My 3D printed external Vantrue E1 aerodynamic housing

[demolition_mango]

I wanted to mount my rear E1 Pro 4k outside my Odyssey so it would have a better view without light blocked by the tint. This was my solution. It attaches to the roof with magnets and is big enough for a small powerbank, but I usually just run a cable through the hatch.

https://makerworld.com/en/models/3370065-vantrue-e1-dashcam-aerodynamic-external-housing

 

[Augustus]

I wanted to mount my rear E1 Pro 4k outside my Odyssey so it would have a better view without light blocked by the tint. This was my solution. It attaches to the roof with magnets and is big enough for a small powerbank, but I usually just run a cable through the hatch.

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https://makerworld.com/en/models/3370065-vantrue-e1-dashcam-aerodynamic-external-housing

What A great idea, looks fantastic and very useful. Well done

 

[BlackboxMyCar]

Interesting, but it doesn't seem like this weatherproofs the E1 Pro in any way. Is this only for use in good weather or do you plan on figuring that out as well for year-round use?

 

[Vortex Radar]

Creative solution! How strong are the magnets? I'm not sure if it'd stay on in case of a crash?

 

[kamkar]

I have for long used ( fairly small ) neodymium magnets to mount my rear cameras off the metal hatch in the back.
Weight wise not really a problem, but the little magnets seem to want to slide ever so little even if they grip pretty darn good.
So i have put a thin rubber membrane in between the magnets and the painted metal of the rear hatch, and this have hugely increased the friction bond between the two parts.
and now i can anger slam my rear hatch with no problems.

Actually i have just gotten new magnets for this job, larger & stronger magnets as they are really bought for another job, but i ordered a few spares to have for creative use.
Like duct tape - zip ties and so on, a few magnets should be in any mans tool box for a rainy day, they are also excellent as clamps when you have 2 thinner things you have to say glue together, put a couple of magnets on there and BAM nothing is moving very much.

 

[demolition_mango]

Interesting, but it doesn't seem like this weatherproofs the E1 Pro in any way. Is this only for use in good weather or do you plan on figuring that out as well for year-round use?

When the vehicle is parked, it protects the camera from rain because of the lip. It rains so rarely in Austin that I haven't driven anywhere in heavy rain. At higher speed there's enough buffeting at the rear, droplets would probably hit the faceplate and go into the holes, but I don't think it would be enough to damage the camera. It can be waterproofed by not having holes in the faceplate, but then heat would be an issue. I think the solid front, top, and holes in the bottom and rear are a good compromise between waterproofing and cooling

 

[demolition_mango]

Creative solution! How strong are the magnets? I'm not sure if it'd stay on in case of a crash?

These are the common M6 magnets available on Amazon. Each has 6 small neodymium magnets. Two of these is overkill and it takes a lot of force to pull it off the roof. My previous design was smaller and used one magnet, and even that was overkill. I don't think this thing is going anywhere in a crash unless the housing itself was hit

 

[BlackboxMyCar]

When the vehicle is parked, it protects the camera from rain because of the lip. It rains so rarely in Austin that I haven't driven anywhere in heavy rain. At higher speed there's enough buffeting at the rear, droplets would probably hit the faceplate and go into the holes, but I don't think it would be enough to damage the camera. It can be waterproofed by not having holes in the faceplate, but then heat would be an issue. I think the solid front, top, and holes in the bottom and rear are a good compromise between waterproofing and cooling

Good to know. With that said, however, wouldn't moisture still be an issue, and also what if the rain hits it at just the right angle to get in? Either way we assume that's not that much of an issue in Austin than it is in, say, Seattle.