BMW Advanced Eye

[touring]

BMW Advanced Eye, whilst this looks like an old digital compact stuck to the windscreen it is actually very good. It records 3 modes,
• Driving
• Parking
• Events
In driving mode it records your driving journey, in parking mode it records what is happening around the car when you are away. Events are thing that it stores that cannot be overwritten i.e. sudden breaking, collisions etc.

The system has a front and rear camera so you can simultaneously record front and back. You can review footage on the screen, set parameters etc. You can download the footage to your computer for future use. The system automatically starts when the ignition is turned on. At switch off, the unit goes into parking mode and continues for around 6 hours. It automatically shuts down to protect from battery discharge. It has a ‘G’ sensor, date/time and GPS, apparently this can now be used as evidence in a court of law.
The clever part is if it is in parking mode and detects an impact (someone reversing into you) it records the following 20 seconds and the previous 20 seconds so you will have a 40 video of the event (very clever)

Most BMW dealer appear unaware of this product so you may have to tell them!

[X5Sport]

I've got the fitting instructions for it and intend to fit one soon.  Not overly impressed with my current Roadhawk HD which has a nasty habit of not powering up first time on very cold days, but always works second time and thereafter.

And no my Dealer did not know about it when I asked several months ago.

Is it full 1080HD, or only HD720?

Richard

[touring]

Hi Richard,
It is full 1080HD at the front and 760 at the rear.
I have had no issues with start up in the cold and we had -10 the other night.

It shows a bright blue LED from and rear to show it is on, this should tell a potential thief that they are being recorded. I told BMW insurance that I had this fitted and they said it did not reduce the premiums, however it would be covered if it were stolen!
I just think that if you park on a car park or in the street, it may help to catch people who damage/vandelise your car.

The other day, a car parked outside our house for 1.5 hours, when the wowman returned, her wing mirror was on the floor - knocked off by a passing motorist - needless to say he failed to inform her!

Thanks

Mark

[SMOKEY]

OEM is always a solid option. I have the blackvue dr650-Hd with MagicBox and it seems to be identical in specs. I also have a dr400 in my other car. I have used the footage to claim two not at fault accidents in the past 12 months - one was when I rear ended someone who "brake checked" me which without footage would have been deemed entirely my fault. I swear by these things!

[X5Sport]

It's the lack of a rear one which started me looking at OEM.  The 'crash for cash' scam is a problem in a couple of towns nearby (Luton being a well known area for it), and I want to make sure I have something to cover both ends.

I'll look at the OEM one again as it will do the job.

Richard

[SMOKEY]

Absolutely.

Blackvue dr650 is 2ch, front and rear. Also has other features like being able to view the footage immediately on your phone as it has wifi capabilities. But you can do your research.

At least with OEM you know 100% that it's made to work with the car. It's a nice looking bit of kit too. Not as compact as mine but you get a screen which is nice.


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[pvr]

Is that DIY fitting?

[touring]

I got it fitted by the dealer as part of the deal on a new car.

I think it could be a DIY fit, it's just knowing where to pick up the power/ignition from.

I think this was the first unit the dealer had fitted, so it was a bit of experience for them.

I would imagine feeding the cable to the rear camera through the roof lining would be a pain.

[bobgolden]

I'd be really interested in this. Probably just the front facing version would suffice with the GPS module as I don't want the hassle of rattling trim fitting an after market system.

Any idea of the indicative costs with dealer fitting ?

[TonyX5]

The problem with the BMW Advanced Eye is it is expensive and old technology now, there are better cameras on the market for less money. It is a lot easier to fit two individual cameras, one front one rear than try and hide a cable from the front camera to the rear camera.

There are lots of reviews and advice here  https://forum.dashcamtalk.com/  I have just ordered one of the new Mini 0806 to replace my front camera, I would'nt be without it.

[pvr]

I have just ordered an 0805, I did not go for the 0806 as the reviews seemed all negative so far for some reason (piston heads etc).

I will test that one in the Audi, if I like it I might get an 0806 for the X5 if that is getting better reviews of fixes by that time.

[pvr]

Any pointers for where to pick up the switched 12v from?

[X5Sport]

[quote="pvr"]
Any pointers for where to pick up the switched 12v from?
[/quote]

Drivers side carpet forward tunnel trim.  If you remove it you will find the connector that goes to the centre console 12v socket.  Patch in to the same connection and there you go.  The trim is flipped with a screw at the front behind the horizontal pedal/dash trim above the pedals.

Richard

[pvr]

It probably makes more sense when I have a look what you are talking about  )

Being a connector I assume I should be able to take a voltage reading out of it to verify that I have the correct one.

[X5Sport]

You can yes.  I didn't takes pics when I did it, sorry.

It's behind oarts 1 & 3 on this diagram.  The two parts are as one in the car.

Richard