BENZW222

Looking into getting a dash-cam setup for my new S Class- do not want to hard-wire...too much work and quite frankly that car is fully loaded as-is. I just want something that will have descent battery life and has a good parking feature. Cigarette lighter power preferable...but I am thinking about running it off a rechargeable power pack like a Mophie??? Any suggestions?

Pewterslk320

This is my recommendation:

BENZW222

I have read quite a few reviews on this but I am still very hesitant to install the power magic pro. Since this is a brand new (and very expensive) car, I do not want to take any risks. Do you have any experience installing on 14/15 S Class or similar model?

I am also attempting to figure out a way which would allow me to during the day run a dash-cam system off the cigarette lighter and then at night plug the system into an external battery (like the ones for recharging an iPad or tablet....they are loaded with plenty of power but only offer USB inputs). Any suggestions???

Pewterslk320

Benz222, The Power magic pro can be installed inside the left side of the dashboard. You will also connect the power to the fuse box on that side of the dashboard.
You can open the panel easily by removing it with a plastic wedge, you will see the fuses and plenty of space for the Power magic pro. No need to mess with the cables since you can use Fuse taps.

BENZW222

Okay, great. Is this something that I can do as a beginner? I am very methodical with this kind of stuff however I am still hesitant as I do not want to screw any of the internal electronics up in this car. Is there a thorough guide that comes along with this? Or is it too vague for a person to do on such a high end car?

Also, have you done one of these before? If so I would love to gather some feedback from you. I think I will go through and purchase and get both the dual channel and the power magic pro and then when the car arrives ( a week or so) I will pull the panel off, send some pics, see what other guys on the forum think and read the manual...do not want to get ahead of myself here but I am sure that this forum will serve as an excellent resource.

If I think it is too big to do I will just return power magic pro and use the dash cam without parking mode, although that is what I really want....that's the whole point of the dash-cam...right?! LOL

Thanks!

WEBSRFR

From the research I've done, the DR550 is the best model out there but keep in mind that if you get the 2-CH model, the rear camera has a slightly lower resolution image sensor. It probably would not matter much but I wish they made them both full resolution.

I'm likely going to get 2 separate DRW550 units, one each for the front and back, so that I have full resolution video for the front and the back. This also offers a certain degree of redundancy as they will both be independent. You then loose the 2 CH interface that you can access from a tablet/phone and will need to find separate power in the back.

Personally I'd have a qualified professional installer who works on high end cars install the unit for me.

Here are the differences with the specs for the rear camera BTW:

GabL

Sorry to bring this old post back to life, but I just got a 2011 ML63, and thinking to wire the Power Magic Pro/DR500 on it.

My friend who works in Benz warned me about the electrical system might be giving error code if it senses higher than normal current draw when the vehicle is in ignition off, as the PMP is hooked to one of the fuse (e.g. alarm) for always on power source.

Has anyone experience this? Or it is fine? Thank you.

jenz

Have a 650 2ch w power magic pro, no issues nor errors on screen for me