FitCamx question(s)

[JackFlash]

New F150 owner ('24 Lariat in Antimatter). Loving the truck.

I went ahead and ordered the FitCamx for it and it arrived today - because of how other people #$%! drive - and had a couple of questions for those who have them now (seems like a popular choice).

1. FitCamx requires WIFI. Obv as soon as you turn on WIFI, carplay disconnects. Seem like a PITA to constantly cycle WIFI to see the cam. Wonder how others are dealing with this. I have older iPhone and Android devices lying about. I could just dedicate that one to Cam if I really wanted to watch it (particularly for rear facing, see below).
2. I have a (unlicensed, public freq) wireless RV backup Cam. Was considering doing a longer cable run from the FitCam to the back of the RV. Wondering if FitCam will sell an additional cable for the rearview Cam run, or if that cable is some standard cable I could buy on the 'open market'. Or other thoughts on this.

Any other words of wisdom on the FitCamx - or either of the above greatly appreciated. It seems the FitCamx is a popular choice.

Jack

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[The Weatherman]

It doesn’t disconnect my CarPlay. I only have to connect via WiFi if I want to access it from my phone. Which I do periodically to ensure it is operating correctly.

Don’t know about the extra cable.

 

[JackFlash]

It doesn’t disconnect my CarPlay. I only have to connect via WiFi if I want to access it from my phone. Which I do periodically to ensure it is operating correctly.

Don’t know about the extra cable.

Thanks for replying.

Yeah - I don't think I was clear on my post on this. I get that the FitCamx doesn't need a constant phone connection - only if you want to watch in "real time" as it's record. I was thinking more in terms if I were to use this as an rv trailer cam and wanted / needed to see behind the trailer - which is obv a major blindspot when you're towing...

 

[The Weatherman]

I see now.

Would you be up to connect your phone to the truck via a USB direct connection? I think that would give you access to both simultaneously.

 

[JackFlash]

I see now.

Would you be up to connect your phone to the truck via a USB direct connection? I think that would give you access to both simultaneously.

I was actually wondering that - if carplay would work via direct-connection via USB and then free up the WIFI connection for the Cam... whenever I turn on WIFI in / around the truck I get a warning that I'm disconnecting CarPlay by doing so.

I'll be installing the FitCam this afternoon. Will circle back...

 

[Monkey]

Thanks for replying.

Yeah - I don't think I was clear on my post on this. I get that the FitCamx doesn't need a constant phone connection - only if you want to watch in "real time" as it's record. I was thinking more in terms if I were to use this as an rv trailer cam and wanted / needed to see behind the trailer - which is obv a major blindspot when you're towing...

Most all dashcams out there use WiFi to connect. It’s how you set them up and then access the recordings. Or you pull the SD card and review on a computer. But it doesn’t need to connect to your phone or anything unless you want to access the camera. I’m hoping we see other connectivity options for cameras in the near future — primarily BlueTooth 5.5 and newer as it now has enough bandwidth to support video streaming.

Ideally more cars would include all the camera recording functionality in the vehicle so these aftermarket camera solutions are no longer necessary. Or even better, provide the onboard functionality, but also a way to integrate aftermarket solutions to augment the system. That’s a tall order though…. Automakers are always a decade behind the curve when it comes to tech.

My FitCamX died…. It was out of warranty but their support tried to help me a bit. They ended up giving me a coupon code for a good discount off a new one so I went for it and ordered another. I have it here, but have not installed just yet — probably this weekend. I want to replace the cable that runs to the rear camera as I’m not sure what caused the failure. But I think the primary unit just failed. It still powers on, just doesn’t do anything.

 

[JackFlash]

I'm definitely going to try that when I install it.

Thanks again. I'll let you know!

I see now.

Would you be up to connect your phone to the truck via a USB direct connection? I think that would give you access to both simultaneously.

 

[JackFlash]

Most all dashcams out there use WiFi to connect. It’s how you set them up and then access the recordings. Or you pull the SD card and review on a computer. But it doesn’t need to connect to your phone or anything unless you want to access the camera. I’m hoping we see other connectivity options for cameras in the near future — primarily BlueTooth 5.5 and newer as it now has enough bandwidth to support video streaming.

Ideally more cars would include all the camera recording functionality in the vehicle so these aftermarket camera solutions are no longer necessary. Or even better, provide the onboard functionality, but also a way to integrate aftermarket solutions to augment the system. That’s a tall order though…. Automakers are always a decade behind the curve when it comes to tech.

My FitCamX died…. It was out of warranty but their support tried to help me a bit. They ended up giving me a coupon code for a good discount off a new one so I went for it and ordered another. I have it here, but have not installed just yet — probably this weekend. I want to replace the cable that runs to the rear camera as I’m not sure what caused the failure. But I think the primary unit just failed. It still powers on, just doesn’t do anything.

Yeah, I'm surprised they're not using new BT spec or NFC for that matter. Seem like that would be a better choice. Of course the vehicle just doing it in the first place would be what we should be expecting these days, but...

 

[XENOILPHOBE]

One of the benefits of a CyberTruck, it comes with cameras.

 

[biers]

I see now.

Would you be up to connect your phone to the truck via a USB direct connection? I think that would give you access to both simultaneously.

This is the way. Just plug your phone into usb before you turn the truck on. And make sure it doesn’t disconnect.

 

[astrand1]

Thanks for replying.

Yeah - I don't think I was clear on my post on this. I get that the FitCamx doesn't need a constant phone connection - only if you want to watch in "real time" as it's record. I was thinking more in terms if I were to use this as an rv trailer cam and wanted / needed to see behind the trailer - which is obv a major blindspot when you're towing...

Easier (but more expensive) option is to use the ford cam setup. Thats what I have. Camera shows on center screen and I have tire pressure and temperature of trailer tires on cluster.

 

[JackFlash]

This is the way. Just plug your phone into usb before you turn the truck on. And make sure it doesn’t disconnect.

Assuming you have to do this with WIFI off (otherwise CarPlay will automatically grab that when it sees it)? Or set that WIFI to not automatically connect?

I.e.; plug the phone into USB, start the vehicle, then after Carplay connects (with USB) *then* start WIFI?

 

[JackFlash]

Easier (but more expensive) option is to use the ford cam setup. Thats what I have. Camera shows on center screen and I have tire pressure and temperature of trailer tires on cluster.

I was looking at this. The Ford doesn't have one specific to the Lightning - did you use the setup for the F250?

 

[JackFlash]

New F150 owner ('24 Lariat in Antimatter). Loving the truck.

I went ahead and ordered the FitCamx for it and it arrived today - because of how other people #$%! drive - and had a couple of questions for those who have them now (seems like a popular choice).

1. FitCamx requires WIFI. Obv as soon as you turn on WIFI, carplay disconnects. Seem like a PITA to constantly cycle WIFI to see the cam. Wonder how others are dealing with this. I have older iPhone and Android devices lying about. I could just dedicate that one to Cam if I really wanted to watch it (particularly for rear facing, see below).
2. I have a (unlicensed, public freq) wireless RV backup Cam. Was considering doing a longer cable run from the FitCam to the back of the RV. Wondering if FitCam will sell an additional cable for the rearview Cam run, or if that cable is some standard cable I could buy on the 'open market'. Or other thoughts on this.

Any other words of wisdom on the FitCamx - or either of the above greatly appreciated. It seems the FitCamx is a popular choice.

Jack

Found a really interesting way to integrate a wireless trailer cam with the onboard F150 display using cheap components - and utilizing the connections at the back of the truck that would normally be used for the official Ford Trailer Camera / TPMS configuration (which costs like a grand).

https://www.f150forum.com/f129/2023-f150-302a-auxilary-camara-wireless-556669/#post7728516

 

[astrand1]

I was looking at this. The Ford doesn't have one specific to the Lightning - did you use the setup for the F250?

I found a kit that was supposed to be for an f150 (ice) and it works just as it should. The only thing I had to change in the truck side was the trailer plug. Changed from a 7/4 pin to the 7/12 pin and the plug for the 12 pin was tucked up behind the bumper so was all plug and play. Let me look thru my emails and see if I can get you the part number of the kit I got. I got this kit when I had my PB f150 but like I said it works fine with the lightning.

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