Want to Get a Dash Camera for My New Mazda CX-5

Hello,

I recently bought a brand new 2021 Mazda CX-5 Maxx Sport SUV which will be delivered sometime at the end of Jan 2021.

I discussed with them about getting a Dash Cam installed and Mazda dealership is asking for $1,200 (including fitting). That is the best price they can do. They use "Blackvue DR750 Gold" Dash Cam. I tried searching on Google but I couldn't find the exact item on sale. I found other Blackvue Dash Cam selling around $600.

Can you advice whether it is better to get it installed by Mazda dealership and pay $1,200? Or it is better to buy it myself and then get it installed from somewhere? The positive with Mazda dealership is that they will obviously fit it professionally and ready-to-go. Also, this $1,200 cost will be added in my finance since I am getting the SUV in finance. I am also not sure how much it will cost to get it installed from somewhere else.

Thanks.

Comments

  • -5

    I think CX5 is the new Camry <sad face emoji>

    Ring around local car audio/electronic stores. They will be able to quote over the phone and installation will likely be as professional as dealership (who likely outsource to mobile installer anyway)

  • +2

    Anything more than $200 for installation only is probably too much.

    Yes the dealer price is very inflated because you are paying stamp duty and for the convenience of not having to organise it separately yourself. Paying via finance I suppose could be considered convenience tax also.

    This is the same as all the post sale items (eg tinting, paint protection etc).

    If you do go with them, I suppose just ensure they are hard-wiring it with the power magic pro kit and are giving you a decent sd card (size and speed).

    • +1

      Yes the dealer price is very inflated

      Exactly.

      If OP finds the cam for $600 then it doesn't cost another $600 to install it. Not this year in Australia. 2049 maybe.

      • "Want to Get a Dash Camera for My New Mazda CX-5…"

        That's a good swap!

  • We just got a new forester and had a much better quality dashcam installed for half that price at a third party.

    • +3

      …had a much better quality dashcam installed for half that price at a third party

      And which camera was that?

      • +2

        Curious as well. There's only a few cameras that are better and the cameras alone are ~$850. It's possible to get them around the $600 mark with a good sale but then installation was free?

        • Yeh, I haven't seen much that's better than the DR750, so I'm wondering this guy actually got for "half the price"…

          • @bobbified: My Local Mechanic will Install Viofo A129 Pro Duo for $140 (hardwired)

            • @BLAIL: I just did a quick search to have a look and I know everyone's got different taste, but IMO, that thing looks so damn ugly. It almost looks like a cheap toy! Again, each to their own, but even for half it's price, I wouldn't be attaching that to my windscreen! LOL

              • @bobbified: I was considering the Blackvue DR750 or DR900 but for the price, it just ain't worth it.

                • @BLAIL: I actually got the BlackVue DR750 in late 2019 at Repco when they had a 20% sale. I paid $480 for the 2 channel with Power Magic. The newer model is available now, but they still have sales. I got it installed for $300 at a euro specialist (Japanese cars are easier to install because you can, if you choose, tap the power from somewhere nearby without having to create a whole new circuit). I couldn't be more happy with it. It just blends in with the rear view mirror console and never really notice it. My passengers don't really notice it either until I point it out. IMO, i think it's worth the extra couple of hundred dollars.

                  Some people don't care what it looks like as long as it works and I get that - each to their own. For me, I think a big ugly thing with an unnecessary LCD would bother me every time i get in the car. haha.

    • +1

      Hi Sobai, I just purchased a new forester as well, are you able to let me know which dashcam and where you had it installed? Thanks!

  • +7

    You could have bought that dascham from Repco for $440 on sale a few weeks ago. Install yourself, very easy, otherwise you can pay $180-$200 for a professional install. Don't buy anything from the dealer..

    • Don't buy anything from the dealer..

      Too late. Got an SUV on finance.

  • Personally I've just used a dashcam I bought myself, usually with the biggest sdcard the device will take. And then affixed it to the windscreen just to the left (passenger side) of the rearview mirror attachment point so as not to obstruct my view. Far cheaper than anything a dealership will quote.

    Wiring a rearview camera into the front unit can be trickier.

  • No power of bargain after you bought the vehicle. Better to go somewhere else as it will be cheaper for the same quality.

  • Not worth the $1.2k thats how they get you.

    Just purchase Blackvue DR750 2-CH and watch youtube for an installation guide.

    You could also get the Power Magic Pro which allows you to turn it on and off manually so that your battery doesn't go flat

  • +2

    That dashcam model is a dealership specific model and is going to (I think) installed by Autoxtreme. It is also an older model that uses the Power Magic Pro (PMP) box to detect battery voltage level of your car while in Parked mode. The newer Blackvue X series dashcams no longer require the PMP as they have it built into the unit.

    https://autoxtreme.com.au/products/safety/blackvue-750-gold/

    Pros of getting it installed by dealership is that it is "approved" and should anything go wrong, you can take the car back to the dealership and have it sorted under warranty. And like you said, package it under your finance.

    In the (extremely rare) chance that something is to go wrong with the install when done externally, I'm not sure what your avenue of recourse will be.

    The cons is obviously cost. You are paying the dealership markup. An external install should cost $150-$200 but the dealership will be quoting for a 2 channel (front and back) camera if I recall correctly, so the install when done externally will be higher.

  • We bought the 750X dual from Repco for our BMW X5 and was going to install it ourselves but it isn't as easy as everyone tells you it is when it comes to threading it through the rear hatch window. We paid $500 at an auto electrician to get it installed and we're happy with that. $1200 is on the higher end but it's your car and your piece of mind.

    • You got horrendously ripped off. And yes, it is incredibly easy.

  • If you want a professional install with dashcam included, I payed $600 for the blackvue 750s 2channel for reference.

  • Just make sure when you pick the vehicle up that the build date, MY and compliance date match your expectations of a 2021 vehicle.

    • Will be a MY 2021 MX-5, not a MX-5 built in 2021!

      • Yes. My car will be
        - Dec 2020 built, and
        - Jan 2021 compliant

      • +1

        In for a surprise when they go to collect their CX-5 and the dealer presents them with an MX-5

        • +2

          Dude, where's my roof?

        • My bad … the MX-5 might hold it's value a bit better…

  • +3

    Check out VIOFO A119V, V3 is the latest and I have the A119S with gps module.
    V3 available on ebay and amazon from around $160.00 Harvey Norman has it for $199.00 on line
    you can get optional accessories such as 3 wire hook up to battery so can monitor car after switch off and it will auto when you reach a certain voltage to save car battery, polarising filter (recommended) etc.
    Run wire around windscreen and plug into cig for easy install or hardwire which I did ( I'm a techie and took me couple hours)
    Auto electrical person should do it for about $100-150.
    Check out reviews online… highly recommended for price and I reckoned it looks ok.

    • +2

      I have a 2018 cx5 and bought the 119 v2 from the Viofo website and included the lense filter, hardwire kit and fuse taps. Viofo, using the live chat, advised the correct fuse tap size for the cx5 and i got the dealer to install it. I didn’t want to try it myself with the speakers in the pillars as i thought id break something.

  • Are you serious!

    These people charge $50 to screw on mud flaps… do you know what that entails? Two crews in pre-threaded holes. They just have to turn the screw driver, and ask $50.

    So do you honestly think you are the best alternative?

    Try your Yellow Pages… there are heaps of people who instal radios, cds, dash cams in vehicles… I suggest you contact them and possibly view what they have available.

    honestly…

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