Suggestions for car cameras that mount to the dash ONLY?

In My Humble Opinion
1

I use to have a GPS cradle on the dash of my car. What’s left is a 3" metal (attracts magnet, but not itself magnetic) disk that can also be the base for a suction cup mount. The power cord from this mount just dropped directly down to an power outlet below it on the dash.

I now use my cell phone for GPS and would like to put a dash cam in that location. Yes, I know it will be lower and not as effective as a windshield mounted unit, but it will be within easy reach for operation, out of my line of sight while driving, and easy to temporarily remove when I park my car. (I can use a suction cup or a magnetic base with the camera bracket.)

Unfortunately, I can’t find many cameras that are designed to be mounted to the dash. Most of them are meant to be mounted to the windshield, which I really don’t want to do. A camera that has a 1/4" threaded hole for mounting on the base of the camera would allow me to use one of the many magnetic or suction cup mounts that are available. But it seems like most dash cameras don’t have that mounting hole. A few cameras allow you to flip the camera over so the mount is on the bottom…which means electronically inverting the image and living with upside down controls and markings.

I just want a decent dual-camera unit (forward/backwards) that can mount to a smooth metal plate glued to the middle of my dash. I don’t need 4K quality. I don’t need to upload the video to the cloud automatically. And I don’t want to spend more than $100 to $150.

I absolutely KNOW that there are good options for me, but the advertising and product descriptions hardly address my situation at all. “Can I invert this camera that is normally mounted on the windshield?” “Sure, dude, it’s just that the picture and controls will be upside down.” “OK, does this camera have a 1/4”-20 mounting socket on the bottom I can use?" “Why would you want that, man? It works great on the windshield!”

I’m getting nowhere. Can anyone suggest a dash camera that works reasonably well and mounts to the dash (NOT the windshield, mirror, or roof) using either suction cup or a magnet?? Please…please.

2

Have you considered a smart review mirror?

It attaches over your review mirror and gives you front and back view. You can also pull up apps as the device also acts as a screen when you’re not driving.

3

Moderating: hey, can we at least start the thread by trying to answer the question, please.

4

Smart mirrors are a thing and it deals with the issues the OP is concerned about.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=smart+rear+view+mirror&adgrpid=52815464541&hvadid=609181417373&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9026839&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=8138931244269189184&hvtargid=kwd-311376684855&hydadcr=19885_13450115&tag=hydsma-20&ref=pd_sl_3b6tzx99t_e

5

The request is for:

6

A dash-mounted camera would minimize running a power cable. I can just drape a short one and it won’t be in my line of sight. Plus, the existing plate on the dash is much closer to me when I am seated than the mirror or windshield mounting would be. (In a separate thread, I recently described how I installed rails to move my seat back three inches further than stock.)

7

Best buy has Rexing brand cams which you can buy a compatible suction cup mount for

8

Thank you! I notice, though, that the Rexing V1 does not have the ability to invert the camera. If I mount it on the dash, the video file will have an inverted image, as well as all the controls being reversed/upside down. But it is an option.