If you've got a dashcam, fitting it might seem like a scrap of a chore. In some cases, it isn't equally unproblematic as you would like, simply installing a dashcam in your motorcar is worth every minute y'all spend on it.

While you might pay someone to install a dashcam, doing it yourself is a smarter option that will relieve you lot coin and provide a better understanding of the device.

Here is everything you demand to know nigh how to install a dashcam in your machine, and the best place to position it.

Is Information technology Worth Fitting a Dashcam?

Whether you spent the money to purchase a new dashcam or got one free with a smartphone, tablet, or other electronics purchase, you need to install it.

install your dashcam

There are many reasons to install a dashcam rather than letting the device gather grit. Also as helping y'all drive more safely and keeping an centre on what is happening while you drive, a dashcam can potentially salve you coin on car insurance. Information technology can certainly evidence your innocence (or guilt of others) in the event of an incident or accident on the road.

To recap: if you lot own a dashcam, you lot should install it today.

How Long Does Information technology Take to Install a Dashcam?

Installing a dashcam in your car (or van, or even motorcycle) shouldn't accept likewise long. The duration is impacted by the size of the vehicle, how many cameras are included, and how the device will be powered.

For example, a modest car tin be ready up in around xv minutes; a family unit SUV requiring a rear camera might accept over half an hour. So, before you start, be sure to have all of your cables and cameras prepare and put the necessary fourth dimension aside.

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Dashcam?

Some automotive stores that stock dashcams will fit your new device. The price to install a dashcam or a forepart and rear dual dashcam ranges from $l to $100 (£35-£70) depending on the complexity of the installation.

Furthermore, y'all may not be able to apply the dashcam for a while later installation as they typically need charging starting time. Consequently, preparing the dashcam at abode and installing it yourself makes more than sense, and will save you money.

Notwithstanding, if you cull to hardwire your dashcam to the auto battery, paying for a specialist installation is a proficient idea.

Who Can Install a Dashcam?

You don't need to be a specialist to install a dashcam. If you can road cables, use adhesives, and plug things in, you tin install a dashcam.

new dashcam installed

Employees at automobile accompaniment stores don't accept special training to learn how to install a dashcam. Instead, they picket a video, someone demonstrates the procedure in person, or they follow a written guide like this.

In brusk, anyone can install a dashcam, including you lot.

How Do I Install a Dashcam in My Car?

The process of installing a dashcam can be completed past following these steps:

  1. Check if the camera has an internal battery – if so, charge it
  2. Found the all-time position for the dashcam
  3. Compare this with admission to the power supply
  4. Route and hide the cable

Once all of that is done, you are ready to utilise the dashcam safely.

Step ane: Charge the Dashcam Bombardment If Necessary

Before starting, check if the dashcam has an internal battery. If it does, the battery will need charging before installation.

Such batteries are typically found in dashcams that run from the car's 12V socket (formerly known as the "cigarette lighter"). As these devices power down when the machine engine is off, the battery keeps the dashcam running and powers motion sensors in the event of sudden movement (a crash, or vandalism) when the vehicle is parked.

Stride 2: Find the Best Place to Install Your Dashcam

Next, you need to work out the best identify to mount your dashcam.

install a new dashcam

Like smartphones, it can be tempting to attempt to press buttons on a dashcam while driving. As such, mount the device away from the driving seat. This might mean right behind the windscreen on a machine with a deep dashboard, or behind the rear-view mirror. You could place information technology in forepart of the rider seat, or in the meridian corner of the windscreen by the rider. Just and then long as it is out of arm's reach.

Step 3: Check the Cable Length for Power Supply Admission

In one case you lot accept found the all-time place to put the dashcam, don't mountain it just yet.

Instead, check the length of the power cablevision (and in the instance of two or three camera systems, the data cable) to ensure everything fits. If the cable won't reach, you won't have any ability.

Be sure not to measure out in a straight line, either. An important element of installing dashcams is that the cabling should exist routed around the window, over or under the doors, even under the carpet if necessary.

While dashcams sometimes ship with USB power cables, a motorcar's USB port isn't suitable for power. Instead, information technology is there for data (such as MP3s on a USB stick or connecting your phone). As such, yous should not use the USB port to power the dashcam. The USB cable your dashcam ships with should be connected to a 12V adapter for the cigarette lighter port.

Should you lot choose to hardwire the dashcam, less cabling will exist required inside the car. In this scenario, the power cable will need to run to the battery. This tin can be tricky to achieve, which is why paying for installation is the smarter option.

Pace 4: Road, Clip, and Hide the Cable

Most dashcams ship with a drove of adhesive clips for routing the cable off the windscreen. From here, any cabling should exist secreted in the vehicle's upholstery.

hide cabling when installing a dashcam

To make this easier, you may find the dashcam also ships with a plastic lever, designed to wiggle the cable into rubber seals and under textile edging. The aim here is to hide the cable, preventing it not just from being seen, only from beingness caught by feet or bags. Inquisitive hands of children should non exist able to grab the cable, either.

Once the cabling is successfully routed out of sight, you're set to mount the dashcam on your dashboard or windscreen. Any additional dashcams tin besides be attached where required. Utilize car panelling to hide any excess cable.

Now You Know How to Install a Dashcam

As you've seen, installing a dashcam is as elementary as plugging in a Boob tube. Information technology might be a little fiddlier in places, with a focus on hiding the cables for tidiness and condom, simply overall, the principle is the same. You find the best spot, confirm it can accomplish the power supply, run the cables every bit required, and ability information technology up.

Just while a TV is there to entertain, a dashcam gives you an extra gear up of eyes on the road. Y'all'll be driving more than safely, reducing adventure to your vehicle, and potentially saving money on insurance premiums. All the while, that dashcam is recording footage that could determine who is at fault in an accident.

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About The Writer

Christian Cawley (1574 Articles Published)

Deputy Editor for Security, Linux, DIY, Programming, and Tech Explained, and Really Useful Podcast producer, with extensive experience in desktop and software support. A contributor to Linux Format mag, Christian is a Raspberry Pi tinkerer, Lego lover and retro gaming fan.

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