Model Year 21/22 Dash cam recommendations

[agaveworm]

Hi,

So having spent time beautifully hiding my dash cam wires, I connect it to one of the two USBc inputs and find that they are data only ie they won't power my dash cam! It will need to be hardwired. Grrrrr.

I could have a go at hardwiring myself but I'm nervous I'll balls it up. I need to buy a new dash cam (current one is old anyway) and pay a pro to fit it.

Any recommendations as to which dash cam and who to fit it please? I'm in Stevenage.

Thanks for reading.

 

[JT437]

I got Halfords to do mine. Before anyone says anything … I know, I know. But it was good value in my case. I got a Garmin device (I like Garmin stuff, and I’ve had Garmin dash cams before. I like the compact size).

Normally Halfords charge £75 for fitting, which is a lot. But if you buy from them, they will “throw in” the hardwire fitting kit for free. Since this is £50 (in my case), that means you effectively pay £25 for fitting, which I felt was fair. You can pick your fitting slot online (inc weekends, which is handy for us workers).

The job took just under an hour, and I was satisfied with the result. They wired it in to the fuse box and I now have “parking mode” enabled.

 

[agaveworm]

Thanks JT. I've never had a Garmin before so will give both Halfords and Garmin a go.

Still frustrating that both the USBc are data only. Why would you need both to be?

Cheers

 

[CupForm]

Still frustrating that both the USBc are data only. Why would you need both to be?

What do you mean data only? When you connect your phone to any of the front USB, does it charge, or not?

What USB standard does your old dashcam have? IIRC the USB-C port needs some sort of hand-shake with the device you're trying to power; if that communication is missing - because the other USB-standard is too old, than the UBS-C will not provide power. I've seen plenty of details on a Skoda forum - people having lots of problems powering their dashcams from the USB-C found behind the rearview mirror. All that was needed was an adapter "capable" to "talk" to the USB-C...

Have a look here for example:

Dash-Cam connectivity with USB C socket adjacent to rear view mirror.

Hi, Don’t know whether this topic has been covered elsewhere, but is the USB C socket near the rear-view mirror on a 2020 mk4 Octavia capable of powering a dash-cam without any further wiring.If so, can anyone recommend a current dash cam that would work ok with only this wiring configuration. Fr...

www.briskoda.net

 

[Momochi]

Dashcams manufactured a few years back usually require 5V2A (i.e. 10W) to operate. If your "USB-C to USB-C" cable is too long, say over 3m, need to make sure it can carry (at least) 5A current.

I am using a USB-C ro USB-C cable of 5m in length, which can carry 10A current (good for 95W power adapter for my notebook), plus a "C to B" adapter as my dashcam uses micro-B. Working perfectly.

 

[agaveworm]

What do you mean data only? When you connect your phone to any of the front USB, does it charge, or not?

What USB standard does your old dashcam have? IIRC the USB-C port needs some sort of hand-shake with the device you're trying to power; if that communication is missing - because the other USB-standard is too old, than the UBS-C will not provide power. I've seen plenty of details on a Skoda forum - people having lots of problems powering their dashcams from the USB-C found behind the rearview mirror. All that was needed was an adapter "capable" to "talk" to the USB-C...

Have a look here for example:

Dash-Cam connectivity with USB C socket adjacent to rear view mirror.

Hi, Don’t know whether this topic has been covered elsewhere, but is the USB C socket near the rear-view mirror on a 2020 mk4 Octavia capable of powering a dash-cam without any further wiring.If so, can anyone recommend a current dash cam that would work ok with only this wiring configuration. Fr...

www.briskoda.net

A fantastic reply. Thank you for taking the time. I feel such a nob.

My phone charges. I've never had to plug it in due to the charging mat but it obviously charges! The cable is a 4m USBc to Mini USB and my dash cam is at least eight years old! Just tried the missus' dash cam and it works!

Looks like I'm still having to buy a new dash cam but don't now need the hard wiring.

Can't see in the dark but I don't think I've got a USBc behind the mirror but what a great idea!

Thanks again CupForm

 

[agaveworm]

Dashcams manufactured a few years back usually require 5V2A (i.e. 10W) to operate. If your "USB-C to USB-C" cable is too long, say over 3m, need to make sure it can carry (at least) 5A current.

I am using a USB-C ro USB-C cable of 5m in length, which can carry 10A current (good for 95W power adapter for my notebook), plus a "C to B" adapter as my dashcam uses micro-B. Working perfectly.

Again, massively helpful. Thank you Momochi, I'll check the small print

 

[Villabrand]

I have my Garmin wired to the socket in the arm rest. Yes no parking monitoring but works perfectly, and cables hidden under passenger chair, and arm rest.

Sent from my Pixel 10a using Tapatalk

 

[Munchen]

I've had a torrid time with dashcams because unless you regularly inspect the recordings, you don't know that they actually are recording! One time cost me a load of money because I couldn't prove that someone had jumped in front of me on purpose!

I now have a Nextbase camera and I'm quite happy with it. It's in the car all year round from minus 15 to plus 30-odd and keeps going. There's a useful app for viewing and downloading videos if needed and done over a wifi connection direct to the camera. I paid around 100-quid for it about 5-years ago iirc.