2 cars, 1 dashcam: Do I buy another or shuffle one between 2 cars?

The best is to have separate cams but if you want to keep your budget in check, then this solution is indeed manageable.

BHPian rroy92 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I have two cars which are never in use at the same time.

Option 1: I am thinking of getting a budget dashcam and an extra mount. Planning to install mounts in both cars and move the dashcam according to use.

Pros:

• Cheapest (1 dashcam + 1 mount)

Cons:

• Have to move the dashcam to the car in active use
• Have to move the power source too
• Cannot have discrete cable

Option 2: A budget dashcam and an extra mount and power source (1 dashcam + 1 mount + 1 long USB cable + 1 power socket)

Pros:

• No need to move the power source

Cons:

• Have to move the dashcam to the car in active use
• Will need to buy hardware

Option 2.5: A modification of Option 2 would be something like a NEXDIGITRON A3 with hardwire kit (this will likely be cheaper than Option 2). Use hardwire kit in one car and the power socket in another. Am I missing something here?

Pros:

• Cheaper than Option 2 (1 dashcam with hardwire kit + 1 mount + 1 long USB cable)
• Less hardware than Option 2

Cons:

• Have to move the dashcam to the car in active use

Option 3: Buy one dashcam per car

Option 4: Others (please explain in comments)

Here's what BHPian rishi.roger had to say on the matter:

Dashcams are usually fire-and-forget things until you get into an incident where you feel the need to retrieve the footage.

This means they should be super convenient to use but at the same time, it also brings a challenge that you wouldn't get to know if your dashcam is even properly functioning and active or not. The last thing you would want is to find out if your dashcam was faulty.

For reasons stated above, I feel that it's worth going for One dashcam that is reliable, and dis-mountable (at least my Viofo can be mounted on and off pretty easily).

This way one would be able to keep track of its working too once in a while. However one really has to get into the habit of switching the dashcam while switching the car. (I know people buying expensive safety riding equipment and wearing it while going to corner shops when new, but the practice fades).

Here's what BHPian mayankk had to say on the matter:

Worst case, one day you will think to yourself that it's just a short 500 m hop to the store, why bother making the switch?

That's when you will hit a random entity, who will drag you to a police station and ask for "settlement", and you will be cursing yourself because the bigger vehicle is at fault as the owner inherited the crown jewels.

Just saying.

Here's what BHPian saket77 had to say on the matter:

I am using a single dash cam between 2 cars for the last 6-7 years. Both cars have prefixed mounts and power connections. Only the cam is switched. Since both cars are parked close to each other, it has never bothered me too much. Agreed, the best is to have separate cams but if you want to keep your budget in check, then this solution is indeed manageable. I have made it a point to never drive without the cam- so in a way, it helps me not to skip on it even during short drives.

Here's what BHPian tharian had to say on the matter:

Just buy a new dashcam and be done with it.

It is easier not to keep moving it from one car to the other as that will take time and you may forget the key of the other car, etc.

I use an old GoPro as a dashcam on a Fiat that I use during weekends since it doesn't have a power source. Works well for the short distances that I do.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.