Dash Cam Installation Guide In 2024 : Best Way to Install Your Dash Cam

1. What are the basic dash cam installation methods？

2. How to hardwiring dash cam for parking mode?

3.What is the easiest dash cam to install and use?

4.Do you need a professional dash cam installation?

Are you confused about how to install a dash cam? In this blog, I will provide detailed explanations of two common dash cam installation methods.

Those information will help you better understand the role and performance of dash cams under two different installation methods, ultimately assisting you in choosing the most suitable installation method for your needs.

1. What are the basic dash cam installation methods？

Dash cams typically have two installation methods: cigarette lighter installation and hardwiring installation. Before deciding to purchase a dash cam, please carefully consider the installation method.

Cigarette lighter installation is suitable for vehicles equipped with a cigarette lighter socket that is not constantly powered. This is the simplest installation method, where you just need to connect the dash cam to the cigarette lighter, and it will function properly. Installing your dash cam in this way allows it to automatically turn on and off with your engine.

However, it will not continue recording when parked, as the cigarette lighter does not have power when the engine is off. This means that it won't capture incidents involving hit-and-run drivers while your vehicle is parked.

For customers who have a constantly powered cigarette lighter socket or desire continuous recording while parked, we recommend the second installation method, which is hardwire installation.

Because the cigarette lighter socket doesn’t have low voltage protection, so if it remains powered, the dash cam will continue recording until the vehicle's battery is drained. On the other hand, hardwire kit comes with low voltage protection feature. By connecting it to the fuse box, it can automatically detect the voltage of the car battery and shut down the dash cam when the battery voltage drops below 11.6 V. This allows the dash cam to continue recording while parked without draining the vehicle's battery.

It's worth noting that the installation of a hardwire kit is more complex compared to the cigarette lighter installation. It requires some level of knowledge in electronics and automotive repairs. If you're unfamiliar with those process, we recommend seeking assistance from a local automotive repair shop. Additionally, some customers have reported that hardwiring dash cam installation may violate insurance regulations for their vehicles, so we suggest confirming this before proceeding with the hardwiring installation.

2. How to hardwiring dash cam for parking mode?

Before we begin, let's understand how a hardwire kit works. It typically consists of an ignition wire, a battery wire, and a ground wire.

The ignition wire needs to be connected to a fuse slot that exist current when the engine is running and no current when the engine is off. This allows the dash cam to turn on and off with your engine, similar to the cigarette lighter.

The battery wire of the hardwire kit needs to be connected to a fuse slot that maintains a constant current regardless of whether the engine is on or off. This helps your dash cam continue recording while parked.

The installation of the ground wire is the simplest. You just need to connect it to a metal component of your vehicle. Usually, you'll need to find a screw, take it off, put your ground wire there, and secure your screw above the ground wire.

Now, let's get started. First, Google search for your vehicle model, make, year and find the schematic diagram of the fuse box, or open the fuse box panel of your vehicle to confirm the function of each fuse slot. (Some vehicles put the schematic diagram on the back of the fuse box panel）

Secondly, prepare a voltage testing tool (usually a voltage tester pen). Following the working principle of the hardwire kit I mentioned earlier, continuously switch the engine on and off to locate two corresponding 10A-20A fuse slots. For the Redtiger hardwire kit installation, the ignition wire is the Red wire with an ACC label, and the battery wire is the Yellow wire with a B+ label.

We recommend some commonly used fuse slot options: Try connecting the ignition wire (Red wire) to one of "Radio," "ACC," “IGN”or "Tail" slot, and the power wire (yellow wire) to "Door." These recommended ignition slot components typically function properly only after the engine is running, while "Door" relies on the vehicle's battery to operate.

However, the fuse layout may vary for each vehicle. If my suggestion doesn't work, please use a voltage tester pen and test it by yourself.

At last, connect the ground wire (black wire) to the metal components of the vehicle, usually a screw.

3.What is the easiest dash cam to install and use?

The Redtiger Dash Cam has been highly praised by users for its ease of installation.

The Redtiger F17 Dash Cam, which is the easiest dash cam to install and use, offers seamless usage by simply connecting it to the cigarette lighter while recording in three perspectives: front, cabin, and rear. It provides high-quality 4K recording, and the cabin camera is equipped with IR night vision, ensuring clear footage both during the day and at night. Additionally, it supports parking monitoring and hardwiring install to protect your vehicle while parked.

The F17 comes with a 1080P in-car rear camera. Typically, you can route its cable along the edge above the car window and install it on the rear windshield of your vehicle. This is where the F17 excels in terms of ease of installation, because you only need to connect it to the cigarette lighter, and use the included pry tool from the packaging to tuck away any excess cables into the vehicle's edges, allowing for smooth usage.

Regarding the dash cam installation position, mini dash cams like the F17 are typically installed on the passenger side or below the rear view mirror. Mirror dash cams, are usually installed on the rear view mirror itself, replacing the original mirror and using a rear camera to observe the rear of the vehicle.

It's important to ensure that the driver's visibility is not obstructed by the dash cam because obstructing the driver's view may violate local laws in some states in the United States and can also compromise your own driving safety.

Once you have determined the dash cam installation position, the mini dash cam can be securely mounted using 3M adhesive, which helps keep the dash cam in place on the windshield. Alternatively, you can use a suction cup for flexible installation, allowing you to easily remove and adjust the dash cam installation position as needed.

4.Do you need a professional dash cam installation?

This depends on the level of difficulty in installation. If your dash cam only requires a cigarette lighter installation, you can easily handle it by yourself. However, if you opt for hardwiring dash cam installation and lack the relevant knowledge, professional installation is a good choice.

In the United States, professional installation of a dash cam typically costs around $200. Based on our understanding, the majority of our customers have reported professional installation costs in the range of $200, with $150 being a relatively common price as well. However, the actual pricing may vary depending on your city or region, as well as the complexity of the installation. We recommend searching for "installing dash cam near me" to find local installation service. In addition to hardwiring dash cam installation, here are some other examples that require professional installation.

Firstly, the installation of an external rear camera. It is well known that a rear camera installed inside the vehicle, was separated by the rear windshield, can’t match the recording quality of a camera installed directly outside the vehicle. For the optimal recording experience, some customers choose to purchase our waterproof external rear camera and have it installed at the rear of the vehicle, usually above the license plate.

The advantage of this installation method is that it offers a wider field of view and clearer video footage compared to an in-car rear camera. The drawback is that it typically requires opening the trunk of the car, routing the rear camera through the trunk, and securing it above the license plate of the vehicle. If you are not familiar with the those steps, hiring a professional dash cam installer is a good choice.

Second, the installation of dash cams in large vehicles such as trucks and RVs. The construction of these large vehicles differs from regular sedans, and relying solely on the rear view mirror may not provide an accurate view of the rear of the vehicle. Therefore, these large vehicles often require a rear camera to observe the rear area. We typically recommend customers in this situation to purchase a rear camera extension cable and use it in conjunction with an external rear camera.

This allows for a clear view of the rear from the dash cam. However, due to the specialized nature of these installations, we recommend professional installation. An experienced dash cam installer will be able to handle the unique challenges posed by these large vehicles with ease.

Conclusion

Conclusion：Dash cams can be installed using two common methods: cigarette lighter installation and hardwiring installation. Cigarette lighter installation is very simple, and you can easily accomplish it on your own or with the help of family or friends.

On the other hand, hardwiring dash cam installation is relatively complex, and if you're not familiar with automotive knowledge, professional installation is a good choice.