for the parking mode, you need the Power Magic

You do need a power magic battery controller. I won't drill your battery, otherwise you can't start your car.:ilied:

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5342/7...9bf6fee69b.jpg

Got hardwire the DR380 and had a chance to test recording a clip. I will say for the price of dr380 worth to buy.

The 400 model still has the overheating issue and 380 is apparently the model that solves the overheating issue.

Is the 400 really that bad? Thinking of getting the 380 now

^not that its bad, but theres a huge possibility of it overheating. And according to blackvue their answer to this was the 380.

^^^
I think that the main cause of overheating is a hot day combined with parking mode.

^^^ some experienced it during driving as well and you can see from the posted footage in this thread, so not necessarily just related to parking mode.

But I also thought that most ppl didnt use power magic, so may or may not be a issue.

Well if it's hardwired and has a fuse holder on parking mode, why not take the fuse off / power it down since it won't be used.

You can take the camera off if you want to. I am unsing two cameras in my cars. Usually I take them away when I am not driving.

but parking mode is a great feature something other cams dont have.

and i say hardwire might be the cause as most just wire to there dome lights

^^^
How does wiring it to the dome light cause overheating? You mentioned the dome light in a previous post, and someone responded.

There is no definite answer as of yet imo(the specs does say operating temp is -20 to +60 degrees celsius), its just an assumption I have with regard to continuous power and not using any diodes and i doubt that ppl that did their own installs use the right gauge wire either. So I just think hardwiring using something like a power magic module will act as a regulator.

Like on redflag's forum almost all hardwire using their dome lights, and have overheating issues. I could be wrong but havent heard much of a issue with those who hardwire with power magic.

I guess what I am interested in is the outcome of hardwire with power magic and 400 model.

i have a couple of these guys and the suction cup seems to fail on hot days (I guess the windshield gets too hot?)

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/290576070460?...ht_4088wt_1030

any idea on what i can do to mount this thing? any place to buy a better suction cup?

First, this kind of "cheap" wiring cameras might stop working under high temprature such as 30 °C. It is important that low quality camera will miss recording. So it might miss several seconds among clips. This kind of camera is just useless.

Second, no warranty. Why would you like to spend 30 dollars on a low quality one without warranty?
I have a friend bought this kind of camera about 50 dollars in china. The screen stop working after 3 days. So 30 dollars gone in two days.
You pay what you got.

One option you have is to modify the cup to take double sided tape and simply stick it on your windshield. The other is to find a higher quality suction cup online (not sure where you'd find one, sorry).

I just hardwire another dash camera on my rear windshield. I call it BlackvuePRO

Angel is wide than GoPRO, Night view is way better than GoPro.

I hope blackvue can product some suction cup so that I can mount the camera on my car's fender.

Many people don't need high definition footage. They just want a video camera that records what happens. ICBC will rule in your favour (or someone else's) provided they can see what happened. It doesn't matter if you're able to make out if the person driving has blue or brown eyes.

Besides, using the screen is illegal in BC, so it doesn't really matter if it works or not. :p

Can asr comment on the 380 and how hot it gets under normal operation? Parking mode? Etc.

That's exactly what I want to show you guys. I used dr400 and dr380 both are under cooling condition. After about 1 hr driving. DR380 is obviously not as hot as dr400 even though dr380 is in black color. After 1 hour driving, the temprature between two models are huge different. So this means dr380 does improve the heating issue.
I want prove you guys more about dr380. And I will write a thread about dr380 later tonight.Unfortunately, I don't have a temprature gauge. Does anyone got temprature gauge I could borrow for 1 time? Thanks.

It depends on people's different thinking.

Yes, using the screen dash camera while driving is illegal.

How about a hit and run situation? If your dash camera didn't capture a clear license plate, how could ICBC waive your deductible? That's a point.


One RCMP told me that if you present a blurry video which got a clear criminal face or license plate, then the non-HD video is useless. That's the official RCMP told me in person.

Thanks for the technical input but I don't find it useless for my purposes.

because it was only $35 shipped to my door to play around with. at that price i'm fine with no warranty. before i know if i really want something high end i usually buy something lower end to see if i really like it to avoid buyer's remorse on a high end item. i did the same with my 1st set of golf clubs.

sorry to hear your friend's camera died. i understand the risks of a cheap camera and i didn't post to cry about it. i simply asked if there's any other mounting ideas or if anyone knew where to buy replacement suction cups.

thanks for the idea lomac. if i can't find another suction cup i might just use tape.

So if the blackvue 400 dies under this over heating issue, will warranty be covered and how long is it for?

Like Glow, I bought an el cheapo dash cam from China. Took a while to get it, but it was well worth the money. Starts up immediately and the screen confirms the camera is aimed properly. As I'm about to drive off, I flip the screen closed not having to worry if the camera is aimed properly. In fact, I can tell if the camera is aimed properly by just looking at the device. The media being SD Card format is also a bonus - much easier to handle than the micro SD card the BlackVue uses. As of this week, I have a BlackVue. The BlackVue has higher definition and records well at night time, however, it is a bear during dusk. Last evening, I had uber problems with the BlackVue adjusting to shadows caused by the sun being low on the horizon.

I purchased my BlackVue via eBay before I found out the BlackVue was sold by a couple of RS sponsors. If I had known, I would have supported an RS sponsor.

Anyway, the BV I got came with Korean language installed. Seller sent me English update and all is well. Had a few issues with it, but figured out how to do a proper upgrade/conversion. Quite simple, now that I know what needs to be done.

I also purchased an extra set of accessories for the BlackVue - an extra mount and an extra adapter. Going from one vehicle to another is a snap.

Honestly, there is nothing wrong with getting the cheaper dashcams. Anyone who tries to convince you otherwise needs to step back and smell the roses. I have both the cheaper variety and the BlackVue.

Just putting an unbiased opinion out there. It bothers me a bit when sales pitch takes over a thread meant to inform people.


If any of you need help, I'll try my best............

Also, if you need one of these dashcams or any other electrical device installed in your vehicle, you can always contact any of the RS sponsors, like Soundsgood, Rise, etc. They know their shit and can get it done right - quality installs by qualified people using proper supplies.

As an old man, would you recommend the camera for someone like my sainted-yet-also-aged mother? I'm honestly not sure if it'd be good for her, but she had a lady back into her once (who luckily also fessed up) and I worry that it'll happen again...or worse.

I need a third opinion to give her. Aged man, advise!