walkabout Report post Posted February 9, 2017 If so, what brands/models? How did you install? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick65inlosangeles Report post Posted February 11, 2017 I (as in me) installed the Blackvue model DR650GW-2CH. It’s a two channel with an HD camera in the front and a SD rear facing camera. I also opted for the 64 gig card, plus I ordered the Power Magic Pro. With the Power Magic Pro you can select through dip switches how long you want the camera to record after you leave the vehicle. It also monitors battery voltage and will turn off the camera if is the voltage drops below ten volts. Price through Amazon was $419.00. It also connects to your smart phone or to the Blackvue cloud. I haven’t installed the Power Magic Pro because I found in most instances that the power port in the console will have power for about an hour after you turn the vehicle off, but I must say that our tech savvy Lincoln’s monitor that port and at times it will turn the power point off when you shut off the vehicle. You will notice that I mounted the camera right below the forward sensing monitor that the vehicle comes with. 3 aschrab, punch-card and mtmtmt reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cosmos36 Report post Posted February 11, 2017 Not trying to be a smart-a$$ with the question, but what is the practical use of the camera? And, isn't the camera an invitation for a break-in of the vehicle? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thisguy159 Report post Posted February 11, 2017 Not trying to be a smart-a$$ with the question, but what is the practical use of the camera? And, isn't the camera an invitation for a break-in of the vehicle? Basically protecting yourself. Records what happens when you have an accident that is the most common one but also what happens to your vehicle while park etc. haven't you ever see russian accident videos on youtube there are a million of them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
walkabout Report post Posted February 11, 2017 For me, I want it mostly for recording in the event of an accident. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
walkabout Report post Posted February 11, 2017 I (as in me) installed the Blackvue model DR650GW-2CH. It’s a two channel with an HD camera in the front and a SD rear facing camera. I also opted for the 64 gig card, plus I ordered the Power Magic Pro. With the Power Magic Pro you can select through dip switches how long you want the camera to record after you leave the vehicle. It also monitors battery voltage and will turn off the camera if is the voltage drops below ten volts. Price through Amazon was $419.00. It also connects to your smart phone or to the Blackvue cloud. I haven’t installed the Power Magic Pro because I found in most instances that the power port in the console will have power for about an hour after you turn the vehicle off, but I must say that our tech savvy Lincoln’s monitor that port and at times it will turn the power point off when you shut off the vehicle. You will notice that I mounted the camera right below the forward sensing monitor that the vehicle comes with. That looks really nice! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
enigma-2 Report post Posted February 11, 2017 In as much as you keave it on after you leave the vehicle and walk away, believe I would put a piece of black tape over the light as it draws attention to itself. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LinkedMe Report post Posted February 12, 2017 Not trying to be a smart-a$$ with the question, but what is the practical use of the camera? And, isn't the camera an invitation for a break-in of the vehicle? Its a two-way street. It can be used FOR you if you are involved in an accident. It can also be used AGAINST YOU if you were the cause of an accident. If you were at fault and hide or delete a video you are in a heap of trouble (legally). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
walkabout Report post Posted February 12, 2017 Some Caddys now have a built in feature that uses the front onboard camera. It really wouldn't surprise me if systems like that become more common. Linkedme, that is an important angle I never considered. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick65inlosangeles Report post Posted February 12, 2017 In as much as you keave it on after you leave the vehicle and walk away, believe I would put a piece of black tape over the light as it draws attention to itself. The LED indicator lights can be turned off in the configuration settings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick65inlosangeles Report post Posted February 13, 2017 Basically protecting yourself. Records what happens when you have an accident that is the most common one but also what happens to your vehicle while park etc. haven't you ever see russian accident videos on youtube there are a million of them. I wish I had this camera installed on my 2010 MKX. I was stopped in an intersection making a left turn when the light turned red. I was waiting for a large catering truck to stop at the intersection, than started to complete my turn, when someone in the outside lane ran the red light and totaled my vehicle. Since I was making the left turn it was my responsibility to make sure oncoming traffic had stopped. The other driver wasn’t sited and got a twenty five thousand dollar settlement from my insurance company. I wasn’t sited but I got one point on my driver’s license and my insurance almost doubled. Perhaps having a video of the situation would have made a difference since the video would have shown the traffic light was red for several seconds and the catering truck (which I didn’t think could stop) did stop at the intersection. In the picture below you can see how hard my MKX was hit. Everyone that looked at my vehicle said "Boy he really hit you hard". The entire front end cradle was was twisted and pushed down. Only the driver airbag deployed and the rest of the vehicle was just fine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
walkabout Report post Posted February 13, 2017 Wow Rick. That looks horrible. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbiggs Report post Posted February 18, 2017 @Rick65inLosAngeles First - wow! Sorry you had to deal with that accident and the legal/insurance mess afterwards. I am hoping no one was seriously injured. Unfortunately your story is all too common these days. It is simply just too easy to sue someone these days and there is little payback if the plaintiff files something frivolous and loses. Hence our hugely expensive insurance and medical rates. Second - Very nice installation. Have you been happy with the BlackVue system? I've been shopping various dashcams -- all have their pros and cons obviously -- and I like the BlackVue form factor the best of all. I like how discreet it is for the occupants of the car (at least visibly - I've heard that they beep a lot for some reason). My only concern has been the mixed reviews on their reliability and how some people have units that die on them in 8-12 months, sometimes shorter. I'm hoping their QC, along with their software capabilities have improved. Third - How long did it take you to complete the installation? Would you consider it a very tough job for a guy with reasonably decent hands-on car repair skills? Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rick65inlosangeles Report post Posted February 20, 2017 The nice thing about the ’10 MKX and I sure other MKX’s, is it detected the airbag deployment and called 911 right away. I did have some rather bad bruises from the seat belt on my left shoulder and right hip. I have heard about the reliability issues with the BlackVue camera, as a matter of fact the person that recommended the camera had his fail on his Tesla. Mine had been installed for about a year and no issues so far. I will say that they do run HOT! A voice tell you when it starts recording and shutting down. You can configure a lots of the actions ie: voice volume, tell tale lights, in the configuration settings. The hardest part of the instillation was with the rear camera, Since it’s attached to the window I decided that I wanted to have the wire go under the rear window trim and then through a factory wiring loom into the body roof. The headliner is attached with magnets of I was able to just pull it down and fish the wire along the right side of the vehicle all the way up front and under the headliner where it meets the windshield. Also the power wire follow that same wire back and down the “A” pillar molding, under the base of the glove box and then over to the power port at the forward lower part of the center console. I’ll try and get some picture of the installation to post in the next couple of days. 1 Timmer reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
punch-card Report post Posted February 21, 2017 Rick, Do you have a pano roof? I liked the looks of the unit, and am interested in getting more details. Please post more pics! Thanks! Mike The hardest part of the instillation was with the rear camera, Since it’s attached to the window I decided that I wanted to have the wire go under the rear window trim and then through a factory wiring loom into the body roof. The headliner is attached with magnets of I was able to just pull it down and fish the wire along the right side of the vehicle all the way up front and under the headliner where it meets the windshield. Also the power wire follow that same wire back and down the “A” pillar molding, under the base of the glove box and then over to the power port at the forward lower part of the center console. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
