When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
2025 Maserati Grecale Folgore and 2024 Jaguar F-PACE SVR
M.2 Dashcam Drive?
So I just paid $200 for the dashcam app and have been reading threads (mostly in EQS forum) about flash cards and such. Seems like this function really abuses flash memory, which got me thinking... Why can't I use an M.2 drive in an external enclosure? M.2 drives have a controller chip that does things like wear leveling and reallocating bad sectors. There are "high endurance" flash cards that have greater longevity but even those don't last nearly as long as a real drive. I have to admit that, based on those other threads, I'm not really expecting an answer. I'm just thinking out loud. Unfortunately the one I already have is my backup drive and I can't risk finding out by just plugging it in. But sometime this week I'll be going down to Micro Center here in Houston to buy another. Will keep all my EQE peeps updated!
have been reading threads (mostly in EQS forum) about flash cards and such. Seems like this function really abuses flash memory
Does it?
For loop recordings, it will only overwrites when it is filled up.
So if you get a big enough drive for 4 to7 days worth of recordings, it would mean writing one to two times per week. Doesn't sound like too much to me?
I guess for small drive, and constantly re-writing memory, I can see that it may be a problem.
Thumb "drives" aren't designed for continuous use.
I don't know what's the source of this info, and what they considered "continuous use".
It should not be any different from microSD card.
I don't consider writing the same part of the flash memory once or twice a week as excessive use, and most decent quality flash drive should work fine.
If there is any concern, just use a high endurance microSD card, and it should be ok just like any other dashcam.
Of course, if you prefer to use M.2 SSD drive, it may work too if there is enough power. But I think it's a bit of an overkill for this purpose.
2025 Maserati Grecale Folgore and 2024 Jaguar F-PACE SVR
The USB ports do USB-PD. That's usually 65 watts but I think I read somewhere that in the EQE they can deliver up to 100 watts. I'm just too lazy to use the search function for you. Google is your friend though.
In any case, if you insist on using a flash drive in a manner it wasn't intended for, you should probably buy one with a metal case or crack open the case on your plastic 'drive" and put a heat sink on the flash chip. That should help it survive longer than the 6 months the 1 TB "drive" lasted in the thread I linked to.
Do note that most regular M.2 drive are designed to work in a less extreme temperature environment (0C to 70C) which can be easily reached inside a car.
While high endurance microSD card is designed to work within -25C to 85C.
2025 Maserati Grecale Folgore and 2024 Jaguar F-PACE SVR
eMMC would be my second choice as those also have controllers that do things like wear leveling and bad sector de/re-allocation. That's the primary storage in a cell phone. But thanks for the advice.
2025 Maserati Grecale Folgore and 2024 Jaguar F-PACE SVR
I decided to use the one pictured which has a 1TB Intel 665p inside and made myself a new 4TB backup drive. Car doesn't like NTFS or exFAT and Windows 11 refused to format it FAT32 so I had to use GParted on a Linux computer, but otherwise everything worked fine.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
