BMW
X7 and XM
forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Today's Posts
BIMMERPOST Universal Forums General Automotive (non-BMW) Talk + Photos/Videos Stealth Dash Cams

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      08-15-2023, 07:30 PM   #1
G35POPPEDMYCHERRY
Banned
G35POPPEDMYCHERRY's Avatar
No_Country
4999
Rep
4,139
Posts

Drives: F80
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Philadelphia

iTrader: (1)

Hi,

Always wanted a 2 channel dash cam, but with my building now being valet would definitely appreciate the 3rd channel. Problem is every single dash cam I look at has a screen attached to it. It would drive me crazy let alone anyone else in my car.

I see the BlackVue at a cool 500 bucks very expensive. I was planning to just plug into cigarette lighter on the rear seat console. Is that possible?

So two things,

1. Any other dash cam options for me that are cheaper. I just need some form of video and I can just pull the SD card when I need to pull up footage.

2. I don’t mind hardwiring, but I already have a sub and amp on the battery and honestly don’t want to add to the mix. Any harm in all these accessiors leaching the battery? I am def not paying for a power park because I drive the car like once every 7 days so it’ll die.
Appreciate 0
      08-15-2023, 08:00 PM   #2
FrankMstein
Captain
FrankMstein's Avatar
United_States
1020
Rep
910
Posts

Drives: F80 M3, R56 Camden, G37x
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Charlotte

iTrader: (1)

My wife got this one. https://a.co/d/1fwtlkl More intuitive and consistent.
I have two of these and are disposable at this price, get TWO. One for 5-6 years and the other 2 with no issues. https://a.co/d/bQeTw8I If you take the chip out and download you don't get sound for some reason.

Both are slow as shit for downloading videos.
Appreciate 0
      08-15-2023, 08:31 PM   #3
jkoral
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
1023
Rep
1,968
Posts

Drives: 2017 M2 LBB 6MT
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: MA

iTrader: (7)

Quote:
Originally Posted by G35POPPEDMYCHERRY View Post
I was planning to just plug into cigarette lighter on the rear seat console. Is that possible?
FWIW, that's how I have my BlackVue DR900x-2CH plugged in now, USB plug in rear seat console (F87). Pops out from under rear seat.

(I have an external BlackVue battery hardwired in the trunk, I just haven't gotten around to making a longer power cord to reach the trunk)
Appreciate 0
      08-15-2023, 08:34 PM   #4
jkoral
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
1023
Rep
1,968
Posts

Drives: 2017 M2 LBB 6MT
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: MA

iTrader: (7)

Quote:
Originally Posted by FrankMstein View Post
My wife got this one. https://a.co/d/1fwtlkl More intuitive and consistent.
I also like them, I have one each in my 3 other cars. Biggest pro/con is no GPS so no speed recorded with video.
Appreciate 1
      08-15-2023, 09:47 PM   #5
Frostynorth
Weirdo
Frostynorth's Avatar
Canada
433
Rep
182
Posts

Drives: 2011 e92 M3
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Middle of nowhere

iTrader: (0)

VIOFO makes nice cams, the a119 screen turns off after a minute.
There are 3 channel options too
Appreciate 0
      08-16-2023, 04:21 AM   #6
Sierra055
Second Lieutenant
292
Rep
215
Posts

Drives: 2023 G80 M3 SSG, 2021 Audi SQ7
Join Date: Feb 2023
Location: Melbourne, AU

iTrader: (0)

I have these in two of my cars (both Audi's) and plan on putting one into my M340 when it arrives. Definitely stealth install but no third channel. If you connect it to the wiring harness in the mirror (usually picks up off the rain sensor) then unfortunately you don't get parking mode, but if you hard wire it back to the fuse box you do.
Image quality is very good, pretty much as good as the Blackvue 900x I have in another car, though the app is rubbish by comparison though.

https://fitcamx.com/collections/bmw
Appreciate 1
forcefed2562.50
      08-16-2023, 08:34 AM   #7
G35POPPEDMYCHERRY
Banned
G35POPPEDMYCHERRY's Avatar
No_Country
4999
Rep
4,139
Posts

Drives: F80
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Philadelphia

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jkoral View Post
I also like them, I have one each in my 3 other cars. Biggest pro/con is no GPS so no speed recorded with video.
you think i can buy three and stick one towards my cabin?
Appreciate 0
      08-16-2023, 12:07 PM   #8
FrankMstein
Captain
FrankMstein's Avatar
United_States
1020
Rep
910
Posts

Drives: F80 M3, R56 Camden, G37x
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Charlotte

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jkoral View Post
I also like them, I have one each in my 3 other cars. Biggest pro/con is no GPS so no speed recorded with video.
No speed huh? All I need is video! Speed may be a problem in my case...
Appreciate 0
      08-16-2023, 01:36 PM   #9
jkoral
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
1023
Rep
1,968
Posts

Drives: 2017 M2 LBB 6MT
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: MA

iTrader: (7)

Quote:
Originally Posted by G35POPPEDMYCHERRY View Post
you think i can buy three and stick one towards my cabin?
Yes.

"Using Dash Cam Video Sync allows any combination of up to 4 of the Garmin Dash Cams below to be paired simultaneously with the Garmin Drive™ app. This allows you to install multiple dash cameras in the same vehicle, such as front and rear cameras, and create composite picture-in-picture videos from the simultaneous recordings."

From https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?fa...1u5075NYaHY15A
Appreciate 1
      08-17-2023, 11:29 AM   #10
ShopVac
Not willing to take advice
ShopVac's Avatar
No_Country
4053
Rep
1,527
Posts

Drives: F82 M4 - 6MT
Join Date: May 2010
Location: PA

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by G35POPPEDMYCHERRY View Post
Hi,

I see the BlackVue at a cool 500 bucks very expensive. I was planning to just plug into cigarette lighter on the rear seat console. Is that possible?

So two things,

1. Any other dash cam options for me that are cheaper. I just need some form of video and I can just pull the SD card when I need to pull up footage.

2. I don’t mind hardwiring, but I already have a sub and amp on the battery and honestly don’t want to add to the mix. Any harm in all these accessiors leaching the battery? I am def not paying for a power park because I drive the car like once every 7 days so it’ll die.
While I do run BlackVue in my BMW, Genesis, and Spider, I'm running AZDOME 4K's in my other cars. Nice alternative for the price. Units are similar in size to the BlackVue's - and I actually like their app better.
__________________
Proud owner of 4 Turbos and 1 Supercharger
Appreciate 1
Bingham276.00
      08-17-2023, 09:17 PM   #11
Rich.Wolfson
Thaumaturge
181
Rep
211
Posts

Drives: 2014 M235i
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Caldwell, NJ

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sierra055 View Post
I have the FitCam in my M235i. Very stealth, good quality video, easy to install and operates automatically. What more can you ask other than a rear camera as well.

///Rich
Appreciate 0
      08-18-2023, 04:12 AM   #12
Sierra055
Second Lieutenant
292
Rep
215
Posts

Drives: 2023 G80 M3 SSG, 2021 Audi SQ7
Join Date: Feb 2023
Location: Melbourne, AU

iTrader: (0)

I see they even offer that now too. Would be good if it was as stealth as the front.
Appreciate 0
      08-19-2023, 12:48 PM   #13
rbryantaz
Lieutenant
United_States
372
Rep
531
Posts

Drives: 2007 E70 4.8i, 2008 E90 335i
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Phoenix, AZ area

iTrader: (4)

Garage List
2008 BMW 335i  [7.67]
2007 BMW X5 4.8i  [10.00]
I have a $65 AliExpress dual front/rear DVR that goes in a custom rear view mirror housing (replaces the factory plastic cover) on my e70 and e90. It is basically invisible on the front. I then use a rear camera mounted in a replacement license plate light housing.

It works fine, the live view on timacam app isn't great but it stores video and audio to the SD card very well with a file per camera that you can set to make a new rotating file name with different durations.
Appreciate 0
      08-19-2023, 09:13 PM   #14
tranquility
sportscars only
tranquility's Avatar
Canada
3245
Rep
3,195
Posts

Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Montréal

iTrader: (0)

Ya, I never understood ppl who want to get those massive carcams...it just attracts thieves, attn, etc.

Check out those mobius carcams. I don't think any are 2 channel but I bought two and just mounted them easily (I could've done a better job on the rear but the front is absolutely stealth tucked underneath the rearview mirror).

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/154545037725
__________________
The richest one percent of this country owns half our country's wealth, five trillion dollars. One third of that comes from hard work, two thirds comes from inheritance, interest on interest accumulating to widows and idiot sons and what I do, stock and real estate speculation...It's bullsh*t. I create nothing. I own. We make the rules, pal...Now you're not naive enough to think we're living in a democracy, are you buddy?
Appreciate 0
      08-23-2023, 12:48 PM   #15
VAcurler
Private First Class
116
Rep
144
Posts

Drives: 21 F23 M240i MT + 09 e90 328i
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Colorado

iTrader: (0)

I installed the FitcamX on my F23 this past week. It is a VERY tight fit with a mirror tap and blendmount for my Uniden R7. I have the one with the rear camera but couldn't figure out where the cable came out so I need to try again this weekend. My plan is to have the rear mounted somewhere so I can see behind me with the top UP or DOWN
Appreciate 0
      08-23-2023, 09:55 PM   #16
Rich.Wolfson
Thaumaturge
181
Rep
211
Posts

Drives: 2014 M235i
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Caldwell, NJ

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by VAcurler View Post
I installed the FitcamX on my F23 this past week. It is a VERY tight fit with a mirror tap and blendmount for my Uniden R7. I have the one with the rear camera but couldn't figure out where the cable came out so I need to try again this weekend. My plan is to have the rear mounted somewhere so I can see behind me with the top UP or DOWN
I made a mirror tap from computer connector parts but had no problem fitting it in.

It just works. You will love it when you get it fitted.

///Rich
Appreciate 0
      09-01-2023, 02:39 PM   #17
G35POPPEDMYCHERRY
Banned
G35POPPEDMYCHERRY's Avatar
No_Country
4999
Rep
4,139
Posts

Drives: F80
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Philadelphia

iTrader: (1)

does anyone know if blackvue does black friday sale?
Appreciate 0
      09-01-2023, 03:12 PM   #18
rbryantaz
Lieutenant
United_States
372
Rep
531
Posts

Drives: 2007 E70 4.8i, 2008 E90 335i
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Phoenix, AZ area

iTrader: (4)

Garage List
2008 BMW 335i  [7.67]
2007 BMW X5 4.8i  [10.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by G35POPPEDMYCHERRY View Post
does anyone know if blackvue does black friday sale?
They might, What model are you looking for? I have a blackvue sitting here that I bought for my wife's car and never installed that I could potentially make you a deal on. If interested send me a PM and I can get you the details.

It also had the capacitor power bank so it can run while parked.

-Rich
__________________
2007 E70 X5 4.8i with 10" android screen Running 265/60/18 AT34s All Terrains (Mainly for road trips)
2008 E90 335i with 10" android screen, 7" intercooler, inlets, Dinan intake, JB4 BEF, E85 conversion, Mfactory LSD, M3 suspension, EDC shocks with custom controller.
Appreciate 0
      09-01-2023, 03:20 PM   #19
jkoral
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
1023
Rep
1,968
Posts

Drives: 2017 M2 LBB 6MT
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: MA

iTrader: (7)

Quote:
Originally Posted by rbryantaz View Post
It also had the capacitor power bank so it can run while parked.
What capacitor power bank are you using?
Appreciate 0
      09-01-2023, 03:37 PM   #20
rbryantaz
Lieutenant
United_States
372
Rep
531
Posts

Drives: 2007 E70 4.8i, 2008 E90 335i
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Phoenix, AZ area

iTrader: (4)

Garage List
2008 BMW 335i  [7.67]
2007 BMW X5 4.8i  [10.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by jkoral View Post
What capacitor power bank are you using?
It is a cell link B, 6600mAh. It is actually a LiFeP04 Battery now that I look at it...

It wasn't cheap and sadly I never installed it.

Long story but it was for my wifes car and then she chipped the windshield so I was going to wait until that was fixed, then just never did it.

Bought as:

[BRAND NEW] BlackSys CH-200 2 Channel Dash Cam
FREE 32GB / Cellink Battery B

It was about $500. You reminded me that I need to install it or sell it.

-Rich
__________________
2007 E70 X5 4.8i with 10" android screen Running 265/60/18 AT34s All Terrains (Mainly for road trips)
2008 E90 335i with 10" android screen, 7" intercooler, inlets, Dinan intake, JB4 BEF, E85 conversion, Mfactory LSD, M3 suspension, EDC shocks with custom controller.
Appreciate 0
      11-23-2023, 11:53 AM   #21
G35POPPEDMYCHERRY
Banned
G35POPPEDMYCHERRY's Avatar
No_Country
4999
Rep
4,139
Posts

Drives: F80
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Philadelphia

iTrader: (1)

So if I buy a Blackvue DR770x 3ch and hook it up to a battery pack that advertises 12hours and set the dash cam to impact only. Will I only get roughly 12 hours impact or not before the external battery dies?

Blackvue states even in impact only mode the first few seconds will also record, but how is that possible? That would mean the dash cam is always recording thus will drain my external battery. Is there a way to ONLY record during impacts. Is there a smaller drain and drains more after impact detected. I typically leave my car for a week in a parking garage so I really only can handle impact events only.
Appreciate 0
      11-23-2023, 12:08 PM   #22
gblansten
Brigadier General
gblansten's Avatar
1977
Rep
4,225
Posts

Drives: 23 Tesla S Plaid
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Thick ascending limb

iTrader: (0)

Having wanted a dashcam system in previous cars and not getting one I definitely appreciate the multicam system that came built into my car. I wish more car companies would build these systems into the vehicle.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:50 AM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST