Dash cam for E89..forward and rearward capability

[B21]

Looking at fitting a dash cam during my (maybe ) summer tear down or maybe next autumn..

Ideally something that can do a rear end shunt as well as frontal incursion…

What’s the up to date view on options..?

Don’t want a little LCD screen, the Garmin mini 2 looked great but only faces forward..

 

[Zforbes]

Must get used to the correct button for editing

 

[Zforbes]

Double post :headbang:

 

[Zforbes]

I just use front facing, it seems too much hassle fitting the rear for what I believe is little gain unless you want to see something exotic disappearing behind you :rofl:

If your camera is just evidencing an incident then forward facing and someone rear ends you then there is more than enough evidence from your front camera that you are driving properly and not caused the accident.

Only upside is if the car that hits you does a runner you'd have the reg plate recorded perhaps or maybe you want a record of bad driving :tumbleweed:

Mine is the nextbase 312 which I purchased about 4 or 5 years ago. Probably not the best by today's standards but it's worked fine all the time I've used it and no issues with image quality.

 

[Roddy]

Have you thought about 2 separate small units working independently? As long as they both have the date and time it should be OK.

 

[flybobbie]

My front cam is Viofo A119v.1 or 2?
Worked great for last 5 odd years.
Came without gps, can't really see the need for it, might drop you in it speed wise if coppers ask for it.
Came with a simple bracket which i screwed to the mirror trim, so doesn't look out of place.

Did buy the A129 duo, but only comes with gps attached, but couldn't see how to fit it neatly, no alternate non gps bracket.
Also i could see the rear was going to be a pain to fit, so returned it.
But did have facility to view via wifi to phone. I sent it back for refund.

For rear next thought was to just buy another A119v.3
Also check Viofo UK, seem cheaper than other sellers.

 

[B21]

Must get used to the correct button for editing

Oops..was typing it in the Volvo going up the M1 just after seeing two rear ending shunts… :rofl: :tumbleweed: :driving:

 

[mcbutler]

Nextbase do a good range of cameras including a few that have a plug in rear view module that plugs into the side of the front camera. I have had one for a while and they produce excellent footage front and rear with mo messing around with wiring a rear view camera. Halfords will fit for next to nothing if you buy from them
Mine is a 522W camera

 

[Zforbes]

Must get used to the correct button for editing

Oops..was typing it in the Volvo going up the M1 just after seeing two rear ending shunts… :rofl: :tumbleweed: :driving:

Do you not think adequate evidence would've been recorded on a front facing camera?

I do like the thought of a rear view but I've never seen a set up on a Z4 that I woiuld be happy with, if you are putting it in the Volvo though there is more of a chance to get somewhere less obvious to fit it.

 

[Zforbes]

Nextbase do a good range of cameras including a few that have a plug in rear view module that plugs into the side of the front camera. I have had one for a while and they produce excellent footage front and rear with mo messing around with wiring a rear view camera. Halfords will fit for next to nothing if you buy from them
Mine is a 522W camera

I fitted one of these in my Dads Tiguan, although is was the 322 with cabin view module clipped in via the micro USB socket as per

https://www.halfords.com/technology/dash-cams/nextbase-rear-view-add-on-camera-159078.html

Whilst I do like this as a solution it would never be as good as a rear view as it's more about recording whats happening in the cabin. You would however see some detail of a rear end shunt so for me not a bad option if I was to upgrade.

 

[mcbutler]

Nextbase do a good range of cameras including a few that have a plug in rear view module that plugs into the side of the front camera. I have had one for a while and they produce excellent footage front and rear with mo messing around with wiring a rear view camera. Halfords will fit for next to nothing if you buy from them
Mine is a 522W camera

I fitted one of these in my Dads Tiguan, although is was the 322 with cabin view module clipped in via the micro USB socket as per

https://www.halfords.com/technology/dash-cams/nextbase-rear-view-add-on-camera-159078.html

Whilst I do like this as a solution it would never be as good as a rear view as it's more about recording whats happening in the cabin. You would however see some detail of a rear end shunt so for me not a bad option if I was to upgrade.

You need to be careful which plug in camera you fit, they do one for rear view and another for car interior... The rear view is more than adequate, clearly shows registrations of following vehicles

 

[Zforbes]

You need to be careful which plug in camera you fit, they do one for rear view and another for car interior... The rear view is more than adequate, clearly shows registrations of following vehicles

Sorry, misread your post. You are correct that the rear view on the nextbase would be more than adequate IMO

 

[B21]

I think I recall chippie fitting a rear facing camera to his E89….I’ll continue my search….thnx for the feedback…

If I fit a camera it will cover front and rear..

 

[Chippie]

I think I recall chippie fitting a rear facing camera to his E89….I’ll continue my search….thnx for the feedback…

If I fit a camera it will cover front and rear..

Here’s a link to my post with the dash cam in,

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=133839

I’ve not been able to do much testing of it yet, but will post some screen shots when I’m back at my laptop, So far I’m really pleased with it, one handy feature is the parking mode alerts throughout the WI-FI, I had one the other night which was triggered by a car’s loud exhaust as it went past, I got a notification and could view the recorded video with sound on my phone and also view in real time.
The rear camera bracket does look a little unsightly in the photos but I can live with it.

 

[B21]

I think I recall chippie fitting a rear facing camera to his E89….I’ll continue my search….thnx for the feedback…

If I fit a camera it will cover front and rear..

Here’s a link to my post with the dash cam in,

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=133839

I’ve not been able to do much testing of it yet, but will post some screen shots when I’m back at my laptop, So far I’m really pleased with it, one handy feature is the parking mode alerts throughout the WI-FI, I had one the other night which was triggered by a car’s loud exhaust as it went past, I got a notification and could view the recorded video with sound on my phone and also view in real time.
The rear camera bracket does look a little unsightly in the photos but I can live with it.

Chippie, thanks for that...I'm still minded for my profile of use etc t try the Garmin Mini 2 and see how that checks out..if its not as good I can always migrate it to one of the other cars..again thnx

 

[Chuffer]

I had the dealership fit the BMW eye camera 10 years ago with just the forward facing camera on my '10 plate 3.0 Z4. It had a socket to plug in a rear camera but they said as I had a folding top it couldn't be fitted. A few years back I picked up the rear camera from America on Ebay, fitted the camera inside the rollover hoop on a little bracket & ran the wire back up to the windscreen & plugged it in. Works brilliantly & also flashes the blue light which I like. The view out the back window is slightly compromised but I'd say I get a 90% view of what's happening. The only annoying thing with the software is that it only works on Microsoft Windows & not a Mac.