Dash Cams

All Citroen Aircross related discussions
Deleted User 830

Post by Deleted User 830 »

I've started a new topic so as the 'Radio' thread doesn't get hijacked.

I had a Rexing V1P in my C5 and that was great - can't fault the picture quality - Front was 1080P and the rear 480p, but they've updated them again now. What I liked was the support. They are quite big in America and they are always providing firmware updates. The only issue is with these is that you have to purchase the GPS module separately if you want that feature.

I am looking at the Next Base models too, but these are over-priced in my opinion for what they are with some pretty bad reviews for some.

The search goes on....

the2ems
Posts: 219
Joined: Fri Nov 13, 2020 2:31 pm

Post by the2ems »

What are the options for hardwiring in a C3 Aircross, with no visible wires? Are there specialists who would do a satisfactory job?
2019 C3 Aircross Flair 110 Automatic
Chrislo
Posts: 142
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2019 8:03 pm
Location: Maidenhead

Post by Chrislo »

Halfords do a fitting service for Dash cams (£35) but it has to be bought from them.
Not sure what their service is like, it probably depends on your location! My local Halfords are reasonably knowledgeable and professional in respect to my bile maintenance.
I bought my Next Base Dash Cam from them which I'm very pleased with, though I haven't had it hardwired, I have the cables hidden under the trim at present.
C3 Aircross Flair 130BHP manual - Breathing Blue
Airtool
Posts: 237
Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2020 11:30 am

Post by Airtool »

Thanks for that Chillipepper

I have pasted below what I said in other post for others to see, of the two models below the dearest came top while the cheaper came a out best for price.

In a recent "which" survey nextbase dash cams did well the 422gw £110 or 622 £65.
C3 Aircross Flair 110bhp 2020 grey
Deleted User 830

Post by Deleted User 830 »

I've been having a look at those Nextbase ones today - there are so many brands - but you'll find a lot of the Chinese ones are generic with different names, which I always avoid - like the ones in the petrol stations!

I hard wired my last one in myself - but won't trust Halfords to do it. On my C5 Saloon (not a hatch) I wired the rear camera wire along the rear shelf and then down the side of the rear seat strim to the carpet and from there under the sill trim through to the front passenger compartment door trim, up the floor well trim, took the end panel off the dash board (glovebox end) and pulled the wire through to the fuse box. From there, I wired it up to the camera as below:

For the front, I wired the front, rear, & power cables from the main camera under the headlining trim (just tucked in), then across to the left A Pillar, removed that and concealed the wires in the available channel, then out through the speaker on the dash at the end of the trim, down to the area as the rear wire and finally used a piggy back fuse to plug into an appropriate fuse where the BSI is. As there was lots of good bare metal in side the end of the dash, I just soldered the earth wire to clamp and then onto a bare piece of metal.

Choosing the right fuse is important though:
  1. I initially used a permanent live - but this didn't work for me as I kept forgetting to turn the flipping camera off - and you guessed it, the camera stayed on and caused battery issues :roll:
  2. So I chose an ignition switched fuse for my electric seats and used that - worked fantastically. Just left the camera switched on all the time so it switched on and off with the ignition.
I'll be having a look at the C3AC fuses now to see what's what.

With this being a hatchback, I'll need to decide if I really want the rear camera to be honest, as I really don't want wires hanging about loose and I'm not really sure I can be bothered to faff about trying to get it tidy - and knowing my OCD I won't be happy unless it is tidy :D

So may just go with front only this time.
Airtool
Posts: 237
Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2020 11:30 am

Post by Airtool »

Sorry i made a typo error, the nextbase 622 £65 should be the 222 model.
If you wanted a rear facing camera they suggest the 222x
Sorry about that.
C3 Aircross Flair 110bhp 2020 grey
russbif
Posts: 62
Joined: Fri Nov 27, 2020 1:59 pm

Post by russbif »

When I fitted my previous camera in the C3 Picasso I used a “piggy back” fuse adapter to connect to an ignition switched live. Lot easier to install than soldering wires. Other cabling was just a matter of tucking everything behind the trim, not rocket science. I certainly wouldn’t let the monkeys from halfrauds near my car.
Deleted User 830

Post by Deleted User 830 »

^ Yes I think I said I used a Piggy back for the live, but only soldered the earth - which you can't do in the fuse box. Funnily enough the hard wiring kit I used for the Rexing was from Nextbase.
Deleted User 830

Post by Deleted User 830 »

Ok, so after a few days 'researching' and after booking in for a brain transplant, I've finally made a choice on the Apeman (don't you just love the names they come up with :roll: ) C580 new model.

After looking at hundreds of possibilities, I narrowed it down to Nextbase, Rexing and Apeman.

Nextbase (several models): Decided against these in the end on the basis that there are far too many 'renewed' or 'refurbished' models available on the market. This would coincide with the reviews reflecting the high failure rate of these and consequently why they are being returned, fixed and resold - so no thanks on that front.

Rexing V1-4K Ultra HD: I liked the previous model that I sold with my car as I couldn't be bothered to unpick all the wiring again, so this had to be in the running. However, the replacement and updated model which is supposed to be 4K still had significant issues according to American reviews concerning the firmware and restarting - so I did not want to take the chance on this. The model boasts 4K, but this is not actually possible without an 8 MP sensor and those models cost nearer the £400-500 mark. The purported 4K Ultra HD on the cheaper cameras is only upscaled and this can adversely affect picture quality when zooming in to see finer details. So decided against the Rexing on this occasion.

Apeman C580: Liked the compact and clear layout of the buttons on this model:
image_2021-01-13_145109.png
I also liked the App that you can download that allows you to change the settings for the camera on the phone - a lot less faffing about. You can also playback the videos on the phone as it has built in WiFi, so that's a bonus too. It can take up to a 128 Gb SD card, so I've ordered a 64 Gb Samsung Evo card for £9 - which should be more than ample for up to 6 hours plus of HD quality. I also bought a hard wire kit too, so should provide everything needed.

It has a Sony Starvis sensor, so provides excellent picture quality in low light conditions as well as daylight.

So until midnight today, they also have a £20 voucher off the price, so that nailed it for me.

So I'll put up a video once it arrives and i have it all installed.

So looking at the C3AC fuse box, unlike my previous cars the fusebox is on the right hand side. I've yet to determine the best routing method, but there are 2 clips on the A Pillar and the end off the dash panel should just pop off to allow the wires to come through into the fuse box / BSI area.

Those A Pillars do look very tight and solid, so that is going to need some gentle 'encouragement' to remove, but I have the diagram, so I can see exactly where the clips are to remove. I'll just have to try and remember that the front tweeter is attached to the A Pillar at the lower windscreen end....
Airtool 2
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2021 9:57 am

Post by Airtool 2 »

Sorry late in replying changed device and lost password, the apeman dashcams were criticised for poor pictures in bad light and also would only accept sd cards upto 32 gb, hope your model is better.
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