit for Mac product but the compatible-devices list doesn't include dash cams.
I bought the camera from Amazon for $200. If I had known what was going to happen, I would have bought directly from Garmin. The price was the same but the Amazon vendor sent a European version. That's not in the ad or marked on the package. This came to light when I connected to Garmin Express and saw I had Cyclops Europe waiting as an update. It turns out that's a 30-day trial of the red-light/speed cameras option (for Europe, not US and Canada). Garmin tells me thats the only difference and I can get the Cyclops North America product (or free trial) from the Garmin web site.
As I mentioned, I also wanted the mini-suction cup mount. And I also wanted the polarization filter to cut down windshield reflections. Both of those had to be ordered directly from Garmin.
Another option available from Garmin is the parking cable. This option connects the camera to power and records any time motion is detected in front of the vehicle. I've not done anything with this and don't plan to.
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