A great surprise to see a technical teardown of one of these devices! Most channels shill for the donated device or payment, so it is nice to see a critique. So many look alike, yet have different specs. Some with multiple cameras reduce resolution if using more than 1 camera. I would like to see more pointing out of weak points or issues with implementation as you did here. Great job!
Thank you! Yeah I think based on the interest on this topic, it may make sense to make additional tear down videos to see both the good, the bad and the ugly! Lol Cheers!
Interesting. Growing up at around age 8 i had a curiosity for how things work from the inside. Everything in my bedroom was opened up and reassembled by me. Surprisingly it still worked when i reassembled it. The super capacitor is one of the reasons why i switched from my vantop to the wolfbox g890. I moved to Az and temperatures here get as high as 120's sometimes. Hopefully this super capacitor could withstand the Arizona heat. By the way what happebed to vantop? I searched them on amazon and didnt see any of their dash cams on sale.
When those cheap lipo batteries become discharged they become hot then ad the heat from direct sunlight and within a short amount of time you get this failure. To prevent this from happening: extend the battery cable to the bottom portion of your dash where it's cooler and use a 1200mAH battery which only costs about $8 on eBay. This setup will extend the life of the dash camera by five years.
I also have a mirror dashcam somewhat similar to this. My battery also bloated. Tried changing it but it still didnt work. Maybe you could make a video changing it and showing that it works... mine is a lenovo brand but same sound while booting up. More power to your videos!
Hi! Ah yes while I had some viewers replace their batteries, I personally wouldn't fix it unless you want to do it for fun or as a learning experience. In my case while I often solder as a hobby, I choose not to repair mine and just moved over to a new dash cam. The time and effort to source parts (if needed), de-solder and solder and reassemble is just didn't make sense for me with the price of new dash cams rapidly dropping (remember soldering equipment and materials for soldering along with any replacement part will need to be purchased) However like I said if you enjoy DYI projects or just really want to fix your old dash cam It is definitely possible. I actually do have a series of soldering videos coming up, starting from beginner to advanced soldering so this maybe an interesting video to do as a culmination of my soldering video series. Cheers!
@@AlexAutoFun I see. Thank you so much. Because here in the Philippines. It is cheaper if I could repair it. The battery might cause me about 8$ and the whole new dashcam is about 50 to 60$. Labor also is only about 2$. The hard part for me is sourcing the battery. Bought one and the technician said it isn't strong enough to power the dashcam. I tried contacting the seller of the battery and assured me the battery is ok. Unfortunately I dont have much idea about the process....
Hi @AlexAutoFun thank you for the informative video, as Vantop is now out of business do you have a recommendation for a brand that has a similar reflective mirror screen. Would like the dash cam mirror to be as OEM as possible to avoid fines under Australian laws, thank you.
You're welcome Steveyy! If you want to stay with Vantop, they seems to be stock available still at Best Buy however if you do want to try another brand, here are two that can look very OEM when direct mounted ua-cam.com/video/Yk2EEacXZ7g/v-deo.html and ua-cam.com/video/vUEsIYEBVck/v-deo.html Cheers!
Hi, I bought one, a used BluAvido AC79 Pro (Android 8.1, 4Go/64Go). I wanted to know if there was a battery inside to keep settings while off. My device does not seem to recharge something (I've got a little device I can put on a USB port that shows me Voltage and Intensity). So.. do you think I need to open and replace the battery... if there is one ? 🤭
Hi F! Unfortunately I'm not familiar with the AC79, however the manual is likely going to show you if the dash cam uses a capacitor or a battery, Cheers!
@@AlexAutoFun I was able to open it: no battery. I don't know if it would be a good idea to put a portable battery between the camera and the power supply...?
My Vantop Dash cam, same model as yours, failed after like 6 months, it started to randomly switch camera views by itself, then the screen gets all grainy, and the stops working and reboots, or just won't turn on , it did that for like a week, then just died completely. I didn't have access to the Amazon account I bought it with, so I couldn't get it warrantied and can't afford a new one, so Im back to my regular mirror now. I still have everything set up incase I'm able to get another one someday.
Oh man sorry to hear that, very short life for sure, hopefully you can get it replaced, I personally have been unable to get much response from Vantop which I covered on this video ua-cam.com/video/HmcZ-Gyx4To/v-deo.html Cheers!
Have you taken apart any Wolfbox cameras? I have G850 and am considering making the forward facing camera detached. Wolfbox does not sell a model with detached front camera, but I've tested many other brands that do and I just don't like them as much. I'm curious what connectors are used on the G850 camera. I'm sure I can take it apart myself, but thought I'd ask. My plan is to get longer cables and mount on the windshield to have an unobstructed view.
Hi Matt! Ah yes the G880 has a detached from camera ua-cam.com/video/JJKbUu_egiE/v-deo.html but yes I have a Wolfbox teardown video coming, stay tuned. Cheers!
@@AlexAutoFun I did run across the G880 in my research, however the detached front camera is designed to be a cabin interior view and I believe it has IR for night vision. It wouldn't be an ideal camera to face out the front for street view. I'm sure I could find a different camera to use for the front, however the cost of the G880 is high, on top of buying another camera to use for the front would make it over $300 option I think. Do you now which Wolfbox model you will be tearing down?
Hi Matthew! The G880 has both a cabin camera and a front camera (both are of the detached type) only the cabin camera has IR. Regarding the Wolfbox teardown, it will be one of the two channel ones (making the final decision on the model soon) But I would like to do a teardown on their entire lineup, it just depends if there is enough demand for this style of videos, stay tuned. Cheers!@@MatthewBennettFPV
@@AlexAutoFun Unfortunately the G880 has been replaced with the G890, that doesn't have the front facing camera separated from the mirror. I've looked on eBay and other sites to see if I can find a G880 but none are available.
Hi Matthew! That is correct, the G880 is a very hard find now, they do come up for sale every once in a while but when they do, they go quick. Cheers!@@MatthewBennettFPV
Hi Segio! Unfortunately I have not tested the Azdome mirror dash cam so I can't comment on their performance. However I will see if I can add to the list of dash cams to review (list is getting longer by the day lol) Cheers!
Or how do I wire my dashcam to not need a battery and just turn on whenever my accessories are on. Because even if it is plugged to my.cigarette port 12V socket. Due to the battery being unusable, my dashcam wont work
Hi! If your dash cam uses a battery, it normally won't work correctly without one since the battery may be being used to save the dash cams settings, park mode, closing out video files in case of a power interruption (such as the case in a serious car crash) etc. I would recommend contacting your installer or your dash cam vendor to see if the dash cam is still under warranty. Cheers!
What's supposed to be the problem of my dashcam if the time and date keeps on resetting by default when turned on and off. Also it wont automatically record video.
Hi Sen! It's possible the dash cam is on it's way out or the power supply it's on it's way out. The easiest way to check for this is to connect the dash cam to know good working power supply (either hardwired or cigarette plug style) to confirm if the issue is with the dash cam or with the power supply. Cheers!
Hi Sen! The time issue possible, however if the power supply is not charging the battery, the direct issue would still be would the power supply. Cheers!
HI Kareem! It can be powered with the included power adapter as shown in my full review here ua-cam.com/video/fQDgk2YnRhQ/v-deo.html for Vantop or if you are referring to the V17 here ua-cam.com/video/bUVG4B8dCmI/v-deo.html or the Vantop could also be powered with the hardwire kit here ua-cam.com/video/83a3w6EtzXo/v-deo.html Cheers!
Hi David! While it maybe possible, it would require adding the electronics required for managing the capacitor. I do have a couple contacts with electrical engineering background who could probably help figuring out the electronics required for the capacitor but the process will likely involve de-soldering and soldering and while while I am trained in soldering , It's easier for me to just over to a new dash cam (the time and effort to select the parts, de-solder and solder the new one and reassemble is just didn't make sense for me with the price of new dash cams rapidly dropping) However if you enjoy DYI projects or just really want to fix them or upgrade them to a Capacitor it may be a fun project. I do have a series of soldering videos coming up, starting from beginner to advanced soldering so this maybe an interesting video to do as a culmination of my soldering video series! Cheers!
A great surprise to see a technical teardown of one of these devices! Most channels shill for the donated device or payment, so it is nice to see a critique. So many look alike, yet have different specs. Some with multiple cameras reduce resolution if using more than 1 camera. I would like to see more pointing out of weak points or issues with implementation as you did here. Great job!
Thank you! Yeah I think based on the interest on this topic, it may make sense to make additional tear down videos to see both the good, the bad and the ugly! Lol Cheers!
Oh my word, what a great video! You were that kid that took apart everything in the house 😉
LOL! That is actually very true! 😅
always clear videos and excellent editing. thanks for the teardown
Thank you Loc, I appreciate it, Cheers!
Interesting. Growing up at around age 8 i had a curiosity for how things work from the inside. Everything in my bedroom was opened up and reassembled by me. Surprisingly it still worked when i reassembled it.
The super capacitor is one of the reasons why i switched from my vantop to the wolfbox g890. I moved to Az and temperatures here get as high as 120's sometimes. Hopefully this super capacitor could withstand the Arizona heat.
By the way what happebed to vantop? I searched them on amazon and didnt see any of their dash cams on sale.
Hi Edgar! Ah good question, here is my Vantop situation video ua-cam.com/video/HmcZ-Gyx4To/v-deo.html Cheers!
When those cheap lipo batteries become discharged they become hot then ad the heat from direct sunlight and within a short amount of time you get this failure.
To prevent this from happening: extend the battery cable to the bottom portion of your dash where it's cooler and use a 1200mAH battery which only costs about $8 on eBay. This setup will extend the life of the dash camera by five years.
I also have a mirror dashcam somewhat similar to this. My battery also bloated. Tried changing it but it still didnt work. Maybe you could make a video changing it and showing that it works... mine is a lenovo brand but same sound while booting up. More power to your videos!
Hi! Ah yes while I had some viewers replace their batteries, I personally wouldn't fix it unless you want to do it for fun or as a learning experience. In my case while I often solder as a hobby, I choose not to repair mine and just moved over to a new dash cam. The time and effort to source parts (if needed), de-solder and solder and reassemble is just didn't make sense for me with the price of new dash cams rapidly dropping (remember soldering equipment and materials for soldering along with any replacement part will need to be purchased) However like I said if you enjoy DYI projects or just really want to fix your old dash cam It is definitely possible. I actually do have a series of soldering videos coming up, starting from beginner to advanced soldering so this maybe an interesting video to do as a culmination of my soldering video series. Cheers!
@@AlexAutoFun I see. Thank you so much. Because here in the Philippines. It is cheaper if I could repair it. The battery might cause me about 8$ and the whole new dashcam is about 50 to 60$. Labor also is only about 2$. The hard part for me is sourcing the battery. Bought one and the technician said it isn't strong enough to power the dashcam. I tried contacting the seller of the battery and assured me the battery is ok. Unfortunately I dont have much idea about the process....
@@cuvame You're welcome, I hope you can eventually resolve your issue with the dash cam 😀
Hi @AlexAutoFun thank you for the informative video, as Vantop is now out of business do you have a recommendation for a brand that has a similar reflective mirror screen. Would like the dash cam mirror to be as OEM as possible to avoid fines under Australian laws, thank you.
You're welcome Steveyy! If you want to stay with Vantop, they seems to be stock available still at Best Buy however if you do want to try another brand, here are two that can look very OEM when direct mounted ua-cam.com/video/Yk2EEacXZ7g/v-deo.html and ua-cam.com/video/vUEsIYEBVck/v-deo.html Cheers!
Hi, I bought one, a used BluAvido AC79 Pro (Android 8.1, 4Go/64Go).
I wanted to know if there was a battery inside to keep settings while off.
My device does not seem to recharge something (I've got a little device I can put on a USB port that shows me Voltage and Intensity).
So.. do you think I need to open and replace the battery... if there is one ? 🤭
Hi F! Unfortunately I'm not familiar with the AC79, however the manual is likely going to show you if the dash cam uses a capacitor or a battery, Cheers!
@@AlexAutoFun I was able to open it: no battery. I don't know if it would be a good idea to put a portable battery between the camera and the power supply...?
My Vantop Dash cam, same model as yours, failed after like 6 months, it started to randomly switch camera views by itself, then the screen gets all grainy, and the stops working and reboots, or just won't turn on , it did that for like a week, then just died completely. I didn't have access to the Amazon account I bought it with, so I couldn't get it warrantied and can't afford a new one, so Im back to my regular mirror now. I still have everything set up incase I'm able to get another one someday.
Oh man sorry to hear that, very short life for sure, hopefully you can get it replaced, I personally have been unable to get much response from Vantop which I covered on this video ua-cam.com/video/HmcZ-Gyx4To/v-deo.html Cheers!
Have you taken apart any Wolfbox cameras? I have G850 and am considering making the forward facing camera detached. Wolfbox does not sell a model with detached front camera, but I've tested many other brands that do and I just don't like them as much. I'm curious what connectors are used on the G850 camera. I'm sure I can take it apart myself, but thought I'd ask. My plan is to get longer cables and mount on the windshield to have an unobstructed view.
Hi Matt! Ah yes the G880 has a detached from camera ua-cam.com/video/JJKbUu_egiE/v-deo.html but yes I have a Wolfbox teardown video coming, stay tuned. Cheers!
@@AlexAutoFun I did run across the G880 in my research, however the detached front camera is designed to be a cabin interior view and I believe it has IR for night vision. It wouldn't be an ideal camera to face out the front for street view. I'm sure I could find a different camera to use for the front, however the cost of the G880 is high, on top of buying another camera to use for the front would make it over $300 option I think. Do you now which Wolfbox model you will be tearing down?
Hi Matthew! The G880 has both a cabin camera and a front camera (both are of the detached type) only the cabin camera has IR. Regarding the Wolfbox teardown, it will be one of the two channel ones (making the final decision on the model soon) But I would like to do a teardown on their entire lineup, it just depends if there is enough demand for this style of videos, stay tuned. Cheers!@@MatthewBennettFPV
@@AlexAutoFun Unfortunately the G880 has been replaced with the G890, that doesn't have the front facing camera separated from the mirror. I've looked on eBay and other sites to see if I can find a G880 but none are available.
Hi Matthew! That is correct, the G880 is a very hard find now, they do come up for sale every once in a while but when they do, they go quick. Cheers!@@MatthewBennettFPV
Any opinion about azdome Mirrors dash cams? Thanks
Hi Segio! Unfortunately I have not tested the Azdome mirror dash cam so I can't comment on their performance. However I will see if I can add to the list of dash cams to review (list is getting longer by the day lol) Cheers!
Or how do I wire my dashcam to not need a battery and just turn on whenever my accessories are on. Because even if it is plugged to my.cigarette port 12V socket. Due to the battery being unusable, my dashcam wont work
Hi! If your dash cam uses a battery, it normally won't work correctly without one since the battery may be being used to save the dash cams settings, park mode, closing out video files in case of a power interruption (such as the case in a serious car crash) etc. I would recommend contacting your installer or your dash cam vendor to see if the dash cam is still under warranty. Cheers!
What's supposed to be the problem of my dashcam if the time and date keeps on resetting by default when turned on and off. Also it wont automatically record video.
Hi Sen! It's possible the dash cam is on it's way out or the power supply it's on it's way out. The easiest way to check for this is to connect the dash cam to know good working power supply (either hardwired or cigarette plug style) to confirm if the issue is with the dash cam or with the power supply. Cheers!
@@AlexAutoFun could it be possible because of built in battery?
Hi Sen! The time issue possible, however if the power supply is not charging the battery, the direct issue would still be would the power supply. Cheers!
Input voltage?
HI Kareem! It can be powered with the included power adapter as shown in my full review here ua-cam.com/video/fQDgk2YnRhQ/v-deo.html for Vantop or if you are referring to the V17 here ua-cam.com/video/bUVG4B8dCmI/v-deo.html or the Vantop could also be powered with the hardwire kit here ua-cam.com/video/83a3w6EtzXo/v-deo.html Cheers!
Why not replace the battery with a capacitor ? Should do a video how to!!
Hi David! While it maybe possible, it would require adding the electronics required for managing the capacitor. I do have a couple contacts with electrical engineering background who could probably help figuring out the electronics required for the capacitor but the process will likely involve de-soldering and soldering and while while I am trained in soldering , It's easier for me to just over to a new dash cam (the time and effort to select the parts, de-solder and solder the new one and reassemble is just didn't make sense for me with the price of new dash cams rapidly dropping) However if you enjoy DYI projects or just really want to fix them or upgrade them to a Capacitor it may be a fun project. I do have a series of soldering videos coming up, starting from beginner to advanced soldering so this maybe an interesting video to do as a culmination of my soldering video series! Cheers!
👋👋👌👌🙏🙏🇬🇧
Thank you MVirdi and I hope you enjoyed the video! 😁