This photo blog will show how we installed a Thinkware U1000 2-Channel and the BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 Battery Pack into the 2018 Kia Sorento. If you're considering installing a dash cam, we recommend the Blackbox MyCar Essential Install Kit. The BlackboxMyCar Essential Install Kit comes with a circuit tester, trim remover tool, and other handy tools to make the hardwiring and installation process more manageable.
When it comes to dash cams, the Thinkware U1000 is among the best in the market. With its 4K UHD resolution for the front camera and 2K QHD resolution for the rear camera, it boasts the highest resolution of any dual-channel dash cam available. Furthermore, it is equipped with advanced parking recording and Cloud connectivity capabilities. Given its exceptional features, it was our top choice when we were presented with the opportunity to equip the Regional Animal Protection Society (RAPS) vehicle with a high-quality dash cam.
We installed the Thinkware U1000 into RAPS' 2018 Kia Sorento.
The Regional Animal Protection Society (RAPS) is a registered charity that operates the RAPS Cat Sanctuary, the RAPS Adoption & Education Centre, a fostering network, thrift stores, and the full-service RAPS Animal Hospital. RAPS is proud to be a no-kill organization, which is why they have built a strong and devoted community of animal-loving allies, including BlackboxMyCar.
We want to thank Thinkware North America for their generous support in this installation.
The BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 is slim enough to fit into tight spaces inside the car.
For this installation, we stored the BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 battery pack underneath the driver's side seat, as it is the closest spot to the inner fuse panel under the instrument panel on the driver's side. Use the included velcro strips to help prevent the battery pack from sliding around under the seat. The BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 dash cam battery pack measures 151mm x 204.8mm x 32.6mm (5.94in x 8.06in x 1.28in), making it easy to hide under the driver or passenger seat or in the glove compartment.
Always refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual
The fuse panel on a 2018 Kia Sorento can be found on the driver's side, just underneath the instrument panel and behind a cover located below the steering wheel. The BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 hardwiring kit requires a 2-wire cable, one for ACC (constant power) and the other for ground.
To hardwire-install the BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 battery pack, you should look for an empty fuse slot or one that can be piggybacked off of using the add-a-fuse kit that comes in the BlackboxMyCar Essential Install Kit. Use the circuit tester in the Essential Install Kit to find a suitable continuous power fuse less than 10A. Always refer to the Fuses section in the vehicle's owner's manual to avoid any fuse slots reserved for safety features within the car.
Once hardwired, the BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 battery pack will recharge when the ignition is turned on, and the dash cam will be able to draw power from the battery pack to run parking mode when the car is powered down.
The BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 battery pack comes with multiple input cables and options, including a 12V power cable that allows you to use the cigarette lighter socket in your car to charge the battery pack. But do keep in mind that the 12V cigarette lighter power cable installation method may not be compatible with all vehicles due to insufficient power draw. In cases like this, we recommend only using the hardwiring cable for your installation.
The BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 battery pack comes with multiple input cables and options, including a 12V power cable that allows you to use the cigarette lighter socket in your car to charge the battery pack. But do keep in mind that the 12V cigarette lighter power cable installation method may not be compatible with all vehicles due to insufficient power draw. In cases like this, we recommend only using the hardwiring cable for your installation.
The ideal place for a dash cam is behind the rearview mirror.
The optimal location to mount the forward-facing camera on a vehicle is behind the rearview mirror, as it is out of the driver's line of sight and does not obstruct the view while driving. The Thinkware U1000's signature wedge shape makes it easy to position the camera behind the rearview mirror.
Keep in mind to check the reach of the wiper blade, as mounting the camera above the wiper's reach will result in a blocked view. Ensure to mount the camera in a spot that provides a clear view of the windshield. Additionally, it is important to clean the inside of the windshield to ensure proper adhesion of the camera and to eliminate any marks or smears that may affect the video quality.
Use the provided trim removal tool to pull back the headline and panel covers gently.
Since the battery pack is under the driver's seat, the dash cam power cable must be routed along the headliner, down the A-pillar, and across the floor to reach it. Use the included prying tool to tuck the cable behind the headliner trim carefully. Carefully open the A-pillar, being mindful not to break any of the clips holding it in place.
Next, guide the power cable along the weather strip down the door and then route it across the floor to the battery pack under the driver's seat. Connect the battery pack to the dash cam using the power output cable with the spliced Thinkware hardwiring kit. Secure any excess cable with a zip tie and hide it in the pillar out of sight.
Run the rear camera connecting cable along the A-B-C pillars to the rear windshield.
Connect the rear camera cable to the front unit, and run the cable along the headliner, down the length of the car, to the A, B, and C pillars. Be sure to route the cable carefully and avoid placing it under the rubber seal as it may cause gaps that could lead to wind noise or water leakage into the car. Take your time to guide the cable under the trim, remove the B pillar covers, and use the pry tool to tuck the cable neatly under the panel covers.
Look for the hose that connects the chassis to the liftgate.
Installing a rear camera in a vehicle with a liftgate involves additional steps. One effective method for running the cable is to thread it through the hoses between the chassis and the liftgate. Removing any trim on the liftgate can also help to conceal the cable.
Examine the liftgate for 1 or 2 hoses that connect to it and lightly press on them to determine which one has more flexibility to run the cable through before attempting to thread the wire.
You can use a long zip tie, a coat hanger, or any variation of a long wire to guide the front-to-rear cable through the headliner and the rear hatch grommet before connecting to the rear camera.
You can use a long zip tie, a coat hanger, or any variation of a long wire to guide the front-to-rear cable through the headliner and the rear hatch grommet before connecting to the rear camera.
Connect the connecting cable to the rear camera and turn on the car to power up the Thinkware U1000. You will hear a greeting prompt from the device. If you haven't already, download and install the Thinkware Cloud app on your smartphone. Enable the built-in WiFi on the dash cam and connect to it using the app to check and adjust the angles of both the front and rear cameras if necessary. Utilize the Live View feature to verify the angles of the front and rear cameras and make any necessary adjustments.
Now that our cameras are installed and the wires are well kept, let's go back to the fuse box to clean up the wires. You can use electrical tapes to keep the cables bundled up, then close them and put the cover back.
And there you have it, a Thinkware U1000-2CH 4K dash cam installed in a 2018 Kia Sorento+. The installation took under 2 hours, including routing the cables, hardwiring to the vehicle’s fuse panel, and checking the front and back cameras using the mobile app viewer.
Planning on installing a dash cam in your car? Check out our Step-by-Step Dash Cam Installation Guide and our selection of handy installation accessories. And if you ever need a hand during the installation process, just call us; our dash cam specialists are available to help!
Looking to have your dash cam professionally installed, we do offer installation services at our Richmond BC location.
Please see some of our other dash cam installations in the BlackboxMyCar Dash Cam Installation Gallery.
