[BGB]

With my new 330D not having the USB slot in the glove box my existign dashcam is useless at the moment.

I am looking for options.

1. keep my existing really cheap dashcam and find a way of powering it via usb.

PRO's keep camera, cheapest option, retrofit cable for CIC available, can get hardwire kit for USB micro

Cons camera crap, retrofit cable might not work in new Prof nav unit, dotn konw where to tap into for hardwire kit

2. get a new camera system that can be hard wired professionaly

PRO's better camera and properly wired

Cons not that cheap

Now if anyone can help with solution 1 i will go for that but if not then recommendations for solution 2 would be welcome.

[a803sgo]

I've got a Mobius ActionCam in both my F30 and my wife's F20 with a custom mount which tucks it way up behind the mirror and totally out of the way.

https://www.mobius-actioncam.com







Powers taken by splicing into the lighter socket under the glove box.

[crbalch]

Just got the top of the line dashcam by Thinkware (F770)...it's amazing. Check out my thread over on the 2addicts forum for a quick review and test footage.

[Jaghave]

Thinkware is an excellent camera to start with

[Broadsword]

I have BlackVue cameras on both my F15 and F30

[amsbmw]

One of these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141723701622 under your glovebox?

[sjbushido]

I use a iPhone6S 64GB in 4k on my dash using a magnet mount lol.

[Jaghave]

Originally Posted by sjbushido

I use a iPhone6S 64GB in 4k on my dash using a magnet mount lol.

Your battery must get pretty hot.

[BGB]

Originally Posted by crbalch

Just got the top of the line dashcam by Thinkware (F770)...it's amazing. Check out my thread over on the 2addicts forum for a quick review and test footage.

have heard about DAB issues with the rear camera

dont know if that applies to you in over there

[crbalch]

Originally Posted by BGB

have heard about DAB issues with the rear camera

dont know if that applies to you in over there

Had to look up what DAB was! Doesn't apply over here so I can't really speak on that aspect unfortunately.

[BGB]

Originally Posted by amsbmw

One of these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141723701622 under your glovebox?

I didnt realise i had a 12V socket there. but now i do it has solved my problem. i had some bits lying around that allowed me to put something together.

I have ordered a usb 12V adapter for a toyota that will also do what i need it to do but i now have a fault on my cheap camera so im back to looking at a replacement.

[Crassus]

I use the Blackvue DR650. It's pricey but one of the best dashcams and in the event of an accident it will pay for itself.

What I love about it is that its discrete and not in my sight when driving. The few LED lights it has can be switched off so that it's 100% incognito. If I want to view recorded videos or live view, I simply use the phone app over Wifi.

I've hardwired it using a Power Magic Pro so it records continuously 12 hours after ignition has been switched off.

[GoranBonn]

Originally Posted by crbalch

Just got the top of the line dashcam by Thinkware (F770)...it's amazing. Check out my thread over on the 2addicts forum for a quick review and test footage.

I got the same one and am very happy with it, however at least on my unit, the device has a rattle/buzzing sound at speeds of 80+ kmh (50 mph I guess) depending on type of road surface. Not only on some crappy road, but on those "more noisy" types of asphalt used on some highways at least in Europe.

Noise is not coming from connector cover, but seems to be from the buttons.

Do you have similar experiences or is it just me?

[crbalch]

Originally Posted by GoranBonn

I got the same one and am very happy with it, however at least on my unit, the device has a rattle/buzzing sound at speeds of 80+ kmh (50 mph I guess) depending on type of road surface. Not only on some crappy road, but on those "more noisy" types of asphalt used on some highways at least in Europe.

Noise is not coming from connector cover, but seems to be from the buttons.

Do you have similar experiences or is it just me?

Never experienced that

[GoranBonn]

Originally Posted by BGB

2. get a new camera system that can be hard wired professionaly

After installing the Thinkware F770 (front & rear) in my car, and having never before installed any wiring in any car, I can tell you it was quite easy to do it yourself. No need to pay anyone to get it installed and hardwired.

Biggest annoyance was that the power cable supplied with F770 doesn't reach to the trunk, so you'll need a soldering iron and solder some more cable to the end of it.

[crbalch]

Originally Posted by GoranBonn

I got the same one and am very happy with it, however at least on my unit, the device has a rattle/buzzing sound at speeds of 80+ kmh (50 mph I guess) depending on type of road surface. Not only on some crappy road, but on those "more noisy" types of asphalt used on some highways at least in Europe.

Noise is not coming from connector cover, but seems to be from the buttons.

Do you have similar experiences or is it just me?

Just took a a few hundred mile trip and was getting that noise...did you find any resolution?

Its a really loud rattle/buzzing and I need to fix it haha

[GoranBonn]

Originally Posted by crbalch

Just took a a few hundred mile trip and was getting that noise...did you find any resolution?

Its a really loud rattle/buzzing and I need to fix it haha

Not yet. I contacted Thinkware UK support but am still in discussion with them. They are taking the issue seriously but returns from Germany makes it more complicated.

What I was thinking of was a small piece of insulating tape pushed into the gap of every button, to try to make them more stiff. Haven't attempted it yet.

[crbalch]

Originally Posted by GoranBonn

Not yet. I contacted Thinkware UK support but am still in discussion with them. They are taking the issue seriously but returns from Germany makes it more complicated.

What I was thinking of was a small piece of insulating tape pushed into the gap of every button, to try to make them more stiff. Haven't attempted it yet.

Gotcha...just contacted them as well, going to see what they suggest doing

[GoranBonn]

Originally Posted by crbalch

Gotcha...just contacted them as well, going to see what they suggest doing

See here, seems there's hope in replacing the unit:

https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/thread...-5#post-277938

[GoranBonn]

Originally Posted by GoranBonn

Not yet. I contacted Thinkware UK support but am still in discussion with them. They are taking the issue seriously but returns from Germany makes it more complicated.

What I was thinking of was a small piece of insulating tape pushed into the gap of every button, to try to make them more stiff. Haven't attempted it yet.

Hi all, just to followup on this topic. Thinkware UK support has proven ineffective in solving this. Since first promising an exchange of the unit they stopped responding to my emails.

Here's how I solved it myself: cut 2 pieces of black insulating tape approx 1cm long, just about so that it can fit into the gap around the button. I put it only on two buttons, Format and Mute, this seems to have been enough.

Only important thing was to make sure that the tape went about 1mm inside the gap, and then stuck it to the casing. Quite unnoticeable, really. Also I put tape on the connector flap.

In driving since yesterday this seems to have solved it 100%.

[mbfanos]

@OP: go with Thinkware, do the dual cam setup and hardwire it. You'll not be disappointed. I hardwired the kit to the fuse box in the trunk.

Originally Posted by GoranBonn

I got the same one and am very happy with it, however at least on my unit, the device has a rattle/buzzing sound at speeds of 80+ kmh (50 mph I guess) depending on type of road surface. Not only on some crappy road, but on those "more noisy" types of asphalt used on some highways at least in Europe.

Noise is not coming from connector cover, but seems to be from the buttons.

Do you have similar experiences or is it just me?

I have the F750 and I experience the same buzzing sound as well. It seems like the plastic cover hit something inside and cause that buzzing noise. I just tap it and voila, no more buzzing noise. As long as the plastic cover doesn't hit things inside, there's no noise. When I press the format/mic/whatever button, it causes the noise again.
It's strange that this started 1 month after I bought it. My theory: because it is black, during use it gets very hot and expands. When it cools, it does not contract to the original shape but deforms a little bit -> hitting something inside