I don’t know how it works exactly buy the car communicates with me when off. For example after turning the vehicle off and not locking it I get a notice that it’s unlocked with the option to lock it. If I choose to lock it then it does lock it. I have unlocked and done remote start also when off. I assume it’s using the built in cell connection even when not activated for the car owner.

 

Hi all, I just had a chance to disassemble the plastic covers around the mirror and camera housing and take a look. If you notice, there is a light on the bottom side of the mirror which is on the entire time your car is in acc mode. This is the same setup I had on my KIA and that is what I used to tap into for my dashcam. It would basically give you a switched source which is ideal if you only want the cam to be on when you unlock the car, drive around, and then park. It won't work for parking mode as it is turned off when you lock the vehicle. So far so good... does anyone know which wire is what though, I don't know the MB color coding and I have 3 wires to work with. On the KIA it was simple, red & black

P.S. I had a look around the footwells and had a good look at the panels in areas where you don't usually look. Everything is very well done, feels solid, there are no wires hanging - good job MB.

 

Brown should be ground. You can use a voltage tester to find which one is hot.

 

Update: I finally had the time to properly service this. The Green and Brown wire are what is needed for power - I spliced a dashcam hardwire kit and it works exactly how I need it to. This is a switched supply so the camera will turn off about a minute after you lock the car. The good thing about this is that there is plenty of room in the plastic housing to tuck in all wires so all you have is one wire coming out to the dashcam. Time to do the rear, but that will be next weekend perhaps.

 

Short update on my side: the Goluk cam I installed has been having app problems and the manufacturer can't seem to get it fixed, so I am looking at other cams now.
VIOFO recently released A129 Pro Duo and based on YouTube videos and Dashcamtalk threads this is the best camera on the market today, both price and quality-wise.
Unfortunately, just like pretty much all other Chinese / Korean dashcams, the app (for iOS at least) is buggy and unreliable and that is a no-go for me at least.
Has anyone else here installed a dashcam in the meantime, especially looking for tips on hardwiring a dual device with parking mode

 

The best dash cams on the market are made by the Koreans. Thinkware or Blackvue. . I highly recommend blackboxmycar.com as they only carry the highest end stuff.

the WiFi stuff allows local viewing but cloud related features are very glithy. Go for the standard wired dash cam with SD cards and get yourself a battery pack designed for dash cams to allow for parking recording.

I have Thinkware F800 Pro in both cars. Excellent stuff. The newer 4K dash cams don’t use 4x the bandwidth because compression algorithm steps up to H265. I think the optical limitations of the lens will limit any significant performance improvement over standard HD dash cams.

Cellink NEO battery pack is worth it.

 

Was the fuse box a no go? I just picked up the Rexing V3 that gives front and cabin recording but the tech @ Best Buy could not proceed further once he got to the fuse box (model too new and lack of support).




https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07V5RHJ..._H2HZDbFAK14WD

 

Haven't looked into the fuse box install as I haven't picked up the new cam yet, waiting on some reviews from the SEMA products that were just announced. You might wanna check out the new Thinkware and BlackVue cams they showcased.

 

I am considering Thinkwave U1000 or Blackvue DR900s (in 2 channel configuration).
I really wish Mercedes can enable the built in camera as dashcam option (this is listed in Manual) and have it works similar to Tesla where it will runs on both engine on or off on event mode. That will save us a lot of time running wires

 

Both top cams from each are currently overheating in the summer if you live in a warmer area. The new models have new thermals.

 

Some people have modded the cameras with heat sinks that seem to be doing the job. It would be nice if it came like that from the factory though.

 

Does anyone have any install pics yet? I noticed there is a sensor on the back of the review mirror and I would be worried about blocking it.

 

There isn’t much you can do without blocking your view because the center camera takes up so much space. I went for a small, cheap dash cam from Aukey that gets power plugged in to the OBD port. It has a looping 256gig card for storage, purchased extra. Also a motion sensor that seems to work. Had it wired with the radar detector. I couldn’t find a place I liked for anything larger but some might fit where mine is right of the mirror and not interfere with the visor. I had hoped that Mercedes would soon activate the built in cam or that the Germans would come up with a hack.

 

 

Henry you need a car bad��
There's a bigger issue for those with the Driver Assistance package. Assume that's why I have the extra camera. The camera extends further down so that you wouldn't be able to mount any camera behind the mirror. There is a reflection in my pic but here's mine and you can faintly see the RV mirror behind.
That didn’t work will try to fix the pic.

 

Had to get in the sun for a better pic.

 

Ron you need a smaller camera��
Didn’t have an issue in my Glc but the mirror is further back.

 

I’m worried it would block the photocell on the rear view mirror and malfunction.

 

Does that sensor turn on and off the mirror dimming?

 

I wanted my radar detector on my side of the mirror. There is not much room on the other side... except maybe with a Ram mount that pivots. The sun visor and window trim are obstacles. Someone will figure it out but I really just want to use the existing Camera. Not holding my breath but an aftermarket guy could make some money if they had that solution.

 

I am in the process of searching for a power source for the dashcam installation. I will most likely using the one near the cargo area since I will have a backup battery for the parking mode.
I am currently testing the fuse slot to see which one is ACC powered, and I found that all the open one, they are either constant, or un-powered (even when engine is running). So looks like I might have to use an existing fuse slot with the add a fuse kit (most likely going to use the cargo 12v fuse)
Another thing is, they call for "S" fuse to be used in that area, and I do see that all the fuses there either marked with "S" or "E". I will have to find a place that sales those too just in case.

 

Mine is mounted right under the entire assembly and I can still barely see the ca so it works well.
@Ron.s start saving up for the new Radenso hehe. My RD is on the top of the dashboard, center with suction cup.

 

Does your camera has a GPS built in? If so, wouldn't the infrared coating block the signal if you mount it right behind the mirror?

 

Only possibly if he has the DC5 Acoustic Comfort Package; not sure it blocks those RF signals though.

 

I do have that option on my car, so I will have to mount mine on the side (the bottom opening is too low)
According to the manual, it will shields radio waves, so I believe it will block the GPS (or at least interfere with it)