[koolba]

Why does it matter that it's solar powered if there's already a ready source of electricity (i.e. your car battery)? Seems like it's only solar powered to be facilitate being an after market add-on you can click onto the car. Otherwise it'd require wiring.

[Johnny555]

Didn't you just answer your own question? Many people don't want to have to run wires and tap into their car's electrical system, screwing this license plate frame on and plugging in the OBD dongle means anyone can install it in a few minutes.

[slantyyz]

I'm more curious how that built in LiOn battery would stay charged while parked outside for a full work day on a super cold day in winter, when decent sunlight is scarce. Has it been tested in a place where temperatures can dip to -20C / -40C with wind chill?

[Johnny555]

The camera stays in low power mode (polling with BLE?) until woken up by the OBD controller to tell it that the car is in reverse. It doesn't need much power to stay charged.

[rcthompson]

I don't think it's a question of energy use, it's a question of whether the battery can hold a charge under those conditions.