I searched the "dashcam" threads but didn't find this discussed; if I missed it please point me in the right direction.

I'm playing with the idea of a GoPro for my '23 Defender. I like the Saltek dash mount as a way to secure a GoPro to record some off roading adventures.

But it occurred to me that if I have the GoPro in place, I could just use it as a dashcam to protect myself in case of staged accidents, etc. Kill two birds with one stone.

I googled "gopro as dashcam" but most of the results are clearly written by vendors with a commercial interest in convincing you to buy their non-GoPro product.

Has anyone played with this idea? Any insights into whether it is a viable option?

Thanks,
Mike

 

I have the Saltek dash mount (though not sure if I got it from them or not!) and have a RAM ball mount for a GoPro. I definitely use it when I'm off roading, but I don't use it as a "dash cam". I also have one of those, but my dash cam has both front & rear. You would be limited to just the front with the GoPro. I'm sure it would work well for you, but I don't want to deal with resetting the video each time the memory card fills up. Or turning it on & off each time I enter the vehicle. The dashcams are almost universally install & forget. If it works for you - you do you! Good luck.

 

Helpful answer, and the kind of insights I was looking for. Thanks!

 

blackvue 900X 2ch

 

I mean it'd work, but on my Hero 11 a 32 GB card lasts for two hours and then is done. So would matter how far you drive. I haven't gotten my mounting plate installed yet to mount it up and test it, but it'd work but be more fiddly in that it's not designed to write over itself when it fills up and doesn't have the 'protect this clip' type features that I've learned. Disclaimer, I have only owned my Hero 11 for three weeks now and filmed with it once. Still figuring it out. Battery life would be a concern as well, but again I've not tested it completely.

For the dash cam I went with a FitCamX. It was super simple to install the front facing one, and you just jumper it on the rain sensor so powering it is tucked inside. I got the Hero on a whim for myself for Christmas.

 

I second the FitcamX. Have it in my truck and it is super clean. Connecting with iPhone and downloading the clips is a pain, but you can always pull the card out and stick in your laptop to download videos in a much easier way. Their design is so good that I can't believe, for the life of me, why LR does not have a similar solution, since their OEM dash camera is like all others in the market i.e. not integrated.

 

I assembled it last night in a few minutes ... it's really easy ... in the next few days I'll try it well ...

 

I was a blackvue guy for well over a decade on my vehicles, but decided to fit the fitcamx on my new defender and Lexus GX - they install easy and look OEM.

 

GoPro supports looping mode with configurable max durations: https://community.gopro.com/s/articl...language=en_US

My buddy uses a GoPro as a "dashcam" when on his motorcycle, says this feature works great.

But yeah, he has to remember to turn it on and off otherwise it doesn't work.
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That’s good to know, thanks. I may get the SalTek mounting plate for the dashboard and get the GoPro (I’ll use it for other adventures too) and then see if I can get it working as an improvised dash cam. That should let me delay making the second investment in a real dashcam. Lots of good advice in this thread, thanks.