I am installing front and rear dash cam in my 2016 RX, and have installed the front and it is working fine. I now need to run a cable between front and rear cameras, and wanted to avoid Radio / DAB cables if i can. Has anyone got any idea which side they run so i can adopt the other side. I may be being over cautious, but read somewhere that it can cause interference on some cars.

 

Typically, these Dashcams use a USB cable to connect to the rear camera. Good quality USB cables are shielded and these are usually included with the dashcams. I personally ran my cable through the passenger roof side of the car since I ran the power cable through the drivers side down the front pillar. I have not had any interference issues, particularly since the cable is right against the roof metal. Run the cables behind the side curtains air bags so they do not interfere if the airbags are deployed.

Normally, the radio and antenna cables are also shielded.

 

i would just like to rant that when will dash cams just be standard equipment or at least an option like navigation? I would like them now as a standalone, but continue to wait and wait. It took a long while for car manufactures to finally make navigation systems and option, but they finally got there. The navigation systems may not be up to Goggle or Apple capabilities, but at least they are usable.

 

I second that rant. Adding high quality cameras and microprocessor to compress the image and store on SD card only adds less than $50 to the total cost of the car. That’s assuming the current cameras do not have the lenses or high quality resolution needed to capture the images. If they can reuse the existing cameras, it would be cheaper.

That would be an easy feature to add with a lot of value to customers. I am still perplexed that it has not been incorporated yet. But given that it took many years to add CarPlay, it would seem that we have to wait a few more years.

 

Thanks Lexnewbi, Appreciate the feedback. Will be fitting rear camera this weekend if i get time.

 

Here is the thread were we discussed how to power the dashcam and were we routed things
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ml#post9972863

 

Quick update on Cam install.

Front cam generated no issues, but the rear cam caused DAB radio cut out at times.
I had already installed the cable neatly, so didn't want to take it all out again.
Put up with it for a while but it was getting annoying.

Rather than redo wiring, I have added some Ferrite beads to the front to rear camera cable and it has removed the issue.
Two installed near the front cam,
Two near the rear cam,
and Two for good luck where i knew i had space.

This has removed the interference issue and a simple fix if anyone else is suffering the same.

Cam used was the Viofo A129 Pro Duo

 

I have been looking into this same unit for my 2020 RX. Wondering about your feedback about the unit. Do you like it, any dislikes, etc. Also, if not too much trouble could you go into some of the install details? Things like routing to rear, tapping into power, accessories needed. I am pretty handy but don't want to reinvent the wheel and destroy car in the process. Thanks!

 

Hi Quantum
The A129 Pro Duo set has been great. It really is a fit and forget system, and i don't really fiddle with it to much. I installed for peace of mind in case anything happens, so have not needed footage yet. Picture download is an easy process in the car. Connect phone via bluetooth, and select the action you want and press download. Simple as that. Footage is very clear and both front and rear camera are great.

Install. (This is a UK car with Right hand drive) Positioned camera next to mirror first, unclip mirror cover (it pushes forward) threaded cable into the mirror housing so i could get cable to top of screen. NOTE that i then tried to plug camera in and found it to be too close to the mirror housing i removed as cable comes in from the side. Had to unstick it and move it across slightly. Try positioning with the cable plugged in and note that you have to be able to pull it out etc.

Once cable was at top of screen it was a fairly simple task to tuck into trim around screen and down the drivers side A pillar. Popped off side trim of the main dash and this gave a nice route through under the steering wheel and across to the centre console. I use a phone holder on the middle air vent so have a double USB socket next to the induction charging plate so it was an easy job to plug USB for Cam into same place as phone charger. This is a switched live outlet so Camera powers up as soon as i switch car on. You can set it to make a power on noise so you know its on.

I ran front Cam only for a week or so, and no issues with DAB radio.

Added rear Cam. Same process really. Pop off mirror housing and route cable up to screen. I then went across the screen towards passenger side for rear cam. Keeping it high level, i was able to get cable tucked into head liner OK. A bit tricky around B pillar, but managed it with some fiddling. No panels removed, i just peeled back the rubber and tucked it in and then pushed rubber seal back. Get cable to the rear screen was a the hardest part. I sat in the boot and popped off the plastic middle trim which exposed the ribber grommets that get cables to the rear lid / door. I concentrated on getting the plug to the screen position before i tucked it neatly behind trims as there was plenty of space in side trim to tuck excess cable. Carefully pop the rubber grommets out of the car main body and lid so its loose in your hand (not much room to work with. I put a small cut with a stanley blade in the grommet opening to get the plug through ( only to start it off, don't split the whole grommet) If i did it again i would probably try feeding a draw cable through and pull / tease plug through without cutting the grommet. I positioned rear Cam in middle at high level. ( you do notice it in the rear view mirror, but i wanted best view) Try positions to suit yourself, as Cam was a little distracting to start with. Make sure Rear Cam is far enough forward to allow trim to clip back on, and note cable come in from the rear so you have to allow for that as well. I then put it all back together starting with the middle plastic trim and then pushing excess cable into side panel near the rear sub woofer.

I did see online after i did this that someone got from rear door to rear opening pushing an electricians fishing rod across in a straight line. Maybe worth a shot if you have some?

Also after i installed rear cam i noticed DAB radio interference and solved it with ferrite beads. Two on the cable to rear cam right at the front (inside mirror housing), two at rear of the cable as close to rear cam as possible (just inside the plastic trim), and then added a two or three more on the excess cable i tucked away just because there was room.

Maybe consider switching the route around as i am not 100% sure where the cars main arial is.

I am considering adding the hardwire kit and get the parking modes etc activated, but to be honest it does exactly what i need it to do at the moment.

Good luck.

 

To the dash cam ranters. I love my dash cam and installing it myself was a small hassle. But I have the choice of which cam I get and can always hire someone to install it. Look at how the price of manufacturer NAV systems on the options list, $$$$$ and no choice of brand. The cost of updates to the maps on top of that. How many people have said "my phone has better NAV feature than my car". Be careful what you wish for.

 

Wow....thanks a ton for the very quick and detailed reply. I would like just for peace of mind. I have a long highway commute with a ton of crazy people. I am also interested in the hardware kit for parking mode and looking into the details on that. I would have to power down to fuse box but I did see a camera system that taps into the power with a harness splitter in the mirror/garage module...that would be much easier....more research needed.

If I do this I will probably put together a "How to" and put it in the DYI thread. I used to live on an Acura forum and they have a very extensive DYI Thread that walks owners through a ton of DYI projects step by step. There was a step by step for all basic maintenance and modifications that can be super helpful to owners.

Thanks again. Everything I read/watch about this dash cam system is very positive....and the price is very reasonable.

 

Be interested in the hard wire part if you decide to do it.
Was considering this kit, but worried about battery draining and the hybrid technology.
https://www.blackboxmycar.com/pages/...e-hardwire-kit

I looked at Blackvue Cams originally and the PowerMagic Pro kit.

I ended up with Viofo as reviews online were so good and found a great deal with extra discount on Amazon so it was a no brainer.
Have not found a Viofo battery back up equivalent.

 

As I read on their site the connection has a protector to be sure that your battery does not drain....at least the non hybrid models. Not sure that I need it considering car is parked in a very safe location 95% of the time.