Another dash cam thread …

[JTM09]

I’m in need of an LTE ready dash cam with parking mode.

Currently experimenting with an OwlCam. The alerts seem to be a bit sporadic. And there is no video buffering feature, so the person etc. that might damage your vehicle isnt captured approaching vehicle because the recording doesn’t start until after the event happens.


Thoughts/ experiences with other cams? I’m considering a blackvue 750x For better coverage due to the rear camera. However it has no interior view.

[Bmock17]

Originally Posted by JTM09

I’m in need of an LTE ready dash cam with parking mode.

Currently experimenting with an OwlCam. The alerts seem to be a bit sporadic. And there is no video buffering feature, so the person etc. that might damage your vehicle isnt captured approaching vehicle because the recording doesn’t start until after the event happens.


Thoughts/ experiences with other cams? I’m considering a blackvue 750x For better coverage due to the rear camera. However it has no interior view.

I just bought a new dash cam for my car and am selling my old one. It's the Thinkware U1000 4k camera. Both front and rear cameras are included. I paid $500 for it and am selling them for $250. Let me know if you're interested. 😃

[JTM09]

thanks but that is not an LTE device, correct?

[s55jesus]

I have the Blackvue DR900x 2-CH paired with the CM100 LTE Module. Works fantastic. I get push notifications if anything hits my car on my phone with live view. Also have the B124x battery with the B124E extension pack. Front records at 4K and the rear records at FHD.

Got a T-Mobile prepaid sim card thats $10/month for 2GB of data. Thats pretty sufficient to be checking the cameras live view for fun a few times a day plus playback of the recordings. But do keep in mind that the CM100 LTE Module only works with GSM carriers and not CDMA.

Not cheap by any means though. IIRC this entire set up ran me close to $1,300 but I did the install myself so saved a bit there. Records about 45 hours on the battery packs alone in parking mode. Gives me a peace of mind when parked anywhere for longer periods of time.

[JTM09]

Wow very nice. Why did you go with the 900 over the 750? I was just going to hardwire vs battery.
Where did you mount the external LTE module? I was trying to avoid having another component mounted on my windshield
Thanks

[pgdemon]

70mai Omni 360 Dash Cam this is what you need

[AlmondJayRoM3]

Originally Posted by JTM09

Wow very nice. Why did you go with the 900 over the 750? I was just going to hardwire vs battery.
Where did you mount the external LTE module? I was trying to avoid having another component mounted on my windshield
Thanks

2-ch dashcams use a lot power. If you connect the dashcam directly to the car and expect to use parking mode, you will consistently get the increased battery discharge warning. You will eventually kill the very expensive lithium starter battery.

Highly recommend getting a dashcam battery pack like the Cellink Neo or Blackvue B-124X.

[White340]

Originally Posted by eff80m3

I have the Blackvue DR900x 2-CH paired with the CM100 LTE Module. Works fantastic. I get push notifications if anything hits my car on my phone with live view. Also have the B124x battery with the B124E extension pack. Front records at 4K and the rear records at FHD.

Got a T-Mobile prepaid sim card thats $10/month for 2GB of data. Thats pretty sufficient to be checking the cameras live view for fun a few times a day plus playback of the recordings. But do keep in mind that the CM100 LTE Module only works with GSM carriers and not CDMA.

Not cheap by any means though. IIRC this entire set up ran me close to $1,300 but I did the install myself so saved a bit there. Records about 45 hours on the battery packs alone in parking mode. Gives me a peace of mind when parked anywhere for longer periods of time.

Do those batteries get hot in there?

[White340]

Originally Posted by AlmondJayRoM3

2-ch dashcams use a lot power. If you connect the dashcam directly to the car and expect to use parking mode, you will consistently get the increased battery discharge warning. You will eventually kill the very expensive lithium starter battery.

Highly recommend getting a dashcam battery pack like the Cellink Neo or Blackvue B-124X.

100%. I unplug my camera every time I park my car at home. I only keep parking mode on when I need it (parking lot or street parking).

[White340]

I am due for an upgrade. I have the thinkware 750 or so from 2016 and it's been great. I'm sure tech has improved a lot now so looking for something new. I see the latest thinkware is the 1000 but that's been out for two years already. Waiting for them to release a newer one before finally pulling the trigger.

[s55jesus]

Originally Posted by JTM09

Wow very nice. Why did you go with the 900 over the 750? I was just going to hardwire vs battery.
Where did you mount the external LTE module? I was trying to avoid having another component mounted on my windshield
Thanks

I chose the 900 since it's 4K front and 1080 rear. The 750 is 1080 both front and rear. Strictly for the higher front resolution.

Originally Posted by AlmondJayRoM3

2-ch dashcams use a lot power. If you connect the dashcam directly to the car and expect to use parking mode, you will consistently get the increased battery discharge warning. You will eventually kill the very expensive lithium starter battery.


Highly recommend getting a dashcam battery pack like the Cellink Neo or Blackvue B-124X.

Exactly.

Originally Posted by White340

Do those batteries get hot in there?

On hot days down in So Cal, I've seen it go as high as 120F when it's charging. Under normal conditions where ambient temp is 60-70F, it hovers around 100F. But these aren't the traditional lithium ion battery packs. It was meant to stay inside a hot car so it uses lithium iron phosphate instead. Holds up to heat much better.

[JTM09]

Silly question, does the external cam battery charge from the car when it’s running?

[AlmondJayRoM3]

Originally Posted by JTM09

Silly question, does the external cam battery charge from the car when it’s running?

Yes. The Cellink Neo is limited to 5A charging if plugged into cigarette 12V or 9A if hardwired to the fuse box. The latter will charge the battery from empty to full in 45 min.

[s55jesus]

Originally Posted by JTM09

Silly question, does the external cam battery charge from the car when it’s running?

I hardwired mine to the rear fuse box with an extra 15 amp fuse. The battery pack only charges when the car is running.

[damageprone]

Originally Posted by White340

Do those batteries get hot in there?

They get hot but they're LiFePO4 batteries that can withstand the heat in the car. As added security, I put them in a battery bag to protect against any fire. I ran this setup in Vegas during 117F summers.

https://www.amazon.com/COLCASE-Firep...s%2C143&sr=8-9

[NORAGRETS]

Originally Posted by JTM09

I’m in need of an LTE ready dash cam with parking mode.

Currently experimenting with an OwlCam. The alerts seem to be a bit sporadic. And there is no video buffering feature, so the person etc. that might damage your vehicle isnt captured approaching vehicle because the recording doesn’t start until after the event happens.


Thoughts/ experiences with other cams? I’m considering a blackvue 750x For better coverage due to the rear camera. However it has no interior view.

Everyone goes w blackvue, but I did the garmin mini's 2 front and rear and love them…if you're interested in viewing video as you drive go w blackvue, personally I saw no reason for that and the garmin's were smaller too, I hardwired them and have them set for 8 hour parking mode over night. Works perfectly

[JTM09]

Originally Posted by Twhill19

Everyone goes w blackvue, but I did the garmin mini's 2 front and rear and love them…if you're interested in viewing video as you drive go w blackvue, personally I saw no reason for that and the garmin's were smaller too, I hardwired them and have them set for 8 hour parking mode over night. Works perfectly

does garmin notify over lte?

[swanvalkyrie]

Originally Posted by s55jesus

I have the Blackvue DR900x 2-CH paired with the CM100 LTE Module. Works fantastic. I get push notifications if anything hits my car on my phone with live view. Also have the B124x battery with the B124E extension pack. Front records at 4K and the rear records at FHD.

Got a T-Mobile prepaid sim card thats $10/month for 2GB of data. Thats pretty sufficient to be checking the cameras live view for fun a few times a day plus playback of the recordings. But do keep in mind that the CM100 LTE Module only works with GSM carriers and not CDMA.

Not cheap by any means though. IIRC this entire set up ran me close to $1,300 but I did the install myself so saved a bit there. Records about 45 hours on the battery packs alone in parking mode. Gives me a peace of mind when parked anywhere for longer periods of time.

Hey mate, can you PLEASE share how you wired your connectivity module in your BMW. Ive been looking everywhere to see how people wired it. The windshield isnt that big and the cable is so long. Im not sure the best way to route it and what to do with excess slack? Youd be a lifesaver if you can help.

[s55jesus]

Originally Posted by swanvalkyrie

Hey mate, can you PLEASE share how you wired your connectivity module in your BMW. Ive been looking everywhere to see how people wired it. The windshield isnt that big and the cable is so long. Im not sure the best way to route it and what to do with excess slack? Youd be a lifesaver if you can help.

I dropped off my car to have some pieces painted this morning so I unfortunately can’t take pictures right now so I’ll just explain.

You do not need to mount the LTE module on the windshield. I have mine tucked into the right dash panel by the passenger door. Ran the cable by the roof down the passenger A pillar and into that little compartment. It picks up signal fine and I hid the excess wires in there as well using a few zip ties. Hope that helps.