Dash car cams are essential for recording evidence in traffic accidents. They are inexpensive, easy to use, and can be mounted anywhere on the exterior of your vehicle. This makes them ideal for low-risk drivers who want peace of mind when they drive by themselves or with their passengers.
Many reviews have reported Nextbase 522GW as one of the finest dash cams to use. Let’s dig into its features and specifications to dissect the claims.
Nextbase 522gw Dash Cam
It uses a 1/3″ Sony Exmor CMOS sensor that records footage in 720P, 30 Frames per second. It also includes a 2.7″ display that projects this information onto the windshield. The camera is expandable up to 64GB, unlike most other dash cams on the market, where storage capacity is less than 16GB. The camera comes with a 4 GB Micro SD card and supports up to 128GB cards. A WIFI and GPS are included to allow you to tag your saved footage manually.
The 1080P video is recorded at 30FPS and records in H.264 format. The camera itself has a 170-degree diagonal angle of view, which means it can record from the front or rear of your vehicle. A clean filter with a 65% light reduction helps to capture real footage in both bright and low light conditions. A wide dynamic range of 16 bits per channel can accommodate low lighting situations by adjusting exposure settings on the fly.
Keeping your video secure with a 256 bit AES encryption technology set in motion prevents unauthorized users from viewing the camera. Even a hard reset can never unlock recording on the camera itself without the help of a unique one-time password that is entered into your computer.
The Nextbase 522GW is a solid dashboard camera, without a doubt. It has a high-quality picture and is very easy to use. It has been reported to last for over 4 hours on a full charge from an electrical outlet. It is also very compact, measuring slightly larger than a standard matchbox.
Other features include a GPS tracking system, motion detection facility, still, photos capture, and WiFi support.
One of the negatives is that it cannot be used as a rear camera for vehicles with tinted windows. It takes some time to learn how to use this camera properly and not come with an instruction manual. The bundled software is challenging to install or use, thus creating frustration for some users.
Overall, the Nextbase 522GW Dash Cam is a high-quality dash cam for those made aware of its limitations. It is designed for drivers with a keen interest in recording their journeys.
How Much Does Nextbase 522gw Dashcam Cost
Nextbase 522GW dashcam is now available for $149.95.
Competition
A few other popular and well-known Dashcams and their features:
The one thing you should know about dash cams is that they are made to capture your journey, so it’s important to know what you’re looking for so you can suit your needs.
Here is a quick comparison of some of the major brands:
GoPros
Of all the dash cam’s on the market, you would expect them to have a high price tag, but they are very affordable. They are effortless to use, but they also come complete with a hard shell protective case. However, there is a noticeable gap between the display and the lens, creating a very distorted view. In addition, there is no rubber or adhesive mount included in the box. You can attach it yourself to your windshield or outside of your car. But it’s better to get professionals to do this for you if you are not skilled in the area.
If you are interested in buying a GoPro, it is available on amazon.com. The price is quite affordable, ranging from $199 to $349, depending on the model. The quality of recordings is very high, and it comes with a built-in LCD that captures your videos while you are recording so that you can view them immediately after they have been shot.
Elgato Eye
The Elgato eye is relatively new to the market. It is very innovative and comes with four different configurations to suit your needs. It records in 1080p (1920×1080), which is the highest quality recording mode. The quality of the recordings has not yet been confirmed. Still, it looks like the manufacturer’s website has already stated that it remains at its best in low-light conditions, which is expected since this model uses a Sony CMOS sensor, among other things.
The Elgato Eye records in H.264 supports 2GB of internal memory, but it is expandable up to 128GB using an external microSD card. The Elgato Eye has an apparent display, which can be rotated and tilted so that you can follow your footage as if you were watching it on the screen. The camera also includes a motion detection feature and a GPS chip so that you can tag your recordings, so they do not get lost.
The one major downside of the Elgato Eye is that it does not come with a screen, so you have to download their software online and install it on your computer. This can be considered a disadvantage for some people, but it can be an advantage since using the computer for this purpose will prolong the life of your camera.
If you are interested in the Elgato Eye, Go to Amazon.com for pricing details. Prices range from $129 to $200, depending on the configuration that you want. You should not overlook the one thing that this camera does not come with an SD card, and you have to provide your own.
Garmin
The Garmin Dash Cam 35 has three different features: Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, and an auto- incident detection feature that automatically saves crucial footage in case of accidents. The camera has a 170˚ angle of view. The front camera offers a comprehensive view and can be mounted on the windshield or outside the car.
You will need a Garmin dashboard kit to use this, which includes a mount and a lifetime warranty. This comes with a USB power supply and an adapter for your car’s cigarette lighter outlet.
Installing the Garmin Dash Cam requires some basic skills, but it is very easy to install once your computer has installed drivers. You can then connect your camera to your car via the included USB cable.
Conclusion
All in all, Nextbase 522GW is one of the best dash cams on the market. The quality of its footage, ease of use, and flexibility make it worth every penny. Moreover, It also comes in competitive pricing but with better quality than others.