Thought Some of Ya'll Might Be Interested In This Dash Camera Option

nacanitihs · Mar 10, 2026

I like the clean look of it.

Few questions.

Do you have to use the GPS module? I understand it would be needed for the overlay on the video but does it need it to function? Just so many things tracking you these days haha. But also could be both helpful or a detriment if needed for insurance. So kind of a toss up.
Does the pulsing blue light get annoying?
Can you turn off notifications / it talking to you? I read some complaints in the reviews.

mattagc · Mar 10, 2026

Avslash touched on the latter 2 in post #14 (?). He wishes it was less bright and is considering tinting it, and you can turn the notification volume down in the app.

Not sure about the GPS, but I would hope it isn’t a required thing. Or if it is just hook it up, wrap it in foil and toss it under the dash. The FAQ for the product mentions it’ll show no GPS data when in parking garages and just resume when signal is restored, so I would guess it’s not a big deal to block it or not connect it.

Avslash · Mar 10, 2026

nacanitihs said:
I like the clean look of it.

Few questions.

Do you have to use the GPS module? I understand it would be needed for the overlay on the video but does it need it to function? Just so many things tracking you these days haha. But also could be both helpful or a detriment if needed for insurance. So kind of a toss up.

Does the pulsing blue light get annoying?

Can you turn off notifications / it talking to you? I read some complaints in the reviews.

GPS module is specifically listed as “optional” in the manual.

Blue light is not annoying, but I would prefer it to be a little dimmer.

You can make the thing dead silent as I have done.

mattagc · Mar 11, 2026

To satisfy my curiosity, I reached out to Sapium via Amazon and asked:

“Afternoon! I had a question regarding the OBD2 cable. I prefer to not have something permanently connected to the OND2 port. Am I able to cut the OBD2 end off and utilize it in a more traditional fuse tap method? If so, would it be a red to 12V constant, black to ground, and yellow to an accessory? (I picked standard colours there, not actually sure what your cable looks like cut open.) If it is possible to convert the cable to a upfitter or fuse tap connection, what amp fuses should I put on the voltage lines? Thanks!”

They just replied with:

“Hello, regarding the method you mentioned of cutting off the OBD and connecting it to the fuse box, this is actually feasible. Our wiring definition is as follows: - Yellow: B+ (constant power input) - Red:ACC (power output when the vehicle is started, no power output when the engine is off) - Black: GND- (ground) The device can be used without an external fuse, as we also have a power protection mechanism built into the main unit. If you still have concerns, please refer to the fuse rating at the power-taking position in your vehicle’s fuse box. To our knowledge, the fuse for the power-taking position on Ford models is 5A. The attached picture shows the fuse pattern. Meanwhile, if your vehicle is equipped with a rain sensor, we have included a power cable for the rain sensor in the package. You may also choose this power connection method.”

So it sounds feasible to just lop off the OBD2 connector and just wire it to a fuse and//or upfitter.

Avslash · Mar 11, 2026

It was a dark rainy morning in Houston.

Avslash · Mar 11, 2026

mattagc said:
To satisfy my curiosity, I reached out to Sapium via Amazon and asked:

They just replied with:

View attachment 249322

So it sounds feasible to just lop off the OBD2 connector and just wire it to a fuse and//or upfitter.

Thanks for sharing that. Sounds like it operates exactly like I was theorizing. I'll get rid of the OBD connector at some point in the next week or two based on this.

WakeZilla · Mar 11, 2026

Looks like a good setup. Does the rear facing camera have enough wire to move it to the back of a topper if you have one?
I wish Ford would just add an automatic dashcam feature to trucks with the satellite camera system. My MINI is set up that way so no extra wiring.
This is the cleanest add on I've seen. Thanks for sharing.

DP121 · Mar 11, 2026

Thank You Avslassh. I have been wanting an alternative solution to the Wolfbox I had that broke and this fits the bill!

Avslash · Mar 11, 2026

WakeZilla said:
Looks like a good setup. Does the rear facing camera have enough wire to move it to the back of a topper if you have one?
I wish Ford would just add an automatic dashcam feature to trucks with the satellite camera system. My MINI is set up that way so no extra wiring.
This is the cleanest add on I've seen. Thanks for sharing.

I'm 100% in agreement that I wish it came from the factory with a recording option. On my Tesla Model S you just plug a USB drive into the glove box and it records everything. You can even call up the cameras on their phone app to see what is going on in real time.

On the rear camera, I think there was probably 5-6 feet of extra wiring that I tucked behind the C-pillar. I doubt it would make it to the rear of a topper, but it would be close. I think you would likely end up needing to splice a few extra feet into the cable.

mattagc · Mar 11, 2026

Avslash said:
It was a dark rainy morning in Houston.

View attachment 249334

View attachment 249335

View attachment 249336

View attachment 249337

Not too bad, it’s no high end Thinkware or Viofo but it’s also 1/4 the price. Haha

Avslash said:
Thanks for sharing that. Sounds like it operates exactly like I was theorizing. I'll get rid of the OBD connector at some point in the next week or two based on this.

Yeah, I’m gonna hit that checkout button, and probably do the same when it arrives. Now to hunt for a good quality SD card to have more than 6-8hrs of footage.

DP121 said:
Thank You Avslassh. I have been wanting an alternative solution to the Wolfbox I had that broke and this fits the bill!

They’re on sale right now, and stock seems low, fly to Amazon!

Avslash · Mar 11, 2026

mattagc said:
Not too bad, it’s no high end Thinkware or Viofo but it’s also 1/4 the price. Haha

Yeah, I’m gonna hit that checkout button, and probably do the same when it arrives. Now to hunt for a good quality SD card to have more than 6-8hrs of footage.

They’re on sale right now, and stock seems low, fly to Amazon!

I bought this 512GB card off Amazon. It meets the specs Sapium lists in the manual. It is up and running so far with no issues. Sapium lists 1TB as maximum size card that is supported.

PNY Pro Elite Prime MicroSD

mattagc · Mar 11, 2026

I’ve been looking at maybe the SanDisk Endurance 512, little bit pricier, but supposedly tested for lots of rewrites and whatnot it’s gonna see being in a dashcam getting written over every 30ish hours. Can really find any 1TB cards that aren’t crazy priced.

The app let you configure standby much, or it just basically just recording 24/7?

WakeZilla · Mar 11, 2026

OK, Just ordered. Amazon now has one remaining! Just sayin.

securityguy · Mar 11, 2026

As a professional installer, I will just say that there are FAR better dash cams on the market. I've been installing them for years.

WakeZilla · Mar 11, 2026

securityguy said:
As a professional installer, I will just say that there are FAR better dash cams on the market. I've been installing them for years.

What are your picks?

mattagc · Mar 11, 2026

securityguy said:
As a professional installer, I will just say that there are FAR better dash cams on the market. I've been installing them for years.

For sure; I was originally leaning to a much nicer setup, but my gamble here is how much is being given up to have it so well hidden.

I’m still one of those that can’t fathom why we just can slap a USB into the center console, and have it record from all the factory cameras.

Avslash · Mar 11, 2026

securityguy said:
As a professional installer, I will just say that there are FAR better dash cams on the market. I've been installing them for years.

I agree. I don't know that I think there are far better AND as minimally intrusive though.

Given my druthers I'd like an intensification/thermal fusion system that mounts inside the factory rear-view...

You can't beat sensor/camera quality, and this clearly isn't at the top of that list. It does fit a niche for an adequate camera that doesn't stand out like a sore thumb.

securityguy · Mar 11, 2026

WakeZilla said:
What are your picks?

VIOFO A229 Pro, A329 series, Blackvue, and Thinkware are the three best dash cams on the market. You do pay for what you get. Not a fan of these Amazon dash cams that have flooded the market. May look "good" but no where near the quality and capabilities of the three I mentioned. As a reference, check out www.thedashcamstore.com. I don't sell these...just install them so nothing in it for me...just trying to help educate folks.

mattagc · Mar 11, 2026

securityguy said:
VIOFO A229 Pro, A329 series, Blackvue, and Thinkware are the three best dash cams on the market. You do pay for what you get. Not a fan of these Amazon dash cams that have flooded the market. May look "good" but no where near the quality and capabilities of the three I mentioned. As a reference, check out www.thedashcamstore.com. I don't sell these...just install them so nothing in it for me...just trying to help educate folks.

Yeah, the A329 was my wish list one, but I know if I go down that road, I’m gonna want the 3 backup batteries to power it, the max microSD they have for it, the lens covers, the funky remote button, the SSD cable, the 4TB external SSD…and all that’s in Canadian, so I’ll need to look into organ trade…

This one is by far the sleekest I’ve seen, so I’ll reserve judgement until I get it set up and can see what quality the video and still photos come out of it in practice. If I don’t like it, it goes back to Amazon, and then I continue to save up for the Viofo.

Optimus🤖 · Mar 12, 2026

securityguy said:
VIOFO A229 Pro, A329 series, Blackvue, and Thinkware are the three best dash cams on the market. You do pay for what you get. Not a fan of these Amazon dash cams that have flooded the market. May look "good" but no where near the quality and capabilities of the three I mentioned. As a reference, check out www.thedashcamstore.com. I don't sell these...just install them so nothing in it for me...just trying to help educate folks.

WakeZilla said:
What are your picks?

Been using my Nextbase 4K IQ for three years and it's the tits!

Nextbase iQ Smart Dash Cam | 4G Dash Cam | Nextbase US

Meet the new Nextbase iQ, the world’s most powerful smart dash cam. Protect your car and passengers, predict threats, access remotely and more. Shop now!

nextbase.com