Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 1080p 140° Field of View w/ G-Sensor

diablo2184

Dec 6, 2024 5:08 PM

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Joined Feb 2011

diablo2184Dec 6, 2024 5:08 PM

867 Comments

Link back up

gamingdroid

Dec 6, 2024 8:01 PM

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Joined Aug 2010

gamingdroidDec 6, 2024 8:01 PM

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I'm in the market for dash cam. Is this good?

I need back and front.

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andycook

Pro

Dec 6, 2024 8:11 PM

275 Comments

Joined Jun 2016

andycook

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Dec 6, 2024 8:11 PM

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I would avoid this model. Without a built-in screen to monitor, it could have stopped recording (accidentally, or broken) by the time a video clip is needed.

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figure8

Dec 6, 2024 8:14 PM

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figure8Dec 6, 2024 8:14 PM

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Quote from gamingdroid

:

I'm in the market for dash cam. Is this good?

I need back and front.

Check out dash cam talk and just buy one of their recommended

15

2

ThiccHamster

Dec 6, 2024 8:18 PM

177 Comments

Joined Apr 2014

ThiccHamsterDec 6, 2024 8:18 PM

177 Comments

microUSB, pass

9

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Joeggernaut

Dec 6, 2024 8:27 PM

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JoeggernautDec 6, 2024 8:27 PM

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Have 2 for a few years now, no issues but the app is slow. It takes a while to connect and can be tedious to connect if you use AA/Carplay because that also relies on bluetooth/wifi. You need the polarized lens filter which is overpriced but the the device is discrete and small. I keep a usb stick that accepts microsd cards in my cars to pull footage off the device if really needed.

Edit: Want to add, this camera is not worth $100 2 years later. If I was shopping for a new dash cam I would get one that is at least 1440p (2K) resolution. I see they just released the garmin mini 3 (still 1080p...) which has usb c port and polarized filter built in for $130 which is the same price as this with the polarized filter...this should be like $50 tops.

Garmin mini 3
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/1223369#inTheBox

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adalta

Dec 6, 2024 8:31 PM

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Joined Jan 2008

adaltaDec 6, 2024 8:31 PM

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Quote from gamingdroid

:

I'm in the market for dash cam. Is this good?

I need back and front.

Same here. I'm curious how this stacks up to other dash cams at this price.

gamingdroid

Dec 6, 2024 8:33 PM

6.5K Comments

Joined Aug 2010

gamingdroidDec 6, 2024 8:33 PM

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Quote from figure8

:

Check out dash cam talk and just buy one of their recommended

Is it dashcamtalk dot com?

1

figure8

Dec 6, 2024 8:35 PM

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Joined Jun 2006

figure8Dec 6, 2024 8:35 PM

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Quote from gamingdroid

:

Is it dashcamtalk dot com?

Yeah that's been one of the best dash cam resources for many years. Unfortunately VIOFO just had a big Black Friday sale that ended but I'd stick to whatever is on that list regardless of current sales. Lots of good YouTube reviewers too like lifehackster - good luck!

6

SlickDogg

Dec 6, 2024 8:42 PM

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Joined Jul 2005

SlickDoggDec 6, 2024 8:42 PM

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Quote from gamingdroid

:

I'm in the market for dash cam. Is this good?

I need back and front.

Viofo A119 Mini 2 is a bit cheaper than this when it goes on sale and is a better camera. It has a screen and a newer Sony sensor. You can get two separate cameras for back and front or buy a different model that includes a rear camera. You'll have to figure out how to do the wiring for the rear camera. That may help you decide if you need two separate independent cameras or a set that includes both front and rear. Another thing to keep in mind is that most front/rear sets have an inferior rear camera compared to the main front camera.

Last edited by SlickDogg December 6, 2024 at 12:46 PM.

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GimmeYoTots

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Dec 6, 2024 8:51 PM

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GimmeYoTotsDec 6, 2024 8:51 PM

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I was just wondering, since this is Micro USB powered -- and it has the "Parking Guard" feature; has anyone tried to connect this to one of those external portable batteries? It would seem you could run this while your car is parked (in a parking lot or at your house) to monitor your car using the Garmin MIni 2's Parking Mode feature (vs having to install a power cable up through your headliner and connect it to the vehicle's main battery power)?

TNTRMSKD

Dec 6, 2024 8:59 PM

247 Comments

Joined Jul 2007

TNTRMSKDDec 6, 2024 8:59 PM

247 Comments

I run these in both my cars and I got another one I plan to hook up to the tail of my bike. They are great if you want something discreet and non distracting. I have mine hidden behind my rearview mirrors but at an angle where I can see the LED light to make sure everything is running properly. I highly recommend the Garmin hardwire kit, it allows for parking mode recording and has plenty of length to make hiding all the wires for a clean install a snap.

2

Joeggernaut

Dec 6, 2024 9:01 PM

612 Comments

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JoeggernautDec 6, 2024 9:01 PM

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Quote from GimmeYoTots

:

I was just wondering, since this is Micro USB powered -- and it has the "Parking Guard" feature; has anyone tried to connect this to one of those external portable batteries? It would seem you could run this while your car is parked (in a parking lot or at your house) to monitor your car using the Garmin MIni 2's Parking Mode feature (vs having to install a power cable up through your headliner and connect it to the vehicle's main battery power)?

Most dash cams nowadays are powered by usb cables that can plug into 12v power outlets or usb ports so yes you can plug this into an external backup battery pack to keep it powered vs draining your cars battery. If the external battery pack has pass-through mode, you can keep the external battery always plugged in, just don't leave it exposed to the hot sun.

I think most people are going to route the usb cable through the headliner/pillars or use usb mirror taps to avoid having cables dangling down from their mirror with any dashcam install. I ran a flat usb male to female cable up to my mirror given my car doesn't have the mirror tap option. This way I had a usb port next to my mirror for whatever.

2

TNTRMSKD

Dec 6, 2024 9:01 PM

247 Comments

Joined Jul 2007

TNTRMSKDDec 6, 2024 9:01 PM

247 Comments

Quote from GimmeYoTots

:

I was just wondering, since this is Micro USB powered -- and it has the "Parking Guard" feature; has anyone tried to connect this to one of those external portable batteries? It would seem you could run this while your car is parked (in a parking lot or at your house) to monitor your car using the Garmin MIni 2's Parking Mode feature (vs having to install a power cable up through your headliner and connect it to the vehicle's main battery power)?

You can do this, but I'd recommend the Garmin hardwire kit. It allows for parking mode and comes with plenty of wire length so hiding everything for a clean install is super easy.

1

TNTRMSKD

Dec 6, 2024 9:02 PM

247 Comments

Joined Jul 2007

TNTRMSKDDec 6, 2024 9:02 PM

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Quote from andycook

:

I would avoid this model. Without a built-in screen to monitor, it could have stopped recording (accidentally, or broken) by the time a video clip is needed.

There's an LED on it that stays solid red when recording. It will blink/flash if there is an error. I've been using these and the original Mini for 4+ years now on 2 different cars without ever having an issue.

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Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 1080p 140° Field of View w/ G-Sensor

$98

$130

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