The dash cams you see for sale at most truck stops in the US are generally over-priced, and often of poor quality. You'll get more 'bang for the buck' by researching dash cams online, and ordering online. You may see some cams for sale with 'big' brand names, but brand names in dash cams mean very little. Most of these cams are made in the same handful of factories in China, and if you have enough money, your name can be put on them. Any of the dash cams I recommend in the list on the right sidebar will perform well for you in your truck, and usually at a much lower cost than the cams you see for sale in the truck stops.
My favorite dash cam is a Mobius, which is available from multiple reliable sources online. My oldest Mobius has been running mostly 24/7 in a tractor trailer for almost two years. I was recently on an overseas vacation, and brought a new dash cam to use and test in a rental car. That cam was very nice, and generally worked well, but I had some problems with the mount. I popped the spare Mobius I brought along in the windshield, and was on my way. No problems. It ticked over, covered me while driving in some pretty bizarre, SE Asia traffic.
Back in my truck in the US, I usually run two forward facing dash cams. One is usually a cam with more features, often one I am testing and reviewing. The second? A Mobius. Small, reliable, and good video quality. Most people won't even notice a Mobius in your windshield.
The image quality is comparable. The A118C has a wider angle lens than the standard Mobius, lens.
In the following video, a segment from Mobius 'A' model is first, followed by video of the same event from an A118C. Both are around $80 through online retailers.
Both cameras are pretty easy to use, the Mobius does require a laptop or android phone to configure.
I've not had luck with the android program, but I have not messed with it much. You will need the appropriate cable or adapter to use an Android phone to program a Mobius. I use my laptop, much easier, never even pull the card out, or remove the cam from the windshield. I'm powering both cams from a 2 way Cig Lighter outlet, with 2 USB ports, attached to the normal 'CB' wiring in the overhead console. (I don't run a CB, anyway) On my truck it's easy to use USB cables to power the cams, and tuck the wires away in the cracks of the wonderful plastic interior material of my 'South of the Border' made Cornbinder. Easy, looks neat. Not much in the way of dangling wires. Moves or removes in seconds.
I have not messed with the GPS on the A118C. Other than keeping the time updated on the Cam, not sure how useful it will be for me? I want video. If I am in a major accident, the black box features on this annoying truck will provide more info than any aftermarket electronic device will.
(Oh, you didn't know these new trucks spy on you?)
Both cams are good for the price, but make sure you understand what you are dealing with. No dashcam seems to do well at night. The 'motion detection' features of some mostly seem useless, and cause more problems than they are worth.
The screen on the A118C is ok. You aren't going to see much when it's mounted, and in the normal mounting position in a tractor trailer. It's mostly an indication you have it pointed the right way, and it's working.
The mobius has no screen, and only a few small LEDS that will indicate functions. I have configured mine to operate automatically. On, when the power is on, off when the power (Key) is off. I have yet to touch the three buttons on the Mobius, although you'd need to use them if you use a Mobius as an action cam, and they are very popular in the RC World.
Please avoid the dashcams you may see for sale at the chain truckstops. They're usually overpriced, and of modest quality. Do you think you are really buying a 'name brand' cam when you buy a Garmin or Cobra at the truckstops?
Those dashcams are made in the same chinese factories, under contract, as many 'no name' cameras, and often the 'no name' has better video, online support and information, at half the price.
Here is a sample of night video from both dashcams.
The video is good, and it has some nice 'stealth' features. There is also an inexpensive GPS module available. This cam is better suited for a 'semi-permanent' installation, due to the use of sticky tape to mount it to the windshield. It's not impossible to move from car to car, but not as simple as using a suction cup mount. I do intend to try one of these out!
Check the details and reviews on this cam at SpyTec.
If you are using a Mobius as a dashcam, you are better off changing the internal battery with a 'Super Capacitor'. The OEM battery works fine for 'action cam' or occasional dashcam use, but the unit does get warm. A 'Super capacitor' is inexpensive, easy to install, and the way to go for dashcam use!
Want to see what a stock Mobius battery looks like after a year of use as a dashcam?
That's the OEM battery in the silver wrapper, and the new Super Capacitor to the right of it.
See how puffed out the OEM battery is?
Changing to a Capacitor is easy, and takes maybe 5 minutes. If you are going to use a Mobius as a dashcam, only, buy the Super Capacitor at the same time you buy your cam!
The Super Capacitor is not a battery. You must have power connected to your Mobius for the camera to work. That means, if you connect your power lead to a 'key on' electrical source, the mobius will only work when the ignition key is 'on'.
This is fine for dashcam use, and your cam runs cooler, and will last longer.
Make sure you adjust your parameters on the Mobius to allow the mobius to save the last file and shut down immediately when power is lost, or turned off, or you may lose your last file.
Thinking of a more permanent installation? Why not use a 'hard wire' kit? This will give you a much neater setup, more discrete, and get rid of most exposed wiring. You'll have to evaluate your vehicle to see if it will work for you. It's much easier if you have some sort of power source, perhaps in an overhead console, but it's still very possible to route the wiring around the edge of your windshield, and down to the dash area. The hard wire kits have enough wire to do this, and they will work with any cam that uses a micro USB, or even any electronic device that does. Want to make your GPS install look neater? Have you priced replacement cigarette lighter plug power cords for you GPS?
The primary reason, is, there are many inexpensive mounts available using the standard, 1/4x20, tripod mount! I do not like the cameras without them. One dashcam I had, used a cheap plastic, 'non-standard' mount, almost the same as you get with some XM/Sirius radios. (the slotted, keyed type mount you slide the unit onto)
It broke!
With a standard tripod mount, you can easily find a cheap replacement, or alternative mount. Amazon.com has many.
You also have a better chance at finding a mount that will serve your purpose, and has a better range of adjustment.
As a trucker, we often have to move our gadgets from one vehicle to another, or remove them for safekeeping. Some of the cheap plastic stuff does not hold up well, and when you add vibration to the mix, it gets worse.
Electronic stuff gets a torture test in big trucks. We tend to use them daily, and most truckers average 120,000 miles or more a year. Things that hold up OK in a car, may not last long in a truck.
Oakley isn't doing a good job staying in one lane. I'm not sure if he is texting, on the phone, or falling asleep? Note the Placards.
Video from a Mobius Dash/action cam, mounted in my truck.
