Anyone using a dash cam on their 981 Cayman?

[SimR]

Hey guys,

I've just bought a dash cam (the Transcend DrivePro 200 in case anyone's interested), and was wondering if anyone else has started using one, and specifically how did you 'hide' the lead from the dash cam (which would be pretty much by the rear view mirror) down to the cigarette lighter socket in the passenger side footwell?

The general consensus from what I can see with most cars is that you should be able to run it along the top of the windshield by easing open the trim at the top and sliding it in there, however it appears on the 981 that's pretty much solid, and I can't see how I could do it that way.

If anyone can help I'd appreciate it.

Cheers
Simon

[jredram]

Thinking about a dash cam myself for the BS. Any one know if one could be fitted to the rear bulkhead between the seats? I'm sure this is technically possible, one way or another and would simplify cable routing in a Boxster or a Cayman, but will a dash cam give a decent pic from this position? I'm sure it's all to do with F stops,lens angles and other arcane photographic formulae but that is way above my pay grade.

[ajondyh]

I use a dash cam on my vehicles and it has paid off on at least one occassion. However it must be remembered that they could be used against you too

[SimR]

jredram said:

Thinking about a dash cam myself for the BS. Any one know if one could be fitted to the rear bulkhead between the seats? I'm sure this is technically possible, one way or another and would simplify cable routing in a Boxster or a Cayman, but will a dash cam give a decent pic from this position? I'm sure it's all to do with F stops,lens angles and other arcane photographic formulae but that is way above my pay grade.

I've set mine up now (forward facing), and I have to say first impressions are excellent. I'm assuming you were thinking of still having it front facing (some people have rear facing ones too apparently)? If so you'll have a fairly crystal clear view of the interior of your car, I'm not sure how it would work with the light balance though to see out of it. I'd suggest going to Halfords and asking to test one under those circumstances (even if you're just sat in their car park), as that should give you a fair indication of whether it will work or not.

For what it's worth, I used the Transcend suction mount right by the rear view mirror, and then managed to tease the cable into the fascia at the top of the windscreen all the way across to the side, and then routed the cable down the side pillar under the rubber seal bit (that's the easy bit), then just taped the rest of the wire underneath the glove compartment so that the power adapter is right by the 12v socket in the passenger foot well. I'm properly st at that sort of stuff so if I can manage it I'm sure anyone can!

[SimR]

ajondyh said:

I use a dash cam on my vehicles and it has paid off on at least one occassion. However it must be remembered that they could be used against you too

Do you leave the power lead plugged in? I'm finding it hard to ascertain whether the 12v sockets actually power down or not once the car's locked (even Porsche are giving my varying answers!). I'm not going to leave the camera on show, but it would be handy to leave everything else there and ready so all I need to do is plug it in and go (rather than fannying around in the passenger footwell each time!).

[iandc]

Might not help as I have a 987 Spyder, but I can confirm the 12v sockets are live even when car is seitched off and locked. I guess same on 981?

[SHIFTY]

They are live as plug in chargers work so must be connected direct to battery.

[ajondyh]

SimR said:

Do you leave the power lead plugged in? I'm finding it hard to ascertain whether the 12v sockets actually power down or not once the car's locked (even Porsche are giving my varying answers!). I'm not going to leave the camera on show, but it would be handy to leave everything else there and ready so all I need to do is plug it in and go (rather than fannying around in the passenger footwell each time!).

You can buy a piggy back fuse with fly lead.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ADD-A-CIRCUIT-STANDARD-B...

Just find a fuse that is live when ignition is on and off with ignition off and use that. You'll need the hard wire kit rather than a ciggy lighter plug. This also has the benefit of freeing up the 12v socket.

[SimR]

ajondyh said:

You can buy a piggy back fuse with fly lead.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ADD-A-CIRCUIT-STANDARD-B...

Just find a fuse that is live when ignition is on and off with ignition off and use that. You'll need the hard wire kit rather than a ciggy lighter plug. This also has the benefit of freeing up the 12v socket.

Thanks very much for the tip - sadly that's well outside of my comfort zone! I'm sure it will be really helpful to anyone else who sees this thread though (who has more skill / confidence when it comes to doing stuff like that!)

[Goofnik]

I have one that's powered by USB, so I use the USB port in the glove compartment.Cable is hidden underneath the passenger A-pillar and tucked into the headliner, with the camera not visible to me when driving since its behind the rear-view mirror. It's a small and very discrete camera. You'd never know it was in the car from the outside.

[sfboy]

Yes. I use a mobius. One permanently attached to the front windscreen with a suction mount and I sometimes use a second with a clip mount on the metal bar just behind the seats, gives a great angle facing forward or back.

Regarding power, the Cayman is the best I've seen. I plug mine into the ports in the glovebox and underneath the centre armrest. I did have it plugged into the footwell, but found it kept getting snagged by passengers. From my research I've found the ports remain powered from the time you unlock the car to about 20 minutes after it's locked. No power shut off during ignition or start/stop operation that I've seen in other cars.

The fact that there's four power ports in the cabin is great (I have the extra one afforded by the smokers pack), anti penny-pinching in action.