[_ink]

Hi All,

Installed the dashcam that I discovered and shared on a few of the other dashcam threads. I've owned a Blackvue 2-channel in the past, and whilst video quality was great, where it's generically installed, makes it always look aftermarket and noticable. At the end of the day, the camera just needs to be good enough to pick up the number plate of the vehicle, or the person's face.

Here's the link to the camera for anyone interested: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/52BkZ9I

Installation was an absolute breeze, maybe that's due to doing installations on my previous cars myself, and definitely thanks to the members on the forum who have shared fuse locations (F47 for switch power, F27 for constant power, Firewall fuse bolt for ground).

This camera is the most OEM looking solution out there (even more so than BMW's own offering). The quality of the replacement mirror housing and it's clips/fitment, was spot on!

Thoroughly impressed with this camera implementation, and we'll see how the camera and its quality goes in the long run.

Pictures:

[MADBMWX5MC]

Looks OEM for sure....

[supersebbo]

Looks great fitted.

The quality of the product itself looks a little rough around the edges. How is the recording quality?

[foglem]

Looking forward to more details and sample video. Looks awesome and certainly considering it.

[Vinny_Loyola]

Looks very nice, I'm also interested in your opinion on video quality.

Thanks

Vinny

[dinan5m3]

Looking forward to more updates on the fitment, features, functionalities, issues, etc. This OEM'er look may tilt me over from the blackvue 2ch i'm considering. As shown seem to hit both on the form and function. This "Kampacar" brand may actually work out for e46 and e39 as well.

Only concern is i have never purchased anything from aliexpress, so that would be interesting, and different.

Thanks!

[JDsX3]

Thanks for the heads up _ink! Looks pretty good. In your images it almost looks like there is a protective plastic over the lens that needs to be removed.

As others have said, very interested in the quality of the actual images. Which version did you order: The front lens only and 24hr parking chip or just the front lens model?

Also, could you detail the hard wiring job you did- which side did you run the wires down, etc.

Thanks.

[Alias1431]

It doesn't rattle against the glass at all, does it?

[_ink]

Originally Posted by foglem

Looking forward to more details and sample video. Looks awesome and certainly considering it.

Originally Posted by Vinny_Loyola

Looks very nice, I'm also interested in your opinion on video quality.

Thanks

Vinny

Originally Posted by supersebbo

Looks great fitted.

The quality of the product itself looks a little rough around the edges. How is the recording quality?

Didn't really get to drive at all this weekend, will definitely get some footage in the next few days to share.

Originally Posted by dinan5m3

Looking forward to more updates on the fitment, features, functionalities, issues, etc. This OEM'er look may tilt me over from the blackvue 2ch i'm considering. As shown seem to hit both on the form and function. This "Kampacar" brand may actually work out for e46 and e39 as well.

Only concern is i have never purchased anything from aliexpress, so that would be interesting, and different.

Thanks!

Fitment was 100%! no issues with the installation. But will let everyone know on the video quality.

Originally Posted by JDsX3

Thanks for the heads up _ink! Looks pretty good. In your images it almost looks like there is a protective plastic over the lens that needs to be removed.

As others have said, very interested in the quality of the actual images. Which version did you order: The front lens only and 24hr parking chip or just the front lens model?

Also, could you detail the hard wiring job you did- which side did you run the wires down, etc.

Thanks.

Great spotting! The lens did have the protective plastic over it.

As our cars are too smart, the 24hr parking chip is useless and won't work.

Wiring: I'm in AU so it's a RHD, but same concept, up through the roof, down the pillar, and into the fuse box.

Originally Posted by Alias1431

It doesn't rattle against the glass at all, does it?

No rattle at all, the black frame is exactly what the standard part looks like, except, there's now a camera in the middle

[_ink]

Here are the YouTube links to some footage (excuse the radio and talking in there), for me, I'm more than happy with the quality, as I said, I just need to identify a number plate, so the bar is set very low for my expectations.

Night video:

Tunnel video:

Day video:

[X3M40i_Nev]

Originally Posted by _ink

Here are the YouTube links to some footage (excuse the radio and talking in there), for me, I'm more than happy with the quality, as I said, I just need to identify a number plate, so the bar is set very low for my expectations.

Night video:

Tunnel video:

Day video:

Looks pretty good to me

[_ink]

Originally Posted by X3M40i_Nev

Looks pretty good to me

Thanks man, very happy with the stealthyness of it!

[dinan5m3]

GPS logger: NONE <<---------- hrm, no big deal?

[spangle1980]

That footage actually looks quite sweet!! I'm impressed.

It takes microSD card? How do you know it's recording? It activates as soon as you turn ignition on and loops the footage to size of SD card?

[roxxor]

Originally Posted by spangle1980

That footage actually looks quite sweet!! I'm impressed.

It takes microSD card? How do you know it's recording? It activates as soon as you turn ignition on and loops the footage to size of SD card?

I'm also interested in these details. Looks like one of the bullet points on the product shows "Max External Memory:32G". I myself am not too familiar with Dash Cams but looking to get one, so I am not sure if 32GB would be enough storage space.

[tonyb15re]

Originally Posted by roxxor

I'm also interested in these details. Looks like one of the bullet points on the product shows "Max External Memory:32G". I myself am not too familiar with Dash Cams but looking to get one, so I am not sure if 32GB would be enough storage space.

Did you scroll down the webpage linked at the top?

Loop Recording:
Automatic seamless video recording in loop to use the storage efficiently, with the earliest unlocked video clips being overwritten when reaching the storage card's maximal capacity.

G Sensor Function
G-sensor auto locks the event videos. Lock the important video ,avoid to overwrite.

You dont need to record tons of video you only need to record time before and immediately after an accident etc. If you want to record your whole journey stick a Go Pro in the Car

[kevinkay]

Thanks _ink for the info, video and tutorial!

I need "Dashcam for Dummies"......
Do you have to turn in on every time you start the car? - and if you leave it on - it keeps recording??
If you want to retrieve footage you pull the memory card and download it into your computer?

"the 24hr parking chip is useless and won't work." would have meant it records 24/7 or motion detector?

THANKS!!

[_ink]

Originally Posted by spangle1980

That footage actually looks quite sweet!! I'm impressed.

It takes microSD card? How do you know it's recording? It activates as soon as you turn ignition on and loops the footage to size of SD card?

Yep it takes a SD card, all details in the link.

Originally Posted by roxxor

I'm also interested in these details. Looks like one of the bullet points on the product shows "Max External Memory:32G". I myself am not too familiar with Dash Cams but looking to get one, so I am not sure if 32GB would be enough storage space.

As above, in the link. The right amount of memory depends on how much you're driving, and how early you 'find' something on your car that you want to look back on footage for.

Originally Posted by kevinkay

Thanks _ink for the info, video and tutorial!

I need "Dashcam for Dummies"......
Do you have to turn in on every time you start the car? - and if you leave it on - it keeps recording??
If you want to retrieve footage you pull the memory card and download it into your computer?

"the 24hr parking chip is useless and won't work." would have meant it records 24/7 or motion detector?

THANKS!!

You need to watch some YouTube videos to see how dashcam's operate, they are all pretty much the same with some more/less features.

Do not buy the 24 hr parking chip, it does not work for our cars.

[iManu]

Originally Posted by _ink

Yep it takes a SD card, all details in the link.

As above, in the link. The right amount of memory depends on how much you're driving, and how early you 'find' something on your car that you want to look back on footage for.

You need to watch some YouTube videos to see how dashcam's operate, they are all pretty much the same with some more/less features.

Do not buy the 24 hr parking chip, it does not work for our cars.

How come the 24h doesn't work? Is it because the power cuts off in the fuse box after 15 minutes of inactivity?

[_ink]

Originally Posted by iManu

How come the 24h doesn't work? Is it because the power cuts off in the fuse box after 15 minutes of inactivity?

The ECU picks up battery drain and throws error codes, you'd need to install a Cellini type battery pack which members have documented on in other dashcam threads.

[kevinkay]

Originally Posted by _ink

The ECU picks up battery drain and throws error codes, you'd need to install a Cellini type battery pack which members have documented on in other dashcam threads.

And then would you feel the need to get the rear camera too.....?

[_ink]

Originally Posted by kevinkay

And then would you feel the need to get the rear camera too.....?

Not at this stage, but if I do decide to later down the road, I could install a separate dashcam that uses the same mobile app (for consolidated ease of access/operation)