Remember those frustrating moments struggling to see clearly out your rear window, especially in bad weather or when your vehicle’s loaded up? That lack of visibility isn’t just inconvenient; it’s a significant safety hazard. Trying to back up or change lanes with limited rear vision can lead to stressful situations and even accidents. Finding a reliable way to improve rear visibility was a persistent problem, and it’s one that absolutely needs a practical solution to ensure safer driving for everyone.
What to Consider Before Getting a Digital Rear View Mirror Dash Cam
Driving in today’s busy world requires being aware of your surroundings, and that includes what’s happening behind you. For many, traditional mirrors just don’t cut it anymore due to blind spots, vehicle obstructions, or environmental factors like heavy rain or fog. This is where digital rear view mirror dash cams come in, offering an electronic feed of the area behind your vehicle, often paired with forward-facing recording capabilities.
The ideal candidate for this type of system is someone who experiences poor rear visibility in their current setup, whether it’s due to tinted windows, cargo blocking the view, driving a larger vehicle like an RV or van, or simply wanting enhanced situational awareness. Someone who doesn’t have visibility issues and prefers the simplicity of a traditional mirror might not find the transition to a screen necessary or beneficial. They might be better served by a standard front dash cam or simply relying on their existing mirrors and backup camera (if equipped).
Before diving into a purchase, potential buyers should think about a few key things:
* Mounting Style: Do you want a system that clips over your existing mirror, or one that replaces it entirely using an OEM-style bracket for a cleaner look?
* Camera Resolution: How clear do you need the video feed to be, especially for capturing details like license plates? Look for at least 1080p, but 2K or 4K offers better clarity.
* Field of View: A wide angle is great for seeing more, but ensure it doesn’t distort the image too much. Also consider if zoom or adjustability is important.
* Features: Do you need parking monitoring, GPS logging, physical buttons alongside touchscreen controls, or specific night vision capabilities?
* Installation: Are you comfortable with hardwiring and routing cables, or will you need professional help?
* Screen Quality: How does the screen perform in bright sunlight? Is it anti-glare? Can it still function as a mirror when the display is off or less visible?
* Reliability and Support: Check reviews for long-term reliability and the responsiveness of customer service.
Considering these points helps narrow down the options and ensures you find a system that genuinely solves your specific visibility and recording needs.
Introducing the PORMIDO D80 Dash Cam System
When looking for a solution to persistent rear visibility problems, especially in vehicles with obstructed views, a quality digital rear view mirror system becomes essential. The PORMIDO OEM 2K Rear View Mirror Camera, model D80, steps in as a promising option. This isn’t just a clip-on mirror; it’s designed to replace your existing mirror using an OEM-style bracket, aiming for a factory-integrated look.
The core promise of the PORMIDO D80 is to provide significantly improved rear visibility via a crisp digital display while simultaneously functioning as a dual dash cam system, recording both front and rear video. The package includes the mirror screen unit, a detached 2K front camera, the rear backup camera, necessary cables, an OEM bracket for mounting, a hardwire kit for parking monitoring power, an installation tool, and a 64GB MicroSD card to get you started.
Compared to standard mirror dash cams that strap onto your existing mirror, the OEM bracket mounting of the D80 offers a much cleaner, more stable installation. While the product description doesn’t explicitly compare it to a market leader or previous versions by model number, the focus on detached front camera flexibility and OEM mounting suggests it’s an evolution targeting a more integrated user experience than typical universal clip-on units.
This specific PORMIDO D80 system is particularly well-suited for drivers who value a clean installation, enhanced rear visibility in vehicles where the view is compromised (like vans, SUVs, or trucks with campers), and require reliable front and rear recording with features like parking monitoring and GPS. It might not be the best fit for someone who prefers the instant, non-electronic nature of a traditional mirror or is looking for the absolute lowest-cost dash cam solution available.
Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons:
Pros:
* Seamless OEM bracket mounting replaces the original mirror cleanly.
* Detached front camera allows flexible placement on the windshield.
* 2K resolution provides sharp video quality.
* Effective WDR and anti-glare features for improved night vision and sunlight visibility.
* Includes built-in GPS and a 64GB SD card.
* Parking monitoring with car battery protection is a valuable security feature.
Cons:
* Adapting to a screen instead of a traditional mirror takes getting used to.
* Daytime screen brightness can sometimes feel just “okay” depending on conditions.
* GPS signal could potentially be impacted by certain vehicle structures.
* Initial cost might be higher than basic clip-on models.
Deep Dive into the D80’s Capabilities
Having spent considerable time using the PORMIDO OEM 2K Rear View Mirror Camera, I can attest that its real value lies in the thoughtful integration of its features and how they address everyday driving challenges. It goes beyond just recording; it fundamentally changes how you perceive and react to your surroundings, particularly behind the vehicle.
OEM Bracket Mounting and Integrated Design
One of the standout features of this >PORMIDO D80, you can mount the compact 2K front lens virtually anywhere on the windshield, optimizing the field of view without it being blocked by things like oversized mirrors or vehicle sensors. This provides a sharper and wider front recording angle. Paired with the rear camera, you get comprehensive coverage. A unique benefit of this system is the ability to zoom the rear view image displayed on the mirror screen. This is surprisingly useful; while the wide-angle rear camera gives you great peripheral vision, zooming in can help judge distances more accurately, making it feel more like a traditional mirror experience, especially for those accustomed to that perspective. You can easily adjust this view by sliding up and down on the touchscreen display.
Anti Glare, WDR, and Night Vision Performance
Rear view mirror screens can often suffer from glare, both from sunlight during the day and headlights at night. The >PORMIDO D80 includes a robust parking monitoring system. Using the included customized hardwire kit (which connects directly to your fuse box), the camera can detect collisions or significant impacts while the car is parked and automatically wake up to record emergency video clips. After recording the event, it returns to sleep mode. Crucially, the hardwire kit is designed with car battery protection. It monitors the car’s battery voltage and will automatically cut power to the >D80 integrates a built-in GPS module directly into the mirror unit. This eliminates the need for an external GPS antenna to hide. The GPS data is embedded into the video files, adding crucial information like driving speed and route taken, which can serve as valuable evidence. The system also comes packaged with a 64GB MicroSD card, which is generous enough to store a significant amount of video footage through loop recording. The loop recording feature automatically overwrites the oldest files when the card is full, ensuring continuous recording. The inclusion of the card means you can install and start using the >PORMIDO D80 has proven to be stable, consistently recording without issues. Based on extended use and aggregated user feedback, the system performs reliably day in and day out. Moreover, PORMIDO’s customer service frequently receives positive mentions. They appear responsive and helpful, addressing installation questions or assisting with specific needs like obtaining longer rear camera cables. This level of support adds significant value and confidence in the product, especially for a complex electronic device that requires installation.
Installation Experience
Installing the >PORMIDO D80. People frequently praise the clean look provided by the OEM mount and how well the system integrates into the vehicle’s interior. The video clarity, both during the day and at night thanks to the WDR, is a common highlight. Many users specifically appreciate the improved rear visibility in vehicles where traditional mirrors are obstructed, calling it a significant safety upgrade. The responsive customer support also comes up repeatedly as a major plus, with Pormido assisting with specific needs like providing longer cables or different mounting brackets. While a few mentioned the adjustment period needed to get used to a screen or specific installation challenges, the overall sentiment points to high satisfaction with the >PORMIDO OEM 2K Rear View Mirror Camera Model D80 stands out as an excellent fit to solve this problem. Its OEM-style mounting offers a clean, stable installation, unlike clunkier clip-on units. The combination of a sharp 2K camera, effective anti-glare, and WDR technology means you get clear video footage and a reliable rear view display day or night. Plus, features like parking monitoring and built-in GPS add valuable security and documentation capabilities.
If you’re ready to improve your driving safety and recording capabilities with a well-integrated click here to check out the PORMIDO D80 and see if it’s the right fit for your vehicle.