Non Lexus Dash Cam

[Pin_nick]

I have read some of the posts on dash cams on this very useful site, as I eagerly await the delivery of my UX. despite this I am still not sure which way to jump.

The dealer is quoting £375 for the ‘Lexus’ Nextbase, I presume the 380gw, with front and rear cameras, I believe this is the normal price. Also I believe that this is not Lexus specific, just a dash cam Nextbase supply for manufacturers/fleet, etc.

Nextbase will supply and fit the 522gw, again front and rear, for £313.

As far as I can see the 522gw has superior specs, comes with their 256gb card (far bigger than the ‘Lexus’ one), and has addition features such as Alexa.

It seems a much better option to go for the 522gw although I must admit I would prefer one fitted by Lexus. I am rather precious with my cars.🙄

Does anyone have any views on this?

[LenT]

You don’t mention how familiar you are with dashcams, Nick.  So you may already be very familiar with some of the thoughts that I trot out on this subject.

Dashcams are not that difficult to install.  Personally I would find a good local auto electrician who is probably fitting them on a regular basis, rather than a Lexus mechanic who’s doing the occasional one.

If you can negotiate an extra discount with Lexus on the basis that you’re buying a new car, then that may swing the balance.

With regard to the SD Card, I would say buy the biggest one you can afford and that the system will take.  It also pays to have a spare - say 32GB.  In the event of an ‘incident’ and able to do so, swap the cards round.  That way you have preserved the incident and kept the dashcam operational.

in other words, don’t be swayed by the size of the supplied card.  Because you’ll end up getting another one anyway!

A spare is also useful when you have to reformat the card.  In normal use most dashcams recommend doing this on a monthly basis.  Some can be done in the camera and upgraded with the latest firmware in the same way.  I do mine in a PC so once again I can put the smaller card in place.

As for features such as Alexa, well I don’t know how reliable or effective it may be in a car environment.  Personally,I’ve never had much success with even voice-operated phone dialling systems in cars - I just end up shouting at the dash!

But maybe that’s just me!

Finally, use the Parking Mode!  This requires connection to a supply that’s live when the ignition is off.  Again a good auto electrician will be familiar with this arrangement.

Finally, good luck with the new car and well done for getting it camera-ready.  As I found from personal experience, in the event of a claim, video evidence settles the matter - and it’ll only take one for the camera to have more than paid for itself!

I hope this has been useful.  🙂

[Linas.P]

The dealership will always quote you quite high prices for the convenience. Apart of rare occasion where you negotiate something to be included in the sale for free - which is too late now if you didn't do it before paying the price or putting down deposit (but it would be unusual for brand new car, especially UX).

So is Lexus dashcam for £375 "good value for money"? No it isn't - it is convenience and about normal price they charge unless they have some sort of special deal (sometimes they fit them for free or for £100). Is Nexbase the best camera to fit? No it isn't either (nor it is the worse) - for the price I would probably go with Blackvue or Thinkware.

Anyway, if you worried about the price then don't ask Lexus to fit it, they will usually cost above average for what is average quality dash cam. Fitting dashcams isn't their main business, so they just do it for convenience and that is why they don't really care to make the price competitive. You can obviously fit the camera cheaper, but I guess when buying new car  you would not want to risk installing it badly, so consider that as well. If it would be me, I would definitely not use Lexus for it and would fit it myself, but I can't say whenever that is the best option for you. 

All in all, I would say what they quote is normal and it is not very competitive price as normal... it not suppose to be. But that is what convenience cost.

[Pin_nick]

Thanks for the advice. I think you have just confirmed what I was thinking.

The Lexus dash cam is not great and I think I will order elsewhere when the new car arrives and get a specialist company to install…..I don’t trust myself to do it neatly!

Thanks again.

[LenT]

1 hour ago, Pin_nick said:

Thanks for the advice. I think you have just confirmed what I was thinking.

The Lexus dash cam is not great and I think I will order elsewhere when the new car arrives and get a specialist company to install…..I don’t trust myself to do it neatly!

Unless you’re really unlucky, that’s probably the way to go.  I certainly wouldn’t dismiss NextBase cameras but I agree with Linas that BlackVue and Thinkware are probably superior - but then they probably cost more.  They both do very well in comparative tests.

I’ve had BlackVues for years and have been very satisfied with their performance.  They’re also very compact and unobtrusive.  Positioned in front of the rear view mirror and they’re almost invisible from the front.  The rear camera…not so much.

Some people will go for a bulkier camera with a built-in screen, but I prefer the slimmer styling of the BlackVue.  You might find a visit to blackvue.com informative - plenty of videos showing the camera in use!

[Linas.P]

47 minutes ago, LenT said:

Unless you’re really unlucky, that’s probably the way to go.  I certainly wouldn’t dismiss NextBase cameras but I agree with Linas that BlackVue and Thinkware are probably superior - but then they probably cost more.  They both do very well in comparative tests.

I’ve had BlackVues for years and have been very satisfied with their performance.  They’re also very compact and unobtrusive.  Positioned in front of the rear view mirror and they’re almost invisible from the front.  The rear camera…not so much.

Some people will go for a bulkier camera with a built-in screen, but I prefer the slimmer styling of the BlackVue.  You might find a visit to blackvue.com informative - plenty of videos showing the camera in use!

Indeed both BlackVue or Thinkware are quite a bit more expensive than NextBase if purchased outside of Lexus offer. What I meant - if I were to choose between paying Lexus £375 to install NextBase or get BlackVue or Thinkware, I would take later and install it myself. Obviously, NextBase can probably be purchased for £100 somewhere else and fitting won't cost £275, so that is an option as well.

[DavidCM]

Take a look at the Viofo 4k duo..good quality recording. I managed to hard wire it myself(They modelled Frank Spencer on me..) It wasn,t easy but there are any number of videos on you tube some of which are very good.

If you buy direct from Viofo UK you get the extras like SD card ,hardwire kit and polarising filters at better prices than amazon ...the unit itself is same price.

[VFR]

It is not a Lexus dash cam, simply a nextbase one sold by them.

Yes the 522 is a better camera and the one I chose also, bought it from Halfords using the club card for the tidy discount and had them hardwire it in after I had installed the front & rear myself (real easy)

Still as its a new car simply get Lexus to fit them & you cannot go wrong.