For your situation, i think you gotta be really careful with the Audi electrical system cuz the power management is super sensitive... I'm a bit of a beginner with the wiring side of things but I did a ton of research before touching my Q5.

I basically looked at three main paths for my setup:

1. **Mirror Tap / Integrated Housing**: Option A is something like the Fitcamx Dash Cam for Audi Q5 2021-2024 which replaces the plastic piece behind your mirror. It looks totally stock and uses a plug-and-play harness so there's NO cutting wires.
2. **External Battery Pack**: Option B is what I went with to avoid the 'Battery Drain' warnings. I use the BlackVue DR970X-2CH Plus paired with a BlackVue Power Magic Ultra Battery B-130X. The camera pulls from the battery pack, and the pack only charges when the car is actually running. It's the safest way to avoid flagging warranty issues imo.
3. **OBD-II Power**: Option C is using something like the BlackVue OBD II Power Cable. It's super easy to install but *might* still trigger that energy management system if you leave it in parking mode too long.

Honestly, if you want *zero* stress about the start-stop glitching out, just get a dedicated battery pack like the B-130X. It's a bit pricey but it *literally* isolates the dash cam from the Audi's main battery. Make sure to get a high-end card too, I'm using the SanDisk 256GB MAX Endurance microSDXC Card and it's been solid. gl! 👍

Ok so, I totally feel u on being paranoid about the Audi electrical system. Honestly, I had a nightmare experience with a cheap setup that literally killed my start-stop for a month. Before u dive in, you gotta understand that these cars monitor quiescent current like crazy—if it sees even a tiny draw it doesn't expect, it'll shut down non-essential systems to save the battery.

For a safety-first approach, I'd suggest looking at the Thinkware U1000 Dual Channel Dash Cam paired with their specialized Thinkware OBD-II Diagnostic Port Power Cable. It's way safer than a generic tap because it's designed to communicate better with the gateway. If you're worried about parking mode, definitely skip the direct hardwire and get a dedicated setup. I've been running the BlackVue DR970X-2CH Plus and it's been solid, but the price is high. Just make sure whatever you pick has a voltage cutoff set to at least 12.4V or you're gonna get those annoying warnings. gl!

> Has anyone had success with third-party brands like BlackVue or Vantrue using a specialized wiring harness or an OBD-II power cable?

Sooo I would suggest checking out the BlackVue DR970X-2CH Plus Dash Cam if ur looking for market-leading reliability. Basically, Audi's Gateway Control Module is super picky about quiescent current, so stay away from OBD cables!! I've seen them throw Christmas tree lights on the dash. Honestly, the most stable setup for our cars is using a mirror tap like the Dongar Dash Cam Power Adapter 16-pin for Select Audi/VW—it’s totally plug-and-play and won't flag any warranty issues since it's not a permanent hardwire. GL!

Honestly, avoid those cheap OBD-II cables because they're a nightmare for your battery and wont stop the drain. I mean, they claim to be safe but they basically confuse the Audi energy system. I'd suggest just grabbing a simple mirror tap for a few bucks if you don't need parking mode... it's the most budget-friendly way to get a clean look without the dealer flagging your warranty. I had issues with my first setup messing up the start-stop, so seriously, just stick to a switched fuse if you want to save money and avoid the headaches!

Story time: I went through this exact headache last year with my Audi and honestly, the power management system is no joke. Before you touch a single wire, you gotta understand that these cars use a Gateway Control Module that monitors every milliamp. If it sees a draw it didn't authorize while the car is asleep, it'll throw a fit and kill your start-stop or give you that dreaded 'low battery' warning on the dash!

I learned the hard way that just 'tapping a fuse' isn't always enough because of how the CAN bus sleeps. I actually tried a mirror tap at first, but it was sooo flaky with the auto-dimming circuit. I eventually switched to a dedicated setup that avoids the fuse box entirely to keep the dealership happy during service. It’s been amazing since I figured it out, but man, definitely watch out for those cheap OBD adapters—they can keep the car's computer 'awake' and drain the battery in like, two days flat. Just sharing so you dont make the same mistakes I did!! lol

> Has anyone had success with third-party brands like BlackVue or Vantrue using a specialized wiring harness or an OBD-II power cable?

Sooo I would suggest checking out the BlackVue DR970X-2CH Plus Dash Cam if ur looking for market-leading reliability. Basically, Audi's Gateway Control Module is super picky about quiescent current, so stay away from OBD cables!! I've seen them throw Christmas tree lights on the dash. Honestly, the most stable setup for our cars is using a mirror tap like the Dongar Dash Cam Power Adapter 16-pin for Select Audi/VW—it’s totally plug-and-play and won't flag any warranty issues since it's not a permanent hardwire. GL!