Dummy dashcam?

[JayCee88]

My TS Trek came with a Nextbase 380GW camera mounted on the windscreen. No cables but has a base and the camera unit.

Salesman mentioned that it's a dummy unit. The base itself looks like a real unit, with a mini USB connector. Same with the camera, it's a bit light but all the buttons and connections looks realistic. Even the camera lens comes with protective sticker.

Curiousity got the better of me and I've plugged in power source to try. Alas, the camera will not turn on, so I guess it's a dummy unit after all. I will have to find a way of removing the base which is stuck on the windscreen to install my own Dashcam.

Just find this a bit odd, going through all this effort to have a dummy camera installed. I was sold a Dashcam package (circa £380 for front and rear) but I've declined the offer. 

Has anyone here came across this?

[flash22]

RTFM ?

https://cdn.nextbase.co.uk/manuals/7C960CBE-0B61-4187-B80D-33FF39D1D1A3/NBDVR380GW - Instruction Manual (English R8).pdf?_ga=2.256299202.899637565.1671288845-997875834.1671288841

Does it have a SD card in it, is the fuse plugged into the fuse box under the dash, did you try the reset button or power button on the other side of the camera (under the cover)

 

[JayCee88]

29 minutes ago, flash22 said:

RTFM ?

https://cdn.nextbase.co.uk/manuals/7C960CBE-0B61-4187-B80D-33FF39D1D1A3/NBDVR380GW - Instruction Manual (English R8).pdf?_ga=2.256299202.899637565.1671288845-997875834.1671288841

Does it have a SD card in it, is the fuse plugged into the fuse box under the dash, did you try the reset button or power button on the other side of the camera (under the cover)

 

Yes, I suppose I should've RTFMed 🙂

SD card in, and no LED lights. Tried powering both using the mount (had spare wire from my current dashcam) and also plugging in USB port at the side of the camera (using another USB cable from PC) but it's not turning on.

Perhaps it's a faulty unit?

 

Regarding the fuse, it's not wired in. As I've said in my OP, the salesman mentioned it's a dummy unit and I haven't paid anything for it.
It came with the mount (no wires) stuck on the windscreen and the camera unit.

[Bper]

It's amazing how real these dummy units can look but that's the whole idea .😊

[JayCee88]

7 minutes ago, Bper said:

It's amazing how real these dummy units can look but that's the whole idea .😊

Indeed 🙂

 

[flash22]

Is it the ex floor model ? There is no other reason it would have a dummy camera, but it makes no sense that it has the guts inside it and a SD card

 

[JayCee88]

Just now, flash22 said:

Is it the ex floor model ? There is no other reason it would have a dummy camera, but it makes no sense that it has the guts inside it and a SD card

Yes, it's ex-demonstrator I believe, or a "management car".
The SD card was inserted by myself just to test if it will turn on with SD card fitted.

[flash22]

So there is no cable coming out of the base on the screen

[JayCee88]

6 minutes ago, flash22 said:

So there is no cable coming out of the base on the screen

Nope. I've tested with various mini usb cables but it doesn't seem to be powering up.

Tried plugging into the base and also directly into the side of the cam. 
My mate might have a better cable and will test this out next week to see if I can get it to power up.

I don't think this is a dummy, perhaps a faulty unit swapped over. It's definitely new though, no scratches and the lens protection film is sitll on!

[flash22]

It may be a dummy unit with a blank PCB as it doesn't have the Battery terminals

edit. It's a dummy, the PCB is the wrong colour, plus it's missing a serial number

https://fccid.io/2AOT9-NBDVR380GW/Internal-Photos/Internal-Photos-3-4030279

 

[JayCee88]

22 minutes ago, flash22 said:

It may be a dummy unit with a blank PCB as it doesn't have the battery terminals

edit. It's a dummy, the PCB is the wrong colour, plus it's missing a serial number

https://fccid.io/2AOT9-NBDVR380GW/Internal-Photos/Internal-Photos-3-4030279

 

Wow, great spot cheers! I must say this is a very realistic looking dummy. When I slot the SD card in it has the spring loaded action you'd expect.

[flash22]

It may have the camera in the ball and a blank pcb(s) that mounts the buttons and bits but the casing and buttons are the same as the real thing