Help me pick a dash cam

mlhunt856

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Question: is wiring to a power bank
...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.
Which points to a question I have: is wiring in a power bank really necessary for an EV? Will the car reliably 'top up' the LVB from the HVB even if there's long, persistent draw, e.g. if I leave the system in surveillance mode for a week while it's parked at the airport?
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Question: is wiring to a power bank

Which points to a question I have: is wiring in a power bank really necessary for an EV? Will the car reliably 'top up' the LVB from the HVB even if there's long, persistent draw, e.g. if I leave the system in surveillance mode for a week while it's parked at the airport?
It is possible. But not without throwing all sorts of errors about ghost electric drawn. I got that after forgetting a Blue tooth OBdii adapter connected for a couple of days.
 

mlhunt856

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It is possible. But not without throwing all sorts of errors about ghost electric drawn. I got that after forgetting a Blue tooth OBdii adapter connected for a couple of days.
Thanks. Probably worth it then.
 

mlhunt856

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I was looking really hard at the Thinkware U1000 2channel as a solution. Really good front camera image quality and has all the features. Unfortunately their current cloud app is not supported by Android 12 and they aren't providing clear guidance on when they'll push an update. This is concerning.
 

sockmeister

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Question: is wiring to a power bank

Which points to a question I have: is wiring in a power bank really necessary for an EV? Will the car reliably 'top up' the LVB from the HVB even if there's long, persistent draw, e.g. if I leave the system in surveillance mode for a week while it's parked at the airport?
For me, that definitely seems to be the case. The battery voltage never even seems to go down while the car sits.
 


mlhunt856

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It's my first choice also. The only reason I haven't gotten one is because they have yet to update their Android cloud app for Android 12 compatibility. This gives me a bit of concern frankly.
 

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It's my first choice also. The only reason I haven't gotten one is because they have yet to update their Android cloud app for Android 12 compatibility. This gives me a bit of concern frankly.

The cloud/internet remote access is probably why I'm leaning towards the BlackVue products. It seems faster/more responsive if you wanted to use it in real time.

If my MME ever comes, I'll have to review all the posts on how to wire it all up. I don't care too much for hiding wires personally, but probably a pretty long project no matter what to be extra careful.
 

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Not sure this thread is still active, but I think I am going to go with the Garmin Mini 2. I love the size and the picture quality seems perfectly sufficient for my needs. Just need to figure out how to install it when I get it.
 

mlhunt856

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It's my first choice also. The only reason I haven't gotten one is because they have yet to update their Android cloud app for Android 12 compatibility. This gives me a bit of concern frankly.
The cloud/internet remote access is probably why I'm leaning towards the BlackVue products. It seems faster/more responsive if you wanted to use it in real time.

If my MME ever comes, I'll have to review all the posts on how to wire it all up. I don't care too much for hiding wires personally, but probably a pretty long project no matter what to be extra careful.
Thinkware shipped a patched version of the Android app sometime over the last few days (released as an .apk on their website but they stated an intention to get it up in the Play Store sometime in the next several days).

I ordered a Thinkware U1000 + backup battery over the weekend. I have an installation scheduled in a couple weeks but I went ahead and set up just the front camera today to verify that the software and the camera work. It's a nice camera. Excellent image even at 1440/60fps; to my eye 4K/30fps is overkill. Crisp image with a wide FOV without too much fisheye.

Software setup took a little fiddling to get running but it works, though it's not the most polished UI I've seen. Thinkware's Windows viewer seems to choke on the files, lots of video and audio stuttering, but it might be just a matter of fiddling around with the configuration. Anyway, the files play fine in VLC.

It does appear that Blackvue's cloud functionality, real-time viewing, etc. are better than Thinkware's, but the Thinkware will run a *lot* longer in surveillance mode, Wh for Wh, especially if you install the radar sensor. The ability to park the car at an airport and have it in surveillance mode for a long period of time was the most important feature for me, much more so than the remote/real-time viewing and cloud capabilities at which Blackvue seems to be superior.

Really looking forward to getting the rear cam, radar sensor, and backup battery installed. I could do it myself but it's worth paying someone to run the wires.
 
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Kabish

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I have the Thinkware U1000 as well with the back camera, but without the radar module. I also installed the CellLink battery so it won't run of the already small 12v. I don't know why they give you that incredibly long wire for something that typically will mount right next to your camera. You are left over trying to hide all that.

I've personally never been able to get the "online" part to work, even have the car WifI, and yes I realize it shuts off with the car. It says its connected to the internet, but I've enver been able to utilize anything it does with the internet.
 

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I have the Thinkware U1000 as well with the back camera, but without the radar module. I also installed the CellLink battery so it won't run of the already small 12v. I don't know why they give you that incredibly long wire for something that typically will mount right next to your camera. You are left over trying to hide all that.

I've personally never been able to get the "online" part to work, even have the car WifI, and yes I realize it shuts off with the car. It says its connected to the internet, but I've enver been able to utilize anything it does with the internet.
What is this CellLink people keep talking about? I just got the Garmin Mini 2 (I wanted something really small) and ordered the parking cable as I would like it to monitor the car when parked. Well I think I want that...
 

mlhunt856

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What is this CellLink people keep talking about?
CellLink is a brand of backup battery. Saves stress on your the car's comparatively small 12V battery and greatly extends the time the camera can operate in surveillance mode.
 

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Momento M6. This front/rear combo, 2 cameras. Was suggested to me by the shop that just tinted my car windows (they look great). Can you guys give me any advice on this unit? $500. Installed.
I dont know anything about car cams. Thanks
 
 




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