[PhireSideZA]

Hi everyone

After more or less a year of uhm-ing and aah-ing I have decided to go ahead and purchase myself a car DVR/dashcam as I do spend the majority of my time on the road, and with the average driving ability of my fellow road users deteriorating at a steady pace I felt it would be a good investment in case something happens (not that I want it to).

I saw that DealeXtreme - Cool Gadgets at the Right Price - DX Free Shipping Worldwide had the Xiaoyi Yi Dash Camera for a good price (AU$85) which has some nice features such as WiFi, a nice Novatek processor, lane departure warning and good nighttime video quality.


Link: International Edition Xiaomi Yi 2.7"1296P ADAS Wi-Fi Car DVR Camcorder - Free Shipping - DealExtreme

I however decided to look at alternatives as I prefer low-profile implementations and having an expensive-looking camera suspended from my front windscreen in a crime-ridden city is not a good idea. I am also not too keen on the idea of a camera with a Lithium-based battery system as these can explode quite spectacularly when subjected to heat (we had a 40-degree day last week when it was technically still 'winter').

The VIOFO A118C is a bit pricier than the abovementioned camera but is very low profile and once installed looks like an OEM part. It can also be hidden a lot more than the Xiaoyi and has a capacitor instead of a battery for backup power, so that mitigates the heat issue.

Installed:



Link: http://www.dx.com/p/a118c-1-5-tft-hd-1080p-cmos-140-wide-angle-3-0mp-car-dvr-video-recorder-camera-black-411419#.V8wMJun5iUk

A quick question that I have though is that as I am planning on running a normal USB cable to the camera from my 12V socket instead of the supplied 4m power cable, I don't know the length needed to run it from the rear-view mirrow across the top of the windshield, down the A-pillar, underneath the dash and to my 12V socket. I would appreciate it if anyone could give me an estimation of the length of cable I would need to run it comfortably

If anyone was wondering, the reason I am running my own cable is because the supplied adapter uses up an entire 12V socket and I would prefer using a 12V adapter with two USB sockets so that I can also plug my phone into it if need be. I have a 12V torch running in my other socket, within arms reach:



Any advice, pointers, caveats and tips would be greatly appreciated

Mines a GD but I think the length would be similar, handy that I don't have the cam installed at the moment so was easy to measure the length at 3 metres which I had run in the same manner you're wishing to do.

Your cam is listed here as well DashCamTalk

[Dazzler]

Congrats on reaching 1000 posts Phil!

That 1st camera has some great features for the price! I can understand the need for a discrete mounting though! 

Yeah, like Craig says, 3 metres should be ideal. You are a bit handy, why not wire it into the interior light like Shambles and a couple of others have?

Good luck with it. Great post by the way. 

[John B]

That is a very low price. I have the following dash cam fitted, it is an excellent camera but the cost is so much more . Same look though. I will have to study the specifications to see the differences. The street Guardian is allegedly Australian designed.

SG9665GC V2 ? FULL HD GPS DVR

That is a very low price. I have the following dash cam fitted, it is an excellent camera but the cost is so much more . Same look though. I will have to study the specifications to see the differences. The street Guardian is allegedly Australian designed.

SG9665GC V2 ? FULL HD GPS DVR

John, the SG9665GC V2 is probably the best on the market ( should be a V3 released soon ), it has the newer Novatek processor 96655 as opposed to the 96650 and uses the Sony CMOS sensor rather than the Aptina CMOS.

SG also has their SGZC12SG V2 – PRO SERIES CAMERA which has amazing spec's but the price might put you a foetal position 

[John B]

That is a very low price. I have the following dash cam fitted, it is an excellent camera but the cost is so much more . Same look though. I will have to study the specifications to see the differences. The street Guardian is allegedly Australian designed.

SG9665GC V2 ? FULL HD GPS DVR

John, the SG9665GC V2 is probably the best on the market ( should be a V3 released soon ), it has the newer Novatek processor 96655 as opposed to the 96650 and uses the Sony CMOS sensor rather than the Aptina CMOS.

SG also has their SGZC12SG V2 – PRO SERIES CAMERA which has amazing spec's but the price might put you a foetal position 

Thanks Craig, had SG9665GC  for a while now, its a great camera with fantastic clarity night and day, as I said a bit costly.

[PhireSideZA]

Mines a GD but I think the length would be similar, handy that I don't have the cam installed at the moment so was easy to measure the length at 3 metres which I had run in the same manner you're wishing to do.

Your cam is listed here as well DashCamTalk

Ta Craig. I figured about 3m should be enough. I am still not quite sure whether I want to route it through the transmission tunnel and have it plug into the 12V socket or whether I should get a hardwire kit that runs off the OBDII port. The third option is to splice it into the ignition wiring, but I am not too keen to do that as I am not entirely confident that I can do it without messing something up

I checked out that website and another called Dashboard Camera Reviews which also have a nice comparison table between brands

Congrats on reaching 1000 posts Phil!

That 1st camera has some great features for the price! I can understand the need for a discrete mounting though! 

Yeah, like Craig says, 3 metres should be ideal. You are a bit handy, why not wire it into the interior light like Shambles and a couple of others have?

Good luck with it. Great post by the way. 

Thanks Dazz! I didn't even realise I was hovering on 999 posts for so long. Give it a few decades and I would have caught up to you

As above, I am not all too secure in my knowledge of the intricate wiring of the car so I would prefer a plug and play solution if possible hence me considering the OBDII-port idea or just the 12V socket

That is a very low price. I have the following dash cam fitted, it is an excellent camera but the cost is so much more . Same look though. I will have to study the specifications to see the differences. The street Guardian is allegedly Australian designed.

SG9665GC V2 ? FULL HD GPS DVR

John, the SG9665GC V2 is probably the best on the market ( should be a V3 released soon ), it has the newer Novatek processor 96655 as opposed to the 96650 and uses the Sony CMOS sensor rather than the Aptina CMOS.

SG also has their SGZC12SG V2 – PRO SERIES CAMERA which has amazing spec's but the price might put you a foetal position 

John, I saw that one as well and it has some stellar reviews but the price made me fall flat on my back

On the other end of the spectrum there are a few $15 jobbies but I would not trust it to have any clarity or features whatsoever. It probably has the resolution of a potato

Ta Craig. I figured about 3m should be enough. I am still not quite sure whether I want to route it through the transmission tunnel and have it plug into the 12V socket or whether I should get a hardwire kit that runs off the OBDII port. The third option is to splice it into the ignition wiring, but I am not too keen to do that as I am not entirely confident that I can do it without messing something up

I checked out that website and another called Dashboard Camera Reviews which also have a nice comparison table between brands

Route it through the transmission tunnel is the power socket in the rear of the centre console on FD's ? you'd need at least another metre if thats where you're wanting to run the feed from.

On the GD there are two power sockets under the aircon controls which is where I thought it was on the FD as well

Thanks for the other cam review link, I'll check it out

[John B]

{ Quote from Wabbit }   John, I saw that one as well and it has some stellar reviews but the price made me fall flat on my back

On the other end of the spectrum there are a few $15 jobbies but I would not trust it to have any clarity or features whatsoever. It probably has the resolution of a potato { End of quote }


Hi Wabbit, yes stay away from those real cheapies, probably have to chip out a picture with a flintstone (  like the Flintstones cartoon.) Yes the SG 9665GC is very costly but I have been really impressed with it. I would be very interested to know what you think of the A118c perhaps you can give us an update when you have used it, might consider that one as a rear camera . 

[PhireSideZA]

Ta Craig. I figured about 3m should be enough. I am still not quite sure whether I want to route it through the transmission tunnel and have it plug into the 12V socket or whether I should get a hardwire kit that runs off the OBDII port. The third option is to splice it into the ignition wiring, but I am not too keen to do that as I am not entirely confident that I can do it without messing something up

I checked out that website and another called Dashboard Camera Reviews which also have a nice comparison table between brands

Route it through the transmission tunnel is the power socket in the rear of the centre console on FD's ? you'd need at least another metre if thats where you're wanting to run the feed from.

On the GD there are two power sockets under the aircon controls which is where I thought it was on the FD as well

Thanks for the other cam review link, I'll check it out

You see, this is why I shouldn't post when I have a migraine and am under the influence of a lot of painkillers

What I meant to say was the piece where the centre console starts before it goes back through the car towards the gear lever and handbrake. My sockets do indeed sit beneath my AC controls as well. I'm just not keen on it taking up a whole socket to get power when I can try and make the solution a bit more elegant

Apologies for the confusion

Sent from my Redmi Note 2 using Tapatalk

No apology needed

3 metres should be fine then, as Dazz mentioned you could hard wire it to the power for the reading lights, if you not comfortable doing that a auto electrician wouldn't charge much for that or possibly even add an extra power socket.

There are also kits for hard wiring to the battery but they aren't really necessary if you have a capacitor cam, they're more useful for cams that have motion detection.

I've got the A118 on wife's car and the Street Guardian on mine. The A118 isn't very good at night, the Street Guardian is excellent.

The fella who sells the Street Guardian, trades as "Jokin" on several forums for dash cam owners. He is a fountain of knowledge and will answer questions about other units.

I wouldn't buy the A118 again but would definitely buy the Street Guardian.

Mine uses a micro USB 5m that goes down the a pillar and into the fuse box. I wired a spare cigarette lighter to an add-a-fuse and plugged a 12V to USB into that. I can easily remove it if I have a problem or the car is going in for something to do with warranty. However as this has now finished I continue to have it that way. I bought a 12V to double USB and my GPS plugs into that as well. No visible wires.

2 X MICRO2 Micro 2 Fuse TAP ADD A Circuit ATR Fuse Taps AUS Seller | eBay

and something like this Double USB Cigarette Lighter Adaptor - Run 2 USB devices off one 12v socket! | Piplers

[Phil №❶]

I have the setting positions set for both our cars, but haven't addressed the wiring and I'm so over it and I haven't even started yet. 

Where do you chaps get your enthusiasm from 

The pain, the pain 

[John B]

I have the setting positions set for both our cars, but haven't addressed the wiring and I'm so over it and I haven't even started yet. 

Where do you chaps get your enthusiasm from 

The pain, the pain 

 Seeing the i30 is such a good car there is nothing else to do to them except fiddle with things like dash cams. mind you the novelty wears off and you soon forget them. Now what can I fiddle with next ? Maybe best if you don't answer that.

[The Gonz]

Back in 1983 I fitted a 5 inch TV to my Commodore, built neatly into a faux leather trimmed armrest between the front seats. Back then a dash mounted screen would have been a huge illegality, not like now seeing so many Asians watching TV while they drive - and that was in Adelaide!

Now I wouldn't know what to do to Firty.

[PhireSideZA]

Thanks for all the replies gents!

3 metres should be fine then, as Dazz mentioned you could hard wire it to the power for the reading lights, if you not comfortable doing that a auto electrician wouldn't charge much for that or possibly even add an extra power socket.

Thanks CraigB

What are the benefits of wiring it to the reading lights, besides less of a mission to run the cable?

I've got the A118 on wife's car and the Street Guardian on mine. The A118 isn't very good at night, the Street Guardian is excellent.

Thanks! I do very little driving at night so it hopefully shouldn't be a problem. Many of these dashcams have no aperture specified for the camera itself so it is difficult to judge the amount of light it detects.

Mine uses a micro USB 5m that goes down the a pillar and into the fuse box. I wired a spare cigarette lighter to an add-a-fuse and plugged a 12V to USB into that. I can easily remove it if I have a problem or the car is going in for something to do with warranty. However as this has now finished I continue to have it that way. I bought a 12V to double USB and my GPS plugs into that as well. No visible wires.

That fuse kit looks exactly like what I need! I will see if I can find them locally as this would immensely simplify the installation and avoids cutting and splicing wires

I have the setting positions set for both our cars, but haven't addressed the wiring and I'm so over it and I haven't even started yet. 

Where do you chaps get your enthusiasm from 

The pain, the pain 

I see it as an excuse to spend more time in the i30 as I enjoy it so much. I'd sleep inside her but the neighbours might judge me a bit too much

Seeing the i30 is such a good car there is nothing else to do to them except fiddle with things like dash cams. mind you the novelty wears off and you soon forget them. Now what can I fiddle with next ? Maybe best if you don't answer that.

I concur! My colleagues always spend so much time fixing their cars that I have to think of something so that I can do the same

PS: next step for me - Heads-up display running off my OBD port

Back in 1983 I fitted a 5 inch TV to my Commodore, built neatly into a faux leather trimmed armrest between the front seats. Back then a dash mounted screen would have been a huge illegality, not like now seeing so many Asians watching TV while they drive - and that was in Adelaide!

Now I wouldn't know what to do to Firty.

Do you still have some pics of that install perhaps? I know that is from the era before digital cameras and all, but surely you must have the negative film roll somewhere

The amount of people seen multitasking whilst driving is appalling...from sitting on their cellphones, to shaving or putting on makeup or eating, it surprises me that there aren't more accidents...

[The Gonz]

No chance of pictures from back then.
As for stealing 12V, I dismantled a cheap cigarette lighter USB adapter and piggybacked it to the rear connections on the power socket under the aircon control, then ran a microUSB cable through and behind the head unit to the top flip lid pocket where I set up my GPS unit as a permanently wired-in solution. There should be a thread on it somewhere.

[rustynutz]

This old thread might be worth a read, Wabbit... 

[Doggie 1]

Back in 1983 I fitted a 5 inch TV to my Commodore

5 inches was big back then, but not any more.   

[The Gonz]

Back in 1983 I fitted a 5 inch TV to my Commodore

5 inches was big back then, but not any more.   

It's evolutionary, Dave 

[PhireSideZA]

Thanks chaps!

I'm trying to source one of those Add-A-Circuit thingies locally and if I can get here then I will probably go ahead and order the camera (I decided on the A118-C in the end) and post back once I have it!

Also, only 5 inches? ...how do you guys manage to hit the toilet bowl?

[Surferdude]

Thanks chaps!

I'm trying to source one of those Add-A-Circuit thingies locally and if I can get here then I will probably go ahead and order the camera (I decided on the A118-C in the end) and post back once I have it!

Also, only 5 inches? ...how do you guys manage to hit the toilet bowl?

They probably sit down. 

[rustynutz]

Also, only 5 inches? ...how do you guys manage to hit the toilet bowl?

Hitting it isn't a problem, getting it into the bowl is...   

[PhireSideZA]

 

Thanks for the previously mentioned thread, Rusty. It seems pretty doable except for the splicing of wires that I am not the world's greatest fan of

I haven't found any leads on Add-A-Circuit kits locally but will continue to try and find some

[eye30]

Saw this on sale today in one of those "nearly" 99p shops but on sale @ £9.99

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Super-Legend-HD-Vehicle-Recorder/dp/B005Q6CJI4

Went in to check it out and looked the business.

Woukd have to buy a 32 sd card which if a good one would cost twice the price of the cam!

[The Gonz]

  I'd jump at that!

[rustynutz]

It seems pretty doable except for the splicing of wires that I am not the world's greatest fan of

Very easy to do using wire-tap connectors... 

[The Gonz]

Cheats never prosper.
As an electronics technician, I shudder at the sight of them, due to the mechanical weakening they impose on the parent cable, but yes, very easy for quick jobs if the bulkiness can be tucked out of sight.

[edagrade]

That is a very low price. I have the following dash cam fitted, it is an excellent camera but the cost is so much more . Same look though. I will have to study the specifications to see the differences. The street Guardian is allegedly Australian designed.

SG9665GC V2 ? FULL HD GPS DVR

John, the SG9665GC V2 is probably the best on the market ( should be a V3 released soon ), it has the newer Novatek processor 96655 as opposed to the 96650 and uses the Sony CMOS sensor rather than the Aptina CMOS.

SG also has their SGZC12SG V2 – PRO SERIES CAMERA which has amazing spec's but the price might put you a foetal position 

Interesting read. Thanks all for all the reports & insights in this thread.
My company car is off the road after being rear ended last week. First time I've had a close encounter resulting in vehicle damage since getting my licence in 1978!
Not thinking my luck is running out or anything, but I been thinking a dash cam aint a bad toy to have!
I looked at many, mainly high end 2ch units. Got a crazy price of $739 including installation for what seems a pretty good unit, the IRoad V9 front & rear system. That is just over the top $.
Since then, I been thinking me bothering about rear cam views & parking monitoring is probly not really going to be a good ROI. I figure that car park incidents will seldom record a redgo plate for front or rear hits & never for side on hits. Therefore dash cams would be of little use given the odds of being hit & I seldomly park in crowded parks.

However, for out on the road stuff I certainly see the value in having a top quality front dash cam.
I really like the Street Guardian SG9665GC V2 – FULL HD GPS DVR seems an all round good product with well reputed local support. There is a new version of it about to go on sale... I might just hold off a little while.
I'm planning an extensive road trip early in Jan so hoping to have something sorted by then :-)

Any further recommendations would be appreciated.
 

[Phil №❶]

Xmas pressie