[avi66]

[QUOTE=gphin;29199912]

Originally Posted by 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??[/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?

Re phone power banks, it depends how long you need parking mode. The more cameras the higher the drain. I’ve managed around 6 hours using a new 30k powerbank on front camera with rear view module. Ideally a power bank that can charge whilst in use is best.

[capten1001]

I would advise against using power bank based just on the capacity. The power bank needs to sit in your vehicle in heat and in cold all day. Regular power banks are not made for this and can be unsafe for use for extended periods of time. You typically need LiFePO4 battery chemistry from what I have read.

[QUOTE=gphin;29199912]

Originally Posted by 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??[/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?

[Keefy]

Originally Posted by njw1967

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

No mate, just to regular EYE 3.0 without the screen as it has Bluetooth to your phone anyway so I didn’t think I’d needed the Pro version.

[Keefy]

Originally Posted by huggy509

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 ?

It’s not too intrusive as BMW has installed it on the passenger side of the rear view mirror. As for quality, it seems fine.

I may have to adjust it, as it sits a little low as there is a green line from the live view on my phone where it is supposed to line up with the front of the bonnet but other than that it’ll do for me.

[Errolsguvnor]

Originally Posted by Keefy

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.

Just curious - if it records when parked, how does it avoid draining the battery? (Sorry if that question is answered elsewhere on the forums - I'm new to this product).

[Keefy]

Originally Posted by Errolsguvnor

Just curious - if it records when parked, how does it avoid draining the battery? (Sorry if that question is answered elsewhere on the forums - I'm new to this product).

Yes, you can set it up via the camera app settings for continuous recording, so even when the car is parked it still records but again depending on how you’ve set it up and the sensitivity of the car sensors, as for battery drain, I believe it’s controlled by the car and is minimal.

[bpang1]

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is what I'm running...totally integrated...doesn't do any weird electrical gremlins in about 2 months of use.

[gphin]

Originally Posted by avi66

Your problem is parking mode with the BMW power management system. It detects the parasitic drain of the camera and [B][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.

Any further info you can provide on this issue of disabling functions and errors? I use a radar detector and sometimes forget to disconnect overnight and never had an issue. Is it a matter of a dashcam using more power than a radar detector?

[avi66]

Originally Posted by gphin

Any further info you can provide on this issue of disabling functions and errors? I use a radar detector and sometimes forget to disconnect overnight and never had an issue. Is it a matter of a dashcam using more power than a radar detector?

Do a search it’s a well documented issue with BMW power management and parking mode dashcams.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by Keefy

It’s not too intrusive as BMW has installed it on the passenger side of the rear view mirror. As for quality, it seems fine.

I may have to adjust it, as it sits a little low as there is a green line from the live view on my phone where it is supposed to line up with the front of the bonnet but other than that it’ll do for me.

Any idea why they don’t put it in a less exposed position ? I appreciate it needs to fit within the wiper arc and not interfere with other sensors, but personally I’d prefer either directly under the mirror or behind the mirror passenger side. This way it’s not so in your face.

[Keefy]

I have no idea, tbh you hardly notice it when you’re driving.

[gphin]

Update to my original post. I ended up buying a Vantrue N2S. Easy to install and been getting to know all the settings over the past few days. So far, happy with camera....small, seems well constructed, and picture quality is excellent. Tried out parking mode (security was a big factor for me) for first time over the weekend and was somewhat apprehensive based on all the feedback about battery drain, power bank type, overheating, etc. Did not want to hotwire and have vehicle battery drain and wanted to avoid an expensive dashcam battery pack. Parked in golf course parking lot with lots of activity around. I simply connected cam to a 25k mah two year old phone power bank that cost about $25. Was in the parking lot for about 6 hours and had over 200 "events" recorded, both front and rear (need to adjust sensitivity). Temperatures were near 90 and everything worked flawlessly. And after 6 hours, my power bank still had over 70% left. So far so good, and under $200. Again, thanks for all feedback.

[Paulueo]

Just been looking at Mercylion A20 and they seem to do everything. I’ve never owned a dash cam before but I like the idea of both fore and aft cameras, recording while I’m away from the vehicle and wireless service.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by Paulueo

Just been looking at Mercylion G306-2CH and they seem to do everything. I’ve never owned a dash cam before but I like the idea of both fore and aft cameras, recording while I’m away from the vehicle and wireless service.

If your first post is legit, that model is advertised as OEM fit for a Honda not a BMW ???

In case anyone else is considering these types of integrated offerings.

The problem is getting a system that works in parking mode that doesn’t require additional batteries to avoid causing parasitic drain issues with BMW power management. This may close down features of the car.

The other issue in certain markets is that tapping power from the rear view mirror feed, that isn’t approved by BMW to support this device, may cause warranty issues. The mirror feed will also not support parking mode.

[GTiceman]

I use the VIOFO Dash Cam Front and Rear A129 Plus Duo https://a.co/d/bMqENnx on my X3, M3, and Mini. Seems to work well.

[Ghn92]

Blackvue DR900X

[stroberaver]

I'm in the process of transferring my Thinkware camera from my old car to the X3.

Does anyone have any guides or experience on getting the wire down the A-pillar and to the fuse box in the passenger footwell? In particular, how to get the A-pillar trim off?

In my old car (an E92 3-series coupe), I found it possible to route the wire down the front of the A-pillar without removing any trim or interfering with the airbag. However the shape and fitting of the A-pillar trim in the X3 looks like it's going to prevent me doing that, and will have to be removed and run the wire behind the curtain airbag that extends across the top of the doors.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by stroberaver

I'm in the process of transferring my Thinkware camera from my old car to the X3.

Does anyone have any guides or experience on getting the wire down the A-pillar and to the fuse box in the passenger footwell? In particular, how to get the A-pillar trim off?

In my old car (an E92 3-series coupe), I found it possible to route the wire down the front of the A-pillar without removing any trim or interfering with the airbag. However the shape and fitting of the A-pillar trim in the X3 looks like it's going to prevent me doing that, and will have to be removed and run the wire behind the curtain airbag that extends across the top of the doors.

IIRC it held on with bolt under the airbag plastic badge. Be careful not to break the trim as it’s easily done when trying to remove after the bolt is removed.

[stroberaver]

Originally Posted by avi66

IIRC it held on with bolt under the airbag plastic badge. Be careful not to break the trim as it’s easily done when trying to remove after the bolt is removed.

Thanks, that's exactly what I was fearful of - breaking something as you lever it out. Was wondering if anyone has any part/dis-assembly diagrams or step-by-step to ensure it comes off safely.

[stickersteve]

Wolfbox G900. It is a rear view mirror dashcam. Fits right over the BMW mirror and I have it plugged into the OBDII port. No exposed wires and nothing on my windshield.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by stroberaver

Thanks, that's exactly what I was fearful of - breaking something as you lever it out. Was wondering if anyone has any part/dis-assembly diagrams or step-by-step to ensure it comes off safely.

ISTA PDF

[stroberaver]

Originally Posted by avi66

ISTA PDF

Ah nice one, cheers, good to know where the clips are. Hopefully I will pluck up the courage to do it soon!