Installing a RedTiger dash cam takes about 30–60 minutes depending on whether you are doing a front-only setup or adding a rear camera. The tools are minimal — most RedTiger kits come with everything you need in the box, including a plastic trim tool, adhesive mounts, and a 12V power adapter. Grab a microfiber cloth to clean the windshield, a pair of needle-nose pliers for fuse box work if you are hardwiring, and a trim removal tool if your car has tight panel gaps. The RedTiger F7N Elite comes with a 20-foot power cable for the rear camera — plenty of length for SUVs and trucks.
Mount the front camera behind the rearview mirror on the passenger side. This keeps it out of your line of sight while giving the lens a clear view of the road. The RedTiger mount uses a 3M adhesive pad — press firmly for 30 seconds and wait at least 1 hour before attaching the camera. The glass needs to be clean and dry, so wipe it down with the included alcohol pad. Do not mount it on the windshield tint strip — the adhesive will not bond properly, and the camera may fall off on a hot day. Once the mount is set, slide the camera onto the bracket. It clicks into place and can be adjusted up or down with a small thumbscrew.
Plug the 12V power adapter into the camera and run the cable along the headliner. Tuck it behind the edge of the headliner — it usually slides in without tools. Work your way toward the passenger A-pillar. At the A-pillar, pull the weather stripping away from the door frame and run the cable down behind it. The weather stripping pulls off easily and presses back into place. Route the cable under the glove box and toward the center console. Many RedTiger users zip-tie the excess cable under the dash to keep it tidy. If your 12V socket is in the armrest, you may need to run the cable under the center console trim — a plastic pry tool helps here.
If you bought a dual-channel RedTiger like the F7N Elite or F7NP, the rear camera connects to the front unit with a single cable. Mount the rear camera at the top center of the rear window, pointing straight back. The cable runs along the passenger-side headliner, through the A-pillar, across the top of the doors (tucked behind door seals), and into the rear area. For hatchbacks and SUVs, leave a small loop of slack near the hatch hinge so the cable does not stretch when the trunk opens. The rear camera cable is thin — about 4mm — so it fits easily behind trim panels. Use the included cable clips to secure it every 12–18 inches if the headliner is loose.
If you want parking mode — where the camera records while the car is parked — you need the RedTiger hardwiring kit. It connects to the fuse box and provides constant power even when the ignition is off. The kit has three wires: yellow (constant 12V for parking mode), red (ACC/switched power), and black (ground). Use a fuse tap to connect the yellow wire to a fuse that stays live when the car is off — like the hazard lights or door locks. The red wire goes to a switched fuse like the cigarette lighter or radio. The black wire grounds to any bare metal bolt under the dash. The hardwiring kit has a built-in low-voltage cutoff — set it to 12.0V or 12.4V so it does not drain your car battery below the starting threshold.
Once the camera is powered on, download the RedTiger app from the App Store or Google Play. Press the WiFi button on the camera — it creates its own hotspot. Connect your phone to the camera WiFi network (the SSID is usually "REDTIGER_XXXX" and the default password is "12345678"). Open the app, and it will find the camera automatically. From the app, you can preview the live view, adjust the aim of both cameras, format the SD card, and change settings like resolution, loop recording length, and G-sensor sensitivity. The live preview is especially useful for aiming the rear camera — you can see exactly what the lens sees before you lock the mount in place.
| Step | Time | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Clean windshield | 2 min | Use the included alcohol pad |
| Mount front camera | 5 min | Behind mirror, passenger side |
| Route power cable | 10 min | Headliner → A-pillar → under dash |
| Mount rear camera | 10 min | Top center of rear window |
| Route rear cable | 15 min | Along headliner, tuck into door seals |
| Hardwire kit | 20 min | Fuse tap + ground bolt |
| App setup | 5 min | WiFi connect + format SD card |
That is the full installation process. Most people can do it in under an hour with just the included tools. The RedTiger mounting system is well-designed — the adhesive is strong, the cables are long enough for any vehicle, and the app makes final aiming easy. If you have not picked up a RedTiger yet, check out the F7N Elite 4K dash cam — it comes with everything you need for a clean dual-camera install.
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