vs
Dash cam THINKWARE or GARMIN
Toyota sells an OEM camera that goes to the left of the big radar box behind the mirror. They don't have a rear camera in the US, the OEM is expensive and not the highest quality, and the app is klunky. I had THINKWARE U3000 Pro front and rear installed in CSL. These have excellent quality and are the best parking mode for recording someone hitting your car without draining the battery. Viofo A329 is a very highly rated option.
Pros: excellent quality, best parking mode
Vehicle:
Toyota Crown
The brand I recommend is thinkware, and they have a pretty handy OBDII plug option which makes the wiring portion of it friendly. Including for parking mode. The U3000 is a great unit.
Pros: wiring portion friendly
Part number: U3000
I just installed a Garmin on my car this week.
Pros: easy installation
Purchased a Thinkware 3000Pro and having it installed tomorrow on my new A5. I used to own the Thinkware F770 (front and rear) on my A6 and loved it.
Pros: loved it
Vehicle:
Audi A5
Garmin mini
I have a Garmin mini 2, haven’t needed it yet but works well.
Pros: works well
Vehicle:
Honda Fit
In my ND I had the Garmin Mini 2 and an adapter that plugged into the Gentex mirror to power it. It was super clean, completely hidden between the windshield and mirror with no power cables ran to the 12v socket. It’s been a solid dashcam that has been serving me well for the last 4 years in the FL heat, parked outside uncovered.
Pros: super clean, completely hidden, solid, reliable for 4 years, durable in heat
Vehicle:
Mazda
I use the Thinkware Q200. Performance is good and you can power it from the Homelink Rearview Mirror with an adapter from MX5Things.
Pros: good performance
Vehicle:
Mazda
People are super into their dash cams. I can tell you I have one from Garmin, worked perfectly during an accident when I needed it most. New car, new dash cam still a Garmin. Best Buy in Milpitas will install it easily without cables showing for $79 worth it to me
Pros: worked perfectly during accident
I have a Garmin DC57. My only issue with it is sometimes it won’t turn on once the 12v receives power, but as a part of my routine when starting my truck I always check it.
Cons: sometimes won't turn on
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Which dash cam to choose — THINKWARE or GARMIN?
If choosing dash cam across many manufacturers, check the part ranking. If your choice is down to two brands, the PartReview part comparisons help.
We compare dash cam across these categories:
- PR Score.
- Overall ranking.
- Vote balance.
- Average rating.
- Number of reviews.
- Feature ratings.
- Car owners’ choice.
Which dash cam are better — GARMIN or THINKWARE?
In March 2026 on PartReview, dash cam GARMIN were overall better than THINKWARE.
- THINKWARE received a PR Score of 95 out of 100, and GARMIN scored 96 points.
- THINKWARE ranked 3 in the overall ranking, and GARMIN ranked 2.
- The average rating is higher for GARMIN (4.6) than for THINKWARE (4.5).
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Dash cam GARMIN have better feature ratings than THINKWARE:
- Mount stability - owners believe, that this property for THINKWARE is better than GARMIN.
- Image quality - drivers claim, that this property for THINKWARE is outperforms GARMIN.
- Night vision - reviews suggest, that this property for GARMIN is preferred to THINKWARE.
Which dash cam are more popular — THINKWARE or GARMIN?
In March 2026 on PartReview, dash cam GARMIN were overall more popular than THINKWARE.
By vote balance, dash cam GARMIN surpassed THINKWARE:
- For THINKWARE, the ratio of positive (38) to negative (2) votes is 36 votes.
- For GARMIN, the ratio of positive (50) to negative (2) votes is 48 votes.
By number of reviews, dash cam GARMIN surpassed THINKWARE:
- For dash cam THINKWARE there are 13 reviews: 12 positive, 1 neutral, 0 negative.
- For dash cam GARMIN there are 17 reviews: 16 positive, 1 neutral, 0 negative.
Which dash cam do car owners prefer — THINKWARE or GARMIN?
In March 2026, according to PartReview, dash cam THINKWARE and GARMIN have not taken top places in car-specific ratings. You can help by adding your review about these manufacturers.
Other comparisons of dash cam
If this comparison didn’t fully answer your question, there are many others on PartReview.
For example, comparisons of dash cam THINKWARE with: VIOFO, BLACKVUE.
Also available: comparisons of dash cam GARMIN with: VIOFO, BLACKVUE.
You can also see who is better among other dash cam manufacturers: VIOFO or BLACKVUE, VIOFO or GARMIN, VIOFO or THINKWARE, BLACKVUE or GARMIN, BLACKVUE or THINKWARE.