Updated: January 21, 2021.
The BlackVue X Series models introduce built-in voltage monitoring, thus providing Native Parking Mode. That means now you can hardwire your BlackVue to your vehicle’s fuse panel using a 3-wire hardwiring cable.
That cable is included with the DR900X, DR750X and DR590X models.
But where does that leave the BlackVue Parking Mode accessories? Are Power Magic Pro and Ultra Battery compatible with the X Series?
What is built-in voltage monitoring?
With the DR900X, DR750X and DR590X Series models, the dashcam itself can monitor your vehicle’s battery voltage level. If you hardwire your X Series model to your vehicle’s fuse box, it will automatically switch to Parking Mode when your car’s ignition is off. When you switch ignition back on, the dashcam will exit Parking Mode instantly and go back to Normal recording mode.
When you hardwire your dashcam using the hardwiring power cable, your BlackVue constantly monitors the voltage coming from your vehicle. With the BlackVue App, you can choose a voltage cutoff value so that your dashcam will shut itself down to prevent draining your battery. The voltage cutoff values are 11.8V, 12V, and 12.5V.
In addition, you can set a timer so that your dashcam will turn off based on either voltage or timer cutoff, whichever comes first.
Power Magic Battery compatibility
The Power Magic Battery Pack (B-112) and Power Magic Ultra Battery (B-124X) are both compatible with the X Series. You do not need to purchase specific cables or adapters to make the X Series models work with past batteries. That’s because X Series support both ignition-triggered and G-sensor-based Parking Mode. In other words, even if you don’t hardwire your BlackVue to your vehicle’s fuse panel, it retains the ability to switch to Parking Mode when it detects that the vehicle is stationary for five minutes.
If you want the instant ignition-triggered Parking Mode activation for Power Magic Ultra Battery (B-124 and B-124X), there is an optional cable available for purchase (select “Dashcam hardwiring power cable (3 wired)).
Power Magic Pro compatibility
The X Series features built-in voltage monitoring so the Power Magic Pro is no longer required to safely hardwire your dashcam to your car’s battery.
However, if you are upgrading your dashcam and already have a Power Magic Pro installed, you can keep using it. Just make sure you replace the male cigarette power adapter cable with the one included with your X Series dashcam.
Another reason one would want to keep using a Power Magic Pro is the Parking Mode switch. That ON/OFF switch can be handy as it toggles Parking Mode ON/OFF (not the power). For example, if you commute and want to use Parking Mode at your office’s parking lot, you can switch it on. Then when you come back to your home garage, you can switch it off. As long as the switch is off, it will still power your dashcam as you drive but not when the ignition is off.
Compatibility with past models’ power cables
It bears repeating that due to the different design of the new 3-wire power cables, the past models’ (DR900S, DR750S, DR650S) power cables are not compatible with the new X Series dashcams.
The DC connectors from past models will actually connect to the X Series input ports in appearance but won’t provide power.
Also, if you are wondering, the X Series male DC connectors are not compatible with the previous dashcam models, including DR750-2CH LTE, which was the last model featuring that connection type.
Model | DC Connector (outer Ø x inner Ø) | Built-in Voltage Monitoring | Parking Mode accessories support |
DR750-2CH LTE | Ø3.5 x Ø1.35 | All except 3-wire hardwiring cable | |
DR900X Series | Ø3.5 x Ø1.1 | Yes | All |
DR750X Series | Ø3.5 x Ø1.1 | Yes | All |
DR590X Series | Ø3.5 x Ø1.1 | Yes | All |
DR590 Series | Ø3.5 x Ø1.35 | All except 3-wire hardwiring cable |