[gphin]

I'm planning on installing a two or three camera dashcam and looking for recommendations. Most important must have includes a built in wide view interior camera as part of the main unit. Other primary factor is a good working dependable parking mode. Curious how these cameras can be mounted to be as discreet as possible but still provide an unobstructed interior view (from rear view mirror). Looking at Vantrue N4 and S2, Rove 3, and Viofo t130, plus a couple others. Appreciate any feedback/recommendations and pics where you installed your camera on the windshield. Thanks,

[mailman_fin]

Many topics about dashcams here. So please search a bit first

[avi66]

Originally Posted by gphin

I'm planning on installing a two or three camera dashcam and looking for recommendations. Most important must have includes a built in wide view interior camera as part of the main unit. Other primary factor is a good working dependable parking mode. Curious how these cameras can be mounted to be as discreet as possible but still provide an unobstructed interior view (from rear view mirror). Looking at Vantrue N4 and S2, Rove 3, and Viofo t130, plus a couple others. Appreciate any feedback/recommendations and pics where you installed your camera on the windshield. Thanks,

Your problem is parking mode with the BMW power management system. It detects the parasitic drain of the camera and starts to disable car functions and generate errors.

The BMW ACE 3 avoids this but doesn’t have an interior view. The only option is install additional batteries in the car to power the camera in parking modes. These are usually expensive and requires proper installation.

[capten1001]

If you're not looking for parking mode, I suggest doing a two independent camera set up. I did extensive research for weeks and I bought a Viofo A119 V3 (2k 60 FPS) for the front. This is comparable to higher end cameras and is rated very highly for reliability and video quality. You could go with any other dash cam of your choice that provides front and interior recording. The folks over at https://dashcamtalk.com/ have a plethora of genuine info (as compared to fake amazon reviews). Check out their Comparison Tool.
For the rear, I was not too concerned with video quality and went for a lower resolution DDPAI Mini 3. Solid build quality and average video quality at 1080P. Again, 1080P is the max you'd get out of most setups.
This setup costed me < $120 and is comparable to much more expensive setups which are more difficult to install because you have to run the camera cable from front of the car all the way back.
Another major criteria for me was super capacitors instead of batteries. I just did not like the idea of batteries sitting in dash cams in direct sunlight all day. Both these cameras use super capacitors.
I powered the front camera from the fuse box and the rear camera from the 12V socket in the trunk. I personally find it an extremely clean and easy setup. Will post pictures here soon. Cheers!

Originally Posted by gphin

I'm planning on installing a two or three camera dashcam and looking for recommendations. Most important must have includes a built in wide view interior camera as part of the main unit. Other primary factor is a good working dependable parking mode. Curious how these cameras can be mounted to be as discreet as possible but still provide an unobstructed interior view (from rear view mirror). Looking at Vantrue N4 and S2, Rove 3, and Viofo t130, plus a couple others. Appreciate any feedback/recommendations and pics where you installed your camera on the windshield. Thanks,

[SpacecoastM]

Thinkware U1000 is probably the best, though lacks interior cam. Doing install this weekend, may take photos of process but very easy.

Likely will not use for parking/surveillance, but will be set up for easy incorporation of a battery for powering it when the car is off.

It had 4K front and 2k rear, but no interior.

Why do you need/want an interior view??

[AVI8]

Blackvue DR900X with a Cellink NEO battery.

[bimmeroy]

Can BMW ACE 3.0 be extended with a second camera module to record the rear? So far this one seems to be the best in terms of parking monitoring feature, but I couldn't find any info on if this has or can be paired to have front and rear modules.

[pcai]

Originally Posted by bimmeroy

Can BMW ACE 3.0 be extended with a second camera module to record the rear? So far this one seems to be the best in terms of parking monitoring feature, but I couldn't find any info on if this has or can be paired to have front and rear modules.

I'm pretty sure the ACE 3.0 comes with both front and rear cameras.

[TJay74]

I have a 4k Thinkware in my 20 X3M. As said if you wire it to have parking mode it will trip and cause errors and you will get battery messages on the DIC. I had mine wired to record during parking and driving, now I have it wired to only record while the vehicle is on and driving.

[Keefy]

Originally Posted by pcai

I'm pretty sure the ACE 3.0 comes with both front and rear cameras.

They do front and rear, having mine fitted on Tuesday.

[dan_guz089]

I have the Blackvue DR900S front and rear camera with the Blackvue power magic ultra battery hardwired to the fuse box in the passenger footwell. It's been great so far after a couple of months of use.

[JDsX3]

I have had the BlackVue DR900-2CH in White-Ice (my BMW ) for a little over 2 years now. It has performed flawlessly. The images are excellent. https://insight.daumphotography.com/...ch-field-test/ Highly recommend.

[njw1967]

I am having the new ACE 3.0 Pro fitted to my new car for a couple of reasons, parking mode battery drain issues and the BMW ACE 3.0 not only has vibration detection it also has motion detection like CCTV for parking monitoring.
So even if someone walks in view of the cameras it will start recording.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by njw1967

I am having the new ACE 3.0 Pro fitted to my new car for a couple of reasons, parking mode battery drain issues and the BMW ACE 3.0 not only has vibration detection it also has motion detection like CCTV for parking monitoring.
So even if someone walks in view of the cameras it will start recording.

Is the BMW ACE 3 based on Thinkware’s tech ?

[njw1967]

Originally Posted by avi66

Is the BMW ACE 3 based on Thinkware’s tech ?

Im not really sure to be fair

[Keefy]

Originally Posted by njw1967

I am having the new ACE 3.0 Pro fitted to my new car for a couple of reasons, parking mode battery drain issues and the BMW ACE 3.0 not only has vibration detection it also has motion detection like CCTV for parking monitoring.
So even if someone walks in view of the cameras it will start recording.

Pretty much the same reasons I’m getting the ACE 3.0 fitted tomorrow, don’t want any hassle with BMW, warranty or battery draining or whatever.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by njw1967

Im not really sure to be fair

I’d interested where the dealership sites the front camera. Please post some pics.

Came across this, which suggests it’s a Thinkware product made for BMW - https://manuals.plus/thinkware/bmw-a...#axzz7bOF2Q1dV

[Keefy]

Originally Posted by avi66

I’d interested where the dealership sites the front camera. Please post some pics.

Came across this, which suggests it’s a Thinkware product made for BMW - https://manuals.plus/thinkware/bmw-a...#axzz7bOF2Q1dV

I’ll post some photos tomorrow but I believe the front camera is sited to the right of the rear view mirror….strange place I know.
Note, I paid £499 fitted for front and rear as my dealership agreed to price match the deal offered by Inchcape BMW….otherwise they were going to charge me £530 and that was their reduced price…..so it’s a decent deal I got.

[njw1967]

Originally Posted by Keefy

I’ll post some photos tomorrow but I believe the front camera is sited to the right of the rear view mirror….strange place I know.
Note, I paid £499 fitted for front and rear as my dealership agreed to price match the deal offered by Inchcape BMW….otherwise they were going to charge me £530 and that was their reduced price…..so it’s a decent deal I got.

Keefy
Is it the ACE 3 Pro version with the screen on the front camera?

https://www.bmw.com.ph/en/topics/off...e-3-0-pro.html

Part number 66 21 5 A44 493

[sungja6911]

Using bmw OEM advanced car eye 2.0 which is really sucks.

[gphin]

[QUOTE=SpacecoastM;29187033]Thinkware U1000 is probably the best, though lacks interior cam. Doing install this weekend, may take photos of process but very easy.

Likely will not use for parking/surveillance, but will be set up for easy incorporation of a battery for powering it when the car is off.

It had 4K front and 2k rear, but no interior.

Why do you need/want an interior view??[/QUOTE

Thanks for all the feedback....good info. To answer some questions. Yes, have done lots of research. Yes, reviewed dashcamtalk. Looking for good interior camera as potential security answer for seeing hit doors and even seeing a potential rear ender while parked. We have another vehicle that has recently been hit twice in parking lots while parked and unattended. Both hit and run.
Regarding the parking mode power issue, I've read where others have used phone type 20k and 30k power banks to power the cam while vehicle is turned off?

[huggy509]

Originally Posted by Keefy

I’ll post some photos tomorrow but I believe the front camera is sited to the right of the rear view mirror….strange place I know.
Note, I paid £499 fitted for front and rear as my dealership agreed to price match the deal offered by Inchcape BMW….otherwise they were going to charge me £530 and that was their reduced price…..so it’s a decent deal I got.

how are you liking this camera ?
It look rather big in the pictures i’ve seen, does it appear big or get in the way ?