the one i have in my vette, i usually turn off manually when i park but i like to leave it plugged in.
Works great that way for the most part, and prevents the internal battery from going dead and loosing the date and time.
My idea with the dash cam, if the car leaves view of my house security cameras, then i want it's cameras rolling!
Too many weird things happen to that car.
I even had someone steal my cheapie OEM (C5 era) aluminum valve stem caps once.
But Just on one side.
I saw who did it, he looked homeless.
Hard part is when i park the car for a month or two, even with the camera off it drains the battery slowly.
Make sure you get front and rear cameras, most seem expect the front camera but not the rear.
Something i learned, i got rage rear ended one day on the freeway one day...
Me: "you hit me, are you going to pull over???!"
Him: "you hit me"
Me: "dash cam front and back buddy"
Him:
*shaky voice* "Ok"
Him: "so you want me to pull over then"
Me: "yes!"
Turns out the driver was out on bail.
Second time something like that happened.
Time before the guy tried to bully me after being rear ended,
His friend kept saying he was an ultimate fighter while all getting closer and closer to me
Me: "I am Armed"
Him: still acting tough but backing away...
Me: "Cops called"
Cop was acting weird about it...
So when i got home i googled the drivers name.
Turned out to be Utah's dumbest criminal in 2011
Tried to rob a dollar store with an airsoft gun that he stole from the Walmart across the street.
Stole the magic marker he used to paint over the orange tip also...
Lost money in the transaction, girl called his bluff and took his $1 and the candy bar he used to get the till open.
Dashcams!
Make sure it records audio, important to cover your ass.
I'm also VERY glad that i no longer commute.