[Rbrown]

Originally Posted by MarkG335

I think any BMW approved system is going to cost a fortune - on the basis is it would need to pass their testing standards, which neither the Blackvue nor ThinkWare would for sure!

This BMW accessory has caught my eye. Doesn't seem to expensive. I may contact my local dealer to see how much they are looking for to fit.

Has anybody got any experience of this one?

http://www.bmw.co.uk/en_GB/topics/di...ryId=9872.html

[Rbrown]

Originally Posted by Rbrown

This BMW accessory has caught my eye. Doesn't seem to expensive. I may contact my local dealer to see how much they are looking for to fit.

Has anybody got any experience of this one?

http://www.bmw.co.uk/en_GB/topics/di...ryId=9872.html

So, called dealer today. Quoted £400 all in to get and fit front facing camera. Camera costs about £280 so £120 fitting. Thought it would be more, but still seems a lot!!!!

[Kal101]

Originally Posted by Rbrown

So, called dealer today. Quoted £400 all in to get and fit front facing camera. Camera costs about £280 so £120 fitting. Thought it would be more, but still seems a lot!!!!

It's a big beast

Reminds of an old 35mm camera

[Rbrown]

Originally Posted by Kal001

It's a big beast

Reminds of an old 35mm camera

Agreed!

The size really puts me off. The Blackvue is a lot neater!

Was leaning to a BMW accessory in case fitting the Blackvue would affect any warranty claim in the future. Always worried BMW would claim the fitting had damaged the battery etc.

Still looking at options!

[335d Touring Xdrive]

I'm going to ask my dealer to fit my Thinkware F750, and see what he says.. He will probably say, because it isn't a BMW approved part, we are unable to fit it or give you any warranty.

[davybull]

That BMW camera is HORRIBLE!!!

I have a Blackvue 650 and it is really neat and unobtrusive. Can't comment on the Thinkware as I've never seen one in the flesh althought from pictures it looks quite a bit bigger than the Blackvue.

Dave.

[Mrklaw]

Bump!

Just found this thread after posting a new topic about it. Any updates from people after a few weeks of owning? Are these two brands still the ones to go for?

For parking mode, do either of them do movement based (i.e it notices something move in the camera) or are they impact based?

[335d Touring Xdrive]

Sorry, i can't comment on my F750, as i suspected, my dealer wouldn't fit it as it isn't an approved BMW accessory. I haven't got round to fitting it myself yet either. On my list of jobs to do.

[EvilDrPorkChop]

Originally Posted by Mrklaw

Bump!

Just found this thread after posting a new topic about it. Any updates from people after a few weeks of owning? Are these two brands still the ones to go for?

For parking mode, do either of them do movement based (i.e it notices something move in the camera) or are they impact based?

The Blackvue does both for parking so impact and movement. Can't comment on my Thinkware as never hard wired it for parking mode. The Blackvue works quite well on parking though and they now do the cloud service.

[MN2///M]

From what I understand, the Blackvue does not record before an impact event in parked mode; that being, an event triggered by the g-sensor, not the motion sensor. Can anyone who has a Blackvue clarify?

The Thinkware camera is constantly active buffering video in its internal memory and on an impact event, saves the 10 seconds before and after the event.

I agree that the Blackvue has better user software, but if you are interested in 2 channel, the rear camera is only 720P; Thinkware is full 1080P. Thinkware is also now supporting 128gb cards with their latest firmware for what that is worth to anyone.

Thinkware is also due to release the next in the series; F770...maybe June I've read; was at the 2016 CES show. Increased night capabilities evidently and possibly the A12 processor (750 uses A7)

If it were not for the buffered video and 1080P rear camera of the Thinkware, I'd likely go with Blackvue.

For those that have installed Thinkware, could you post some pictures of your front camera install from inside and out please?

[335d Touring Xdrive]

Originally Posted by MarkG335

Ha!! Just went back out to check that, you're too quick!

Fuse 162 (12v sockets).

Hi Mark,
Can you just clarify, is the fuse number 162 for the live, and the positive battery terminal for the permanent live?

Many thanks.

[EvilDrPorkChop]

Originally Posted by MN2///M

From what I understand, the Blackvue does not record before an impact event in parked mode; that being, an event triggered by the g-sensor, not the motion sensor. Can anyone who has a Blackvue clarify?

The Thinkware camera is constantly active buffering video in its internal memory and on an impact event, saves the 10 seconds before and after the event.

I agree that the Blackvue has better user software, but if you are interested in 2 channel, the rear camera is only 720P; Thinkware is full 1080P. Thinkware is also now supporting 128gb cards with their latest firmware for what that is worth to anyone.

Thinkware is also due to release the next in the series; F770...maybe June I've read; was at the 2016 CES show. Increased night capabilities evidently and possibly the A12 processor (750 uses A7)

If it were not for the buffered video and 1080P rear camera of the Thinkware, I'd likely go with Blackvue.

For those that have installed Thinkware, could you post some pictures of your front camera install from inside and out please?

I thought the Blackvue saved the previous 10 seconds before the impact too? Also the blackvue does also now support the 128GB cards.

[335d Touring Xdrive]

Can anyone tell me which is the permanent live fuse please? LCI 335d Touring.
Thank you.

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Originally Posted by 335d Touring Xdrive

Hi Mark,
Can you just clarify, is the fuse number 162 for the live, and the positive battery terminal for the permanent live?

Many thanks.

Correct, permanent live I have taken direct from the battery.

Absolutely no issues, warnings or flat batteries.

[335d Touring Xdrive]

Thanks Mark.

[Tengocity]

Great thread guys, and totally what a forum should be about.

The wife is keen for us to fit one to the car now, possibly due to all the crazy videos that get posted up here from them, though I suspect she thinks it will make me drive more carefully!

Some questions:

I'm very curious that despite what seemed to be a very clearly win for the Blackvue set up from the OP that further posters have gone for the Thinkware option?

Am I right in understanding that the Blackvue isn't compatible with Macs?

[EvilDrPorkChop]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Great thread guys, and totally what a forum should be about.

The wife is keen for us to fit one to the car now, possibly due to all the crazy videos that get posted up here from them, though I suspect she thinks it will make me drive more carefully!

Some questions:

I'm very curious that despite what seemed to be a very clearly win for the Blackvue set up from the OP that further posters have gone for the Thinkware option?

Am I right in understanding that the Blackvue isn't compatible with Macs?

The other way round, the Thinkware software on the Mac is awful. Won't even let you change kph to mph. They may have updated this as I haven't used the software in a while.

The Blackvue software is good and doesn't have as many bugs but probably isn't as feature loaded as the Windows version.

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Great thread guys, and totally what a forum should be about.

The wife is keen for us to fit one to the car now, possibly due to all the crazy videos that get posted up here from them, though I suspect she thinks it will make me drive more carefully!

Some questions:

I'm very curious that despite what seemed to be a very clearly win for the Blackvue set up from the OP that further posters have gone for the Thinkware option?

Am I right in understanding that the Blackvue isn't compatible with Macs?

I went Thinkware for two reasons:

1. When I was buying, the Blackvue was suffering form overheating issues and the reviews listed buggy software - all now resolved I believe
2. The seperate battery management device seemed silly when the Thinkware had it all built in - this would still prevent me being one

To be honest, I always preferred the Blackvue look and was utterly convinced I'd buy one of them before the Thinkware appeared.

I never use the Mac software - just download videos to my iPhone via Wifi although you of course do not get GPS and speed data this way.