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Decided to install a dashcam for the first time. Was never really interested in one but was curious and read some good reviews of the FitcamX. It replaces the nose of our rainsensing mirror and has a jumper harness to make it 100% plug and play without any splicing or running cables.
Fitcam has a very basic install video that is slightly sped up but the install takes all of 10 min or so going very slow and careful so as to not break any tabs.
Steps:
1) remove main cover - use the included nylon pry tool to push the cover forward towards the windshield. The clips are designed to engage when the cover is slid backward toward the driver. Dont pull down at all just pry forward. This cover is tethered by a rubber strap to keep it from flying off in an accident. There is a nub to work free on the end of the strap to allow it to be freely removed
2) mid cover comes off next. It has two small ear tabs at the front of it so the idea is to pinch that part of the cover into itself and it will release. From there you have to perform some gymnastics to work this guy free and clear. Do this by traversing the mirror itself up/down/ left right while freeing the two lower tabs and the front tabs you pinched. There is a rubber tether on this as well to release free
3) now you can rotate the mirror base about 30 deg CCW to release the mirror itself. The front nose cone is then easily removed.
4) trace the wire harness of the mirror into the console. There is a larger cable running backward and a smaller one running forward. The smaller one is the one you will remove and jumper with the extension harness of the Fitcam. It plugs inline to interpose between the factory male and female connection
5) carefully route this new harness construct to minimize its presence in the console.
6) re-attach the mirror now by pushing into the base and rotating 30 deg CW
7) carefully fit the Fitcam camera nosecone into place. It is a friction fit and take your time to wiggle it until it settles/snaps into proper position
8) replace the midcover once again with the gymnastic maneuvers with care to break the front tabs. You'll have to position the bottom corner tabs first
9) main cover then slips into place and locks with a backward pull
10) download the Fitcam app and turn on the car. The carplay and Fitcam will compete for the Wifi of your phone so after a few rounds of trying to select the fitcam wifi I just plugged my iPhone into the USB so it wouldn't try to connect wireless anymore. Then you can successfully connect to the Fitcam wifi
@ eclou, after several months of experience with the camera, would you still recommend. Happy with the picture quality day or night ? Can it read license plates ? Any issues with the rain sensor or any other related car electronics. I am about to the trigger and wanted to check if how your experience has been so far.
No issues at all. I have really never utilized it. I havent checked anything since the installation lol. I am just happy it was easy to install and looks factory
@jaftts After several months, no issues here as well. No battery issues either. I've checked the video once in a while and it's still good, both rear and front.
One thing--the mfg claims it can record AUDIO. There's even an audio check-box in the software. I checked-it, but I didn't hear anything on playback. I'm working with the mfg to troubleshoot.
@jaftts After several months, no issues here as well. No battery issues either. I've checked the video once in a while and it's still good, both rear and front.
One thing--the mfg claims it can record AUDIO. There's even an audio check-box in the software. I checked-it, but I didn't hear anything on playback. I'm working with the mfg to troubleshoot.
M
How difficult was it to install the rear? Do it yourself or have a shop that worked on it?
How difficult was it to install the rear? Do it yourself or have a shop that worked on it?
Did it myself. All it is is routing the cabling in the creases of the roof liner and B Pillar, and back to the C Pillar. Using the plastic spudger tool helps. Then all that is left is affixing the small camera (see my post about this.)
I've had it sticking onto the clear cling film for 4+ months now and no issues.
Did it myself. All it is is routing the cabling in the creases of the roof liner and B Pillar, and back to the C Pillar. Using the plastic spudger tool helps. Then all that is left is affixing the small camera (see my post about this.)
I've had it sticking onto the clear cling film for 4+ months now and no issues.
M
Great, maybe if I go a head with it (and you're willing!) I might see if I can give you a call for some tips since if you're in Toronto we're close.
@jaftts After several months, no issues here as well. No battery issues either. I've checked the video once in a while and it's still good, both rear and front.
One thing--the mfg claims it can record AUDIO. There's even an audio check-box in the software. I checked-it, but I didn't hear anything on playback. I'm working with the mfg to troubleshoot.
M
Thanks. Did you only install front ? Wondering how the rear would look since it will not be enclosed line the front
While some of you have concerns of the camera not recording when parked, I'm actually worried about the opposite.
I installed the Fitcamx dashcam on my 991.2 911.
The camera works fine, but it won't shut itself off even after locking the doors.
Wouldn't this drain the battery?
Does any of you have this same problem? (for those who also purchased a Fitcamx cam)
While some of you have concerns of the camera not recording when parked, I'm actually worried about the opposite.
I installed the Fitcamx dashcam on my 991.2 911.
The camera works fine, but it won't shut itself off even after locking the doors.
Wouldn't this drain the battery?
Does any of you have this same problem? (for those who also purchased a Fitcamx cam)
Are you powering your FITCAMX from the rain sensor? The FITCAMX in my Cayenne, powered from the rain sensor, doesn't shut off until several minutes after I close the driver door.
While some of you have concerns of the camera not recording when parked, I'm actually worried about the opposite.
I installed the Fitcamx dashcam on my 991.2 911.
The camera works fine, but it won't shut itself off even after locking the doors.
Wouldn't this drain the battery?
Does any of you have this same problem? (for those who also purchased a Fitcamx cam)
I don't have that problem. My FitcamX turns itself off after about 45 seconds to a minute. I've had it for several months now and no draining on the battery.
Are you powering your FITCAMX from the rain sensor? The FITCAMX in my Cayenne, powered from the rain sensor, doesn't shut off until several minutes after I close the driver door.
Yes, my Fitcamx is powered from the rain sensor, through the Y-adaptor that came w/ the camera.
Originally Posted by Mikster
I don't have that problem. My FitcamX turns itself off after about 45 seconds to a minute. I've had it for several months now and no draining on the battery.
What kind of car do you have?
<Edit> - nevermind - just saw you installed yours on a 992.
Porsche could / should refine their existing Surround View camera option to enable operational recording / playback, TOTALLY eliminating this entire dash camera bother.
Yep. BMW has done this with the drive recorder. You can use it to record manually or via collision. Doesn't work when parked. I still have a fitcam on it though. Bought one for the 992 as well.