Best Dual Dash Cam ( Front & Back) for Prado 150 VX

[lalsyd Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close lalsyd]

I have one more issue. I used to park my car in railway stations Mon-Fri and it will get hot like anything in summer.

Will this damage the camera? Is there any way we can easily remove it and keep inside the glove-box without removing the permanent sticky thing?

[mickmac_42 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mickmac_42]

The Blackvue can be removed by from the mount in a matter of seconds. I don't know if the heat will damage the unit itself, though there was a warning about operation temperature ranges (i can't remember what it was). I think a bigger issue would be the heat affecting the memory card.

Mike

[mickmac_42 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mickmac_42]

We've got different dash cams in the two cars. The Prado has a BlackVue 650GW-2CH fitted with a Power Magic Pro, and the Jeep has a Cowon Capsule AW-2. I prefer the BlackVue. It's smaller, unobtrusive, and easy to use. I think it was a little more expensive than the Cowon... maybe $50. The Cowon has lots of flashing lights that i find annoying and the sensor that detects a crash is too sensitive. At the lowest setting it keeps thinking i've had a crash whenever i go over a pot hole or bump. This activates an audible alarm. Maybe this can all be changed, but i don't know how. The way is was installed also puts it right in the middle of the windscreen, and the "professional installer" installed the rear camera off centre. The Cowon also needs an external GPS antenna fitted to the windscreen, whereas the BlackVue's GPS is internal.

The AW-2 was professionally installed, whereas i did the install on the Prado. I didn't find it very difficult at all. I used a test lamp, cable snake, a couple of screwdrivers and some sockets. Rusty had a clever idea to mount the rear camera to the light. I routed mine down the A-pillar, along the door sills, and through into the back door. I didn't think it was a difficult task, but it does use extra cable. The supplied cable to connect the rear camera to the front camera was about a foot or two shorter than required, so i had to order a new, longer cable. The Power Magic Pro can be wired straight into the fuse panel in the drivers footwell. Some would suggest using a fuse tap for this, but i just pulled the fuse out and ran the wire into the socket and replaced the fuse. Took a couple of minutes all up and it's solid. The advantage of the Power Magic Pro is that it will keep the dash cam running while the engine is off. It can be programmed to shut off at a range of different voltages to avoid draining the battery. Or, it can be turned off altogether if you don't want the camera running while the car is off.

Can't see the camera from the drivers seat


View from the front


Size of the camera on the rear door


Power Magic Pro controller mounted in drivers footwell


Hope this helps.

Mike

[mickmac_42 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mickmac_42]

I'll just include some pics of the Cowon setup...

View from the driver seat. Very noticeable. Especially at night with the flashing red "recording" light



View to the rear. I find that flashing red light annoying and distracting


What it looks like from the outside. I think it's more noticeable than the BlackVue. Whether that's a good thing depends on your point of view


Also, i'm not sure, but i think the Cowon is broken. It also doesn't connect to my Samsung as easily as the BlackVue does. Haven't seen any footage from the Cowon to compare with the BlackVue but i believe it's just as good, if not better.

One tip with using the cameras. If you see something happen, make sure you call out the registrations of the vehicles involved. If the registration isn't visible in the video, at least you've still got it recorded.

Mike

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

I have one more issue. I used to park my car in railway stations Mon-Fri and it will get hot like anything in summer.

Will this damage the camera? Is there any way we can easily remove it and keep inside the glove-box without removing the permanent sticky thing?

These are good for up to about 70 degrees. My earlier model has been permanently in my car for close to 3 years with no issues. I live in Sydney as well.

[yowie Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close yowie]

Thanks guys. I was looking to these ones for full day and wonder whether we can fit it by our-self or better to fit by the dealers.

I think all the wires run through the sides right? will they need to open the inside of roof?

Can we use the power outlet behind (in the boot) to charge the rear camera?

Thanks Rusty62 for giving good tip to mount the rear one.

Mine was supplied and fitted for $550 (from memory) which included live power from the battery through some relay set-up. The installer at Cronulla Car Sound has much experience with after market car accessories. Happy to pay the extra to have it fitted.

Otherwise you can fit it yourself:
1 - to the cigarette lighter, only will operate when ignition is ON.
2 - direct to the battery for permanent operation - need to add a fuse or circuit breaker.

[MacroP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MacroP]

I have one of the following.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/B40-Dash-...AAAOSwBLlVJj7d

I installed for around 6 months ago. Going great so far and video quality is excellent and it is nearly a full 180 degree wide angle. Runs a 64GB (10 hours) card no problem. Bought with a little power supply so you can wire it directly to the map lights or sunroof wiring loom above the rear view mirror. There are no exposed wires and the camera sits between the rear-view mirror and the windscreen which makes it very discrete. The little power supply module (12Volts to 5volt microUSB) is hidden above the map light/sunglasses holder and connected to the IG+ and Ground wire so that the camera automatically begins recording once the car starts after a few seconds. I'll put up a photo later on my install. Highly recommended and great value for money.

I've recently bought a second unit for the rear but haven't installed it yet.

[kav Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close kav]

I have the older blackvue 550 model dual camera . I has been getting affected by heat lately . You can run it from the rear socket but it will be no good once the ignition is turned off . You can just tuck the wires behind the rubber seal around the hood liner . Tuck the rear camera wire up between the join of the liner which runs horizontally to the rear door in the rear section . You can hide all the wires without removing anything at all .

[Bugswatter Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bugswatter]

I also have the Blackvue 650 2CH unit fitted to my facelift 150. Installed the unit myself as I wanted it fitted correctly. Purchased the longer cable for the rear lift window, was a bit tricky fitting it as the cable went through the rear rubber door boot and the rubber boot to the rear spoiler. Great unit