VIOFO HK6 Hardwire Cable - Test & Review PP

[Chuck McCoy]

I’ve been testing / using the HK6 for a month now, and I’ve been posting tid bits in my A329S thread, but I haven’t been able to go full bore because my “newest” HK4 for contrast / comparison is 2 years old.
Ben @SafeDriveSolutions was was telling me a while back the “modern” HK4’s have been upgraded to reduce parasitic current draw when the camera is powered down, or not even connected.
So I’ve been holding off on doing any meaningful power consumption testing until I got my hands a “current production” HK4.
Well the wait is over, and I have a feeling this is going to get in depth real quick so I wanted to start a thread just for the HK6.

Q: What’s new / different about the HK6 compared to the HK4?
A: A lot. (keep reading)

Q: Are there any benefits of upgrading to HK6 for older models not capable of utilizing the new features?
A: Yes. (keep reading)

Q: What is the power consumption of the HK6 compared to HK4, and the new hardwire kit included with Viofo’s new dash cam battery pack (BP100)?
A: See post #11, and #12

Q: What is the Heat Signature difference between HK6, and HK4 measured with Thermal Imaging Camera?
A: TBA

Q: Can a single HK6 display vehicle system voltage to multiple supported dash cams installed in the same car?
A: Yes, I inadvertently connected the bluetooth signal to both of my A329S units, even though it was only plugged into one of them.

Q: How long does it take for the camera to recognize, and connect to the HK6 Bluetooth signal?
A: See post #13

Q: How does the HK6 make it easier to diagnose malfunctions like parking mode not working properly?
A: TBA

All these questions, and more will be answered soon enough.
If you have any questions, or would like a specific configuration tested / measured just leave them here, and I’ll work them into the schedule.
Now let’s look at some photos.
The first thing I noticed with HK6 was the increase in wire gauge (thickness) of both the 1 Meter end (power wires) that connects to the fuse box, and the 3 Meter end (USB Type-C Cable) that connects to the camera.

AWG Sizes;
20AWG: HK4 1 Meter End - RED (Battery +) / YELLOW (ACC) / BLACK (Ground)
-
18AWG: HK6 1 Meter End - RED (Battery +) / BLACK (Ground)
22AWG: HK6 1 Meter End - YELLOW (ACC)

Q: Why is the yellow wire on the HK6 smaller?
A: ACC / Ignition Signal, (does not carry current / amperage).

Outside Diameter;
4.1mm: HK4 1 Meter End (power wires)
4.6mm: HK6 1 Meter End (power wires)

AWG Sizes;
20AWG: HK4 3 Meter End (USB Type-C Cable) Power & Ground
24AWG: HK4 3 Meter End (USB Type-C Cable) ACC (ignition signal)

18AWG: HK6 3 Meter End - (USB Type-C Cable) Power & Ground
26AWG: HK6 3 Meter End - (USB Type-C Cable) ACC (ignition signal)

Outside Diameter;
4.2mm: HK4 3 Meter End (USB Type-C Cable)
4.7mm: HK6 3 Meter End (USB Type-C Cable)

The next thing I noticed was HK6 appears to be using 100% OFC Pure Copper wires.
I have always disliked CCA (copper clad aluminum) or Tinned Copper wires from the HK4.
This is a wonderful, and welcome upgrade, thank you Viofo!

HK4 Box & Date Code

HK6 Input / Output Connectors

BP100 Hardwire Kit Power Module

Next post should be power consumption measurements with A329S powered down, disconnected, and LPID, (low power impact detection).

 

[Finnegan]

Thanks! *following/watching*

I asked Viofo Customer Support, via email, about the availability of the HK6 for the general public.
Viofo's reply...

"Dear customer,

Thanks for contacting us.
The HK6 will be available on our official website asap early next month."

^This email reply was dated 07/20/2025, so presumably August? 😎
.

 

[Nigel]

Q: Can a single HK6 display vehicle system voltage to multiple supported dash cams installed in the same car?
A: Yes, I inadvertently connected the bluetooth signal to both of my A329S units, even though it was only plugged into one of them.

Can I extend the question to:
Q: Can a single HK6 display vehicle system voltage and ACC signal to multiple supported dash cams installed in the same car, while not plugged in to any dash cams?

Presumably it does need to be paired, so there is no chance of it displaying someone else's voltage?

Same question for the battery pack HWK, except that you will want the battery back voltage.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

Can I extend the question to:
Q: Can a single HK6 display vehicle system voltage and ACC signal to multiple supported dash cams installed in the same car, while not plugged in to any dash cams?

Based on what I’m seeing I don’t think it’s possible to also share ACC / ignition status along with vehicle system voltage.
That would be neat though.

Same question for the battery pack HWK, except that you will want the battery back voltage.

I’m not sure I understand the question.
The BP100 Hardwire Kit Power Module does not have Bluetooth.
What I like about it, is it does not have any circuitry other than converting 12V down to 5V, (like low voltage cut-off).
So it’s very simple, and should have the least amount of “internal” power consumption.
The BP100 BMS allows battery pack voltage to drop down to 10.11V before shutting off.
The low voltage cut-off on the HK4 & HK6 is 11.8V.
This means the BP100 Hardwire Kit Power Module can "squeeze" every last available electron, and send it to the camera.
Based on my testing depending on number of camera channels this can extend parking mode operation from 30 minutes to 2 hours in Low Bitrate parking mode.
But now that we have LPID those numbers should be increased 10 fold.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

Here’s the HK6 User Manual, (see attached screenshots).
Whoever wrote it did a very good job.
Apologies for the low quality / resolution.
I used an old scanner to take these images of the included paper manual.
When it becomes available I’ll post the high quality PDF version.
I scanned the QR Code on the un-numbered page, and it sent me to Viofo’s official blog post about “how to install a hardwire kit step by step guide” dated August 9, 2023.
Maybe it should be updated with HK6 info?

How To Install The Hardwire Kit: A Step-by-Step Guide

As commonly acknowledged, a dash cam has become an essential accessory for car owners, especially for the commercial drivers such as taxi or Lyft drivers. Connecting the dash cam to the vehicle's cigarette lighter is the most convenient and common way to power up the dash cam, but achieving 24/7...

www.viofo.com

 

[Finnegan]

@Chuck McCoy It seems that an update to Viofo's Blog to include the HK6 is in order, but the HK6
is probably not going to be available for another 1-2 weeks at least (says Viofo) see my post #2.
Just thinking out loud here.

 

[Nigel]

Based on what I’m seeing I don’t think it’s possible to also share ACC / ignition status along with vehicle system voltage.
That would be neat though.

Yes, it would mean that you could install a dashcam in the rear, plugged into the trunk 12V lighter socket, and it would enter/exit parking mode same as the front. If it won't do that then you need to install an extra HWK and run cables from the rear to the fusebox.

I’m not sure I understand the question.
The BP100 Hardwire Kit Power Module does not have Bluetooth

That was the correct answer - you can't use hybrid parking modes with the Battery Pack 100, which I think is a bit unfortunate, hybrid modes are just as useful with a battery pack as with a car battery? I hope the next battery pack will support hybrid parking modes...

 

[Chuck McCoy]

you can't use hybrid parking modes with the Battery Pack 100

I'm not sure I understand what you mean.
The BP100, and every other dash cam battery pack I've tested starts out around 13.1V fully charged, and slowly drops into the 10V range when completely discharged.
You can still use Hybrid Parking Mode with a dash cam battery pack, but the HK6 will cut off power to the camera at 11.8V.

 

[rcg530]

You can still use Hybrid Parking Mode with a dash cam battery pack, but the HK6 will cut off power to the camera at 11.8V.

The A329S only requires that a hardwire kit be used to power the dash camera to have access to the Hybrid Parking Mode. It will be restricted to using the cut-off timer feature. If powered by the HK6, the additional hybrid parking mode low voltage cut-off feature will be possible.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

The A329S only requires that a hardwire kit be used to power the dash camera to have access to the Hybrid Parking Mode. It will be restricted to using the cut-off timer feature. If powered by the HK6, the additional hybrid parking mode low voltage cut-off feature will be possible.

This makes me wish the HK6 had a "5th Setting" in addition to the 11.8V / 12.0V / 12.2V / 12.4V Cut-Off voltages.
Can you guess?

 

[Chuck McCoy]

OK, back to the nitty gritty.
This post will be power consumption measurements of the HK4 (date code July 2025).
This will serve as a “baseline” for all other Hardwire Kits.
I have 4 other measurements to perform;
1.) HK6 received 6/9/25
2.) HK6 received 7/25/25 (1)
3.) HK6 received 7/25/25 (2)
4.) BP100 Hardwire Output Cable received 6/13/25

SETTINGS / CONFIGURATION / TEST EQUIPMENT;
A329S 1-CH
Firmware: V1.2 250708
SD Card: Viofo 512GB
Multimeter: Fluke 117
Power Supply: WANPTEK / NANKADF WPS3010H (set at 12.60V / 10A)

HK4 MEASUREMENTS @ 12.60V;
33mA: LPID Parking Mode (low power impact detection)
8mA: Camera turned off with power button long press
4mA: Camera removed from GPS Mount
3mA: USB Type-C connector removed from GPS Mount
0mA: HK4 disconnected from power supply
See attached photos of each measurement.

TESTING NOTES;
When initially enabling LPID the Fluke Meter indicated around 40mA, and it takes a few minutes to settle down, and stabilize at 33mA.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

Alrighty then, finished all my measurements.
As the The Dude would say; “New sh*t has come to light”
When the first HK6 was delivered 6/9/25 I was pleased to report the RED Status LED from the HK4 was absent.
Well now it’s back on the 7/23/25 “models”.
I always disliked the RED Status LED on the basis of power consumption.
But it looks like it only uses between 0-1mA, so I guess I can live with it. lol
Here’s what the RED Status LED looks like in action;

Here’s all the measurements;

HK4
33mA: LPID Parking Mode (low power impact detection)
8mA: Camera turned off with power button long press
4mA: Camera removed from GPS Mount
3mA: USB Type-C connector removed from GPS Mount
0mA: Disconnected from power supply

HK6 (6/9/25) #645
35mA: LPID Parking Mode (low power impact detection)
11mA: Camera turned off with power button long press
8mA: Camera removed from GPS Mount
7mA: USB Type-C connector removed from GPS Mount
0mA: Disconnected from power supply

HK6 (7/23/25) #018
35mA: LPID Parking Mode (low power impact detection)
11mA: Camera turned off with power button long press
8mA: Camera removed from GPS Mount
7mA: USB Type-C connector removed from GPS Mount
0mA: Disconnected from power supply

HK6 (7/23/25) #017
35mA: LPID Parking Mode (low power impact detection)
11mA: Camera turned off with power button long press
8mA: Camera removed from GPS Mount
7mA: USB Type-C connector removed from GPS Mount
0mA: Disconnected from power supply

BP100 (6/13/25)
31mA: LPID Parking Mode (low power impact detection)
8mA: Camera turned off with power button long press
4mA: Camera removed from GPS Mount
3mA: USB Type-C connector removed from GPS Mount
0mA: Disconnected from power supply

So it looks like the Bluetooth “activity” of the HK6 does not add any meaningful power consumption.
I’m only seeing a 2mA @ 12.6V increase.
I wonder if we’ll see anymore Bluetooth optional accessories for future Viofo camera models. Wink, Nudge

 

[Chuck McCoy]

HK6 Bluetooth Connection Speed Test
Q: How long does it take the HK6 to establish Bluetooth connection?
A: Around 7 seconds.

 

[Nigel]

HK6 Bluetooth Connection Speed Test

"Discovered the Hardwire Kits." - plural... it found more than one, which is fine because you have more than one, but how does it know which hardwire kit to listen to for the voltage?

 

[HomieTheClown]

Thx Chuck for taking the time to post all of this. I’ve been eagerly waiting for the new kit to come out. I’ve just started learning about how this all works so forgive my neophyte questions.

My biggest challenge is when I leave my car parked at the airport, which can be up to 84 hours, I would prefer to keep my camera recording as long as possible. I got the 329T but haven’t installed. Was waiting on this kit. I also have one of those dash cam batteries from blackboxmycar. I know I can’t get 84 hours on one battery (and will consider getting an extension battery) but for now I would like to get the most recording time I can obviously!

My long drawn out boring post question is: Should I really be waiting for the HK6? It seemed to have higher power consumption compared to hk4… I guess I don’t see the benefits now for hk6. I think it does hybrid parking mode but I don't remember what that it is. I saw that the voltage cut off is 11.8 which is great for a car battery but probably not helpful for a battery pack (wasted unused power)

What kit or install setup would you recommend for my situation? Thx for taking the time to reply.

 

[Nigel]

which can be up to 84 hours,

Then you will need to use the Low Power Impact Detection (LPID) parking mode, or a hybrid parking mode which will start in, for example, low bitrate parking mode, and then switch to LPID after a specified time, or when the battery pack voltage drops to a specified voltage.

I think for the hybrid modes, you want an HK6, otherwise you risk the battery pack turning off before the switch to LPID, if it wasn't charged sufficiently at the start of of parking. If you don't mind changing the parking mode to LPID every time you park at the airport, then you can do without the HK6, but I guess you still need an HK4 instead to use your existing battery, so I think you are better off waiting for the HK6, since it will not be long now.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

questions

Welcome to the club.
The only dumb question is a question not asked, unless you’re me then it really is a stupid question. Lol
Stupid questions like;

Q1.)
It’s been 7 years, why don’t we have dash cam battery packs with a second auxiliary charging input to enable optional solar charging?
This would be a solution for power users, aka (3-Day Weekend Airport Trips), or provide an “unlimited” power source for parking mode operation.
Two Methods;

a.)
100 Watt Panel could charge a completely discharged 96Wh pack in 90 minutes, while providing “pass through charging power” for the dash cam to operate, and then “maintain” the pack at 100% full charge until the sun goes down.
This method would be for DIYers willing to mount a flexible solar panel on the roof of his large SUV.

b.)
10 Watt Panel could provide “pass through power only” to operate the dash cam on an already 100% fully charged pack so it only starts discharging when the sun goes down, (extending parking mode operation by 12-16 hours).
This method would be for Plug & Play users, and they could leave the panel on the dash, or parcel shelf.

Q2.)
For users who don’t drive often, (not every day) or long enough, (5 minute commute) why can’t they charge the battery pack through the USB Type-C input / output with an existing “laptop charger” they already own, instead of having to buy a specialized / expensive $55 AC/DC inverter charger?

What kit or install setup would you recommend for my situation?

Whenever using a dash cam battery pack you “never” want to use a hardwire kit with low voltage cut-off.
This is so you can get every last bit of available capacity from the pack into the camera.
This is why the BP100 comes with an included 12V to 5V power cable, (see attached photo).

If only the HK6 had a 5th setting to disable low voltage cut-off completely.
Then you could take advantage of A329S’s Hybrid Parking Mode, and all other HK6 benefits.
Maybe if enough customers requested this feature it might happen. lol
Wink, wink, nudge, nudge; SUBMIT A TICKET

I would continue waiting for the HK6.
I would not recommend the HK4.

Low Bitrate Parking Mode will use approximately 5 Watts.
PowerCell 8’s 96Wh capacity ÷ 5 Watts = 19 Hours
However, LPID (low power impact detection) with HK6 only uses 35mA x 12.6V = 0.44 Watts.
PowerCell 8’s 96Wh capacity ÷ 0.44 Watts = 218 Hours / 9 days, (keep in mind this is with no impacts detected).

If A329S detects an impact in LPID it will record a 1 minute clip, and if movement, or impact is detected during that time, recording will be extended up to 3 minutes.
During this time of “recording activity” power consumption will ramp up to approximately 5 Watts, before going back to “sleep” at 0.44 Watts.

Another reason I recommend the HK6 is for the upgraded material, and thickness gauge of the wires;
CCA to Pure Copper
20AWG to 18AWG

Another reason, it will give you some years of “future proofing” should you upgrade to a more power hunger dash cam.

Another reason, modular design of the HK6.
If we ever get an HK6 with that 5th setting I was talking about you could simply swap out the old one with a new one because of the “quick disconnect” connectors at both ends.
-Chuck

Nice user name too. lol
Homey Don’t Play That

 

[HomieTheClown]

Hey Nigel and Chuck. Ty for giving me a few minutes of your time

The LPID sounds too to good to be true. I understand the 218 hours was predicated off of no impact and actuall battery time will probably be less.
I guess I don’t understand the BP100 12v to 5v cable part. I’ll re-read your post above after I post this. Should I have bought that battery instead of the power cell 8?
(BP100 comes with an included 12V to 5V power cable, (see attached photo).)

Ok so you recommend I go ahead and still use the HK6kit which means I’ll be forced to use the 11.8v setting?

I did submit a ticket to Viofo. Thanks for recognizing my name!

 

[viofo]

Hey Nigel and Chuck. Ty for giving me a few minutes of your time

The LPID sounds too to good to be true. I understand the 218 hours was predicated off of no impact and actuall battery time will probably be less.
I guess I don’t understand the BP100 12v to 5v cable part. I’ll re-read your post above after I post this. Should I have bought that battery instead of the power cell 8?
(BP100 comes with an included 12V to 5V power cable, (see attached photo).)

Ok so you recommend I go ahead and still use the HK6kit which means I’ll be forced to use the 11.8v setting?

I did submit a ticket to Viofo. Thanks for recognizing my name!

The included charging cable of BP100 doesn't have a low voltage cut-off feature, it means you can use the battery until it is empty.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

The LPID sounds too to good to be true.

Would you like to see a video demo?
It will take me a few hours to set up.

I guess I don’t understand the BP100 12v to 5v cable part.

The BP100 Hardwire Cable does the same thing as the HK4 & HK6, except it does not have any circuity for low voltage cut-offs, (see attached photos).
This means it will allow dash cam battery packs to full discharge all the way down to approximately 10.1V, instead of the HK4, or HK6 cutting off power from the battery pack to the camera at 11.8V.

Based on my testing the capacity from 11.8V down to 10.1V means you get additional parking mode operation from 30 Minutes to 2 Hours in Low Bitrate depending on number of channels.
However, now that we have LPID those figures will be increased 10 fold.

Also the BP100 Hardware cable in LPID only uses 31mA x 12.6V = 0.39 Watts.
The HK6 in LPID uses 35mA x 12.6V = 0.44 Watts.
PC8 Capacity 96Wh ÷ 0.44 Watts = 218 Hours / 9 days
PC8 Capacity 96Wh ÷ 0.39 Watts = 246 Hours / 10 days