DashCam recommendations

Jan 4, 2021 | 04:22 PM

E63Wagen

Thread Starter

Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2019

Posts: 297

Likes: 48

From: Bay Area, CA

2020 E63S Wagon, 2007 335i convertible (tuned to 400hp), 2011 Audi A4 Avant

DashCam recommendations

Anyone install a dashcam in their E63? If so, got any recommendations? I'm not so concerned about getting one with a screen, as I'd rather have one that I can use with my iPhone, so is therefore smaller and less obvious.

It would be so cool if someone could figure out how to hack into our own front camera and record the video to an SD card or USB drive...

Feb 11, 2021 | 01:05 AM

TC21

Junior Member

Joined: May 2019

Posts: 18

Likes: 2

E53 AMG Sedan

Which camera did you end up going with and did you get a rear mounted one as well?

Feb 11, 2021 | 10:54 AM

Anotherone

Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2015

Posts: 271

Likes: 30

W463 G550, C292 GLE63s

I use these two:

Amazon

Feb 11, 2021 | 12:14 PM

24Hours

Super Member

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 551

Likes: 160

From: NYC area

2019 E63S wagon; 2016 Landrover Landmark

I've been thinking about getting the Garmin 360 camera, which also has a kit available for recording unto 24hr after the car has been parked. I just don't like the idea of a dash cam right in the open as it probably looks a bit tacky.

Garmin 360 dash cam

Feb 11, 2021 | 12:26 PM

TC21

Junior Member

Joined: May 2019

Posts: 18

Likes: 2

E53 AMG Sedan

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anotherone

I use these two:

https://www.amazon.com/VAVA-1920x108...3058741&sr=8-3

https://www.amazon.com/BlackVue-DR90...s%2C235&sr=8-3

I was looking at the VAVA camera but a bunch of the reviews mention the camera randomly disconnecting and acting up after just a few months of use. Have you had any issues with it?

Feb 11, 2021 | 03:38 PM

FastWgn

Super Member

Joined: Apr 2018

Posts: 609

Likes: 210

From: Boston area

2016 E63 Wagon

I (and many others) are running this one:

https://blackvue.com/product/dr900x-2ch/

Excellent product and no need to buy their branded memory cards.

Feb 11, 2021 | 03:50 PM

E63Wagen

Thread Starter

Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2019

Posts: 297

Likes: 48

From: Bay Area, CA

2020 E63S Wagon, 2007 335i convertible (tuned to 400hp), 2011 Audi A4 Avant

I haven't pulled the trigger yet...good to hear some experiences with various models

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Feb 11, 2021 | 04:01 PM

mack1ro

Member

Joined: Feb 2010

Posts: 117

Likes: 32

From: USA

W213s

I use Thinkware u1000 front and rear .
It has been months now since install and no complains , yet .

Feb 11, 2021 | 04:36 PM

#10

E63Wagen

Thread Starter

Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2019

Posts: 297

Likes: 48

From: Bay Area, CA

2020 E63S Wagon, 2007 335i convertible (tuned to 400hp), 2011 Audi A4 Avant

Quote:

Originally Posted by mack1ro

I use Thinkware u1000 front and rear .
It has been months now since install and no complains , yet .

I like it...still only 30 fps in 4k, but can be switched to 60 fps in 2k...I wanna be able to ready license plates.

How's the attachment to the windshield? Is it double-sided film of some sort? Any weird reflections or artifacts from the windshield in the sun?

And they want $160 for a 128 Gb micro sd card? That's insane, when you can get them for less than $30 on Amazon...

Feb 11, 2021 | 05:15 PM

#11

raudiace4

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Jun 2014

Posts: 1,589

Likes: 683

From: IL

19 E63s, 23 M3 compX, B9 SQ5

Whatever you do don't get the Nexar dashcams. They are absolutely trash.

Feb 12, 2021 | 02:45 PM

#12

mack1ro

Member

Joined: Feb 2010

Posts: 117

Likes: 32

From: USA

W213s

Double sided 3M adhesive tape and as far as reflections I did not notice anything, though the system came with some kind of polarized filter for front camera.
A Litle busy , I will upload some pictures and video clips if interested.

Feb 12, 2021 | 03:11 PM

#13

Anotherone

Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2015

Posts: 271

Likes: 30

W463 G550, C292 GLE63s

Quote:

Originally Posted by TC21

I was looking at the VAVA camera but a bunch of the reviews mention the camera randomly disconnecting and acting up after just a few months of use. Have you had any issues with it?

Been using the same VAVA camera in my daily since 2017 - never had any issues.

Feb 15, 2021 | 10:26 AM

#14

gh1dorah

Newbie

Joined: Mar 2020

Posts: 9

Likes: 0

W213 E63S Wagon

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastWgn

I (and many others) are running this one:

https://blackvue.com/product/dr900x-2ch/

Excellent product and no need to buy their branded memory cards.

Blackvue is an excellent choice and you can't go wrong. I run a much older model which is the DR650GW-2Ch and love it. It maxes out at 1080p in the front cam and 720p in the rear cam, but I can still read license plate numbers, street signs, etc. with no problem. I've had this camera mounted on 4 different cars and the only issue I've experienced is the memory card going bad so had to replace. No issues with the cameras. Will probably be upgrading to a newer model soon just for the sake of it.

Feb 15, 2021 | 11:12 AM

#15

FastWgn

Super Member

Joined: Apr 2018

Posts: 609

Likes: 210

From: Boston area

2016 E63 Wagon

Quote:

Originally Posted by E63Wagen

4k at only 30fps seems a bit slow to me...how's the video quality? I DO like the fairly stealth look of it...does it hide pretty well behind the rearview mirror?

Video quality is quite good (much better than normal HD). Not sure why you think 30 fps is slow? That is as good as normal for most video streams, esp at 4k..
I have also been surprised about how good the sounds quality is from the built in microphone.

it tucks in very nicely on the top of the windshield - stealth enough and never an issue.
The rear camera clearly is bit more in the way, smack in the middle of the top of the rear window (but i have a wagon, may be better on a sedan. Also, for the next install I'd actually more the rear camera a bit off center so it's never in the rear view mirror.

Last edited by FastWgn; Feb 15, 2021 at 11:15 AM.

Feb 15, 2021 | 11:17 AM

#16

FastWgn

Super Member

Joined: Apr 2018

Posts: 609

Likes: 210

From: Boston area

2016 E63 Wagon

Quote:

Originally Posted by E63Wagen

I like it...still only 30 fps in 4k, but can be switched to 60 fps in 2k...I wanna be able to ready license plates.
And they want $160 for a 128 Gb micro sd card? That's insane, when you can get them for less than $30 on Amazon...

The fps will not make you read plates better, only resolution will help you there. 4k is much better than 1080i/p.

Yes, on SD cards, I think that is their version of the razorblade approach. Just buy a high quality, branded SD card that is fast, and you will be fine.

Feb 15, 2021 | 02:18 PM

#17

E63Wagen

Thread Starter

Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2019

Posts: 297

Likes: 48

From: Bay Area, CA

2020 E63S Wagon, 2007 335i convertible (tuned to 400hp), 2011 Audi A4 Avant

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastWgn

The rear camera clearly is bit more in the way, smack in the middle of the top of the rear window (but i have a wagon, may be better on a sedan. Also, for the next install I'd actually more the rear camera a bit off center so it's never in the rear view mirror.

I have the wagon as well, and the idea to mount off center is a good one...I wouldn't have thought of it until after I mounted!