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Wed 13 Mar 2024
(aussie.zone)
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this post was submitted on 12 Mar 2024
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I decided last night to finally get serious about getting my dashcam installed in my car. I found a well-reviewed service online and put an inquiry in using their online form.
How much money do you think someone would charge to run a couple of cables through a car and connect them up to 2 cameras and the battery? The cables, cameras and everything required already provided by me, the customer. If you guessed FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS then you might be interested in hiring this company. THE FUCKING DASHCAM (2 FRONT AND REAR) WAS $435 AND IT'S ONE OF THE BEST ONES YOU CAN BUY!
It's a job I'd honestly almost try myself. A job which should likely take a professional maybe 45 minutes and I'm padding that.
Anyways I wrote back to their email telling them their quote was insane and about $150 more than I'd expect. Called AutoBarn out in Melton and they'll do it for $270 no problem. I can swallow $270 knowing they'll it well and do it right.
Honestly $150 is probably more reasonable for what's involved but I understand that everybody everywhere is overcharging for everything these days. A screwdriver and one of those plastic thingies to easily pop off the interior panels to stuff the cables inside.
Why replace the clips, just turn off the tunes and enjoy the buzzes and rattles! :D
I'd pay for the fuse wiring, I don't know fuck about that and am terrifying of stuffing up the car. But if it's just running the cables and powering it from the 12V socket I did that myself in the parking lot of the supercheap auto I bought my last one at. Didn't even have any tools
I've wired in a few now (in fact I just replaced my trusty old BlackVue a few weeks back when it finally met its maker), and to be honest it really is something you can do yourself if you're so inclined.
Half the challenge is finding good sources of accessory-switched and permanent 12v power, preferably around the fuse box (please make sure everything is fused!). A plastic trim removal kit is handy but probably not essential depending on the car.
Just be sure to run any rear camera cabling through the car at floor level under the scuff plates/trim and not up high to avoid interfering with any curtain airbags that may be lurking.
The first one I ever did took a couple of hours. Latest replacement I did was about 30 minutes, but I was able to re-use the rear camera cable run because I stuck with the same brand and style of camera.