In today’s wireless world, it seems positively primitive to suggest using wires for any device. They seem old-fashioned, and some folks under the age of thirty look at them with the same vacant stare as a rotary phone.
And yet they serve a practical purpose because batteries don’t last forever, and the last thing you want is a dead dash cam when you need it most, thus the need to power up, whether it’s a cell phone, an electric vehicle, or a dash cam. But how does one get those pesky wires from dangling all over the dashboard and making your car interior look like an unkempt dorm room?
So when purchasing a Nextbase Dash Cam the first question to ask might be—How do you hide the dash cam wires? Well, luckily, there are several useful ways to discreetly conceal them and get you on the road in style.
But a few preliminaries are in order: Your dash cam will come with the latest Click&GO PRO Mount, which includes a self-adhesive mounting option for the windshield. Make sure the in-car camera is positioned correctly on your windshield, ensuring it doesn’t obscure your view of the road. The ‘live view’ option via Wi-Fi is also a handy tool to use when installing your dash cam, as it shows you where to position the mount for the optimum view. Further information on how to mount your dash cam effectively can be found here.
Let’s Get Started
The dash cam itself needs power at all times in the vehicle, whether it be via the 12/24V power cable, or hardwiring it to the vehicle’s fuse box.
The easiest way to install a dash cam is via the supplied 12/24V cigarette lighter to give the dash cam its own power supply. You can route the cable around the windshield and tuck it neatly under the roof lining or headliner at the “lip” of the windshield. The cable provided is 4 meters (13 feet) in length, providing plenty of room to guide the cable down the edge of your windshield and out of sight. You’ll want to continue to hide the cable along the rubber weather stripping that runs down the A-pillar.
What in the #@%? is an A-pillar, you ask? It’s just a fancy-schmancy name for the vertical support that runs along either side of the windshield; there’s usually an opening here to insert the wire. With the generous power cable length provided, this can easily be done on either the driver or passenger side by simply tucking the cable under the weather sealing. This option is available for all Nextbase dash cams and is the simplest solution.
I Put Up the Holiday Lights. How Hard Can It Be?
If you are looking for a tidier hardwire connection and want to hide all the dash cam wires, then a hardwire connection is the best solution. For all you DIYers out there, this is an attractive, simple option. The install is done via a fuse box connection using the Nextbase Hardwire Kit. With a quick and easy installation, your dash cam will be connected to your fuse box in a snap, meaning no wires are on show and are hidden from view. Hardwire fitting can be done on a range of vehicles, including cars, trucks, and vans. The hardwire kit ensures you always stay connected and won’t need to worry about knocking the cigarette lighter socket out of place, leaving your 12V power socket free for use with other devices. It is also highly recommended for use with the Intelligent Parking Mode feature, particularly when using a rear camera module. The Rear Window Camera can also be fitted to the rear-view mirror with the supplied 6.5 meter (21 foot) cable hidden under the roof lining and out of sight.
Call in the Pros
All thumbs and not interested in handling the installation or hardwiring kit yourself? Not a problem. Nextbase has partnered with Best Buy’s Professional Geek Squad Installation service via the Best Buy website or in store, to get your front and rear camera fitted by a trained Geek Squad professional in any one of Best Buy’s installation bays nationwide. An installation includes your Dash Cam installed plus any accessories included, like a Rear Camera or Hardwire kit. Prices start at $59.99 for a front and rear camera install, will save you time without the hassles, and they will even demo your new camera’s features. You can’t get much more convenient than that.
Whichever method you choose, by hiding your cables, you’re also far less likely to draw attention to your dash cam when thieves are looking through windows for a quick smash-and-grab. So leave the spaghetti to the Italian restaurant and hide those unsightly cables in no time using any of these options. And stay safe on the roads wherever they may take you.
