Hello

I have an Acura MDX 2008 - Tech version and would like to install Dash Camera both in the front and Back.

But am not sure about how to go about doing this?

I think most Dash camera works the same, so am interested only in getting to know how to run wiring for both - front and back camera, just so it is not dangling and hiding behind the trim.

I will appreciate if anyone can share information or point me to some video or photographs or set of instructions, which will be helpful

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read.

 

There are various ways, here is what I know

Front Dashcam

Option 1 - Get power from Mirror if you have the auto dimming one or one with a Compass, some folks have done it, it was too complex for me so I have not.
Option 2 - Get Power from Fusebox near driver's footwell, route the cable through rubber seals(from windshield to A pillar and down) so that it remains hidden. I have done this.

Rear Dashcam - I don't have one, but if its just about getting power then it can be either taken from a source in the Tailgate(not sure though) or from the power socket in the boot or Fuse box in the boot. If it needs to be connected to the camera in front then you would need to lay down a long wire from back to front via door sils.

All the best.

 

Option 1 is by far the easiest..

I got my dash cam installed using the power lead for the Auto Dimming rear view mirror, Cable wiring is as follows:
OEM MDX Cables (4 pin socket only 3 pins used)
Black = Ground
Pink = +12v Reverse
Yellow = +12v Ignition

Just use Black and Yellow to supply a USB charger to power the Front Dash cam and route the cables through the roof liner it only comes down 3inches or so!. There is enough room in between the roof chassis and roof liner to fit the USB charger.. Some dashcams even use proper 12v so no need for a USB Charger to step down to 5v.

 

Thanks for your input... will it be possible for you share some pics? especially of the fuse box which fuse you have used for routing power.

based on my research, i also think Rear Dash cam will be a separate project for me..

 

Thanks for your reply...

Will it be possible to share some pics of your electrical connections, as i new to this and has never attempted but am willing to try it, if it is something i could do.

 

If you don't like extra cables hanging around (just like me), the easiest way would be to hide the cables under the trim. For the front I've put the cable through the mirror cable cover, then to the right of the mirror under the roof liner trim, then down the right A-pillar and through the console. Additionally, I don't like anything permanently connected to the front 12V outlet, so I mounted a double USB outlet (with its own fuse, of course) under the primary socket in the central console. I'm using this double 2.1 A USB outlet (I have the phone charger cable permanently connected there as well, so I needed two USBs). Just connect the auxiliary outlet cables to the primary outlet terminals in the console and attach it to something inside securely using a double sided tape.

This way you can have your dashcam and smartphone charger cable permanently mounted to the primary 12V outlet, which will start working as soon as you turn the ignition on.

You can do pretty much the same in the back (that is if you are using the rear 12V outlet for anything, because if you don't, you can just connect the camera into it directly), you can also tuck the cable away under the trim there.

In terms of cameras themselves, I opted for two separate cameras. They cost about the same as one unit with two cameras, but is more secure in case one of them overheats, for example, or malfunctions for some reason, you have a better chance of still having the other one (either rear or front camera) footage.

Here are the cameras I bought about half a year ago, they work fine and have GPS logger (you can turn it off), 1440p resolution, relatively good night time footage quality and can be mounted on their own connected stands, which means you can easily disconnect them from the cradles without having to disconnect the cable if you need to take your camera with you from the car, for example:
https://amzn.to/2m8Ok2S

 

You use the same power that goes into the auto dimming rear view mirror.. Just tap their power cables into a small USB charger to get your 5v..
The power for the auto dimming rear view mirror is already fused.

 

AcuraAddicted - Thanks for your detailed explanation...

 

Skirmich - Thanks for taking the time to post