Dash Cam & Mifi Install

[Seán Kerr]

My F770 both have the ability to do remote viewing thru the app, and tells me about incidents when I enter the car. Did you not activate those features? Or am I missing something?

How do you rate the F770? Picture, ease of use? Any interference with the front or read integrated blinds?

 

[Kmann]

How do you rate the F770? Picture, ease of use? Any interference with the front or read integrated blinds?

Picture quality is among the top 3 in my opinion. Really crisp and detailed even at night.

It was very easy to instal, and if I had not mounted the cable the wrong way round, it was completed within an hour I guess.

On the front the unit is hidden behind the mirror, almost invisible and in front of the blinds, so no interference. On the back, I mounted the camera on the closet, because I did not want the bike rack to cover when we have bikes on it (We drive right side, so most overtake on the left). But I am planning to move the camera to the rear window (there is plenty of cable).

Its really easy to download pictures with the app, and overall I am very happy with the unit.

 

[T6 CFO]

Hi Mike

An installer quoted me for some work this morning and said "due to the type of aerials on the T6, I wouldn’t recommend the Blackvue, they interfere with DAB more than the Thinkware cameras". They recommend the F770 2-Ch.

Do you notice any DAB interference or poorer reception?

Seán

Sorry Sean can't really say. Tends to be silence in our Cali or Apple Music through app connect. Not listened to much DAB on the radio and out of the country now.


Mike

 

[Seán Kerr]

Blackvue dash cam and Mifi now fitted.
https://www.blackvue.com/dr650s-2ch/
Not be me I hasten to add but an auto electrician after some discussion about how I would like it done.

Front and rear cameras which are powered via a Power Magic Pro
https://www.blackvue.com/product/bl...attery-discharge-prevention-for-parking-mode/

In normal driving the cameras come on automatically and when you switch off from the ignition power continues to be provided through the Power Magic Pro (PMP). After 5 minutes the cameras go into "park mode" and recording to the SD card stops unless an event is detected, when a recording is made starting 5 seconds before the event.

Events can be triggered by either movement in the field of vision of either of the cameras or by vehicle movement, front to back, side to side or up and down. Sensitivity of these can be set or switched off as required. As mine is not on my driveway and beneath my flat I have turned off the camera movement sensors to avoid continual false events but not the vehicle movement ones.
Settings on the (PMP) switch off the camera and any devices attached to it after preset times or power levels to protect the battery.

Next up was utilising the dashcams ability to connect to the cloud. The way it works is that you can preset three wireless locations. Usually these would be home, work, mobile, if the cameras are in range of the network. For me this was not possible.
Although I have a VW Carstick which supplies wifi to the Cali it only does this when the ignition is on and I wanted to utilise the cloud function when the ignition was off. I have therefore set it to connect to the below Mifi by default.

I had been looking at MIFI devices to act as a hotspot and settled on the HUAWEI E5786s. Not the cheapest but very fast with the right connection and got a great deal with an offer on EBay. There has been a recent update to this model (E5787) but interestingly although it now has a touchscreen it does not have the ability to act as a wi-fi extender. This is the only mifi device I've found that does. It's primary function is to connect to 3G/4G but first it will connect with any available Wi-Fi network and it also has connection for an external aerial although reviews suggest these are not required. (Time will tell). This means it will also operate as a wifi booster.

Next up was powering the Mifi. Although it has a pretty good battery it still powered down far to quickly when connected to by the dashcam. Both the dashcam and Mifi have numerous led lights and in settings you can turn these off which extends the power and makes the dashcam less noticeable.

The (PMP) supplies power to the dashcam via a 12volt female to male connector. As it is not the prettiest and for the sake of keeping things tidy the electricians have always hidden these units behind the fuse box as there is no requirement to switch it off and this is how it was initially installed. After a bit of thought though I realised that when it went into parking mode false events would be recorded with movement in the Cali and I needed the ability to turn it off. They had not fitted one in a camper before so I asked for it to be moved somewhere accessible. They did better than that leaving it behind the fuse box but putting a switch to it in the unused point in the glove box. A 12 volt splitter was then used to take power from the (PMP) to the Mifi which was located in the phone cubby in the dashboard. Very tidy. I now have the choice of switching off the dashcam and have a permanent 3G/4G hotspot, connected to the battery but with the added protection of the cut out in the (PMP). I can now view any footage from the front and rear cameras and live from an app on my iPhone and iPad and am alerted by notification on my phone if an "event" is detected. Trick in the settings is to avoid false positives and now it all works seamlessly. Spookily you can share this footage live and locate the vehicle, you can also for security turn this off, which I have.

This all might sound a bit techie and fiddly and the initial setting up of it and learning curve was. I figured it all out but got an expert to do the wiring. I now though don't have to touch a thing other than to switch it off when camped up.

Most fiddly part they had was installing the rear camera. I put in a string beforehand so that they could pull the feed from front to back but the fitter got the wire through from there to the back screen using a fibre optic camera.

Front Camera

Rear Camera

Switch in glove box

Mifi in phone cubby

Mike

Hi again Mike.

Just thinking about my installation on Friday. Is it not possible to easily and temporarily disable the vehicle movement detection feature when parked and camping (without the need for a hardwired switch to switch the cameras off)?

Seán

 

[T6 CFO]

Hi again Mike.

Just thinking about my installation on Friday. Is it not possible to easily and temporarily disable the vehicle movement detection feature when parked and camping (without the need for a hardwired switch to switch the cameras off)?

Seán

Yes it is as you can connect via wireless and use the app. Easy enough to do but an awful lot easier to just throw a switch and turn it off.
As an example when you have it set up to activate in parking mode it could be a pain. Parking mode kicks in after 5 min so if you stop for a cuppa it would be live. It really depends on how you wish to use it.


Mike

 

[Seán Kerr]

Yes it is as you can connect via wireless and use the app. Easy enough to do but an awful lot easier to just throw a switch and turn it off.
As an example when you have it set up to activate in parking mode it could be a pain. Parking mode kicks in after 5 min so if you stop for a cuppa it would be live. It really depends on how you wish to use it.


Mike

Thanks Mike. Appreciate that. So just to be clear, does that mean I could use the app to disable the impact event (so that I can move about inside without setting off an event) but leave the outside motion detector on?

I've used your help to speak to my installer as I'm now thinking I should get a permanently powered MiFi as well. Are there any limitations with wiring the MiFi to the PMP in terms of how long the PMP will continue to power both the MiFi and the dashcams?

Seán

 

[T6 CFO]

Thanks Mike. Appreciate that. So just to be clear, does that mean I could use the app to disable the impact event (so that I can move about inside without setting off an event) but leave the outside motion detector on?

I've used your help to speak to my installer as I'm now thinking I should get a permanently powered MiFi as well. Are there any limitations with wiring the MiFi to the PMP in terms of how long the PMP will continue to power both the MiFi and the dashcams?

Seán

In answer to your first question you can set the levels independent for motion of the vehicle and movement outside. I'll try and do some screenshots later when I return to the Cali.

I don't know much about wiring but the PMP is wired in via a male to female cigarette type splitter. I got the idea of hard wiring the mifi in from an American site, he simply used a single to double connector and wired in both. My guy did the same and it's working a treat.

http://mikeandjanes.blogspot.co.uk/


Mike

 

[Pete Wilkins]

This looks really interesting, I am thinking of fitting something like this to mine, did you buy and get it fitted in Bristol, if so can I ask approx. how much and contact details we are in the area often so might ask if they can sort it for me too.

 

[T6 CFO]

This looks really interesting, I am thinking of fitting something like this to mine, did you buy and get it fitted in Bristol, if so can I ask approx. how much and contact details we are in the area often so might ask if they can sort it for me too.

Hi Pete,

Place that fitted it are

https://www.westerncarradio.co.uk/products/dash-cameras

Very good and more importantly very careful and know now how to fit one in in a Cali. Most of there work is fitting sound systems in Transporters. I was very impressed with the fitting.

I could give you ball park figures but it's unfair to them to tie them down as it depends on exactly what you want. Give them a bell telling them what you want and they will give you a price.

Located just off Anchor Road in Bristol. I live on the opposite side of the harbour so if you get it done and I'm about I'll meet for a coffee while your waiting. Just drop me a PM.
Back in UK roughly start of November.

Mike

 

[Pete Wilkins]

Thanks Mike have a good trip, we are up around Bristol all the time so I was really pleased to see your post, will give them a bell, I do not like anyone playing around with it so nice to hear they know what they are doing..

 

[T6 CFO]

Thanks Mike have a good trip, we are up around Bristol all the time so I was really pleased to see your post, will give them a bell, I do not like anyone playing around with it so nice to hear they know what they are doing..

Thanks.
You'll like the guys there. Simon & Gary. I put my hand to most things but I'm an idiot with electrics.


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[Seán Kerr]

In answer to your first question you can set the levels independent for motion of the vehicle and movement outside. I'll try and do some screenshots later when I return to the Cali.

I don't know much about wiring but the PMP is wired in via a male to female cigarette type splitter. I got the idea of hard wiring the mifi in from an American site, he simply used a single to double connector and wired in both. My guy did the same and it's working a treat.

http://mikeandjanes.blogspot.co.uk/


Mike

Thanks again Mike. On the second point, I probably didn’t word my question very clearly but I was really asking how long the PMP will continue to power the dashcam and MiFi before it cuts or runs out.

 

[T6 CFO]

Thanks again Mike. On the second point, I probably didn’t word my question very clearly but I was really asking how long the PMP will continue to power the dashcam and MiFi before it cuts or runs out.

Afraid I don't really know. Probably a few to many factors to consider. Like now I've arrived at a site and switched it off. If I left it on it's going to power up every time I shake the van. If it was just parked up not used would be longer. Purpose is to stay on and switch off when it determines a danger level to start. Can't remember the numbers.

Mike

 

[Victor]

Currently trying to hard wire my dash cam but I am unable to find an earth near the fuse box on the dashboard (under the cup holders) has anyone succeeded or am I best off running cable to the fuses under the passenger seat instead?

Thanks all

 

[Digger]

Any recommended installer for dash cam in Scotland? Preferably one with experience of VW .

 

[Teejay]

Currently trying to hard wire my dash cam but I am unable to find an earth near the fuse box on the dashboard (under the cup holders) has anyone succeeded or am I best off running cable to the fuses under the passenger seat instead?

Thanks all

I had trouble finding one also, but I'm sure I located a better option around the brake pedal. I eventually got one underneath behind the drinks bottle but would go for the pedal option if I had to fit again.

..message ends,,

 

[Kmann]

I just followed the guide @Loz made a while ago. Worked so well. All connected in the control panel unit just brside where the camera is mounted. Very snug.


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[Victor]

I just followed the guide @Loz made a while ago. Worked so well. All connected in the control panel unit just brside where the camera is mounted. Very snug.


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I was considering this but is it not recommended to connect it to a permanent supply? Surely if I connect it via the control panel it will be permanently recording unless I manually turn it off?

 

[Kmann]

Mine is a Thinkware 770. It records while driving, and makes time-lapse stills while parked (so you can get a nice pic of drivers pumping into your car while not there). I can also choose to have it on motion control, then it will record things just passing by (It many while parked in the city). It is set to shut off when the voltage gets to a certain level.

Have had it installed since end June and it works very well that way.

 

[T6 VCO]

I am thinking of fitting two DR650S 1CH as it will be easier than running cable through to the rear and should be able to pick up a power feed in the tailgate.

 

[T6 CFO]

I am thinking of fitting two DR650S 1CH as it will be easier than running cable through to the rear and should be able to pick up a power feed in the tailgate.

It's easy to run the cable and rear camera fits behind the blind. Also there is s 750s out now I believe.

Mike


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[Victor]

My one (nextbase) starts recording as soon as it powers up, that's why I thought I am best wiring it to the ignition, I'm getting confused on what to do now

 

[Kmann]

I do not understand why some do not want to use the cameras parking functionality. It is most likely that you will get a "hit-and-run" while parked up somewhere - just like we did within the first week of Dash Cam owners. Those pictures was worth the whole camera.

As long as your camera model supports shut-down on low voltage, it is the best to do in my Book.

 

[Seán Kerr]

Any recommended installer for dash cam in Scotland? Preferably one with experience of VW .

Mine was done last week by Skidz in Falkirk. Unbelievable price for Blackvue 750 2 ch with Power Magic Pro. Thoroughly profession job.


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[Digger]

Thanks Seán.