Dash Cameras

[Dash-Cam Man]

Watchman said:

For cameras that do not have a gumball mount, how do you go about compensating for the curve of the windscreen if you have to mount the cam off centre?

The BlackVue kit allows for up and down rotation but not left to right. My wife's GLC has a load of Mercedes electronics in a box directly in front of the RVM. Mounting the cam directly beneath that would impact her field of vision so I want to mount it to the left of the electronics box but with no left/right rotation possible, the cam points left.

I thought to use an additional "sticky" under the one side but it seems inelegant.

Any better suggestions?

The field of view (FOV) on the newer Blackvue is 162 degrees, which is super wide, and offsetting the dash camera behind the rear view mirror still leaves ample room for the full front end of the vehicle to be covered, and more, thus there is no requirement for right/left adjustment.

We fit them day in day out, and have never required adjustment from left to right. Pictures below of a GLC 68 plate we completed a few weeks ago, to give you an idea of where we mounted it.

Hope this helps.

Thanks, Jay

[Watchman]

That is exactly where I wanted to put it - brilliant..!! Very many thanks for that.

[Dave.]

Are here any dashcams with decent battery life?

I keep thinking I should get one, but with 4 cars I'd need to buy one for each, as we all know the law of Sod, something would happen to the only car without if I only got 3.

Not bothered about parking stuff, just something I can switch on and off when I get in and out of the car.

[Watchman]

Dash-Cam Man said:

The field of view (FOV) on the newer Blackvue is 162 degrees, which is super wide, and offsetting the dash camera behind the rear view mirror still leaves ample room for the full front end of the vehicle to be covered, and more, thus there is no requirement for right/left adjustment.

We fit them day in day out, and have never required adjustment from left to right. Pictures below of a GLC 68 plate we completed a few weeks ago, to give you an idea of where we mounted it.

Hope this helps.

Thanks, Jay

I really wish you were closer to me - Worcestershire. I had a go at fitting it (having successfully fitted one to my 62-reg GL) and failed. I couldn't get the front-rear cable near to the rear hatch "hose" inside the roof space. I couldn't remove the rear window trim. I couldn't find a route from the LHS of the glove box through to the 12V power in the dash. And I even couldn't find a suitable 12V supply in the passenger footwell fuse board from where I would have installed a MagicPro.

I may have been a bit more "daring" with my own car but my wife's GLC seems altogether more difficult to find little avenues and holes to utilise. I have decided to employ a pro rather than risk butchering the car. I don't suppose you have any recommendations for people in this area?

[kiethton]

Thanks to all that recommended the Thinkware F770 dashcam to me on here, had cause for it over the weekend.

The cameras (front and rear), sound showing the impact and ability to show it to the guy when exchanging details at the roadside (when he was trying to deny liability) have and will prove invaluable in sorting things out.

[gmaz]

Dave. said:

Are here any dashcams with decent battery life?

I keep thinking I should get one, but with 4 cars I'd need to buy one for each, as we all know the law of Sod, something would happen to the only car without if I only got 3.

Not bothered about parking stuff, just something I can switch on and off when I get in and out of the car.

Virtually all of them require connection to a power supply. You could look at stuff like GoPros or the cams that cyclists strap to their helmets but sods law would also dictate that your camera was on charge when you needed to go out.

You could buy 4 of these and 4 16GB cards for about £100

[ninjag]

If wanting to avoid hard wiring and using battery protect devices then I wonder if you could do a daisy chain setup with a portable power bank of say 10000mHh which should give you a reasonable amount of power after ignition off? Argos do one for about £20 although I'm not sure if you can charge a power bank and use it at the same time? It would also take any strain away from the main car battery if you are wanting decent ignition off recording time.

I'm thinking:

Car cigarette socket -----> Power Bank ------> Dash Cam


But to be honest when you can get something like a Multisafer for £36 which allows you control over duration, voltage cutoff etc and is a far neater and professional setup I'd just hardwire the lot.

There's a selection of hardwire kits here: https://www.hiniko.com/index.php?route=product/cat...

Their customer service is probably the best I've ever come across.

[Dash-Cam Man]

Watchman said:

I really wish you were closer to me - Worcestershire. I had a go at fitting it (having successfully fitted one to my 62-reg GL) and failed. I couldn't get the front-rear cable near to the rear hatch "hose" inside the roof space. I couldn't remove the rear window trim. I couldn't find a route from the LHS of the glove box through to the 12V power in the dash. And I even couldn't find a suitable 12V supply in the passenger footwell fuse board from where I would have installed a MagicPro.

I may have been a bit more "daring" with my own car but my wife's GLC seems altogether more difficult to find little avenues and holes to utilise. I have decided to employ a pro rather than risk butchering the car. I don't suppose you have any recommendations for people in this area?

Hi there,

Yes we are very far for you. I would suggest Dal @ Automotive Solutions {07976 502310}. We know him well from the fact we both fit Ghost Immobilisers. He's a very genuine bloke, who knows his stuff, and would hardwire in your dash camera for you with a power magic pro, with ease. He's based in Birmingham however.

Hope that helps.

Thanks, Jay

[elbekko]

Dash-Cam Man said:

The field of view (FOV) on the newer Blackvue is 162 degrees, which is super wide, and offsetting the dash camera behind the rear view mirror still leaves ample room for the full front end of the vehicle to be covered, and more, thus there is no requirement for right/left adjustment.

We fit them day in day out, and have never required adjustment from left to right. Pictures below of a GLC 68 plate we completed a few weeks ago, to give you an idea of where we mounted it.

Hope this helps.

Thanks, Jay

That's a very interesting install. I have a C238 E Coupé that I'd like to install a dashcam in, but haven't found any good info on where to get the power from (without a cable running to the dash).
Did you manage to find a switched live in the camera pod that can take some extra current? Do you have any more info on that?

[Watchman]

Dash-Cam Man said:

Hi there,

Yes we are very far for you. I would suggest Dal @ Automotive Solutions {07976 502310}. We know him well from the fact we both fit Ghost Immobilisers. He's a very genuine bloke, who knows his stuff, and would hardwire in your dash camera for you with a power magic pro, with ease. He's based in Birmingham however.

Hope that helps.

Thanks, Jay

Fabulous. Thank you. I'll give him a shout tomorrow.

[Dash-Cam Man]

elbekko said:

That's a very interesting install. I have a C238 E Coupé that I'd like to install a dashcam in, but haven't found any good info on where to get the power from (without a cable running to the dash).
Did you manage to find a switched live in the camera pod that can take some extra current? Do you have any more info on that?

Hi there,

Sourcing power from inside the rear view mirror (where your lane assistance, rear view dimming and often your CAN wires for your SOS button reside) is not the correct way to install ad-hoc accessories. All of our power in 100% of dash camera installations, is always sourced from the vehicles internal fuse box. Use a fuse adapter, protect your dash camera circuit with a 2A fuse, and run the wire up from the fuse box to the dash camera. We made a video ages back, giving guidance on how to install one. Will include below.

If this all sounds complicated, buy yourself a OBB to cigarette lighter port plug, plug in the connector to your OBD port, and plug in your dash camera cigarette lighter plug to the cigarette port which resides of your new OBD port plug.

Company called 'Conecta' make them for Blackvue.

Thanks, Jay

https://youtu.be/_06xa7D1YXA

[jakesmith]

I have fitted some £20 Old Shark ones to my cars and of course, they are crap
Is it necessary to spend £250 to get a good Blackview one or similar
Is there any halfway house at maybe £100 or so that is a lot better than the cheap crap but not as pricey as the best ones?

[ninjag]

jakesmith said:

I have fitted some £20 Old Shark ones to my cars and of course, they are crap
Is it necessary to spend £250 to get a good Blackview one or similar
Is there any halfway house at maybe £100 or so that is a lot better than the cheap crap but not as pricey as the best ones?

The mini series used to be good quality and low priced many moons ago, but then the manufacturing became diluted across multiple sites in China and inevitably quality control suffered.

A good alternative is Street Guardian, their manufacturing is tightly controlled and customer service the best I've ever experienced.

Mobius are also well regarded, inexpensive and low profile. They allow a good amount of customisation I believe.

[untakenname]

The mobius 1 is getting a bit long in the tooth now and the second gen isn't that great.

The best low price dashcams imo are the Anker Roav and the Yi 2.7k. I've bought them for relatives as presents this Christmas and both were under £50.

This is one of the best quality dashcams currently available in low light and it's pretty cheap https://www.70mai.com/en/


I'm impressed with the small 70mai which due to its size I use as a rear dashcam, cost me £25 from china though you can get it on amazon prime next day delivery for under £30
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07D6LB6FS/


It's got good audio, it's a lot better than my more expensive front dashcam.
https://youtu.be/ufkgZ5wtEwc

[EddScott]

Looking for a little advice.

Halfords have the Blackvue DR590 on special and I have a voucher from Christmas so went in to ask about having it fitted (the 2 channel set)

I asked whether it would need the Magic Pro (My understanding is that it helps when your vehicle has stop start, my car is an F31 BMW with SS)

They had no idea what I was on about. He also said of the 6 installs, 4 have come back with problems.

Didn't really fill me with confidence regarding the Blackvue. Living in the ass end of Wales, we're not flush with competent in-car electronic fitters.

Was wondering if I may as well do it myself?

Edited by EddScott on Tuesday 22 January 15:53

[gmaz]

EddScott said:

I asked whether it would need the Magic Pro (My understanding is that it helps when your vehicle has stop start, my car is an F31 BMW with SS)

My Merc C220 has stop/start and there is no problem with my dashcam wired to the accessory socket fuse. The engine restart is not like a cold start where everything else turns off as the engine it turned over. On a restart, the audio stays on, lights stay on etc so that must mean that power is still applied to the non-essentials. In any case the dashcam will have a battery or capacitor to power itself while it does a clean shutdown.

If it is a problem plug something into your accessory socket and check it still has power during the engine stop & restart.

I've fitted several myself, its very easy. Just watch a few youtube tutorials, check your fuse location & type and you're on your way.

[geeks]

jakesmith said:

I have fitted some £20 Old Shark ones to my cars and of course, they are crap
Is it necessary to spend £250 to get a good Blackview one or similar
Is there any halfway house at maybe £100 or so that is a lot better than the cheap crap but not as pricey as the best ones?

I have an Aukey Dashcam fitted, does really well, is well reviewed and is pretty much bang on budget, cheaper if you don't want the rear cam. I have the rear cam just not got around to fitting it yet, it's on my "to do list" along with hard wiring it into the fuse box.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AUKEY-Wide-Angle-Supercap...

[acme]

geeks said:

I have an Aukey Dashcam fitted, does really well, is well reviewed and is pretty much bang on budget, cheaper if you don't want the rear cam. I have the rear cam just not got around to fitting it yet, it's on my "to do list" along with hard wiring it into the fuse box.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AUKEY-Wide-Angle-Supercap...

I have this too, well reviewed by Techmoan and seems good, there's one problem to be aware of, it's killed all DAB signal in the car I have it fitted in - though be aware mine's a regular sized (DIN) after market DAB.

'Geeks' - do you have DAB fitted in your car, and if so have you found it an issue?

Cheers

[geeks]

acme said:

geeks said:

I have an Aukey Dashcam fitted, does really well, is well reviewed and is pretty much bang on budget, cheaper if you don't want the rear cam. I have the rear cam just not got around to fitting it yet, it's on my "to do list" along with hard wiring it into the fuse box.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AUKEY-Wide-Angle-Supercap...

I have this too, well reviewed by Techmoan and seems good, there's one problem to be aware of, it's killed all DAB signal in the car I have it fitted in - though be aware mine's a regular sized (DIN) after market DAB.

'Geeks' - do you have DAB fitted in your car, and if so have you found it an issue?

Cheers

I have heard about this as well but it seems common with all rear cam dashcams from what I could gather when purchasing mine. I haven't fitted the rear cam yet so can't advise if the issue will interfere with my DAB or not (mine is factory fitted DAB) however if it did interfere I was going to look at resolving the issue, I will be fitting mine soon though so will be sure to report back with progress.

[V8RX7]

I was in a mate's car who has a Toguard 1080p mirror dashcam fitted - I was quite impressed with it

His has the better (IIRC) 720 rear camera but with the 480 rear they are from £27 on Ebay

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toguard-4-3-Car-Camera-...

I've seen Techmoans review on similar but my friend bought a scrap mirror and cut the end down so it fits better and the forward view is fine