Dash Cam - Fuse Box or OBD Port?

[CarbonEV]

I’m looking to install my NextBase iQ 4K Dash Cam but what would everyone recommend?

What are the advantages / disadvantages of hard wiring to the Fuse Box or Installing via the OBD?

Is one better than the other?

 

[ReintjeWA]

I think the main advantage of hardwiring is when the dashcam can operate in a standby or parking mode, and start filming impacts it detects. If you think you don’t need this then hardwiring may not be worth the hassle to you

 

[CarbonEV]

I think the main advantage of hardwiring is when the dashcam can operate in a standby or parking mode, and start filming impacts it detects. If you think you don’t need this then hardwiring may not be worth the hassle to you

The Dash Cam has these features and I’d like to use them, so just wondered whether Fuse Box or OBD port was better as the Dash Cam can be installed via both methods.

 

[Bigmac2020]

I have mine hard wired and it’s better that way, although I find sometimes it hangs and I had to keep unplugging from the unit and then repowering, which was a pain. I ended up buying an inline switch which I installed next to the camera so I could power it off and on, rather than having to unplug it.

 

[ReintjeWA]

The Dash Cam has these features and I’d like to use them, so just wondered whether Fuse Box or OBD port was better as the Dash Cam can be installed via both methods.

Mine is hardwired to the fuse box. Technically speaking the camera is hardwired to a seperate battery in the boot, but that is then hardwired to the fuse box. The OBD port is underneath the steering wheel, so easier to access maybe than the fuse box (which takes a little bit of fiddling to get to). I had mine installed by the dealership (and the battery by another installer) so convenience of installation wasn’t a consideration for me. But if I were to do it myself OBD sounds tempting.

This thread has some pictures of you want to go the fuse box-route and want some tips on which fuses to tap into;

Post in thread 'Dashcam install'

Dec 6, 2024

The installer put it in the back underneath the floor board and ran the cables along the right hand side of the car (drivers side for us). I don’t know exactly which fuses he used but I assume the same ones everybody else does. There are some photos floating around here. He mentioned the dealership tapped into the fuse for the lights which he thought was strange so he “redid it properly” (his words).

Grabbed this from another thread to show the fuse box, it’s a bit tricky to get to, but not prohibitively so if you need to be there.

This is the battery in the back...

• ReintjeWA

• 

 

[bayardmm]

Mine is hardwired to the fuse box. Technically speaking the camera is hardwired to a seperate battery in the boot, but that is then hardwired to the fuse box. The OBD port is underneath the steering wheel, so easier to access maybe than the fuse box (which takes a little bit of fiddling to get to). I had mine installed by the dealership (and the battery by another installer) so convenience of installation wasn’t a consideration for me. But if I were to do it myself OBD sounds tempting.

This thread has some pictures of you want to go the fuse box-route and want some tips on which fuses to tap into;

Post in thread 'Dashcam install'

Dec 6, 2024

The installer put it in the back underneath the floor board and ran the cables along the right hand side of the car (drivers side for us). I don’t know exactly which fuses he used but I assume the same ones everybody else does. There are some photos floating around here. He mentioned the dealership tapped into the fuse for the lights which he thought was strange so he “redid it properly” (his words).

Grabbed this from another thread to show the fuse box, it’s a bit tricky to get to, but not prohibitively so if you need to be there.

This is the battery in the back...

• ReintjeWA

• 

The OBD on the MG3 is not constantly powered, so no good for parking mode. I know because I’m about to transfer my dashcam from a FordFiesta to an MG3 and will have to replace my previous OBD source.

 

[siteguru]

Useful to know, but please note that this thread is in the MG4 board.

 

[Rolfe]

It's an issue with that "Similar threads" display. It's not always clear which forum section the threads are in.

 

[siteguru]

It's an issue with that "Similar threads" display. It's not always clear which forum section the threads are in.

I've raised this with Stuart before but he has no plans to change this (or offer it as an option to disable showing it).

 

[thepfy]

OBD is always powered on MG4
My Nextbase connects through it.
Have a OBD splitter cable so have both the Dash cams and Bluetooth OPD dongle for ABRP at the same time.