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?
- Accelerometer-based:
BlackVue Parking Mode activates after the dashcam’s accelerometer detects that the vehicle is stationary for five minutes. - Ignition-based:
Since the X Series models, you can hardwire the dashcam directly to the fuse box of your vehicle. In this case, the dashcam will switch to Parking Mode as soon as ignition is turned off and monitor the voltage to shut down at the set cutoff value.
X Series models also activate Parking Mode based on the accelerometer’s status, in case you cannot hardwire the dashcam but still want to use Parking Mode, like when using a Power Magic Battery Pack (B-112).
Note that the Power Magic Ultra Battery (B-130X) lets you use both ignition-based and accelerometer-based Parking Mode thanks to the included cables.
Various Parking Mode “modes”?
Since August 2018, BlackVue DR7xx and DR9xx models feature Time Lapse + Buffered Events in addition to the standard Motion and Impact Detection mode:
- Motion & Impact Detection mode, with the addition of selectable detection regions. Default for models that do not support Time lapse.
- Time Lapse (with buffered Events videos in case of impact).
Default for models that support it.
List of models supporting Time Lapse:
- DR970X, DR970X LTE, DR770X, DR770X LTE, DR770X Box.
- DR750 LTE / DR750X LTE Plus.
- DR900X (and X Plus) and DR750X (and X Plus).
- DR900S and DR750S Series.
Unless mentioned otherwise, the instructions on this page refer to Motion & Impact Detection Parking Mode.
Motion & Impact Detection mode
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).
Thanks to buffered recording, the videos include a few seconds of the action occurring before the motion or impact.
With all models released since 2017, users can select detection regions to reduce the risk of triggering too many motion recordings due to trees swaying in the wind, far away moving objects, etc.
Simply select via the BlackVue Viewer or App the areas of the screen that you want to be sensitive to motion. Motion happening in the unselected areas will be ignored.
Time lapse mode
In Time Lapse mode:
- Your dash cam continuously records at 1FPS (one frame per second). Videos are played back at 30FPS. Note: Time lapse Parking Mode files are marked “P” in the file list. They do not include audio.
- When an impact is detected, the dashcam creates a regular Event video (with audio and pre-impact buffer).
Each 1-minute Time lapse Parking Mode video covers a real-time period of 30 minutes.
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.
How does the dashcam record in Parking Mode?
- 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*.
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 Time Lapse mode, all cameras record continuously.
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?
On the majority of vehicles, the cigarette lighter / 12V auxiliary power outlet is not powered unless ignition is on. That means the dashcam must be hardwired to the vehicle’s battery or powered by a dedicated Parking Mode battery.
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 Parking Mode battery.
All current BlackVue dashcams models (except DR750-2CH LTE) feature built-in voltage monitoring. These models come with both a cigarette lighter power adapter and a hardwiring cable.
BlackVue provides four options, subdivided in two categories:
Parking Mode Kit:
- Hardwiring Cable (models with built-in voltage monitoring only)
- Power Magic Pro (Hardwiring Kit)
Discontinued as of January 2023.
Parking Mode Batteries:
- Power Magic Battery Pack (B-112)
- Power Magic Ultra Battery (B-130X)
Power Magic Battery Pack: The Simple 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 ignition is ON, the Power Magic Battery Pack charges itself while powering your BlackVue. It charges itself fully in approximately one hour.
When 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 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: 7,500mAh / 12.8V / 96Wh. 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 aluminum casing
The Power Magic Ultra Battery is kept ultra compact thanks to its aluminum 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 90 minutes.
Hardwired installation for rapid charging (9A): the Ultra Battery charges itself in under 50 minutes.
App-connected
The status of the Ultra Battery can be checked via the BlackVue App or the BlackVue Battery app (iOS/Android). Both let you see at a glance available capacity, time to full charge (when charging), expected time available (when powering the dashcam) and change settings.
Parking Mode Hardwiring Kits
Note: as of January 2023, the Power Magic Pro is discontinued.
Power your dash cam. Protect your vehicle’s battery.
Whether you use the Power Magic Pro or the Hardwiring Cable (provided with your dashcam if it features built-in voltage monitoring), you can hardwire your BlackVue to your vehicle’s battery via the fuse panel.
In both case, the Power Magic Pro or built-in voltage monitoring function of your dashcam will protect your vehicle’s battery from draining.
Your dashcam is powered as long as your battery maintains sufficient voltage to start your vehicle. When voltage drops below cutoff value or the timer expires, the power will be cut to preserve your vehicle’s battery.
For professional installation
If you are not afraid to work with the fuse panel or if you are having your camera professionally installed, this can offer a stealthy installation option with minimal footprint. However, note that while the upfront cost is lower than investing in a dedicated Parking Mode battery, your vehicle’s battery will be subject to higher stress, which may affect its lifespan.
Multiple controls
Hardwiring kits allow 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, the dashcam will stop drawing power, in order to prevent battery discharge.
- Turn Parking Mode ON/OFF (Power Magic Pro only): with the switch OFF, the Power Magic Pro will power your BlackVue dashcam only when the vehicle’s ignition is on.
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 Event-Upload (DR970X, DR900S/X/X Plus, DR770X, DR750S/X/X Plus, DR750-2CH LTE 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 Event-Upload.
Live Event 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