I would like to fit a Nextbase Duo dashcam into my Mk4 MX-5, but the area of the windscreen behind/to the left of the rear view mirror where this would normally sit is filled with a box of sensors for the auto light and auto windscreen wiper functions.
Does anyone have any ideas of the best location/method to fit this dashcam, other than to the left of the sensor box? It is likely that the rear view camera would pick up a great view of the passenger seat headrest in this position. Alternatively, fitting it under the rear view mirror would obscure stuff that I would rather see.
The only possible solution may to be buy a forward-looking camera system only and fit it to the left of the sensor box.
I ended up going for forward only, and as you say, fitted to the left of the sensor box. Wire run down to the accessory plug is very clean and hidden though - one of the simpler ones I’ve fitted.
Just in case you’re interested guys there was an earlier thread on this matter you might want to look at - “dash cam model model and fitting advice required”. Sorry, can’t do a link, techno-idiot me.
I have a Nextbase 512 fitted to my car (see below) fitted by Halfords in minutes.
Forward looking. They discounted it down to the Amazon price. Very happy.
Much better than the Blackvue I have in the Volvo at over £400.
Lovely clear picture and no reflections due to the fitted polarising filter.
Starts up as soon as the ignition is on.
Something to consider when fitting dashcams in any car, is the potential added risk of damage to the car which may be incurred should some little git decide to steal your dashcam. If possible, remove the camera from the car and leave only the screen mount.
I have a Mobius camera in the mx5 and another from Dogcam in the other car. The Mobius is great because it’s possible to modify many parameters when it’s plugged into a PC and it’s about the size of a matchbox. The Mobius fits onto a suction mount, while the Dogcam fits onto a bracket which has a 3M adhesive pad on the back. Just a thought that if you want to remove 3M from a windscreen, it’s quite tricky to do.
Apart from all that, hardwiring is relatively easy and can be useful if you have motion sensing or time lapse settings.
I fitted one of these, forward facing only. The camera is very discrete and can easily be removed from its GPS self adhesive base, if required.
The screen is postage stamp sized and is really for setting up the camera (which can be a bit fiddly at first). I use “dashcam viewer” software to view journeys / incidents.
They also sell additional GPS mounts and hardwire kits so you can fit the camera into another car.
All in all I like the camera, its GPS base fits nicely to the right of my rear view mirror and is completely out of sight when driving.
The Nextbase 512G easily unclips from its suction holder which in turn unseats from the windscreen with a simple lever.
I downloaded its manual on to my iPad so I can sit in the passenger seat and work through its settings in comfort (with the power cable plugged in of course).
Great little camera sitting on the left behind the mirror (its screen must not be visible to the driver).
I had a Dogcam dash camera fitted to my Mk3.5 a couple of days ago, nice bit of kit and produces good quality video with sound and GPS positioning… but what amuses us is the spoken announcement when it turns on with the ignition. I assume it’s “Dash cam on” or something similar but it sounds more like “Dash cannons on”.
What a lovely thought, but as yet I haven’t found the trigger…
Seriously considering buying a dash cam (Nextbase 512G). I would locate it behind the rear view mirror. (I havn’t got a sensor box beside my rear view mirror). I believe the dash cam’s power cable is about 4 meters long.
There is a “hard wire” kit available that can be connected into the fuse box. I see “essexlad” that Halfords fitted your Nextbase 512G. If they hard wired it, can you say which spare fuse position they used and if it is switched on and off through the ignition?
I have read through some comments in the forum and see that there is a strong case for front and rear camera’s. Not keen on sticking cameras to rear view mirror or modifying rear hoops for mounting camera. The Nextbase duo video’s front and rear with similar set up to the 512G, but only has HD 720. I am concerned that it sidewise it may be more invasive, harder to set up than the front view 512G and the images not clear enough. Anyone had experience of the duo?
You purchase a separate wiring kit £20 which comes with full instructions on how to wire into the fusebox. I will look out for these & see which fuse is used.
My camera is fitted behind the left (passenger) side of the rear-view mirror using its suction pad. The camera with wire attached can be removed from the pad using a sliding clip leaving the pad attached. Thus it’s easy to sit in the passenger seat and go through the setup menu. The pad itself can also be removed simply by a lever.
I have seen others say they have a second rear camera attached to the top of the fold-down wind deflecter behind the seats.
I’ve used the camera in bright sunlight and it gives a clear image, other registration plate numbers easily legible.
I’ve not yet tried to read numbers from a night recording.
Thanks “essexlad,” I would appreciate it if you were able to find the info on which fuse was used.
Did Halfords hard wire up your Nextbase Dash Cam using a fuse tap, and were they able to conceal the power cable as it ran to the up the “A” Pillar and across the windshield header to the camera ?
As a by, I read up on the use of “fuse taps”. These appear to me to be just “splitters” doing the same job as plug in adapters that provide 2 female 12v Outlets when plugged into the cars 12v Outlet (cigarette socket).
Charging a mobile phone whilst simultaneously running a Sat Nav or Dash Cam off “split” 12V power outlet wiring might be OK, but I would be concerned that running my Tom Tom 5100 Sat Nav and the Nextbase 512G Dash Cam together might overload the circuit or cause problems somewhere down the line.
Maybe my interpretation of how fuse taps function is way wrong, and someone could enlighten me in my stupidity?
I’ve scanned the wiring instructions but photobucket just refuses to let me sign in so I can’t post the scan.
Send me a PM with your email address and I’ll send it to you.
My cam is wired in and is live as soon as I turn on the ignition. I have no problem running my TomTom 5000 from the 12v socket at the same time.
I wouldn’t worry too much about over loading the cigarette lighter socket as they are designed to deliver enough resistance to make the lighter plug glow red hot.