[Needsdecaf]

I searched and didn't really find many threads on the built-in drive recorder. Trying to see how it is? I opted for it just because it was super cheap in the grand scheme of things and I had similar functionality on my Tesla. The Tesla was buggy. It would often stop recording right when you needed it; recordings would jump; the cameras were not optimized for it so everything was grainy, poor color, etc. There was no hope of reading a plate or a face just basically a "what happened" (which is better than nothing of course).

Does the drive recorder work when you are parked? Like Tesla's Sentry Mode? Or only when driving?

Anyone liking it enough to feel like you don't need a dashcam?

Thanks.

[Chapter2099]

I posted somewhere the other day these same questions (great minds!).

I’ll find the thread and bump it, but if memory serves correctly from all of the previous searches and replies, the consensus was drive recorder works okay, but not great.

It pales in comparison to Sentry mode.

It does work while parked, but don’t hold your breath because *I was told or read* it was not reliable. There were been members that noted it didn’t record when it should have and/or the files were lost.

I asked about ACE 3.0 (a port add-on) and the answer was that money was better spent on other aftermarket systems.

I did a bunch of research on those based on the suggestions I got, and a few themes were FixcamX, Blackvue and others, but either they required significant installation efforts (IMO) or they didn’t function when the car was turned off and required additional installation (ie hardwired) to remain always “on.”

To me, FitCamX was the best option for looks and functionality, but I still have time to mull it over.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by Chapter2099

I posted somewhere the other day these same questions (great minds!).

I’ll find the thread and bump it, but if memory serves correctly from all of the previous searches and replies, the consensus was drive recorder works okay, but not great.

It pales in comparison to Sentry mode.

It does work while parked, but don’t hold your breath because *I was told or read* it was not reliable. There were been members that noted it didn’t record when it should have and/or the files were lost.

I asked about ACE 3.0 (a port add-on) and the answer was that money was better spent on other aftermarket systems.

I did a bunch of research on those based on the suggestions I got, and a few themes were FixcamX, Blackvue and others, but either they required significant installation efforts (IMO) or they didn’t function when the car was turned off and required additional installation (ie hardwired) to remain always “on.”

To me, FitCamX was the best option for looks and functionality, but I still have time to mull it over.

Sigh, looks like I need to spend some time on Vortex Radar's YouTube channel.

[Hardeight27]

No sentry, no constant record but it does offer multiple views when it is used. It doesn't hurt to have some extra information if there is an incident.

I have it and I also have a 3 channel BlackVue DR770X Box Series. It does monitor when the car is off with a backup battery and I can remotely live view from my phone or PC.

Nothing is perfect, and I am impressed with Tesla's Sentry mode but they seem to be the leaders on that front. What I have seems to be the best aftermarket option to get similar coverage.

[OtoPA]

Originally Posted by Chapter2099

I posted somewhere the other day these same questions (great minds!).

I’ll find the thread and bump it, but if memory serves correctly from all of the previous searches and replies, the consensus was drive recorder works okay, but not great.

It pales in comparison to Sentry mode.

It does work while parked, but don’t hold your breath because *I was told or read* it was not reliable. There were been members that noted it didn’t record when it should have and/or the files were lost.

I asked about ACE 3.0 (a port add-on) and the answer was that money was better spent on other aftermarket systems.

I did a bunch of research on those based on the suggestions I got, and a few themes were FixcamX, Blackvue and others, but either they required significant installation efforts (IMO) or they didn’t function when the car was turned off and required additional installation (ie hardwired) to remain always “on.”

To me, FitCamX was the best option for looks and functionality, but I still have time to mull it over.

Have Drive Recorder, have never checked it, but had Blackvue in my F150, so added one to my '23 M4. very good install instructions on searching this site. Only panel I had to remove was the fuse cover under passenger side glovebox. all wiring was able to be tucked under existing trim. Front and rear camera video is great. have parked car coverage set at 6 hours. Retired, home garaged. I'm 70y/o and my VCR still flashes 12:00, so not too hard.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by OtoPA

. I'm 70y/o and my VCR still flashes 12:00, so not too hard.

The worst part was...you programmed the clock. You programmed the start time. You had cable, so the channel had to be set to "3".....

....and you forgot to change the channel on the cable box. You came home and instead of the movie you wanted, you had recorded reruns of The Love Boat. The youngins will never know the struggle.

In the late '90's or maybe 2000, my friend got a TiVo. He was cutting edge. CNN actually featured him on a segment. It lead off with a clip of him sitting in his black recliner, TiVo remote in hand with a booming voiceover that said "IN HIS RIGHT HAND, KEN S**** HOLDS THE FUTURE OF TELEVISION".

How right they were. They could never have known just how right they were.

[Chapter2099]

Originally Posted by OtoPA

Have Drive Recorder, have never checked it, but had Blackvue in my F150, so added one to my '23 M4. very good install instructions on searching this site. Only panel I had to remove was the fuse cover under passenger side glovebox. all wiring was able to be tucked under existing trim. Front and rear camera video is great. have parked car coverage set at 6 hours. Retired, home garaged. I'm 70y/o and my VCR still flashes 12:00, so not too hard.

I appreciate this OtoPA.

Dumb question because I’m ignorant when it comes to this stuff but if I install the wiring is it also easy to uninstall?

For some reason, I had a fear of messing something up that’s unreversible.

Also, which Blackvue model do you prefer?

[thecakeisalie]

The video is slightly low res and low framerate if you use all cameras (4 camera views are fitted into a single 1280x960ish ~15fps video file).

It randomly reset at some point and when I went to use it I realized I had to go through the consent form again and completely missed the chance to record; the video I had previously saved was gone for whatever reason.

Another time I am fairly sure I triggered the record function < 20 seconds after an event occurred, but it still completely missed what I was trying to save.

So all in all I'm going to install a Blackvue whenever I get around to it

[OtoPA]

Originally Posted by Chapter2099

I appreciate this OtoPA.

Dumb question because I’m ignorant when it comes to this stuff but if I install the wiring is it also easy to uninstall?

For some reason, I had a fear of messing something up that’s unreversible.

Also, which Blackvue model do you prefer?

First, all props to Iviegatron for his excellent install instructions and photos. (a quick search will bring it up)

I chose the 970x 2 channel. It would be easy to uninstall as I did not take off any pillar covers to route cable. I simple tucked it a few mm into the space at trim edges and used the existing 'natural' junctions to make the turns and transitions. The fuse taps would be easy to remove in 5 min.

I did not opt for the battery pack. I initially got 'battery management' errors on my dash as I had the parking monitor time maxed and I did not drive the car frequently enough. I'm sure BMW was sensing a parasite current draw against battery storage.
I have since reduced my parking monitor time to about 6 hours...I'm retired and don't need 'parking mode' monitoring that long despite dinner, movie, casino and whatnot.. and no longer see any errors, despite not driving for a couple of days.

It (BVue) starts normally, records front and back and the video is good quality (when downloaded). Viewed on the phone, it is lower quality. software is good and many options to play with.
I chose BVue as I have it on my F150 for a year now...and I'd rather go S.Korean than Chinese as to brand.

[Jdrid]

My experience with driver recorder: About a year ago someone rear ended me while I was stopped at a red light, he wasn't going crazy fast but he did enough damage that the electronics in the car locked the car down and I had to get a new bumper from the hole he put into it. Drive recorder never recorded anything from that event, and I double checked it was setup properly where it should have.

That being said, using it to make manual recordings while you're driving is pretty cool, getting all 4 angles at once. I wouldn't rely on it for anything where you can't manually hold the record button down, thankfully in my situation I also had a Thinkware U1000 installed in the front and rear that works great.

[Chapter2099]

Originally Posted by Jdrid

My experience with driver recorder: About a year ago someone rear ended me while I was stopped at a red light, he wasn't going crazy fast but he did enough damage that the electronics in the car locked the car down and I had to get a new bumper from the hole he put into it. Drive recorder never recorded anything from that event, and I double checked it was setup properly where it should have.

That being said, using it to make manual recordings while you're driving is pretty cool, getting all 4 angles at once. I wouldn't rely on it for anything where you can't manually hold the record button down, thankfully in my situation I also had a Thinkware U1000 installed in the front and rear that works great.

Wow. That’s nuts. So yeah, I’m concerned about the security aspect of it and you’re not the first person to tell me that it leaves a lot to be desired. Mind blowing though.

[jimbethesda]

I feel like BMW missed an opportunity here. Why does it only record 20 secs before and after? Storage is so cheap. They could have charged more for it. I would have paid $100 to give an hour each. Gives you time after an incident to press the button.

[Ezra168]

Sorry to revive this old thread……but I’ve recently been regretting just not clicking the $100 add on of the drive recorder. Does anyone know if that can be added at/as a port option?

[BIGW0RM]

Originally Posted by Ezra168

Sorry to revive this old thread……but I’ve recently been regretting just not clicking the $100 add on of the drive recorder. Does anyone know if that can be added at/as a port option?

I have drive recorder. But I dont use it. Its only 30 second clips. I find myself pressing the wrong "record" button when I do try and use it.

I think you are SO much better off buying a garmin mini 2 dash cam. Small as a keyfob. No one see its. It can record full time (if you hardwire it) and run off USB or cig port power. Plus you get sound recorded too.

The drive recorder missed the mark IMO. Get a Garmin Mini 2. 130 bucks. You can add 4 together for a full 360 view too. I personally only have one facing forward right now,but plan to add a rear one sooner than later.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/garmin-...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by BIGW0RM

I have drive recorder. But I dont use it. Its only 30 second clips. I find myself pressing the wrong "record" button when I do try and use it.

I think you are SO much better off buying a garmin mini 2 dash cam. Small as a keyfob. No one see its. It can record full time (if you hardwire it) and run off USB or cig port power. Plus you get sound recorded too.

The drive recorder missed the mark IMO. Get a Garmin Mini 2. 130 bucks. You can add 4 together for a full 360 view too. I personally only have one facing forward right now,but plan to add a rear one sooner than later.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/garmin-...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

Agree, but recommend the Viofo A119 Mini 2. Great picture quality. Small footprint. Easy to use.

https://www.vortexradar.com/best-dashcams/

[docjavier]

I watched the vortex YouTube video comparing the top video recorders. I believe he picked the vantrue n4 pro. There is a n5 pro available now.

[Berzerker]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Agree, but recommend the Viofo A119 Mini 2. Great picture quality. Small footprint. Easy to use.

https://www.vortexradar.com/best-dashcams/

The A119 v3 is slightly cheaper at $99 even https://www.amazon.com/VIOFO-2560x14.../dp/B07SRQH4R7 I've been quite happy with mine

It lacks wifi but I don't think that's a useful feature. If I need footage I'll pull the mSD card.

Originally Posted by docjavier

I watched the vortex YouTube video comparing the top video recorders. I believe he picked the vantrue n4 pro. There is a n5 pro available now.

I don't think any dash cam is worth $400+. A $100 camera can use the same sensor and do just as well.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by Berzerker

The A119 v3 is slightly cheaper at $99 even https://www.amazon.com/VIOFO-2560x14.../dp/B07SRQH4R7 I've been quite happy with mine

It lacks wifi but I don't think that's a useful feature. If I need footage I'll pull the mSD card.



I don't think any dash cam is worth $400+. A $100 camera can use the same sensor and do just as well.

Well, I mean same can be said about an M product. My Model 3 was just as fast to 60.

All depends on what yup want to (over)pay for.

[Berzerker]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Well, I mean same can be said about an M product. My Model 3 was just as fast to 60.

All depends on what yup want to (over)pay for.

More like paying $100k vs $400k for a G80 rather than a different car, is my point.