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.

 

[Luxrage]

I'm a die-hard Dashcam believer, it's going to be one of the questions I pose to Slate if they ever call. But I'm fine with them just offering a bus bar of switched hot/grounds that I can tap into. If they put one up by the mirror for light-bars / dashcams that would be perfect for me. Ford put some up on the roof for the Broncos and people seem to like them.

I don't go for all of the extra dashcam setup stuff like parking mode. I set all of mine to just come on with ACC and go off when I turn the car off. I use Viofo A119 V2s in everything except my Wagon which has a Roav C1 and used those fuse-tap to USB boxes. Works pretty well and my cameras have seen quite a bit of action*. They really do pay for themselves the first time you want to show someone something!

I did help a friend install a full front and back dashcam with battery backup system in his Odyssey and that was a TON of work!

*This clip was so long ago this was my first one, a Spytec/Viofo V1.

 

[Cubicle23]

I'm a fan of the rear view mirrors that have camera capability and they dont add clutter to the cabin

 

[gnarly180]

I think Slate has a front facing camera for its Forward Collision Warning system. I wonder if it could be possible for the footage to be saved to a hard drive and accessed from the app without compromising the safety feature. This is assuming the resolution and angle is good enough to be worth saving. It would also be nice to save the backup camera feed too, or to be able to view the backup camera feed briefly while driving (for when you have something large in the cargo area blocking the rear view mirror).

 

[Tom Sawyer]

I think Slate has a front facing camera for its Forward Collision Warning system. I wonder if it could be possible for the footage to be saved to a hard drive and accessed from the app without compromising the safety feature. This is assuming the resolution and angle is good enough to be worth saving. It would also be nice to save the backup camera feed too, or to be able to view the backup camera feed briefly while driving (for when you have something large in the cargo area blocking the rear view mirror).

Does Slate claim to offer a camera for their Forward Collision Warning system? I can't find it on their website main page, FAQ, Specs, or anywhere else.

 

[adele]

I finally got a front and rear dash cam last year, and now I cannot imagine driving without it. It's so nice knowing that whatever happens to me or whatever I witness while driving, I can go back and look at what happened and show someone. Whether it's an actual collision, just an asshole driver to laugh at, or even a cool-looking vehicle. (I even find myself witnessing stuff in traffic and thinking "oh I'll have to look at that later" only to remember I'm on my bicycle and don't have my dash cam! I feel like I need a helmet cam now!)

I'm happy with the one I got from Viofo.com and the wiring wasn't too hard, but I'd still pay a decent markup for a Slate dash cam. If they market it right, a simple modular dash cam system could be their most profitable accessory!

 

[Luxrage]

I finally got a front and rear dash cam last year, and now I cannot imagine driving without it. It's so nice knowing that whatever happens to me or whatever I witness while driving, I can go back and look at what happened and show someone.

I couldn't agree more, I always tell people the dash cam pays for itself the first time you want to show somebody anything!

Ford and Toyota have power up at the top of the headliner of certain vehicles for accessories and dash cams. It would be really nice if slate had that pre-wired. If not at least the cab is small enough that it's an easy job.

https://autoparts.toyota.com/products/product/toyota-integrated-dashcam-pt94908231

As cool as the OEM ones are, I'd still rather have the option of picking my own. My army of A119s have served me well through 6 cars so far.