Hi.... As per the title, has anyone had any issues with having a dash cam left plugged into the 12v socket when parked etc. as I believe it's a permanent live socket ?

 

I'm looking at buying a Nextbase 322GW and keen to be able to have the camera record if someone accidentally bumps it when parked.  I don't know much about electrics so just wondered if the permanent live would cause any issues ?

 

 

Thanks

My understanding is that if you leave the dash cam connected to a permanent live socket, you will eventually drain the battery flat with the camera constantly on.  I have a Nextbase 312GW (older version of yours maybe?) and it has a parking mode you can switch on, using the camera battery, if it detects any motion it will record a small clip, see here for more info

https://www.nextbase.com/en-gb/dash-cam-features/intelligent-parking-mode/

Thanks alrobbo.... So when you park up, just disconnect the power supply at the 12v socket and select smart parking mode.  Is that correct? 

I believe that how it works, you will need to switch parking mode on in one of the settings menus as it is switched off by default.  I found this in the 322GW manual which may help: (https://www.nextbase.com/en-gb/help-and-support/dash-cams/322gw-dash-cam-support/)

----------

Parking Mode
When Parking Mode has been turned on, the Dash Cam enters standby mode when
the 12Vdc supply has been turned OFF (typically removing your ignition key). 

The Dash Cam will also enter standby mode if no physical movement is detected for 5 minutes, this is designed to allow use of a permanent 12Vdc supply, i.e hard-wire kit.

Should physical movement of the vehicle be detected, the Dash Cam will power on and start recording a 30 second protected video. If no further physical movement is detected then the Dash Cam will return to standby mode, if physical movement is detected subsequently, then the camera will continue to record normally, i.e. driving once more.
Options: On and Off
Default: Off

---------------

So looks like your camera should power off even if connected to a continuous live socket, however I'm wary (paranoid?!) that if the camera is permanently connected to live, I'll end up getting back to a flat battery at done point, particularly if I'm away for a few days! 

 

Mine is wired into a fuse that is only live with ignition on, it does record parking moments when power is off and even 30s of the inside if my pockets if I've taken the camera out of the car!!  One way I guess you could confirm its working is to have the camera power off and then give it a little nudge/shake which should then wake it up and record the 'parking mode'

Thanks.... Looks like that will all work fine then.  Now I just need to decide if to go for front only cam or front + rear. 

 

Cheers 

I really would recommend hard wiring to the rear wiper fuse behind the glovebox, it's not hard to do.

I did it to my Octy scout then refitted it to the Karoq with no problems, plenty of info and how to do pics on here.

I'm a 73 year old duffer and managed it.😀

I got mine (512GW) hardwired at a local dealer and would definitely recommend hardwiring based on your need for parking footage. It would've cost me £150 with the dashcam, but as I just wanted the hardwire purchasing and installing, the cost went to just the labour and the wire. They originally quoted £70, knocked down to £60 through negotiation, with a free vehicle health check thrown in. So far so good on the Superb.

 

I previously had one in my Fabia hardwired in by Halfords, but the cable they used wasn't correct (not the 90degree one) and the trim was left to rattle. Not worth the £30 cheaper price imo. That said it still worked flawlessly; I left the car parked for 3 weeks, came back, opened the doors and parking mode turned on recording straight away (due to the 'bump' of the door opening) with the unit saying 'low battery'. In my experience even if there is a small parasitic drain from the hardwired unit, I doubt it'll be enough to cause any issues.

 

If you go front and back with something like the 512GW front, it will drop the resolution from 4k to 1080p to account for the second rear camera. Personally I think it might be worth the resolution sacrifice to get one in the back (the amount of people texting in traffic lights is still unreal!), but it's all personal preference.

 

On 08/02/2020 at 09:32, Elson said:

I previously had one in my Fabia hardwired in by Halfords, but the cable they used wasn't correct (not the 90degree one) and the trim was left to rattle. Not worth the £30 cheaper price imo. That said it still worked flawlessly;

 

I used my local Halfords to hardwire my MiVue dash cam and he did a first class job. I sat next to him while he did it. He said he'd done several hundred dash cam installations in his time and obviously knew what he was doing. Took about 10 minutes. Charge was £30 even though I had bought dash cam elsewhere. Based on my experience I recommend Halfords for this.