Dashcam hardwire

[Sam@]

So, have ordered a Thinkware F750 front & rear camera for my Spaceback.

Anyone installed a Dashcam in their Rapid or have any tips for me?

Also looking for some advice on the fuses to tap into, need a permanent live and a ignition live.

[eyegr]

Do a proper forum search, many people including myself, have done this. There is plenty of information available.

[Wardy]

Welcome to the forum Sam.

 

This would be the place to look. Loads of info and the info will be applicable to the Rapid as well. Although you might still need to have a look at your fuse layout.

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/265343-dash-cam-12v-multi-adaptor-hidden-install-driver-storage-compartment/

[Sam@]

Do a proper forum search, many people including myself, have done this. There is plenty of information available.

There a lots of threads on them, I have searched. Longest one is in the Octavia section and mentions airbags and the like for rear cameras - so very useful, for other Octavia owners. Was hoping for some helpful guidance/support specifically with the Rapid Spaceback. I have no idea if all the fuse boards ar the same?

I've been having a look this afternoon and there is no way I'm going to get a cable across the headlining of the car to the back as have the glass roof and not going to mess about near any airbags either.

Looks like I'll be going along the floor line, into the boot and up the rear pillar. Going to be interesting getting the cable neatly to the glass as its glued on the the boot with no lining above. Can't go through the rubber cable tubes as no where to come out from once you're in the boot lid.

As I say, I've searched and read a lot of the forum - nothing seems to look at challenges on the Rapid.

[Wardy]

If you've spotted individual challenges with the installation for the Rapid, you might need to be the trailblazer on this one.....

[Sam@]

Welcome to the forum Sam.

This would be the place to look. Loads of info and the info will be applicable to the Rapid as well. Although you might still need to have a look at your fuse layout.

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/265343-dash-cam-12v-multi-adaptor-hidden-install-driver-storage-compartment/

If you've spotted individual challenges with the installation for the Rapid, you might need to be the trailblazer on this one.....

That first one that you linked to was the one that gave me the courage to give it a go in the first place

And I'm not sure I'm much of a trailblazer - but will be giving it my best shot!

Thanks Wardy

[eyegr]

There a lots of threads on them, I have searched. Longest one is in the Octavia section and mentions airbags and the like for rear cameras - so very useful, for other Octavia owners. Was hoping for some helpful guidance/support specifically with the Rapid Spaceback. I have no idea if all the fuse boards ar the same?

I've been having a look this afternoon and there is no way I'm going to get a cable across the headlining of the car to the back as have the glass roof and not going to mess about near any airbags either.

Looks like I'll be going along the floor line, into the boot and up the rear pillar. Going to be interesting getting the cable neatly to the glass as its glued on the the boot with no lining above. Can't go through the rubber cable tubes as no where to come out from once you're in the boot lid.

As I say, I've searched and read a lot of the forum - nothing seems to look at challenges on the Rapid.

Sorry, I missed the part about the rear cam on your post. The rear cam's cable will be a little more difficult to route, indeed. Can't help you with that as I haven't done it myself, but if something crosses my mind I will drop it here.

 

As for the fuse part, the fuse boxes are common along the Rapids, and the fuse configuration is similar. I will double check and post again, but if I remember correctly I used the rear window wiper motor fuse for switched and the rear heated window fuse for permanent.

[eyegr]

I checked my fusebox:

For switched power have used the rear window wiper motor fuse number 26 (big fuses, top row, second place).

For permanent power I have used the cigarette lighter fuse number 47 (big fuses, bottom row, sixth place).

They should be the same for your car.

[Sam@]

I checked my fusebox:

For switched power have used the rear window wiper motor fuse number 26 (big fuses, top row, second place).

For permanent power I have used the cigarette lighter fuse number 47 (big fuses, bottom row, sixth place).

They should be the same for your car.

Appreciate that info - as just realised I've ordered mini fuse piggybacks, so will get the right ones ordered now! I had ordered the right size extra fueses though.

[eyegr]

Appreciate that info - as just realised I've ordered mini fuse piggybacks, so will get the right ones ordered now! I had ordered the right size extra fueses though.

What I got was this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Middle-ATO-ATC-Add-A-Circuit-Fuse-Tap-ACU-Piggy-Back-Pluggable-Blade-L5US-/381557912707?hash=item58d69fb483:g:uXsAAOSwBLlVeT3n

 

Mini fuse should also do, there are permanent and switched fuses among the mini ones too. I would suggest the standard ones though as they are more common.

[Sam@]

Well, that went better than expected! 

All fitted, hard wired and rear camera in. 

 

Will post up the path I followed and the compromises I made with the setup/car if anyone is interested  

[eyegr]

Well, that went better than expected! 

All fitted, hard wired and rear camera in. 

 

Will post up the path I followed and the compromises I made with the setup/car if anyone is interested

Congrats

 

If you 've got time please post pictures of your setup and samples of your cameras!

[Sam@]

Took a couple of pictures getting the rear camera cabled.

 

 

From the boot went into the head lining of the rear pillar and then down the trim to follow the floor line by going under the trim (bottom left image). Was actually pretty easy to get it along, and then up the A pillar again, avoiding any air bags and all out of sight. 

 

Used the same fuse points as eyegr suggested. 

 

Will take some shots of the cameras in place - as the rear camera cable at the end is a bit of a compromise (same issue of having no trim to go in). Couldn't get any shots that weren't just reflections when I did it. 

[Sam@]

- Sorry, I don't seem to be able to embed this!

Not massively impressed by the quality from the front camera - couldn't pick out a number plate and there is some pixelation (not sure if vimeo will then add a bit more). The image from the RFC seems to be better! 

 

These are both downloaded over the units wifi to my phone and then to the computer. Will try taking the card out and test the cli ps directly - as the wifi/phone may have added to the compression too. 

Edited 5 May, 2016 by Sam@

[Sam@]

So, the video direct from the card is just the same.... A few more tests needed. 

Screen shot from the software viewer (Mac version) below - as you can't have the speed stamped on the video.

 

[eyegr]

Are you sure you can't tweak the video quality from the camera settings?

[Sam@]

Are you sure you can't tweak the video quality from the camera settings?

 

 

Nothing in the settings - it's lacking somewhat here! Not even an option to add the speed into the video or change any res/rate settings. 

 

Have reached out to Thinkware for some help as something is clearly wrong! 

[Sam@]

Quick update - faulty unit that needs replacing as the focus it out.

Apart from that it's been great - nice and simple, no screen to distract or make it obvious what it is.

[chrisgreen]

Thread resurrection time. Picked up a Nextbase 312GW for £80 from Halfords in the week. Will be hard wiring it this weekend.

As some of you know, I already have a hidden 12v socket hidden behind the dash (a legacy from when I had the Garmin hard wired in the car - now removed as I have the Amundsen). So just a case of snagging the cable in the headlining and behind the A pillar. Hopefully.

[chrisgreen]

Fitted the camera this afternoon - very simple job. Managed to thread the power cable into the headlining without damaging it, and then into the A-Pillar trim without removing it. This took a bit of time as it involved feeding the cabe under the rubber seal, then slipping it behind the trim, but 10 mins later it was all done.
 
As I already had the 12v socket installed behind the dash, power was a 10 second job.
 
Only downside, the suction mount is a bit rubbish. I'll be looking to substitute it for an adhesive one as soon as possible. Nexbase doesn't make one so I'll need to find something off eBay that will accept the ball joint from the Nextbase's unit, as its attached to the quick release mount/GPS receiver.
 
Did a little bit of driving to test it out. You'll find some test footage I uploaded to YouTube here: https://youtu.be/MQeI8jdJKd0
 

 
Chris

 

Edited 20 June, 2016 by chrisgreen

[Sam@]

Good to hear it all went well Chris! The Rapid doesn't seem to bad to install into - even with the glass roof the rear camera is ok.

[chrisgreen]

OK - I'm clearly being thick, can someone please let me know how to embed a youTube video in a post here. All the usually BBCode options for embedding YouTube don't seem to work here.

 

Thanks

Chris

[camelspyyder]

Never seen dashcam footage before - surprising image quality.

 

Funny to see you driving on the left of itty-bitty roads though after several months on the US freeways

 

 

re youtube:  I just copy the browser address at the top of the page and paste it straight into my posts.

Edited 19 June, 2016 by camelspyyder

[Sam@]

Hmm, was going to say the same about just paste the link - but it still isn't working now the video is live so I'm all out of ideas!

You were saying you don't like the mount - how about some pics?

Edited 19 June, 2016 by Sam@

[chrisgreen]

Will put a pic up this evening when I get in, but it's nothing exciting - just your normal sat-nav style suction cup mount with the nav-specific coupling attached via a ball joint to allow for exact positioning.

As with the vast majority of suction cups it doesn't do well in extreme heat or if the window develops internal condensation (as wel all know, a common problem with the Rapid).