Chris109 Posted February 29, 2020 Share Posted February 29, 2020 (edited) So, I already have the Aukey DR02 installed on my front window. However, I wanted one for the rear window also. I didn't see anything that I could hook up with the front cam without buying the duo set. So, I did some digging. Since I have the rear sun shade, I would need something that would not interfere with the movement of the shade. I threw the Aukey up as high on the rear window as possible, taped it down, and turned the shade up and down. Both times it made contact with Aukey. I then took out my trusty ruler and measured how much clearance there was between the window and the shade. I then went on Amazon to check out the different dash cams and actual thickness of many of them. I came across the Contour Dash Cam CR250. https://www.amazon.com/Crosstour-Camera-170°Wide-Detection-G-Sensor/dp/B07Q38D2K7/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3K0GW3G192LXW&keywords=contour+dash+cam&qid=1583006803&sprefix=contour+dash%2Caps%2C176&sr=8-5 It fits perfectly. The sun shade comes close, but misses the cam every time. So on the passenger side of the car, I ran the wire up along the inside of the headliner, down along the door and made it's way to underneath the glove box. I spliced the power wire that goes to the cig lighter on the lower shelf of the console, and connected the front and rear cam power wires together with grounds. Now I have dash cams on the front and rear and both have excellent quality. Hopefully, they will never be needed. As an aside, I did not use the 2-sided tape on either cam. (I had originally used the included 2-sided tape, but I had put the cam so closed to the head liner, that when I wanted to remove the camera, there was no room to get the camera off of the mount. So, I had to rip off the tape and basically start again with placement.) I just removed the sliding mount and attached the Scotch clear velcro-type fasteners, like what is used on the EZ-Pass electronic tag. Put one piece of on the window and one on the cam. That way I don't need to fool around with trying to get the camera mount straight (I'm a stickler for straight and level). However, on the rear cam, I used 2 pieces on the camera, cause the cam is balanced in the middle of the cam and not on the thickest part. It was bouncing around with just one piece. 2 pieces levels it out nicely and still will not interfere with the sun shade. Edited February 29, 2020 by Chris109 R2D2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scn101 Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 (edited) I read you post and immediately did a Homer Simpson "Doh!" A week ago I wondered why my rear dash cam was lying on my back seat. Turns out I totally forgot about the sunshade when I installed it on the upper driver's side rear glass and when I used the sunshade it knocked the camera off the mount! The cameras I use front and back are the Viofo A119 https://www.amazon.com/Viofo-Camera-Degree-miniUSB-Adapter/dp/B01HVWXJPC/ which are similar in shape to the Crosstour. I chose the Viofo as it does not use a Lithium Polymer battery and instead uses super capacitors. The problem with Li-Po batteries is that they don't do well in the heat. Previous dash cams I've had survive only 18-24 months before their batteries swell. So far the Viofo has lasted well past the three year mark. I knew I needed to reposition the camera to the center of the rear window where there's a bit more clearance. My rear window is tinted. I had cut a small square out of the tint to mount the camera so I figured I'll just leave the GPS mount where it is and use the slimmer non-GPS mount that comes with the Viofo camera in the center. I know from experience on a previous vehicle that if you stick the camera on the tint, over time, the tint will pull away from the glass. The tint is dark so you really can't see the camera from outside of the vehicle which is nice. Luckily I left enough slack in the power cable to reach. BTW, I used a USB hard-wire kit and tapped into the fused power supply for the rear-heated seat module which gets power only when in accessory or ignition. So I mounted the camera in the center and the darn sunshade still hits it. Solution was to put two small strips of thin black foam on each side of the glass. The sunshade's little rollers glide over the foam pads that are about 2mm thick and the sunshade still slightly taps the camera's body but clears it well enough. You can't see the foam from outside due to the dark tint (unless you're really looking for it) nor can you really see them from the rear view mirror as they're hidden by the headliner. I did lose the GPS function which means the date/time won't be accurate, so I turned off recording date/time on the video. Thank you for posting your experience! Edited March 5, 2020 by scn101 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drolds1 Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 6 hours ago, scn101 said: I read you post and immediately did a Homer Simpson "Doh!" A week ago I wondered why my rear dash cam was lying on my back seat. Turns out I totally forgot about the sunshade when I installed it on the upper driver's side rear glass and when I used the sunshade it knocked the camera off the mount! The cameras I use front and back are the Viofo A119 https://www.amazon.com/Viofo-Camera-Degree-miniUSB-Adapter/dp/B01HVWXJPC/ which are similar in shape to the Crosstour. I chose the Viofo as it does not use a Lithium Polymer battery and instead uses super capacitors. The problem with Li-Po batteries is that they don't do well in the heat. Previous dash cams I've had survive only 18-24 months before their batteries swell. So far the Viofo has lasted well past the three year mark. I knew I needed to reposition the camera to the center of the rear window where there's a bit more clearance. My rear window is tinted. I had cut a small square out of the tint to mount the camera so I figured I'll just leave the GPS mount where it is and use the slimmer non-GPS mount that comes with the Viofo camera in the center. I know from experience on a previous vehicle that if you stick the camera on the tint, over time, the tint will pull away from the glass. The tint is dark so you really can't see the camera from outside of the vehicle which is nice. Luckily I left enough slack in the power cable to reach. BTW, I used a USB hard-wire kit and tapped into the fused power supply for the rear-heated seat module which gets power only when in accessory or ignition. So I mounted the camera in the center and the darn sunshade still hits it. Solution was to put two small strips of thin black foam on each side of the glass. The sunshade's little rollers glide over the foam pads that are about 2mm thick and the sunshade still slightly taps the camera's body but clears it well enough. You can't see the foam from outside due to the dark tint (unless you're really looking for it) nor can you really see them from the rear view mirror as they're hidden by the headliner. I did lose the GPS function which means the date/time won't be accurate, so I turned off recording date/time on the video. Thank you for posting your experience! I'm glad you posted this. I just turned in my 2017 and have a 2020. I've been using a Viofo A119 for a few years now and agree with you on its reliability. I was intending to upgrade to the A129 for it's front/rear feature and Wi-Fi capability. I was concerned about the rear sunshade issue. I haven't ordered it yet, as I'll be out of town, but you've given me food for thought. I'm not going to have this one tinted. My state (NY) now makes tint % part of the annual state inspection process. You can't pass with more than 35%. I did it legally on the 2017 and you could barely tell there was any tint. Despite the law, I still see cars with tints that obviously exceed the limit. I really don't know how they get away with it. Cops carry measuring devices so they can ticket you on the spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scn101 Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 I can't believe how dark TX law allows, 25% VLT (visible light through) for front left and right sides. Rear sides and rear glass have no restrictions as long as the vehicle has two side mirrors. Most people opt for 25% all around. Anything darker and you can't see at night. Personally, I prefer 35% all around which makes night time driving a bit easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multitask Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 Here is Calif I don't know what the limit is , but I have 35% side and back... Although I'm reading (here) that the MKZ comes with the sunshade... is that in all the versions? If so, I don't think I need to tint the back window then... ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris109 Posted March 5, 2020 Author Share Posted March 5, 2020 26 minutes ago, Multitask said: Here is Calif I don't know what the limit is , but I have 35% side and back... Although I'm reading (here) that the MKZ comes with the sunshade... is that in all the versions? If so, I don't think I need to tint the back window then... ? I was just thinking something like that myself. If you have a tinted rear window, then the sunshade (which I use at night cause of the brighter LED headlights) is not really needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multitask Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 I'm tetering... I'm sure I will eventually... maybe not this weekend... that I'll get the 2020 The sun shade will be a cool (no pun) addition.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drolds1 Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 1 hour ago, Multitask said: Here is Calif I don't know what the limit is , but I have 35% side and back... Although I'm reading (here) that the MKZ comes with the sunshade... is that in all the versions? If so, I don't think I need to tint the back window then... ? Only the Reserve has the sunshade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drolds1 Posted March 5, 2020 Share Posted March 5, 2020 (edited) BTW, Lincoln Accessories has a dual dashcam available with a Ford part#. I think it's Thinkware: https://accessories.lincoln.com/electronics/dashcam/camera-parking-12298.html Edited March 6, 2020 by drolds1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multitask Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, drolds1 said: Only the Reserve has the sunshade. Good they only make the Hybrid as a Reserve. ? Edited March 6, 2020 by Multitask Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zalvern Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 3 hours ago, drolds1 said: BTW, Lincoln Accessories has a dual dashcam available. I think it's Thinkware: https://accessories.lincoln.com/electronics/dashcam/camera-parking-12298.html Well that's nice, a harness built for an integrated dash cam setup. I personally would like to buy that harness only and pair it with a dash cam of my choice. I bet it can work in nearly all Ford and Lincoln vehicle since they keep such wiring universal. I would not want a 720p rear camera, that is really outdated by today's standards. Thus, that price they want is too much for that kit. I had the Aukey DR02, and while the rear camera had a slight rub with the powered rear sunshade, it never came off or the shade would get stuck. I had to put it high up and tuck the wiring under the head liner though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drolds1 Posted March 6, 2020 Share Posted March 6, 2020 2 hours ago, Zalvern said: Well that's nice, a harness built for an integrated dash cam setup. I personally would like to buy that harness only and pair it with a dash cam of my choice. I bet it can work in nearly all Ford and Lincoln vehicle since they keep such wiring universal. I would not want a 720p rear camera, that is really outdated by today's standards. Thus, that price they want is too much for that kit. I had the Aukey DR02, and while the rear camera had a slight rub with the powered rear sunshade, it never came off or the shade would get stuck. I had to put it high up and tuck the wiring under the head liner though. And for that price, it doesn't seem to have Wi-Fi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multitask Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 This looked interesting... https://www.amazon.com/Blueskysea-B2W-1920x1080P-Recorder-Compatible/dp/B082FCZK4V/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_img_4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=NXWEYWV67BXYVDDEYX5M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fusionff Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 52 minutes ago, Multitask said: This looked interesting... https://www.amazon.com/Blueskysea-B2W-1920x1080P-Recorder-Compatible/dp/B082FCZK4V/ref=pd_rhf_se_p_img_4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=NXWEYWV67BXYVDDEYX5M There is no way I need to have myself on camera, ain't no Uber here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multitask Posted April 6, 2020 Share Posted April 6, 2020 hehe.. yea, I know... you can turn it away from yourself... ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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