(The original 1440p video has been converted to 1080p here.). They record to a microSD card and use loop recording, so the oldest video is overwritten by the newest. We do the research so you don’t have to. Do Not Sell My Personal Information - CA Resident Only. The Waylens Secure360 monitors a parked vehicle, and like the Owlcam, its LTE connection saves video of incidents (or shows live video) on its app (iOS, Android). Overall, the Nextbase 522GW delivers more of the things we look for in a dash cam than any other model we’ve tested. The auto-sync feature supports playback and sharing video from up to four cameras connected to a phone app, while voice-activated controls help to record and save footage with minimal distractions. We found the video quality of the Rexing V1P Gen 3 to be average, with a lot of contrast and excessive glare. Finally, there are some practical considerations. If you want to record incidents behind your vehicle as well as in front of it, we recommend that you use a dual-cam model, which includes a second camera that’s mounted to the rear window. The Papago GoSafe 760 doesn’t stand out against its competitors, with weaker video, especially at night, from the 1080p front and rear cameras. Key to the N2 Pro’s superior performance are four infrared LEDs surrounding the rear camera lens that, when activated, let you see people in the vehicle even in total darkness. It’s effective for navigation, but if you primarily want a dash cam, there are better choices. Wham! We’ve had no heat-related problems with a couple of Nextbase models we used during several sizzling summer months in Southern California and New York. The Papago GoSafe S780’s rear camera mounts on the rear window (to record behind the car) or on the windshield (to record the interior). Before choosing which dash cams to test, we spent hours researching the specs and features of about 250 models, and we read reviews from Autoblog, BlackBoxMyCar, CNET, Digital Trends, PCMag, Popular Mechanics, T3, and TechRadar (many of them were thin on hands-on experience). Most dash cams have a long cord that plugs into a car’s 12 V DC outlet (also known as a cigarette lighter). For about half the price, or less, you can get the Papago GoSafe S810. The BlackVue DR490-2CH’s front and rear cams provided good contrast and dynamic range, and its capacitor power supply adds reliability in extreme temperatures. Four buttons sit on its underside; they’re hard to see at night but easy to access by touch. Measuring only 2¼ by 1½ inches, it’s a compact dash cam so it doesn’t draw attention to itself. It’s the easiest to use, thanks to a number of handy features that most other models lack. We tested an early unit (in the summer of 2018), and Klashwerks has released a number of updates since our test, so we may take another look at it in the future. If the dash cam’s G-sensor detects a bump or other physical movement, the unit will turn on and record for three minutes. “Let the attorney determine whether the footage is favorable or not favorable to [your] case, and let the attorney advise you on what to do with the footage.”. Customer service: We want our readers to be able to easily contact a dash cam’s manufacturer, if needed, so we typically haven’t tested models from companies that don’t provide a US address or phone number. We also noticed that the 66W’s wide-angle lens made it seem as if there were more room between our car and one in front. Wirecutter is reader-supported. The Dash Mini Maker Grill is the perfect miniature grill to serve up hot meals and snacks quickly and conveniently. If you prefer a dash cam that people likely won’t notice, we recommend the Garmin Dash Cam Mini, which is one of the smallest and most discreet models we’ve tested. But the PureCam is a large device, and we had difficulty finding a location on the windshield where we could properly aim both cameras without the device being too prominent. The suction mount sticks well (an adhesive one is also included), and a large locking knob makes it easy to tighten the cam on the mount. To provide power when the car is off, a dash cam usually needs to be hardwired to the car’s fuse box, connected to an external battery, or plugged into the vehicle’s OBD-II diagnostic port. The Vantrue X3’s 1440p video wasn’t as crisp as that of the 1440p Nextbase 522GW and 422GW, and its night video had a lot of contrast. Finally, it’s also worth noting that the 522GW’s premium styling—with a high-quality, matte-black plastic body and brushed aluminum trim—would fit in well in even a luxury car. And it has the same easy-to-use magnetic mount (adhesive or suction), so the unit is simple to pop on and off the windshield. But even though its footage was fairly sharp and had good color, there was also a lot of video noise. Those details were less clear with other high-performing models, and they were indecipherable with most other dash cams. An ambient light sensor dims the screen automatically in low light—a nice touch that we didn’t find in any other models. The 522GW does cost more than most dash cams we’ve tested, but if your budget will allow, it will give you the best experience of any model we’ve tried. This model doesn’t have a compatible phone app, and a GPS receiver is optional. The 522GW connects to Nextbase’s phone app (available at both the App Store and Google Play) through an internal Wi-Fi network, letting you see a live view and recorded videos, download video to a phone, or adjust settings. Also, the app is basic, and we had trouble connecting it to the X3. The Pioneer AVH-W4500NEX is the best car stereo for people who want to add Apple CarPlay or Android Auto so they can use their smartphones in their vehicles. The 522GW’s thoughtfully designed magnetic mount is another of its high points. View our huge range of small appliances online. Here are samples of test video from the Garmin Dash Cam Mini. We also preferred models that had buttons we could identify in the dark, intuitive menus, and a functional companion app. Mounts that attach to the windshield with adhesive pads are often more compact and very secure, but they can be difficult to remove for repositioning or swapping between vehicles. In our testing, license plates and details of cars in front of us were crisper and clearer than we what we saw using other dash cams. We didn’t test this function, but unless the event is in front of the car, or you have a rear camera connected, the video could be of limited use. The front cam’s 170-degree field of view is wider than that of our other picks, but it makes cars in front look farther away. If you want the absolute best image quality, the 4K Nextbase 612GW dash cam is the model to buy. This compact device and lightweight has a sleek design and comes in different trendy colors which accent your kitchen space. Measuring only about 2 inches high and 1¼ inches wide (about the size of a key fob), it’s one of the smallest and most discreet models we’ve tested, virtually disappearing on the windshield. We used to recommend the Owlcam (which the company has since replaced with two similar versions, the Owlcam Classic 3.0 and Owlcam Classic 4.0) because its ability to detect impacts or break-ins and record video to the cloud—plus stream a live feed even while the car was parked—made it great for 24-hour monitoring. So you could easily fit the 422GW in a pocket or a bag after you’ve removed it from the car. Watch the product video here. With its 1296p resolution, the image quality of the Papago GoSafe 550, our previous budget pick, is sharper than that of many models we’ve tested. If 24-hour monitoring is a top priority, we recommend the Owlcam instead. 4.6 out of 5 stars. This worked well when there was sufficient ambient light, but it recorded only blackness when there wasn’t. The front and rear cameras both shoot very good night video, but we also saw more glare than in the Nextbase models’ video. But if you want extra insurance for hot and cold conditions, we recommend the Vantrue T2. This worked well enough, but in our VW Jetta sedan test vehicle, the car’s rear headrests blocked much of the view, and it was hard to see much detail when a car was close behind. The 522GW also gives you access to Amazon’s Alexa digital assistant, as long as you have the Alexa app on your phone. The Nextbase phone app outshines competitors’, and in addition to GPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi, the 522GW gives you a polarizing filter to minimize annoying reflections. In night video, the footage was contrasty and grainy. The T2 uses a capacitor instead of a lithium battery to provide the widest operating-temperature range of any affordable model we’ve tested. This doesn’t reflect on the quality of the dash cam, only on how reliable the rating is. We wouldn’t consider buying any dash cam that has only 720p resolution. As with most dual-cam models, the rear camera’s image quality isn’t as good as that of the front camera—it’s less sharp, with duller colors and more contrast. The LEDs deliver a grayscale image rather than a color one, but that’s a minor nitpick. You can review footage on the unit’s display, on a smartphone app, or on a device that can read a microSD card. Some models include small cable-holding clips that adhere to the glass and hold the cord, as well as a small tool for fitting the cord between the trim or molding. And as frightening as that may be, it can be just as distressing to be blamed for a crash that’s not your fault. The N2 Pro’s front camera records at 1080p resolution, which produces usable images with good color and contrast. quality. But at about 4 by 4 inches, the Road Scout is large by dash-cam standards, and it’s one of the most expensive models we’ve tested. Many cams have built-in microphones to record audio along with the video. The Nextbase 422GW Dash Cam offers most of the advantages of the 522GW, its bigger sibling, but in a smaller, usually lower-priced package. (A dash cam’s GPS receiver doesn’t provide turn-by-turn directions; you could use a smartphone mapping app or a dedicated car GPS navigator for that.). Still, if you want Nextbase features and ease of use at a lower price, this model is worth considering. A dash cam can also come in handy if you just want to capture and share a funny scene, a memorable trip moment, a beautiful vista, or unusual happenings—like streaking meteors. What to Buy: Dash Cams That Can Back You Up in an Accident, The Best Car Stereos With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, The Best Wireless Charging Phone Mounts for Cars. GPS receiver: A GPS receiver lets a dash cam record a car’s location, the trip history, and the speed and direction of travel—all valuable information for figuring out how an incident occurred. Eject button ensures easy use. And the 522GW makes it easy to view video without having to use a phone app or computer. This model also gives you the option of using an adhesive or a suction-type mount; the adhesive is more compact, but the suction mount held firm throughout our spring and summer testing. Here are samples of test video from the Papago GoSafe S810, recorded in day and night conditions. The 422GW also uses the same handy smartphone app and computer software as the 522GW. Six varying speeds allow you to be in complete control. This video does a decent job of showing how to perform a tidy installation. You can adjust the lens in any direction by physically moving it, but this is difficult when the unit is mounted on the windshield. The Nextbase 322GW is very similar to the Nextbase 422GW, but it records in 1080p video instead of 1440p, and it doesn’t work with Amazon’s Alexa app. Stand mixer. And when we were driving down the main street of a nearby town, with the 522GW we could easily read the license plates of parked cars and even cars passing in the opposite lane. With 1080p resolution and a reasonable 154-degree FOV, the Road Scout captures decent video, although it’s not as sharp as that of the 1440p Nextbase and Garmin models we tested. The S200 lacks GPS, Wi-Fi, and a smartphone app. Here are the models we recommend. We’ve found magnetic mounts to be the easiest to use. So the next time you’re looking for a microwave oven, for example, trust our selection of the best kitchen appliance brands to complete your kitchen. Mounting system: We looked for mounts that held the camera securely yet let us easily aim it, as well as easily remove it. The T2’s buttons are small, but the video-lock and record buttons are clearly labeled and located on the left side, nearer to the driver. Rik Paul, who conducted our latest tests, is Wirecutter’s autos editor and was previously the automotive editor for Consumer Reports and the senior feature editor for Motor Trend. If your routine drive ever turns into a life-altering event, you’ll probably appreciate having a dash cam to show what happened. Look no further. Any of three different rear cameras can couple with the 522GW, giving this camera more versatility than other brands’ models. Like the Nextbase models, the 56 uses a magnetic mount (attached to the windshield with adhesive), which makes it easy to pop on and off, but you do have to plug in or unplug the cord each time. For our next update, we’ll be looking at the latest high-resolution models from several brands—namely, the Nextbase 622GW and MyGekoGear Orbit 960. This continuously recording, windshield-mounted device can document an accident or other incident you’re involved in, providing you with evidence that could (ideally) help prove your innocence to a lawyer, an insurance company, or law enforcement. Typically, you can also manually save footage by pressing a button or giving a voice command. (The original 1440p video has been converted to 1080p here.). After a car accident, a dash cam can be your most reliable—and, often, only—eyewitness to prove it wasn’t your fault. This compact unit has a cheap, plasticky feel, with small buttons that tend to wiggle when pressed, and a black-on-black design with minimal labeling that’s hard to read at a glance. In fact, the only feature it doesn’t share with the 522GW is a polarizing filter (although you can add an optional one). It gives you the same excellent video image and most of the same features, but it’s more compact, with a smaller touchscreen display (2.5 versus 3 inches). However, the company temporarily suspended support for existing customers when it went out of business in early 2020 (it’s since been acquired by a company called Xirgo Technologies). The 522GW records at 1440p resolution, with a good 140-degree field of view. An interior-facing camera like the Transcend DrivePro 520 can help capture any ridesharing incidents you may need to report later. Here are samples of the test video for the three optional Nextbase rear cameras. Field of view (FOV): We preferred models with an FOV in the range of 140 to 160 degrees—wide enough to take in a multi-lane highway or large intersection without creating a wide-angle effect that makes cars in front look farther away and details harder to see. You also can’t review video on its small radar-detector display; you have to use the phone app. This camera’s 1440p resolution produces the sharpest video we’ve seen. With its powered magnetic mount, the unit is easy to snap on and off, without having to mess with a cord. No other dash-cam app provides such a variety of tools. If you can’t get the 522GW, or just want a slightly smaller model, we recommend the Nextbase 422GW. The 4-inch display was easy to view. The 522GW’s dimensions (about 3 inches wide by 2 inches high) provide the space for its clear, 3-inch touchscreen, but we wouldn’t call the unit “stealthy.” If you prefer a less-noticeable dash cam, the slightly smaller Nextbase 422GW and the tiny Garmin Mini might be better choices. Out of all the dash cams that we’ve reviewed, two stand out. The Garmin Speak Plus is a unique, voice-activated device that includes a 1080p dash cam, Garmin navigation, and Amazon’s Alexa capability. Its 1440p video, with a 140-degree FOV, was almost as sharp as that of the Nextbase 522GW and 422GW, and it had good overall color and night imagery, although not quite as crisp as that of the Nextbase models. The rear cam rotates vertically within the housing but not side to side. Whip up delicious treats and so much more with this Dash stand mixer. An Emergency SOS function is a new connected feature; if a crash is detected and the phone remains still or goes unanswered, the 522GW will automatically notify emergency services (through Northern911) and direct them to the car’s GPS coordinates. This camera’s night video, a weak point with many cams, is also impressive. The second module has a wide-angle lens for recording a car’s interior. Dual cams: To record video of what’s behind (or inside) your vehicle as well as in front, a dual-cam model includes a second camera: either a small, separate camera that you mount to the car’s rear window or a second lens that points toward the car’s cabin and passengers. Still, the Road Scout could be a good choice if you want the advantages of a radar detector and a dash cam, but you don’t want separate devices on your dash. We tested the cameras in bright sunlight and at night, and on highways and suburban streets, racking up hours of driving time. PRODUCT FEATURES. That said, some readers have let us know that, despite the absence of this information, they’ve received good customer service from such veteran dash-cam brands as Viofo and Street Guardian. The T2 records at 1080p resolution and provides a decent image, although it’s not as sharp and the colors aren’t as saturated as in the Nextbase 522GW’s and 422GW’s video. Compact, lightweight design saves on countertop and storage space. The Mini’s adhesive mount provides a wide range of adjustment, and you can easily pop the device on and off of it, but this mount doesn’t include the handy magnetic attachment that other Garmin models have. Almost all dash cams record video on a removable microSD card, and many don’t come with one, so this could be a separate purchase. Then we spent many more hours playing back the video footage on a computer so that we could examine and compare details and overall image quality. It has the same 140-degree FOV as the Nextbase models. If you’re starting off in your first apartment or college dorm, you might not know what kitchen appliance you need. Although most dash cams have only small physical buttons for navigating menus and adjusting settings, the 522GW has a relatively large, 3-inch touchscreen that’s clear, bright, and responsive, so accessing these functions is quicker and more intuitive. Samples of test video from the Vantrue T2. Image quality: A dash cam’s video—whether captured in light or dark conditions—has to be sharp and distinct enough that you, a lawyer, your insurance company, or a member of law enforcement can read license plates and see other details clearly. Although the forward-facing camera couldn’t record the vehicle in back actually striking his car, he said that “it showed that I was driving appropriately, and captured the sound, jolt from impact, and mine and my girlfriend’s reactions.”. And the rear-facing camera lets you see all passengers, even in total darkness. To make sure we could accurately compare the dash cams to one another, we drove the same routes, which we chose for the amount of detail available for the cameras to capture. To access power when the car is turned off, the T2 plugs into a vehicle’s OBD-II diagnostic port (usually located near the driver’s seat) instead of into the 12 V DC outlet as most dash cams do. Topping this list of best dash air fryer reviews is Dash Compact Electric Air Fryer. The more expensive, 4K version can plug into a car’s OBD-II port for continuous power, but the standard version needs to be hardwired into a car’s fuse box. It also usually costs less, and it lacks only the polarizing filter (although you can add an an optional one). Shop here once and you’re done. The Garmin Dash Cam 66W is virtually identical to the Garmin 56, except it has a super-wide, 180-degree FOV. The Cobra Road Scout is basically a radar detector with an integrated dash cam. It has a very narrow, 82-degree field of view, the compact display does not show dash-cam video, and the unit needs to pair to your phone via Bluetooth to function at all. If you don’t need the rear cam, the front camera can record at 1440p. Yes, it’s more expensive than many competing models, but it provides the best dash-cam experience of any model we’ve tested. The dealbreaker: There’s no video-lock button to manually save footage. The Mini records at 1080p resolution, yet it delivers surprisingly good video quality compared with similar models. To be honest, it’s not as strong a performer as our other picks, but there are far fewer dual-cam options available, and this is the best moderately priced choice we’ve found. Learn more. To get the legal perspective on dash cams, he interviewed Ben Schwartz, a personal injury attorney and managing partner of Schwartz & Schwartz Attorneys at Law. 4.7 out of 5 stars. We’ve found that moderately sized dash cams provide a good balance. We’ve had no heat-related problems with Nextbase models while using them for months at a time in Los Angeles and New York—including during extended heat waves. The mount also has no side-to-side adjustment, limiting your ability to precisely aim the camera where you want. The Garmin Dash Cam 56, which is the successor to our previous top pick, the Garmin 55, performed very well in our testing. We also plan to test the Vava VD009 and Vantrue N2S Dual 1440P Dash Cam, which record a vehicle’s interior as well as out the front windshield, and two dual-cam (front and rear) models: the VIOFO A129 Pro 4K and Vantrue S1. Here are samples of the test video from the Nextbase 422GW. This also means it has a smaller, 2½-inch touchscreen that—even though it’s just as bright and clear as the 522GW’s screen—makes it a little harder to see details in images. The 522GW also has a parking mode, which monitors the car while it’s parked with the engine off. In addition, a dash cam can help other drivers who need objective eyewitness evidence following a crash, a hit-and-run incident, or a road-rage incident. You can also enter limited personal and medical information into the app, and it will be automatically sent to the emergency personnel to help them prepare. If you’re looking for a dash cam that people aren’t likely to notice, we recommend the Garmin Dash Cam Mini. Most dash cams work in a similar way. The Klashwerks Raven combines a dual-cam setup with navigation, security, and vehicle tracking. If the power cord unplugs from its adapter, you could plug it into a multiport USB car charger, which leaves a port open for other devices. The 422GW is a little more compact than the 522GW, measuring about ½ inch smaller in width and ¼ inch shorter in height. This gives the T2 the widest operating-temperature range (-4 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit) of any affordable model we’ve tested. All of this means that the 522GW is more likely to capture the details you need if an unexpected incident occurs. (The Blackvue DR900S-1CH 4K provides the same temperature range, as well as better video quality, but it costs about twice as much.). The 720p rear camera’s video was worse. (The Blackvue DR900S-1CH 4K provides the same temperature range, as well as better video quality, but it costs about twice as much.) Though we haven’t had temperature-related problems with any of our lithium-ion-powered picks—even during summer heat waves in Southern California—at the request of readers, we’ve added a pick with a capacitor. Instead of a lithium battery (used in most dash cams), the T2 uses a capacitor power supply, which holds up better in extreme temperatures. Capacitor power supply: For power, some dash cams use a capacitor (instead of a lithium-ion battery), which handles extreme temperatures better. In our tests, the V1’s video was not as good as that of our picks, with too much contrast, especially at night.

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