GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: Sootchucker on 15 January 2020, 15:17
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HI guys, looking for a small and discreet as possible dash cam for my GTI. Now, my car was spec'd with the Lane assist, side assist and traffic sign recognition camera in the windscreen with the fully adaptive headlights (which I think became standard on the late 2019 models).
As such the moulding behind the rear view mirror is quite large and wide, and all the usual suspects I've looked at so far end up far to much to the left (passenger side) to miss the camera moulding assembly.
Therefore anyone know of a smaller unit that can be a bit more discreet for this set up (ideally if you have, could you share photos of it please) ?
Here's what mine looks like:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49389308858_dcf8e4b00b_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2ifn7PU)
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Andrew I'll be moving my f770 thinkware into the new car when it comes. I suppose it doesn't really matter if the unit is stuck to the shaded area as long as the camera isn't obscured. I currently can't really see my dash cam behind the rear view mirror.
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Halfords got mine pretty tucked away using the Nextbase hardwire hit. Been slightly over to one side doesn't make any difference as they are such wide-angle.
(https://i.postimg.cc/ncRjS3fX/IMG-0144.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/tY64YtTb)
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Also have the Thinkware F770 and you can't even see it without looking specifically for it. Also a fantastic quality camera.
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I have a Nextbase 522GW. It's nice and sleek but not quite as discrete as my old dashcam. I don't like dashcams with big long mounts that make it look like you have a digital camera strapped to your windscreen. Side note - Everyone, do your passengers a favour and set the screen to turn off/go onto a screensaver after a minute or so. Don't like staring at a bright screen.
This was my last dashcam. Those type that stick on at that angle are one of the most discreet ones you can get.
(https://www.safewise.com/app/uploads/facebook-best-car-dash-cams.jpg)
This is my new one, main reason I got it is because it has more features. Still discreet but stands out a little more than the one above.
(https://i.pinimg.com/736x/e5/55/c5/e555c5f1498c8945e7773579555f2778.jpg)
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Side note - Everyone, do your passengers a favour and set the screen to turn off/go onto a screensaver after a minute or so. Don't like staring at a bright screen.
So agree with this, the amount of people I follow, that don't realise that the screen doesn't have to be on all the time
I've got a Street Guardian wedge style (SG9665GC) in our Golf and it's fairy discrete. I must take some pics.
If you want something really discrete have a look at Street Guardian's SGSC12RC.
I've got Street Guardian dashcams in both cars, and touch wood they have been spot on.
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I also have a Nextbase 522GW, which I fitted myself. Using the stick on QR mount, I got it to fit behind the rearview mirror so that I can’t see anything of it from the driver’s seat. Your mirror mount and housing looks the same as mine. I had to make up a vinyl patch to cover the sticky mount pad on the outside, as it is creamy white. Looked awful.
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I’m another F770 owner. Got the front on stuck on the dot matrix with the camera itself sat just below. Personally think it’s fine there and fault discreet. Will get a pic in the morning and post it up.
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Interesting thread this; since owning my (first) GTi, I've noticed that the badge can bring out the bell-end in some other drivers who just HAVE to get past you at all cost. :whistle:
I think at least a front camera will be my next purchase...
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Interesting thread this; since owning my (first) GTi, I've noticed that the badge can bring out the bell-end in some other drivers who just HAVE to get past you at all cost. :whistle:
I think at least a front camera will be my next purchase...
agree with that. Just had a Nissan cashcow do exactly this on the way home from work tonight.
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Took some quick pics this morning if my F770.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/Raj328/Golf%20GTI/E0DC1FCD-AD22-4F5B-84F9-3A42F9316E84_zpszjwjkdst.jpg) (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/Raj328/media/Golf%20GTI/E0DC1FCD-AD22-4F5B-84F9-3A42F9316E84_zpszjwjkdst.jpg.html)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/Raj328/Golf%20GTI/0FE851D7-ED60-410F-92AF-C4D08E4291B5_zpsdmzofvex.jpg) (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/Raj328/media/Golf%20GTI/0FE851D7-ED60-410F-92AF-C4D08E4291B5_zpsdmzofvex.jpg.html)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y15/Raj328/Golf%20GTI/13E6438D-E350-49FD-92FA-2E6125DF1DCD_zpstt5d06ln.jpg) (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/Raj328/media/Golf%20GTI/13E6438D-E350-49FD-92FA-2E6125DF1DCD_zpstt5d06ln.jpg.html)
Not the best as was just being quick but not too intrusive.
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Thanks guys, keep them coming.
I did look at the Thinkware units (the F770 and the new 800), because I liked the fact they didn't have a screen (which I hate), but you guys all seem to have the standard housing behind the rear view mirror meaning you can get the unit to "hide" behind the rear view mirror much more effectively. With my setup, the unit would almost have to be in front of the passenger.
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The F770 does sit nicely to the left of the rear view mirror, hiding it from the drivers view. The passenger can see it, but only 1/3 of my miles are with passengers. Had mine about 4 years in 2 different cars now, and still going strong.
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Thanks guys, keep them coming.
I did look at the Thinkware units (the F770 and the new 800), because I liked the fact they didn't have a screen (which I hate), but you guys all seem to have the standard housing behind the rear view mirror meaning you can get the unit to "hide" behind the rear view mirror much more effectively. With my setup, the unit would almost have to be in front of the passenger.
Yeah agreed that your housing is larger but still think it would work ok. Could be worth seeing if a member isn't too far that you could try placing it where it needs to go to see. Or buy one off Amazon of the like and test it and then return it if you don't want it.
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What I see (Nextbase 522GW):
(https://i.imgur.com/C4JD2hB.jpg)
What the passenger sees:
(https://i.imgur.com/PBFhvI3.jpg)
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I also have a Nextbase 522GW, which I fitted myself. Using the stick on QR mount, I got it to fit behind the rearview mirror so that I can’t see anything of it from the driver’s seat. Your mirror mount and housing looks the same as mine. I had to make up a vinyl patch to cover the sticky mount pad on the outside, as it is creamy white. Looked awful.
Oh great, I've yet to stick mine on with the adhesive mount, been using the suction cup one while I tested the camera out. So didn't realise it was cream :undecided:.
Any chance of a picture so I can see where you mounted it?. Did it stick to the black dots on the windscreen around the mirror ok?
Sorry to hijack the thread a little
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I also have a Nextbase 522GW, which I fitted myself. Using the stick on QR mount, I got it to fit behind the rearview mirror so that I can’t see anything of it from the driver’s seat. Your mirror mount and housing looks the same as mine. I had to make up a vinyl patch to cover the sticky mount pad on the outside, as it is creamy white. Looked awful.
Oh great, I've yet to stick mine on with the adhesive mount, been using the suction cup one while I tested the camera out. So didn't realise it was cream :undecided:.
Any chance of a picture so I can see where you mounted it?. Did it stick to the black dots on the windscreen around the mirror ok?
Sorry to hijack the thread a little
That’s my installation next post back from yours! 😄 I didn’t want to stick it to the dots, as I wasn’t sure whether it would stick well but, if it did, would it pull the dots off when I remove it.
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I also have a Nextbase 522GW, which I fitted myself. Using the stick on QR mount, I got it to fit behind the rearview mirror so that I can’t see anything of it from the driver’s seat. Your mirror mount and housing looks the same as mine. I had to make up a vinyl patch to cover the sticky mount pad on the outside, as it is creamy white. Looked awful.
Oh great, I've yet to stick mine on with the adhesive mount, been using the suction cup one while I tested the camera out. So didn't realise it was cream :undecided:.
Any chance of a picture so I can see where you mounted it?. Did it stick to the black dots on the windscreen around the mirror ok?
Sorry to hijack the thread a little
That’s my installation next post back from yours! 😄 I didn’t want to stick it to the dots, as I wasn’t sure whether it would stick well but, if it did, would it pull the dots off when I remove it.
Oh I didn't see there was a second page. First of all that is nicely installed and very well hidden. Secondly, damn! :grin: You have a different mirror layout to my one. Mine doesn't go into a point like yours so it's harder to hide the camera, especially without sticking to the dots.
I stuck my dashcam on the dots on my last car so might just slap it on there so it's perfectly hidden behind my mirror (I hope there's enough space). Even if I did stick it to the dots and remove it, I would put another dashcam on in exactly the same place.
How come your's doesn't have the big magnet thing on the power cable to avoid interference? Didn't you install it?
I've never seen that F770 cam before :huh:. Looks very nice a sleek, no screen tho? I'd miss that.
Also OP, you can get one with a screen that just turns off after 15/30/60 seconds (depends on brand).
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I use a Mobious camera, installed behind the rear view mirror. its pretty much invisible to the driver. the passenger will see it but its very discrete.
Its a very basic camera, but the picture quality is brilliant, even at night. No screen, no wifi or other fancy features.
I discovered this a while back when i had a 1 series, and when switched cars i kept the camera and fit it in the same way onto the GTI.
here is the thread where i discovered it, brucealmightys post on the below link has some pictures that should give you an idea how it looks installed.
https://www.babybmw.net/viewtopic.php?f=63&t=80200&hilit=mobious&start=60 (https://www.babybmw.net/viewtopic.php?f=63&t=80200&hilit=mobious&start=60)
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I also have a Nextbase 522GW, which I fitted myself. Using the stick on QR mount, I got it to fit behind the rearview mirror so that I can’t see anything of it from the driver’s seat. Your mirror mount and housing looks the same as mine. I had to make up a vinyl patch to cover the sticky mount pad on the outside, as it is creamy white. Looked awful.
Oh great, I've yet to stick mine on with the adhesive mount, been using the suction cup one while I tested the camera out. So didn't realise it was cream :undecided:.
Any chance of a picture so I can see where you mounted it?. Did it stick to the black dots on the windscreen around the mirror ok?
Sorry to hijack the thread a little
That’s my installation next post back from yours! 😄 I didn’t want to stick it to the dots, as I wasn’t sure whether it would stick well but, if it did, would it pull the dots off when I remove it.
Oh I didn't see there was a second page. First of all that is nicely installed and very well hidden. Secondly, damn! :grin: You have a different mirror layout to my one. Mine doesn't go into a point like yours so it's harder to hide the camera, especially without sticking to the dots.
I stuck my dashcam on the dots on my last car so might just slap it on there so it's perfectly hidden behind my mirror (I hope there's enough space). Even if I did stick it to the dots and remove it, I would put another dashcam on in exactly the same place.
How come your's doesn't have the big magnet thing on the power cable to avoid interference? Didn't you install it?
I've never seen that F770 cam before :huh:. Looks very nice a sleek, no screen tho? I'd miss that.
Also OP, you can get one with a screen that just turns off after 15/30/60 seconds (depends on brand).
what do you need a screen for? Thinkware have got a mobile app that shows you your footage. Thinkware and Blackvue are the best dash cams you can buy. The night footage on the f770 is superb.
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I use a garmin mini. Got the mrs 1 for her car as well. No screen works through the app. And u cannot see it. Even passengers don't realise its there. If u want to hard wire it you need to buy the parking cable. But i just ran the lead around the window and down and plugged it into the cigarette lighter. Good quality. Everything u need from a dashcam.