For years I've had a sat-nav with built in dashcam that's served me well but it's on its last legs. The current equivalent is ridiculous money so I've opted for using Waze or Maps on my phone on the odd occasion I need route guidance and a dashcam for self-preservation. I bought a Nextbase GW322 from Halfords and got them to hard-wire it in - I'm past wanting to crawl round cars in near freezing temperatures. But I'm finding that without the engine running the camera will switch on, go through the logo screen and as soon as there is a live image it switches off. It seems crazy to only be able to change settings with the engine running! Before i go back to Halfords has anyone else experienced this? Late one evening I had to go out to the car and it was showing a low battery warning which does make me think it's been wired to a fuse that isn't permanently live.

Oh, I did try Nextbase customer support. Let's just say I found it lacking - a chatbot giving a stock response that doesn't help solve the problem. 

Thanks for any thoughts on this.

Sorry about the issues - I can't help with Nextbase, but next time around have a look at Blackvue with the plug and on/off switch that goes straight into the diagnostics socket. Doesn't need hard-wiring and the switch means it's either 1) Active all the time until the battery gets low (if there's local car crime): or 2) Only on when the ignition is on.

Paul, I have always wired mine up in the fuse box, with a live only when the  ignition is on.

That way it won't drain the cars battery.

If you want the camara on whilst parked up, I would suggest a battery bank.

Just remove the cable from the satnav, and replace with the cable from the battery bank.

You can then recharge the battery bank via your charge point below the radio.

 

Maybe best to go back to Halfords and ask then to check it and maybe move it to ignition live only.

Thank you both. I think Halfords may have wired to a non-permanent live fuse as this morning after I'd driven a bit all was OK. I'll go back and talk to them. I opted for the permanently on option after having my number plates nicked whilst parked at the side of the road! Nextbase do say there is some wizardry that will turn the camera off before it drains the battery but that may be "until you find out otherwise". Thanks again. 

Edited 24 February, 20251 yr by Paul52
Spelling mistake

I have used one of these cables with all my Skodas It has a switch which powers off the dashcam after 5minutes

It can be switched to keep the dashcam on.

Rearmaster universal OBD power cable for dashcams, 24 hour surveillance with mode switch button mini USB. 

Amazon about £15+

Nextbase do a similar cable

 

4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars    1,070 ratings

 

Edited 23 February, 20251 yr by gumdrop

19 hours ago, gumdrop said:

I have used one of these cables with all my Skodas It has a switch which powers off the dashcam after 5minutes

It can be switched to keep the dashcam on.

Rearmaster universal OBD power cable for dashcams, 24 hour surveillance with mode switch button mini USB. 

Amazon about £15+

 

 

Thanks Gumdrop. That's an interesting option - I wish I'd known about it before I'd booked mine in at Halfords. Would have saved me £40 and even I should be able to put a plug in a socket without wrecking anything!

27 minutes ago, Paul52 said:

 

Thanks Gumdrop. That's an interesting option - I wish I'd known about it before I'd booked mine in at Halfords. Would have saved me £40 and even I should be able to put a plug in a socket without wrecking anything!

Gumdrops one looks pretty much the same (apart from a different colour button) to the BlackVue 'Connecta' one I've had in the Audi for a couple of years with no issues.

 

I've ordered the Amazon one for the Yeti now !

...works well.