[BMW DIY Guy]

Dashcams have been on my mind a lot lately, with the rise of bad behavior on the roads. If you haven't seen some of the viral dashcam videos lately, you have missed out on scammers, road rage and stunningly bad driving on display.

The latest insurance fraud scam videos are what pushed me over the edge for a camera, so I thought I would do it right.

There are many great options, but looking for the features I wanted, I settled on Blackvue, and the DR970X box 2 channel camera, with the battery backup as well. This gives me more secure rolling video front and rear, plus footage while parked too. I also really like the remote control box feature, as someone can't just steal the camera with the installed SD card in it.

While this setup is into my BMW M2, you could easily use this as a guide for almost any car, and the installation is not hard at all.

[Orange fever]

Thank you - review and adding something else to the list.
While doing research when I had my i8, I went into a rabbit hole. So many dash cams out there...

[BMW DIY Guy]

Originally Posted by Orange fever

Thank you - review and adding something else to the list.
While doing research when I had my i8, I went into a rabbit hole. So many dash cams out there...

Very very true, and better to have something than nothing.

[kenkamm]

BMW DIY Guy Thanks for the timely video. I bought all the dash cam hardware for an install in my own M2, and I'm just waiting for it to warm up before I install it since I live in Maryland and my garage is not heated, and it's COLD!

I had a question about removing the rocker panel cover. You literally just yank on it? From where first, if it matters? I'm always afraid of breaking those little clips when yanking on panels like that.

[BMW DIY Guy]

Originally Posted by kenkamm

BMW DIY Guy Thanks for the timely video. I bought all the dash cam hardware for an install in my own M2, and I'm just waiting for it to warm up before I install it since I live in Maryland and my garage is not heated, and it's COLD!

I had a question about removing the rocker panel cover. You literally just yank on it? From where first, if it matters? I'm always afraid of breaking those little clips when yanking on panels like that.

Start at the lead edge where there is a small pin/clip then pull up on the trim piece. Most of the big pins will stay behind but the trim should be fine. There is a hook style piece on the back edge as you pull it up and off.

[mks]

Echoing the many thanks of others who are grateful for this installation breakdown. I have the same set up--just waiting on the updated batt pack from Blackvue before I attempt the install.

Quick (maybe stupid) question: @12:05 in the vid you point to the area where we can tuck in the rear cam wiring. Any trick to that? I looked and I'm not certain how I would tuck the wires behind(?) the pillar lining...

[BMW DIY Guy]

Originally Posted by mks

Echoing the many thanks of others who are grateful for this installation breakdown. I have the same set up--just waiting on the updated batt pack from Blackvue before I attempt the install.

Quick (maybe stupid) question: @12:05 in the vid you point to the area where we can tuck in the rear cam wiring. Any trick to that? I looked and I'm not certain how I would tuck the wires behind(?) the pillar lining...

Attachment 3666365

Great question and happy to help.. I tuck the wire behind the top edge of that cover and around the corner to the outside rubber seal. I make sure to avoid the airback area, and use a plastic trim tool to gently gap and then tuck the wire behind the plastic.

[mks]

Originally Posted by BMW DIY Guy

Great question and happy to help.. I tuck the wire behind the top edge of that cover and around the corner to the outside rubber seal. I make sure to avoid the airback area, and use a plastic trim tool to gently gap and then tuck the wire behind the plastic.

Copy all. I'll give it a shot--thanks a bunch.

[mks]

Curious, did you consider routing the front cam wire between the roof and headliner? I got a partial look with an endoscopic cam and it seems possible--IDK. If you can, any downside, e.g., rattle from the cable, maybe?

[BMW DIY Guy]

Originally Posted by mks

Curious, did you consider routing the front cam wire between the roof and headliner? I got a partial look with an endoscopic cam and it seems possible—IDK. If you can, any downside, e.g., rattle from the cable, maybe?

Absolutely possible and really whatever path works best. I prefer down the door sills because all the other wiring harnesses already run there.

[mks]

Dear BMW DIY Guy

Another follow-up question, if you don't mind. Curious, have you had any trouble with the battery pack and/or the Box overheating? I've got the B-130A that Blackvue just put out and the manual states the batt will shut down at 176f. Can't imagine it getting that hot, but given the confined space...?

Grateful,
mks

[BMW DIY Guy]

Originally Posted by mks

Dear BMW DIY Guy

Another follow-up question, if you don't mind. Curious, have you had any trouble with the battery pack and/or the Box overheating? I've got the B-130A that Blackvue just put out and the manual states the batt will shut down at 176f. Can't imagine it getting that hot, but given the confined space...?

Grateful,
mks

Zero issues thus far and can't imagine my trunk will ever get that warm.

[mks]

Given you have a battery pack hardwired in (I have the B-130A wired to rear fuse 273), I'm wondering what your experience has been with parking mode (PM); specifically, do you find your batt draining too quickly? In any case, what are your settings? My set up is working properly, i.e., system 1) switches to PM when I shut off the car, is 2) being powered exclusively by the batt pack, and 3) is in fact recording "impact events." But I'm not getting anywhere near the longevity out of the B-130A, which is draining from 100% to 0% (as reported in the app) in 7 to 8.5hrs.

Aside, don't know if my math (or formula) is correct, but here's what my calc suggests if I were to power just off the B130A battery pack:

Normal Mode: B130A mAh 7500 / Cam draw .64Ah = 11.72hrs
Parking Mode: B130A mAh 7500 / Cam draw .51Ah = 14.71hrs

Real world, I'm getting 7 to 8.5 hrs. Still not close to the 30 hours Blackvue advertises (admittedly, for a single cam)...again, this is not my area of expertise.


________________________

[mks]

Just an update on the power draw "issue" I am/was having with the DR970X Box 2CH Plus. BV acknowledged the increased draw but said I could possibly reduce the consumption rate if I tried one or a combination of a couple of things: 1) disconnect from the cloud and 2) reduce the detection region for both cams. So, while set to Motion Detection, I did both (reduced the regions for both cams to the two center squares only). I also reduced the motion detection slider (sensitivty setting?) from default of 4 of 5 to 2.

Results: I got far fewer recordings and gained ~3.5hrs of parking mode recording time. BV intimated that with all the regions grids selected, the cams will record at the slightest hint of motion. Not sure what was in my dark garage. I went from aobut 40 captures to 9. However, I'm not sure what effect, if any, the motion detection slider has on the capture rate.

Next I'll try increasing the region grid and sensitivity (together and separate) to see how much those settings effect capture rate (and therefore power usage). But, based on other user feedback, being connected to the cloud may be the most costly in terms of power.

In any case, if anyone is interested, I'll report back. Otherwise, I'm considering those 3.5hrs (actually got 12hrs total) a success and, as such, an end to this particular journey.

[BMW DIY Guy]

Originally Posted by mks

Just an update on the power draw "issue" I am/was having with the DR970X Box 2CH Plus. BV acknowledged the increased draw but said I could possibly reduce the consumption rate if I tried one or a combination of a couple of things: 1) disconnect from the cloud and 2) reduce the detection region for both cams. So, while set to Motion Detection, I did both (reduced the regions for both cams to the two center squares only). I also reduced the motion detection slider (sensitivty setting?) from default of 4 of 5 to 2.

Results: I got far fewer recordings and gained ~3.5hrs of parking mode recording time. BV intimated that with all the regions grids selected, the cams will record at the slightest hint of motion. Not sure what was in my dark garage. I went from aobut 40 captures to 9. However, I'm not sure what effect, if any, the motion detection slider has on the capture rate.

Next I'll try increasing the region grid and sensitivity (together and separate) to see how much those settings effect capture rate (and therefore power usage). But, based on other user feedback, being connected to the cloud may be the most costly in terms of power.

In any case, if anyone is interested, I'll report back. Otherwise, I'm considering those 3.5hrs (actually got 12hrs total) a success and, as such, an end to this particular journey.

Well done!

[mks]

Originally Posted by BMW DIY Guy

Well done!

Thanks for letting me post these findings to your thread. Still curious what your experience has been with power consumption rates in parking mode.