Dash cam kit

[Desertdog]

As dash cams become more popular, and even offered as OEM accessory options now from manufacturers there might be a possible opportunity there.

I run them in all of my vehicles, the cheap ones are garbage that often don't last. I recently bought a WolfBox a really like it, I would absolutely buy an OE Slate one that installs clean with on board recording and integrates seamlessly with the Slate app to retrieve content, if offered.

 

[sodamo]

As dash cams become more popular, and even offered as OEM accessory options now from manufacturers there might be a possible opportunity there.

I run them in all of my vehicles, the cheap ones are garbage that often don't last. I recently bought a WolfBox a really like it, I would absolutely buy an OE Slate one that installs clean with on board recording and integrates seamlessly with the Slate app to retrieve content, if offered.

Another accessory opportunity. Imagine someone comes out with a modular approach. Start with dash cam but able to add additional cameras as wanted. One of the features I do like in my Tundra are all the various camera views, especially squeezing into a Walmart space. And it doesn’t even have dash cam. Miss that mirror cam view since adding the topper. Would guess such a feature on a Slate would just relocate when adding SUV/topper.

 

[Desertdog]

Another accessory opportunity. Imagine someone comes out with a modular approach. Start with dash cam but able to add additional cameras as wanted. One of the features I do like in my Tundra are all the various camera views, especially squeezing into a Walmart space. And it doesn’t even have dash cam. Miss that mirror cam view since adding the topper. Would guess such a feature on a Slate would just relocate when adding SUV/topper.

Might be a good alternative to blind spot monitoring since they apparently won't offer it. Im blind in one eye and do appreciate the added notification and safety feature, am adding blind spot cameras on my Tacoma...mostly because the blind spots are so bad on it, which isn't an issue with the Slate. However I do plan to later add some sort of cargo topper on the bed so that won't help haha

 

[SichuanHot]

I'm a big fan of dashcams too, but I don't think Slate should spend rnd hours creating their own unless they're using it for something like sentry mode in Teslas. That of course will increase the base cost since it means more wiring and hardware.

Having easily accessible 12v accessory taps would suffice so anyone can put their dashcams of choice.

 

[Desertdog]

I'm a big fan of dashcams too, but I don't think Slate should spend rnd hours creating their own unless they're using it for something like sentry mode in Teslas. That of course will increase the base cost since it means more wiring and hardware.

Having easily accessible 12v accessory taps would suffice so anyone can put their dashcams of choice.

I'm not sure a whole lot of r&d would be needed with the technology available, for example on the consumer market you can build a dash cam with a raspberry pi zero, wide angle lense camera and all the cabling for about $75, Im sure wholesale could go for less. A little bit of software tweaking and Slate app integration wouldn't be much extra. If they designed this in a nice little package with a camera mount and all the cabling/install kit they could probably offer it as a $400 accessory. Was just a thought I had if they are looking to expand their accessory catalog 🤷‍♂️

 

[sodamo]

I'm not sure a whole lot of r&d would be needed with the technology available, for example on the consumer market you can build a dash cam with a raspberry pi zero, wide angle lense camera and all the cabling for about $75, Im sure wholesale could go for less. A little bit of software tweaking and Slate app integration wouldn't be much extra. If they designed this in a nice little package with a camera mount and all the cabling/install kit they could probably offer it as a $400 accessory. Was just a thought I had if they are looking to expand their accessory catalog 🤷‍♂️

I was thinking maybe Slate could build in the mount points And make wiring easy.

 

[Desertdog]

I was thinking maybe Slate could build in the mount points And make wiring easy.

Yes, this would suffice too! I hate exposed/dangling cables and stuff stuck to my windshield or dash that falls off or is an invitation for theft, Im definitely willing to pay for a permanent, more stealth mounting solution for things like this.

 

[SichuanHot]

I'm not sure a whole lot of r&d would be needed with the technology available, for example on the consumer market you can build a dash cam with a raspberry pi zero, wide angle lense camera and all the cabling for about $75, Im sure wholesale could go for less. A little bit of software tweaking and Slate app integration wouldn't be much extra. If they designed this in a nice little package with a camera mount and all the cabling/install kit they could probably offer it as a $400 accessory. Was just a thought I had if they are looking to expand their accessory catalog 🤷‍♂️

Those build it yourself dashcams just won't suffice. A Pizero is a SBC that isn't designed for straight on and off power that purpose built dashcams are. You need tuned camera sensors and lenses for dashcams and currently the best are those equipped with the Sony Starvis 2. Additionally there's the factor of heat. Off the shelf diy components aren't going to be robust enough to handle that.

Slate definitely could build an integrated solution that interfaces with their mobile app. Trivial it is not.

 

[cadblu]

Slate has far more pressing priorities than integrating a dashcam into their app, which is still in development. In addition, it’s not a hotly desired option for a majority of customers. I have aftermarket solutions in my vehicles and they work perfectly well. The OEM (non Tesla) solutions I’ve seen were disappointing at best.