Review: Mini Q9 1296p Dashcam with GPS and separate lens housing.

Sunny

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Dash Cam
More than I can review. ;)
This Mini Q9 dashcam was sent for review.
Thank you @Joy from Skyhigh Electronics.
It's available for purchase at https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Arpenkin/1877103_32849434251.html

This dashcam has unique design where the lens is outside the main housing.
This should help heat related focus issues.
After driving an hour, I felt the temperature and the lens was just barely warm vs much warmer housing.
********************
Specifications
*Chip: Mstar 8328p.
*Max Resolution: 2304 x 1296P, 30fps
*Support TF Card Max up to 64GB
*Unique Design with separate lens housing.
*Power cable has built in GPS module
*OBDI power cables
*Hard-wiring cables
********************
PROS: All black, less heat related focus issues due to separate lens housing, OBDI, Hard-Wiring option.
CONS: Proprietary power cable so can't use regular USB outlets.
********************
Mini Q9 Features and Sample Day and Night Videos

********************
Package contents: Mini Q9 Dash Cam with mount, Car Charger, GPS Power Cable, OBDI cable, Hard-Wiring cable, Micro_USB cable, cleaning cloth, wire management tabs and User Manual.

20180420_1329_DSC07168_Mini_Q9-small.jpg

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Mini Q9 Dashcam Images:

20180420_1332_DSC07169_Mini_Q9-small-thumb.jpg
20180420_1332_DSC07171_Mini_Q9-small.jpg
20180420_1333_DSC07172_Mini_Q9-small.jpg

20180420_1333_DSC07173_Mini_Q9-small.jpg

********************
Mini Q9 Folders, Files and Bit Rate:
Micro SD card has following folders:
Event
Normal
Parking
Photo
PLAYER
There is optional rear camera so Event and Normal folders have F and R sub-folders for front and rear videos.
File names have date and time (YYMMDD) so easy to locate a particular file.

Mini Q9 Folders and Files.jpg

Overall bit rate of 2304 x 1296p 30fps video is 16.3 mbps with video @ 16.0 mbps and audio @ 272 kbps.

Mini Q9 Bitrate.jpg
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continued...
 
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Mini Q9 from outside and inside:
Don't mind the red backing tape. (Maybe I need to use black ones as it looks ugly)
I leave them to make it easier to remove.

Mini Q9 from outside.jpg

Mini Q9 from inside.jpg
 
Day video screenshots: Motion blur is not that much in this camera.
I was driving at 70mph in this screenshot.

vlcsnap-2018-05-02-13h01m35s745.jpg
vlcsnap-2018-05-02-13h03m44s493.jpg
vlcsnap-2018-05-02-13h04m12s395.jpg
vlcsnap-2018-05-02-13h08m44s915.jpg

Night video screenshots:

vlcsnap-2018-05-02-13h04m59s220.jpg
vlcsnap-2018-05-02-13h05m11s684.jpg
vlcsnap-2018-05-02-13h05m59s696.jpg
vlcsnap-2018-05-02-13h06m20s578.jpg
 
Daytime and cloudy day Videos: 2304x1296p






Night Videos: 2304x1296p
Chirping audio is from post processing.


 
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The configuration file of the DVR settings:
Code:
BitRate=15                    ;Bitate 15MBits [Min:1, Max:15]
Contrast=-4                   ;Default:0
Saturation=0                  ;Default:0
Sharpness=3                   ;Default:0
Gamma=0                       ;Default:0
Color=0                       ;0:Natural, 1:Vivid, 2:WB [Min:0, Max:2]
Effect=0                      ;Effect:0:Normal [Min:0, Max:7]
StillQuality=0                ;0:Super fine, 1:fine [Min:0, Max:1]
VideoSize=1                   ;1:1296P@30, 1:1080P@30, 2:720P@30, 3:720P@60, 4:VGA@30
VideoQuality=0                ;0:Super fine, 1:fine [Min:0, Max:1]
VideoPreRecord=1              ;0:ON, 1:OFF [Min:0, Max:1]
VideoClipTime=1               ;0:OFF 1:1min, 2:3min 3:5min, 4:10min [Min:0, Max:4]
RecordWithAudio=0             ;0:WITH, 1:WITHOUT [Min:0, Max:1]
Scene=0                       ;0:AUTO, see this submenu for others [Min:0, Max:6]
EV=4                          ;0:-2.0, 1:-1.66, 2:-1.33, 3:-1.00, 4:-0.66, 5:-0.33, 6:0, 7:+0.33, 8:+0.66, 9:+1.00, 10:+1.33, 11:+1,66, 12:+2.0 [Min:0, Max:12]
ISO=0                         ;0:AUTO, 1:ISO-100, 2:ISO-200, 3:ISO-400 [Min:0, Max:3]
WB=0                          ;1:AUTO, see this submenu for others [Min:0, Max:4]
PlaybackVolume=4              ;Volume:0~9, 0 is Min, 9 is Max [Min:0, Max:10]
Beep=1                        ;KeyBeep:0:On, 1:Off [Min:0, Max:1]
TVSYS=0                       ;0:NTSC, 1:PAL [Min:0, Max:1]
Flicker=0                     ;0:50Hz, 1:60Hz [Min:0, Max:1]
GSensorSensitivity=0          ;0:Off, see this submenu for others [Min:0, Max:3]
TimeStamp=0                   ;0:Time+Logo, 1:Time, 2:Logo, 3:None [Min:0, Max:3]
DateTimeFormat=3              ;0:NOT Display Date/Time, 1:YMD, 2:MDY, 3:DMY [Min:0, Max:3]
MotionSensitivity=3           ;0:Off, 1:Low, 2:Middle, 3:High [Min:0, Max:1]
MotionVideoTime=2             ;0:5sec, 1:10sec, 2:30sec, 3:1min [Min:0, Max:3]
MotionShot=0                  ;0:1 shot, 1:2 shots, 2:3 shots, 3:5 shots [Min:0, Max:3]
TimeLapse=0                   ;0~ see this submenu. [Min:0, Max:6]
AutoRec=0                     ;0:On, 1:Off [Min:0, Max:1]
LoopRec=1                     ;0:Off, 1:On
VideoTime=2                   ;1~999 unit: Minute
TimeZone=26                   ;GMT + 08:00
GPSStamp=0                    ;0:On, 1:Off
SpeedStamp=0                  ;0:On, 1:Off
VideoTimelapseEn=0            ;
SlowMotion=0                  ;
LDWS_EN=1                     ;0:On, 1:Off
FCWS_EN=1                     ;0:On, 1:Off
SAG_EN=1                      ;0:On, 1:Off
HDR_EN=1                      ;0:On, 1:Off
WNR_EN=1                      ;0:Off, 1:On
Keep This at last line
Examples
21.jpg22.jpg

MSTar or AIT???
AIT with MStar logo...
AIT.jpg
 

Attachments

  • usercfg.txt
    2.6 KB · Views: 4
The power supply kit using OBD-II was tested in the home laboratory. It works wellKIT for Mini Q9 with OBD-II.jpg

The power converter module (with the GPS-module) allows to:
- automatically supply power to the MiniQ9 when the engine is started (when the voltage reaches 13.7 V),
- automatically switches MiniQ9 to parking mode (voltage in the vehicle battery 12.6V) and
- disconnects the MiniQ9 power when a critical low voltage is reached on the car battery (11.4V).
MiniQ9_power adaptor with GPS module.jpg

Using OBD power cable for Parking guard function, real monitor the car, plug and use, very easy.
A little later the test results will be placed in a new thread.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Joy
Thank you for the review @ Sunny
 
Hi,

Few days ago I've received the Arpenkin Mini Q9 dash camera from the Aliexpress site.
Inserted the Sandisk 64GB microSDXC card and configured the camera (connected via microUSB to the external battery).
Afterwards, I''ve attached the provided mount and tried to use the car charger with (and without the GPS power cable), OBDI cable.
But the camera doesn't turn-on.
I suspect that there is problem with the mount.
What might be the problem ?

Thanks

Zeev
 
Hi,

I checked the inclusion on my dashkam - filed power through the micro-USB connector. The Q9 also did not turn on. After a few seconds (5-10), I managed to turn it on by pressing a button.
After that, the dash was turned on without any problems. Apparently, it took some time to charge the supercapacitor
 
Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

Today I've performed the following tests:
1. Connection to USB port.
2, Connection to the Car-Charger using the BMW power charger port.
3. Connection to the OBDII power plug using the BMW power charger port.

Tests results:
1. USB port: Connected the camera to the car's USB port - the camera functioned well.
2. Car-Charger: Connected the camera to the Car-Charger - the camera didn't turn-on.
The led on the Car-Charger didn't light as well.
But when tried the cell phone's Car-Charger, everything functioned well.
3. OBDII power plug: Connected the camera to the OBDII power plug - the camera didn't turn-on.

I've purchased this camera on Aliexpress::Arpenkin site, and having the two days discussion with the seller.
It's my fist quite an expensive purchase on the Aliexpress site (total of almost 100$) ...

How may I solve the problem ?

Thanks

Zeev
 
2. Car-Charger: Connected the camera to the Car-Charger - the camera didn't turn-on.
The led on the Car-Charger didn't light as well.
But when tried the cell phone's Car-Charger, everything functioned well.
3. OBDII power plug: Connected the camera to the OBDII power plug - the camera didn't turn-on.
Not quite clear on points 2 and 3. You must use the "GPS cable" when connecting, are you doing exactly that?
In this "box" there is not only a GPS module, but also a power adapter, which is controlled by the voltage level and works differently, it depends on how you connected - OBDII or cigarette lighter. (Read more about the modes of operation here: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/threa...ing-mode-and-battery-protection-review.35201/)

And yet - can you check the voltage in the vehicle electrical system?
If the voltage is below 11.4 volts this will not work (automatic control of the module will not give power to the Q9, with any method of connection).
When using OBDII - it is necessary to start the car engine, when the voltage is above 13.6 volts - the recording should start.

PS: I hope you use the wiring diagram as in the image here: https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/threa...s-and-separate-lens-housing.34055/post-414810

PPS: everything is correct, in charging for the phone there is no automatic shutdown at a certain voltage, as it is specifically provided for in Mini Q9
 
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Hi,

The Car-Charger issue -
Because the led didn't turn red/green (don't know it didn't function), I've opened it and found that the internal fuze was burnt.
Today will buy a new fuze.

The OBDII issue -
I've connected the camera directly to the OBDII power plug, without the GPS extension. Does it matter ?

Thanks

Zeev


Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
 
The OBDII issue -
I've connected the camera directly to the OBDII power plug, without the GPS extension. Does it matter ?
Yes, it is very important! DO NOT CONNECT SO! WITH ALL SOURCES WE HAVE 12 VOLTS! And only from the GPS / adapter module we get 5V.

Connect the dash must only through a standard MiniQ9 cable with a module, otherwise you destroy the dash (12 Volts vs. 5 Volts)
 
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This, of course, is the manufacturer's mistake - they called the 12V>5V power adapter, which is in the same box with the GPS module - just the GPS cable and did not emphasize this moment on power only through the cable with module.
MiniQ9 install power.jpg
 
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