BLACKVUE DASHCAM PARKING MODE
About Parking Mode
Dashcams are designed to record your drive, but did you know BlackVue dashboard cameras can also monitor your car when you are away? It is a very useful feature to have if you are worried about hit-and-runs or vandalism on your parked vehicle. All BlackVue dashcams feature Parking Mode monitoring. Here we share a few things to know about Parking Mode.
When does the dashcam switch to Parking Mode?
BlackVue Parking Mode activates after the dashcam’s accelerometer detects that the vehicle is stationary for five minutes.
A word about DR900S and DR750S Series Parking Modes
Since August 2018, BlackVue DR900S Series and DR750S Series dashcams support two different Parking Modes:
- The default Motion & Impact Detection mode, with the addition of selectable detection regions.
- Time lapse (with buffered Events videos in case of impact).
Unless mentioned otherwise, the instructions on this page refer to Motion & Impact Detection Parking Mode.
Motion & Impact Detection mode
Region – Based
Motion Detection
Motion & Impact Detection Parking Mode detects both:
- Motions recorded by the image sensor (Parking Mode files marked “P” in the file list).
- Impacts detected by the accelerometer/G-sensor (Event files marked “E” in the file list).
With the DR900S and DR750S Series dashcams, users have the added possibility to choose detection regions to reduce the risk of triggering too many motion recordings due to trees swaying in the wind, far away moving objects, etc.
Time lapse mode
Time Lapse Parking Mode allows your dashcam to continuously record at 1FPS (one frame per second). Videos are played back at 30FPS.
Each 1-minute Time lapse Parking Mode video covers a real-time period of 30 minutes (Time lapse Parking Mode files are marked “P” in the file list).
This mode allows to cover a period of more than 27 hours on a 16GB microSD card for a dual-channel model at the highest (Extreme) quality setting.
Additionally, when impacts are detected, the dashcam creates a buffered Event video.
HOW DOES THE DASHCAM RECORD IN PARKING MODE?
In Parking Mode, your BlackVue is active all the time but does not write to the memory card, unless:
- Movement is detected by the front or rear camera (sensitivity can be adjusted or turned off). In this case, it creates a one-minute Parking video recording that starts a few seconds before the trigger*.
- An impact or vibration is picked up by the dashcam’s accelerometer (sensitivity can be adjusted). In this case, it creates a one-minute Event video recording that starts a few seconds before the trigger*.
*The BlackVue constantly keeps the last few seconds of video in its buffer memory so as to catch the actions that led to the trigger.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF PARKING MODE OVER NORMAL MODE?
In Parking Mode, because it only records when something happens, your BlackVue minimizes the risks of overwriting important footage during long Parking Mode sessions.
It also reduces the stress on the microSD card, which helps extend the memory card’s lifespan.
Additionally, the GPS module is turned off during Parking Mode, which reduces power consumption.
I HAVE A DUAL-CHANNEL DASHCAM. DOES PARKING MODE WORK FOR BOTH CAMERAS?
The Parking videos can be triggered by motion detected by either the front or the rear (or interior) camera.
The Event videos are triggered by vibrations detected by the accelerometer located in the front camera.
In either case, the dashcam will save videos recorded by both the front and rear cameras.
CAN I DEACTIVATE PARKING MODE?
Yes, Parking Mode can be deactivated in your camera’s settings.
In this case, the dashcam will continue recording in Normal Mode as long as it is powered, even if the vehicle is stationary for more than five minutes.
WHAT DO I NEED TO USE PARKING MODE?
By default, BlackVue dashcams come with a male cigar lighter power adapter to plug in your vehicle’s cigar socket.
On the majority of vehicles, this cigar lighter socket is not powered unless ignition is on.
For this reason, Parking Mode usually requires to use a Parking Mode kit to connect to the vehicle’s battery or to use a dedicated battery pack.
BlackVue provides four options, subdivided in two categories:
Parking Mode Kit:
- Power Magic Pro (Hardwiring Kit)
Parking Mode Batteries:
- Power Magic Battery Pack (B-112)
- Power Magic Ultra Battery (B-124)
Power Magic Battery Pack: the simple DIY solution
Simply installed
The Power Magic Battery Pack simply plugs into your vehicle’s cigar lighter socket and provides a female power socket to power your dashcam.
While the ignition is ON, the Power Magic Battery Pack charges itself while powering your BlackVue. It charges itself fully in approximately one hour.
When the ignition is OFF, the Power Magic Battery Pack keeps your BlackVue powered for up to eight (8) hours—for a dual-channel dashcam—or twelve (12) hours—for a single-channel dashcam.
Designed with safety in mind
Unlike conventional lithium-ion battery packs found in consumer electronics like phones or laptop computers, the Power Magic Battery Pack is of the LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) type. LiFePO4 batteries are highly resistant to heat, which is critical to ensure safe operation in a vehicle. Indeed, in a vehicle parked in the sun, temperatures can reach levels at which lithium-ion batteries could pose a safety hazard. Note that this is also why our dashcams use a supercapacitor instead of a battery. Last, LiFePO4 batteries have an overall higher lifespan (based on the number of charge/discharge cycles) when compared to lithium-ion batteries.
Compact size
The Power Magic Battery Pack is small enough to fit in a glove box.
Power for your other electronic devices
Two USB ports let you charge other electronic devices such as phone, tablet or a Wi-Fi hotspot to enjoy BlackVue Cloud.
Power Magic Ultra Battery: high-capacity battery
High capacity for extended Parking Mode sessions
Capacity: 6000mAh / 12.8V / 76.8Wh. On a full charge, Power Magic Ultra Battery can power a single dashcam for over 28 hours or a dual-channel dashcam for over 20 hours in Parking Mode.
Full aluminium casing
The Power Magic Ultra Battery is kept ultra compact thanks to its aluminium casing optimizing heat dissipation.
Simple or hardwired installation
The Power Magic Ultra Battery can be plugged into your vehicle’s cigarette lighter socket or hardwired via the vehicle’s fuse panel.
Cigarette lighter socket installation (5A): the Ultra Battery charges itself fully in less than 80 minutes.
Hardwired installation for rapid charging (9A): the Ultra Battery charges itself in under 40 minutes.
Free BlackVue Battery Manager app
The status of the Ultra Battery can be checked via the BlackVue Battery app (iOS/Android). See at a glance available capacity, time to full charge (when charging), expected time available (when powering the dashcam) and change settings.
Double capacity with Expansion Battery
More than double the Power Magic Ultra Battery capacity with Power Magic Expansion Battery (6600mAh). You can connect multiple Expansion Batteries in sequence (daisy-chain) to the Power Magic Ultra Battery.
Power Magic Pro: the hardwiring solution
Power your dashcam. Protect your vehicle’s battery.
Power Magic Pro is the hardwiring kit by BlackVue. It powers your dashcam and protects your vehicle’s battery.
Simply hardwiring your dashcam without Power Magic Pro would risk depleting your vehicle’s battery with long Parking Mode sessions.
With Power Magic Pro, your dashcam is powered as long as your battery maintains sufficient voltage to start your vehicle. When the voltage drops below cutoff value or the timer expires, Power Magic Pro stops powering your dashcam to preserve your vehicle’s battery.
For professional installation
For users who are not afraid to work with the fuse panel of their vehicle, the Power Magic Pro is a great accessory that enables Parking Mode with a lot of control. With a bit of planning, Power Magic Pro allows for a very stealthy installation, with no visible cable.
Multiple controls
Power Magic Pro allows you to:
- Set a timer from 6 hours to infinite.
- Set a voltage cutoff value (12V by default): as soon as the vehicle’s battery reaches that voltage, Power Magic Pro will stop powering the dashcam, in order to prevent battery discharge.
- Turn Parking Mode ON/OFF: with the switch OFF, the Power Magic Pro will power your BlackVue dashcam only when the vehicle’s ignition is on.
If you plan on having your dashcam installed by a professional, don’t miss on the chance to have them install the Power Magic Pro as well.
Parking Mode and BlackVue Cloud
Monitor your car from anywhere, anytime
Parking Mode takes a whole new dimension with BlackVue Cloud.
When your dashcam is connected to the Cloud, you can be alerted instantly of anything that happens in Parking Mode.
Receive Push Notifications alert messages when Parking recording starts (in case of motion) and/or when an Event recording starts (in case of impact).
Then you can instantly check what is actually happening around your car with Remote Live View.
Live Auto-Upload (DR900S/DR750S/DR650S Series) lets your dashcam save real-time video to the Cloud when an impact is detected. This adds an extra layer of protection and could prove invaluable in case your dashcam is stolen. Learn more about Live Auto-Upload.
Impact Push Notifications in action
Impact detected → Buffered Event recording + Impact Push Notification sent to phone
In the video below, you can see a van trying to park and bumping into the BlackVue owner’s car in the process. The bump was detected by the dashcam’s accelerometer. Since the dashcam was connected to the Cloud, it sent a Push Notification to the owner’s phone, who happened to be at his workplace nearby. He was then able to run out and catch the driver who was seemingly trying to drive away. After the driver feigned not knowing he had hit the car, our dashcam owner downloaded and showed him the video footage. The van driver had nothing more to say. Video credits: Jerry Z