Installed a Dash Cam

[KKS]

So my friend convinced me the other day to get a dash cam for my car. I've seen the videos before on youtube (Russian ones are the best) and thought it might be pretty useful. I settled on the Black Vue DR400G-HD made by a Korean company. Without going to much into it, here's some of the key features:

1080P recording
GPS position recording
3 axis motion sensor to detect large movements such as accidents
Parking mode (turns on to record when it detects movement in front of it)
Continuous recording onto micro sd card.

I also purchased the power controller (black magic) which allows you to leave the camera in parking mode until the car battery voltage falls to a certain state and shuts off so that it doesn't drain the battery.

I followed hardwire guides found on this forum for the V1. This method uses the fuse box hidden behind the glove box. For this install, a constant 12V and a switched 12V line was needed. To connect to the fuse box, you can use mini blade fuse taps (I found some 10A $7 ones from Jaycar). The power controller was installed inside the glove box and the power cable run through the A pillar into the headliner and along the rear view mirror casing into the dashcam.

The HARDEST part would be finding an empty fuse that's the right amperage

Needless to say, I spent the good part of an hour testing every empty fuse slot I could reach through the tiny gap. So here they are:

Constant 12V: No. 2,3,7,64,68,56 I ended up using 64
Switched 12V: 5, 7(this one is not empty so I used 5)

And.... pictures of the install:


Pulling the wire through to the glove box



Make sure you run this AROUND your airbag and hold it down with the included cable holders. You don't want to restrict the movement of the airbag in the event of a deployment.



Behind the glove box, a small hole to work with (esp with big hands like mine)



The constant 12V fuse tap connected



Ground wire connected to this bolt conveniently located in that area



Power controller mounted inside glove box



Wire held down onto the rear view mirror casing for clean look



From inside the car



From the front



I'm quite happy with the image quality and the features are awesome. Now I can have some piece of mind when parking my car. If you are thinking of getting the same one, note there is a version 2 so get that one (didn't do enough research )

[Smiley1175]

Is the quality good enough to read number plates?

[Ninjaoz]

Thanks for the write-up, looks neat! It sits nicely just below the rain/light automatic sensor.

I've done a bit of research on the blackvue version II, apparently it overcomes the "heating" problem. Did you have to update the firmware for the English version?

[ippykaye]

Excellent write-up mate! I've seen a lot that have screens which look bulky- this one looks nice and neat

[RoadRunner///M]

What are the benefits of this?

[Zuzu]

Neat install and awesome documentation.. Post some vids up..Would love to see the clarity.

[1MOz]

Great job installing this. Looks very professionally done. Nice photos with the write-up as well. I'm sure many of us will find this very useful.
Now you need one for the rear as well!

[sparoz]

Thanks for the detailed write up!

[pavo335]

impressive quality and determination, well done. Don't forget to post up the 'fool' footage.

[BMW86]

Great write up. I want one of these.

[KKS]

Thanks for your kind words

I don't have any videos uploaded yet as I left my car in Canberra but will definitely put some up.

In the mean time you can youtube blackvue for some sample footage

Daytime:

Night time:

The quality is pretty good and you can see the plates clearly in both day and night.

Some benefits of dash cams:

In an accident, you can prove who is at fault
When parked, it can record anyone in front of your car. (ie if they key it)
Track day camera
Avoid SCAM artists

Here's a vid that was on this forum before featuring a VO 1M at 2:00

[Stuart@BMRAutowerkes]

awesome write up.

might look into one

[mcmn]

v nice.

[Knightelf]

Neat. Wtf was that VO 1M doing?? Also lol'ed at the lady trying to stop the van at 2:50

[Spikey]

^ trying to go into the left lane, tyres cross the paint, driver plants foot, spins... etc???

[babubulala]

@KKS

Can you point me to the hardwire guide (V1) you are talking about? Much appreciated

[BrokenVert]

How secure is It? I normally leave the top down when parked on nice days. Hate to have it stolen.

[1BimmerNut]

Originally Posted by Spikey

^ trying to go into the left lane, tyres cross the paint, driver plants foot, spins... etc???

WTF? 1M was gone way before he hit the painted lines. Oil? Where was the stability control...weird - kinda scary

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by 1BimmerNut

WTF? 1M was gone way before he hit the painted lines. Oil? Where was the stability control...weird - kinda scary

The hivemind decided that he had stability control off and planted his foot not realizing the kick that N54 turbos give.

[Zuzu]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

The hivemind decided that he had stability control off and planted his foot not realizing the kick that N54 turbos give.

And the unpredictable M LSD, if you are unprepared..

[dj.tonto]

i'm guessing the video is from asia somewhere... hong kong maybe? damn these people cant drive. looks like a solid investment man.

[yulook]

amazing install