Where can I place a DVR and navigator on the windshield to avoid a fine?

The DVR is no longer some kind of exotic device. Rather, it can be called useful, necessary and quite accessible. We will look at how to properly mount a DVR so that it becomes not just a stylish accessory in the car, but performs its functions in the best possible way.

A properly installed DVR should not block your view.

In some cases it is indispensable, this is directly related to the topic of our article. The device can become:

Personal lawyer in case of accidents.
A reliable witness on the road.
Guarantee of a quiet ride for the driver.
Automotive defender during communication with traffic police officers.

As you can see, a dash cam can help in many cases. That is why it is necessary not only to securely and correctly fasten it, but also to choose a convenient place. Why is it important. Let's think about the point of this device if it is installed in such a way that only the hood of a car or trees “running” by will become visible.

Some models have a useful motion detector feature. The device starts working only when there is movement in the field of view of the camera: a person running across or a car. The rest of the time it is in rest mode. This option is not bad, since when traveling outside the city it is not at all necessary to write down everything.

You can choose the option with infrared illumination. In this case, high-quality recording is guaranteed even at night.

The camera's direction should be slightly below the visible horizon line.

Correct installation

As we have discussed, the DVR records and remembers everything that comes within the camera’s field of view. This means you need to choose a place with the best view. Experts recommend several options:

Behind the rearview mirror.
On the dashboard.
On the side of the windshield.

The main selection criterion: driver comfort and good visibility for the camera. The device and its cord must not interfere while driving. Now start installation. Start with the instructions; it describes the sequence of all work and tips for setting up.

There are different types of fastening, but usually they are quite convenient and uncomplicated. Any car enthusiast can handle all the work himself. The kit includes the necessary spare parts: device, mount, wires, connectors and bracket with hinges.

The kit should include everything you need for mounting

Well, then we follow the instructions.

If you decide to “hide” the device behind the rearview mirror, then it is better to use a suction cup, this makes it possible to make the mounting location more reliable.
Treat the selected area with any degreaser. For these purposes, “Mr. Muscle” or another similar product may be useful. It is imperative to perform this manipulation if you are attaching the suction cup to glass. Thanks to this treatment, a tight connection of surfaces is achieved.
Press the suction cup firmly onto a clean, dry surface. Try to do this evenly. If you feel uncomfortable, remove the mirror.
The method is convenient and not bad, but there is a small problem. If your car often “spends the night” in an unguarded parking lot, it will be difficult to remove the gadget every time. In this case, you can attach the suction cup to the windshield on the right side. Then it will not interfere with either the driver or the passenger, occupying a smaller area. And during cold weather it can be taken to a warm room.

We will immediately consider the second method of mounting DVRs, it is more universal. Proper fastening is done using special fasteners that have double-sided tape. In this case, it is also necessary that the base is clean. Remove the protective film and press the bracket firmly onto the selected surface. Thanks to this device, it will be easier for you to remove the camera while parked. Comfortable ears hold the device well and securely while moving, and at the same time it is not “tightly” fixed, as in the first case.

Let's talk about mounting on the dashboard. This method is also acceptable. However, you will need to adjust the correct shooting angle. Some motorists choose this option if they want to record a conversation with a traffic police officer. In this case, you can simply and discreetly deploy it in the desired angle. It is also convenient to shoot inside the salon. Essentially, the DVR is at hand for the driver or passenger, and it is easy to remove it from the mount, even if it is mounted on a suction cup.

But fixing the DVR correctly is not enough. As you understand, it “categorically” refuses to work without power supply. This means you need to decide how the connection will be made. The most common and easiest way from the cigarette lighter. Again we have to decide where to put the wires? Even if you have correctly attached the suction cup to the dashboard, we don’t think that your passenger will be comfortable sitting in the front seat with a “garland” under his feet.

Therefore, you need to think about where it is best to hide the wire. There are several options: remove it behind the interior trim or carefully secure it with special tape above the glass or under the dashboard. That’s basically all, you can insert the plug into the cigarette lighter and calmly use the device.

The DVR can be mounted directly on the windshield

But in this case, the cigarette lighter will be constantly busy, and if you use it for its intended purpose or charge mobile devices from time to time, then some discomfort may well arise. In this case, you will have to slightly modify the power supply. Under no circumstances should you throw it away. But these jobs require certain skills. If you do not have the talents of an auto electrician, it is better to contact a specialist. There is no point in experimenting with the car's electrical system.

Safety first

Current video recording of the road situation often protects the driver from possible conflicts, unfair accusations, and the arbitrariness of corrupt traffic cops. For these reasons, the importance of an appropriate device cannot be overestimated.

The main thing is the correct placement of the DVR, which is guaranteed to provide the clearest picture possible.

On the other hand, even a small device, if installed incorrectly on the windshield, can significantly limit visibility, hiding pedestrians and other road users. For example, according to some traffic police inspectors, a device placed in the center of the windshield blocks most of the near view. It is better to place the recorder in the lower left corner or in the area of the rear view mirror.

When choosing a location for this device, it is important to pay attention to the following two points:

point the camera directly at the road along the axis of the car, aiming slightly below the horizon;
try to fix the mount as firmly and reliably as possible.

Mandatory conditions for good operation of the device

A lot depends on correct fastening, we offer some tips:

The DVR must be securely fastened. Otherwise, it may fall from any push and, as a result, break.
When you hide the wire under the interior trim or the front panel, all manipulations must be done extremely carefully so that, on the one hand, not to spoil the interior of the car, and on the other, not to damage the wires. Otherwise, all the work will go down the drain.
After you have attached the suction cup of the mount, hidden and connected the wires, you need to test. Turn on the device and follow the instructions to make the settings.
Turn on the device while driving, no one knows around what corner the problem is lurking.
If the car is left outside or in an unheated garage in extreme cold, it is advisable to remove the suction cup, since at low temperatures the rubber loses its elasticity.
Take the device home every day, otherwise it may become a bait for car thieves. And in this case, you will not only lose your gadget, but you may also lose your windshield.

As you can see, in principle, there is nothing complicated. As a rule, the driver will be able to properly secure the DVR himself and not have to contact specialists. Therefore, if you do not constantly use a cigarette lighter, a few hours of operation and the device will become a good assistant during your trips.

Registrar fine: is it legal?

Many car enthusiasts make the mistake of installing the DVR right in the middle of the windshield above the instrument panel. They are often confused by the location of the cigarette lighter or USB connector. In such cases, the car owner violates traffic rules.

Chapter 7 of the Traffic Regulations of the Government of the Russian Federation of October 23, 1993 No. 1090 (as amended on December 4, 2018) clearly outlines the list of restrictions. Clause 7.3 prohibits the use of a vehicle with installed additional devices or coatings that limit visibility from the driver's seat. Violation of these requirements entails a fine of 500 rubles and correction of the situation.

To avoid unpleasant situations, you should install the DVR correctly.

According to the technical regulations of the Customs Union dated January 1, 2015, the following areas of the windshield are suitable for this device:

non-working area of the wipers;
bottom corner left or right;
rear view mirror area;
top corners.

In addition, the device can be installed on the dashboard without disturbance. You can focus on the installation diagram of car recorders according to the rules of technical regulations.

Thus, video recording of the current traffic situation is a necessity in modern conditions. The main thing is that the appropriate devices must be installed so that they can function most efficiently without interfering with driving.

The mirror will get in the way

On the one hand, installing a DVR behind the rearview mirror seems like a very good choice, however, on the other hand, this place is not worth choosing, especially if you have a desire, and you probably will, to record your communication with the next patrol representative on the DVR Traffic police

In addition, a large and heavy video recorder, say, combined with a radar detector, is mounted to the windshield using special, rather massive suction cups, the number of which is sometimes incalculable, and if not the device itself, then its mount will interfere with visibility. There are models of DVRs equipped with special Velcro, but not all manufacturers have recently favored this type of fastening, apparently because it is not possible to dismantle and reinstall the device in another place with them, and in winter, Velcro on the windshield lose their properties.

What is the best way to secure the DVR. Mounting options.

Not long ago we bought a DVR as a gift for my father, I already wrote about this model. We figured out the controls pretty quickly, but all the difficulties lay ahead. The time came to install the DVR in the car and then a stupor set in, especially since we were doing this for the first time and it was immediately quite difficult to figure out how to secure the device in the car.

The kit included a suction cup, there were no problems with that. Volkswagen Passat b5 car, large glass, so there was a place to attach the suction cup. Secure it in the middle. But how to insert the recorder? The Road Runner 510 model has a PTZ camera, so at first we installed it incorrectly, installing the camera vertically, not horizontally. After driving about ten meters, we took a video record, took it home, connected it to the computer and looked at what we got. In short, what we ended up with was that the screen was no longer widescreen, and the viewing angle was very small, even the side of the road was not visible. This is because we installed the camera vertically; at first glance it seemed that this was exactly how it should be. As it turned out, it was so wrong. By the way, for a hint, look at the recorder box; there is most often a picture of how the DVR should be positioned in the mount, and how it should be rotated relative to the mount itself.

It’s decided, we turn the device horizontally (this is the way you usually hold the camera), since the mount provides for this. And the most important thing during these dances with a tambourine is the presence of the DVR’s own screen; it really helped us when installing and “aiming” the recorder at the road. So take note - when you choose a video registry, it would, of course, be preferable to take a device with its own screen, even a very small one.

How to properly attach a suction cup to a car windshield? In principle, there is nothing complicated here; to do this, first of all, carefully wipe the glass, preferably with a soft cloth with alcohol or vodka. In general, glass needs to be degreased. Then we wait until the alcohol vapor evaporates and the glass dries. We attach the suction cup, press it firmly and turn the latch to the position where it “locks” the mount on the glass. Once secured, test it for strength, otherwise it will be unpleasant when a gadget worth 5-7 thousand falls on a torpedo with a roar.

By the way, about the torpedo. The DVR can also be mounted on it. Many models come with an option for a torpedo. Regarding the pros and cons of such mounting, we can say the following - in my opinion, it is more convenient than on glass.

After all, when attaching the recorder to the glass, there is one big disadvantage - after frost, the suction cup falls off and does not hold on. Strong temperature changes negatively affect the suction cup mount. So the fasteners on the dashboard are more reliable. Most often, the recorder can be attached to the dashboard with double-sided tape. By the way, about him below.

In addition to the suction cup, as an option, you can secure the device with double-sided tape. If you buy high-quality, powerful tape, you can secure it tightly and no temperature changes will affect it. By the way, some models initially do not have any other mounting options other than adhesive tape. This model of the BlackVue DVR (very expensive by the way) has only 1 mounting option - 2-sided tape, which is included in the kit. In my opinion, this option only applies when you have a miniature DVR that weighs very little compared to its bulkier counterparts.

This is about fastening. However, it is also worth paying attention to the place where you can install the recorder. As I already said, either on the windshield somewhere in the middle, or on the dashboard also in the middle. However, you should also take into account what kind of mount you have. After all, it can also be rotary, and if this is what you have, then it is likely that you will sometimes turn it towards the driver’s window to record conversations with the traffic police inspector. In this case, it is more advisable to place the DVR in those places that you can quickly reach so that it is convenient for you. And this is again the windshield or the location behind the rearview mirror. By the way, installing a recorder behind the rearview mirror is a favorite option of many car enthusiasts. Pros - the recorder is practically invisible, which saves you from the vandalism of some comrades who see the device mounted on the windshield and do not shy away from breaking the “windshield” and stealing the device. This also applies when the gadget is placed on a dashboard. In both cases, the DVR is right in plain sight and this is not good. Here, either take it out of the car every time, or try to secure it behind the rearview mirror.

It is worth knowing that in specialized stores there are a lot of different mounts that are suitable for many models of recorders. So if the standard mount that comes with the kit does not suit you, then take the DVR with you and come with it to the store, where you can choose a mount that suits you right on the spot. By the way, quick-release mounts have now become quite popular, thanks to which you can rotate the recorder 360 degrees without making it much easier to remove the recorder from such a mount. Well, where would we be without our Kulibins, who can make such fastenings that even stores would envy. As they say, you do the best for yourself. They just don’t come up with this - they use neodymium magnets, which they take out of old hard drives. The magnetic mount is universal, and you can remove the recorder in a second and put it back in exactly the same amount of time. In general, if you search, you can find a lot of options.