Dash Cams with Parking Mode
Your car is parked far more than it’s driven, and that’s when the car-park dings, hit-and-runs and break-ins happen. A dash cam with parking mode keeps watch while you’re away, so you come back to footage instead of a mystery dent. Power it three ways: hardwired with a low-voltage cut-off, plugged into our $40 OBD power cable, or run off the MyDean Power Pack CP100 for zero drain on your car battery.
What is parking mode?
Parking mode doesn’t mean the camera records flat out all night. When you switch off and walk away, the camera drops into a low-power state and records on a trigger (an impact or motion) or in slow time-lapse. That keeps power draw and storage down while still catching what happens to your car.
The types of parking mode
| Type | What it captures | Storage use | On our range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impact (G-sensor) | Only when the car is bumped or hit | Lowest | VisionPro VP19, VP20, S9QQ, Z400W |
| Motion detection | Movement around the car | Low | MyDean MK300, S9QQ |
| Time-lapse | Continuous, low frame rate | Low to medium | VisionPro (12, 24 or 48 hour), MK300, S9QQ, DeepFly DQ7 |
Our pick for most drivers: time-lapse plus impact detection. You get a continuous record of the whole parking session and a locked clip the moment someone hits the car.
How to power parking mode
The cigarette-lighter socket switches off with the ignition, so parking mode needs another power source.
Hardwire kit (most popular)
Wired to your fuse box for constant power, with a low-voltage cut-off. This is the cleanest, most reliable setup and the one we fit most often. Hardwire kits come with VisionPro cameras and the MyDean MK300.
OBD power cable ($40)
The IRWAY OBD Power Cable plugs into your car’s OBD port and supplies constant power plus a simulated ACC signal, with no cutting or splicing. It’s the easiest route to parking mode if you don’t want your fuse box touched.
Battery pack (zero drain)
The MyDean Power Pack CP100 ($449) is an 8,000mAh (96Wh) LiFePO4 pack that runs your camera for about 38 hours at 3W or 57 hours at 5W, and recharges in around 60 minutes of driving. Best for hybrids and EVs, cars that sit for days, or anyone who won’t risk the starter battery. Buying a VisionPro too? The VP19 + Power Pack bundle is $999.
Will parking mode flatten my battery?
Not if it’s set up properly. Our hardwire kits include low-voltage protection that switches the camera off when your battery drops to around 11.8 to 12V, so the car always starts. Run the CP100 instead and your car battery isn’t touched at all.
Why we recommend professional fitting
Hardwiring means finding constant power, switched power and a good earth at the fuse box, then setting the cut-off correctly. It’s fiddly and easy to get wrong. Sydney installation with parking-mode setup starts from $199 for front and rear, and $299 for 4G systems with a battery pack.
Get an Installation Quote (Sydney)
Parking mode FAQ
How does parking mode work?
The camera sits in low-power standby while parked and records when it detects an impact or motion, or records slow time-lapse, instead of recording at full rate all night.
Why is parking mode important?
Most car-park damage, hit-and-runs and break-ins happen when you’re away. Parking mode captures them, often including the other car’s plate.
What powers a dash cam in parking mode?
A hardwire kit to the fuse box, an OBD power cable, or an external battery pack like the MyDean Power Pack CP100.
Will parking mode drain my car battery?
Not when set up correctly. Hardwire kits cut the camera off at around 11.8 to 12V. A battery pack avoids any drain on the car battery.
How long can the CP100 run parking mode?
About 38 hours at 3W or 57 hours at 5W, and it recharges in about 60 minutes while you drive.
Can I use parking mode without hardwiring?
Yes. Use the IRWAY OBD Power Cable (plug-and-play) or the MyDean Power Pack CP100.
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