[blueislander]

New car coming, never had a dash cam but feel I could really do with one.

So, do you have one for the front and the back or just front only as a rule?

Also, are the majority battery operated and if so how long do they last on a charge? Seems to be a lot that require hardwiring and to be honest I'd rather avoid that if I can.

Any info or suggestions would be appreciated! Been looking at the nextbase 312gw for £99 but happy to be told of others that do a good job!

[RustyBitz]

I have a BlackVue 750s 2channel, I have installed a battery pack in the boot so it will record it parking more for 24 hours and then charge up when I'm driving.

[aquazi]

Depends how small and discrete you want the install.. the Nextbase is fairly big - but has a screen - which has its advantages.

Also depends if you want a single camera or duel setup.

I went for a Thinkware F800 pro - dead easy to fit and discrete in my coupe hardwired with parking mode which covers it for about 12hours using the car battery.

[blueislander]

Originally Posted by aquazi

Depends how small and discrete you want the install.. the Nextbase is fairly big - but has a screen - which has its advantages.

Also depends if you want a single camera or duel setup.

I went for a Thinkware F800 pro - dead easy to fit and discrete in my coupe hardwired with parking mode which covers it for about 12hours using the car battery.

Thanks will look at that.

It's the hard wiring part that worries me... I'm certainly not good at that sort of thing and not sure I want cables trailing the inside of my new car but I assume it can be very tidy!

[Mrklaw]

Originally Posted by RustyBitz

I have a BlackVue 750s 2channel, I have installed a battery pack in the boot so it will record it parking more for 24 hours and then charge up when I'm driving.

see this is how they should be IMO - simple separate battery which then charges during driving.

How big a battery do you need to drive two cameras for 24hrs?

[RustyBitz]

Originally Posted by Mrklaw

see this is how they should be IMO - simple separate battery which then charges during driving.

How big a battery do you need to drive two cameras for 24hrs?

This is the battery pack I have, unfortunately it's now discontinued.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cellink-Bat.../dp/B0128ZBC88

They do have a new model out though.

http://amzn.eu/d/bbgoJ1S

[JD6]

Perhaps worth mentioning that the BMW Advanced Car Eye 2 has a 24hr parking mode built-in, with no need for an external battery. The units themselves are on the large side, particularly the rear which is the same size as the front, so it's not the most discrete kit.

[blueislander]

Originally Posted by JD6

Perhaps worth mentioning that the BMW Advanced Car Eye 2 has a 24hr parking mode built-in, with no need for an external battery. The units themselves are on the large side, particularly the rear which is the same size as the front, so it's not the most discrete kit.

I did see that, seems to be going for 250 ish on the bmw store in ebay. Any decent reviews? I don't mind paying if it's a good choice

[JD6]

Originally Posted by blueislander

I did see that, seems to be going for 250 ish on the bmw store in ebay. Any decent reviews? I don't mind paying if it's a good choice

I think it is pretty good, apart from the feeble BMW support, and the app is being updated shortly to deal with my main concerns. I wrote a brief review on this thread:

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1547302

[Mrklaw]

Originally Posted by JD6

Perhaps worth mentioning that the BMW Advanced Car Eye 2 has a 24hr parking mode built-in, with no need for an external battery. The units themselves are on the large side, particularly the rear which is the same size as the front, so it's not the most discrete kit.

I assume they just tap the battery but they must warranty it? £475 inc fitting for front and rear is a lot but managable. Just a fugly brute - should be a factory fit option to be more discreet. Heck, tap into the front/rear cameras if you have those fitted and just let me record the footage.

[JD6]

Originally Posted by Mrklaw

I assume they just tap the battery but they must warranty it? £475 inc fitting for front and rear is a lot but managable. Just a fugly brute - should be a factory fit option to be more discreet. Heck, tap into the front/rear cameras if you have those fitted and just let me record the footage.

The unit has a 2 year warranty. As you say, it probably uses the car's battery, but as a BMW product they are responsible if it doesn't work properly in any way. For me that was a major factor - any DAB issues / battery issues / anything else... and they have to sort it out. You avoid the ambiguity where different parties claim that the other is responsible for the problem, and to me that has a significant value.

I agree that I would much prefer to use the car's built in cameras, but if that isn't available, then to me this is the next best option.

[un1eash]

Yi 1080p dash cam, was recently £25 on amazon. Plugged into the cigarette socket under the passenger glove box.

[aquazi]

Depends how long you want the parking mode?

Mine covers 12 hours - using the car battery - which is more than enough cover when parking at work etc.

In the 14 months i've had it in/ my car never had a low battery warning or issues with the keyless entry or even DAB.

imo the BMW one is a lot of money for little more than paying for the BMW name - the lens and functionality is inferior to those in the Blackview/ Thinkware and the install itself is uglier. Only saving grace is that it wired to the car and not a piggyback system to the power.

[JD6]

Originally Posted by aquazi

imo the BMW one is a lot of money for little more than paying for the BMW name - the lens and functionality is inferior to those in the Blackview/ Thinkware and the install itself is uglier. Only saving grace is that it wired to the car and not a piggyback system to the power.

The BMW ACE 2.0 kit is uglier than Blackview. I think they are functionally fairly similar to Blackvue / Thinkware though, apart from the one upside of the ACE kit having the 24 hour parking mode. The app needs to be upgraded, but I have been assured that is happening very soon.

Whether the ACE kit is worth it depends on how much value you place on BMW being responsible for any problems the entire kit, and how much you dislike the looks.

The cost is not vastly more - £250 for the kit, or £475 installed by BMW. I paid to have it installed.

[Moleeuk]

Had a few in the past. Including a bespoke 2 camera system with Wi-Fi access.

Got a Garmin 65W now (only need 1 camera as Convertible). It is excellent does every thing needed.180 Degrees view, camera warnings are a bonus (once you turn the volume down), voice control is handy and is very discrete, picture and video quality more than acceptable.

[blueislander]

Thanks all for the advice am going to start googling some decent ones.

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by RustyBitz

I have a BlackVue 750s 2channel, I have installed a battery pack in the boot so it will record it parking more for 24 hours and then charge up when I'm driving.

+1 Same configuration. Works vey well with a dedicated Cellink Neo battery.

[cfm56d7b]

Also, please find some time to review www.dashcamtalk.com forums. Invaluable source of information prior to making a purchase decision.

[TiredGeek]

Have a look on YouTube, this guy has reviewed a fair few dash cams.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5I...W9gZPVkvzM8_Cw

I went for a front only 0806 model. Very discreet and easy to hard wire in. I just dropped the front passenger footwell panel and piggy backed onto the 12v socket from the back. No chance of the passenger kicking the wires out

If you want a sleek look then you'll be wanting something without a screen as they can be really small....

[devil84]

I have a BlackVue DRS900. I love it.

I then use the BlackVue OBD cable so it records in parked mode.

[Tinsta]

Another vote for the thinkware, easy to fit with an inline fuse cable etc.

[vadimo]

Originally Posted by RustyBitz

I have a BlackVue 750s 2channel, I have installed a battery pack in the boot so it will record it parking more for 24 hours and then charge up when I'm driving.

I just got 750s 2ch unit off Ebay blackvue official outlet store, refurbished units for £239 each plus I ordered the power magic pro, any advice on fitting it or good guides you have seen?

I am going to test out fuses first before I start wiring.

I did look at battery pack but it's too expensive