In 2021, it's hard to get much more frustrating on the road than missing out on the idiot who cut you off in traffic and left you holding the bill and the higher insurance rates to go with it. You need a dashcam to record what's going on around you. For your own protection, but also to help make your TikToks go viral with the best dashcam videos.
Last week we asked you for your favorites and why you love them. This week, we show you the best of them and why we (and you) think that they're the best dashcam for your BMW, from an E46 M3 track day car to a soccer practice X7.
1. Forum Member Favorite: Garmin Dash Cam 66W
A few of you recommended Garmin dashcams for your BMW, and it's not hard to see why. Check out this Garmin 66W. Not only does it record an ultra-wide 180-degree field of view with 1440p, it also has voice controls to help you operate it. Auto-sync software lets you combine and playback up to four cameras using your smartphone. It also has built-in forward collision and lane departure warnings that let you know if you're about to hit something or if you're wandering out of your lane. So it's not just a great camera, it can give an older car the latest safety features. Lastly, it has Garmin Clarity HDR technology to offer more detail in low-light situations.
The 70mai Pro was recommended by @Jrjr for its excellent video quality. This is a budget-priced camera but still offers high-resolution images, night vision, looping recording, and a G-force sensor. It will even record with motion detection to capture someone lurking around your vehicle. While auto-loop recording means you don't need to worry about a full memory card, the G-sensor and Emergency Accident Lock detect when you've been in a collision and automatically prevents that footage from being deleted or overwritten.
Cameras from Viofo were recommended by @Sabyre, @JUKE179r, @AMarsh1959, and @desone. The A129 offers some extra features, but the A119 model represents a great value. 1440p recording and a Sony Starvis camera sensor that allows HDR recording for more detail as well as improved low-light image quality. The camera has motion and collision detection and will even capture footage when you're parked if you use the parking mode function. If the sensor is activated, those videos are flagged and stored in your memory card. They're also real videos, not a series of time-lapse frames as other cameras capture in that mode. A capacitor instead of a battery helps prolong life in extreme hot and cold conditions. User desone reported an issue with memory cards, but this was fixed with an upgrade to a dashcam-friendly high-quality memory card.
A camera that attaches to your mirror, like this one from VanTop, offers some interesting features over a conventional camera. For a start, it's more discreet. So someone looking to break into your car, or someone who is planning to take it for a joyride, might not notice that they're being recorded. Which can be handy later. It offers a dual-camera system that lets you capture footage from behind the vehicle as well (with the rear camera helping you park when you're reversing. With loop recording and G-sensors, it offers loads of high-tech options. That's before we even get to the video screen, which replaces your standard rear-view mirror glass with a screen that offers a wider field of view and doesn't limit your view to what's framed in the rear glass. "I hate the "in your face" look of most dashcams. I prefer sleek hardly noticeable units," said user @Rich54T
Last on our list is the Rove R2-4K dashcam. It offers WiFi connection as well as GPS location recording for your BMW. The 150-degree wide-angle lens captures everything in front of your vehicle. The GPS feature helps add your speed to your recordings and let you track your route. The Sony image sensor offers night vision technology for better images in low light. This camera comes with a 1-year warranty and 30-day refund policy and offers US-based customer service. It will support up to a 512 GB memory card, it will also provide custom voice alerts to tell you important notes like if the parking sensor was activated while you were away.
The open road can be a dangerous place, but you can at least help capture evidence for later using a dashcam. Record the traffic around you and have proof that you didn't run that light, that you did change lanes safety, or even that you really did see an inflatable gorilla crossing the interstate because your friends will never believe you.
How to Pick a Dashcam?
When shopping for a dashcam for your BMW, you're looking for a few must-have features. Impact sensors with automatic recording are key for when your BMW is parked. High-definition cameras make sure you can actually see what is happening in the footage instead of just a blur. And night vision or HDR recording capabilities all bring out details in low light like nighttime driving. You'll want at least 1440 pixels, though 4K is better, and look for a Sony-branded image sensor.
Once you have those basics, then the price and extras you want are the limit. Some will replace your rearview mirror, others will give you updated driver assistance features like emergency braking warnings. Some can even offer true night vision, helping you to spot obstacles down the road. Here, it's how much you want the gizmos and if you'll let your budget support it.
(original post)
Whether you realize it or not, one of the best electronic accessories you can install is a radar detector for your BMW. Unless your daily commute consists of driving on the special sections of the autobahn, where there is no speed limit, you're likely playing the game of chance like most other drivers behind the wheel. This game of chance is seeing just how fast you can go over a certain distance before coming across that state trooper who has hidden behind shrubs, freeway bridges or is waiting to pounce on an unsuspecting driver from an on ramp. Using radar technology to bust people racing down the highway, you'll see the flashing red and blue lights behind you before you can finish belting out "I can't drive 55."
This is why the popularity of radar detectors has grown, and continues to grow year after year. As the highway patrol uses radar technology to bust speeders, radar detectors can help you avoid those costly speeding tickets and a trip to the most affordable driving school.
If you already own one, we want to know which radar detector you trust to keep your speeds up and your insurance rates down. From having a wide range of detection, a good visual display, and for some of you living in states where they might be cough illegal, be undetectable by police radar, we'd love for you to share your favorite radar detectors with the Bimmerfest family, so leave a comment below.
We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. Learn more about how this works.
70mai A800s, best for the $, but hard to find one. 70mai Pro another option. That's what I have. Excellent video quality.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
BMW Forum - BimmerFest BMW Forums
posts
12M
members
798K
Since
2001
A forum community dedicated to BMW owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about Bimmerfest events, BMW production numbers, programming, performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! Bringing the BMW community together.
