[forester_newguy]

Hi All,

I am a newbie here. I was wonder which is the right dashcam for my forester.
I am looking for a camera that can cover the car both from front and rear.

Also how difficult will it be to install cleanly by myself.

Thanks

 

[OriginalTwoTone]

Many different models with plenty of reviews and information out there.

Do your research and pick the one that meets your needs at the price point you want.

 

[80 SUBIE]

There are a wide variety of dash cams out there. But not what may or may not have worked well on a particular vehicle/family. If you look to the right side of the Forum page, there are a series of ads. Above that is a custom Google search feature. I just tried it. It works! Which is not being snide, lots of forum search features are not very well implemented. There are some dash cam threads but they fall behind the current pages. Here's what I got:

https://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/gtsearch.php?q=dashcam

If the above doesn't work as a link/url go ahead and enter dash cam (I used dashcam but it worked) and that should get you started. There are some 2019 threads.

I have no clue about ease of installation. Seems like it would require some popping up of trim pieces and accessing power, perhaps near or at the fuse box? My idea of easy may not be the same as yours.

 

[DockingPilot]

Street Guardian X2Pro
Fairly easy install. About 30 mins for both cams.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[copwriter]

I have a Blackvue DR900S-2CH installed in my 2019 Touring. I had it professionally installed at a stereo shop. Photos are here: https://www.subaruforester.org/vbul...r-subie-today-71049/index393.html#post7474985

The DR900S-2CH is top of the line for Blackvue, and frankly is overkill because of the 4K video its capable or recording. I found that I don’t have any computer or video equipment that will play back 4K video, so I have changed the settings to record in HD, which I can play back. Most of the Blackvue dashcams have the same form factor, and they fit nicely behind the rear view mirror without interfering with Eyesight. You could save some money and get the DR750S-2CH if you don’t have a need for 4K recording.

 

[straphanger322]

The Blueskysea B1W is pretty good at the less than $50 price point. Dashcamtalk likes it and it was easy to install. Did a hardwire installation in less than 90 minutes.

 

[OriginalTwoTone]

I have a Blackvue DR900S-2CH installed in my 2019 Touring. I had it professionally installed at a stereo shop. Photos are here: https://www.subaruforester.org/vbul...r-subie-today-71049/index393.html#post7474985

The DR900S-2CH is top of the line for Blackvue, and frankly is overkill because of the 4K video its capable or recording. I found that I don’t have any computer or video equipment that will play back 4K video, so I have changed the settings to record in HD, which I can play back. Most of the Blackvue dashcams have the same form factor, and they fit nicely behind the rear view mirror without interfering with Eyesight. You could save some money and get the DR750S-2CH if you don’t have a need for 4K recording.

If I remeber my preliminary research- not ready to buy yet so I'll be revisiting it later- the 4k will allow you to zoom better if you need to get a clear tag number from further away.

For example, someone ahead is the cause or trigger of an accident by cutting the person in front of you off.

 

[securityguy]

www.thedashcamstore.com

I highly recommend the Blackvue DR590W 2CH or the DR750S 2CH. Get the Power Magic Pro interface too so you can use PARKING MODE...a MUST have feature. As was stated above, several options cheap to super expensive so not sure what your budget is but you can't go wrong with a Blackvue if you are willing to spend just a tad more than the cheap ones. As an EE, I researched these things to death and Blackvue was my choice. My second choice was the Street Guardian. Just my two cents.

 

[Jelks]

Interesting, thanks. Do you have to be a hardware techie kind of a person to be able to put this in yourself or is it pretty easy?

 

[Jelks]

Also, it sure would be nice to have a camera in the lower front outside that would work just like the rear camera except only come active if you're going forward less than say 2 miles an hour. With the Forester's big front ends it's hard to judge how close you are to the car in front of you or the curb when you are parking.

 

[securityguy]

Interesting, thanks. Do you have to be a hardware techie kind of a person to be able to put this in yourself or is it pretty easy?

Really not hard at all. The wire routing is straight forward...the "A" pillar is a piece of cake to remove and you buy two fuse taps and a Power Magic Pro and you're all set. The fuse box is easily accessible. If you have questions and want to chat via phone, PM me and we can connect:wink2:

 

[copwriter]

If I remeber my preliminary research- not ready to buy yet so I'll be revisiting it later- the 4k will allow you to zoom better if you need to get a clear tag number from further away.

For example, someone ahead is the cause or trigger of an accident by cutting the person in front of you off.

Finer resolution is always beneficial, especially if you have to pick out some fleeting detail like a license plate or someone’s face. The problem in my case is that none of the three computers, two tablets, or single home theater system would play back a 4K video. I struggled with various players, drivers, codecs, etc. before I decided the path of lesser resistance was to change the dash cam settings to record in HD instead of 4K. I can always change it back if I find a way to play the denser video files. However, I could have saved myself about $100 by buying the next lower-tier model from Blackvue that recorded in HD as its top quality.

Interesting, thanks. Do you have to be a hardware techie kind of a person to be able to put this in yourself or is it pretty easy?

I wouldn’t attempt to install one of these on the best day I ever had, but that’s mainly because I am whatever is the opposite of “mechanically inclined.” I will let you know that the stereo shop I used (which I have used before and in which I have confidence) charged me about 70% more than they charged to install a different model dash cam in my 2009 Forester, as they said the car was that much more complex.

 

[forester_newguy]

Thanks everyone for your input.
I had scrubbed over the internet earlier. I did find some recommendation for the dashcam for Forester 2019. But some were either old or were on the system without the eyesight. I even got some promotion videos none talking about compatibility with he eyesight.
Hence i thought of asking here as it was the right forum where i can get unbiased opinion.

 

[Subyroo]

You can put the same question to Members of the Dashcam Talk Forum once you sign up of course.

http://forum.dashcamtalk.com/

 

[netnode]

No, posts on here for 10 months, so I will see if anyone can assist?

What fuse did you use to install the Blackvue ie: Constant power source and ACC switched fuse source?

I ask as I am about to receive the 2020 2.5i-S (Touring) model and I believe you have to be very careful as to what fuses you use due to all the technical stuff on the vehicle.

Also, the Forester manual say's not to install anything under or to the immediate side of the eyesight gizmo.

So, where should the front camera be located please?

 

[QMaze]

I'm using the Nextbase 322GW and seems to work well, it fits nicely right next to the eyesight cams.

 

[netnode]

Thanks QMaze, I am installing a Blackvue, anyone have one of these?

 

[copwriter]

Thanks QMaze, I am installing a Blackvue, anyone have one of these?

I have the Blackvue DR900S-2CH. The front-facing camera is mounted on the front windshield at the same level as the rear-view mirror. I've had zero problems with this, Eyesight and otherwise.

 

[netnode]

Great stuff copwriter, exactly the info I was after.

If yours is hardwired with the Power Magic Pro, what fuses did you tap into please?

 

[tmrisfine]

I am putting on dash cam for my forester today. I want to push cable into the gap between windshield liner and the roof liner on the A pillar. As I didnt pry open liner and didnt find video specifically for 2019 forester ( I did see one for 2017 forester, that guy pulled off windshield side liner and showed airbag is rolled behind there) I want to ask, is there airbag behind that gap? Or window airbag is purely behind the liner on the roof along the door side? The reason I am asking is obviously I dont want to push in cables to block airbag deploy, if there is.

Thanks a bunch