Dashcam with Parking Mode That Turn on/off Manually?

billy72 on 24/11/2023 - 14:40
Last edited 26/11/2023 - 18:00

Hi folks
Parking mode in most dashcams is triggered automatically when you turn off the car or the car stops moving for 1-2 minutes.
Is there any dashcam that has a physical button to manually turn on/off parking mode? Preferably 2 channels
The reason is that I only need the parking mode when parking on streets so don't want it to automatically turn on when parking in my garage, and unnecessarily drain my battery.
Cheers!

Update: Some seem to miss the point so I'd like to clarify. My question is not how to not flatten the battery, but how to manually turn off the parking mode. I park in my garage most of the time. The dashcam is hardwired and it automatically turns on the parking mode, drains the battery (not to a flattened point but still) and writes on the card. Both are unnecessary.
I just want a simple solution to turn on and off parking mode whenever I want.
The best is to have a physical button to do so. I don't want to unplug the camera or have to go into the app and change the setting every time

Automotive Dash Camera

Comments

  • Charlieeee on 24/11/2023 - 15:06
    +1

    You could purchase a push button like this and use a crimp tool to wire it in series.
    https://www.amazon.com.au/Waterproof-Push-Button-Connector-L…

    • billy72 on 24/11/2023 - 20:37

      Thanks. seems like this is the only solution.

    • billy72 on 26/11/2023 - 18:07

      Update: just checked, the dashcam cable has three lines (one is ACC) so not sure how to wire it :(

      • Charlieeee on 26/11/2023 - 18:16

        That's standard for a dashcam hardwire kit. The ACC wire connects to a power source that's only active when your car's ignition is on, so your dashcam knows to start recording when you're driving. The VCC wire connects to a constant power source that's always on, even when the car is off, which is where the parking mode gets its power from. So, you need to wire the pushbutton in series with the VCC wire.

        • billy72 on 26/11/2023 - 18:24

          Great, got it, thanks very much!

  • Shadowsfury on 24/11/2023 - 15:10

    plug it into a portable battery when you are out and about?

    • billy72 on 24/11/2023 - 20:38

      it's not convenient to unplug and plug every time I go out.

  • chcse on 24/11/2023 - 15:56
    +3

    For my Viofo, I just turn the dashcam off manually by holding down one of the buttons whenever I park in my garage. It will turn back on with the car engine the next time I drive. Does this work for you?

    • billy72 on 24/11/2023 - 20:39

      Viofo is a reliable brand. Which button do you hold?

  • sumyungguy on 24/11/2023 - 15:56
    +1

    One solution is Blackvue Power Magic Pro (discontinued from Jan 2023) $56

    • billy72 on 24/11/2023 - 20:41

      With PMP, it will still record when I'm home

      • sumyungguy on 24/11/2023 - 20:59

        Sure, but won't flatten your battery.

        • JIMB0 on 24/11/2023 - 21:05

          But it will unnecessary drain it. Then if you go for a short drive and park the car it won't record for long as the battery hasn't had a chance to charge up.

          • sumyungguy on 24/11/2023 - 21:08

            @JIMB0: Surely not many trigger events while parked in the garage. I also wouldn't welcome an extra task every time I start the car.

            • JIMB0 on 25/11/2023 - 09:13

              @sumyungguy: It will still drain the battery over several days. With the viofo hard wire kit you can turn the camera off manually when parked in the garage. Then it will automatically start back up next time the car does.

  • bobbified on 24/11/2023 - 17:45
    +2

    I have a Blackvue Dashcam with a Power Magic Pro (additional device) and you can set it so that once the battery drops to a certain level, it'll turn itself off to prevent it from draining the battery.

    The Power Magic function has now been built into the newer Blackvue Dashcams (Parking Mode), so no need for the extra device.

    • sumyungguy on 24/11/2023 - 17:50

      So that's why PMP is no longer sold. I thought they may be pushing users across to their (expensive) battery packs.

      • bobbified on 24/11/2023 - 18:11

        I just had a quick look and it seems like all current models have it now, including the entry level.

    • billy72 on 26/11/2023 - 17:53

      I already had a similar setup.
      My question is not how to not flatten the battery, but how to manually turn off the parking mode when needed.
      I park in my garage most of the time. The dashcam automatically turns on the parking mode, drains the battery (not to a flattened point but still) and writes on the card. Both are unnecessary.
      I just want a simple solution to turn on and off parking mode whenever I want.

      • sumyungguy on 26/11/2023 - 18:06

        While not specifically advocating for the PMP, as I don't use mine and the reviews online suggest manufacturing issues; it does feature a physical switch you can simply toggle on/off.

        • billy72 on 26/11/2023 - 18:38

          That's good. Does it work with newer models of Blackvue Dashcams or other dashcams?

          • sumyungguy on 26/11/2023 - 18:55

            @billy72: No reason it wouldn't work with other brands - it uses a 12V (female) cigarette plug. Can also be used with X-Series Blackvue: https://www.blackboxmycar.com/blogs/news/blackvue-pmp-for-x-….

            • billy72 on 27/11/2023 - 10:38

              @sumyungguy: thanks. do they still sell the S series?
              I'd prefer the X-series but would have to pay an additional $70 just for the on/off button. LOL
              Why don't they just make a button on the camera :(

              • sumyungguy on 27/11/2023 - 10:53

                @billy72: Autobarn still has some S-series on-hand. For X-series you could hardwire and add an under-dash button as suggested by @Charlieesee. Why no button on the camera? Some users have them installed looking to the rear. Don't you have a hardwired setup already?

                • billy72 on 27/11/2023 - 11:07

                  @sumyungguy: yes, but mine is not blackvue, and I intend to upgrade it anyway. I think I will test the under-dash button with my current one first, and if I somehow (profanity) up the cable then I will switch to blackvue :)

  • skillet on 25/11/2023 - 18:33

    You want to upgrade your battery to deep discharge type if it's just normal battery you will kill it in no time.

    • billy72 on 29/11/2023 - 11:26

      Do you mean deep cycle battery?

  • [Deactivated] on 25/11/2023 - 21:26
    +1

    Viofo A119 v3 has a setting to turn off parking mode after a set time.

    • billy72 on 26/11/2023 - 17:55

      I want something simple, not like having to go into settings and change the time every time.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join