swoosh

iTrader: (5)

I recently purchased the DR400HD II 16GB from Blackvue USA (a vendor on this forum)....

Communication: Matt was great to work with. He responded to PM's instantly. I sure hope his after sales support is the same way

Shipping: Shipping was quick and I got the product in couple days.

I ordered the DR400G HDII and the Power Magic Pro connector.

The following came in:

DR400G HD II
16GB MicroSD card
SD Card adapter
USB - SD Card Adapter
Power Cord
Multiple attachments and double sided tape

Power Magic Pro
Connector cable

Owners Manual/Installation guide for both

Unboxing - kinda

Installation:
Installation was very simple. Installed in 2 cars in less than 1 hour. Will upload pix tomorrow.

All you need is, 1 always positive wire, 1 ground wire/frame ground bolt and 1 IGN wire....

For the Positive wire, I took the WHITE wire from behind the stereo...(since I am gutted, and using the wire before for power, it was an easy find)

For IGN, wire to fuse #32. Add a fuse and done. I put a 5Amp fuse.

For ground, I wired the cable to the ground frame bolt.

Connect the cable to the power magic pro module, connect the power supply for the cam to the module and you are done....that simple

I took it for a test drive and came back, changed some settings (basically time zone/etc) and was done....

Application installation
1> Take the micro SD card that comes with the camera, attach it to your computer and format it (recommended but not needed)

2> Insert it into the camera and turn the car on....make sure you insert the card first before you power the car on

3> The camera will initialize the card and start recording. Once it starts turn the car off

4> Once the camera has powered down, remove the power connector, remove the Micro SD Card

5> Connect the SD card to you laptop

6> Explore SD Card on your laptop and go to the following folder path:

E:\Software

7> Double click the "BlackVueSetup(HD)_E_v2.021.exe" file and install the application on your laptop.

8> Done


To Change the Camera Settings/Profile
1> Open the Blackvue application you just installed

2> On the top right corner, under the 'X' to close the app, you will see the settings menu

3> Click on it. Here you can change various settings


You can also hit on the MAP tab to see on the map where you were as this little sucka does have GPS


Some Test Videos

PLEASE NOTE: None of the videos were edited. None were stabilized using Youtube. I started the radio to show the sound quality in some of the videos. For the night time, I mentioned when I turn on or off the high beam

Night time tests






Day Time tests:




Dusk






Well, as you can see, the videos are very clear, I like the form factor of the camera as well.

Pros: Re-read the full post above

Couple notes:
1> I felt the MIC could have been a tad bit more sensitive. I would have liked it if I could hear the indicator blinking noise in the videos. But in some videos where I have the music on, I felt a more sensitive MIC would have really distorted the sound. So I guess its not really a compromise....

2> Recording time: The unit allows you 1/2/3 minutes of recording per file. So if you take a 30 minute drive, it will have either 30 videos or 15 videos of 10, depending on the setting. At first I thought WTF. But when uploading the videos, it was so simple. Searching them was super easy and I didnt have to trim the videos....

Overall, I am very very pleased with this unit and do recommend it....

You can buy this at:
http://www.blackvueusa.com/Our-Products.html
Use coupon code "swoosh" at checkout for a discount

dontTL'em'nothing

iTrader: (3)

glad you love it. i love mine. i just need to pick up the power magic pro and im set. i think when my unit is out of warranty i may mess around a bit and make a project to "get a better mic in there".

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

^^^ Magic pro is awesome !!!

about the Mic, I think its good, not really something than needs modding ya know....if it was a lot more sensitive, and you listen to loud music, then your videos are gonna be messed up....

either way, do keep me and this thread updated bro...

Will1688

great write up! wish i had this to help me install mine, lol.. but i managed.. i love this thing

pimpin-tl

Glad you are happy. After a lot of researching got this model below due to better clarity, deign, mic, and features.

ITB-hd100

http://www.radardetectorforum.org/sh...904#post191904

Sample video from mine of a guy coming over into our lane. I adjusted the camera up a little since then so it focuses better.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

Will, if you were local, I would have definitely helped you buddy....

but all you really need is a multimeter....I also installed this on the wifey's lexus. I found all 3 wires (+12V, GND, IGN) in the sun roof console. Just remove it, go at it with a multimeter to get your wires, tap into it, done

Maybe, I should adjust it a little bit down then for better focus. The reason, I have a little higher coz if you see your video, you see half the screen is filled with the dash/hood....I wanted to have it seeing a little bit up.....

BlackVue USA

Thanks for the review Swoosh!

Our unit truly does shine in terms of its unique feature set that provides a complete solution for anyone interested in a dash camera.

Check out our website for more information:
www.BlackvueUSA.com

dontTL'em'nothing

iTrader: (3)

the mic, is not bad and it shouldnt deter any potential buyers because of it. Its just my personal preference. Im thinking about buying 1 or 2 more for another vehicle and maybe put one in the back. Still undecided about putting one in the back.

pimpin-tl

Since then mine is adjusted up so where I only see the edges of my hood now. It also focuses on the road/cars instead of the hood/dash.

4drviper

damn i've been wanting a dash cam but now my compliance bushings and winter tires. and rear inner tire issues with load, camber kit and front caster (wtf?) and front camber

crap.

Will1688

that DR500GW-HD looks interesting with the wifi feature!

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

Will,

I think that camera is still couple months out....by the time we get the firmware in english, it will be a little bit longer (i would think)....

just like a phone/computer/cars/any electronic or any item, a newer model is around the corner, if you keep waiting, you will never own one

Will1688

Lol yeah i agree with ya, if i waited for the latest and greatest stuff, i'd have nothing!

24no7

iTrader: (2)

what is this for? what's the purpose of having this?

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

Its something similar to the GoPro....but has features like it displays speed/time/etc on the screen....

you can run it as a dedicated dash cam (I am running it that way for the wifey)....with the way people drive now a days i rather be safe than sorry

besides, you can record your sexy exhaust note and share it

pimpin-tl

Yep. Like my video was a good example. What if the guy ran into us? I have it on video and we can go back to it for plates, or whatever else. Or if you T-Bone someone and they said you ran the red light, when it was actually green and they ran it. Your proof is on your video.

lights

iTrader: (1)

oh wow...i bought the DR400G HD months ago and never had time to install it.
do i need the power magic pro to have it installed? i didn't buy that part.

good thing i found this thread.

nvasion

you dont need power magic, you can simply plug it into the cig lighter but with power magic you can have the camera running 24/7. without it you cannot run it 24/7


i have the dr400g and its great!

pimpin-tl

Mine runs 24/7 when it sits out as a security camera. If you drive your car everyday it won't drain the battery. At least my model doesn't.

JnC

iTrader: (12)

Swoosh you got a DIY on how to wire the cam? My camera and powermagic has been sitting here for the past 3 weeks waiting to be installed.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

I would highly recommend it because:

1> your camera will be on until the battery drops to a certain level....so it wont drain your battery
2> you can have it powered in, so when the unit senses shock (so if someone backed into you) the camera will start up and record for (1-3 minutes depending on your settings)...

its not needed, but recommended

buddy, I have been procrastinating....I will have a DIY for ya tomorrow....Since my interior is stripped out, it was easier to find wires LOL

pimpin-tl

When you install, look for a open fuse slots in the fuse box. I did on my 4th gen and found one that had constant power and just used a fuse tap into it. Worked like a charm. It's own dedicated circuit.

con5tant

iTrader: (4)

I have 2 of these (the 400 and the 380) and love them.
Altho I couldn't get the LEDs on the side button to stay off when the unit is turned on or off so i cut some vinyl to cover it

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

I was wrong about the 500GW HD...its coming out sooner

SharksBreath

iTrader: (33)

very cool. glad i waited to purchase one!

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

if you wait a little bit longer they are coming out with DR600-'G'. It features front and rear camera's, wifi, bluetooth and NFC to beam straight to your android device

See thats the thing with technology buddy, the minute you buy something a newer model will come and replace it....you have had first hand experience with the GoPro...but if you wait, would you have bought it at all?

lights

iTrader: (1)

I'm waiting.

xBlue

Anyone interested in the camera can get it on for $90 less ($309) or at one Blackvue Canadian distributor (http://artofspeedracing.ca/index.php/blackvue-dr500g-wifi-1080p-dash-camera-blackbox-accident-recorder.html) for $110 less ($290).

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

Sorry guys I have been really strapped up at work....I will have detailed installation in a couple days...

con5tant

iTrader: (4)

What settings do you have for your Power Magic Pro?

I have a Power Magic (non pro) and the settings aren't so clear...I have it set to cut off at 11.8V and the timer set to 1 hr but it seems to record continuously until it reaches 11.8V.
Is this what yours does?
I set the Normal Recording to OFF

I set the sensitivity for the motion detector to very sensitive but whenever i wave my hand in front of the lens it doesn't start recording. The LED just stays SOLID, instead of blinking.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

^^^ let me post a picture of the manual that came with it to show you the options it provides

I have mine set to 11.8v

con5tant

iTrader: (4)

oh..I already have the manual..I'm just not sure if parking mode is recording correctly

Blackvue USA won't respond to my PMs either so...eh

Aretardedorange

iTrader: (2)

You might wanna change the SD card to a class 10 card. I bought a 32GB class 10 sandisk micoSD card for $14 at BB. MUCH BETTER quality recordings/sound with the class 10 as compared to the class 6 16GB card that came with my 400G HDII.

dannyz

Nice Swoosh! Thanks for the great write up.

xBlue

The quality is the same with any memory card.
It may be faster, but nothing else.

Aretardedorange

iTrader: (2)

When I used the SD card that came with the camera the videos were choppy and lagged, once I upgraded to class 10 no more choppiness and no more lag.

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

I am sure he has been busy...let me text him and ask him to get on here....

Did u buy it from this vendor? Coz mine came with a Class 10 Micro SD card....

Thanks Dan....I still have to do a write up....these are just reviews LOL...

THIS !!!

Did you format the SD card? when you format the card and put it in the Camera it gets loaded with everything you need from the camera....if you bought it from this vendor the firmware is in english....

con5tant

iTrader: (4)

From my experience, video is only choppy under certain video viewers. I noticed that if you watched Full HD videos with the Blackvue player it is a bit choppy at times but if you use Windows Media Player it's fine.

imakeholesinu

Does it mount of sight if you put one in the rear? Also, if you do mount it in the rear, has anyone had any problems with tint?

swoosh

iTrader: (5)

I have been working on couple projects on my car....

Let me take some pix of the cam installed on my wifey's car....this will give you an idea of how it will look and where to install....