This KILLED my Mirror Dash Cam (Vantop H612T)

[@AlexAutoFun]

Hi Everybody! Here is also my other video where I cover the on-going situation with Vantop kzbin.info/www/bejne/fp7Gi2B9rt1nitE Cheers!

[@LocPhamAZ]

Hands down the best channel to learn about dash cams.

[@AlexAutoFun]

Thank you Loc Pham! I appreciate that friend!

[@lancestopherj3170]

Yep, after two years of it working great and never disconnecting it, started to not work. This video showed exactly the same thing happening with mine. I might order a new one from Walmart and just send this one back in ha ha. Thanks!

[@AlexAutoFun]

You're welcome Lance!

[@K03dUr1p0dplz]

Lol bro I literally did the same a month ago. I ordered one from Walmart because the rear camera stopped working. I returned it and got the camera free. Now mine doesn't work at all and I'm guessing it's the USB connector. Idk if I could do it again from Walmart. They gonna suspect something 😅

[@lutzbraumann4480]

Came across this video after my H612T stopped working after 2 years. Apparently for this very same reason. Nothing to lose I took a magnifying app and a thin needle. 2 minutes later, I put it back in the car. Works like a charm! Don't know for how long yet, though. Thanks a lot for your informative channel

[@AlexAutoFun]

You're welcome Lutz! and I'm glad to hear your were able to get a little more life out of your dash cam. Cheers!

[@edrumsense]

YEP, I confirm. The connector is a problem in this camera. Before it started to fail it was getting really really hot in the connector. The bending is because of heat generated. Now what I have to do is to connect the Mini USB half way through to get power. Thank you for this video because I already disassemble the connector because there was also a faulty cable. What I am going to do is to modify the cable to connect the ground to the shield, I hope this avoids the heat and the ground problem.

[@AlexAutoFun]

Hi EdrumSense! and here is my follow up video where I do a full teardown on this dash cam kzbin.info/www/bejne/foibm6SYocSUr7c so you can see how it comes apart, hope this helps, Cheers!

[@Darkk6969]

Yep. Mine is doing the same thing. I had to wiggle it and pull it out halfway for it to work. While it worked for awhile and now it just stopped working. Because of the design issue I will look into getting a different brand with usbc connector.

[@davebalch6781]

Thank you for the informative video... but how do you separate the front and back sections of the main case? In this video it's already open a little because of the swollen battery, but without that help, how do you get it started? Thanks

[@AlexAutoFun]

You're welcome Dave! Ah yes I did it using a spatula, here is the full disassembly video kzbin.info/www/bejne/foibm6SYocSUr7c Cheers1

[@funtom8]

Thanks for your information. I repared this errom on my H612T dash cam. It'is work fine! 🤩

[@AlexAutoFun]

You're welcome @funtom8!

[@luisbanz]

Found this video after both my H612T failed. Both had the same problem where the pin was out of place. Using a portable power bank would power it up fine. So I opened it up and see how difficult it is to solder a new usb connection. It looks too small so it would be difficult to do by hand. Then I tried jamming the pin into place, by luck it was so brittle that just tiny bit shattered the plastic enclosing the pin. Now it works perfectly and I have good contact with the hardwiring kit LOL!! There's a design flaw with this 2.5A, it runs way too hot. If you drive the car for 30 mins and just try touching the cable. It is too hot and it will burn you. Even if you buy a new dashcam it's the same. I might try adding a small 12V pc fan to it and see it that would help. This camera is still much better than the wolfbox one so just gotta do some diy.

[@AlexAutoFun]

Hi L! And here is my full teardown video kzbin.info/www/bejne/foibm6SYocSUr7c Cheers!

[@vanallen9453]

..thanks again.. for creating and sharing all these very helpful videos..what a great job..I have also had similar results with the connectors on similar units..and even my recent VanTop.. and many thanks again for sharing..from this new loyal subscriber..

[@AlexAutoFun]

You're welcome LR VANALLEN! and thank you for supporting the channel, Cheers!

[@davidsega4a]

My vantop stopped working too, upon review it was the usb connector also, +5V pin was broken, so I soldered cables directly to the board and obviously stared working again

[@AlexAutoFun]

Hi davidsega4a! nice! (the part where it works again, not the part where it broke lol) thanks for sharing this tip for fixing this issue. Cheers!

[@jdacosta1967]

This is exactly what is happening with mine . I whiched the cam to a different car with the same wiring and it works . The rear camera thou view is flipped

[@owenlarson07366]

Great detail. Watched the whole thing. Could this be why my newly installed one is flickering so much? It's like a side-to-side jitter.

[@AlexAutoFun]

Thanks Owen! very possibly, I used a microscope just to be able to record it and show on video as clear as possible, but I was actually able to see the down pin with the naked eye and definitely could be spotted if using a magnifying glass in case you want to inspect yours. Hope this helps, Cheers!

[@2020HotShotTruckingLLC]

I have been using the same dashcam for over a year in my hotshot truck, and originally used the hard wire kit. I had two hard wire kits fail and one dashcam. I currently use the cigarette lighter adapter which I never unplug. I just turn the dashcam off when I stop and this has worked well although I do not like having the wire exposed. Eventually, I will install an extra 12V power point so the wiring can be under the dash somewhere. After seeing this video, I checked my first dashcam and the same pin is damaged. I am going to play with it to see if I can fix it and use it in my daily driver. Sounds to me like a bad run of connectors from the supplier. Once I install my dashcam, it's never unplugged.

[@AlexAutoFun]

Hi 2020 Hot Shot Trucking LLC! that sounds very possible, because the Mini USB connector normally can handle quite a bit of abuse. Cheers!

[@nothingelsematters0]

That's great!!! I have such a problem, and your advice helped me. Thank you!

[@AlexAutoFun]

You're welcome!

[@RobertDeleo-vh5rg]

Great information and explanation of failed points ! Thanks very helpfull !

[@AlexAutoFun]

You're welcome Robert! Glad to hear it helped, Cheers!

[@fb4533]

Hi Alex, Do you know if those inner batteries (Lithium Polymer) are powered under AC or DC voltage from the PCB in the mirror ? I've got a mirror with no battery, but the connectors are here, I did a measure but it is chaotic. I've got an ANENG AN8008, and even if the measure could be wrong, it could go to few MHz for the sampling and give an average value. I wanted to add a Li-Po battery, but with those data I am a little bit concerned. 😁

[@AlexAutoFun]

Hi F! Ah remember this dash cams use power from the vechile, which is Direct Current. AC voltage is usually only seen on the drive train unit of some EV's. Cheers!

[@fb4533]

@@AlexAutoFun That' what I thought. So I don't understand the storm of numbers I can read. It's got the contact to plug a battery but not the hardware. :(

[@kenmorrison238]

hey alex, does the vantop h610 have the capabilities to utilize a gps ant

[@AlexAutoFun]

Hi Ken! Unfortunately I have not reviewed the H610, so I'm not familiar with it. Cheers!

[@miked2301]

For a fresh install on this model, would you recommend grabbing a long mini-usb to USB cable and just plugging the USB end into a car port to USB adapter?

[@AlexAutoFun]

Hi Mike! Ah not sure if the car's port will have enough power for a mirror dashcam, normally they require 2.5A or more to work, but it's an interesting idea. Hope this helps, Cheers!

[@jason3064]

Did it work. I have a usb connection to my 12 volt cigarette lighter port and I was curious

[@benkihada]

Very informative. I tried to use a clothes pin to straighten that wire, lol end up cracking the plastic that house that pin. lmao. But surprisingly it made it work!!! Now I’m not sure how long it will last. Was wondering if I can just hardwire the usb or even the battery? haha

[@AlexAutoFun]

Hi Ben! Ah yes I had another viewer solder the power cable directly to the dash cam eliminating the connector. That being said, honestly I'm not sure it would make sense to fix it unless you want to do it for fun or as a learning experience. In my case while I often solder as a hobby, I choose not to repair mine and just moved over to a new dash cam. The time and effort to source parts (if needed), de-solder and solder and reassemble is just didn't make sense for me with the price of new dash cams rapidly dropping (remember soldering equipment and materials for soldering along with any replacement part will need to be purchased) However like I said if you enjoy DYI projects or just really want to fix your old dash cam It is definitely possible. Hope this helps, Cheers!

[@benkihada]

@@AlexAutoFun i agree with your statement 100%. As an avid fisherman, I build my own rods and if you are a true diyer you know by heart that you are not saving any money. lol Once I have more time I’ll check your other vids, not sure if you recommend similar dash cam. I have a ford transit van and really necessary to have similar dash as it helps a lot while driving.

[@AlexAutoFun]

@@benkihada Thanks Ben, exactly I think some of the things we do just do them for the passion or joy of it lol Here is the disassembly video kzbin.info/www/bejne/foibm6SYocSUr7c Cheers1

[@immanueldelcastillo6041]

Did a swollen battery caused the dashcam to pry open?

[@AlexAutoFun]

Yep, good eye! Here is the follow up video showing the issue kzbin.info/www/bejne/foibm6SYocSUr7c Cheers!

[@crazzy88ss]

My H612 failed from the same thing. I can actually see pin 1 and 5 are both broken now. I probably disconnected it 10 times in its whole life. What a joke.

[@AlexAutoFun]

Oh man sorry to hear about that! Definitely failed way too early, the Mini USB connector (one that meets the actual specification for it) should have exceeded that mating cycles by a long shot.,..

[@kevinbarbee5088]

Hey Alex, Thanks for posting these..so I have the H612L version and its my 2nd one..the first was 610 and it stopped working after 8 months...went ahead and purchased the 612...after 6 months it started separating in half like yours but it was bowing in the middle and thats where is would come apart...after several ties reconnecting I used a tiny bit of super glue to connect permanently ...Ironically and unrelated, now it is recording nonstop and will not let me go into "settings"..wont accept audio commands, etc. basically its frozen on the front camera...Its working but I cant make any adjustments now...any suggestions...? I really like these and spent alot of time hard wiring to my truck but if they arent going to last long then the cost is just not worth it...If I can get it resovled then Ill go elsewhere...have you had any luck with their customer service? Thanks for your counsel on this..

[@AlexAutoFun]

You're welcome kevin! Ah yes regarding Vantop, nope, I was never able to get a hold of them and no one ever replied to my email requests, here is my video covering this topic kzbin.info/www/bejne/fp7Gi2B9rt1nitE and here is my teardown video in case you want to see what's inside the dash cam kzbin.info/www/bejne/foibm6SYocSUr7c Hope this helps, Cheers!

[@DRIFT4FUNRC]

Hi Alex, It´s me, Luciano, from Brazil, you had Vantop H612T for a long time and now is damaged. What are you going to do? Fix, Replace for a new Brand? Based on your experience wich one you will pick for your car? Regards

[@AlexAutoFun]

Hi drift4fun! ah good question! I'm currently doing the tear down video to see the extent of the issue and if there is anything else that may have failed. Hang in there video should be out next week 😁

[@alvencorder9217]

I need to replace the mini USB port on the Van top h612t Do you know what the correct part number is there are many different model USB ports Please rush I would so appreciate it Thank you

[@AlexAutoFun]

Hi Alven, It's a standard SMT Mini USB connector, there are many vendors selling them under different part numbers but remember replacing it will involve de-soldering and soldering (gullwing contacts if I remember correct) so you need to have been trained or have experience soldering very small components (and ideally experience doing drag soldering) and also have the right equipment and materials. However honestly I'm not sure it would make sense to fix it unless you want to do it for fun or as a learning experience. In my case while I am trained in soldering, I choose not to repair mine and just moved over to a new dash cam. The time and effort to source parts, de-solder and solder new one and reassemble is just didn't make sense for me with the price of new dash cams rapidly dropping (remember soldering equipment and materials for soldering along with the replacement part will need to be purchased) However like I said if you enjoy DYI projects or just really want to fix your old dash cam It is definitely possible. Another viewer for example choose to connect the power cable directly to the dash cam eliminating the connector all together, so some people are fixing theirs. Hope this helps, Cheers!

[@alvencorder9217]

@@AlexAutoFun Thank you for the information. I really miss my mirror camera, rear wide angle view was great. As far as whether Van Top is the one to stay with it's the only mirror camera I have had. But only 2 years not good. I ordered another Van Top only because it was new and h612 at $59 from Best Buy I guess they are dumping them, but since my car was already wired for it and the price was good and if I only get a couple years use it will be enough time to research for the best replacement. When I originally emailed you I hadn't seen the one I purchased at the low price and all is necessary is to plug it in. Now the repairing of the USB port, I really have very little solder experience I do have nice equipment. But if it's as difficult as you say I may be throwing money out by purchasing flux, etc. I do like to tinker but if it's as difficult I would not enjoy working with bad results. Thank you for your time with my problem ps I really enjoy watching your program and finally subscribed 😂

[@AlexAutoFun]

You're welcome Alven and welcome to the channel!

[@alvencorder9217]

@@AlexAutoFun update, opened and the battery is also swollen just going to trash it too many parts and time Thanks again

[@AlexAutoFun]

@@alvencorder9217 Good call Alven, Cheers!

[@luislozano191]

I've been following you for a long time and just decided to get a dash cam mirror, which do you recommend for a Prius prime 2021? One with external back camera , thank you and your videos are the best!!!

[@AlexAutoFun]

Thank you Luis! I appreciate that. Regarding which is the right dash cam for you, I usually tell people is to start by picking how many cameras does it need to have (1, 2 or 3). Now that you have narrowed your selections, consider how much you want to spend on one, that will narrow your choices even further. Finally you would want to compare video quality and any specific features you are looking for such as 360° video, Side Camera, Wi-Fi, Parking monitor without hardwire, etc. (I have several dashcam reviews on my channel under the playlist "dashcams" if you like to compare). I just began working on a video to compare my top picks for different categories, stay tuned, Cheers!

[@alanb7128]

Absolutely same thing happened to my one hot connection then failed very disappointed with van top they definitely have gone MIA

[@zombieddie73]

Hey Mr. Autofun, Thank you for this informative video, Are there any other rear view dashcams that suffer from this swelling battery issue?

[@AlexAutoFun]

You're welcome Jimmy POP Zombie! Ah yes, this issue seems to affect lithium batteries in general (the general theory is that gas build up is caused by the battery aging or being overcharged or charged while hot etc.) What's interesting is that I also seen this before in cell phones and recently on two of my GoPro Hero 4 batteries (genuine GoPro batteries that were seldom used, they were barely past a 1yr old) So I would say all lithium battery equipped devices can probably develop this, some quicker than others and some don't for a long time based on what I seen. I'm hoping someone in the battery industry can comment on how common or rare this issue is. Hope this helps, Cheers bud!

[@zombieddie73]

@@AlexAutoFun I hope they at least they provide replacement battery for this issue. I had an issue like this with a desktop device and the same thing happened, I had to open the device and remove the battery. The device work but without a battery. I plan to buy of of these and would rather not deal with this if possible. I live in Florida so I'm concerned about the heat we have here.

[@AlexAutoFun]

@@zombieddie73 Hi Jimmy! not sure if have seen my other video kzbin.info/www/bejne/fp7Gi2B9rt1nitE it's very possible we will not hear back from Vantop anymore, they seem to have gone MIA recently. But yeah I'm thinking of removing the battery and putting it back together and see if it works ok that way...

[@zombieddie73]

@@AlexAutoFun That will influence my decision to buy from their company, I wonder if you can use one of the external batteries to still have the parking mode, maybe one of the BlackVue battery packs? As long as parking mode still works. Maybe you could make a video of it, if it works of course.

[@Archosphere]

The bulge is likely a battery that 'exploded' in extreme hot temperatures this is common, so if you live in Phoenix for example you will do better with a cam that has a capacitor

[@AlexAutoFun]

Hi Arc! Yep it was as suspected the battery! Here is the full tear down video kzbin.info/www/bejne/foibm6SYocSUr7c Cheers from California!

[@JasonSpangler99]

Has anyone found a dash cam that can be swapped in to replace a VanTop H612T while using the same cabling/connectors (power, rear camera, and GPS cables)? My VanTop H612T is failing but the rear camera wiring and power cabling is buried in my van build and would be almost impossible to change, so I'd like to just swap in a new mirror unit that uses the same cabling and connectors.

[@AlexAutoFun]

Hi Jason! Ah yes mixing components such as different cameras (or cabling) is sometimes possible BUT I usually don't recommend it unless you don't mind potentially voiding warranty (due to mixing components/brands). We also don't know the long term aspects (both operational and safety) of mixing components/brands. There is also the issue of which components will actually appear to work at first but fail later due to mixing since sometimes small differences between the products while looking the same from the outside are important (I had a viewer fry his new rear camera because the old wiring connections looked same as his prior rear dash cam) Cheers!

[@Mattsa-eb1uk]

Would you happened to know why in my dash cam the image in the back up mode the picture comes out in reverse....

[@AlexAutoFun]

Hi Matt! Ah yes a backup camera will show a mirrored view like a regular mirror does (flipped horizontally) which includes flipped letters like a normal mirror creates (some emergency vehicles have mirrored text on them so it can be read correctly when seen thru a mirror, if the image is not mirrored that text won't be readable). However if you still want to flip the image some backup cameras do let you disable that function however, objects on your right will show on your left and objects on your left will show on the right which can confuse the driver since we are used to a mirrored view so I don't see many people use this disable "mirrored rear view" option. Hope this helps, Cheers!

[@Mattsa-eb1uk]

@AutoFun so yes thats what is happening to me what ever is coming down my driver side shows on my passenger side and vise versa so how do I disable this.....thanks

[@AlexAutoFun]

@@Mattsa-eb1uk Check your manual, if the camera supports it, it should tell you on there how to disable it (but remember not all systems will let you disable this) Cheers!

[@Mattsa-eb1uk]

@AutoFun ok but don't remember receiving a manual and when I first plugged it in it didn't do that I needed a new power cord I replaced it and this is what happened so I don't know what I did.

[@AlexAutoFun]

@@Mattsa-eb1uk Ah, well I can think of a few solutions, one would be to check the website for the manufacturer of your system and see if they have a copy of the manual you can download, the other would be to contact the brand that made your backup systems and ask them for a copy of the manual or technical support. Hope this helps, Cheers!

[@JoeBlunt]

I have the same model and mine split in the exact way 😅

[@rooroo2912]

The car power cable that came with this camera was garbage. Didn't want to power the camera but them I used a different power connector it works fine

[@jason3064]

Same thing happened to mine and I was confused as hell

[@carlosfernandez459]

Hello Friends have owned two dash cam mirror for the last 2 years the first one jom)se 4k . And the 2nd pruveeo 12" mirror dash cam,under 4k I'll tell you it has been rough on me oh what does that can mirror cameras are a headache even though I'm Savage on electronics bunch issues whether overheating flickering screen bad connections updates on the first unit nightmare sometime the screen comes on and off well I can go on and on the second one is the last one I will buy I will not recommend anybody to get on my shoe buying one others to I don't know the rest ones but next time I will try just a dash cam without mirror and see how I will do Good luck to you guys having the patient and throwing out your money on this kind of unit

[@AlexAutoFun]

Hi Carlos fernandez! I got you covered friend, I have more dash cam reviews (both for mirror and non mirror style) on my channel under the playlist "Dash cams" if you like to compare them. Hope this helps, Cheers!

[@RZ-uc3wf]

Hi Autofan, my mirror dashcam has failed it may be due to connector or battery, Can you make video replacing mini USB and installing USB c connector and changing the battery/ THANKS

[@AlexAutoFun]

Hi Sample Email! You read my mind! I do have a full series on soldering for beginners (remember desoldering and soldering will be involved to fix the dash cam, if you have been trained or have experience soldering and assuming you have the right equipment and materials, it should be pretty straight forward) However honestly I'm not sure it would make sense to fix it unless you want to do it for fun or as a learning experience. In my case while I am trained in soldering, I choose not to repair mine and just moved over to a new dash cam (the time and effort to select the parts, desolder and solder new ones and reassemble is just didn't make sense for me with the price of new dash cams rapidly dropping. Remember soldering equipment and materials for soldering along with the replacement parts will need to be purchased) However like I said if you enjoy DYI projects or just really want to fix your old dash cam It is definitely possible. Another viewer for example choose to connect the power cable directly to the dash cam eliminating the connector all together, so some people are fixing theirs. Hang in there Bud the soldering videos are coming. Hope this helps, Cheers!

[@RZ-uc3wf]

@@AlexAutoFun Hi AutoFan! Thanks for getting back to me! Yes I will get basic soldering down through tutorial I just Purchased whole kit. For me 3 third dashcam mirror that failed. I don’t justify spending another $150 on new dashcam. Also you mentioned someone connected power supply to straight to dashcam bypass connector itself how you guys able to that, which points on PCB I need connect power supply I need little more information about that. Thanks AutoFan

[@AlexAutoFun]

@@RZ-uc3wf Hi Sample Email! oh man 3 of them! were all 3 of them Vantop? I see what you mean about fixing them instead of replacing them at this point, but I think I would go a step further and determine why all of them have failed (I have only had 1 dash cam fail on me, the H612T out of all the different models I run on my cars) Getting to the root cause will be important to prevent more failures (without understanding what made them fail, the failure will return and you can find yourself in a cycle of constantly fixing dash cams) The fix would directly address the main cause of the failure (including secondary contributing causes). A tear down will probably help to understand the failure mode(s) not sure if you seen my other video where I perform this kzbin.info/www/bejne/foibm6SYocSUr7c Cheers!

[@RZ-uc3wf]

@@AlexAutoFun hi AutoFan! Thanks for getting back! I don’t what brand is it but it similar to Vantop 12 inch screen I did small diagnosis seems it mini USB connector issue with farthest pin to left is seems out of shape. How do I connect power straight to dash-cam do I have connect to battery terminals or Mini USB terminal on PCB?

[@AlexAutoFun]

@@RZ-uc3wf Interesting, if all 3 of them have failed due to the same issue have looked at how the dash cam is mounted? Is there stress being placed on the connector or is there movement of the connector leading to the failure? Remember Mini USB connectors are rated for thousands of cycles and if 3 connectors have all failed it may be due to an external force acting on them. Regarding deleting the connector all together, the process for connecting the wires directly to the PCB will depend on what type of connector the dash cam is using, if it's a thru-hole, it will be fairly straight forward for someone with basic soldering experience but if it's surface mount it will be slightly more difficult as those connections are very small (again for an experienced solderer this won't be an issue, we solder smaller things LOL) and the pad can lift or the PCB can be burned in the process making repair more difficult if either one of those situations happens. But I'll make note to cover both TH terminations and SMT terminations on my soldering videos coming. Hope this helps, Cheers!

[@Dagreenberg68]

looks like the internal battery should just be bypassed

[@AlexAutoFun]

Hi David! Yes definitely, just remember that while the battery is primarily used to enable parking mode without hardwire, it is also used to close out video files in the event of a sudden power loss (car crash) and when turning off the car while a file is being recorded. Without a battery the file may not have time to be closed by the dashcam and you can potentially ended up with a corrupted video file. This could potentially be addressed by hardwiring the dash cam to ensure it does not rely on the battery. Cheers!

[@mvirdi2333]

❤️❤️🙏🙏U.K.

[@AlexAutoFun]

Thank you much M Virdi!