Replacing a 750S-2CH with newer

[bpsmicro]

I've had my DR750S-2CH installed in my Jeep for quite a few years (got it very soon after it was released to replace a 650S-2CH that died on me). The camera itself has served me very well. The internal battery finally died, and I replaced it with one I got off AliExpress, which was ... crap. Six months later, and it's also dead. I'm pondering just replacing the camera with a newer variant.
For me, the #1 critical feature is that the software I write to suck all the recordings off via WiFi continues to work (very similar to the other Downloader apps in the Software sub-forum, but I wrote my own). 4k is nice-to-have, but I'd forego it for the WiFi connectivity. Won't use LTE connectivity because LTE is still over-priced in Canada. "Cloud" access isn't important (though, technically, that's what the WiFi access is doing).

Right now, the most logical options seem to be the 770X-2CH and the 970X-2CH. I looked at the "Box" variant, but I just don't have space to mount that. My main question is re-use of the wiring. It appears that I could just leave the existing coax wire from front to back, and the existing power wiring, and just swap out the actual cameras.

Can anybody confirm if this assumption is true for either the 770X & 970X, or one of them, or not at all? Up here, the 970X is just over Cdn$100 more, and I'd probably go for that to get the 4k, but if I have to run all new wiring, that may temper that desire. 🙂

Brad.

 

[bpsmicro]

Wouldn't you know it, not long after posting the above I stumbled across a blog posting that said the 970X power cable is NOT compatible with my old 750S. And it appears the 770X also wouldn't be. But the coax would be, so there's that.

 

[rcg530]

The coaxial video cables for the cameras can be reused, but the power wiring from the older 650S-2CH is not compatible with the newer BlackVue dash cameras. The older power cables terminated with a two connector barrel plug while the newer units have power cables with a three connector barrel plug.

Here's info from a BlackVue blog post from 2023 about cable compatibility:

I added the DR650S to the "Dashcam Models" column in the "DR900S, DR750S" row since they mention the DR650S in the text state, but didn't show it in the table.

DR970X, DR970X LTE, DR770X Series Cables and Accessories Compatibility FAQ

The entire BlackVue dash cam lineup got a make-over recently – we welcomed quite a few new dash cam models that are available for purchase in our online store and through stores near you. With the launch comes an important question for those of our Customers who own one of the older BlackVue...

blackvue.com

Cable compatibility / Power cables​

All models are compatible with the previous X and X Plus Series models, but not with the power cables from models prior (DR650S, DR750S, DR900S, etc.) or the past models with built-in LTE (DR750-2CH LTE, DR750X-2CH LTE Plus).
Since the X Series (DR590X, DR750X, DR900X), the power adapters have changed to “3-wire type”, to support direct hardwiring and take advantage of the camera’s built-in voltage monitor. The same 3-wire type power adapters are also used in the newest dash cam models, which means they can be reused. This also means the power cables from older BlackVue dash cams (such as the S Series as well as past built-in LTE models) cannot be used.
NOTE: the 3-wire hardwiring power cable is also included with the LTE models, which is a change from previous LTE models (DR750-2CH LTE and DR750X-2CH LTE Plus).

Dashcam Models	3-wire Power Cables (for ignition-based Parking Mode support)	2-wire Power Cables (G-sensor-based Parking Mode support only)
DR970X Series	✔
DR970X LTE Series	✔
DR770X Series	✔
DR770X LTE Series	✔
DR770X Box Series	✔
DR900X, DR900X Plus	✔
DR750X, DR750X Plus	✔
DR750X LTE Plus		✔
DR750 LTE		✔
DR900S, DR750S, DR650S		✔

​

Video cables​

Compatible with any past BlackVue coaxial cable.
The coaxial video cables are identical to the older S (ie. DR900S), X (ie. DR750X) and X Plus (ie. DR900X Plus) Series. Note that DR590X, DR590W and DR590 models use different types of video cables.

 

[bpsmicro]

Thanks for that. Running a new power cable isn't as big a deal. But avoiding having to run a new coax all the way to the back is going to simplify things.

 

[Pizzabad]

Hello,
I made the same change, except that my 750 is still working, and I passed it on to my son for his first car. As for the 650, the connection cable to the rear camera is the same. As mentioned, the only cable that needs to be changed is the power cable.

 

[bpsmicro]

I'm going to make one more attempt to get the 750S working properly again, then I'll watch for a sale on the 970X. I'm disinclined to get into any serious car work until Spring anyway. 🙂