Update 3.0 I dumped the idea of using a hidden 12v socket and wired in a proper dash cam power supply for the mirror and the cheapest 12v to usb adapter off Amazon for the Garmin and have not had any issues. The problem with the mirror dash cam power supply is that the 12v socket I was using fell apart due to the vibrations of the car and it being mounted vertically. The problem with the 12v adapter was that although yes the adapter could probably deliver 3 amps at 5 volts via USB, none of the 3 usb cords I tested could reliably deliver that to the mirror causing it to flicker at max brightness, only a dash cam wiring kit with integrated USB cable was able to deliver the necessary power. This surprised me as the attached cable was significantly longer than any of the normal usb cables I tested.
Minor updates: I believe the garmin dash cam mini 2 shown in the video can enter parking mode based on camera motion. So you would be able to use parking mode with the 2 wire hard wiring kit or any constant(always on) source of power if you wanted to. Also, my original idea with the camera involved connecting it to my phones hotspot all the time. Then when an incident was detected it would use my hotspot to upload that video to the cloud. The problem with this is the iPhone can’t hotspot and use wireless CarPlay at the same time. Also for those curious why I didn’t connect the camera to the USB port in the glovebox, it’s because garmin recommends against it and the OEM radio doesn’t deliver enough power through the USB port to run a camera. But then aftermarket radio shown in the video does provide enough power to run the dash cam either through the USB port in the glovebox or the other USB port behind the radio. They even sell a dash camera who’s software is already installed on the radio that is designed to be plugged into the radio so you can review footage on the radio.
Update 2.0: I’ve discovered the mirror camera will flicker at max brightness after a few minutes. I’m unsure if it’s the cable or the usb power adapter. I wish I had wired in a second 12v socket and just used the original power supply the mirror came with.
Great video! I have a mirror dashcam as well for my 2015 Mirage. However, I am unable to use it because the camera is too heavy for the mirror "hook holder" to hold. The camera just leans all the way down. Even without anything hooked onto the OEM mirror, my mirror still leans down from the vibration of my subwoofer. Do you happen to know any way to secure the "hook holding thing," so that the mirror will stay in place? I'll replace it if I have to, I just don't know where to find such thing. It is a weird situation, haha.
There are plenty of tutorials on youtube and online about how to fix a loose rearview mirror. Have you tried to follow any of them? I know they also make rearview mirror dash cams that actually replace the mirror which would also fix your issue, for example (www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005306503243.html ) this is some random online example I have no idea if it is compatible with your vehicle.
Update 3.0 I dumped the idea of using a hidden 12v socket and wired in a proper dash cam power supply for the mirror and the cheapest 12v to usb adapter off Amazon for the Garmin and have not had any issues.
The problem with the mirror dash cam power supply is that the 12v socket I was using fell apart due to the vibrations of the car and it being mounted vertically.
The problem with the 12v adapter was that although yes the adapter could probably deliver 3 amps at 5 volts via USB, none of the 3 usb cords I tested could reliably deliver that to the mirror causing it to flicker at max brightness, only a dash cam wiring kit with integrated USB cable was able to deliver the necessary power. This surprised me as the attached cable was significantly longer than any of the normal usb cables I tested.
Minor updates: I believe the garmin dash cam mini 2 shown in the video can enter parking mode based on camera motion. So you would be able to use parking mode with the 2 wire hard wiring kit or any constant(always on) source of power if you wanted to.
Also, my original idea with the camera involved connecting it to my phones hotspot all the time. Then when an incident was detected it would use my hotspot to upload that video to the cloud. The problem with this is the iPhone can’t hotspot and use wireless CarPlay at the same time.
Also for those curious why I didn’t connect the camera to the USB port in the glovebox, it’s because garmin recommends against it and the OEM radio doesn’t deliver enough power through the USB port to run a camera. But then aftermarket radio shown in the video does provide enough power to run the dash cam either through the USB port in the glovebox or the other USB port behind the radio. They even sell a dash camera who’s software is already installed on the radio that is designed to be plugged into the radio so you can review footage on the radio.
Update 2.0: I’ve discovered the mirror camera will flicker at max brightness after a few minutes. I’m unsure if it’s the cable or the usb power adapter. I wish I had wired in a second 12v socket and just used the original power supply the mirror came with.
Great video! I have a mirror dashcam as well for my 2015 Mirage. However, I am unable to use it because the camera is too heavy for the mirror "hook holder" to hold. The camera just leans all the way down. Even without anything hooked onto the OEM mirror, my mirror still leans down from the vibration of my subwoofer. Do you happen to know any way to secure the "hook holding thing," so that the mirror will stay in place?
I'll replace it if I have to, I just don't know where to find such thing. It is a weird situation, haha.
There are plenty of tutorials on youtube and online about how to fix a loose rearview mirror. Have you tried to follow any of them?
I know they also make rearview mirror dash cams that actually replace the mirror which would also fix your issue, for example (www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005306503243.html ) this is some random online example I have no idea if it is compatible with your vehicle.
@@welfarewagonrepairs wow, how has that simple idea not cross my mind, haha! I'll let you know if I get it fixed. Thanks!