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Had a BlackVue DR900S 2CH 4k dash cam installed last week (4k front camera, 1080p rear-facing camera). Set it up with the Power Magic Pro so it's directly wired into the fusebox, and set "Parking" mode to run for a maximum of 12 hours to prevent draining down the LiFePO4 battery. Still fiddling with settings and getting the cloud backup functions working properly. Right off the bat noticed that the 992 has a LOT of dash reflections, so ordered a CPL lens filter from Blackboxmycar.com. Also have a 128GB microSD card on order to replace the 32GB card that came with the unit.
In order to have it hidden from view behind the mirror while driving, installer turned the unit upside down (pretty standard apparently, and the software has a setting to accommodate this orientation) and snugged it up close to the rear-view mirror housing and tucked the cables neatly inside. The rear camera is maybe half the size of the front camera and is snuged up close to the headliner with almost no cable showing.
The DR900S gets good reviews, but I think the software (especially running from a Mac versus a PC) could use a UX/UI rework. Running from an iPhone rather than the desktop it all works, but the wifi connection is only good for 15 feet. I'll keep plugging away and tweaking it to my satisfaction, but so far about 90% satisfied and MUCH happier having cameras than not. Twice in the past year my wife was driving cars that were hit by inattentive drivers, and in both cases camera evidence would have tipped discussions with insurance in our favor. One incident cost us nothing as it clearly was a hit-and-run, while the other was 100% the other driver's fault but without photographic evidence we ended up paying half the cost of repair to a rental car (about $1000 out of our pocket) rather than making an insurance claim.
That's a nice dashcam. I'm also thinking about purchasing one of those Korean webcams. They're the best.
Do you mind sharing a quick photo of your fuse box and which fuse you tapped into for hard wiring using the magicboxpro?
Thanks!
That's a nice dashcam. I'm also thinking about purchasing one of those Korean webcams. They're the best.
Do you mind sharing a quick photo of your fuse box and which fuse you tapped into for hard wiring using the magicboxpro?
Thanks!
I didn't do the installation; had a mobile audio shop recommended by the dealer do it. I'll pop the cover off the fuse pox and snap a picture though in the next day or so, and also show location of the Power Magic Pro (I had them mount it in a location where I still have access to the on/off switch for Parking Mode).
Do you mind sharing a quick photo of your fuse box and which fuse you tapped into for hard wiring using the magicboxpro?
Hmmmm. There's no evidence of a tap or connection into the fusebox. The shop that did the installation routinely does audio and radar/laser work on high-end cars, so I assume they have a different way of connecting dashcams to power. It all works well and there are no visible wires or cables anywhere...no signs actually that anything was moved or disrupted during the install. I'll ask how they did it.
The Power Magic Pro is neatly tucked up alongside the OBD port, making it possible to access the on/off toggle from the driver's seat (once you know where it is). The unit can't be seen getting in the car or looking into the footwell; you have to get down and look under the dash.
Hmmmm. There's no evidence of a tap or connection into the fusebox. The shop that did the installation routinely does audio and radar/laser work on high-end cars, so I assume they have a different way of connecting dashcams to power. It all works well and there are no visible wires or cables anywhere...no signs actually that anything was moved or disrupted during the install. I'll ask how they did it.
The Power Magic Pro is neatly tucked up alongside the OBD port, making it possible to access the on/off toggle from the driver's seat (once you know where it is). The unit can't be seen getting in the car or looking into the footwell; you have to get down and look under the dash.
That's very interesting and also kind of concerning if they cut an existing wire to tap into it.
But thank you for sharing the photos!
Hmmmm. There's no evidence of a tap or connection into the fusebox. The shop that did the installation routinely does audio and radar/laser work on high-end cars, so I assume they have a different way of connecting dashcams to power. It all works well and there are no visible wires or cables anywhere...no signs actually that anything was moved or disrupted during the install. I'll ask how they did it.
The Power Magic Pro is neatly tucked up alongside the OBD port, making it possible to access the on/off toggle from the driver's seat (once you know where it is). The unit can't be seen getting in the car or looking into the footwell; you have to get down and look under the dash.
There are 2 fuse boxes. I wonder if they tapped into the passenger side fuse box? Same location but on the passenger side.
Had a BlackVue DR900S 2CH 4k dash cam installed last week (4k front camera, 1080p rear-facing camera). Set it up with the Power Magic Pro so it's directly wired into the fusebox, and set "Parking" mode to run for a maximum of 12 hours to prevent draining down the LiFePO4 battery. Still fiddling with settings and getting the cloud backup functions working properly. Right off the bat noticed that the 992 has a LOT of dash reflections, so ordered a CPL lens filter from Blackboxmycar.com. Also have a 128GB microSD card on order to replace the 32GB card that came with the unit.
In order to have it hidden from view behind the mirror while driving, installer turned the unit upside down (pretty standard apparently, and the software has a setting to accommodate this orientation) and snugged it up close to the rear-view mirror housing and tucked the cables neatly inside. The rear camera is maybe half the size of the front camera and is snuged up close to the headliner with almost no cable showing.
The DR900S gets good reviews, but I think the software (especially running from a Mac versus a PC) could use a UX/UI rework. Running from an iPhone rather than the desktop it all works, but the wifi connection is only good for 15 feet. I'll keep plugging away and tweaking it to my satisfaction, but so far about 90% satisfied and MUCH happier having cameras than not. Twice in the past year my wife was driving cars that were hit by inattentive drivers, and in both cases camera evidence would have tipped discussions with insurance in our favor. One incident cost us nothing as it clearly was a hit-and-run, while the other was 100% the other driver's fault but without photographic evidence we ended up paying half the cost of repair to a rental car (about $1000 out of our pocket) rather than making an insurance claim.
More info on this please? Is this just one camera or multiple ones? front and rear? How big relative to window? I have an Escort 360 Max and M1 Dashcam now and M1 does leave a bit to be desired while downloads film does not have parking monitoring and features are limited. Fit my Escort and was a Xmas gift from the wife are the main things going for it also. Very interested in these other setups though from other owners. Thanks
More info on this please? Is this just one camera or multiple ones? front and rear? How big relative to window? I have an Escort 360 Max and M1 Dashcam now and M1 does leave a bit to be desired while downloads film does not have parking monitoring and features are limited. Fit my Escort and was a Xmas gift from the wife are the main things going for it also. Very interested in these other setups though from other owners. Thanks
I had a blackvue on my Audi and the system is really good. In combination with Power Magic Pro, you can run any dash camera in "parking mode" for a set amount of time after ignition is off. You can opt for 1-channel or 2-channel with blackvues, most come with 2-channel (two cameras, one for front and one for rear). Personally, I wouldn't buy any other dashcam that is not South Korean made.
More info on this please? Is this just one camera or multiple ones? front and rear? How big relative to window? I have an Escort 360 Max and M1 Dashcam now and M1 does leave a bit to be desired while downloads film does not have parking monitoring and features are limited. Fit my Escort and was a Xmas gift from the wife are the main things going for it also. Very interested in these other setups though from other owners. Thanks
I have the DR900S in my 992 and also in our Range Rover Sport SVR. I previously used another top Korean brand in our prior vehicles (Itronics) but they stopped supporting the latest phone devices so I switched to Blackvue. While the DR900S (and its front/rear variation, DR900S-2CH) is Blackvue's top offering and is 4K, I might recommend the DR750S instead. It's not 4K and only Full HD, but uses a better sensor (Sony STARVIS) and I hear has much better night brightness and clarity. 4K uses much smaller sensor elements so doesn't get as much light and nighttime recordings suffer. 4K also sounds good, but moving images is difficult and the DR900S still does not deliver enough clarity for readable license plates on a car in motion. You can find much more discussion on dashcams and the DR900S in other forums like: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/forums/dr900s-2ch.255/
I'm seriously thinking about installing a recording system made by a company called "Blueskysea" (FWIW, I have no interest or connection to this company.) I presently have their DV688 system on two of my motorcycles (attached pictures are from my Goldwing). The cost of the system I presently have is $175 on Amazon.
I've attached a few links. One is of a video I published to YouTube. It's actually of somewhat lower quality (required by YouTube) than what the system captured to it's SD Card. The other link is to this company's website for a slightly (Better?) version. I have their model DV688 and the link below is to a model DV988. Current price on Amazon for this system is $200. Although I don't have any saved pictures on hand, I do know that it clearly captures the license plates of other vehicles that are within ~10 feet or less. My DV688 system continuously records in 10 minute segments front and rear simultaneously. Eventually it will over-write the oldest recording with the most current recording, but with a 128 GB SD Card this takes about 8 hours (or more) of total recording time. It also has an adjustable G-Shock sensor that will freeze and will not overwrite video before and after it detects a shock level that you selected. There is also a manual operated button that will capture freeze frame pictures (both front and rear). It looks like their new version has a "parking" mode that the system I have now lacks.
I've been giving serious thought to installing their DV988 system on my 2021 C2S when it arrives. Your thoughts? Impressions?
09-01-2020, 02:03 PM
