OEM+ DASHCAM BY FITCAMX REVIEW

[k1autogx550]

Looks really nice. I bought a Vantrue N4 pro but don't like how it will look mounted on the passenger side. This is super clean looking better than the OEM option they offer. Do you have any videos of how the rear 2k camera looks?

Here is a video of the rear camera

 

[DJ’s Sled]

Hello everyone , me and the wifey recently got the GX550 Premium Plus a couple months ago and came across this dash cam by FitCamX

What we like about this dash cam is that it looks like it came from factory like OEM, you won’t even notice you have a dash cam afterward.

Very easy to install if you’re just installing the main front one , but if you do end up ordering the rear camera too like we did , you will have to fish the wire from the rear back window and tuck the wire behind the pillar all the way to the front.

Overall, decent quality 4k or 2k option resolution camera , starts recording once the car is ON. You can access the video thru FitcamX app but I prefer sticking the SDcard into your computer for better access and view.

The only downside about this dash cam I would have to say is that it doesn’t have 24 hour parking monitoring when the car is OFF and parked but in my opinion dash cams normally capture events when you’re actually driving.

With that being said i highly recommend everyone to invest in a dash cam for your safety , insurances purposes ,etc.

You can order the fitcamx from there site here and feel free to use my discount code to save 10% : save10withk1

FITCAMX Dash Cam For Lexus GX550 GX550h 3rd Gen J250 2024-2025

fitcamx dash cam

fitcamx.com

I’ve also added some short install video , rear cam install , review , and a event when someone ran a stop sign below

Hey K1,
I ordered the cam based on your experience and videos (and after several yrs of intense pressure from my wife ).
Not sure when it arrives..
I have to drive to from CO to Virginia in the next week or so for a family member major surgery. Wondering if you can recommend a shop in the Richmond VA area, someone you know that area that could install the cam for me, as I will not have time or tools to do so?
I ordered the both the front and rear cams.
TIA for any advice!

 

[L-GX550-P]

Here is a video of the rear camera

Looks good. I was trying to see how the license plates look but no one had any front plates!

 

[L-GX550-P]

Any idea how the parking mode works? Same as regular mode while driving and just collision when parked? I assume you will not be using the plug and play harness?

 

[L-GX550-P]

Just ordered mine. thanks for the discount code! I went with the hard wire kit also for the parking mode. I'll see if I can use the plug and play kit also and just run a separate single wire for the parking mode.

 

[k1autogx550]

Just ordered mine. thanks for the discount code! I went with the hard wire kit also for the parking mode. I'll see if I can use the plug and play kit also and just run a separate single wire for the parking mode.

It is plug and play install, and there is an option for parking mode but you will have to order their separate wire harness kit. I honestly didn’t care for the parking mode feature , I was told that it will only records when there is like a very hard impact , so my setup only records whenever the car is ON only which I’m okay with.

Here’s a new footage of my wife driving and capturing an accident lol.

“The video has been compressed to lower quality resolution , so I can be able upload on here”

 

[SROak]

Questions:
I've installed the front FITCAMX camera (rear camera install soon), but I'm not clear if the camera will record automatically, or do I have to start it up each and every time?
Which settings does everyone use? 1 min or 3 min?
How often should I "download" files to my phone? When there's an incident? Otherwise, let them loop?
Should we get and insert a larger capacity SD card?

 

[k1autogx550]

Questions:
I've installed the front FITCAMX camera (rear camera install soon), but I'm not clear if the camera will record automatically, or do I have to start it up each and every time?
Which settings does everyone use? 1 min or 3 min?
How often should I "download" files to my phone? When there's an incident? Otherwise, let them loop?
Should we get and insert a larger capacity SD card?

The camera will start recording automatically once you start your car , I have mines set at 1 min duration , much easier to find the footage when you need to go back to look for it.

You only download files whenever you like to but once the sd card gets full it will start deleting the old footages and making new room for new files.

I recommend getting a larger sd card 256gb if possible so you have a good amount of files just in case you need to go back to go for something that is weeks or maybe month old.

Whenever you access the camera make sure you “forget your car CarPlay WiFi” first then select the fitcamx WiFi , this way you won’t get kicked off from the app, sometimes it will force itself to get back onto the car play WiFi .

I find it much easier to just remove the sd card and put it into the computer for better access but the phone app is more convenient

Here’s the link to the sd card i purchased on the bottom

Amazon.com

 

[SROak]

Whenever you access the camera make sure you “forget your car CarPlay WiFi” first then select the fitcamx WiFi , this way you won’t get kicked off from the app, sometimes it will force itself to get back onto the car play WiFi .

That was going to be my next question - what's up with CarPlay and the FITCAMX? Is it a one/other situation? It seems that now, FITCAMX takes priority over CarPlay, and I have to plug my phone into a USB cord to access it. I don't think that kills the FITCAMX connection, or does it?

 

[SROak]

Oh, thanks for that link, as I just ordered that 256GB micro-SD card

 

[k1autogx550]

That was going to be my next question - what's up with CarPlay and the FITCAMX? Is it a one/other situation? It seems that now, FITCAMX takes priority over CarPlay, and I have to plug my phone into a USB cord to access it. I don't think that kills the FITCAMX connection, or does it?

Yeah, mines was the other way around, I would delete or forget fitcam wifi and reconnect to CarPlay wifi after you’re done. It’s cause the CarPlay is wireless using wifi , and you can’t be on two wifi connections.

 

[SROak]

So far, here's my take on the FITCAMX system for Lexus GX550:
Pros:
1. Great OEM-type design to mesh with the interior of the GX550 - seems like an original part of the truck
2. Easy access to pull or replace the micro-SD memory card
3. Uh, ...

Cons:
1. Very difficult install for me - I can't get the plastic cover to install over the the top of the camera. I've tried dozens of time, and it won't fit; it seems the parts are not made to slide into the the lower camera/cover as the OEM parts are, or maybe they sent me the wrong part. Either way, I can't get it installed completely.
2. Camera and/or the app are glitchy and have to be messed with each and every time to want to turn on the camera. Too much hassle.
3. Also camera, when it does work, takes precedence on the Wi-Fi system so CarPlay must be accessed by USB cord. Either that, or it doesn't access Wi-Fi and then has to be connected through the app for each drive

Summary:
Beyond looking like an OEM install, and actually better appearance than Toyota/Lexus options, I'm not impressed. I want a dash cam that always turn on and records without having to do anything. Plug, play and forget; run power to it and let it do its job. And when you need the video, pull the card and download. Why does EVERYTHING have to have an app, even when that app doesn't improve, or possibly impedes, performance?
If I can't get the top plastic cover installed soon, and the app sorted, I'll just pull it all out and send it back. But then, what dash cam do I get then?

 

[SFLGX]

So far, here's my take on the FITCAMX system for Lexus GX550:
Pros:
1. Great OEM-type design to mesh with the interior of the GX550 - seems like an original part of the truck
2. Easy access to pull or replace the micro-SD memory card
3. Uh, ...

Cons:
1. Very difficult install for me - I can't get the plastic cover to install over the the top of the camera. I've tried dozens of time, and it won't fit; it seems the parts are not made to slide into the the lower camera/cover as the OEM parts are, or maybe they sent me the wrong part. Either way, I can't get it installed completely.
2. Camera and/or the app are glitchy and have to be messed with each and every time to want to turn on the camera. Too much hassle.
3. Also camera, when it does work, takes precedence on the Wi-Fi system so CarPlay must be accessed by USB cord. Either that, or it doesn't access Wi-Fi and then has to be connected through the app for each drive

Summary:
Beyond looking like an OEM install, and actually better appearance than Toyota/Lexus options, I'm not impressed. I want a dash cam that always turn on and records without having to do anything. Plug, play and forget; run power to it and let it do its job. And when you need the video, pull the card and download. Why does EVERYTHING have to have an app, even when that app doesn't improve, or possibly impedes, performance?
If I can't get the top plastic cover installed soon, and the app sorted, I'll just pull it all out and send it back. But then, what dash cam do I get then?

You're not doing something right. The camera should be turning on automatically with the ignition and auto recording. You don't need to open the app every time. My GX is on order, but I have the fitcam in another car and it starts recording as soon as the car is turned on and turns off with the car. The only time you need to open the app is if you want to download a clip, otherwise you never need to use the app.

As far as wifi, your phone can only connect to one wifi network at a time. If you want to keep the fitcam network saved in your settings but don't want the phone to join it, (on an iPhone) just go in and uncheck "auto-join" and then it won't connect unless you manually click on it. After that your phone will connect to carplay automatically and you don't need a cable.

 

[Runner193]

I installed my camera the other day. They sent me a camera housing and a cover for that housing (which I did not think was supposed to be included). I used the housing and cover they sent me. I watched the video and it shows the tabs on the cover sliding into the channel on the housing. With the design I received I found the tabs cannot physically slide into that channel. I did find a way they will secure if you place the tabs on the cover near the locking device on the housing and rotating the cover into place. I would have never figured it out without playing with it prior to mounting the camera housing. Good Luck

 

[k1autogx550]

You're not doing something right. The camera should be turning on automatically with the ignition and auto recording. You don't need to open the app every time. My GX is on order, but I have the fitcam in another car and it starts recording as soon as the car is turned on and turns off with the car. The only time you need to open the app is if you want to download a clip, otherwise you never need to use the app.

As far as wifi, your phone can only connect to one wifi network at a time. If you want to keep the fitcam network saved in your settings but don't want the phone to join it, (on an iPhone) just go in and uncheck "auto-join" and then it won't connect unless you manually click on it. After that your phone will connect to carplay automatically and you don't need a cable.

SFLGX , has explained how the FitCamX dash cam works, very well! Yup there is no need to use the app or connect to WiFi or any of that unless you need to download clip files , other than that the camera will start recording as soon as your car ignition is ON. Then when an incident happens , you can then use the app or computer to pull up the clip files afterwards.

 

[k1autogx550]

I installed my camera the other day. They sent me a camera housing and a cover for that housing (which I did not think was supposed to be included). I used the housing and cover they sent me. I watched the video and it shows the tabs on the cover sliding into the channel on the housing. With the design I received I found the tabs cannot physically slide into that channel. I did find a way they will secure if you place the tabs on the cover near the locking device on the housing and rotating the cover into place. I would have never figured it out without playing with it prior to mounting the camera housing. Good Luck

I’m glad you figured it out ! It’s definitely a challenge but once it’s in , it’s in lol.

 

[SROak]

I installed my camera the other day. They sent me a camera housing and a cover for that housing (which I did not think was supposed to be included). I used the housing and cover they sent me. I watched the video and it shows the tabs on the cover sliding into the channel on the housing. With the design I received I found the tabs cannot physically slide into that channel. I did find a way they will secure if you place the tabs on the cover near the locking device on the housing and rotating the cover into place. I would have never figured it out without playing with it prior to mounting the camera housing. Good Luck

Exactly my situation! The video show how the tabs on the locking ears of the top cover slides down the channel of the lower cover, but the parts I received will not work that way. I took everything off and tried, and the only way the top cover fits is if it is lifted over the lower cover, and locked into place. The FITCAMX video doesn't show how to connect the parts it ships! Okay, I'll keep trying...

You're not doing something right. The camera should be turning on automatically with the ignition and auto recording. You don't need to open the app every time. My GX is on order, but I have the fitcam in another car and it starts recording as soon as the car is turned on and turns off with the car. The only time you need to open the app is if you want to download a clip, otherwise you never need to use the app.

As far as wifi, your phone can only connect to one wifi network at a time. If you want to keep the fitcam network saved in your settings but don't want the phone to join it, (on an iPhone) just go in and uncheck "auto-join" and then it won't connect unless you manually click on it. After that your phone will connect to carplay automatically and you don't need a cable.

Thanks SFLGX, I'll keep working on this connection as well. I don't want to give up, but I'm very much not impressed with this company and it's instructions right now

I was wondering if the fact that I let my AT&T account expire would have any impact on this FITCAMX connection behavior? Since I didn't need that for the remote start function, as my 2023 4Runner required, I let it go.

 

[SFLGX]

Thanks SFLGX, I'll keep working on this connection as well. I don't want to give up, but I'm very much not impressed with this company and it's instructions right now

I was wondering if the fact that I let my AT&T account expire would have any impact on this FITCAMX connection behavior? Since I didn't need that for the remote start function, as my 2023 4Runner required, I let it go.

Out of curiosity, what makes you think that it's not on or recording unless you open the app?

The camera doesn't interface with the built in hotspot at all and shouldn't have any impact on it.

 

[SROak]

Out of curiosity, what makes you think that it's not on or recording unless you open the app?

@SFLGX - When I open the app, to check the files, the only ones I find are those when the app has been opened.

Install update: I got the top cover installed, finally. Note: it is nothing similar to the mfg instructions/videos. Actually, TITCAMX describes basically how the OEM covers are installed (sliding up the grooves and locking into place). After reading @Runner193 comments I tried working both covers back/forth up/down. I took the bottom cover and lowered it slightly, then positioned the top cover in place while dropping in only one side of the top cover to attach it into the top of the bottom cover, and then tweaked them both back and forth to get the other side of the top cover snapped in. Then, pushing the lower cover back up the half inch onto the windshield metal brackets a bit, then voila! It's locked in place and every joint is smooth and tight!

@SFLGX - So now that everything is snapped into the correct position I'll let the camera do its thing for a couple of days before opening the app and checking the video files. If it's taking videos and storing them then I'm good!

THANKS GUYS!

 

[SFLGX]

@SFLGX - When I open the app, to check the files, the only ones I find are those when the app has been opened.

@SFLGX - So now that everything is snapped into the correct position I'll let the camera do its thing for a couple of days before opening the app and checking the video files. If it's taking videos and storing them then I'm good!

THANKS GUYS!

To see the automatic recordings (I’m going from memory here) you need to open the app then click connect to camera (need to be connected to camera’s WiFi). Once you do that you’ll see a logo on the bottom saying camera file, click that and go to the loop section. That should show all the loop recordings that are automatically being recorded. From there pick the file you want and click download. Once that’s done those files will download and save to the phone and will be available in the album section that’s on the Home Screen when the app is first opened.