Subaru EyeSight is a collection of advanced driving assistance and crash avoidance systems designed with driver safety in mind. This Subaru technology has been progressing year over year and features include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and forward collision warning.
All of these advanced safety features have been developed over the years, but there’s still no standard way of recording footage, hence why consumers install their own dash cam.
- Dual Dash Cam at 4K/1080p at 30 FPS
- Advanced Parking Mode allows you to connect to your dash cam via cloud
- Built-in GPS, WiFi
But one quick look at how EyeSight works and you’ll see that they require an unobstructed windshield to properly function which goes against the grain for a dash cam.
It is safe to say that the best placement for a dash cam for a Subaru with EyeSight is directly behind the rear view mirror.
Installation
Taking a closer look at the owner’s manual it’s clear that Subaru doesn’t want you mounting anything on your windshield as you can tell by the greyed out areas. We find this graphic a little bit too liberal as you can see areas out of the EyeSight’s view is still greyed out towards the top headliner. Also, this graphic doesn’t take into account the rear view mirror either.
The next view is much more representative of how EyeSight technology functions. As you can see, the camera sensors have a certain field of view and there rightfully is a blind spot as you approach in-between the two sensors. This is the sweet spot that allows for the mirror, as well as any devices like a dash cam or radar detector.
Front Mount
As stated earlier, the best positioning is directly in back of the rear view mirror. That being said, it is preferable to safely test out some of the EyeSight features to ensure they are still working. It should be able to detect lane departure and other incidents.
As you can see with the wiring, there is some room near the top headliner to hide power and rear unit cords for good cable management.
Nearly all types of dash cams will fit in this area. We tend to try to pick more on the compact and sleek dash cams rather than big and bulky ones to minimize potential conflict with the EyeSight.
Alternatively, you can mount a dash cam on the outside of the EyeSight coverage. This is another great spot for placement because it is outside of the conflict zone if you are worried about interference. The downside to this is if your dash cam doesn’t cover the complete road because it is off center.
There are some dash cams that allow horizontal camera lens positioning which will help with road coverage. Ultimately, we feel that directly behind the mirror is a perfect spot with little downsides, but you can be ultra-safe and choose an area where you’ll have no second-guesses.
Rear Mount
Since Subaru EyeSight only exists in the front, rear mounting a dash cam should just be like any other. We recommend positioning it along the edges of the window, with the top middle being the most favorable area.
This way you can snake the cables through the top headliner with no issues.
BlackVue DR900X-2CH
The BlackVue DR900X-2CH is the latest from BlackVue that is the gold standard when it comes to complete dash cam setup. For those who have Subaru’s, the BlackVue is the tried and tested dash cam to work with Subaru EyeSight. It is a dual channel dash cam, front with 4K resolution and rear at FULL HD. The front camera has a good wide angle lens with the field of view at 162 degrees while the rear camera has an average viewing angle of 139 degrees.
What sets this dash cam apart from the rest is that it has the ability to connect to the cloud. This opens up the possibilities for remote monitoring and control. You can remotely check-in to the dash cam at any point or receive notifications if there is an incident. You will need a WiFi hotspot or an External LTE module that takes a SIM card for this to be enabled. In terms of power, this setup includes a hardwiring kit which will enable advanced parking mode.
VAVA Dual Dash Cam
The VAVA is another 2 camera setup with a front and a cabin facing camera. This is a setup down in resolution at 2K/1080p, but also is more affordable. Unlike the BlackVue, the VAVA comes with a 2″ LCD display where you can position and review footage from the device. It also has built-in WiFi and GPS if you want to connect your smartphone.
The front camera is powered by the Sony IMX335 Sensor and delivers excellent video quality in both day and night time driving. The VAVA sets itself apart by having a 320mAh battery that will power the parking mode feature when the car is powered off. This is especially useful overnight or when the car is unsupervised.
The form factor is a little bit clunky and oddly shaped, but does not interfere with Subaru’s EyeSight regardless if you have a Forester or Impreza.
AUKEY Dash Cam FHD 1080p
Finally, our last recommendation is the AUKEY 1080p dash cam. The AUKEY is the most affordable device and packs a ton of features into one device. Feel free to mount this near your rear view mirror or on the outside of the EyeSight’s cameras.
This 1080p camera is great to pair with a Subaru vehicle because of its large wide angle lens. Its field of view is 170 degrees which is ample coverage wherever you decide to mount it. On top of the great viewing angle, the AUKEY also performs well under extreme weather conditions like hot temperatures. Keep an eye out for good discounts as coupons are often available for this dash cam.
Can Subaru EyeSight be used as a dash cam for accidents?
The Subaru EyeSight can be used as a dash cam for accidents, but isn’t anywhere close to being a complete solution. The Subaru EyeSight cameras record footage on a 22 second loop meaning any footage after 22 seconds is erased.
Subaru owners won’t be able to access this footage so they’ll need to call Subaru and request that specific footage. Law enforcement or courts can do the same thing if they believe the footage holds crucial evidence. So while the EyeSight does perform similarly to a dash cam it is neither practical or cost effective to depend on it. Imagine you get into a fender bender and you want to review footage at a later time. You have no control over it due to the short looping.
For a few extra dollars, Subaru owners can own a device that is specifically dedicated to recording the road and protecting your vehicle.
Best dash cam for Subaru Forester with EyeSight
The best dash cam for a Subaru Forester would be the BlackVue DR900X-2CH. It has the most features with such a small form factor. You won’t regret the image quality you can get with 4K video and you’ll sleep fine knowing that the dual cameras with advanced parking mode will watch over your car.
For those who do a lot of driving or even drive a Subaru Outback for off-roading, the BlackVue is the perfect choice that will last you for years.