fun33

I have Thinkware F770 2CH dashcams installed on a 2011 Lexus RX450h, 2017 SL550, and 2018 S560. The dashcam incorporates a GPS in the front-facing camera unit. No problem with the Lexus or the SL550 but the 2018 S560 is a problem because of all the stuff imbedded in the windshield. There is a specific area just to the right of the rearview mirror and near the top of the windshield that has none of the treatments located in 95 % of the S-Class windshield's total surface. I use that spot on the S560 windshield for my Florida Toll Sticker, The dashcam on the S560 is located directly under the rearview mirror. As soon as the GPS is turned on, it comes out of the Parking Mode and switches into the normal recording mode. On my Lexus and the SL550 the dashcam immediately acquires the GPS signal; but on the S560 it usually takes between 10 minutes to 3 hours to acquire GPS signal.

At first, I thought the GPS in the S560 was defective. I swapped the F770 dashcam in the S560 with the same camera in my Lexus. When the Lexus unit was placed in the S560, I had the same GPS connectivity problems. The unit originally in the S560 that was moved to the Lexus now acquired GPS perfectly.

So I have 2 questions. Are others experiencing GPS connectivity (with any device) issues in their 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 S-Class vehicles? Has anyone found a fix for the connectivity problems other than placing their GPS units in the area at the top of the windshield to the right of the RV mirror (the space I am using for my road toll card)?

I called Thinkware Dashcam tech support. They told me they never heard of this before on Mercedes. Their suggestion was to buy a newer version of their dashcam that has the GPS integrated into the unit in exactly the same as the one I already own.

Warehouser

There is actually 2 area's in the front windshield on the W222. One to the right of the RV Mirror and one on the bottom of the windshield right in the middle. I doubt that one will help in your situation with the camera. I have a Escort Max Ci 360 installed and my antenna is in the dash right below the bottom cut out. I do not use the upper one as I have one of the License plate transponders tie-wrapped to my lower front grill (on the inside) to pass through our local toll roads (works perfect). Maybe something like that is available in your state so you can use that cut out to the right of the RVM.

bkdc

I have a Thinkware F800 Pro mounted on my S550 which has the electrically heated windshield. It's not mounted in the center, but to the right of the RV mirror complex which also contains the magic body control camera and the nightvision camera, below the small dots. It takes some time before I connect to GPS but I write this off to living in the absolute boonies. GPS does work.

Detailingdoc

Did you install it yourself? If so can you tell me what fuse you used or did you tap into the mirror?
Also are you using the rear camera? Any issues with the rear sunscreen?
i have a thinkware f550 that has been sitting in my glove box just being too lazy to install it myself or take the time to have it installed by someone.

fun33

Take it to Best Buy. They will charge you $50 for each unit - $100 for a front & rear combo install. Best Buy did all 3 of our cars, it's about 1 hour to do the whole job hardwired. No wires are visible and the unit comes on automatically whenever I start the car and goes into parking mode as soon as the car is turned off. So many uninsured drivers in Florida, I wouldn't consider driving here without a dashcam.

fun33

THANK YOU !!!! I had no idea that area on the bottom of the windshield existed until I read your post. I think I can move my toll sticker to the bottom of the windshield and re-locate my main dash cam unit to the area to the right of the mirror at the top of the windshield. My dashcam does connect to the GPS but it can take forever - or on occasion, it connects immediately.

fun33

So is your F800 located immediately to the right of your RV mirror or in that area a bit further to the right of the RV mirror that has the mesh embedded in the glass?