[ehosca]

Looking to get a dashcam for my m240i but would rather not run wires all the way down the pillars.

Anyone know of a way to tap into the rear-view mirror assembly to draw power to a dashcam? It appears to be the shortest possible wire length for such a setup.

After researching around for a bit I'm leaning towards this:

https://fitcamx.com/collections/bmw/...eries-dash-cam

basically zero wiring.

[freakystyly]

I have that set up right now. As far as I remember, the mirror's power is 12V and the cam would be 5V so a step down regulator is needed. I bought an amazon regulator, stripped off the plastic outer casing so it takes up less space, shoved it in the housing. I managed to solder pins to the ends of the wires so I could share the same plug as the mirror. I believe it was brown = ground, red = 12v. My old cam is a mini USB, not even micro, so I also soldered that up to an angled plug.

There's other posts either here or on the f30post side regarding this with more detail and pictures.

[MarcoZandrini]

I thought about using the mirror/rain sensor power for the front camera, but decided against that. So, I ran the wire up the right side of the car to the camera mounted to the right of the mirror/rain sensor. I install two of these cameras: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[ehosca]

this is fantastic. do you have any schematics or wiring diagrams?

I came across: https://dongar.tech/collections/adapters but they do not offer a BMW compatible adapter...

Originally Posted by freakystyly

I have that set up right now. As far as I remember, the mirror's power is 12V and the cam would be 5V so a step down regulator is needed. I bought an amazon regulator, stripped off the plastic outer casing so it takes up less space, shoved it in the housing. I managed to solder pins to the ends of the wires so I could share the same plug as the mirror. I believe it was brown = ground, red = 12v. My old cam is a mini USB, not even micro, so I also soldered that up to an angled plug.

There's other posts either here or on the f30post side regarding this with more detail and pictures.

[freakystyly]

This thread had a bit more detail with a pic. Power looks to be green w/ brown stripe not red. https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1610959

[MarcoZandrini]

I bought and installed 2 12VDC to 5VDC converters. The use a common "add a fuse" piggy back in the trunk. The converters have a usb-a connector to which I've connected long usb-a/usb-c (the cameras have a usb-c power connector) cables.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[ehosca]

this looks to be best from an installation POV. i'm not sure about the image quality etc though ..

https://fitcamx.com/collections/bmw/...eries-dash-cam

Originally Posted by freakystyly

This thread had a bit more detail with a pic. Power looks to be green w/ brown stripe not red. https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1610959

[nazali]

It's actually a POP (piece of poo) to run it that way, my DC guy did that (although the fucnked up the fuse part) but the run is easy peazey lemon sqeezy, run down the a pillar, along the floor through to the boot, and the fusetap into a fuse in the back

I'm planning on doing that when I get a chance, at the moment I have it wired to the cig lighter/12v cable, looks a "bit" manky, but it's just temporary

I'd rather a tempo fix till I get it sorted out in case of an accident

I would seriously suggest dont "cut" into any wires take it back to the fuse box, it really is easy to do my 12 year old could do it

Originally Posted by ehosca

Looking to get a dashcam for my m240i but would rather not run wires all the way down the pillars.

Anyone know of a way to tap into the rear-view mirror assembly to draw power to a dashcam? It appears to be the shortest possible wire length for such a setup.

After researching around for a bit I'm leaning towards this:

https://fitcamx.com/collections/bmw/...eries-dash-cam

basically zero wiring.

[nazali]

sorry ignore me, I didnt look at your link, I just thought it was an ordinary DC
wow thats SEXY !

[nazali]

just checked out the YT video, no cutting just plug and play, I'll look at that when I get home as the boss is lurking around, looks sexy as hell, and stops the idiots at BMW who work on my car from disconnecting or removing it when my car goes it, you don't know it's there ! Wowo

[ThomasQ]

I got mine from taobao. Not sure whether u can find it in AliExpress.
https://m.tb.cn/h.UVbXUWd?tk=KpHl2zjatPf

[Rich.Wolfson]

Originally Posted by ehosca

Looking to get a dashcam for my m240i but would rather not run wires all the way down the pillars.
...After researching around for a bit I'm leaning towards this:

https://fitcamx.com/collections/bmw/...eries-dash-cam

basically zero wiring.

I am looking at this solution as well. Looks perfect. Any experience with one yet?

///Rich

[Toddbmw]

I used this

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R7JGCL1...roduct_details
Only found one that had a microUSB plug (which is what my camera used)

and followed the guidance found here
https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...1811276&page=3

I did have to solder longer leads on the ends that are inserted into the harness to make it work. Works great, just need a better mount for the camera other than a suction cup.

[Rich.Wolfson]

Originally Posted by Toddbmw

I used this...Works great, just need a better mount for the camera other than a suction cup.

I am not worried about the power but the one I am looking at makes it look like it's OEM. I really don't want any suction cups in this install.

///Rich

[cooolone2]

I prefer the suction cup to the Blendmount. One is it's removable... Easily that is. Two is it allows the RD to sit higher up and out of the way/view while in use. Just sayin

[USVIJIM]

Installed the FITCAMX in my 16' M235i on Monday. Plugs right into the rain sensor with a provided plug. No issues so far, looks great and no wires. I got the 4k model but I think the quality of the image isn't actually 4k. I wish they would make one that fits so well will a GoPro quality camera.

[Rich.Wolfson]

Originally Posted by USVIJIM

Installed the FITCAMX in my 16' M235i on Monday. Plugs right into the rain sensor with a provided plug. No issues so far, looks great and no wires. I got the 4k model but I think the quality of the image isn't actually 4k. I wish they would make one that fits so well will a GoPro quality camera.

Can you post a few seconds of video? I am really willing to pull the trigger on this one and join you in the club.

///Rich

[USVIJIM]

This is lower settings, I can pull a full 4k clipin the morning.

So far it starts every time, you can use the app or just pull the micro SD. Perfect for insurance.

https://youtu.be/UXpAzUlSZyc

[Rich.Wolfson]

Originally Posted by USVIJIM

This is lower settings, I can pull a full 4k clipin the morning.
So far it starts every time, you can use the app or just pull the micro SD. Perfect for insurance.

And 4K will be better. I think I am going to pull the trigger on this one. Particularly that you confirm that it takes a MicroSD card rather than a full USB stick as it looks on their site.

Thanks.

///Rich

[USVIJIM]

The USB on their site is a USB adapter, I was confused by that too . I didn't use the 64gb they provided and got a Samsung Endurance 128gb SD. Card is easy to access. I'll pull a couple clips now and post.

[USVIJIM]

Video quality is decent for my use case, just in case I need it for Insurance. May be able to figure a polarized lens for some of the reflections. Sits back a few inches from the glass so it's to be expected. Night reflection from drive. Still works for me as I'm not trying to film the next fast and furious with this, that's what the GoPro is for

[Rich.Wolfson]

Originally Posted by USVIJIM

Video quality is decent for my use case, just in case I need it for Insurance. May be able to figure a polarized lens for some of the reflections. Sits back a few inches from the glass so it's to be expected. Night reflection from drive. Still works for me as I'm not trying to film the next fast and furious with this, that's what the GoPro is for

Perfect. Thanks I will post a sample when mine arrives and I get it installed. This looks like a great solution. Practically invisible and works.

///Rich