DIY: Hardwired Dashcam w/ Parking Mode - Thinkware F750

[rgrovr]

Decided to tackle installing my dashcam after watching some videos and stitching together snippets from different threads. I went with the Thinkware F750 2Channel camera (link) due to it's features, day/night picture quality, heat resistance and wifi connectivity. Blackvue is a popular model as well that can be installed this way.


Parts List:
Thinkware F750
Thinkware TWA-X500F750R Rearview Cam for F750
MotoPark MultiSafer (used to avoid draining battery)
Add-a-Fuse Adapters (optional)

Tools Used:
10MM Socket Wrench
Nylon Prybar or Panel Removal Tools

Notes:
You're going to want to wire everything up first before permanently running cables to make sure both cameras works without issue.

Step1: Disconnect the Battery and remove the trunk covering the fuse box.



Step 2: Start with the MultiSafer utilizing the following wiring diagram -

Black + White (Dashcam Power): To Dashcam Cigaratte Adapter
Black (Ground) - Attach to ground nut next to fuse box
Yellow (Continuous Power) - Fuse 160
Red (ACC) - Fuse 159

I used the Add-a-Fuse for Fuse 159 as the 5a fuse connector was too small to just pinch the wire.


Step 3: Set your MultiSafer settings as appropriate. Mine is set to cutoff the power at 11.8v, 24hr timer and no Security LED.


Step 4: Connect the power cable to the Thinkware F750, connect the rear cam USB cable to the F750, and then reconnect power back to your Battery. Everything should power up.

Now starting with front cam, determine best placement. You can utilize the wifi-connection live-view option of the camera to assist as it provides guidelines for centerline and hoodline. You want to make sure the camera doesn't block your rain/light sensor behind the rearview mirror as well as not get blocked by the dot-matrix from the windshield.


Step 5: Now its time to run wires. This is really up to you to go low or go high along the passenger side. I decided to go high for ease of install. Use your nylon pry tool and wedge to cables starting from the front and work thru the A pillar, underneath the weather strip, across the B pillar, and when you get to the C pillar - split the rear view camera usb cable up towards the headliner and send the Dashcam power down the rear seat weatherstrip, behind the seat belt and through the crease (after lowering seatback) straight to the fuse area.


Step 6: Now find a suitable spot for your Rear Camera placement. If you have rear sunshades like me - be sure to raise them up so that your camera placement wont hinder the shade operation.

At this time you'll have a crap-ton of extra USB cable due to the length. You can use the corner edge of the rear headliner to stuff most of that excess in there.

Once done - Configure your camera settings, put all your trunk covers back on and admire your handiwork.


Happy Recording

[milk242]

The DIY looks great!

Any reason you decided not to use the thinkware branded hardwire kit and instead went with the motopark? Reason I ask is because the the thinkware camera already has a built in circuit protection to configure through the app.

[rgrovr]

Originally Posted by milk242

The DIY looks great!

Any reason you decided not to use the thinkware branded hardwire kit and instead went with the motopark? Reason I ask is because the the thinkware camera already has a built in circuit protection to configure through the app.

I had previously bought the multi safer when i was going to go with BlackVue, but i changed my mind and decided to reuse it.

I haven't done the options comparison in the Thinkware app but it looked similar with voltage cutoff and timer settings.

[firedown31]

Nice write up! Another thing I must do for my car. What caused you to go for the Thinkware over the Blackvue?

[rgrovr]

Originally Posted by firedown31

Nice write up! Another thing I must do for my car. What caused you to go for the Thinkware over the Blackvue?

Feature set wise, the Thinkware was just further ahead of the Blackvue, but you wouldn't go wrong with either it you wanted just a core 2ch setup.

WiFi, integrated battery protection (if you use their hardware kit), better thermal protection and 2ch 1080p were my reasons.

[Chez]

You don't happen to know the length of cable from the main unit to the fuses do you? I ask as I'm considering the Thinkware with rear camera and hardwire kit, but the Thinkware hardwire cable is only 16ft and I have a feeling it won't be long enough.

[rgrovr]

Originally Posted by Chez

You don't happen to know the length of cable from the main unit to the fuses do you? I ask as I'm considering the Thinkware with rear camera and hardwire kit, but the Thinkware hardwire cable is only 16ft and I have a feeling it won't be long enough.

16 feet is way more than enough for the F8x chassis. I had way too much cable left over to get to the rear fuse box and even more for the rear dashcam usb cable.

[Chez]

Excellent, thank you!

[aramz09]

This looks like an amazing dash cam. Do you know if all the features work? ie. Red light camera alert, speed camera alert, speed zone information, mobile speed zone alert?

[rgrovr]

Originally Posted by aramz09

This looks like an amazing dash cam. Do you know if all the features work? ie. Red light camera alert, speed camera alert, speed zone information, mobile speed zone alert?

I turn off the Safety Camera features (its configurable within the mobile app when connected via WiFi) since I also have the Escort MAX360 detector which has the same features and audio alerts.

The Frontal Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning do work pretty well (except during hard rain/fog) but I turn that off as well since I have the Driver's Assistance Package with the same features.

[ptbarnacle]

Originally Posted by rgrovr

I turn off the Safety Camera features (its configurable within the mobile app when connected via WiFi) since I also have the Escort MAX360 detector which has the same features and audio alerts.

The Frontal Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning do work pretty well (except during hard rain/fog) but I turn that off as well since I have the Driver's Assistance Package with the same features.

Great post and pics. I was going to ask about collision, red light, etc features as well. I ordered my M3 with driver assist as well and was hoping to turn off some unwanted features of dash cam if I buy it.
Thanks

[milk242]

Is your rear view camera picture upside down? I wired it the same way but for some reason positioning the cord coming from the passenger side into the rear view camera has my picture upside down, if i flip the camera so the cord comes from the driver side, it is right side up. Any suggestions?

[rgrovr]

Originally Posted by milk242

Is your rear view camera picture upside down? I wired it the same way but for some reason positioning the cord coming from the passenger side into the rear view camera has my picture upside down, if i flip the camera so the cord comes from the driver side, it is right side up. Any suggestions?

Yea - I noticed it after install figuring I could invert it within the Thinkware settings but that's not the case. I had to flip it 180 from what you see in the pic.

[Chez]

I mounted mine today.. I used some clear 3M tape and put it right under the mirror. Isn't too intrusive there, gives a good view and, to my eyes, blends in better from outside the car.

I ran the wire round the headliner and down into the passenger footwell and used the 'secret' outlet under there until I bother to have it hard wired.

[MN2///M]

Originally Posted by Chez

I mounted mine today.. I used some clear 3M tape and put it right under the mirror. Isn't too intrusive there, gives a good view and, to my eyes, blends in better from outside the car.

I ran the wire round the headliner and down into the passenger footwell and used the 'secret' outlet under there until I bother to have it hard wired.

Would you post pictures of your install also please? I'm thinking of going with the F750 also. My only reservation is how visble it is from outside the front of the car.

[Chez]

Originally Posted by MN2///M

Would you post pictures of your install also please? I'm thinking of going with the F750 also. My only reservation is how visble it is from outside the front of the car.

I don't like how the clear tape looks. I bought some black tape to replace it with when it gets hard wired.

[MN2///M]

Thanks. I think black mount tape will help also.

[firedown31]

Well my F750 front camera , rear camera, and hard wire kit came in the mail this past week. Just tried to install them today. After connecting the hard wire kit to the fuse box in the trunk I start to run the wire to the front... Soon realize it's way too short, in fact it's 5 feet too short. The cable itself is just under 10 feet long. Any where else closer to the front I can wire it up to? Or am I gonna be splicing longer cables if I want to use their hard wire kit?

The good news I did quickly test the front camera along with the Android app, it all works!

[Chez]

Originally Posted by firedown31

Well my F750 front camera , rear camera, and hard wire kit came in the mail this past week. Just tried to install them today. After connecting the hard wire kit to the fuse box in the trunk I start to run the wire to the front... Soon realize it's way too short, in fact it's 5 feet too short. The cable itself is just under 10 feet long. Any where else closer to the front I can wire it up to? Or am I gonna be splicing longer cables if I want to use their hard wire kit?

The good news I did quickly test the front camera along with the Android app, it all works!

Uh oh.. gonna go measure my cable in a few. It's meant to be 16 feet if it's the Thinkware one.

This is what I ordered and received, but I've not measured it - http://www.bestbuy.com/site/thinkwar...&skuId=8817231

EDIT - Thinkware site also states 16 feet - http://www.thinkware.com/Products/Ac...ew/Hard_cable1

[firedown31]

Originally Posted by Chez

Uh oh.. gonna go measure my cable in a few. It's meant to be 16 feet if it's the Thinkware one.

This is what I ordered and received, but I've not measured it - http://www.bestbuy.com/site/thinkwar...&skuId=8817231

EDIT - Thinkware site also states 16 feet - http://www.thinkware.com/Products/Ac...ew/Hard_cable1

I got mine off amazon http://www.amazon.com/THINKWARE-TWA-...dp/B00NC062E8/ The box and included instructions makes no mention of cable length, but mine is 10 feet (just double checked).

[Chez]

Just measured mine.. sure enough, just under 10ft..?!?!?!

[rgrovr]

My cable was definitely the 16ft version. I had way too much excess to hide after connecting to the rear fuses