Dashboard Cameras

justplain said:
dont see why not.
Perhaps chat to your service adviser to be 100% or take your vehicle in and ask them to help fit it?
Click to expand...

They all seem clueless.

I called Leo Haese Centurion and they say they don't and referred me to JSN Motors. Guy there was dismissive and said it's not possible without losing motorplan, put me through to the parts department and guy there said that BMW make their own dashcam which'll set me back R8k + R3k installation.

Someone here with a BMW must have a dashcam with their motorplan intact. How did you do that?
 
feo said:
Can you install a dashcam onto a BMW without losing your motorplan?
Click to expand...

Probably the same for BMW, but I was told by Honda that any electrical installations has to be done by a Honda authorized installer, and that anything that is wired to the power will probably void your motorplan.

However, a dash cam can be USB powered, which doesn't touch any internal wiring - which is what I'm leaning towards doing if the "authorized installer" option doesn't pan out.

Still deciding on dashcam though.
 
Conack said:
Probably the same for BMW, but I was told by Honda that any electrical installations has to be done by a Honda authorized installer, and that anything that is wired to the power will probably void your motorplan.

However, a dash cam can be USB powered, which doesn't touch any internal wiring - which is what I'm leaning towards doing if the "authorized installer" option doesn't pan out.

Still deciding on dashcam though.
Click to expand...

I want the wiring to be completely hidden and for the dashcam to only turn on when the ignition is on.

I'm not at all comfortable with removing those edge panels and rubbers, would prefer a pro to do it without voiding motorplan.

Bit ridiculous that you can't buy a 3rd part camera and have a clean installation without voiding the plan.
 
I installed my dashcam in an F30 3 series under plan and had no issues. I ran it via the cigarette lighter though. I really doubt anyone ever checked. They're only likely to ever care if you cut into some wires then took your car in and tried to claim for electrical issues under plan etc.
 
rorz0r said:
I installed my dashcam in an F30 3 series under plan and had no issues. I ran it via the cigarette lighter though. I really doubt anyone ever checked. They're only likely to ever care if you cut into some wires then took your car in and tried to claim for electrical issues under plan etc.
Click to expand...

You can also easily wire the Dashcam into your fusebox using a fuse tap without voiding your warranty.
 
deweyzeph said:
You can also easily wire the Dashcam into your fusebox using a fuse tap without voiding your warranty.
Click to expand...

That's on BMWs too?

What about the visibility of the cables, can they also be run under the cover panels that go around the windscreen area and through the glove box?
 
feo said:
That's on BMWs too?

What about the visibility of the cables, can they also be run under the cover panels that go around the windscreen area and through the glove box?
Click to expand...

You can easily use a fuse tap in any vehicle with a fuse box. Hiding cables is easy, you just need to lift up the detailing along the sides of the windscreen and interior and run the cable down there. Can all be done without damaging anything. And if nothing is damaged I can't see any basis on which your warranty can be voided.
 
deweyzeph said:
You can easily use a fuse tap in any vehicle with a fuse box. Hiding cables is easy, you just need to lift up the detailing along the sides of the windscreen and interior and run the cable down there. Can all be done without damaging anything. And if nothing is damaged I can't see any basis on which your warranty can be voided.
Click to expand...

BMW seems finicky though. Are there dashcam installers that can do the installation for me? Gauteng.
 
feo said:
BMW seems finicky though. Are there dashcam installers that can do the installation for me? Gauteng.
Click to expand...

If you're not comfortable doing itself then go to one of the sound installation guys, they will do it very professionally. In Cape Town somewhere like Soundmatch or similar will do it. Not sure who you have up in Gauteng. You want people who are experts in car wiring and cabling and know how to hide wires well.
 
deweyzeph said:
If you're not comfortable doing itself then go to one of the sound installation guys, they will do it very professionally. In Cape Town somewhere like Soundmatch or similar will do it. Not sure who you have up in Gauteng. You want people who are experts in car wiring and cabling and know how to hide wires well.
Click to expand...

I'm not too sure who's the best in Gauteng, lots of fly by nights that just wanna make a quick buck. Anyone have any suggestions?
 
Most modern BMW's (and a host of other makes as well) have multiple side airbags, usually located in the A or B pillars, as well as in the side panels by the headlining (above both doors) - so there may be airbag deployment safety issues at play if someone without knowledge of car safety systems tries to pry off any interior trim panels and accidentally short-circuits any airbag wiring looms. Also, only certain accessory power circuits shut off completely when turning off the ignition - some still remain powered even if the key is out.
 
Ivan Leon said:
Most modern BMW's (and a host of other makes as well) have multiple side airbags, usually located in the A or B pillars, as well as in the side panels by the headlining (above both doors) - so there may be airbag deployment safety issues at play if someone without knowledge of car safety systems tries to pry off any interior trim panels and accidentally short-circuits any airbag wiring looms. Also, only certain accessory power circuits shut off completely when turning off the ignition - some still remain powered even if the key is out.
Click to expand...

There is no chance of encountering an airbag in any trim that a dashcam cable would be hidden underneath. The only trim you need to open up is the trim along the top and the side of the windshield, and then maybe the side of the dashboard where the fuse box is located and there are definitely no airbags there in any model of car.
 
deweyzeph said:
There is no chance of encountering an airbag in any trim that a dashcam cable would be hidden underneath. The only trim you need to open up is the trim along the top and the side of the windshield, and then maybe the side of the dashboard where the fuse box is located and there are definitely no airbags there in any model of car.
Click to expand...

Installing Dash Cams on Vehicles with Airbags - BlackboxMyCar

One of the most frequently asked questions has to do with installing dash cams (hardwired or not) in vehicles with curtain airbags.

Pretty much all passenger vehicles nowadays have some form of air bag in the A-pillar so it's good to be aware of some precautions before you install your dash cam.

In the Subaru used in our demonstration video, there are already a number of wires, such as the microphone for hands-free calling, that go up the A-pillar.

By looking underneath the trim of the A-pillar, you can clearly see how to safely arrange the wires using clips, tape, or zip ties.

 
This is exactly why I don't wanna try wiring it myself. It's too much of a risk for someone that doesn't know where things are located.

I feel as if I'm not gonna be able to install a dashcam in my BMW just because of their strict motor plan. Maybe I should contact ZA customer care.
 
deweyzeph said:
There is no chance of encountering an airbag in any trim that a dashcam cable would be hidden underneath. The only trim you need to open up is the trim along the top and the side of the windshield, and then maybe the side of the dashboard where the fuse box is located and there are definitely no airbags there in any model of car.
Click to expand...

Ivan Leon said:
Installing Dash Cams on Vehicles with Airbags - BlackboxMyCar

One of the most frequently asked questions has to do with installing dash cams (hardwired or not) in vehicles with curtain airbags.

Pretty much all passenger vehicles nowadays have some form of air bag in the A-pillar so it's good to be aware of some precautions before you install your dash cam.

In the Subaru used in our demonstration video, there are already a number of wires, such as the microphone for hands-free calling, that go up the A-pillar.

By looking underneath the trim of the A-pillar, you can clearly see how to safely arrange the wires using clips, tape, or zip ties.

Click to expand...

I think @Ivan Leon is overaggerating the point of concealing the wiring.
All you need is to push through the wires superficially into the rubber trims and along the panels. No need for removing anything.

Also installing a fuse tap is easy peasy.
All you need is a multimeter to check which fuse has continuous power or ACC power and it’s plug and play from there.
 
tRoN said:
I think @Ivan Leon is overaggerating the point of concealing the wiring.
All you need is to push through the wires superficially into the rubber trims and along the panels. No need for removing anything.

Also installing a fuse tap is easy peasy.
All you need is a multimeter to check which fuse has continuous power or ACC power and it’s plug and play from there.
Click to expand...

I have a Garmin DC45 dashcam and for the first month or two, used a 2-port USB power socket adaptor to power it and my Garmin nuvi55 GPS as well, but the unsightly power cable dangling down from the dashcam irritated me, so I purchased the accessory Garmin Parking Mode Cable to alleviate this issue, and to also then power the dashcam in 'parking mode' when the ignition was off.

cf-lg.jpg


I took my car to the car sound specialists that installed my car stereo & speakers, and left it to the experts to hook up all the power wiring connections behind the dash, as well as the power cable run up the side of the A-pillar and across the headlining to the mounting point behind the rear-view mirror.

All sorted, the Parking Mode unit does its job as needed, powering the dashcam when the ignition is off & no more unsightly USB cables swinging from behind the rear-view mirror any more.

I still power my GPS via a USB cable however, as I simply disconnect it when removing the GPS from its suction mounting & taking the GPS out of the car.
 
Someone rear ended my wife's Ecosport at a traffic light yesterday, and promptly told the police she'd stopped in the middle of the road for no reason. I'm now looking for a decent Dashcam - tempted to get one for myself. Is the Garmin 56 worth the price?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X