USB located behind rearview mirror

[mr momo]

Hello

The manual states there is a USB port behind the rearview mirror for powering a dashcam.

Is it on the driver's or passenger's side ?

Has anyone used it to power their dashcam yet and how long a cable did you buy ?

Thanks !

[Kuwahara]

Rear view is generally in the centre…!!!

[mr momo]

I meant the USB port..... ;-)

[Kuwahara]

So did I ,any I’ve seen are in the back of the rear view mirror …

[LunarOne]

According to the manual, it faces the driver's side. But that could be generic and maybe it's reversed for RHD cars.

[mr momo]

LunarOne said:

According to the manual, it faces the driver's side. But that could be generic and maybe it's reversed for RHD cars.

That's what I was thinking - not good to have the camera on the driver's side, so would affect the length of the cable needed.

[LunarOne]

On the other hand, having the USB outlet on the other side of the mirror housing from where the camera is going to be will prevent the cable from working loose. Or perhaps Lotus are planning to offer a camera unit which clips into the socket. Any purpose-designed camera unit that is integrated with the car would not be large enough to interfere with the driver's vision if it were behind the rear-view mirror. It might not even need a display or any controls, if that function was integrated into the infotainment system and videos could be displayed on the car's main display.

[mr momo]

LunarOne said:

On the other hand, having the USB outlet on the other side of the mirror housing from where the camera is going to be will prevent the cable from working loose. Or perhaps Lotus are planning to offer a camera unit which clips into the socket. Any purpose-designed camera unit that is integrated with the car would not be large enough to interfere with the driver's vision if it were behind the rear-view mirror. It might not even need a display or any controls, if that function was integrated into the infotainment system and videos could be displayed on the car's main display.

Like your thinking - kind of Volvo thinking (that maybe taking the Geely link way too far...)

[bcr5784]

I'm surprized that more cars don't have a usb socket there. I hate dangling wires whether it be to power a dashcam or a phone used for music or navigation. This seems an excellent solution - even better if a couple of brackets were offered to support the device.

[is-uk]

I can confirm that the USB socket is on the driver's side of the rear view mirror.

[LunarOne]

Surprises me that new cars are fitting USB type-A ports. The world is steadily moving towards type-C for everything - they're reversible, they're less bulky and they can deliver more power. The only downside is that some older devices that come with a type-A cable might need a £3 cable.

[bcr5784]

LunarOne said:

Surprises me that new cars are fitting USB type-A ports. The world is steadily moving towards type-C for everything - they're reversible, they're less bulky and they can deliver more power. The only downside is that some older devices that come with a type-A cable might need a £3 cable.

While you are right - in the not too distant future that will be the case. However there is still lots of stuff around with micro or even mini usb connectors - and most of us will have cables for these. That said you might, in any case want to buy a very short cable, rather than have lots of excess wire to hide.

[mr momo]

is-uk said:

I can confirm that the USB socket is on the driver's side of the rear view mirror.

Thanks - so a 0.1m cable will be too short !

Edited by mr momo on Saturday 8th April 15:42

[mr momo]

Bought a longer, coiled cable and it's almost perfect. If the USB A and Mini USB were both the other "hand" it would be super neat.

Photos to follow....

[mr momo]

New Apeman dashcam fitted. Came with a short cable :