BajaNomad

Dash Cams at Border Entries?

gringorio - 4-9-2016 at 03:13 PM

Hey Ya'll,

Just wondering if it is illegal or not recommended, to have a dash cam in operation when entering or exiting Baja, Mexico? Do Mexican or U.S. customs agents have any issues with them?

Also, anyone use a dash cam while traveling in Baja?

Thanks! ~gringorio

bajaguy - 4-9-2016 at 03:38 PM

I run dash cams in Baja (Mexico) and the US in each vehicle. Never been questioned by US or Mexican authorities

I highly recommend them in the event of an accident or a mordita attempt

BigBearRider - 4-9-2016 at 05:45 PM

Border guys in both US and Canada have asked if my helmet
Mounted GoPro was on. It wasn't.

fandango - 4-9-2016 at 07:05 PM

I use a dash cam all the time. Only trouble I had was at a military stop in Ensenada, he did not like it AT ALL.

gringorio - 4-9-2016 at 08:43 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy  
I run dash cams in Baja (Mexico) and the US in each vehicle. Never been questioned by US or Mexican authorities

I highly recommend them in the event of an accident or a mordita attempt


Thanks for the input - I like the idea using them for evidence in case of an accidnet or bribe! I also have a rear-facing cam and both capture audio ... :lol:

gringorio - 4-9-2016 at 08:45 PM

Quote: Originally posted by fandango  
I use a dash cam all the time. Only trouble I had was at a military stop in Ensenada, he did not like it AT ALL.



Thanks for that tip. I might pull it down (but not turn it off) at checkpoints ...

gringorio - 4-9-2016 at 08:50 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BigBearRider  
Border guys in both US and Canada have asked if my helmet
Mounted GoPro was on. It wasn't.


Did you get the feeling they would have asked you to turn it off?

BigBearRider - 4-9-2016 at 10:19 PM

That's the feeling I got.

Santiago - 4-10-2016 at 06:32 AM

Has anyone with a dash cam ever used it in a traffic stop where an attempted mordita might occur? I'm curious what the outcome was.

bkbend - 4-10-2016 at 09:00 AM

I had a friend (third-party alert) whose wife took a photo with her phone during an attempted mordita and agreement was worked out that if she deleted to photo they were free to go on their way.

ncampion - 4-10-2016 at 12:03 PM

I'm going to pick one up next trip NOB. I like the idea of documenting what happens both in accidents and traffic stops. The nice thing is if the video is not in your favor, you don't have to mention it!:bounce:

seanmiller - 6-11-2017 at 10:03 PM

I think dash camera are prohibited on entries like this. Should check out some immigration policies.

fandango - 6-11-2017 at 10:08 PM

I leave mine up and running both northbound and southbound. Never had a comment.

gringorio - 6-11-2017 at 10:14 PM

Thanks for the reply. Since I first posted this question I have been back and forth several times through Lukeville and Calexico all while keeping the dashcam up and running in plain view. The last time through Calexico (late April), my Spanish co-worker was temporarily detained for paper work clarification. My dashcam was up in plain view while they searched my car and no one said a word.

That said, I do not know if they are illegal or not at border crossings. :o

[Edited on 6-12-2017 by gringorio]

gringorio - 6-11-2017 at 10:20 PM

Quote: Originally posted by fandango  
I leave mine up and running both northbound and southbound. Never had a comment.


I think it is the way to go ...

BigWooo - 6-12-2017 at 04:55 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Santiago  
Has anyone with a dash cam ever used it in a traffic stop where an attempted mordita might occur? I'm curious what the outcome was.


Yes, a couple months ago we were pulled over in Constitucion and told we failed to stop at an intersection. I showed the officer the camera and asked him to review the video with me so I would know where I missed the stop, so I wouldn't repeat the same mistake next time. He said drive carefully, told us to go, and walked away.

Udo - 6-13-2017 at 08:24 AM

Just for this situation alone, the camera would be worth the investment
Quote: Originally posted by BigWooo  
Quote: Originally posted by Santiago  
Has anyone with a dash cam ever used it in a traffic stop where an attempted mordita might occur? I'm curious what the outcome was.


Yes, a couple months ago we were pulled over in Constitucion and told we failed to stop at an intersection. I showed the officer the camera and asked him to review the video with me so I would know where I missed the stop, so I wouldn't repeat the same mistake next time. He said drive carefully, told us to go, and walked away.

bajaguy - 6-13-2017 at 02:42 PM

https://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-uniden-cam945g-dash-camera-...
Quote: Originally posted by BigWooo  
Quote: Originally posted by Santiago  
Has anyone with a dash cam ever used it in a traffic stop where an attempted mordita might occur? I'm curious what the outcome was.


Yes, a couple months ago we were pulled over in Constitucion and told we failed to stop at an intersection. I showed the officer the camera and asked him to review the video with me so I would know where I missed the stop, so I wouldn't repeat the same mistake next time. He said drive carefully, told us to go, and walked away.

bajatom24 - 6-14-2017 at 11:32 AM

Use of cameras of any kind at U.S. or Mexico border is prohibited. But, as with all Baja, it depends on the customs and/or miltary person you are dealing with. Some care, some don't.

BajaBill74 - 6-14-2017 at 12:05 PM

In 2002 at a military stop, I had a digital camera sitting on the passenger seat. (They were new then.) They asked about it and I was going to demonstrate it by taking a picture.

They immediately stopped me. They were polite and explained that you may not take pictures of military sites.

About four years ago I asked if I could take a picture of that giant statue (an eagle?) at the state line for Baja Sur and was told "No" by one of the guards.

My guess is that it is possible to get in trouble.

Lee - 6-14-2017 at 02:19 PM

I cover my dash cam at border crossings and checkpoints.

Usually have it on going through towns, only.

At CC and Tecate, I verbalize the stops for the cam (think Tecate has 19 stops) and am fully prepared to review the video with a cop.

David K - 6-14-2017 at 02:40 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaBill74  
In 2002 at a military stop, I had a digital camera sitting on the passenger seat. (They were new then.) They asked about it and I was going to demonstrate it by taking a picture.

They immediately stopped me. They were polite and explained that you may not take pictures of military sites.

About four years ago I asked if I could take a picture of that giant statue (an eagle?) at the state line for Baja Sur and was told "No" by one of the guards.

My guess is that it is possible to get in trouble.


The eagle was built in late 1973 to commerate the new highway. It was to be the center of a future agricultural city and below it was a museum where artifacts from all around Baja were displayed. The military came in many years later an made a base, planted trees that block the 140 ft. eagle from the traffic and who knows where the artifacts, including an ammonite from Mama Espinoza went?
I pulled over to photo it last Sept as a soldier watched and one can take photos of the front of it from the Pemex or just north.

[Edited on 6-14-2017 by David K]

seanmiller - 6-27-2017 at 09:18 PM

Today, dash camera are more sophisticated and are versatile in any way.

fandango - 6-27-2017 at 09:58 PM

I crossed northbound at san ysidro a few days ago and asked the agent about dashcams.
He said that you could not film ON federal property. He said big trouble if agent wanted to pursue.