Dash camera installation

[Goatistuta]

Hi, I've been looking at dash cameras and was about to buy a Blackvue camera but read that the rear camera screws up DAB reception, so I've just bought a Mi Witness front and rear dash camera that apparently works OK in an Audi. Has anyone had any experience of fitting a similar device themselves or can recommend a reliable fitter in the Manchester / Liverpool region?

[nevbadger99]

I've just fitted a Transcend front camera - cable running wasn't too bad, I went up the door seal and into the front of the headlining using a teaspoon, with the camera up by the rear view mirror. Some visible cable so not exactly a pro job but does the trick.

I used up all the cable though and will use a socket doubler to buy me a bit more length (oo-er) - luck of the draw whether yours has enough cable or not I guess.

[morski]

Jut fitted a blackvue 550 model with front and rear cameras. Mines an avant so i dont think the DAB would have been too much of an issue ( If i had it) as the antenna is in the side window. Completely discreet install. Also wired it up to a Lukas 12v battery backup which gives me the constant recording whilst car is switched off but also extended recording from its built in batteries; circa around 8-9 hours with a 2.5hour charge.
All seems to running great.

[soft]

It would be much cooler if you could tap into the reverse and front camera, and record from those :-)

[chesterfield]

Fitted a 550 to the wifes car (S-Max) and can confirm that it does indeed screw up the DAB. Unplug camera and no issues with DAB. Camera on, and DAB cuts out intermittently. I Keep meaning to get a pack of ferrite washers/clamps for the cables between the two camera parts and its power cable to see if that fixes the issue.

[fest0r]

I have an Avant and fitted a Mobius cam (front). I very rarely use DAB, but I noticed it was cutting out all the time recently. Tracked it back to the 12v to USB adapter I was powering the cam with:

DC 12V to 5V 3A Step down Converter Buck Regulator to 2 Female USB Output Car UK | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DC-12V-to-5V-3A-Step-down-Converter-Buck-Regulator-to-2-Female-USB-Output-Car-UK-/221496863212)

I tried a few other cheap 12v socket to USB adapters with the same results so I picked up the following one and DAB now works perfectly:

Veetop® Dual USB High Speed (MFI Certified) (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00FSUJ0PS)

I chopped down an extension and use a fuse tap over at the left fuse panel so it’s still easily removed:

Hama 1.5m Extension Cable for Cigarette Lighter: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hama-Extension-Cable-Cigarette-Lighter/dp/B007M6NI18/)

CIRCUIT- FUSE TAP | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ADD-A-CIRCUIT-FUSE-TAP-PIGGYBACK-FUSE-TAKES-STANDARD-FUSE-2-YEAR-GUARANTEE-/251650492205)

[Chris_www]

Hi fest0r,

Which fuse position did you tap in the left hand fuse panel?

Cheers, Chris.

[Tripletrouble]

I've just fitted a Transcend front camera - cable running wasn't too bad, I went up the door seal and into the front of the headlining using a teaspoon, with the camera up by the rear view mirror. Some visible cable so not exactly a pro job but does the trick.

I used up all the cable though and will use a socket doubler to buy me a bit more length (oo-er) - luck of the draw whether yours has enough cable or not I guess.

Is the cable long enough to reach the fusebox? I'm seriously considering buying one of these this week.
Thanks

[fest0r]

Hi fest0r,

Which fuse position did you tap in the left hand fuse panel?

Cheers, Chris.
I used position 8 (headlight range control/adaptive light). I was thinking that although range control might still be used (xenon headlights) I don’t have adaptive lights so the circuit would have spare capacity. Added it with a 2.5amp blade which was the lowest I could find. There is a handy bolt up and to the left of the panel that’s into the dash frame and gives a good earth. A yellow eyelet fits it perfectly. There were a few other ignition lives on the panel and also some on the driver’s side panel.

Not sure what cable the Transcend takes, but the Mobius uses a mini USB. The one they supplied was long enough to make the headlining/pillar run, but I wanted a right angle one for neatness up at the mirror.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004NO0L4O

It came with a screen mount, but I made a really simple one by folding a small rectangle of sheet metal. You can only see it from the passenger seat which was exactly what I was looking for. Great quality video and there is an mSetup program to change pretty much every setting you can think of.

https://dashcamtalk.com (https://dashcamtalk.com/)

[A6S]

Excuse my ignorance but what are you guys trying to film with cameras in your car?

[fest0r]

Excuse my ignorance but what are you guys trying to film with cameras in your car?

I like to film sporting events and sometimes pull up to battle re-enactments etc. I also hope to get footage of an incoming meteor :drive:

…it seems crazy to me, but some like them in case of an accident or to keep a record of a reg no. ;)

[johnsimcox]

Excuse my ignorance but what are you guys trying to film with cameras in your car?
Some insurance companies are apparently offering discounts on premiums if the car has a camera fitted that can provide evidence in the case of an accident

[A6S]

Would something like a go pro be easier to get in and working?
used to use them on track days in my old car and the quality of picture was pretty good. Plenty of windscreen mounts for them

[Tripletrouble]

I used position 8 (headlight range control/adaptive light). I was thinking that although range control might still be used (xenon headlights) I don’t have adaptive lights so the circuit would have spare capacity. Added it with a 2.5amp blade which was the lowest I could find. There is a handy bolt up and to the left of the panel that’s into the dash frame and gives a good earth. A yellow eyelet fits it perfectly. There were a few other ignition lives on the panel and also some on the driver’s side panel.

Not sure what cable the Transcend takes, but the Mobius uses a mini USB. The one they supplied was long enough to make the headlining/pillar run, but I wanted a right angle one for neatness up at the mirror.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004NO0L4O

It came with a screen mount, but I made a really simple one by folding a small rectangle of sheet metal. You can only see it from the passenger seat which was exactly what I was looking for. Great quality video and there is an mSetup program to change pretty much every setting you can think of.

https://dashcamtalk.com (https://dashcamtalk.com/)
So you tapped a fuse and earth and used what to plug the cam into, a mini USB port that you did behind the fuse panel?

[fest0r]

Would something like a go pro be easier to get in and working?
used to use them on track days in my old car and the quality of picture was pretty good. Plenty of windscreen mounts for them

I’m guessing it would be fine if you switched over to loop record. Not sure how they are with permanent power though? If you have a spare one already it might be ideal, but I suppose you would be paying for features you don’t really need if you just want a dash cam. Not sure it would be any easier either.


So you tapped a fuse and earth and used what to plug the cam into, a mini USB port that you did behind the fuse panel?

http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?163875 (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?163875-Dash-camera-installation&p=939965#post939965)

The accessory socket is wired to the tap/earth then I have a 12v to USB adapter with the cameras USB cable plugged into it… all tied up below the fuse panel and behind the cover.

[nevbadger99]

Is the cable long enough to reach the fusebox? I'm seriously considering buying one of these this week.
Thanks

I plugged mine into the cigarette lighter in the central front armrest, having gone underneath the glovebox and along the side of the centre console so if the fusebox is at one end of the dash as I think it is then yes there will be plenty of cable to reach there.