Kenwood guys....dash cam?

I've got a DNX997XR on order and sounds like its compatible with the DRV-N520 dash cam. Anybody use this setup? Feedback? Is 'integrating with the head unit' even remotely useful?

I'm mostly curious if I can view the video feed and/or clips on the headunit and if its just a general good value vs. other dash cams.

 

Screw it I bought it, how complicated can a dash cam be.

Has anyone found a good setup for a rear dashcam that doesn't block the sliding window?

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/rear-dashcam-camera-mount-tundra-platinum.36542/

https://www.thedashcamstore.com/custom-folded-bracket-for-secondary-dashcam-lenses/ (See the pics)

 

Same exact set-up I have. Loving the combo except for the driving assist feature on the dash-cam.. IMO it’s useless LOL , it goes off all the time for no damn reason LOL

 

how do you like it? any reason to have one integrated? im leaning towards a garmin that will put the video into the cloud

 

I like it, but I wouldn’t give the head unit integration any value. Its nice being able to view videos and manage the files right there without pulling memory cards but considering it’ll only be used in the rare case of an accident, thats hardly worth paying extra for and cloud sync would be better anyway.

Off the top of my head, drawbacks: no audio when playing back videos on the head unit. Can’t lock files to prevent overwriting (the manual says you can but the icons aren’t there for me?).

TLDR Head unit integration is nice, image is good enough for me, but I’d buy something with rear camera integration and cloud sync over this if I were doing it again.

 

thank you !

 

100% feel the same way. I have mine in on my 10.1” screen. The integration is cool. The driver assist features are neat but honestly redundant to what came with my truck.

I really wish the unit was expandable to include rear and interior feeds.
My pops on a lot as I’m lifted and houston roads are terrible so we bounce around a good bit.

 

I have it, but wouldn't go out of my way to spend $1000 on a Kenwood HU just to buy the Kenwood camera. I'm definitely happy with it, it went to the top of my list when shopping for cameras because I already had a Kenwood Excelon I pulled out of my previous truck.

@birdman86 There is a way to control the volume on playback, it's hidden in the menu somewhere and it defaults to mute every time you play a clip - I'll get a picture of it. It also only plays audio back through the rinky dink speaker on the camera itself, not the truck audio system. Sounds pretty pitiful, but haven't checked a clip on my computer yet to see how the audio sounds on decent speakers.

Our 2020 Highlander will get some sort of stand alone unit, my wife has no interest in an aftermarket stereo.

 

Tap on the camera icon in the lower left hand corner when viewing a clip. It brings up the volume and zoom control