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I thought I'd share photos of my dash cam install. I was looking for a unique way to mount the rear camera so you could see with the top up and the top down. The only thing is that I will have to remember to unplug the cord before I put the rear seat down. Fortunately I don't do that very often. Let me know what you guys think. With the top up! With the top up!
An interesting idea, and the view is better than I expected.
I have yet to install such a system, simply because I can't find anything of high enough quality. (Sunlight readable, and hopefully with an auto-brightness sensor.)
But there are a few things that bug me about this install:
1: It's probably better to have it in the center of the car, for a more accurate sense of L-R, though I suppose the side mirrors help with that so maybe a non-issue.
2: I looks a bit goofy. (Would be less goofy in the center.)
3: As you say, watch out for the wiring.
4: I have read many reports that most (all?) of these LCD's suffer from glare. From the sun but mostly from headlights at night. You can add film to help, but then that takes away some contrast & crispness. Because of this, I'm just about to have my rear window tinted very dark. (Planning on mounting a camera in the back.)
So... this would not work for such a setup.
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I love how high it is, though. I was going to mount my camera on the rear license plate, as most people do, but your pics have me re-thinking this.
Maybe there's a way to use a similar "mounting stick" on the back, so the camera is just at the top of the convertible top when it's down.
That's gonna be tricky to make it look right and not cause much damage to the car, but it WOULD be ideal.
More likely I'll try to attach a mount to the beltline. - Still significantly higher than the plate, and if it doesn't work, the beltline can easily be replaced, covering the holes.
Hmmm... Maybe your way is better, only moved to the center.
That would mean getting a lighter tint on the window, of course, so maybe having to deal with more glare on the LCD.
- But it would look much better than the external kludge..
Last edited by Cableaddict; Sep 6, 2025 at 05:45 AM.
An interesting idea, and the view is better than I expected.
I have yet to install such a system, simply because I can't find anything of high enough quality. (Sunlight readable, and hopefully with an auto-brightness sensor.)
But there are a few things that bug me about this install:
1: It's probably better to have it in the center of the car, for a more accurate sense of L-R, though I suppose the side mirrors help with that so maybe a non-issue.
2: I looks a bit goofy. (Would be less goofy in the center.)
3: As you say, watch out for the wiring.
4: I have read many reports that most (all?) of these LCD's suffer from glare. From the sun but mostly from headlights at night. You can add film to help, but then that takes away some contrast & crispness. Because of this, I'm just about to have my rear window tinted very dark. (Planning on mounting a camera in the back.)
So... this would not work for such a setup.
-----------------------
I love how high it is, though. I was going to mount my camera on the rear license plate, as most people do, but your pics have me re-thinking this.
Maybe there's a way to use a similar "mounting stick" on the back, so the camera is just at the top of the convertible top when it's down.
That's gonna be tricky to make it look right and not cause much damage to the car, but it WOULD be ideal.
More likely I'll try to attach a mount to the beltline. - Still significantly higher than the plate, and if it doesn't work, the beltline can easily be replaced, covering the holes.
Hmmm... Maybe your way is better, only moved to the center.
That would mean getting a lighter tint on the window, of course, so maybe having to deal with more glare on the LCD.
- But it would look much better than the external kludge..
I looked at other headrest mounts (see attached photo) to center it, but they didn't adjust vertically, only horizontally. You also have to keep it close to the headrest so that the top doesn't hit it while putting it up & down.
It really isn't that far off center and with the camera's 140° field of view, the rear view completely records everything.
It does look a little goofy, but I'd rather have a rear camera than not have one and look better. (My daughter was recently hit from the rear and has the same camera system)
Info from manufacturer:
SONY STARVIS 2 SENSOR/SUPER NIGHT VISION – Equipped with a Sony IMX675 STARVIS 2 Image Sensor for the front camera, this dash cam delivers exceptional image quality with vivid colors and sharp details, even in challenging lighting conditions. Additionally, the front camera's F1.5 aperture and the rear camera's F1.8 aperture allow more light to enter the lens, resulting in brighter and clearer recordings, particularly in low-light environments.
You could also tint the rear glass as well. I will try and get some night pics as well.
From camera to rain sensor housing, under windshield top trim to passenger's side A-pillar, under passenger door sill, to rear passenger's side trim, then up to cross section behind rear seats, then out one of the bolt covers. It did take a while to figure out the routing and then how to get some of the trim pieces off! I finally gave up trying to remove the side trim by the rear seat and used metal wire to fish the power cord behind it.
From camera to rain sensor housing, under windshield top trim to passenger's side A-pillar, under passenger door sill, to rear passenger's side trim, then up to cross section behind rear seats, then out one of the bolt covers. It did take a while to figure out the routing and then how to get some of the trim pieces off! I finally gave up trying to remove the side trim by the rear seat and used metal wire to fish the power cord behind it.
Thanks for the info..... think I've got it figured out....
That doesn't look bad at all. (though I'd love to see a night time pic as well, with car headlights shining forward.)
How does the depth perception seem to you?
I've found a couple of decent-quality rear cameras at 120 degrees, and that seems to be the lower limit right now fort available gear.
