Last weekend I fitted a Nextbase 222X front and rear facing dash cam.
Picked this model as it fitted my budget (less than £100) and also had a rear facing lens, whilst also getting some good reviews (including a Which? Best Buy).
I used other guides on here, and removed the interior light unit in the roof to expose the wiring loom to hard wire it in. Unlike others here, I didn’t have 3 separate looms and instead had one single one (2008 Z4 Coupe). However, the white and violet cable was still ignition dependent, so suitable for my uses (I didn’t want to drain the battery when not in use).
I used a 12 to 5V step down converter, and would avoid this one to be honest. It makes a high pitched noise so it might be replaced.
EKYLIN DC 12V to 5V Car Dash Cam... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08DD3Y3FY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Getting the light fixture back on with the wire coming out to charge the dash cam was difficult. I found that squashing the wire with a pair of pliers helped get the light unit back in.
For the mounting tape, I tried to cheap out and buy a roll of the stuff from toolstation. Don’t. Just buy the 3M stuff of the mount will fall down off the windscreen and trigger the alarm interior movement sensor and set the alarm off in the middle of the night. Don’t ask.
Overall am pleased with the set up and would recommend. The front facing camera is excellent. The parking feature works (if I lightly bump the car when parked, the camera wakes up and records). The rear facing camera gives a similar view to the rear view mirror - it’s only really good enough for getting the plate off someone tailgating. I considered getting a separate rear facing camera but didn’t want to fiddle with the headliner.
Happy to answer any questions for others considering attempting it.
Picked this model as it fitted my budget (less than £100) and also had a rear facing lens, whilst also getting some good reviews (including a Which? Best Buy).
I used other guides on here, and removed the interior light unit in the roof to expose the wiring loom to hard wire it in. Unlike others here, I didn’t have 3 separate looms and instead had one single one (2008 Z4 Coupe). However, the white and violet cable was still ignition dependent, so suitable for my uses (I didn’t want to drain the battery when not in use).
I used a 12 to 5V step down converter, and would avoid this one to be honest. It makes a high pitched noise so it might be replaced.
EKYLIN DC 12V to 5V Car Dash Cam... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08DD3Y3FY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Getting the light fixture back on with the wire coming out to charge the dash cam was difficult. I found that squashing the wire with a pair of pliers helped get the light unit back in.
For the mounting tape, I tried to cheap out and buy a roll of the stuff from toolstation. Don’t. Just buy the 3M stuff of the mount will fall down off the windscreen and trigger the alarm interior movement sensor and set the alarm off in the middle of the night. Don’t ask.
Overall am pleased with the set up and would recommend. The front facing camera is excellent. The parking feature works (if I lightly bump the car when parked, the camera wakes up and records). The rear facing camera gives a similar view to the rear view mirror - it’s only really good enough for getting the plate off someone tailgating. I considered getting a separate rear facing camera but didn’t want to fiddle with the headliner.
Happy to answer any questions for others considering attempting it.
