[mm5300]

Does anyone have any idea what I could use for power and accessory connections for this dash cam? I know some people have used mirror tap, but apparently the connector is smaller on this unit, so they don't have one available at the moment. Also, I'd like to have a constant draw for parking mode, but I was hoping that to have to turn it on/off each time and didn't really want to go with their battery option.
I know they have the Power Magic Pro option, but does our battery drain quickly when it's hardwired? I also didn't want to have to worry about the battery drain. If I have to go with the battery option I will, but the car is likely not to sit anywhere to long where I would be concerned about parking mode. Maybe a day at the most. Always in the garage when home. Thank you and I appreciate any feedback.

[nerdogray]

I just went through this mental process a few days ago and took the hit and bought everything (exact same model), including the battery and also ordered a Blendmount. I think I read a few reports on here that the car will complain about the current draw even after short periods of time. Not a fan of messing with my car, but a camera is a must-have where I am. I just wish there were more options for the sides.

[NoMods]

I have Viofo A229 dual camera and i have the power running to the back so I can control the power with the USB, but my R7 radar is mirror tap and blendmounted to the mirror.

[RichF90M5C]

I have the power magic pro with my BlackVue, and it all works seamlessly. I really wish that the onboard cameras in the car had a parking mode, as I’d rather not have a dashcam tbh.

[ResIpsaLoquitur]

OP, I don’t know if you’re dead set on the BlackVue. If you’re not, here is a recent thread with us discussing some dashcams. I relayed my experience about the OwlCam, which seems to check all the boxes you’re looking for.

https://f90.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1952988

It has parking mode, and I can go 5 to 7 days without a trickle charger without getting an iDrive “battery management system” notification. It has never caused me to have a dead battery even when not driving the car for a little over a week. Plugs into your OBD port, very clean install with no visible wires, is the least obstructive of your view from all the dashcams I looked at, and has remote viewing capabilities with the mobile app if you pay for the subscription. You can also create clips and share them if needed.

I describe an experience in the thread I shared above where the OwlCam helped me out a great deal.

[crypto]

I have the Thinkware U1000 front and rear dash cam with Cellink Neo Pro backup battery for park mode. The battery costs almost as much as the dash cam but it’s worth it not to drain your battery and get parking mode. My battery is installed in the trunk and taps into the rear cigarette auxiliary light fuse.

[Aronis]

https://f90.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1596640

I have two BlackVue dash cams.

Mike

[mm5300]

Thanks for all the information/advice. I already had purchased the Blackvue, so I'm going with that.
I think I'm going to go the Power Magic Pro route. That seems like the most logical and less expensive than one of their batteries. Thanks again!

[subterFUSE]

I would urge you to get their battery pack.

My Blackvue cam has saved my bacon twice, both times while the car was parked. One time the car was parked inside my garage and it caught a burglar. The other time my car was parallel parked and got a side swipe hit and run.

You don’t think you need it until you actually need it.

[Aronis]

Beware that there is a theory (not proven) that use of a dash cam and radar detector will ruin your $2000. lithium ion battery. At least that was BMW's claim. I have a cut off switch on my power wire going to the dash cam and radar and I turn it off in the garage along with my head light switch. The auto head lights come on randomly in my car. There is some post repair/rebuild gremlin in my electronics.

Blackvue has a backup battery option you should consider. That way it only uses the car's charging system when the car is running and uses it's own battery to run the camera in 'parking mode.'

Mike