I just installed this Fitcam X into my CR-V today. Since a series of unfortunate events has led me to my third car in a few years, this is now the third Fitcam X I’ve installed. This is another fantastic camera, but the instructions are lacking. FitcamX pros: I’m a big fan of these devices. They blend seamlessly into the car, no worry for thieves to obviously see tech sitting on the dashboard to entice a smash-and-grab. They’re a big more expensive, but probably cheaper than paying a shop to hardwire a dash cam, and even then, you’ve got an obvious extra part. These blend in. The camera works fine, the software is OK. To me, the video out of most dash cams are pretty good. On the CR-V, it fits perfectly. Con: As of March 30, 2023, when you purchase the camera, the instructions aren’t great. Inside the box is a user manual with a barcode that scans to a Youtube link (my previous 2 fitcams did this as well). On my last two cars, the video was car specific. This one, it links to a video for a 6th gen Honda Civic. If you visit the Fitcam X website and look at this model for the CR-V, the page also links to the video of the civic install. The two installations are not the same. I know this because I previously had a ’23 Acura Integra, which shares the same design as the Honda Civic mirror surround. The CR-V is different. The initial piece is one part that prys down vertically, whereas the Civic is two pieces that pry apart horizontally. Unfortunately, there’s no video or written instructions to tell you how to get the CR-V mirror housing off. Rather than damage it, I looked online for PDF instructions on how to install a Honda Homelink Mirror for the 2023 CR-V. The instructions, available for download from your favorite Honda parts dealer’s website, show how this part disassembles, which is the first step in installing your Fitcam. That mirror is Honda part number 08V03-3A0-100 if you want to go searching online for the installation instructions yourself. I’m going to still give it 5 stars because the setup is worth it. Hopefully Fitcam will record a model-specific video soon. Read more
Update: I've returned it. It fell apart just as I feared and I only once succeeded in connecting to it before it stopped working. I did reach out to customer service, and they responded - but I'm guessing they are in China or somewhere else in Asia since I wrote them at 3pm and then I got a response at 2 am. So, not convenient for real time troubleshooting. Edit: Customer service responded promptly, but seemed more focused on giving me a replacement rather than giving me back my money - so, let's see how that goes. According to UPS tracking, my return was received on July 31. Today, August 14, receipt has not been confirmed. So, now I'm worried my return won't be honored. I'll update if I don't receive a refund. Giving it 5 starts for concept, 3 stars for learning curve on installation, and 1 star for quality. _________________ As a few other people commented, I bought this not because of technical specs, but because of looks. So, this review initially focused on installation. Taking off the trim is intimidating the first time, but once you figure it out, it actually is easy to do without damage. The videos are available, and you just have to trust them. Once you've done it, its pretty easy to do again, again and again. I know this, because I had to repeat it several times during the installation. The pry bar provided is too flimsy, but it doesn't cost much to get a better one, but using it is really the secret. I think the concept is a wonderful idea, and it looks perfect once you finally get it in place. Using the existing wiring is a brilliant idea. (If I'd know about it earlier, I might have tried the dongle that uses the map light power supply, instead. EDIT: Which I did buy to install a different camera, after returning this product). My perception of durability is not strong, as you will read below. A couple of irritations. The first is the Y connector. It plugs in fine. The problem is the arm that connects to the camera cord is very short, and it barely clears the map light. I would recommend connecting the camera before you put that piece back. However, the connection is frustratingly insecure. I had problems with it disconnecting by gravity, and I'm not convinced it won't pop out spontaneously at some time in the future (a possible explanation for the people who complain the camera dies after a few months). If it pops off you have to take the entire set up back down. I used a little electrical tape after my newly installed camera initially did not power up and I saw it was because of the connection coming apart. A critical issue is why I wound up returning it. The camera and the card writer were not fixed in the trim. When I received it, the trim, camera, and card reader were free floating pieces connected by wires. There was no instructions on how to attach them, but they did snap into place - which I thought solved the problem. But, it proved to be fragile - which explains the review where the camera fell apart EDIT: After sitting out overnight in a hot car, the camera popped out. When, I tried to reattach it without taking the entire set down, the card reader also dislodged. Since the camera wasn't working, I just took the entire thing down and put it in the box to return. If it was working, I might have glued it together. The other complaint I see from people is the need to log directly to the camera's wifi. This is a problem with other dashcams, so not a big deal. However, my camera stopped broadcasting wifi shortly after the first time it turned on. So making a connection to it was not possible. Then, when I checked the SD card, it turned out the camera wasn't recording either. I did reach out to Customer Service to see if I could troubleshoot. I would like to give them a good review for at least responding to me. However, they are located in Asia, and going back and forth by email for several days was slow and frustrating. They kept asking for more information, I"d send them a response, and by then 24 hours had passed with them asking for more information and for me to take pictures. So, after the camera fell apart, I lost patience pretty quickly. EDIT: I've attached two pictures of the camera after it came apart. A little hard to see, but the top piece that is hanging freely is the camera. The wired section is the motherboard and card reader. I'm guessing it didn't work because of the creased ribbon. Honestly, I would have expect the 3 pieces to have been better secured. A little glue or a better pressure fit could have saved the day. Read more
