@Lumberjack

In my other car I have a GARMIN Mini2 dashcam. So this one is my comparison point. My remarks to the Ford dashcam Sync3/4 device are following:

1) I like buffer of one minute before the event. Garmin Mini2 has only 15 seconds buffer.

2) Biggest selling point in my opinion of this dashcam is integration with Ford Sync. And it is nice feature. Although it is a pity that phone must be connected for the app to work. There are many sync apps that are available in SYNC regardless presence of the phone. I think it would be much more appreciable if it was the same case for Ford DasCam app.

3) Lack of microphone. I know from your earlier comment that it is caused due to Ford requirements. Still, it is so ridiculous. And it can be the reason why someone my select different dashcam. In Garmin mini2 there is a special physical button on it (although it is a very small device) and led indicator just to allow user to switch on and off voice recording and to be aware when it is on or of (LED indicator). I believe it is much better solution. In case of Ford Sync dashcam - you mentioned there is no microphone present physically. 

a) Is there a port inside to theoretically connect microphone to it?

b) As it is working with car Sync system, could it be done to make it record sound from car internal microphone?

4) Bulk of the dashcam. In comparison to Garmin mini2 it is so big and bulky. Although it is about average for modern dashcam, still in comparison to small screen-less dashcams I think it is big. Or even better. There is a company called fitcamx. And their main selling point is that for every model of the car they have dedicated mirror trims that hides presence of the dashcam or at least gives it OEM look.

For mach e they make this:

https://fitcamx.com/products/fitcamx-dash-cam-for-ford-mustang-mach-e

I think it is best possible solution as placing dashcam in esthetic manner is considered. I am surprised that car producer do not offer any such options themselves. And it would surly increase popularity of Ford dashcam - both OEM look  and Sync integration.

Is this product still alive - in a way will it still work with Sync4a? Will there be newer versions? Maybe smaller, maybe with microphone, maybe with OEM look? This product is from 2020 - 5 years ago? Ford offers newer models (thinkware?) alongside this dashcam but without sync integration option.

 

I have this dashcam fitted to my 2023 Focus ST and and did indeed work with Sync 4 and I could control it via the Sync screen, ie take event record etc, although you couldn't view recordings on the Sync screen.

But since my phone and Sync have had updates, the Sync controls have disappeared and no longer show. 

When I click on Dashcam Sync app, it shows menu, select this and just shows exit.

I have informed @Lumberjack of this in the past, but have not had any updates since.

56 minutes ago, sparkymatt said:

I have this dashcam fitted to my 2023 Focus ST and and did indeed work with Sync 4 and I could control it via the Sync screen, ie take event record etc, although you couldn't view recordings on the Sync screen.

But since my phone and Sync have had updates, the Sync controls have disappeared and no longer show. 

When I click on Dashcam Sync app, it shows menu, select this and just shows exit.

I have informed @Lumberjack of this in the past, but have not had any updates since.

I have it working in mach-e with SYNC4 without any problems. My question was about SYNC4a - that is a different more recent version

1 hour ago, minotaurus said:

I have it working in mach-e with SYNC4 without any problems. My question was about SYNC4a - that is a different more recent version

I thought mach-e used Sync 4a (vertical/portrait mounted) and Focus, Kuga  etc used Sync 4 (horizonta/landscape mounted 🙅‍♂️

On 2/28/2025 at 9:03 PM, minotaurus said:

@Lumberjack

..Thank you for your help.

My pleasure! I'm glad that everything worked out.

On 2/28/2025 at 9:46 PM, minotaurus said:

1) I like buffer of one minute before the event...

We do too 🙂. 1 minute should be enough.

Quote

2) ...Although it is a pity that phone must be connected for the app to work...

Unfortunately the app is not installed on SYNC, only on the phone. Indeed, if the phone is not connected, SYNC does not recognize it.

On 2/28/2025 at 9:46 PM, minotaurus said:

3) Lack of microphone. I know from your earlier comment that it is caused due to Ford requirements. Still, it is so ridiculous. And it can be the reason why someone my select different dashcam. In Garmin mini2 there is a special physical button on it (although it is a very small device) and led indicator just to allow user to switch on and off voice recording and to be aware when it is on or of (LED indicator). I believe it is much better solution. In case of Ford Sync dashcam - you mentioned there is no microphone present physically. 

a) Is there a port inside to theoretically connect microphone to it?

b) As it is working with car Sync system, could it be done to make it record sound from car internal microphone?

We don’t like the lack of a microphone either, but there was nothing we could do. The microphone is missing because the DVR was designed according to Ford's requirements. That answers point:

a) Theoretically, such a port exists, but additional components (hardware and software) are required for it to be functional.
b) This is not possible.

On 2/28/2025 at 9:46 PM, minotaurus said:

4) ... And their main selling point is that for every model of the car they have dedicated mirror trims that hides presence of the dashcam ...

When we designed this DVR, we were able to offer custom casings for each model. However, for economic and logistical reasons, it was decided to go with a design that fits all cars.

On 2/28/2025 at 9:46 PM, minotaurus said:

...Is this product still alive?...

Yes, it is. 

Quote

...in a way will it still work with Sync4a? ...

We have no information about SYNC4a. On which car model is it installed? 

Quote

...Will there be newer versions? Maybe smaller, maybe with microphone...

A microphone can be added if desired. 

Quote

...maybe with OEM look? This product is from 2020 - 5 years ago? Ford offers newer models (thinkware?) alongside this dashcam but without sync integration option.

We would love to have dedicated casings for each car, but I doubt that will be considered.

I hope I did answer all your questions.

Cheers,

Ovidiu

On 3/1/2025 at 4:26 PM, sparkymatt said:

...When I click on Dashcam Sync app, it shows menu, select this and just shows exit.

I have informed @Lumberjack of this in the past, but have not had any updates since.

I'm sorry, I think I have missed that 😞 

Please do the following:

• Clear cache
• Delete the pairing from the app and from phone
• Uninstall the app
• Install the app
• Pair the DVR

Just let me know how it is.

Cheers!

@Lumberjack

"When we designed this DVR, we were able to offer custom casings for each model. However, for economic and logistical reasons, it was decided to go with a design that fits all cars. "

Would it still be possible to buy such model dedicated case directly from you?

 

3 hours ago, minotaurus said:

@Lumberjack

Would it still be possible to buy such model dedicated case directly from you?

 

Unfortunately, no.

What I meant to say is that we have the ability to design a dedicated case for each car, but this requires funding and comes with logistical challenges - you need to be able to predict how many and what types of cases will be needed for each car model.

So no, no custom case was produced.

5 hours ago, Lumberjack said:

Unfortunately, no.

What I meant to say is that we have the ability to design a dedicated case for each car, but this requires funding and comes with logistical challenges - you need to be able to predict how many and what types of cases will be needed for each car model.

So no, no custom case was produced.

Ok, thank you for all the answers

@Lumberjack

Is this microphone port you mentioned? Does software to use this microphone exist? Is it possible to get it? What model of microphone would fit in?

In other words could I succeed in adding it myself?

On 3/3/2025 at 7:10 AM, Lumberjack said:

I'm sorry, I think I have missed that 😞 

Please do the following:

• Clear cache
• Delete the pairing from the app and from phone
• Uninstall the app
• Install the app
• Pair the DVR

Just let me know how it is.

Cheers!

Hi @Lumberjack

I have tried all this before. I now have a new phone (Samsung S25 Ultra) and installed the app and paired with the dashcam. The app works fine on the phone but I still do not get any controls on the Sync 4 screen.  Sync is also updated with the latest version available over the air.

17 hours ago, minotaurus said:

@Lumberjack

Is this microphone port you mentioned? ...

I'm not sure. I have to ask my colleagues.

 

17 hours ago, minotaurus said:

In other words could I succeed in adding it myself?

You will not, unfortunately. There's a software component that needs to be added.

Sorry.

13 hours ago, sparkymatt said:

Hi @Lumberjack

I have tried all this before. I now have a new phone (Samsung S25 Ultra) ...

I'll have to find a phone like that and test it on a SYNC4.

Is there any chance to send me a video with the defect description?

Thanks!

On 3/5/2025 at 6:49 AM, Lumberjack said:

I'll have to find a phone like that and test it on a SYNC4.

Is there any chance to send me a video with the defect description?

Thanks!

Sure. Where do I send the video to?

19 hours ago, sparkymatt said:

Sure. Where do I send the video to?

[email protected]

On 3/10/2025 at 7:31 AM, Lumberjack said:

[email protected]

Hi @Lumberjack

I have emailed the video to the above address.  I hope you can find a fix in due course and look forward to an update.

Matt

@sparkymatt Please check your email.

Thanks.

Ovidiu

I installed Ford Sync4 dashcam in my Mustang Mach e GT slightly differently:

https://minotaurus.pl/en/dashcam-integrated-with-sync-4-ford-mustang-mach-e-gt/

 

I've had trouble with not being able to use Sync to control the dashcam for over a year since my Samsung S23 Ultra updated to Android 14 and also with my new Samsung S25 Ultra with Android 15. 

 

When I selected the dashcam app on the Sync, there were no controls and just one menu item which said 'Exit Dashcam'.

 

Followed advice from @Lumberjack to unpair phone, clear data and cache, uninstal app from phone, reinstall and pair again, but same thing. No controls.

 

So over the weekend I thought I'd try another phone.

 

I downloaded the dashcam app to the second phone and tried to set it up. I couldn't pair the second phone, so i had to unpair my phone before the second phone would pair. I was then able to connect to the dashcam and control it via the mobile app.

 

I then paired the second phone to Sync but still had no control on the Sync display. I had the same fault with no menu options except exit. The Sync system stated that the language versions of the Sync and app were different even tho they were both set to English UK. I also checked the phone was also set to English UK, which it was.

 

I then paired my phone back to the dashcam and connected to Sync, then all the controls started to display on the Sync screen as it should. 

 

I turned the car off and back on again and controls displayed again so seems to have corrected itself. I will monitor and see how it goes.

 

The only different thing I did was to delete the dashcam from the app as well as unpair in Bluetooth settings on my phone.

 

So if you ever get this problem after a phone updated,  then try these steps. Delete dashcam from mobile app as well as unpair in Bluetooth settings and hopefully it will work for you too.

Than you for the update @sparkymatt!