Sharing Exp- installed BLACKVUE DASHCAM – DR970X-2CH LTE

[jyk4212]

Hi all,
Sharing my experience of installing a BLACKVUE DASHCAM – DR970X-2CH LTE

This is a front and rear camera with a microsd card and 4G (BYO sim) for cloud and parking use.

I wanted an option that wouldn’t rely on integration with the battery (direct) so chose a Cellink Neo8+ Dash Cam Battery that uses 12V to top up as required. According to specs I can expect up to 22hrs run time on the battery itself (but haven’t fully performance tested yet).

The install took about 45mins, and probably more indicative of the fact I never have done something like this before versus taking that long. I followed the basic guidance from here: https://dashcamsaustralia.com.au/dash-cam-installation/

Re front camera, I installed to the left rather than under the mirror to not affect general visibility and when you look from the front it doesn’t stick out. Cabling wise was fine, I have posted a few photos of where I haven’t yet pushed right in, but wanted to show location. Battery sits under front passenger easily and I led the wire up to the 12v. Very happy overall. A auto-electrician was a bit of overkill in my opinion as it was ultimately just a 12V but a few suppliers quoted $400-600 AUD.

I really like the BlackVue video quality and functionality. App seems fine so far.

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[bbmertz]

Thanks for posting this info! I also plan to buy a Blackvue dashcam in a few months after they release their next version which was mentioned at CES this year.

I have a few questions for you:
1) Does parking mode and remote viewing work well?
2) Why did you decide to go with the Cellini Neo8+ battery as opposed to the Blackvue B-130X battery?
3) Why did you connect the dashcam directly to the 12V battery versus via the fuse box?
4) Would the Porsche Dashcam prewiring option have made the installation easier?

 

[jyk4212]

No worries.

1. Yes, so far, it seems relatively quick and straightforward. Very happy with quality, and I went down this route because I was unhappy with the Porsche OEM option. Happy to report back after some more time.
2. I chose the neolink because battery duration time reportable was slightly more, and the charging speed was faster. In the end I don’t think it’s a deal breaker to go either way if you wanted to stick to everything BlackVue.
3. My design approach was that I didn’t want anything running directly into fusebox because I wanted to maximise parking mode, minimise hardwiring issues and potential battery drain. Next in terms of principles was ease of use, simplicity - I can easily make changes as required.
4. I don’t believe so as I understood the Porsche pre-wiring to be proprietary. I think some other forums found a mechanism around it, but I really didn’t go into it due to my prioritisation.

Lastly, forgot to mention, I didn’t upgrade the BlackVue MicroSD (they provide a 64GB) and instead went with a Samsung PRO Endurance 256GB microSDXC UHS-I U3 100MB/s Video Monitoring Memory Card with Adapter, designed specifically for dashcams etc - and it seems very good so far.

 

[joeev]

Thanks for sharing your experience!

I have Blackvue cameras in all my cars and have done about 5 installs for friends and family, so it's good to see tips for the macan. I like the blackvue products, so I'll probably stick with it.

Good call with the SD card. I had a blackvue card die on me within a year. I now have Samsung pro endurance cards running for 5+ years now with no issues.

One word of caution- be careful wrapping cords around the pillar like that. If the airbag would deploy, you don't want to interfere with it or cause your dashcam to become a projectile

 

[jyk4212]

Ah perfect, thanks for the tip re pillar. I have the flexibility to move thankfully so will do so!

 

[BigApple]

Thank you for your Post. Does your BlackVue App show your SoC of the battery and its current voltage. I have the B130-x. On the 3 Chanel setup i have i get about 8h on the batterie alone.

 

[jyk4212]

Hi, no not on the blackvue app, the monitoring for celllink is via their app (which is fine, no issues). In the backend I am investigating:
1. Since it’s a Bluetooth connection I look to open the scanning to allow ‘hidden” and in theory I should be able to see the data that way on same single interface.
2. Alternatively via API I can singularly get reports/notifications.

Personally I’m not concerned/a high priority, but totally get that some may go all in blackview for native OOTB.

 

[sloubere]

HI, I also installed the Blackvue dash cam (front and rear) but using the Porsche pre-wire option for power. This provides the parking mode power.
You just need to buy a dongle adapter on eBay for about $8 to be able to tap the dongle from the pre-wire option located in the overhead console. That took about an hour.
For the back camera, I ran the Blackvue provided wire along the roof/doors, and detaching one of the rear hatch top panel so the wire comes out between the panel and the glass. That too about 10mins.
NOTE: The pre-wire option requires installing 2 new fuses: 1 x 10A in the from fuse box (Funk) and 1 x 5A in the passenger A-pillar fuse box. Without those fuses, there is no power to the pre-wired dongle.

Dongle link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/176803643168
Wiring details for dongle: Only pins 1,2 and 3 are needed to be wired to Blackvue.

• Pin 1 - BATT is a permanent 12V positive (actually typically 13.8-14.4V)
• Pin 2 - GND is ground or negative terminal for 12V
• Pin 3 - ACC is switched 12V positive

Porsche instructions for OEM camera mentioning the 2 fuses needed: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2024/MC-11011672-0001.pdf

Front fuse box is located in frunk, top left when looking at the front of the car, near the base of the windshield, there is a long cover to unclip and then fuse box is on the right of the opening.

 

[Saladin]

HI, I also installed the Blackvue dash cam (front and rear) but using the Porsche pre-wire option for power. This provides the parking mode power.
You just need to buy a dongle adapter on eBay for about $8 to be able to tap the dongle from the pre-wire option located in the overhead console. That took about an hour.
For the back camera, I ran the Blackvue provided wire along the roof/doors, and detaching one of the rear hatch top panel so the wire comes out between the panel and the glass. That too about 10mins.
NOTE: The pre-wire option requires installing 2 new fuses: 1 x 10A in the from fuse box (Funk) and 1 x 5A in the passenger A-pillar fuse box. Without those fuses, there is no power to the pre-wired dongle.

That's very helpful. Thank you!

Can you please share the link to the dongle ebay listing?

 

[sloubere]

That's very helpful. Thank you!

Can you please share the link to the dongle ebay listing?

Updated my post with the details.

 

[BigApple]

HI, I also installed the Blackvue dash cam (front and rear) but using the Porsche pre-wire option for power. This provides the parking mode power.
You just need to buy a dongle adapter on eBay for about $8 to be able to tap the dongle from the pre-wire option located in the overhead console. That took about an hour.
For the back camera, I ran the Blackvue provided wire along the roof/doors, and detaching one of the rear hatch top panel so the wire comes out between the panel and the glass. That too about 10mins.
NOTE: The pre-wire option requires installing 2 new fuses: 1 x 10A in the from fuse box (Funk) and 1 x 5A in the passenger A-pillar fuse box. Without those fuses, there is no power to the pre-wired dongle.

Dongle link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/176803643168
Wiring details for dongle: Only pins 1,2 and 3 are needed to be wired to Blackvue.

• Pin 1 - BATT is a permanent 12V positive (actually typically 13.8-14.4V)
• Pin 2 - GND is ground or negative terminal for 12V
• Pin 3 - ACC is switched 12V positive

Porsche instructions for OEM camera mentioning the 2 fuses needed: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2024/MC-11011672-0001.pdf

Front fuse box is located in frunk, top left, near the base of the windshield, there is a long cover to unclip and then fuse box is on the right of the opening.

is the 12V ACC+ also going off right away when the car is off or is it that the one that stays on for 30 min longer.

 

[sloubere]

is the 12V ACC+ also going off right away when the car is off or is it that the one that stays on for 30 min longer.

It turns off right away.

 

[BigApple]

It turns off right away.

that sounds like the real deal then. Thank you. Glad it worked out for you. My 3Ch Blackvue is a hungry unit. 0.6 Ah so i have to figure out to feed it as after 3-4 days max both batteries are drained.

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