u/Bansheefaerie

I'm using a multimeter to test fuses. I have found ones that have power with the engine off, but I'm having trouble finding one that only has power when the car is on. I'm avoiding one's that are serious like the airbags.

I'm currently down testing them now with a head lamp on, sanity draining and shoulder pain growing.

No, I do not want to use the cigarette lighter. I want my cameras to work while the car is parked.

TLDR:

Can the rear 2k cam work well with dark tint? (5% light let in)

Or is the waterproof a better option.

Does anyone have experience installing a waterproof cam on a Ford Cmax and if so, are you kind enough to help? (Via answering questions, pointing me towards youtube videos or other helpfull websites, or maybe even helping me IRL if you are local 😂)

Longer version:

If you saw my previous post a couple weeks ago, while replying to comments on that post I got a reply from Viofo advising me to "wait some days" before buying a dash cam because their new 4 channel T340 would be released "end of September."

I was already waiting a couple weeks to let tint fully cure, so this all worked out great. The T340 was released yesterday (Sept 15th)

On to my question... regular rear or waterproof rear?

I'm trying to figure out if the regular rear camera will be able to see through the dark tint at night. The tint on the back half of my car only lets 5% light in.

I am stubborn and I want to install the system myself. I know I can manage to install the full system, hardwired, with the regular rear camera.

I am not completely confident in my ability to install a waterproof rear cam. Though learning how to do it could be beneficial for other things, like replacing my back up camera eventually due to the lens being scuffed/foggy.

I have a Ford Cmax Energi. I don't have the manual, but that can be found online. Does anyone own a Cmax and/or have experience with installing a waterpoof camera on the hatch? If so, would you be willing to help me on some level?

Via advice, answering questions, recommending youtube videos or websites, helping me IRL if you happen to be local (and not a serial killer jk)

I can think of some pros and cons to the regular rear vs waterproof.

Regular: Pros - it will be faster for me to get it up and running, it also won't be visible from the outside easily. Con - I do not know how well it will see through the tint at night.

Waterproof: Pros - I won't have to worry about the tint obstructing anything. Plus I won't have to stick anything to the tint itself. Cons - the learning curve, it may be a while before I am able to figure out how to install it and get it up and running. People might notice it depending on where I mount it. A real jerk could damage it potentially.

Thanks in advance to any helpful, kind comments.

TLDR: A329T because distance and license plate viewing are important to me or A329S to capture the side windows (I'm not concerned with inside the vehicle.) Alternatively, A329T + a single channel dash cam pointed inside the cabin to mimic the S's fisheye interior cam?

Longer version: I have been researching dash cams for weeks. I had picked the Rove R2-4k Dual Pro. One reason I have not switched to a wedge style dash cam before is the inability to swivel it left and right, like if an LEO walks up to one windows.

After more research, I decided to return the Rove and get a Viofo A329x.

I was set on getting the A329T for the Telephoto lens. Capturing license plates and distance is important to me. I do not do ride share and thought I don't need a cabin camera.

Then I saw Vortex Rader's YT video showing both versions of the A329.

The fisheye lens not only shows inside the vehicle, but it shows the side windows as well. Not only does this take care of my concern about not being able to turn the front camera left or right, but it would also be great for parking mode, etc.

Now I'm torn between which one to get.

If it were as simple as ordering the A329S and buying the Telephoto cam by itself, then swapping them out depending on my current needs, I would do that. Apparently it is not as simple as plug and go. A firmware update is required.

I'm considering getting the A329T still, and just getting a single channel dash cam to face inside the cabin to mimic the A329S's interior cabin. I'm not sure how well that would work. I think the S's interior camera has infrared lights for recording inside the vehicle at night.

Are there any single channel dash cams that would be similar to the S's interior cam?

It would be great if Viofo would come out with a A329ST 4 channel system. Especially if they could make it so current owners of a A329 could upgrade their system and not have to buy a whole new setup.

I'm curious what dash cam people use with their Cmax?

Wedge style like Viofo, mount with a ball joint like Rove, or something else?

I saw someone else made a point about the sensor cover potentially being in the way depending on the mount style.

LDR: is it worth the extra money to get the Viofo A329T instead of the Rove R2-4k Dual PRO?

I have been researching dashcams quite a bit. Originally I thought I needed a suction cup to avoid sticking adhesive to the tint. I had settled on the Rove R2-4k Dual Pro to get the true 4k with the Starvis 2 IMX678 front cam.

I have since learned about static film for mounting, which has opened up more options for me.

One of my concerns is being able to read license plates.

Is it worth the extra money to get the Viofo A329T with the telephoto lens? I do want a rear cam as part of the setup, otherwise I would get one of the Viofo A229 versions and swap the rear cam for the Telephoto lens.

Is there a 3rd option I'm not aware of?

Additional info: I am not concerned about high heat. I live in the bay area of CA, plus I had better tint put on that keeps the cabin of my vehicle much cooler inside. I rarely ever travel to places that get hot.

One thing I do like about the design of the Rove is I can pivot the camera to point it at something if for some reason I felt the need to. The Viofo wedge design doesn't give that pivot option (correct me of I am wrong)

I have two weeks to decide while I wait for the tint to fully cure.

(Cross posted)

TLDR: is it worth the extra money to get the Viofo A329T instead of the Rove R2-4k Dual PRO?

I have been researching dashcams quite a bit. Originally I thought I needed a suction cup to avoid sticking adhesive to the tint. I had settled on the Rove R2-4k Dual Pro to get the true 4k with the Starvis 2 IMX678 front cam.

I have since learned about static film for mounting, which has opened up more options for me.

One of my concerns is being able to read license plates.

Is it worth the extra money to get the Viofo A329T with the telephoto lens? I do want a rear cam as part of the setup, otherwise I would get one of the Viofo A229 versions and swap the rear cam for the Telephoto lens.

Is there a 3rd option I'm not aware of?

Additional info: I am not concerned about high heat. I live in the bay area of CA, plus I had better tint put on that keeps the cabin of my vehicle much cooler inside. I rarely ever travel to places that get hot.

One thing I do like about the design of the Rove is I can pivot the camera to point it at something if for some reason I felt the need to. The Viofo wedge design doesn't give that pivot option (correct me of I am wrong)

I have two weeks to decide while I wait for the tint to fully cure.

Are there other options for a dash cam besides the Rove r2-4k dual pro that have a suction cup mount (preferably included) and the starvis 2 IMX678 sensor?

I'm looking for PHEV advice. We are looking for on the cheap end of a used vehicle.

I currently have a 2015 Ford Fusion Energi (180k miles) that my brother gave me over a year ago. Unfortunately, when he gave it to me it was making a really loud noise once it switched to hybrid mode.

It needs a new transmission. We pretty much decided I would drive it until it dies. It has lasted over a year. It has basically been on life support 😆

It seems to be on hospice now, so we are car shopping.

Other than it dying and not having tinted windows, it is pretty much perfect for me and my teens.

Comfort is a HUGE consideration because I have chronic pain in my tailbone and pretty much my whole spine.

Are there any PHEVs that are similar to the Ford Fusion Energi?

Things I love about my Fusion Energi car:

●Leather very comfortable seats. It is just super comfortable. The shape and firmness/softness. Plus no fabric issues.

●heated seats - we use them a lot. I use it for my back pain and Jasper uses the heat about 80% of the time. 100% in winter.

● CD player. I/we listen to our CDs 95% of the time. We don't want to burn them to USB or go digital.

●The fob/locking system with how it locks and unlocks with touching the handles

● split climate control. Second to the CD player, we use individual climate settings quite a bit

● keyless ignition and remote start

● the compass display

● displays street names

● displays speed limit

● Camera reverse system

● side mirror defrost

● fog lights - they help with extra visibility

● navigation system is nice, but I can use my phone for GPS

● cruise control is helpful at times

● the blue tooth hands free calling was nice while it worked

I bought my teenager a box of Mint It's-It. He has loved them for years, but we don't get them very often. He ate the first one a few days ago and right away noticed the ice cream is not green.

For a few seconds he thought it was a vanilla one in a mint wrapper and box. It is definitely mint flavored though.

Did the company stop making them green?

He is eating the second one in the box and it is not green either.