Dashcams

SteveChester · 05-22-2020, 12:12 PM

Hi,

I thinking of getting one fitted ( one of the smaller ones ) do most people just wire it into the socket under the glovebox - what other options are available if you want something a bit more permanent?

smorg99 · 05-22-2020, 12:49 PM

I've been thinking of getting one for a while and keep putting it off.
I like the look of the Blackvue front/rear cameras - not a fan of the cameras with screens - would rather have something discreet.
Parking mode is something I'd like for those bumps and scrapes that happen in car parks etc. so need to look into that.
Would also be interested what other folk have and how they're setup.

Sheepy · 05-22-2020, 01:49 PM

I power mine through the OBD port with an adapter, works for my needs where it's switched off from parking mode at home when my CCTV is monitoring the car then flick the switch on when in a supermarket car park for example to monitor using parking mode.
I'm using BlackVue front & rear cameras.

https://www.halfords.com/technology/...le-619198.html

Watsey · 05-22-2020, 02:00 PM

I went the whole hog with my Thinkware F750 dual camera and wired it to a switched live and perm live.

Works very well.

smorg99 · 05-22-2020, 02:06 PM

If you fail to power the OBD off, does it continue to drain the battery, or will it switch itself off after a set amount of time?

jonesdg4 · 05-22-2020, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveChester

Hi,

I thinking of getting one fitted ( one of the smaller ones ) do most people just wire it into the socket under the glovebox - what other options are available if you want something a bit more permanent?

Went for the VIOFO A129 front only as I'm in a f33. Wired to the 12v socket under the glove box. Works well as I don't use the socket as installed a wireless charging tray too. I went for the Viofo as it's small and discreet. Also slides off the gps mount when leaving the vehicle. Recommended

cfm56d7b · 05-22-2020, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveChester

Hi,

I thinking of getting one fitted ( one of the smaller ones ) do most people just wire it into the socket under the glovebox - what other options are available if you want something a bit more permanent?

What's your budget for the dash cam project?

SteveChester · 05-22-2020, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveChester

Hi,

I thinking of getting one fitted ( one of the smaller ones ) do most people just wire it into the socket under the glovebox - what other options are available if you want something a bit more permanent?

What's your budget for the dash cam project?

Don't have one - I was ideally looking at the Garmin mini dash cam because I want one that's discrete and you can't really see.

Cost not the issue I'll pay what I need to.

cfm56d7b · 05-22-2020, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveChester

Don't have one - I was ideally looking at the Garmin mini dash cam because I want one that's discrete and you can't really see.

Cost not the issue I'll pay what I need to.

If cost is not an issue, Cellink NEO dedicated battery with a 2-channel (front and rear) BlackVue DR750S-2CH dash cam is the setup I selected. Very happy with it. I purchased DR750S-2CH before DR900S-2CH (4K version) became available.

Cellink NEO battery is about $300 but more than worth it as the main battery is not used to support parking mode recording.

Two resources to start the research:

- www.dashcamtalk.com
- www.blackboxmycar.com; where I purchased Cellink NEO battery

gippy · 05-22-2020, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveChester

Hi,

I thinking of getting one fitted ( one of the smaller ones ) do most people just wire it into the socket under the glovebox - what other options are available if you want something a bit more permanent?

I wired mine via a hardwire kit and some fusetaps to a couple of fuses in the boot.
Viofo a129 front and rear cam, so I have parking mode.
Very easy to do and the camera wires all tuck easily behind the linings. No need to pull out any trim.

Assassin · 05-23-2020, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gippy

I wired mine via a hardwire kit and some fusetaps to a couple of fuses in the boot.
Viofo a129 front and rear cam, so I have parking mode.
Very easy to do and the camera wires all tuck easily behind the linings. No need to pull out any trim.

Gippy can you tell me (and maybe a couple of pics?) which fuses you used in the boot please.

Also what route did you run your wires back to front of the car?

Sheepy · 05-23-2020, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smorg99

If you fail to power the OBD off, does it continue to drain the battery, or will it switch itself off after a set amount of time?

It has battery discharge protection. Guessing my option wouldn’t be any use if wanting to leave parking mode on for long periods of time, I did look at the Cellink battery pack option but it was more expensive than the cameras so I didn’t bother.

muffking · 05-23-2020, 02:29 AM

Another one for the VIOFO.
Mine's wires to the perm supply for the overhead lights.

siwilson2000 · 05-23-2020, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muffking

Another one for the VIOFO.
Mine's wires to the perm supply for the overhead lights.

Would love to know how you did that as I also have a VIOFO and currently run a wire to the under dash power socket. Did you follow a DIY?

The PSU to step down for 12v-5v always concerns me since I had one once that interfered with the DAB reception.

muffking · 05-23-2020, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siwilson2000

Would love to know how you did that as I also have a VIOFO and currently run a wire to the under dash power socket. Did you follow a DIY?

The PSU to step down for 12v-5v always concerns me since I had one once that interfered with the DAB reception.

I just used a hardwired USB cable kit like this one and used a multimeter to find a live & earth supply to the map lights.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nextbase-...EAAOSwIqxcSlvh

TattooedYorkie · 05-23-2020, 03:29 AM

I have a Thinkware F800 Pro (Front & Rear), bought it when Amazon had it on offer for £259. It's hardwired to the fusebox in the boot (I had it installed by a mobile auto electrician). Smaller than it looks, about the size of a cig packet and easily slides off its mount if you want to remove it.

gippy · 05-23-2020, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Assassin

Gippy can you tell me (and maybe a couple of pics?) which fuses you used in the boot please.

Also what route did you run your wires back to front of the car?

google and youtube

the 3 links below are what i used to fit mine. + i had to youtube how to use a multimeter.
like the bloke in the other forum thread- i also had to extend my hardwire kit by about 30cm - again very easy to do, some wire, some solder, and electrical tape.
as for wire placement i followed the youtube link below.

i'm pretty sure that by now, every single possible question about dashcams have already been answered in this forum.

https://www.blackboxmycar.com/pages/...e-hardwire-kit

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...4&postcount=17

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...80&postcount=7
(i used the same fuses as this guy)

siwilson2000 · 05-23-2020, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muffking

I just used a hardwired USB cable kit like this one and used a multimeter to find a live & earth supply to the map lights.

Great. No issues with DAB reception at all?

muffking · 05-23-2020, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siwilson2000

Great. No issues with DAB reception at all?

No, it's always been crap

jbeer · 05-25-2020, 08:33 AM

I like the Blackvue Dashcams, currently on my 2nd one as the first one has now gone in my sons car.

I currently have the 2ch 590W which is really good and discreet, managed to tuck the rear camera right up against the headliner so it I out of the way and cannot be seen in the rear view mirror.... then it’s hardwired into the fuse box in the boot.

teaston · 05-25-2020, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muffking

Quote:

Originally Posted by siwilson2000

Great. No issues with DAB reception at all?

No, it's always been crap

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonesdg4

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveChester

Hi,

I thinking of getting one fitted ( one of the smaller ones ) do most people just wire it into the socket under the glovebox - what other options are available if you want something a bit more permanent?

Went for the VIOFO A129 front only as I'm in a f33. Wired to the 12v socket under the glove box. Works well as I don't use the socket as installed a wireless charging tray too. I went for the Viofo as it's small and discreet. Also slides off the gps mount when leaving the vehicle. Recommended

Quote:

Originally Posted by gippy

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveChester

Hi,

I thinking of getting one fitted ( one of the smaller ones ) do most people just wire it into the socket under the glovebox - what other options are available if you want something a bit more permanent?

I wired mine via a hardwire kit and some fusetaps to a couple of fuses in the boot.
Viofo a129 front and rear cam, so I have parking mode.
Very easy to do and the camera wires all tuck easily behind the linings. No need to pull out any trim.

Quote:

Originally Posted by muffking

Another one for the VIOFO.
Mine's wires to the perm supply for the overhead lights.

[img]https://live.staticflickr.com/1790/4...8f8cb201_o.jpg[/img]

Quote:

Originally Posted by siwilson2000

Quote:

Originally Posted by muffking

I just used a hardwired USB cable kit like this one and used a multimeter to find a live & earth supply to the map lights.

Great. No issues with DAB reception at all?

I also have the Viofo A129 dual, great dashcams!

It did make my DAB reception worse, but it wasn't great before. Using internet radio on carplay with my EE 4G is far more reliable either way.

siwilson2000 · 06-14-2020, 02:32 AM

Just an FYI. This is shows what I was talking about regarding the adapter effecting the DAB signal.

05-22-2020, 12:12 PM	#1
SteveChester Brigadier General 2473 Rep 4,653 Posts Drives: F82 M4 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Chester iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW F82 M4 [0.00]	Dashcams Hi, I thinking of getting one fitted ( one of the smaller ones ) do most people just wire it into the socket under the glovebox - what other options are available if you want something a bit more permanent? __________________ Steve Roberts UK F82 M4 I'm running the 2024 London Marathon for the British Forces Foundation - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sr5/
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

05-22-2020, 12:49 PM	#2
smorg99 Private First Class 68 Rep 197 Posts Drives: F30 330e M Sport Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Sheffield iTrader: (0)	I've been thinking of getting one for a while and keep putting it off. I like the look of the Blackvue front/rear cameras - not a fan of the cameras with screens - would rather have something discreet. Parking mode is something I'd like for those bumps and scrapes that happen in car parks etc. so need to look into that. Would also be interested what other folk have and how they're setup. __________________ BMW 330e M Sport plus lots of toys
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-22-2020, 01:49 PM	#3
Sheepy First Lieutenant 181 Rep 379 Posts Drives: F82 M4 Competition Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: York iTrader: (0)	I power mine through the OBD port with an adapter, works for my needs where it's switched off from parking mode at home when my CCTV is monitoring the car then flick the switch on when in a supermarket car park for example to monitor using parking mode. I'm using BlackVue front & rear cameras. https://www.halfords.com/technology/...le-619198.html
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-22-2020, 02:00 PM	#4
Watsey Major General 6450 Rep 8,516 Posts Drives: F31 330D sDrive M Sport Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: On sabbatical. iTrader: (1)	I went the whole hog with my Thinkware F750 dual camera and wired it to a switched live and perm live. Works very well. __________________ Current : F31 330sD, remapped, Ohlins Road & Track, Millway camber plates, Quaife LSD, Stoptech brakes + Pagid RSL1 pads all round, Weichers front strut brace, Eibach front & rear anti-roll bars, Michelin MP4S.
	Appreciate 1 Soul_Glo13388.00 Quote

05-22-2020, 02:06 PM	#5
smorg99 Private First Class 68 Rep 197 Posts Drives: F30 330e M Sport Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Sheffield iTrader: (0)	If you fail to power the OBD off, does it continue to drain the battery, or will it switch itself off after a set amount of time? __________________ BMW 330e M Sport plus lots of toys
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-23-2020, 02:29 AM	#13
muffking Regular user 225 Rep 965 Posts Drives: F30 330D M-Sport Auto Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lincs. UK iTrader: (3) Garage List 2014 BMW 330D [0.00] 2006 Honda CBR1000R ... [0.00]	Another one for the VIOFO. Mine's wires to the perm supply for the overhead lights. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-23-2020, 03:29 AM	#16
TattooedYorkie New Member 3 Rep 22 Posts Drives: 2021 G20 330D MHEV Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: North Yorkshire iTrader: (0)	I have a Thinkware F800 Pro (Front & Rear), bought it when Amazon had it on offer for £259. It's hardwired to the fusebox in the boot (I had it installed by a mobile auto electrician). Smaller than it looks, about the size of a cig packet and easily slides off its mount if you want to remove it. Attached Images
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-25-2020, 08:33 AM	#20
jbeer Lieutenant 156 Rep 512 Posts Drives: 320i M Sport Shadow Edition Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Birmingham, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 320i M Sport S ... [0.00]	I like the Blackvue Dashcams, currently on my 2nd one as the first one has now gone in my sons car. I currently have the 2ch 590W which is really good and discreet, managed to tuck the rear camera right up against the headliner so it I out of the way and cannot be seen in the rear view mirror.... then it’s hardwired into the fuse box in the boot. Attached Images __________________ Current: F30 2018 320i M Sport Shadow Edition Accessories: BMW OEM Roof Bars & Bike Carriers, Dashcam - Blackvue 590W-2CH
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-14-2020, 02:32 AM	#22
siwilson2000 New Member 2 Rep 11 Posts Drives: BMW F33 440i Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Surrey iTrader: (0)	Just an FYI. This is shows what I was talking about regarding the adapter effecting the DAB signal.
	Appreciate 0 Quote