Dashcam Recommendations and Installs

[riceboy22]

I didn't see much in search for dashcam installations in the Q5 forum, but I know a few of you have them. Any recommendations based on research and/or experience? I'm looking at either the Blackvue or Thinkware. I'd ideally like to install both the front and rear cameras.

And if you've got a dashcam installed, could you share pictures and any instructions or tips you have on installation? I'd like the install to be as hidden as possible, but I'm not sure how that will work for the rear camera.

[sleepyheadn20]

I'm also looking to get a dash cam too after my car got keyed, good opportunity to overreact and spent some money lol. Been looking at the blackvue 2ch too. Are you planning to hardwire or use battery pack?

[Mops@Nemesis]

@NPuter @bknewtype

[riceboy22]

I'm also looking to get a dash cam too after my car got keyed, good opportunity to overreact and spent some money lol. Been looking at the blackvue 2ch too. Are you planning to hardwire or use battery pack?

Your post is unfortunately what got me thinking it would be worthwhile to do it. It's also good insurance in the event of an accident where there's a question of who's at fault (assuming it's not me lol). I'm planning on hardwiring with a power module to monitor the car battery voltage. I'm just afraid to break crap while pulling trim pieces to hide the wiring, especially since I want to run something for a rear camera as well.

@NPuter @bknewtype

Thank you sir!

[q5 dave]

blackvue 650 f+R camera. works fantastic. if you need help installing let me know its not difficult.

[NPuter]

I have a blackvue DR650 and DR500. No way I'll own a vehicle without one.


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[bknewtype]

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[riceboy22]

Any reason you guys went with the Blackvue over the Thinkware? They both seem pretty good, although the new F770 seems to have a few cool extra features.

@q5 dave, were you able to hide the wiring all the way to the rear? If you've got any pics of the install wiring that would be awesome. I may take you up on your offer to help maybe pre-drag strip one day lol.

@NPuter, thanks for sharing the coding to the DRL dim also.

@bknewtype, so damn jelly!

BTW Mops is like friggin Ron Burgundy calling in reinforcements. "News team, assemble!"

[bknewtype]

I honesty went with it because everyone else did lol. I dont regret it. Quality is awesome

Im gonna extract a few more videos from tonights car show ( front only)


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[Mops@Nemesis]

Im gonna extract a few more ( front only)

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Oh babyyyy, you sooo know what your Mops likey!

[bknewtype]

Lolll






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[Shaggymatt]

@riceboy22 - I've got a thinkware 750 if you're interested. Had it in my pilot, took it out when I traded it.

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[q5 dave]

@bknewtype






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[DocTJ]

i just had my thinkware 750 hardwired today.
so far so good

honestly i feel like theyre both the same , the thinkware is cheaper for the same functions (At least at the basic level of what im using it for )

[JayCar]

Head on over to the dashcamtalk forum. TONS of info there. I went with the Thinkware 770, 2 channel.

[bknewtype]

@bknewtype






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lolol I think I caused a ruckus when I was leaving.

[cheewy16]

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Ha! Saw my friend's store in your video.
I've been using Mio's miVue line for years. But I did pick mine up in Asia. Lots of ppl use this brand over in Asia and Russia. Granted I could have always switched to Blackvue or Thinkware, but I've been using dashcam a for the past 6 years before they became popular in the states. You can pick up the brand through eBay which many of my friends have done without issues. But IMO, dashcams are a must!

[bknewtype]

Ha! Saw my friend's store in your video.
I've been using Mio's miVue line for years. But I did pick mine up in Asia. Lots of ppl use this brand over in Asia and Russia. Granted I could have always switched to Blackvue or Thinkware, but I've been using dashcam a for the past 6 years before they became popular in the states. You can pick up the brand through eBay which many of my friends have done without issues. But IMO, dashcams are a must!

lol which one?? u in the area?

[cheewy16]

lol which one?? u in the area?

The pharmacy next to Popeye's.
I'm about 20 mins from the area..towards Manhattan Beach. I think I actually saw you once when u had ur A5 @ Shon's place??

[bknewtype]

The pharmacy next to Popeye's.
I'm about 20 mins from the area..towards Manhattan Beach. I think I actually saw you once when u had ur A5 @ Shon's place??

Ohhh. I pretty much pass by that pharmacy every day walking my dog lol. And prob gonna hav popeyes tonight xD

Hmm. I dont think i ever drove my a5 to shons place. But




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[agautohaus]

blackvue 650 f+R camera. works fantastic. if you need help installing let me know its not difficult.

need to check out your setup. would just feel way better about it if i had the cameras, already got dinged in the ass in DC (figures) but luckily they just rubbed up lightly and the clear bra took the brunt of it

[NPuter]

Any reason you guys went with the Blackvue over the Thinkware? They both seem pretty good, although the new F770 seems to have a few cool extra features.

@q5 dave, were you able to hide the wiring all the way to the rear? If you've got any pics of the install wiring that would be awesome. I may take you up on your offer to help maybe pre-drag strip one day lol.

@NPuter, thanks for sharing the coding to the DRL dim also.

@bknewtype, so damn jelly!

BTW Mops is like friggin Ron Burgundy calling in reinforcements. "News team, assemble!"

No reason. Not even sure if thinkware was a thing when I got my DR500. Really liked the DR500 so didn't hesitate to get the DR650 when I needed another. I really like the form factor of the blackvues.
Got them both through massdrop.

I just briefly researched the F770 and it seems pretty cool. My blackvues get the job done, so no reason for me to switch.

One thing I wish the blackvues had (which I think the thinkware does) is a button to flag a recording. That would save the time of looking for a video I want to review/save.

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[bknewtype]

Btw i also have blackvue 650 f and r







Cant really see. Just turn off the recording light so its less noticeable


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[EL one9]

I just install the 650 f&r and couldn't be happier.


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[Adplaya]

Thinkware F770 or F750 2CH for the win. Only camera on the market thats a 2CH 1080p front and rear, also have great warranty and customer service. Leave mine in the Texas sun for 10hrs a day (work life), and it has worked flawlessly for the past 6 months.

I did a ton of research on Blackvue and honestly they have been pushing out the same camera for the last 5yrs and haven't done anything about their low ass bit rate and 720p rear. They do have cloud that uses your car's data plan to alert you if something happens, though. Which is cool if you pay for tons of data already. But I would do your own research and see what you want. There are tons of ppl selling their 650s out there so you might be able to get a deal.

Just know that the BV rear camera is only good for video and not catching plates, even in the daytime.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSUypdm_1nA - Case and point


Install:
Install should go as follows. SET UP and MOUNT the front camera using the cigarette lighter plug and live view first. Make sure you can see the hood of the car (some not all). After you're happy then you can unplug and start the hardwire processes. Hardwire is tricky, just give yourself enough slack, but not too much. Too much and there is no where to put it, and too little and it wont reach the camera. I used the "wrap the wire around the fuse leg" vs fuse tap, as the wires are ~30 gauge and difficult to crimp. But tapping is a cleaner way, but there is no real draw back to doing the leg wrap method. Here is a decent thread on wire routing. DO NOT, however, put the excess wire in the seat belt compartment. It messes with the mechanism and your seat belt won't retract. http://www.audiworld.com/forums/a6-c...ckvue-2882147/
DO NOT get impatient haha. Take it easy, have a beer, and take solace in the fact that you are setting up a HUGE deterrent to BS insurance cases.

[riceboy22]

Thanks @Adplaya! That's super helpful. I think I'm going to order the new Thinkware and then give the install a shot. For the rear camera, did you run the wiring through a specific area to get to the lid?

[Adplaya]

Thanks @Adplaya! That's super helpful. I think I'm going to order the new Thinkware and then give the install a shot. For the rear camera, did you run the wiring through a specific area to get to the lid?

Smart choice sir. For the rear go through the headliner (it turns into plastic in the rear), in through the hinge area, and then push the wire through middle of the panel under the window and then tuck the rest. I'll eventually go to lunch and grab some pics for ya.

[q5 dave]

Wiring is totally hidden in the cabin. Just a little exposed near the cameras












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[Adplaya]

The trunk hinge and the wire.


The cable running through the panel straight into the camera.


The panel where the wires run through


Cables fed into mirror wire housing


What I see.


What no one sees, unless they're nosy haha

[SQive]

Damn! Nice install, AJ!

[riceboy22]

Thanks guys!

@Adplaya, that's a super clean install! Thanks for taking the pics of it. I'm pretty much hoping for the end result to be exactly like that. I owe you a scotch at the whiskey bar if you're ever in NYC.

[bknewtype]

The pharmacy next to Popeye's.
I'm about 20 mins from the area..towards Manhattan Beach. I think I actually saw you once when u had ur A5 @ Shon's place??

Saw 2 asian chicks close shop. Ur friends? ;)


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[cheewy16]

Nope

[q5 dave]

@adplaya wow embarrassing me!! Maybe I should revisit the rear hatch lol.

I should note I installed it in a jiffy #NFG



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[SQBoost]

Been using Blackvue 650 for a few months and no complaints. Most people have issues with overheating on other brands and the Blackvue did not break a sweat during the hot weather we had in NYC a few weeks ago.


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[Adplaya]

Thanks guys!

@Adplaya, that's a super clean install! Thanks for taking the pics of it. I'm pretty much hoping for the end result to be exactly like that. I owe you a scotch at the whiskey bar if you're ever in NYC.

Damn! Nice install, AJ!

@adplaya wow embarrassing me!! Maybe I should revisit the rear hatch lol.

I should note I installed it in a jiffy #NFG



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Thanks guys, definitely took my with that install. And I'ma hold you to that drink haha.

Hit me up if you have any issues or questions, glad to help.

[riceboy22]

I ended up getting the Thinkware F770 front and rear 1080p dashcam. It was sitting in the shipping box for a while (got sidetracked by having a baby), but I finally have everything installed now. Thanks to everyone who shared information and @Adplaya in particular for install tips over PM. It took me about three hours in total to get an almost totally hidden install, but an hour of that time was probably me planning things out and playing with the camera.


Installation Notes

I ran the power to the driver side fuse box tucked into the headliner and then down the outside of the A pillar. For the accessory line, I tapped the second fuse from the bottom in column A (left fuse bank) which is used for the side assist. For the battery line, I tapped the blue 15 amp fuse in column B (center fuse bank) which I think is the fuse for the horn. If you're planning to use fuse taps, you'll need one mini fuse tap and one ATO fuse tap. The nice thing about the Thinkware hardwire kit is that it doesn't require a box like the BlackVue Power Magic Pro to monitor your battery power. Everything tucked in nicely in the fuse panel. The rear camera wire went to the passenger side, past the A pillar along the headliner, down and back up the B pillar, through the trim in the back to the trunk, along the back liner for the roof of the trunk over to the driver side, up along the left hinge, and then back-and-forth along that plastic trim on the lid to hide the excess wire. The only places with exposed wiring besides the cameras are a small section where you run the wiring into the fuse box and the rear lid where I got lazy and didn't tuck everything into the plastic headliner (will probably fix that later). I didn't use any tools other than a socket to loosen a nut for grounding.


Impressions/Notes

Here are my somewhat random notes and impressions.

• 1080p video quality is excellent both front and back. You can see license plates clearly at a reasonable speed.
• I have ceramic tint on the windshield and rear window and the video quality seems fine through both.
• Low light and nighttime video quality is good even through my heavily tinted rear window.
• The rear camera video does show the defogger wires because of the angle I have the camera set at. I can live with that to catch more of what's closer to the car though rather than angling it straight back and seeing more sky.
• I'm probably going to buy a polarizing filter to get rid of some of the reflections in the video. The only one I've found so far though is from a shop in France: Polarizing Filter Thinkware F770.
• The parking modes are nice with the option to use either time lapse (one frame per second) or motion detection. I don't think there's a way to do continuous recording when parked.
• GPS seems to track speed, time, and location data accurately.
• Hardwire kit appears to be much more compact than what is used for the BlackVue. Voltage cutoff/timer settings can be configured through the WiFi app for Android/iOS devices
• Connecting to and downloading video from the camera is straightforward and relatively quick. Each one minute video file for continuous recording is about 80 MB.
• Documentation says that it supports only up to a 64 GB SD card but 128 GB cards appear to work fine. I'm using a Lexar High-Performance microSDXC 633x 128GB UHS-I Card.
• It has road safety features like lane departure warning and forward collission warning, but I disabled them as the beeping got annoying. They do seem to work though.
• I did leave the safety camera alerts on for the time being. The database seems to be relatively accurate based on the locations I know in NYC, but I'll report back as I drive around a bit more.
• The buttons on the camera itself are decently sized, but they're not backlit, so it's hard to see which button does what.
• I purchased through BlackboxMyCar.com and would highly recommend them. Great customer service. They're located in Vancouver but shipping to the US was quick and free.

Pictures/Videos

I'll take some better pics of the install later in case anyone else is interested, but here are some initial ones. I forgot to snap a picture of the fuse box, but it looks like a fuse box.

Front camera (the cover on the rear view mirror wires snaps right off)


View from driver's seat


View from outside


Rear camera


Rear camera wiring tucked into plastic trim and hidden behind left hinge


Exposed wiring by right hinge (my fingers were too tired to tuck it into the plastic headliner)


Zoomed out view of rear install


Sample video (the video quality is actually better than what I can upload here; also could use a polarizing filter)


Parking time lapse mode

[agautohaus]

damn i really wanna get a setup like this. I feel like its a one time purchase too, as I would transfer it to any other vehicle i bought.

anyone slightly paranoid that the footage will be used against them say after a traffic stop or something? lol.

[riceboy22]

damn i really wanna get a setup like this. I feel like its a one time purchase too, as I would transfer it to any other vehicle i bought.

anyone slightly paranoid that the footage will be used against them say after a traffic stop or something? lol.

That's why the "format" button is easily accessible LOL.

[q5 dave]

clean install, looks good!