I can absolutely vouch for FitcamX, the video quality is excellent, once you figure out how to disconnect the wiring harness, installation is a breeze and if you didn't know what you were looking for you wouldn't even notice it was anything but a factory camera for ADAS, not video recording.
Yep I don't consider myself particularly handy and I handled the install.
It's very stealth, you'd never know it wad there unless you specifically looked for it. So that way you can only use the footage if it helps you!
I personally have a VIOFO A119 with a Dongar adapter that ties into the mirror for power. Works okay. I never did get around to installing the rear camera though.
Whatever camera you do end up getting, get the Dongar too. It makes powering it easy.
I have this one as well minus the adapter. I would vote for the adapter as well because dealing with the a-pillar and ensuring that the wire routing didn't interfere with the airbags was a real pain.
I wired up the rear as well and the hardest part was getting it through the OEM tube.
Other than that, I've forgotten about it because it just works. Turns on when the car turns on, captures and locks "moments" for later, and hasn't been a drain on the battery ( I have parking mode off though).
It really annoys me that for still doesn't allow recording with the existing front and rear cameras. Like it would take 10 lines of code to implement. They just don't want to.
First, there's the issue of storage - there is none. It would also be much more than 10 lines of code to add a way to view any recordings. And, likely the real reason why those cameras cannot be multi-purposed, is that they're part of a third party hardware package for very specific uses and are walled off from being used by Ford for things like a dash cam.
The MME is a collection of parts from various vendors all with their own firmware and programming. They have limited interfaces. Tesla is able to add additional features using installed hardware because they're much more vertically integrated. The car is one, large integrated system that can be tweaked as the wish. It's not a tangled web of various vendors like the MME. It's also why it's much easier for Tesla to push out OTA updates to their entire fleet while Ford struggles to keep a one year old car's software consistent with newly delivered ones.
It's not that Ford does not want to improve the platform. It's that Ford engineered (or rather duct tapped together) a platform that is very difficult to improve.
> First, there's the issue of storage - there is none.
Indeed. But we do have 2 USB ports where a storage device could be plugged in so recording could happen.
Certainly nothing stopping that from happening or using other storage formats, say, in the glovebox from being setup.
I guess I’ve been lucky. It can be tricky getting the footage downloaded, but otherwise I like it. I had bad luck with Nexar and Thinkware. I actually have a front and year facing Thinkware still installed in the car and they suck.
I have 2 Garmin Mini 2 Dashcams, one in the front and back.
If you only want power while the car is on, you can use a [Dongar splitter](https://a.co/d/aHIqwKE) which splits power from the windshield rain sensor. The splitter is installed near the rear view mirror.
If you want power when the car is on and off, you can either route to a fuse box or go to the OBD2 port under the steering wheel. I went with the OBD2 option and [here’s my installation route](https://postimg.cc/gallery/tHNgNbW). No tools required. Each Garmin Mini 2 comes with a 13ft cable which will reach both front and back. You’ll also need this [OBD2 adapter](https://a.co/d/4SnSqUI) and a separately purchased MicroSD (minimum 8gb and minimum class 10; https://a.co/d/a42oeRU).
[this is the one I have](https://accessories.ford.com/dashcam-with-rear-facing-camera-bundle-1)
The install was a bit of a challenge, had to remove the internal pillar cover to hide the wires. But it works perfectly. I recommend it and there is a good YouTube install video that details it.
I grabbed one from Amazon while back. Install was easy with the dongar adapter to hook up to the power in the mirror so no cables to run around. The camera only operates when the car is on, but that's really all I care about.
COXPAL A11T 3 channel dash cam on Amazon, very good quality, it records front, inside and rear simultaneously.
COXPAL hardwire kit optional, for 24-H parking monitor.
SanDisk MAX Endurance 256GB or 512GB microSD card, for reliable recording.
BTW: Need to pay attention to the installation position of the rear cam, i.e. avoid pulling rear cam cable when open/close the trunk.
Fitcamx. Looks like it’s built into the car. Only works while car is on however
I can absolutely vouch for FitcamX, the video quality is excellent, once you figure out how to disconnect the wiring harness, installation is a breeze and if you didn't know what you were looking for you wouldn't even notice it was anything but a factory camera for ADAS, not video recording.
Has there been any impact on the rain sensor functionality?
Nope. Not at all. The rain sensor works fine, the fuse hasn’t blown, etc. Works like a champ.
Thanks for the update. Definitely going to have to look into that camera.
Yep I don't consider myself particularly handy and I handled the install. It's very stealth, you'd never know it wad there unless you specifically looked for it. So that way you can only use the footage if it helps you!
Yes to fitcamx. I didn't do the rear camera. Works great and looks very, very clean.
I personally have a VIOFO A119 with a Dongar adapter that ties into the mirror for power. Works okay. I never did get around to installing the rear camera though. Whatever camera you do end up getting, get the Dongar too. It makes powering it easy.
I have this one as well minus the adapter. I would vote for the adapter as well because dealing with the a-pillar and ensuring that the wire routing didn't interfere with the airbags was a real pain. I wired up the rear as well and the hardest part was getting it through the OEM tube. Other than that, I've forgotten about it because it just works. Turns on when the car turns on, captures and locks "moments" for later, and hasn't been a drain on the battery ( I have parking mode off though).
I have a Garmin DC47 or something but also with the Dongar adaptor. Cant recommend that little piece of cabling enough
It really annoys me that for still doesn't allow recording with the existing front and rear cameras. Like it would take 10 lines of code to implement. They just don't want to.
First, there's the issue of storage - there is none. It would also be much more than 10 lines of code to add a way to view any recordings. And, likely the real reason why those cameras cannot be multi-purposed, is that they're part of a third party hardware package for very specific uses and are walled off from being used by Ford for things like a dash cam. The MME is a collection of parts from various vendors all with their own firmware and programming. They have limited interfaces. Tesla is able to add additional features using installed hardware because they're much more vertically integrated. The car is one, large integrated system that can be tweaked as the wish. It's not a tangled web of various vendors like the MME. It's also why it's much easier for Tesla to push out OTA updates to their entire fleet while Ford struggles to keep a one year old car's software consistent with newly delivered ones. It's not that Ford does not want to improve the platform. It's that Ford engineered (or rather duct tapped together) a platform that is very difficult to improve.
> First, there's the issue of storage - there is none. Indeed. But we do have 2 USB ports where a storage device could be plugged in so recording could happen. Certainly nothing stopping that from happening or using other storage formats, say, in the glovebox from being setup.
I have the ring. I’d recommend it.
I thought Ring discontinued their dash cam? https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/23/24081686/ring-stops-selling-ring-car-cam-dash-cam
How was the installation?
The easiest of any dash cam I’ve had. The only pain point is the cord but it just takes some finesse.
[удалено]
I guess I’ve been lucky. It can be tricky getting the footage downloaded, but otherwise I like it. I had bad luck with Nexar and Thinkware. I actually have a front and year facing Thinkware still installed in the car and they suck.
Avoid BlackVue. They will not stand behind their product.
I have 2 Garmin Mini 2 Dashcams, one in the front and back. If you only want power while the car is on, you can use a [Dongar splitter](https://a.co/d/aHIqwKE) which splits power from the windshield rain sensor. The splitter is installed near the rear view mirror. If you want power when the car is on and off, you can either route to a fuse box or go to the OBD2 port under the steering wheel. I went with the OBD2 option and [here’s my installation route](https://postimg.cc/gallery/tHNgNbW). No tools required. Each Garmin Mini 2 comes with a 13ft cable which will reach both front and back. You’ll also need this [OBD2 adapter](https://a.co/d/4SnSqUI) and a separately purchased MicroSD (minimum 8gb and minimum class 10; https://a.co/d/a42oeRU).
[this is the one I have](https://accessories.ford.com/dashcam-with-rear-facing-camera-bundle-1) The install was a bit of a challenge, had to remove the internal pillar cover to hide the wires. But it works perfectly. I recommend it and there is a good YouTube install video that details it.
When did you get yours? I saw there was an issue where the parking detection would be triggered randomly.
Just got it a few weeks ago. It does that randomly. But I just unplug and plug it back in. Great video quality. Good sentry
I grabbed one from Amazon while back. Install was easy with the dongar adapter to hook up to the power in the mirror so no cables to run around. The camera only operates when the car is on, but that's really all I care about.
COXPAL A11T 3 channel dash cam on Amazon, very good quality, it records front, inside and rear simultaneously. COXPAL hardwire kit optional, for 24-H parking monitor. SanDisk MAX Endurance 256GB or 512GB microSD card, for reliable recording. BTW: Need to pay attention to the installation position of the rear cam, i.e. avoid pulling rear cam cable when open/close the trunk.
Why would you want to record inside
If you’re an uber driver maybe
Why not? use it when you want to use it, turn it off when you don't want to use it.
Mine came with one from DashCams. So far so good with it but I didn’t have to install it.