[PrinterGirl]

After my recent encounter with a truck on the expressway I wanted to share the details on my dashcam install for anyone that might be looking for information / ideas.

I wanted something as low profile as possible and I hated the idea seeing double sided tape from the outside of the windshield. I ended up using black vinyl decal stock from a local craft store (Michaels in my case) to blackout the area above the rearview mirror matching the contouring of the existing light filtering dots and attached the camera to that. Total cost was under $5. The blacked-out area looks like it came that way from the factory and nicely conceals the cables and upper half of the camera. It not invisible but unless you are looking for a camera you won’t notice it.

I used a fuse tap kit for power that allows me to use the parking mode of the camera. This requires a constant power line and one accessory (switched) connection. The fuse box is in the passenger footwell.

Fuse 24 for constant power
Fuse 46 for accessory (front cigarette lighter)
*note this is from my 2022 M240i, BMW may change the numbering on different models/years/factory options

Zip tied it all to the factory wire harness so there is no interference with the airbag and installed the rearview camera tucked up in the corner of the headliner. Again, from the outside it just blends right in, you can’t see the rear camera whatsoever from the rearview mirror.

[PP3121]

Great work. Thanks for sharing your approach.

The cameras are hidden nicely. Actually, I still can't make out the rear camera due to the reflections.

May I inquire which model camera you are using? I have read so much that I can't quite make up my mind anymore!

[PrinterGirl]

Originally Posted by PP3121

Great work. Thanks for sharing your approach.

The cameras are hidden nicely. Actually, I still can't make out the rear camera due to the reflections.

May I inquire which model camera you are using? I have read so much that I can't quite make up my mind anymore!

The rear camera is just to the right of the break light. It's sort of barrel shaped.

I used a Ddpai Z50, really good physical build quality but the software is lacking. Over all it's ok for the cost and being 4k, not 100% sure if I would buy it again or not.

[sandrik93]

Thanks for sharing.
I used the g80 wiring mentioned in the other thread. Fuses 29 (batt) and 70 (acc). How long does it take yours to go into parking mode?

[PrinterGirl]

Originally Posted by sandrik93

Thanks for sharing.
I used the g80 wiring mentioned in the other thread. Fuses 29 (batt) and 70 (acc). How long does it take yours to go into parking mode?

Its around 8 minutes which I actually prefer so if I get out of my car on the side of the road it's still on for a bit.

There is the option of tying it into terminal 15 that is only live when the engine is running but you can only get to that in the trunk fuse box.

[sandrik93]

Originally Posted by PrinterGirl

Its around 8 minutes which I actually prefer so if I get out of my car on the side of the road it's still on for a bit.

There is the option of tying it into terminal 15 that is only live when the engine is running but you can only get to that in the trunk fuse box.

Makes sense. Probably why BMW's dashcam install manual indicates that wiring is going to the rear fuse box.

[inc235]

Anyone considering hooking up a constant running dash cam (including OP): it can make your car battery die in like 2 yrs or less. Just know that it drains battery much faster than you'd think. (IDK maybe BMW will replace the battery under warranty lol)

A lot of cars in S. Korea have constant loop dashcams (with parking surv. mode) and their main complaints are that their battery died in like a yr or two.

[Crazy One]

Originally Posted by PrinterGirl

After my recent encounter with a truck on the expressway I wanted to share the details on my dashcam install for anyone that might be looking for information / ideas.

I wanted something as low profile as possible and I hated the idea seeing double sided tape from the outside of the windshield. I ended up using black vinyl decal stock from a local craft store (Michaels in my case) to blackout the area above the rearview mirror matching the contouring of the existing light filtering dots and attached the camera to that. Total cost was under $5. The blacked-out area looks like it came that way from the factory and nicely conceals the cables and upper half of the camera. It not invisible but unless you are looking for a camera you won’t notice it.

I used a fuse tap kit for power that allows me to use the parking mode of the camera. This requires a constant power line and one accessory (switched) connection. The fuse box is in the passenger footwell.

Fuse 24 for constant power
Fuse 46 for accessory (front cigarette lighter)
*note this is from my 2022 M240i, BMW may change the numbering on different models/years/factory options

Zip tied it all to the factory wire harness so there is no interference with the airbag and installed the rearview camera tucked up in the corner of the headliner. Again, from the outside it just blends right in, you can’t see the rear camera whatsoever from the rearview mirror.

Hi,
Can you please provide some photos how to open the access to the fuses and how you hidden the cable?

[Baby_G42M]

Any updates? I have a 2025 M240i xdrive with what fuse to tap? I'm thinking

Fuse 46 for accessory (front cigarette lighter)
and not too sure which to tap for constant without draining anything important. any recommendation?

[MPR]

Ive been itching to install a dashcam, what is the consensus on a solid but affordable camera model ?

[Pentland]

Originally Posted by MPR

Ive been itching to install a dashcam, what is the consensus on a solid but affordable camera model ?

BlackVue.