I love dashcams. Everybody on the road should have one.
Some people find that strange, but my affection for dashcams comes from a perfect overlap of interests:
- I have a film degree with a focus on cinematography
- I’m passionate about Linux and embedded systems
- I love cars, defensive driving, and being safe on the road
All of that converges into a deep appreciation for dashcams. Over the last 10 years, I’ve owned a wide range of brands and models, mostly bouncing between Garmin (Dash Cam Mini, Dash Cam Mini 2) and Thinkware (F770, ARC700).
To Thinkware’s credit: they’re the only manufacturer I’ve found whose cameras can reliably survive intense desert heat for more than four years.
Over time, these little black boxes have captured some genuinely wild moments. Below are a few of my favorites, along with some hard-earned notes from living with dashcams long-term.
Suddenly, Florida Man
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Camera: Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2
Year: 2022
Since posting this, I’ve learned the clip has been used in defensive driving training courses—which is both a huge honor and slightly embarrassing. Watching it back years later, I’ve come to realize I escalated the situation by honking. I wouldn’t do that today.
While I’m happy it caught this moment, I must say—slight tangent rant—this dashcam is a piece of shit.
It eventually developed a sensor failure. After a near-fatal incident—a massive tree falling directly in front of us—AN INSANE MOMENT—I discovered it had been recording nothing but digital noise with no audio:
Digital noise recorded by the dashcam
Garmin replaced it without complaint. A year later, they bricked the replacement with a bad firmware update:
Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 brick
They replaced that with a refurbished unit, which—surprise—died of sensor failure another year later, almost on my birthday:
Not this again...
I think I’m done with Garmin. Thinkware’s my new best friend now.
My Truck’s Front Differential Explodes
Camera: Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2
Year: 2023
No big deal—I’m just [checks phone] 1,600 miles from home. 🤦🏻
A front differential exploding and locking the wheels is a genuinely rare automotive event, and mildly fascinating to capture on camera. I’ve never felt a car stop so fast before.
What still bugs me is the sudden recording dropout. The Dash Mini 2 loses about 250 frames right at the worst possible moment. An Epstein-in-prison moment, if you will.
Was it a voltage sag from losing alternator charge? Maybe. But this camera is supposed to be capacitor-backed.
Those missing frames will remain a mystery. My hilarious reaction, lost forever.
For the mechanically curious: I managed to force the Land Cruiser into 4LO and grind it into a McDonald’s parking lot. While lying on the asphalt pulling the front driveshaft and CV axles, a pile of chicken feathers fell down the back of my shirt.
What the f*ck is going on?
Camera: Thinkware ARC700
Year: 2025
Have you ever seen two cars run the same red light at the same time?
If so, it’s probably because you were driving in the land of distracted driving.
The Sony Starvis sensor’s night performance is unreal. Every time I rewatch this clip, it still blows me away.
The ARC700 is currently my favorite dashcam that I’ve ever owned.
Cyclist Goes Down Hard on a Foggy Morning
Camera: Thinkware F770
Year: 2018
This one’s tough to watch.
The cyclist is incredibly lucky the truck driver was alert—when the cyclist falls, their head lands directly in the truck’s path.
That’s why it’s so dangerous to ride in the gutter. Not only are you inviting drivers to pass you without leaving enough space, but you’re also riding over the part of the road that has the most fall hazards. …
Pedestrian and Car Sneak Through a Green Light
Camera: Thinkware F770
Year: 2017
The oldest clip here, and yeah—I was again way too heavy on the horn.
I’ve grown to dislike honking unless it’s genuinely necessary. This was ego honking, and I’m not proud of it. Crazy people carry guns these days, which I would come to find out less than a decade later.
Good Thing I Was Paying Attention
Camera: Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2
Year: 2024
I’ve definitely driven while distracted before, and if I were doing so here, would have created a tragedy. Scary to think about.
Thanks for reading through my dashcam journey so far. Here’s to another 10 years!
Next article should probably be “Ten Years Of Surveillance Cameras”, as I have even crazier stories to tell.