More security for your Tesla - overview dashcams!

Many will be one at some point Dashcam video know from television or the internet and pull your hair out. Can something like that happen to you? The answer is: Maybe. The spread of dashcams in Europe is therefore expanding to include precisely such cases secured to be. Because with a video recording it is To blame for an accident mostly to be cleared up without a doubt. This also applies in cases of Parking damage with a hit and run, which means that you have the license plate number of the perpetrator on tape and can report it to the police and insurance. There are dashcams in the newer Tesla models By default built-in, but there is also a wide range of options for retrofitting older models. This article discusses several Retrofit options explained.

Is it even allowed to film?

The answer is: Yes and no. In many countries, it is still legally possible to film with a dashcam Gray area. But because of the constant overwriting (loop function) of the video material, one should be allowed to be on the safe side. The recorded video material is usually only available for an hour, after which it is deleted again.

Therefore, after an accident, a button to save the last few minutes of image material can be pressed directly in order to save the important scenes permanently. Also the Insurance and Authorities are happy about the increase in dashcam owners, as the question of guilt is often very easy to clarify. In the US, these videos are even published to track down unknown or refugee polluters. According to European data protection regulations, however, this is to protect privacy on the European continent not is possible.

MCU2 - integrated Tesla dash cam

All Tesla vehicles that after March 2018 are always produced with a Infotainment computer of the type MCU2 fitted. This computer makes it possible to use the autopilot's camera as a dashcam at the same time. All you have to do is connect a USB stick to the relevant port. However, this stick is exposed to temperature fluctuations, which is why a Micro SD with one USB adapter rather recommends, as this is less sensitive.

Once connected and formatted, dashcam videos can then be used recorded and saved become. And with the integrated Guard mode can the car can be monitored even when it is parked. It is based on movements around the car responded and immediately recorded for theft, vandalism and parking damage on tape. Thanks to the integrated cameras, the Tesla vehicle can record the viewing angles to the front, back and even to the side. And thanks to a software update from 2020, the dashcam videos can now be sent directly on the integrated screen can be viewed in the vehicle. On the mobile phone, however, the pictures can be viewed despite a cellular connection or WiFi not to be viewed as. There are no extra costs for using the autopilot camera, apart from the purchase of the USB stick.

Best of Tesla Dash Cam Videos!

Retrofitting of the MCU2 possible

Tesla Model S and Model X, the before March 2018 were made, can (only outside of Europe) with a MCU2 upgrade can be upgraded for approx. 3000 euros. The prerequisite for this is that at least Autopilot 2.5 or FSD computer (AP3) are available.

Benefits

• The additional costs are low if the vehicle already has the appropriate hardware, since only a simple USB stick or a micro SD with USB adapter is sufficient.
• The vehicle has four cameras as standard, so that all sides of the vehicle can be recorded. In addition, the guard mode saves conspicuous movements around the vehicle while it is stationary.

Disadvantages

• Older models that are only equipped with one MCU 1 need a chargeable upgrade to MCU2, which is quite expensive at around 3000 euros.
• Unfortunately, the videos cannot be saved in a cloud and therefore cannot be viewed on smartphones or tablets.
• The video resolution is limited to HD Ready, which should be sufficient in most cases.

Further retrofitting options for older Model S and Model X.

In addition to the expensive retrofitting of the Tesla computer system, IDE an individually adaptable dashcam can be purchased and installed, which can easily be plugged under the rearview mirror.

Benefits

• the price is moderate
• The dashcam videos can be viewed both via a smartphone app and via a WiFi connection on other devices
• Installation is very simple as no external cables are required. The IRO dashcam is supplied with power directly via a Y-cable that is connected to the power connector on the rearview mirror.

Disadvantages

• The resolution is limited to Full HD, which is at least one level above HD Ready.
• The camera is often sent from China, so there may be extra costs for customs controls.
• Customer service and documentation are only available in English.
• Unfortunately, only the front camera can be used, the other sides cannot be monitored.
• The car battery is loaded significantly more, so that the running time is shortened, especially if the camera is running around the clock.
• By changing the circuits with the installation of the dashcam, Tesla can refuse the vehicle warranty, since such installations violate the manufacturer's warranty guidelines.
• The higher resolution of the IRO dashcam offers significantly better videos, but the costs are higher than for the MCU2 upgrade.

External dashcams with the highest image quality

These offer a significantly better picture quality in the 4k UHD range, the only question is whether this is really necessary or whether the lower HD quality is sufficient. External dash cams can upload the video material directly to a cloud via hotspots. This means that the video recordings are not lost in the event of a vehicle theft and can be used to identify the perpetrator. The best-known and highest quality products come from the manufacturer, for example blackvue, which are also located in the high-priced segment. As a cheaper alternative with an excellent price-performance ratio, the Vantrue N4 dashcam an alternative. Indeed without Cloud function! Then you need the Vantrue N2 Pro.

Benefits

• 4K picture quality
• Possibility of front and rear camera installation
• No cloud storage possible via a WLAN hotspot (only Vantrue N2 Pro).

Disadvantages

• When the vehicle is parked, the recording time depends on the power source (a permanent power supply is necessary).
• It is not possible to record the sides of the vehicle.
• The installation of the external dashcam is much more complex, since external cables have to be laid and connected. It becomes problematic to properly accommodate the cable between the front and rear cameras.
• Here, too, the vehicle warranty can expire if external technology is installed.
• The vehicle battery suffers from extra use and runs out much faster.

And finally ... The best and easiest solution is that integrated variant from Tesla. Only with this technology can the side areas of the vehicle be recorded, which is particularly advantageous in parking garages and large parking lots in the event of damage. The technology can be acquired with a simple upgrade, but it also beats with around 3.000 Euros to book. The IRO dashcams are a cheap variant that at least get by without external cables. For that can neither back nor side view be recorded with.

Offer external dashcams little added value to the first two variants, except for the better image quality. The cabling is complex and the side views cannot be recorded here either. Vehicles with a AP1 technology can unfortunately only install a rear camera. Against legal concerns, a warning sticker can be stuck on the Guard mode indicates.

Of course, that wasn't the end of it!

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