DashCams, OBD and Parking Mode

[RangerVol]

Hey guys I guess the first question for those installing Dashcams and not hardwiring.
Do you unplug the battery when running the the cables? I was wondering about airbags in the A Pillers and setting them off

I'm looking at VIOFO or other suggestions.
I was looking at these OBD adapters. They all seem to have different modes for powering the dashcam.
Which one is most people using or does it matter? The cheap one on Amazon seems like I could leave it in the mode that turns off in 5mins but when I know I'm going to Walmart or shopping for the day, just flip the switch,

https://www.blackboxmycar.com/products/iroad-power-obd-ii

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RXTJK4F

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094Y3KNFJ

I was wondering if I could use one of these and if they would work with parking mode on some dashcam or do you guys even use parking mode and the lower quality recording and instead just let it record as usual
I want something that will keep the battery from draining but also record while in walmart for 1-2hrs or at some event for a couple of hours

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[AzScorpion]

I used the BBMC iRoad OBD adaptor to power my dash cam. I ran it over the headliner and down the drivers A pillar then down the side kick plate. You'll have some extra wiring but it tucks into the kick plate.

I have the 4K Dual cam Thinkware U1000 but did like the Viofo too. The Thinkware was rated for a higher temp and being here in AZ was the only reason I bought it over the Viofo. I do run the Radar sensor which basically puts the cam into parking mode and wakes it up when it detects movement or a hit. The nice thing about the OBD adaptor is when you're going to be parked in your garage you can easily reach down and just unplug it.

When we were traveling back in June I left mine connected the whole time, 30 days and never had any battery issues. Parking mode will help and there's setting so it will cut off completely if going below a certain voltage.

These trim removal tools come in really handy. I didn't have to remove anything, just pry it back and tuck the wire.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V22YC9J/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here's where mine is and you can tuck the extra wiring inside the kick plate.

 

[RangerVol]

I used the BBMC iRoad OBD adaptor to power my dash cam. I ran it over the headliner and down the drivers A pillar then down the side kick plate. You'll have some extra wiring but it tucks into the kick plate.

I have the 4K Dual cam Thinkware U1000 but did like the Viofo too. The Thinkware was rated for a higher temp and being here in AZ was the only reason I bought it over the Viofo. I do run the Radar sensor which basically puts the cam into parking mode and wakes it up when it detects movement or a hit. The nice thing about the OBD adaptor is when you're going to be parked in your garage you can easily reach down and just unplug it.

When we were traveling back in June I left mine connected the whole time, 30 days and never had any battery issues. Parking mode will help and there's setting so it will cut off completely if going below a certain voltage.

These trim removal tools come in really handy. I didn't have to remove anything, just pry it back and tuck the wire.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07V22YC9J/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here's where mine is and you can tuck the extra wiring inside the kick plate.

Did you unhook your battery?
Any Airbags to deal with in the A Pillar when you tucked the wire?
I have some trim tools.
The VIOFO I was looking at was 2K and rear camera but I see they have a 4K model too.
I know Thinkware gets a lot of mentions. Gotta debate if it's worth the extra LOL

ETA:
How are you using the U1000 with the OBD cord? It looks like it uses a barrel plug for power and not usb
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XD6FLSY

 

[GitRDone]

I don't have a photo handy, but I'm running a Garmin dashcam mounted to the windshield just below the rear view mirror and powered by the mirror wiring. The power plug is hidden behind the mirror base.

 

[AzScorpion]

Did you unhook your battery?
Any Airbags to deal with in the A Pillar when you tucked the wire?
I have some trim tools.
The VIOFO I was looking at was 2K and rear camera but I see they have a 4K model too.
I know Thinkware gets a lot of mentions. Gotta debate if it's worth the extra LOL

ETA:
How are you using the U1000 with the OBD cord? It looks like it uses a barrel plug for power and not usb
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XD6FLSY

-No I didn't unhook the battery.
-Airbag wasn't an issue. Just tuck the wire in the A pillar gently.
- If I weren't living here in AZ I would've saved the extra money and went with the 4K Viofo. The heat rating is the only reason I went with the Thinkware.
-The OBD cable plugs right into the Thinkware power supply.

I think getting the 4K dual camera is worth the extra money. The main reason to get a dash cam is to be able to capture images clearly. The cheaper ones might capture them while still but tend to be very grainy while moving.

Here's some shots from mine both night and day.

 

[AzScorpion]

Here's a good video showing the 3 most popular 4K dash cams.

 

[Trigganometry]

Like Dave went with the Thinkware U1000 and used a Blackbox OBD for powering it. There were some Black Friday sales until Dec 31st on them as I got an email showing the discounts. Have front and rear cameras and motion sensor as well. Camera has worked flawlessly since installing it over a year ago.

I did not disconnect my battery during installation. Ran wire(s) down A pillar and driver side headliner for rear camera. No issues with air bags but I was careful when doing these areas.

https://www.blackboxmycar.com/collections/thinkware

 

[RangerVol]

-No I didn't unhook the battery.
-Airbag wasn't an issue. Just tuck the wire in the A pillar gently.
- If I weren't living here in AZ I would've saved the extra money and went with the 4K Viofo. The heat rating is the only reason I went with the Thinkware.
-The OBD cable plugs right into the Thinkware power supply.

I think getting the 4K dual camera is worth the extra money. The main reason to get a dash cam is to be able to capture images clearly. The cheaper ones might capture them while still but tend to be very grainy while moving.

Here's some shots from mine both night and day.

What is the front cam record frame rate? 4K60fps or 4K30fps and what is the rear?


Looking at the VIOFO 4K version on Amazon it'll do 4K 60fps with the rear cam off, 4K 30fps +1080 30fps rear or 2K60fps + 1080P rear $190

Then they have the 2K version that will do 2K60fps front + 1080p 30fps rear for $134.30

Since you'd want to run both cams would the 4K30fps be better than 2K60fps? Seems like you'd want more frames to play with.

 

[AzScorpion]

What is the front cam record frame rate? 4K60fps or 4K30fps and what is the rear?


Looking at the VIOFO 4K version on Amazon it'll do 4K 60fps with the rear cam off, 4K 30fps +1080 30fps rear or 2K60fps + 1080P rear $190

Then they have the 2K version that will do 2K60fps front + 1080p 30fps rear for $134.30

Since you'd want to run both cams would the 4K30fps be better than 2K60fps? Seems like you'd want more frames to play with.

You can change the frame rates and I don't remember what mine are set at. I left mine at the factory setting.

 

[Trigganometry]

You can change the frame rates and I don't remember what mine are set at. I left mine at the factory setting.

IIRC factory settings are front at 4K 30 fps and rear 2K 30 fps.

I also upgraded the memory card in mine to 256 MB. Tried going higher but it choked on the larger cards.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

-No I didn't unhook the battery.
-Airbag wasn't an issue. Just tuck the wire in the A pillar gently.
- If I weren't living here in AZ I would've saved the extra money and went with the 4K Viofo. The heat rating is the only reason I went with the Thinkware.
-The OBD cable plugs right into the Thinkware power supply.

I think getting the 4K dual camera is worth the extra money. The main reason to get a dash cam is to be able to capture images clearly. The cheaper ones might capture them while still but tend to be very grainy while moving.

Here's some shots from mine both night and day.

Is that Sky Harbor?

 

[AzScorpion]

Is that Sky Harbor?

Good eye, It is. ? I was picking Annie up returning home from a mandatory meeting she had in Chicago.

 

[AzScorpion]

IIRC factory settings are front at 4K 30 fps and rear 2K 30 fps.

I also upgraded the memory card in mine to 256 MB. Tried going higher but it choked on the larger cards.

I think you're right but for some reason I thought the rear was 1080P?

I went with this 128 GB memory card. It's what they recommended and has worked out so far.

 

[Trigganometry]

I think you're right but for some reason I thought the rear was 1080P?

I went with this 128 GB memory card. It's what they recommended and has worked out so far.

From the website: The Thinkware U1000 Dual Channel Dash Cam features a 4K Ultra HD at 30FPS front camera that is switchable to 2K QHD at 60fps to deliver crystal-clear, high-quality footage.

Fitted with a 8.24-megapixel Sony STARVIS image sensor for an improved Night Vision mode, the U1000 is capable of recording highest-quality videos in low-light environments such as dark backcountry roads and dim parking lots.

2K QHD Rear Camera and Free Thinkware Anti-Glare CPL Filter included for best-in-class protection day and night.

Resolution (Front)
4K UHD @ 30 FPS
Resolution (Rear)
2K QHD @ 30 FPS

 

[AzScorpion]

From the website: The Thinkware U1000 Dual Channel Dash Cam features a 4K Ultra HD at 30FPS front camera that is switchable to 2K QHD at 60fps to deliver crystal-clear, high-quality footage.

Fitted with a 8.24-megapixel Sony STARVIS image sensor for an improved Night Vision mode, the U1000 is capable of recording highest-quality videos in low-light environments such as dark backcountry roads and dim parking lots.

2K QHD Rear Camera and Free Thinkware Anti-Glare CPL Filter included for best-in-class protection day and night.

Resolution (Front)
4K UHD @ 30 FPS
Resolution (Rear)
2K QHD @ 30 FPS

Good info. I'm trying to go off memory which doesn't work well when I'm cold and tired. ?

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