Dash cam - built-in design

[jthspace]

I purchased a Dashcam from AliExpress - FITCAMX - where they supply a new cover with a built-in Dashcam. All you have to do is remove the existing cover that is fitted over the electronics by the rear view mirror and connect the new cover with built-in Dashcam.  You simply detach the existing plug from the electronics and connect the new wire in parallel.  The camera comes on with the ignition and off when you turn the ignition off.  Once fitted, the driver cannot see anything different as the rear view mirror hides the new "bulge".

To view the video/pictures, you connect to the camera via an app wirelessly.

It took me about 30 minutes in all to do.  I purchased the 4K video quality with 64Gb memory card.  There are cheaper versions with lower resolution.

FITCAMX

I couldn't get a picture of the camera from outside the car as, after all the rain today, the sun came out!

 

[Mojo1010]

Looks good and very neat, didn't know such a thing exist. How is the quality of the video? It is super capacitor? With tax it's about £155. Incorporating onto the existing mirror part is very good indeed. The only issue I have is if it becomes faulty, + taking a risk on actual video quality even though it's 4k. 

Have a 2k vico opia 2 on the front hardwired, had it for about 4 years, capacitor, still going strong. Looking to buy a viofo 2k A119 v3 dash for the rear, it's 99.95, was on sale for 84.95 a few months ago. Wait for it to go back on sale. The 4k version is £170. 

[jthspace]

Video is very good, I'll post a link when we next go out on a proper journey. It's MX5 lunch tomorrow, so it may be a day or so.

It's powered by the front sensors lead, the piggy-back lead can be seen if you click on the first pic, I liked the idea of a unit that just fitted without the hassle of wiring it up.  Certainly impressed me, especially the 30 minute start to finish install.  Install video examples

https://youtu.be/EGM4FFmjUP

 

[Primus1]

It does look neat and tidy, but, is there parking mode..?

[jthspace]

18 minutes ago, Primus1 said:

It does look neat and tidy, but, is there parking mode..?

Not when you use the piggyback wiring, only if you power on a permanent basis. Parking mode not important for me.

[jthspace]

Here's a 3 minute sample vid.  Doesn't bounce about which is good, but wide angle lens does pick up reflections although on the plus side it gives good coverage.  This was 8:30 am so sun was low-ish.

May make a little sunshade to cut down on reflections. 

YouTube video 3 minutes

[RonYarisX]

I looked at a similar option when ordring the car but thought it a waste of money buying a dedicated system for the next owner.

I've just installed the Nextbase Dashcam from my old car. The wiring up took no more than 10mins. The only minor issue ( it's not even minor) is that you can't replace the fuse box lid due to the piggy back fuse, but as it's all hidden away behind trim, that's no issue. The only cost was having to purchase a low profile mini piggyback fuse holder ( £2.50 ) as the fuses are different to Euro cars.

It's the easiest Dashcam install I've ever done partly because of the way Toyota has built the car. I've said it before and I'll say it again, some of the plastics used are shockingly cheap. They use plastic nuts and there's extensive use of compression to hold plastics in place. I wouldn't like to remove the trim too many times as eventually something will snap.

Note to self - if I'm ever working with trim on the Toyota, do so in the warmer summer months, never go near it in the winter. 😁

[flash22]

14 hours ago, Mojo1010 said:

 Looking to buy a viofo 2k A119 v3 dash for the rear, it's 99.95, was on sale for 84.95 a few months ago. Wait for it to go back on sale. The 4k version is £170. 

A bit overkill for a rear camera tbh £109 from most sellers ATM

More than happy with my blackvue 600gw a bit on the pricey side, The power magic is utter dross tho

[Chippy01]

Can that camera be angled down a bit. There's a bit too much sky for my liking, which could cause a bit of a wash out situation.

 

[Primus1]

5 hours ago, flash22 said:

A bit overkill for a rear camera tbh £109 from most sellers ATM

More than happy with my blackvue 600gw a bit on the pricey side, The power magic is utter dross tho

I have the blackvue dr900s front and rear cameras, mine, however, are powered by a separate blackvue Battery which is hardwired into the car.

[Mojo1010]

10 hours ago, flash22 said:

A bit overkill for a rear camera tbh £109 from most sellers ATM

More than happy with my blackvue 600gw a bit on the pricey side, The power magic is utter dross tho

I'm more than happy with 2k quality on a decent cam, wouldn't spend on a 4k one, not really necessary imo. 

[Guest]

23 hours ago, flash22 said:

More than happy with my blackvue 600gw a bit on the pricey side, The power magic is utter dross tho

Agreed. I have a posher version Blackvue and more than happy with it. Yes, they are comparitively very pricey but I think you get what you pay for in this instance.

I did try a Power Magic and too found it "dross". I am also reluctant to use a 12v starting Battery to power parking mode. I use a separate dedicated Battery pack, situated under the front passenger seat. That will ensure the passenger receives a burnt backside if it self combusts (EV anyone?) which charges from the car and powers the Dashcam in parking mode too.

Not a cheap solution though.

Does that FITCAMX record sound Jeff? I can't hear any on that Youtube video.

[jthspace]

5 hours ago, olonas said:

Does that FITCAMX record sound Jeff? I can't hear any on that Youtube video.

Yes, but I didn't want anyone hearing my moaning about other drivers, cars in general,the state of the nation etc.  When you save the clip to your phone, you can add music but then who wants to hear electropop lift musik for 3 minutes 😂

[Guest]

18 hours ago, jthspace said:

Yes, but I didn't want anyone hearing my moaning about other drivers, cars in general,the state of the nation etc

Yes, I'm in the same club. I'm surprised my T.V. has survived so long without anything heavy being thrown at it.

[Derf47]

Thanks Jeff {jthspace) for the dash cam info, I purchased one from Amazon yesterday  and fitted it today. It was about a tenner more expensive than direct from China, but thought it would be easier if there was a problem. Easy neat installation, I will try it out tomorrow.

 

[CPN]

On 8/2/2023 at 6:33 PM, jthspace said:

I purchased a dashcam from AliExpress - FITCAMX - where they supply a new cover with a built-in dashcam. All you have to do is remove the existing cover that is fitted over the electronics by the rear view mirror and connect the new cover with built-in dashcam.  You simply detach the existing plug from the electronics and connect the new wire in parallel.  The camera comes on with the ignition and off when you turn the ignition off.  Once fitted, the driver cannot see anything different as the rear view mirror hides the new "bulge".

To view the video/pictures, you connect to the camera via an app wirelessly.

It took me about 30 minutes in all to do.  I purchased the 4K video quality with 64Gb memory card.  There are cheaper versions with lower resolution.

FITCAMX

I couldn't get a picture of the camera from outside the car as, after all the rain today, the sun came out!

Does this camera have built-in GPS Jeff?

[MikeSh]

1 hour ago, CPN said:

Does this camera have built-in GPS Jeff?

It sounds good but, in the UK at least, any few minutes (ie. typical recorded/saved segment) of video will allow anyone to place the location more accurately than a GPS fix, so I wouldn't worry about that feature.

[jthspace]

1 hour ago, CPN said:

Does this camera have built-in GPS Jeff?

No, it’s just a camera. Can be an advantage as it doesn’t record your speed to act against you 😂🤣. Leave it to someone else to interrogate the cars black box if they need to 🧐

[CPN]

15 hours ago, MikeSh said:

It sounds good but, in the UK at least, any few minutes (ie. typical recorded/saved segment) of video will allow anyone to place the location more accurately than a GPS fix, so I wouldn't worry about that feature.

Hadn't thought about it from that perspective...

[Roy124]

I have a Nextbase cam and really find the additional data very useful.  The G displays shows how smoothly you drive and also your reaction speed in emergency. 

I also use the dash cam for images of potholes.  The position nails it when reporting to Highways. 

[Derf47]

I have been extremely happy with the purchase of my fitcamx dash cam, unfortunately Toyota have changed the design of the 2024 Yaris cross mirror console, so I can't use it in my new car. Less than a year old boxed 4k 64 Gb card

 

[Mojo1010]

On 8/3/2023 at 11:48 AM, flash22 said:

A bit overkill for a rear camera tbh £109 from most sellers ATM

More than happy with my blackvue 600gw a bit on the pricey side, The power magic is utter dross tho

Got it on sale for 67.55 in the end. I had a cheap £25 one before, I think apeman 1080p but it doesn't looped the recording. In the end I included it with the sale of my car.

[KP-61 Starlet]

The camera looks neat and tidy. I'm thinking of buying one, but I'm worried they might send me the wrong one. To avoid wasting time and money, I'm wondering if you could help by taking a photo of the label attached to the black plastic cover or the exact model number on the box and posting it here. I know it's a lot to ask, but thank you!

 

[CPN]

I've got some good news for all those new 2024 Yaris/Yaris Cross owners in relation to FitcamX dashcams. I've been told that it will be a month before the mould is finalised but there will be integrated Dashcam versions available for the 2024 models when that is complete! 

[jthspace]

On 7/21/2024 at 12:51 AM, KP-61 Starlet said:

The camera looks neat and tidy. I'm thinking of buying one, but I'm worried they might send me the wrong one. To avoid wasting time and money, I'm wondering if you could help by taking a photo of the label attached to the black plastic cover or the exact model number on the box and posting it here. I know it's a lot to ask, but thank you!

 

Sorry, just out of hospital after 10 days and convalescing away from home. If you check their website from the link I posted it says what to send them as info with the order; I did that and got confirmation email and order. The correct part arrived. 
 

It will be interesting to see if my Yaris 12v Battery is still charged enough when I get home later this week; it will have been 20 days since last used. 🤞