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Old Aug 21, 2016 | 11:06 AM
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2014 S550 AMG, 2017 XT5
Hard Wire Dash Cam

Anyone hardwire a Dash Cam in a S550 and where did you make the connections.

Thx

Looking at a BlackView unit.
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Old Aug 21, 2016 | 10:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Nice Ride
Anyone hardwire a Dash Cam in a S550 and where did you make the connections.

Thx

Looking at a BlackView unit.
Can't tell you where beyond the fuse box on the passenger side footwell - had a shop install the 2ch 650
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Old Aug 21, 2016 | 10:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Nice Ride
Anyone hardwire a Dash Cam in a S550 and where did you make the connections.

Thx

Looking at a BlackView unit.
Make sure to get the newer 650S model, not the older 650GW. Thew newer one has cloud services, which will be nice if you want to upload critical footage.

If you want to record while the car is parked you need some like power magic pro (which is more difficult as it requires ignition and constant current). Get the Multi Saver which can live with constant current only or a battery pack for longer parked recording.
Fusebox is behind the driver-side dash-side panel.
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Old Aug 22, 2016 | 10:16 AM
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I've upgraded to cloud recording and subsequently downgraded back to non cloud.

For me, the bit rate loss to go to cloud isn't worth it, cannot make out license plates and other identifying marks that are easily legible under the higher bitrate in non cloud.

I also use a power magic pro and don't require ignition to record i.e. parking mode. It will record as long as I tell it or it hits the battery voltage cutoff.
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Old Aug 22, 2016 | 06:34 PM
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Originally Posted by jenz
I've upgraded to cloud recording and subsequently downgraded back to non cloud.

For me, the bit rate loss to go to cloud isn't worth it, cannot make out license plates and other identifying marks that are easily legible under the higher bitrate in non cloud.

I also use a power magic pro and don't require ignition to record i.e. parking mode. It will record as long as I tell it or it hits the battery voltage cutoff.
Good Info!
I'll check on the cloud image quality. I have the Power Magic Pro in the other 2 cars but both have all 3 wires attached. I was told it was a requirement.

I like the Blackvue's but have had on/off scenarios where the cameras wouldn't read the SD cards. Due to many file writes/erasures, they can become easily corrupt but are easily initialized. Or so the story goes.

Big surprise was the the lifespan of the SD cards is supposed to be 9 months or less since SD cards have a finite erase count (similar to SSD's).
So far ours continued to work for much longer but I am switching to 128GB cards.

There is also another dash cam that looked better on specs, the Thinkware F770. 1080P front/rear so it has a better rear sensor but the front camera is huge. Big rectangular brick...

Last edited by Wolfman; Aug 22, 2016 at 06:40 PM.
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Old Aug 23, 2016 | 11:07 PM
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Originally Posted by jenz
I've upgraded to cloud recording and subsequently downgraded back to non cloud.

For me, the bit rate loss to go to cloud isn't worth it, cannot make out license plates and other identifying marks that are easily legible under the higher bitrate in non cloud.

I also use a power magic pro and don't require ignition to record i.e. parking mode. It will record as long as I tell it or it hits the battery voltage cutoff.
No option to choose the higher bit rate with the Newer Unit? Interesting...
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Old Aug 23, 2016 | 11:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Wolfman
Good Info!
I'll check on the cloud image quality. I have the Power Magic Pro in the other 2 cars but both have all 3 wires attached. I was told it was a requirement.

I like the Blackvue's but have had on/off scenarios where the cameras wouldn't read the SD cards. Due to many file writes/erasures, they can become easily corrupt but are easily initialized. Or so the story goes.

Big surprise was the the lifespan of the SD cards is supposed to be 9 months or less since SD cards have a finite erase count (similar to SSD's).
So far ours continued to work for much longer but I am switching to 128GB cards.

There is also another dash cam that looked better on specs, the Thinkware F770. 1080P front/rear so it has a better rear sensor but the front camera is huge. Big rectangular brick...
Will it support a 128GB? Most units max out at support of 64...
Took a look at the F770, extremely well designed software app. One odd item, it has unbelievable Night Park Mode, I don't understand why that clarity is not available while driving at night.
Tough decision.... Lets see who else weighs in. I like the fact that the power cable is a bit hidden also, planning on mounting it to the right of the mirror to hide the wiring as much as possible, that's currently where I keep my EZ-Pass.
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Old Aug 24, 2016 | 03:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Nice Ride
Will it support a 128GB? Most units max out at support of 64...
Took a look at the F770, extremely well designed software app. One odd item, it has unbelievable Night Park Mode, I don't understand why that clarity is not available while driving at night.
Tough decision.... Lets see who else weighs in. I like the fact that the power cable is a bit hidden also, planning on mounting it to the right of the mirror to hide the wiring as much as possible, that's currently where I keep my EZ-Pass.
I comfirmed that it is compatible with 128gb cards (formatted in fat32) but as in different sizes not all 3rd party cards are problem free due to the controller on the card.
Was told the latest Lexar or Samsung micro SD's are good, Sandisk for example is not.
I had ordered some new cards and will let you know.
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Old Aug 24, 2016 | 05:29 PM
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Originally Posted by jenz
I've upgraded to cloud recording and subsequently downgraded back to non cloud.

For me, the bit rate loss to go to cloud isn't worth it, cannot make out license plates and other identifying marks that are easily legible under the higher bitrate in non cloud.

I also use a power magic pro and don't require ignition to record i.e. parking mode. It will record as long as I tell it or it hits the battery voltage cutoff.
Specs seem to show High Frame Rate and High Resolution....
https://dashcambros.com/collections/...nt=23862289667
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Old Aug 25, 2016 | 12:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Nice Ride
Specs seem to show High Frame Rate and High Resolution....
https://dashcambros.com/collections/...nt=23862289667
Good find, the recent update now supports a higher bitrate than the legacy firmware. Will update and check it out.
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Old Aug 29, 2016 | 11:49 AM
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Blackvue 650 runs great with a 128GB card. For mac guys, format the card as MS-FAT with Master Boot record partition format...

Btw, I used the Lexar microSDXC 633x 128GB UHS-I, U1
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Old Aug 29, 2016 | 12:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Wolfman
Blackvue 650 runs great with a 128GB card. For mac guys, format the card as MS-FAT with Master Boot record partition format...

Btw, I used the Lexar microSDXC 633x 128GB UHS-I, U1
Do you know if there are any power tap locations behind mirror (staying away from radar and warranty issues) Just thought i'd throw that out there...
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Old Aug 29, 2016 | 12:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Nice Ride
Do you know if there are any power tap locations behind mirror (staying away from radar and warranty issues) Just thought i'd throw that out there...
If you want to record while the car is parked, there is no way to get this installed anywhere else but the dash. I am not sure what radar/warranty issues could occur but wiring into the fusebox is the safest approach.

The module (Power Magic Pro, etc.) is also too large too hide on top of the windshield and the dash install is easier (all cables, module and sockets fit neatly behind the fuse box inside the dash.

Did you decide on a model yet? If you mount on right side where the IR cut-out is, the F770 may be a great choice.
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Old Aug 30, 2016 | 12:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Wolfman
If you want to record while the car is parked, there is no way to get this installed anywhere else but the dash. I am not sure what radar/warranty issues could occur but wiring into the fusebox is the safest approach.

The module (Power Magic Pro, etc.) is also too large too hide on top of the windshield and the dash install is easier (all cables, module and sockets fit neatly behind the fuse box inside the dash.

Did you decide on a model yet? If you mount on right side where the IR cut-out is, the F770 may be a great choice.

Cant decide I think the Blackview looks well made compared to the F770. F770 seems to have more software options and may look a bit better (not looking like a camera)

I have not decided on the single or 2 ch. either. I may just bite the bullet on the Blackview 2 ch, if I don't like it, I'll move it to my wife's SRX.
I think this should be standard integration in all cars that have the cameras already installed similar to the feature on the CT6, records automatically on a SD in the trunk.

Currently I have my mini EZ-Pass tucked up there.... Is the IR cutout on both sides? I never really looked....

Last edited by Nice Ride; Aug 30, 2016 at 12:34 AM.
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Old Sep 9, 2016 | 12:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Nice Ride
Cant decide I think the Blackview looks well made compared to the F770. F770 seems to have more software options and may look a bit better (not looking like a camera)

I have not decided on the single or 2 ch. either. I may just bite the bullet on the Blackview 2 ch, if I don't like it, I'll move it to my wife's SRX.
I think this should be standard integration in all cars that have the cameras already installed similar to the feature on the CT6, records automatically on a SD in the trunk.

Currently I have my mini EZ-Pass tucked up there.... Is the IR cutout on both sides? I never really looked....
I agree, but we demo'd the CT6 camera recordings and they were horrible. The quality of the video was not very good in daytime and absolutely worthless at night. I liked the review mirror video idea that has been out in the aftermarket scene for some time, but worthless at night and kind of small for my taste. I honestly just prefer it to be on the big screen with a proper rearview mirror.

I was looking into getting a BlackVue, but with tinted windows I'm not sure it would be worth it? I wish Mercedes benz would incorporate a system to have the wonderful cameras record anytime you wish.
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Old Sep 9, 2016 | 09:34 PM
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What do you think about this one....
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Old Sep 9, 2016 | 11:03 PM
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Something my installer said still resonates with me

In an accident, every dashcam turns into a projectile so bigger isn't better so am biased against these larger units
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Old Sep 9, 2016 | 11:10 PM
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Originally Posted by jenz
Something my installer said still resonates with me

In an accident, every dashcam turns into a projectile so bigger isn't better so am biased against these larger units
Its actually very small. it is also wedge so it can be tucked way up. Not any worse than EZ-Pass here in NY, but yes, I can agree with your comment.
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