Dashcam Mk7.5

[minke]

Hi Has anyone installed a dashcam into their MK7.5 where it is integrated with the fuse panel - Ie it runs 24/7 but self cuts if battery drops too low?

Dealer is offering to install BlackVue front/rear integrated with the ECU (as they put it but I know it is just drawing power from somewhere like the fuse panel ) THey quoted $1700 which again I know is crazily over the odds.

I know that I can buy a unit for $400-$550 but wonder if it is even worth the effort?

Any thoughts on make/model / installer?

[GabrielT]

Hi,

I have got them and install them over a weekend. Could be a couple of hours work if you know what you are doing. They are easy enough to install yourself provided if you have a multimeter and tools to pry open plastic trims. I assume they quoted you Blackvue’s power magic pack? Btw, I have found that setting the low voltage cutoff to 12v only allows roughly 2 mins recording time during parking mode. Have set to 11.8v since and could last for a day or two before cutoff.

[sn809]

Depends where you are, might be cheaper to get it done from outside.
It is a DIY thing if you are game enough. Some prefer to just power with a USB power bank as 95% don't actually need 24/7 without having the car being driven in between which recharges the power bank.

The blackVue 750 is a good option for those wanting to spend, find the thread on Whirlpool has good official support there from one of the guys.

The Viofo 129 with GPS is a more cost effective one with excellent return for the dollar value. It is currently Ozbargain fav and has v good reviews over all.

I personally think the dealer is charging too much.

[Guest001]

Go and buy them at Autobarn and get them to fit them The two above are good choices and are at the two points of the price chart

If you want ti to run in parkin mode (Which I think isnt worth it) you need for the Blackvue a Power Magic which does exactly what you want. About 90 mins should be enough to install one and a bit more if you arent familiar with doing them your self

A 2ch 750 is under $700 and Autobarn would probably charge under $250 to install them PM is about $59.


Dealer is insane and would only get someone in to do it and pad it out for themselves.

Took me about two hours to hardwire separate cameras in my new Tiguan which is basically a Golf in a bigger coat

[tw586]

I spent a good part of a day installing a F770D thinkware twin camera wi fi set up in my GTI original, main issue was getting the loom through to the rear camera past the side airbags and in under the hood lining. PITA. if you locate the fuse box behind the glove box you will find several fuse holders with only 1 connector. I selected a constant power and ignition power, fitted std fuses and ran the loom up the LH pillar across to the mirror base into the unit Which I mounted at the base. all up cost me a day and $550 but well worth it

[Guest001]

I spent a good part of a day installing a F770D thinkware twin camera wi fi set up in my GTI original, main issue was getting the loom through to the rear camera past the side airbags and in under the hood lining. PITA. if you locate the fuse box behind the glove box you will find several fuse holders with only 1 connector. I selected a constant power and ignition power, fitted std fuses and ran the loom up the LH pillar across to the mirror base into the unit Which I mounted at the base. all up cost me a day and $550 but well worth it

I solved that problem by running the cable along under the edge trims on the carpet and into the rear quarter and up to the flexi joint and into the taildoor that way. Wouldnt touch the roof trims as they have been known to fall down at times.
Yes there are spare fuse holders and you just meter them out remembering that some of the ACC ones are on a delay circuit and dont go off straight away.

[tw586]

I wish I could have done it that way but the 2 doors originals forced me to go over the top

[Guest001]

I wish I could have done it that way but the 2 doors originals forced me to go over the top

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You just run it down the footwell trim and tuck it under the edge of the doorsill inner trim. Have done it on several cars like that

[spellbound]

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You just run it down the footwell trim and tuck it under the edge of the doorsill inner trim. Have done it on several cars like that

Yep easy as .

[tw586]

2 door is very hard as it requires the removal of the rear seat and b and c pillar trims as well as the inner 1/4 panel to get to the loom tray on the passenger side

[minke]

I struggle with getting a cam. If anything I'd only get a front cam. cannot see the point of a rear especially with tinted glass?

[Guest001]

I struggle with getting a cam. If anything I'd only get a front cam. cannot see the point of a rear especially with tinted glass?

Works fine in the TIg if somewhat green because of the privacy glass

[The_Hawk]

I put the RVC into a two door cab through the floor (as the only option), which wasn't too bad.

The dash cam is only powered when the car is on and I've never considered the parking mode, at the moment I have a dual USB power adaptor hard wired in under the centre console which provides power to the phone dock and the dash cam. It would be a pretty easy addition for a battery saver module and something that might be worthwhile if you're driving to and from work and/or the train station.

I never considered a powerbank, but that's a pretty ingenious solution! (as long as it can remain charged enough).

[sn809]

I never considered a powerbank, but that's a pretty ingenious solution! (as long as it can remain charged enough).

The new ones take a type C input for charging and display remaining battery very well. If too pedantic you can just replace.

@The Hawk, could you link up a few pics of ur setup of USB connectors

[The_Hawk]

@The Hawk, could you link up a few pics of ur setup of USB connectors

Sadly no I don't have pictures of this install, it was done a very long time ago now and it's all hidden away under the dash.


In the olden days of early mobile phones and car chargers, a trick I learnt when putting hard wired docks into cars was to use the 12V lighter socket for power. If you piggy backed one of these bay boys off the stock lighter and hid it away under the dash, you kept the functionality of the OEM lighter (if you wanted it), had switched power and kept the factory look and the ability to add additional 12V accessories on the fly. Using this also meant if/when you updated your phone and needed a new charger (or when the one you just installed failed) you just pulled the trim panel off, unplugged the old charger and plugged in a new one.
You don't even need to fuse the extra socket (although it's probably worth doing) and it's designed to put out enough power that running a couple of USB ports (even when using a lighter in older cars) works without issue.




When I installed mine I just used something like this with a little electrical tape to make sure it wouldn't pop out of the socket. This provided two USB ports, one for my phone dock and one for my camera.




I had done a similar thing in the Multivan as well and can tell you than in 10 years, both have failed once and needed replacement which was as simple as unplugging and plugging in a new one.

These days I might consider something more like this, then all you need to do is tap the 12V socket with a couple of wires with spade connectors and a little heatshrink.


Narva |
Heavy-Duty Dual USB Socket