DBOC205

I know there's been some previous threads discussing these type of cameras before, but I thought I would add one that's specific to a Blackvue dashcam install in the W205. Below is an illustrated story line of how I did mine .. hope it helps.

Equipment as follows: (I won't repeat specs since Google has that side of things well and truly covered)

• Blackvue DR600GW
  
• Power Magic Pro (also from Blackvue; This unit will allow the camera to keep recording once the car is turned off and it also prevents the battery from being drained)

What you need:

• Fuse taps (Blade type; x2)
• Wire crimpers
• Thin plastic spatula (even credit card will do)

Steps:

1. Mount the camera
2. Run the cable through the top of the headliner and then out towards the side. Using a small plastic card to gently open the edge is all that's needed. Once you're on the side near the door you can follow the rubber lining (red dotted line is where I've run the wire)
   
   
   
3. Keep following the roof lining all the way to the back. The joiner near the B-Pillar is easy to open up enough for the cable to pass through; there's no need to undo any clips or lining completely.
   
4. Once at the back, follow the upper line of the C-Pillar. I found that the lower segment where the air bag meets the seat was too tightly clipped joined so I just ran it along the upper part all the way to the back screen and then back around towards the seat where the rear speaker is on the shelf.
   
5. From there it's an easy path along the lower edge of the seats into the trunk. The blackvue ran out of cable about 3/4 along the rear seats but that's not an issue. The PowerMagic has plenty of cable length to make up for the shortfall. The 12V socket to plug in the unit can hide under the lower edge of the seat (I used some adhesive tape to secure it from rattling around within the seat cavity.
   
6. Now remove the rear liner covering the fuse box. You need to make three connections with the PowerMagic Pro:
   - Yellow wire goes to a permanent batter 12V connection. I found this on one of the lower right fuse points that were unused.
   - Red wire goes to an Accessory switched 12V connection. I found this in position 445 (labelled Socket 12V in trunk)
   - Black wire goes to ground; I used an M8 chassis bolt located near the upper right corner of the fuse assembly.
   
   
   

Tidy up your wires, set the PowerMagic timing dip switches as desired and plug it all in. Done! ..

skullboy

Very nice and clear write up, is there a reason you did not go with the 2 channel models ?

DBOC205

When I bought this one the dual channel ones were not full dual HD yet. Plus at night they're next to useless for ID'ing plates. I've had a single channel Blackvue for a few years now and was more than happy with with just the forward vision.

vic viper

Why run it all the way back there when the front SAM module and fuse box is located next to the brake booster in the engine bay.

Razzyh

Or you can use the fuse box at the side of dash, that's how i did mine.

S18LOK

I've got the Blackvue DR600WD done exactly the same as you! running the power cable the in same positions to the boot/truck fuse box, but i used piggy back fuses. Must say it was very easy to hide the cable.

What setting have you got your Power Magic Pro set to?

DBOC205

No.2 down, the rest up - i.e 11.8V cutoff, 6hr runtime after ACC off.

W124-FTW

I've got a Blackvue 650 attached to the fusebox on the front dash (open driver's door to get to it).

I got it professionally installed by a car audio place as I didn't really feel like I knew what I was doing.

I also got the PowerMagic Pro (set to 11.8v and 72hrs).

Out of interest, does your Blackvue leave parking mode and enter driving mode straight after hitting the ignition? Or do you have to wait about a minute for it to auto detect the Gs from getting in and driving off?

Razzyh

Mine goes to normal mode about 20/30 seconds after moving off

Razzyh

I've now moved my cabling to the same route as the OP as it seemed an easier way to run the cable

Also mine is a estate/sedan? And the cable reached fine.

DBOC205

I think the trigger for it switching out of parking mode is linked to the G sensor settings. So if you have really sensitive settings for your parking mode, any slight movement will start normal recording again.

Nanook

Nice install but looks like a lot of work..I have a 650 (used to have ITB100HD) and just tapped into power at the rear view mirror console..I just leave it on full time as it uses very little current..If vehicle is to be off for a few days I just turn it off by pulling power connector out..

GQsmooth

Nice install, do you actually need fuse taps? I just wrapped the wire around one of the fuse teeth, and re-inserted. Stays in securely, and works fine.

DBOC205

You don't 'need' to use one, but it's a neat way of incorporating an additional fuse if you have the room. What you shouldn't do is wire directly into the un-fused side and not incorporate a fuse all together - even on low powered devices. Where I've seen people go wrong is wrapping against the wrong leg of the fuse thinking their circuit is fuse protected.

S18LOK

I agree with DBOC205. But if you are wrapping the wire i would make sure its very tightly wrapped around.

Stupidnewbie

I just ordered a K1S 2-channel system with remote DVR. I'm deciding if I want the DVR/screen in the glove box or in the trunk. I'll document my install. I'm also going to use a Lukas battery protector.

swagger_jacker

I have this blackvue system installed on my G37 and its a great system. OP is it hidden behind the rearview mirror when sitting in the driver seat? The way mine is installed you can not see it from the driver seat which is great. Caught many valets hotroding the car around. They dont like it when you confront them about it and they act like you're crazy till you show them the camera in the window.

DBOC205

Yes - the mirror hides it from view because it's slightly offset. If you mount it directly along the center line of the windshield it would be sitting too low in my opinion.

wallyworld2

Just seen this thread on the Blackvue. I have recently had a Blackvue DR650GW 2 CH front and rear cameras plus the Power Magic Pro installed in my W205 C250. I had Maroochy Car Sound supply and install from memory I think it was around $1,200 all up. Anyway any questions just ask I have attached one photo although its not real good I might put up better ones if anyone is interested. Power box is under glove box and rear camera is obviously on the rear window.

RemmyZero

Thanks to the OP for this. I just installed a DR650GW-2CH in my C300 last week using this post. Didn't take long at all. It's well worth the peace of mind!

Xzer0

How much does the installation cost? or did you do it by yourself?

I'm thinking about getting dash cam
I can't decide between the BlackVue DR650GW-2CH and Thinkware F750

I'll probably end up getting the latter
http://www.thinkware.com/Products/Dashcam/F750

I like that it has a lot of features and awards, but I can't decide yet

jakc

What size memory card do you use and how long can it record for at 1080p? I had a GoPro but the battery life made the thing practically useless.

DBOC205

I put a 64GB chip into mine which gives me several days worth. There's adjustment for video quality and compression which obviously changes the recording capacity. Blackvue used to publish a table .. couldn't find it though. Their latest page indicates around 27 hours for their dual channel model.

GoPro is a superb action cam but it's not really designed as a blackbox system. You'll want something which offers good GPS, battery management and video software. The dashcams will also have a parking mode which helps limit unnecessary static footage or recording.

Xzer0

The problem with using a GoPro as a dashcam is that they are not meant to be a dash cam, which is why they have a battery life of an hour an a half
They are not capable of looping like regular dash cams, which means that when they run out of space, they stop instead of rewriting/recording over the existing videos.

If I were you I'd wait for GoPro Hero 5
right now I am interested in ThinkWare F750, you should check it out if you haven't bought a dash cam already

RemmyZero

I installed mine myself but someone else here said they paid around $1200 for parts and install which is really steep IMO.