I would like to install a dashcam in my 2012 E63, but I don't want something that looks trashy with cables everywhere. Anyone have a good suggestion for something discreet? I also don't want something that drains the battery all night.

 

I have the Blackvue DR900S-2 channel cameras in my E63 and my wife's car as well. One of the cleanest cameras and best functioning imho.

https://www.blackvue.com/dr900s-2ch/

 

What is a dash cam going to see at night ?

 

Pretty much everything that it does at daytime.

 

Whatever you can see at night, it will be able to capture quite well.

 

Nope..stationary , parked up .

What can it see then it's raining in the daytime ?

 

Most dashcams can look well when professionally installed. By this I mean the wires are routed under trim/headliner. There are 3 predominant types of dashcams to consider for low observability: suspended cylindrical no display (BlackVue), flat windshield contact display (Thinkware, Viofo), and suspended with display (most others). The latter is the least discreet. Market is flooded with dashcams, so the choices are plenty. I recommend to get a 4K front dashcam. The difference in detail finally allows to read out license plates of other vehicles and pedestrian/passenger faces. The rear cam can be 1080p or 2K just fine. If you have unlimited cash, BlackVue DR900S is very good including their batteries, recorders, etc. Installed 1 so far. I like Viofo A129 Pro/Duo and A119 V3, the little inexpensive gem of a product. I installed 3 of them for my family cars. If you have constraints, go for a 1-channel 4K dashcam. Otherwise, 2-channel is default. Regarding batteries, if you need the parking lot feature (engine off) during office hours or occasionally, then do not bother with additional batteries. These cams can be driven from a large main battery (90+ Ah) easily for a typical work day without risk. However, additional batteries can help if you leave the vehicle off for more than a typical work day. Hope this helps.

 

Have this one too and can't fault it

 

 

That does look good. There is an installation dealer in Garner that carries Blackvue, so I will give them a call. (Might have to wait until after the lockdown, though auto businesses are considered essential.)

Thank you very much for all the responses.

 

Installed a Blackvue (2-channel) dashcam today (not in the E63). Took about 90 minutes (to confirm I was taping into the proper fuses (ACC switched, and always on)) start to finish. Only wires you see are about 1 1/2 inch going into the rear camera, and from the headliner above the mirror to the camera in the front (less than 4 inches). Cannot see from the drivers seat, barely visible behind the RD mounted on a Blendmount), looks clean.

 

Pics, or it didn't happen!

 

Blackvue is the way to go. I’ve been using them for many years.

 

Second this. Works real well.
Installation went well, and the hardest part was getting the cable through to the rear hatch. Happy give advice if someone needs it.

 

anyone install a front cam? i want to somehow install a front cam since my wagon didn't come with surround view. I am so spoiled on the C63 that i feel i must have it on the wagon especially being lowered - anyone have experience with the Nav TV?

What is the purpose of the dashcam? I get it if you are a highway patrol or traffic cop -

 

I think of it as extra insurance against phony claims. Everything I did is recorded. Plus, I have seen some crazy stuff from behind the wheel over the years and wish I had a dashcam then.

 

Doing the 360 camera install after the fact will be expensive. You need lots of hardware and likely some fancy software updates as well.

Why get a dashcam? Internet is your friend - there are numerous sites dedicated to the reasons why you want one. Key thing is that YOU decide when YOU want to use the images. If you are at fault, clearly less need to share.
If it's a discussion and your were not at fault - makes life a lot easier. In outright fraud - even easier.
If you have ever parked in a parking lot or garage and got hit - a camera is your friend.

If you have household members that also drive your car (spouse, parents, kids) it can also be a great tool for minimizing "relationship impact"......

 

hey FastWgn, did you end up using any external battery source? Asking cause the blackvue site charges alot for their own proprietary battery solution. I was wondering if there is something special about the female power receptor that makes their battery solution mandatory?

Also, which memory size did you end up going with?
Thanks!

 

I did not use an external battery. You do NOT need their battery box. But you do need to buy the power Magic pro box in order to get power for an extended period of time (so basically using your car battery instead of their battery box). I think it was like $25, so no biggie. I set it up to record up to 72 hours (I believe) after shutting the car down, using motion detection to start the recording and did the math on the battery size. Even if it was recording constantly, the battery will more than enough cover the power consumption. Our cars will shut down the power consumption at a point where it fears the main battery will go dead. I really do not see the use case for the spare battery unless you want to record for many days (think airport recording). I bought it with a 32Gb card and realized that was not enough. Esp since the camera goes on for every light change in the garage (light changes in windows and at night). Did not want to pay the exorbitant prices of Blackvue memory cards and instead went to Amazon, got a Sandisk 128Gb, class 10, high endurance card for $25 (versus $120 from Blackvue. Works perfectly, I have yet to see any conclusive evidence that Blackvue actually do anything except put their name on the cards and run an error check. But for 1/5 the cost, I can buy many cards before I'm breakeven.

Lastly - if you have a wagon, PM me separately, getting the wire through to the rear was, "interesting".

 

Thanks for the quick response. I had a strong feeling that was the case with their battery and memory upsale lol. Do not have a wagon but will most likely have installed by a shop in conjunction with some other install work. I was looking at this camera before I saw the input from the group on this Blackvue camera.