DIY: Hardwired Dashcam w/ Parking Mode - Thinkware F750

firedown31 · 04-01-2016, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chez

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

Ouch, some quality issues here... I'm probably just going to splice the hard wire cable with the cig lighter power cable that came with the camera.

Chez · 04-01-2016, 05:15 PM

I'm going to see what Thinkware say in response to my email and voicemail and then maybe return it to Best Buy if they aren't willing to send me a longer one.

Chez · 04-07-2016, 08:02 PM

Just wanted to post an update..

After some emails back and forth, Thinkware said that they have indeed shortened the cable, without changing their description (still says 16ft).

They did, however, offer to swap mine for one the correct length. Great, I thought. I then got this email:

Quote:

Please send your short hardwiring cable to the following address:

Thinkware USA
Frontier Logistics Services
1700 N. Alameda St,
Compton, CA
90222

As this is not a warranty exchange, you will need to cover your own shipping and provide us with a tracking number before we can ship out a new cable to you.

Considering they incorrectly advertised the product, changed the spec without changing their own description and took days to even respond, I find this completely unacceptable. Most decent companies would just send the new cable or at least provide a pre-paid label as it was their mistake.

I'm leaning toward just returning the dashcam, rear camera and cable and getting something else if this is indicative of their level of customer service for someone who has bought over $400 of their products.

rgrovr · 04-07-2016, 09:18 PM

Wow that sucks a big one. The 16ft cable is a perfect length - makes no sense why they would shorten it.

firedown31 · 04-07-2016, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chez

Just wanted to post an update..

After some emails back and forth, Thinkware said that they have indeed shortened the cable, without changing their description (still says 16ft).

They did, however, offer to swap mine for one the correct length. Great, I thought. I then got this email:

Considering they incorrectly advertised the product, changed the spec without changing their own description and took days to even respond, I find this completely unacceptable. Most decent companies would just send the new cable or at least provide a pre-paid label as it was their mistake.

I'm leaning toward just returning the dashcam, rear camera and cable and getting something else if this is indicative of their level of customer service for someone who has bought over $400 of their products.

Ouch, guess I am just splicing cables then. That was the one bad thing I read about Thinkware, their support and customer service sucks. Blackvue seemed to be a lot better in that aspect. Oh well, hope this is the only issue.

Chez · 04-07-2016, 09:46 PM

Yeah. I know it's only $6 for Priority Mail but it's the principle for me. They aren't doing me a favor. They messed up.

I got it using Best Buy points and I'm Elite with them so I'm still (just) within my 45-day return period.

Sir Loin · 06-11-2016, 12:20 PM

Thanks for the guide, OP.

Guys, I am ordering the new F770 for my M3. Do you have a link to the black tape you use to replace the white tape? Thanks.

nomyy · 02-25-2017, 03:07 PM

Hi,
A quick question. I want to install Thinkware F750, do I need Thinkware Hardwiring kit or a MultiSafer to by pass engine auto start stop? What would be the recommended settings?
I understand that f750 comes built-in with battery cut off monitor, not sure how does it respond with engine auto start/stop.

Thanks.

yocubed · 02-25-2017, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomyy

Hi,
A quick question. I want to install Thinkware F750, do I need Thinkware Hardwiring kit or a MultiSafer to by pass engine auto start stop? What would be the recommended settings?
I understand that f750 comes built-in with battery cut off monitor, not sure how does it respond with engine auto start/stop.

Thanks.

You could just hardwire it using the thinkware hardwire kit as it has an internal battery protection cutoff. I had mine like this for a while (about 3 months) but I would still get the battery drainage warning and comfort access disabled if the car sat for longer than about a day or so. I finally got the Cellink battery B and haven't had an issue since.

nomyy · 02-26-2017, 12:26 PM

Thanks. I am concerned how will the internal battery protection respond to engine auto start/stop. Will it put the camera in parking mode whenever start/stop is triggered, say at traffic lights for instance?
Also may I ask what did you set your battery cut off to? Will it cause battery drainage alarm even if it's set a bit stringent, to cut off earlier?

krotondo · 02-26-2017, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomyy

Thanks. I am concerned how will the internal battery protection respond to engine auto start/stop. Will it put the camera in parking mode whenever start/stop is triggered, say at traffic lights for instance?
Also may I ask what did you set your battery cut off to? Will it cause battery drainage alarm even if it's set a bit stringent, to cut off earlier?

I would get a Cellink B to protect the battery. I used one with my F770, easy to install and works great

nomyy · 02-27-2017, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krotondo

I would get a Cellink B to protect the battery. I used one with my F770, easy to install and works great

That looks super clean, nice install

.
Did you use the thinkware hardwire kit? It needs to be extended to reach all the way back to the fusebox. They are only providing cable around 3m long, which I reckon won't be long enough.

krotondo · 02-27-2017, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomyy

That looks super clean, nice install

.
Did you use the thinkware hardwire kit? It needs to be extended to reach all the way back to the fusebox. They are only providing cable around 3m long, which I reckon won't be long enough.

Thank you!

Yes you will need an extended hardwire cable. When I ordered my camera I noted to blackboxmycar.com my car & they extended the hardwire cable for me free of charge before shipping. They knew the fuse box was in the trunk. Very knowledgeable people working over there

A13x · 05-23-2017, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krotondo

I would get a Cellink B to protect the battery. I used one with my F770, easy to install and works great

how is the battery living up, read so many mixed reviews with that battery. when it works its great. when it fails its a nightmare

Sir Loin · 05-23-2017, 02:56 PM

I have had mine for 10 months. It is working great.

A13x · 05-23-2017, 04:58 PM

does parking mode trigger or does this run all the time in continuous recording

krotondo · 05-24-2017, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A13x

how is the battery living up, read so many mixed reviews with that battery. when it works its great. when it fails its a nightmare

Zero issues, works flawlessly

tbaig · 02-05-2020, 01:02 PM

I just got my Thinkware U1000 and the damn hardwire cable is too short!

Sir Loin · 02-05-2020, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbaig

I just got my Thinkware U1000 and the damn hardwire cable is too short!

I just upgraded my F770 to a U1000 a few months ago. I just used the existing wiring. I also have a Cellink B battery so that may have avoided the cable length issue.

Do you have a battery for your dashcam?

tbaig · 02-05-2020, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Loin

I just upgraded my F770 to a U1000 a few months ago. I just used the existing wiring. I also have a Cellink B battery so that may have avoided the cable length issue.

Do you have a battery for your dashcam?

Nope. Just what the dash cam came with. I didn’t plan on using an external battery as I was going to keep the voltage settings low to not drain the car’s battery.

Sir Loin · 02-05-2020, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbaig

Nope. Just what the dash cam came with. I didn’t plan on using an external battery as I was going to keep the voltage settings low to not drain the car’s battery.

You may want one as BMW cars can give errors when there is a constant power drain. At least that is what I was told. I don't have a battery for my Audi and MB as they don't have a problem with something like a dashcam.

pokerface · 02-23-2020, 01:53 PM

I hardwired a Thinkware into my wife’s F25 X3 using the Thinkware kit. Voltage cut offs are generous to mitigate drain, but We do get the occasional error in the coldest of days... that also means parking mode won’t last as long in the winter as they would in the summer. Battery is 7 years old (due for replacement) but no starting issues yet.

On my M3 which is not a DD I am using a battery pack into the cig socket. Thinkware hardwire Kit spliced around It to get Parking Mode functions.

04-01-2016, 05:15 PM	#24
Chez Brit Abroad 392 Rep 707 Posts Drives: 2016 Frozen Black M4 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW M4 [9.50]	I'm going to see what Thinkware say in response to my email and voicemail and then maybe return it to Best Buy if they aren't willing to send me a longer one. __________________ 2016 ///M4 / Frozen Black Metallic / Full Sakhir Orange Leather Instagram @M4TTE_BMW More info and photos here.
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04-07-2016, 09:18 PM	#26
rgrovr Lieutenant 417 Rep 529 Posts Drives: 2022 G80 M3 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Nashville iTrader: (0)	Wow that sucks a big one. The 16ft cable is a perfect length - makes no sense why they would shorten it. __________________ 2022 G80 M3 AWD - Voodoo Blue 2020 G07 X7 M50i Tanzanite Blue II 2016 F80 M3 YMB SOLD
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04-07-2016, 09:46 PM	#28
Chez Brit Abroad 392 Rep 707 Posts Drives: 2016 Frozen Black M4 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW M4 [9.50]	Yeah. I know it's only $6 for Priority Mail but it's the principle for me. They aren't doing me a favor. They messed up. I got it using Best Buy points and I'm Elite with them so I'm still (just) within my 45-day return period. __________________ 2016 ///M4 / Frozen Black Metallic / Full Sakhir Orange Leather Instagram @M4TTE_BMW More info and photos here.
	Appreciate 1 Quote

06-11-2016, 12:20 PM	#29
Sir Loin M3AT LOVER 322 Rep 1,853 Posts Drives: Silverstone F80 M3 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the guide, OP. Guys, I am ordering the new F770 for my M3. Do you have a link to the black tape you use to replace the white tape? Thanks. __________________ 2015 F80 M3 \| SSII ext SO int \| M-DCT \| 19" Black Wheels
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-25-2017, 03:07 PM	#30
nomyy New Member 6 Rep 19 Posts Drives: bmw F32 msport Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	Hi, A quick question. I want to install Thinkware F750, do I need Thinkware Hardwiring kit or a MultiSafer to by pass engine auto start stop? What would be the recommended settings? I understand that f750 comes built-in with battery cut off monitor, not sure how does it respond with engine auto start/stop. Thanks.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-26-2017, 12:26 PM	#32
nomyy New Member 6 Rep 19 Posts Drives: bmw F32 msport Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	Thanks. I am concerned how will the internal battery protection respond to engine auto start/stop. Will it put the camera in parking mode whenever start/stop is triggered, say at traffic lights for instance? Also may I ask what did you set your battery cut off to? Will it cause battery drainage alarm even if it's set a bit stringent, to cut off earlier?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-23-2017, 02:56 PM	#37
Sir Loin M3AT LOVER 322 Rep 1,853 Posts Drives: Silverstone F80 M3 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	I have had mine for 10 months. It is working great. __________________ 2015 F80 M3 \| SSII ext SO int \| M-DCT \| 19" Black Wheels
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05-23-2017, 04:58 PM	#38
A13x Private First Class 14 Rep 129 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: .. iTrader: (0)	does parking mode trigger or does this run all the time in continuous recording
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02-05-2020, 01:02 PM	#40
tbaig Second Lieutenant 80 Rep 204 Posts Drives: None Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Washington D.C. iTrader: (0)	I just got my Thinkware U1000 and the damn hardwire cable is too short!
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02-23-2020, 01:53 PM	#44
pokerface Colonel 430 Rep 2,527 Posts Drives: F25 X3 N20 / F80 ZCP Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	I hardwired a Thinkware into my wife’s F25 X3 using the Thinkware kit. Voltage cut offs are generous to mitigate drain, but We do get the occasional error in the coldest of days... that also means parking mode won’t last as long in the winter as they would in the summer. Battery is 7 years old (due for replacement) but no starting issues yet. On my M3 which is not a DD I am using a battery pack into the cig socket. Thinkware hardwire Kit spliced around It to get Parking Mode functions.
	Appreciate 0 Quote