This is not about Tesla, Per se. But they are the only example I have at this point. So Tesla has what they call ‘Sentry Mode’ in most of their cars. It is basically a high res video of front, back and both sides. If you honk the horn it automatically saves about a minute to a dedicated folder. You can also dig through the general folder to get video from a recent drive. We have had two fender benders (both 100% the other drivers fault). In both cases sending the video into our insurance made the whole issue smooth and painless. We also spoke with a state trooper who told us he loved it when a Tesla was involved as they record everything. I am looking for another EV and can’t find anything that matches ‘Sentry Mode’. BMW has something they call ‘Driver Recording’. It is low res though, and that resolution is shared between 1-4 cameras depending on how many you set to record. This is the 2nd highest ‘must have’ when I am car shopping. With the popularity of dash cams, I am surprised more companies don’t make this an option. Thoughts on this? Is anyone aware of manufacturers that have this as an option? Anything I am missing as to the logic of not having the option on cars that are equipped with cameras already?
WHERE is the 'folder?' Is it stored locally or in the cloud? SO.... I'm not a 'privacy' hawk. I have three vehicles with IMEI (cell phone) numbers and two with non-user controllable forward cameras. I have not bothered to neuter the radios in any of my cars - but a forward facing camera and non-optional 'cloud storage' is NOT on my 'top 10 must haves' for a new car. An engine, 4 wheels and user-defined steering wheel and throttle input ARE.
I got nothing. Apologies to @Zythryn . But I mention TV commercials in this country selling dashcams. They show people throwing their bodies in front of your car so they get scuffed up and sue you. Dashcam videos show intention and let you win in court. Procurate as it is here called. If dashcam commercials are less amusing in your country, sorry for your loss. == "4 wheels and user-defined steering wheel and throttle input ARE" Tires on those wheels for me . And a bit of user-defined braking input beyond what the system provides.
To me, the only plausible answer is liability. They don't want to be liable for anything that doesn't work exactly right in a portable surveillance system. So why does Tesla have it? All I can say is that Tesla has a lot of things that its CEO wanted, whether or not they made any sense to the rest of the world. I've spent enough time working overseas to see firsthand the way a good dashcam can help drivers keep insurance costs low, which is why I've invested in good cameras for our cars. I did not invest in anything that could do multiple angles or a parking sentry mode. The utility of such seems nice, but not exactly necessary given my current risk level and my insurer's unwillingness to give discounts to anyone using such technology to reduce said risk.
Good to know. Perhaps somebody there is mindful of Personally Identifying Information...... I'm a little curious to see if a T3 would remain fully operable if somebody puts it in 'Hellen Keller' mode, and if any Tesla owner has figured out how to do so.
Found one! The Polestar 4 has a sentry mode. It is not present in the earlier models. Deliveries start in May/June. Happy to see someone give Tesla some competition in this regard.
That COULD make sense except, Toyota offers a dashcam as an accessory for the 2025 Camry when it already has a forward facing camera and sensors, at least with the panoramic view option. They would have the same liability selling their dashcam that they would have using the existing hardware.
This is a big part of what I just don’t get. On vehicles already equipped with cameras, just make it an option. I don’t see how this would add liability. It’s a passive device which has no input into how the car functions. Even if it were only the rear view camera, it would still record potentially helpful information.
Especially since, by all reports, theyr dashcam option is a cheaply made solution. In my case, I suspect I would need to cut the visor tint on my windshield for the camera lens.
Well, it should be understood that I've speculated that they've avoided this for liability reasons, but I can't guess the specific vulnerability. I can understand the appeal- heck I'm in the process of upgrading my home video security setup because it has been very useful in a few situations where law enforcement and insurance don't offer solutions for one reason or another. We stopped at 'basic dashcam' in our cars because they aren't particularly valuable cars. If I had more at risk I'd want a better system. EDIT: adding: Punchline frame from an old Bloom County cartoon: Who gets sued when somebody is beaten up for taking a picture of an angry person?
I just bought a 2025 Camry hybrid to replace my 2017 Prius that was T-Boned my a 4Runner. Fortunately, they admitted fault but did nit report it to their insurance company. A dashcam video may have been helpful showing them accelerating from the Stop sign to hit the car.
So which one are you getting? (I don't mean to derail the thread; but after that sequence of events I'd have that new car cammed up pronto)
From what I can tell. there are not any third party dashcams officially supporting the 2025 Camry although some have hacked one in to the wiring. I am still undecided whether to get a dashcam. Some people like the FitCamX dashcam.
This is very much on topic, IMO. The issues I have had with Dash Cams is you are basically sticking a costly ($10s to $100s of dollars) in the most.visible, attention grabbing spot inside the car. It also rarely has a smooth integration and no side views, rarely a rear view. I’ve tried them before. I just find an integrated ‘sentry mode’ so much more appealing to me.
With the optional Panoramic View, the Camry would have the ability of "seeing" all around the car, including. of course, behind. I think the added sensors greatly improved the radar cruise, compared to my 4th Gen Prius Two.
This is not the greatest video, but should give a rough idea of Panoramic View Monitor (PVM). The over head view is composed of the cameras and sensors on the mirrors as well as front & rear cameras. It is a little weird if you are close to another vehicle because you see their wheels in the overhead view LOL.
Aye, running the cables can be a pain. Still have the one I had in the Camry, just don't want to put in the effort now. Plus, Subaru limits where things can be attached to the windshield cause of their cameras. Pretty sure those systems stitch in previous frames of video to fill the blind spots. Works with stationary objects for the intended purpose. An interesting test would be to have someone walk around the car while watching the panoramic view.
There is already a connector in the headliner for the accessory camera. I think you can order a connector with pigtails from China.I am assuming it passes the new consumer product safety standard for imports That only applies if not shipped to a business.
