Uniden R8 and FitCamX Dual dash cams

[ZippyGT]

Hi guys
Looking to install both of these and would prefer to be able to use the rearview mirror console instead of hardwiring to the fuse box. Would it be possible to run these that way to make like a lot easier for the install? I got the taps kit from blendmount for the radar detector and the FitCamX comes with it's own taps. My question is are both of these going into the same connection in the console behind the rear view mirror? I know it all has to do with the amps that these run on and require and that's out of my area of expertise so any help here is greatly appreciated!

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[ECHARGD]

Did you find a solution for this? I'm looking to do something similar. It appears there arent any good mounts for the Escort MAXCam detector to mount on the windshield and still be above the rear view mirror, so I might go with the Uniden on Driverside and the dash cam on the passenger side. What did you use to mount the dash cam? Suction cup or permanent bracket / Tape?

Thanks!

 

[bdeweese]

Did you find a solution for this? I'm looking to do something similar. It appears there arent any good mounts for the Escort MAXCam detector to mount on the windshield and still be above the rear view mirror, so I might go with the Uniden on Driverside and the dash cam on the passenger side. What did you use to mount the dash cam? Suction cup or permanent bracket / Tape?

Thanks!

I haven’t installed one yet - but nice thing about the fitcamx (front) is that is it has its own rear view mirror cover that replaces the oem cover. No suction cup or adhesive to mess with. That puts the dashcam dead center and looks built in.

 

[E90alex]

I believe the fitcamx taps into the rain sensor and radars usually tap into the mirror. Not sure if both are on the same fuse/circuit though.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

FITcamx ties into the car’s rain sensor iirc. It replaces the OEM cover as @bdeweese said. If you want a rear camera with FITCAMX, you’ll need to order that at purchase time, there’s no retrofit, although you don’t have to install the rear camera at that time.

The rear cam comes with more than enough wire to tie into the FITCAMX camera upfront. You’ll need to route it behind the various airbags depending upon how you route it. Also it has only one orientation, there is no (or at least wasn’t when I bought) software flip for inverted images from an upside down camera. The proper orientation of the rear camera is for the wire to run to the right side out of the camera (regardless of where it ultimately goes).

It’s a fairly easy install and setup although I waited on the rear camera until my dealer did the glass recalls on my 21 and had the headliner completely down.

 

[bdeweese]

FITcamx ties into the car’s rain sensor iirc. It replaces the OEM cover as @bdeweese said. If you want rear camera with FITCAMX, you’ll need to order that at purchase time, there’s no retrofit, although you don’t have to install the rear camera at that time.

The rear cam comes with more than enough wire to tie into the FITCAMX camera upfront. You’ll need to route it behind the various airbags depending upon how you route it. Also it has only one orientation, there is no (or at least wasn’t when I bought) a software flip for inverted images. The proper orientation of the rear camera is for the wire to run to the right side out of the camera (regardless of where it ultimately goes).

It’s a fairly easy install and setup although I waited on the rear camera until my dealer did the glass recalls on my 21 and had the headliner completely down.

I believe however there’s no way to set it up in parking mode if using the rain sensor - is that correct? I think the wiring gets a bit more complicated for that, which is what I’d prefer. On the other hand, that also means a backup battery is required due to the weak onboard 12v battery. PITA!

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

I believe however there’s no way to set it up in parking mode if using the rain sensor - is that correct? I think the wiring gets a bit more complicated for that, which is what I’d prefer. On the other hand, that also means a backup battery is required due to the weak onboard 12v battery. PITA!

That is correct. If you want a park/sentry mode, you’ll have to power it elsewhere. I seem to recall a wire kit for that and instructions, but is been quite awhile since I looked at this stuff.

 

[Ahlarict]

I have the the FitCamX (front/rear) tapped into the rain sensor and the Uniden R8 hardwired into the mirror using this tap kit. Current draw has not been complained about by the MME and I’m pleased with both products. I do not have it wired for sentry mode and I think @Kamuelaflyer is correct about the optional harness for that. I’d be curious to learn how you like it - I considered doing so but went with the simpler install because, sadly, I am lazy.

FWIW, I use this CarPlay AI Box to run both the Uniden R/Tach and FitCamX apps, and I run this guy's suggested Uniden R8 settings because he seems pretty well informed on these matters and lives only a few miles from my house in the PNW so it suppressed a lot of false alerts for me.

Here're some videos I referenced for installation notes:

 

[ECHARGD]

Thanks all for your comments on the camera. Where did you mount the radar detector?

 

[Ahlarict]

Thanks all for your comments on the camera. Where did you mount the radar detector?

My car is the Rally model (no pano-roof), so it doesn't have the metallic "IRR" film in the windshield that produces the "Farraday-like effect" which gives a lot of folks fits with these cars, so I just used the standard big-suction cup mount as high as possible which ends up placing the radar detector just below the communications window to the left of the rear-view mirror. Detection range has been excellent. Pano-roof people have reported getting best results from mounting their detector snugged up tight against the headliner inside the communications window using this adapter I hear, but I got one and bent it up ten ways from Tuesday before giving up on it and using the standard mount (based on my testing, I get the same detection range either way in my car). Rereading the thread, it looks like I should've stuffed some more packing foam in there to make it work better.

My windshield has the acoustic "SoundScreen" and defrost, but no wiper heater or IRR metallic layer. This thread will help you identify your windshield type.

FWIW, my Uniden R8 gave me a clear alert today three-quarters of a mile away from a state patrol trooper hidden over the crest of a hill and well out of visual line of sight! I slowed down but couldn't see him until I noticed the front alert had switched to a rear alert and I spotted him in his devious little hunting blind in the rear-view mirror! Truly, it is hard to ask more from a $250 detector than that! I also like the fact that you can customize the display to work as a 12v DC voltmeter (I appreciate the ability to monitor my 12v health in EVs)...

 

[EruptionGreen5000]

That is correct. If you want a park/sentry mode, you’ll have to power it elsewhere. I seem to recall a wire kit for that and instructions, but is been quite awhile since I looked at this stuff.

What is Park/Sentry mode?

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

What is Park/Sentry mode?

The dash cam recording while the car is turned off. That requires power from the 12v battery or a separate power supply. It can be a theft deterrent or a way to identify thieves or those who damage your car.

 

[EruptionGreen5000]

Oh, good to know thank you. I’m going to install the dash cam without that.

I’m still looking for a way to mount the Uniden 8 in that limited space and there still doesn’t seem to be a decent method out there…

 

[EruptionGreen5000]

I have the the FitCamX (front/rear) tapped into the rain sensor and the Uniden R8 hardwired into the mirror using this tap kit. Current draw has not been complained about by the MME and I’m pleased with both products. I do not have it wired for sentry mode and I think @Kamuelaflyer is correct about the optional harness for that. I’d be curious to learn how you like it - I considered doing so but went with the simpler install because, sadly, I am lazy.

FWIW, I use this CarPlay AI Box to run both the Uniden R/Tach and FitCamX apps, and I run this guy's suggested Uniden R8 settings because he seems pretty well informed on these matters and lives only a few miles from my house in the PNW so it suppressed a lot of false alerts for me.

Here're some videos I referenced for installation notes:

This is great info! Can you say more about the CarPlay AI box? What does that allow you to do that CarPlay without the box doesn’t?

 

[Ahlarict]

This is great info! Can you say more about the CarPlay AI box? What does that allow you to do that CarPlay without the box doesn’t?

These poorly named "AI boxes" can be used to add wireless CarPlay and Android Auto capability to cars that only supported wired connectivity. They tend to be pokey and buggy and slow to get the latest updates from Android. This Bruxe R6 box is the best of a mediocre lot, as it is relatively snappy and relatively up to date, and mostly stable, but I keep it off 99% of the time and only use it to watch TV while charging (I have a bunch of movies and tv shows in a well-optimized MP4 format that streams nice on the Mach-e screen). It can do just about anything an ordinary Android tablet might do, but it's not going to set any speed records. It is nice having access to the full store of apps, and not just the CarPlay\AA compatible apps.

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