What's In ALM's Garage?

[5.0ALM]

Dash Cams

Finally catching up on unboxing some new toys that arrived in the past week.

A dash cam was meant to be the first "mod" to the Mustang, given the sheer number of f##king idiots on the road.

I almost purchased [what was the best available at the time] a pair of Viofo A229 Pros, but discovered the A329 was in the field being tested, and decided to wait just a little bit longer.

If you've been following The Dash cam Thread you will appreciate the only dash cams worth considering are those with the Sony Starvis 2 image sensor, which is far superior to anything else.

The recently released Viofo A329 2-Channel kit is one of the few that has a Starvis 2 sensor in both the front 4k camera (IMX678 sensor) and rear 2k camera (IMX675 sensor).

Bottom line, if your cheapo dash cam has poor image quality, and you can't make out number plate details etc, then what's the point?
(Rhetorical question!)

With that in mind, two were purchased during the recent Black Friday specials, one for the Mustang, and one for the RAV4 daily driver. Viofo Australia must have been overwhelmed with orders because it took over a week to ship out their door.

Powering the dash cam in the Mustang was a big unknown at the time of ordering, so only one hardwire kit for the RAV4 was purchased, along with fuse taps. More on powering the dash cam coming up...

CPL filters (circular polarising) come standard for the front cameras, but consider it mandatory to get the optional CPL filters for the rear cameras, along with the recommended SD cards. Although you can buy generic and brand name cards from anywhere, lots of people tend to have drama with cards that are not on the "approved list". That can be a bit hit and miss, and not worth the false saving.

Now, powering the thing.

Just because it has a USB-C connector doesn't automatically mean it will run off 5V.
USB-C devices could run off 5V, 9V, 12V or even 18V as my HP x360 Envy notebook does.

I was pleasantly surprised that the A329 actually runs off 5V, and in the 2 channel configuration.
Current @5V was just under 1A.

And guess what we have in the rear view mirror assembly?
A USB connector delivering 5V.

Hooking up the A329 in 2-Ch configuration in the Mustang, and it "just works" being powered off the mirror port!

Posts on this forum suggest this USB port remains powered up for ~20 minutes or so after the vehicle is powered down, although I'm going to do my own tests to verify this.

If that's the case, then perfect for the 50ALM garage Queen.
Not being a daily driver, I have no need to keep the dash cam powered up all day long.

And for the hell of it, back in the "lab" inside, current draw @ 12V5 (nominal battery volts with vehicle off)

And whilst the vehicle would be running @ nominal 13V8

:

After scouring the internet, I believe I've found the ideal short (29cm) USB-A to USB-C lead with right angle connectors to keep the install neat. It was important to make sure the USB-A connector was orientated the correct way with the dash cam being on the drivers side of the mirror.

I'll just put up with the longer supplied lead and an adpater until this lead arrives in two weeks.
Being able to power the dash cam from the mirror port makes the install so much easier, with only having to run the rear camera cable under the trim and headliner.

Running the rear camera cable appears to be relatively easy after watching Chris Cervenka's video.




I might end up doing my own install video +/- enthusiasm for that.

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[69fstbak]

Dash Cams

Finally catching up on unboxing some new toys that arrived in the past week.

A dash cam was meant to be the first "mod" to the Mustang, given the sheer number of f##king idiots on the road.

I almost purchased [what was the best available at the time] a pair of Viofo A229 Pros, but discovered the A329 was in the field being tested, and decided to wait just a little bit longer.

If you've been following The Dash cam Thread you will appreciate the only dash cams worth considering are those with the Sony Starvis 2 image sensor, which is far superior to anything else.

The recently released Viofo A329 2-Channel kit is one of the few that has a Starvis 2 sensor in both the front 4k camera (IMX678 sensor) and rear 2k camera (IMX675 sensor).

Bottom line, if your cheapo dash cam has poor image quality, and you can't make out number plate details etc, then what's the point?
(Rhetorical question!)

With that in mind, two were purchased during the recent Black Friday specials, one for the Mustang, and one for the RAV4 daily driver. Viofo Australia must have been overwhelmed with orders because it took over a week to ship out their door.

Powering the dash cam in the Mustang was a big unknown at the time of ordering, so only one hardwire kit for the RAV4 was purchased, along with fuse taps. More on powering the dash cam coming up...

CPL filters (circular polarising) come standard for the front cameras, but consider it mandatory to get the optional CPL filters for the rear cameras, along with the recommended SD cards. Although you can buy generic and brand name cards from anywhere, lots of people tend to have drama with cards that are not on the "approved list". That can be a bit hit and miss, and not worth the false saving.

Now, powering the thing.

Just because it has a USB-C connector doesn't automatically mean it will run off 5V.
USB-C devices could run off 5V, 9V, 12V or even 18V as my HP x360 Envy notebook does.

I was pleasantly surprised that the A329 actually runs off 5V, and in the 2 channel configuration.
Current @5V was just under 1A.

And guess what we have in the rear view mirror assembly?
A USB connector delivering 5V.

Hooking up the A329 in 2-Ch configuration in the Mustang, and it "just works" being powered off the mirror port!

Posts on this forum suggest this USB port remains powered up for ~20 minutes or so after the vehicle is powered down, although I'm going to do my own tests to verify this.

If that's the case, then perfect for the 50ALM garage Queen.
Not being a daily driver, I have no need to keep the dash cam powered up all day long.

And for the hell of it, back in the "lab" inside, current draw @ 12V5 (nominal battery volts with vehicle off)

And whilst the vehicle would be running @ nominal 13V8

:

After scouring the internet, I believe I've found the ideal short (29cm) USB-A to USB-C lead with right angle connectors to keep the install neat. It was important to make sure the USB-A connector was orientated the correct way with the dash cam being on the drivers side of the mirror.

I'll just put up with the longer supplied lead and an adpater until this lead arrives in two weeks.
Being able to power the dash cam from the mirror port makes the install so much easier, with only having to run the rear camera cable under the trim and headliner.

Running the rear camera cable appears to be relatively easy after watching Chris Cervenka's video.




I might end up doing my own install video +/- enthusiasm for that.

+1 for an install video if you do one

 

[5.0ALM]

Stoopid #1

This was a stoopid idea!
The perception of "saving time" by cleaning two cars at once.

Won't be doing this again.

It''s perfectly manageable to brake buster four wheels with the cannon, get in there with the wheel mitt, and rinse, one vehicle at a time.

Not so bad doing a decon foam with Carpro Lift of one after another another.
Dwell for a few minutes, and rinse off the first then second foamed vehicle.

The mad panic then begins with foaming both with Carpro Reset , the contact wash with the mf pad, getting to the second vehicle, wash, and then rinsing before things start to dry out.

Then blow drying and touching up with a contact wipe down.

I always wash in the late afternoon with a setting sun on the other side of the house, and I have the shade sail anyway, if I do a single car parked in the middle of the drive.

Never again!

 

[5.0ALM]

Stoopid #2

Being my first Mustang, I was thoroughly overwhelmed with the vehicle settings and quirks in the first few weeks of ownership. I learnt what I needed to know, and since then it's been a slow drip feed of learning on an as-required basis.

The thing that annoyed me the most, second to mastering the touchscreen and getting Waze up and running irrespective of what was on the screen, was the dreaded double honk when exiting the vehicle.

I searched on this forum and found an answer that had you holding the key fob by the rear window as you exit and locked the vehicle with the other hand (using a finger on the "lock" door handle sensor).

I've been doing this for many weeks now, and it's become 2nd nature, with a 99% success rate.

I was about to load up the car with cameras and head out to a nearby industrial area (today being Sunday, nobody would be around to annoy with horn honking) to shoot a video on this.

For some unknown reason, for the first time in two months, I started poking around in the vehicle settings again, and found this...

My searching on various Ford forums weeks ago led me to believe it couldn't be disabled, unless using Forscan, which is why I hadn't bothered with the settings since.

Hopefully this means no more double honking - I absolutely hated that.
Any imbecile who needs that feature should consider taking the bus instead.

Hence, feeling stoopid I didn't find this 11 weeks ago.

 

[5.0ALM]

Rear View Mirror USB Port

With a dash cam ready to install, I wanted a definitive answer on how long the USB port in the rear view mirror assembly remained powered up, after switching the vehicle off.

This was important to know, as it affects parking record modes and how the dash cam's power is wired up to begin with.

How long?
Watch!

 

[prestj1]

Rear View Mirror USB Port

With a dash cam ready to install, I wanted a definitive answer on how long the USB port in the rear view mirror assembly remained powered up, after switching the vehicle off.

This was important to know, as it affects parking record modes and how the dash cam's power is wired up to begin with.

How long?
Watch!

Nice work m8 thanks for doing the test, I'm in a similar boat in that the mirror USB suits me fine, and in the rare situation I'll be away longer I might just pull the USB on the dashcam to save battery.

 

[5.0ALM]

Nice work m8 thanks for doing the test, I'm in a similar boat in that the mirror USB suits me fine, and in the rare situation I'll be away longer I might just pull the USB on the dashcam to save battery.

No worries.

You'll find the S650 detects low battery volts and puts itself into a power-saving mode, where current-consuming features are disabled. I've noticed this when I haven't driven the vehicle for a few weeks, whilst checking the FordPass app. The remote connectivity is shut off, along with other things. If I can remember, I'll grab a screenshot next time.

The battery should be topped up after your drive anyway.

Not being installed yet, I obviously haven't played with A329 in a real-world situation, but the motion sensor should detect when the vehicle is stationary after n minutes and put itself into the parking mode you have set.

 

[bfets]

Rear View Mirror USB Port

With a dash cam ready to install, I wanted a definitive answer on how long the USB port in the rear view mirror assembly remained powered up, after switching the vehicle off.

This was important to know, as it affects parking record modes and how the dash cam's power is wired up to begin with.

How long?
Watch!

Very interesting video Adam. I wonder what made Ford choose that amount of time.
I'm also curious to see how you fit the back camera. Hopefully not too bad to run that cable.

One tongue in cheek comment. Whats with the saving the manuals shirt and filming in a auto Mustang?

 

[Deano1978]

Very interesting video Adam. I wonder what made Ford choose that amount of time.
I'm also curious to see how you fit the back camera. Hopefully not too bad to run that cable.

One tongue in cheek comment. Whats with the saving the manuals shirt and filming in a auto Mustang?

But it is a manual

 

[bfets]

But it is a manual

Haha! Doh! It is too.

Sorry Adam. Don't know why I thought it was auto. Maybe the silver top of that manual gear knob. Maybe I should stop watching YouTube so late at night and get more sleep.

I'm an idiot.

 

[Stevefreestyle]

Rear View Mirror USB Port

With a dash cam ready to install, I wanted a definitive answer on how long the USB port in the rear view mirror assembly remained powered up, after switching the vehicle off.

This was important to know, as it affects parking record modes and how the dash cam's power is wired up to begin with.

How long?
Watch!

Great Video Adam, thanks! Keep up the great work.

 

[Stevefreestyle]

Haha! Doh! It is too.

Sorry Adam. Don't know why I thought it was auto. Maybe the silver top of that manual gear knob. Maybe I should stop watching YouTube so late at night and get more sleep.

I'm an idiot.

We are all idiots from time to time bfets - I actually bought a Holden once !

 

[bfets]

We are all idiots from time to time bfets - I actually bought a Holden once !

Lol - I'm guilty of that one too, so I'm a double idiot. Not only did we own a Holden, it was a Holden Craptiva! Worst car I've ever owned.

**In my defense, the missus really liked it for some reason only she will ever understand. Can only argue with the boss to a point and then you have to let them learn from their own mistakes.

 

[DFB5.0]

Lol - I'm guilty of that one too, so I'm a double idiot. Not only did we own a Holden, it was a Holden Craptiva! Worst car I've ever owned.

**In my defense, the missus really liked it for some reason only she will ever understand. Can only argue with the boss to a point and then you have to let them learn from their own mistakes.

Brave man admitting to owning a Captiva on a Ford forum!

 

[bfets]

Brave man admitting to owning a Captiva on a Ford forum!

Hey I couldn't even properly distinguish a manual from an auto so maybe that Captiva was the car I deserved.

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