Help me pick a dash cam

[sockmeister]

`UPDATE: Had my appointment finally with BestBuy this past Friday, did not go well. They weren't able to figure it out. They have rescheduled for Jan 13, will try again and update the board then.

Can't believe they're having trouble. What's wrong?
FWIW, I just installed a Thinkware Q800 in my Mach-E. It was pretty simple. Hardwired (no battery bank) because this is an EV, and the 12V just gets topped off while it's sitting via the DC-DC converter.

Sponsored

 

[GoIrish]

Can't believe they're having trouble. What's wrong?
FWIW, I just installed a Thinkware Q800 in my Mach-E. It was pretty simple. Hardwired (no battery bank) because this is an EV, and the 12V just gets topped off while it's sitting via the DC-DC converter.

They said the car is too new, they don't know how....I emailed them the blow by blow thread posted here and they said they couldn't find a fuse circuit that was switched, only always on

 

[JRinOAK]

They said the car is too new, they don't know how....I emailed them the blow by blow thread posted here and they said they couldn't find a fuse circuit that was switched, only always on

I was afraid of that. Sorry to hear. Walnut Creek isn’t the closest option for you, but they installed my equipment. Figured it was worth a few more bucks to have dealership do it. Tim is Service Manager there if you want to call and give that a try. The tech removed several panels to hide all wiring. External battery sits under passenger seat.

 

[GoIrish]

I was afraid of that. Sorry to hear. Walnut Creek isn’t the closest option for you, but they installed my equipment. Figured it was worth a few more bucks to have dealership do it. Tim is Service Manager there if you want to call and give that a try. The tech removed several panels to hide all wiring. External battery sits under passenger seat.

How much did they charge?

 

[JRinOAK]

How much did they charge?

$100/hr. Total was $400. But they, as the dealership, own the work. I felt much better having them install than Geek Squad.

 

[Jayally]

I'm going to buy the Blackvue DR750-2CH LTE use a $10/ month T-mobile 2G hotspot nano sim card for true parking mode. I already have 3 dings on my car. :-(.

I just sent back the thinkware F200 Pro. The F200 also uses a different app that's not as nice as the 1000U and it was a pain to connect to Wi-fi. Sometimes I couldn't get it to connect at all and because I couldn't access the settings to turn off audio, I had to unplug the camera since she wouldn't shut up telling me GPS was connected and the device was recording every few minutes. The OBDII cable made installation simple but I really want something with an easier interface and better connectivity and I hope Blackvue delivers. The blackvue Dr900x plus is 4K and on the top of every dash cam list but this one is 1080 60 fps with built in LTE and looks to be the same quality.

Where is the fuse box? I see one on the passenger side but it doesn't easily open. Is there one on the driver's side to use for the hardwiring?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08DKNN5XS/ref=crt_ewc_img_dp_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A6YXFBHA5HGWK

 

[louibluey]

... Where is the fuse box? I see one on the passenger side but it doesn't easily open. Is there one on the driver's side to use for the hardwiring? ...

This most excellent thread by @MachDoc might be helpful in general: DIY Tutorial for Hardwiring a Dashcam and Radar Detector. I added a note about the weird tabs on the fuse cover here.

 

[sockmeister]

They said the car is too new, they don't know how....I emailed them the blow by blow thread posted here and they said they couldn't find a fuse circuit that was switched, only always on

The thread posted above (@louibluey beat me to it by a couple minutes)? That's the guide I used, although I actually used different fuses. There are several in there that are switched, and several that are always on. I think I tapped one of the "not used" fuses instead of the multi-function display.
Sounds like the guys at Best Buy are idiots. I would not take it back there.

 

[Bayviews88]

$100/hr. Total was $400. But they, as the dealership, own the work. I felt much better having them install than Geek Squad.

JR, Which dashcam model and setup did you end up purchasing - a front and rear window system?

I was considering Best Buy for purchase and install, but going to a dealer sounds smart given the experience @Golrish had. I wasn't been impressed by my interaction with Hilltop Ford (I ended up not buying from them), so Walnut Creek here I come. The dealer install option sounds like a good way to use the 22,000 Fordpass Rewards points we are gifted with our MME purchase.

Nice to see a nearby(?) MME owner - I'm in Richmond.

 

[DevSecOps]

The thread posted above (@louibluey beat me to it by a couple minutes)? That's the guide I used, although I actually used different fuses. There are several in there that are switched, and several that are always on. I think I tapped one of the "not used" fuses instead of the multi-function display.
Sounds like the guys at Best Buy are idiots. I would not take it back there.

All of the "not used" spots are live, unlike a lot of European cars, so it would be recommended to use one of those.

For reference, I talk about the switched/non-switched and tap types here:
https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...a-dashcam-and-radar-detector.5542/post-291304

 

[JRinOAK]

JR, Which dashcam model and setup did you end up purchasing - a front and rear window system?

I was considering Best Buy for purchase and install, but going to a dealer sounds smart given the experience @Golrish had. I wasn't been impressed by my interaction with Hilltop Ford (I ended up not buying from them), so Walnut Creek here I come. The dealer install option sounds like a good way to use the 22,000 Fordpass Rewards points we are gifted with our MME purchase.

Nice to see a nearby(?) MME owner - I'm in Richmond.

Here's what I bought:

Dash cam - front & rear​

External battery​

Memory card​

I used my 22,000 points for discount on Ford Connected Charging Station, but assume you could cash in for discount on installation. Call and arrange with Service Manager Tim Lautze. They were super helpful.

I had to make two trips to Richmond yesterday and Blue Cruise made driving through Berkeley a breeze. It's never been that stress-free.

 

[sockmeister]

All of the "not used" spots are live, unlike a lot of European cars, so it would be recommended to use one of those.

For reference, I talk about the switched/non-switched and tap types here:
https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...a-dashcam-and-radar-detector.5542/post-291304

Yeah. I discovered that too, when I was testing them out, rooting for a better spot.

 

[Kabish]

Ya, I would avoid Best Buy if they can't even probe a fuse box.... I don't know what the car being new has to do with it. Fuse box is a fuse box.

I had some issues with getting my CellLink and U1000 installed too. Installer was just being an odd ball and letting the idea that its an electirc car mess up the basic concepts of installing a device. Think it cost me $240 to have the CellLink and the front/back of the U1000 installed.

 

[Bayviews88]

Here's what I bought:

Dash cam - front & rear​

External battery​

Memory card​

I used my 22,000 points for discount on Ford Connected Charging Station, but assume you could cash in for discount on installation. Call and arrange with Service Manager Tim Lautze. They were super helpful.

I had to make two trips to Richmond yesterday and Blue Cruise made driving through Berkeley a breeze. It's never been that stress-free.

Thanks! I'll follow up with Tim.

Glad to hear that Blue Cruise is working so well. My Select AWD doesn't have the Tech package (just the appearance!), but I've had a similar revelation from using Intelligent Cruise Control and Lane Keeping on I-80. I'm going to wait a year and see if I need to make an upgrade to a Premium or CA Rt1 with Blue Cruise. So far, I'm loving my MachE.

 

[JRinOAK]

Thanks! I'll follow up with Tim.

Glad to hear that Blue Cruise is working so well. My Select AWD doesn't have the Tech package (just the appearance!), but I've had a similar revelation from using Intelligent Cruise Control and Lane Keeping on I-80. I'm going to wait a year and see if I need to make an upgrade to a Premium or CA Rt1 with Blue Cruise. So far, I'm loving my MachE.

We are, too. Did a good amount of driving over the long weekend and it’s both fun to drive and relaxing. One pedal driving is great and the combo of adaptive/lane keep/Blue Cruise removes a lot of stress in congested traffic.

Hope your install goes well.

Sponsored