Nextbase 522GW Dash Cam Front and Rear Camera with Class 10 U3 64gb SD Card Recording- 1440/30fps Full HD- Wi-Fi Bluetooth GPS- Alexa & Polarising Filter Built-in, G-Sensor – 280/ 360° Angle
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| Dimensions: | 4.8 x 9.7 x 5.5 cm; 800 Grams |
| Model: | NBDVR522RWCSDC |
| Batteries Included: | 1 Lithium ion batteries required. |
| Manufacture: | Nextbase |
Very to fit , all details are found on the phone. Linking to the phone is also very easy. Fitted to my daughters car, Im be getting another one for my ca
Great pack including dashcam, case, 64gb micro sd card and hardwire kit. All this was only an extra 5 at the time than buying the dashcam alone.
The hardwire is very easy once you have identified the correct fuse to tap, I would recommend looking at dashcam/car model forums to see which fuse others have used.
The one problem I had was that my car uses Micro2 and 3 fuses but the kit only came with fuse tap wires for Standard and Mini fuses so I had to purchase this separately and 2amp Micro2 fuses don’t seem to be available (2amp comes with the kit) so I used a 5amp.
I contacted Nextbase but they just sent me the link to the tap wire they sell.
I am more than impressed with how easy it was to install and set up the camera. My daughter has the rear camera as well and it’s just plug and play. The mounting mechanism for the camera is a lot more solid than previous cameras with a very strong magnet that’s holding the camera in place. Picture quality is fantastic with a clear screen , the only thing I changed was the sounds, I turned them off, too much unwanted noise but overall a brilliant dashcam
Had this for a few years, not had any major issue. I will say the app takes ages to link to the camera, which isnt all that great. The sticky mount pad does it’s job, it wouldn’t come off and is now with we buy any car. Hopefully I can buy a spare part.
I spent hours and hours looking at dash cams and which one to buy etc. I’m glad I bought this one as it’s very easy to use and excellent picture quality. The footage downloads to your mobile phone via an App without having to remove the SD card. The dash cam clips in and out of the cradle easily if you don’t want to keep it in place permanently. Again after a lot of research I bought a SanDisk EXTREME 128mb SD card which works very well, and not had any of the problems that other users have had using different grade SanDisk cards. Format the SD card every fortnight to keep it working at it’s best.
A breeze to use and setup, so long as you can work out the fuse to connect this to in the box an absolute ease to install too, just take your time and use a bit of common sense with the cable routing it will only take about 30 minutes to install, just get the biggest SD card you can afford.
The camera was working just fine for over a year, (1 year of warranty I’m afraid), screen stopped working, then started flickering. I did update the firmware, the issue is not with the LCD itself, might be the OS. There is a delay when you press the Settings button, try to replace the SD card and reset it to default. Will log a ticket with Nextbase.
Largest omission from the box is a suction cup – not everyone can permanently mount with the 3M pads and I’ve found that similar pads peel off glass over time. Buy the extra mount kit if this matters to you.
Remember to get a v30 rated microSD card. Sandisk and Nextbase sell cards specific for dashcam use. There is no card included in the box.
Overall I am impressed with the dashcam, understand the need to keep the price down by omitting some accessories but perhaps the product information could make these omissions clearer for a more informed purchase choice.
Fitted to Nissan Leaf using auxiliary power outlet. Set up with phone and PC was not simple but online instructions worked well. Have needed to reset link between camera and phone a few times other than that seems good
Fitted to Nissan Leaf using auxiliary power outlet. Set up with phone and PC was not simple but online instructions worked well. Have needed to reset link between camera and phone a few times other than that seems good
The dash cam itself is first class. I have the one with the rear camera, via a cable, to the rear window. The rear camera is attached to the fitment via a magnet. This might be fine for a normal car but with a hatchback/suv with rear cargo door, everytime you raise the door the camera twists on the magnetic mount. I have had to glue the camera to the mount to stop it moving. This defeats the object of the easy to remove magnetic fixture, but at least it now remains in one position. Previous reviewers have also had the same problem.
These dash cams are great, this is actually the second set that I have bought. Reason for second set was for my mum as her car has had accidents that wasn’t her fault. I’ve had my original one over a year now sits just behind my rear view mirror and have the rear view in the back. Super handy having front and back as those that try crash for cash will get caught out by both cameras. Also the camera will catch anyone that hits your car while you are away from vehicle plus will also contact emergency contacts if crash is detected. Easy to instal back camera has long cable but is easy to squeeze in the edges of the ceiling of car so wires out the way. Also can click on the screen to show back camera if you can’t see properly behind you but don’t use it as a reversing camera just helps to check what’s there. My favourite video caught so far is a man taking a donkey for a walk on a lead
This is literally a black box for your car, especially if you have front and rear cameras connected together, the camera keeps recording a high-quality audio/video as long as you are driving, also can start recording once something happens to the car (hit by something). It was easy for me to install it even though I have a hatchback car.
strongly recommended
Ich finde, die Kamera ist ein sehr gelungenes Produkt und ich bin beraus zu Frieden mit der Ausstattung und dem Leistungsumfang. Lediglich an der Alexa Integration scheitere ich derzeit noch, aber dies ist kein Must-Have und findet sich sicherlich auch noch.
Verlegt hab ich die Kamera nicht direkt unter der Verkleidung des Innenraums, sondern nutze vorerst zum Beispiel den Raum zwischen Trgummi und Verkleidung. Es liegt aber dem Paket ein kleiner Plastespatel bei, mit dem man auch perfekt das Ganze gleich korrekt verlegen knnte. Dank Zusatzpaket habe ich die Cam bei mir gleich im Innenraum mit auf den Sicherungskasten geklemmt und “aus Versehen” dabei sogar Dauerplus genommen, was die Parkraum-berwachung ermglicht.
Wie Ihr seht, sind beide Kameras sehr dezent und fallen nicht weiter auf. Auch innen verschwindet sie schn hinter dem Rckspiegel, wobei ich lediglich den wichtigsten Button etwas unten drunter durch gucken lasse – das Firmenlogo, welches zeitgleich der Notknopf ist.
Wo ich gerade beim Notknopf bin: Die Kamera reagiert im Standard schon sehr gut auf Bodenwellen oder G-Krfte bei etwas schneller genommenen Kurven, weswegen ich die Empfindlichkeit etwas gedrosselt habe. Die Notruf-Funktion nutze ich persnlich im Moment nicht.
Hab Euch mal 2 Fotos vom Videomaterial aus der Handy- und eins aus der PC Anwendung mit rein gepackt. Interessant, was da alles in der MP4 mit versteckt wird.
Die Verbindung zwischen Cam und Handy erfolgt per Bluetooth, wobei fr die Videobertragung dann ein WLAN aus Richtung der Camera zum Smartphone aufgebaut wird. Manuelle Einwahl in der Dashcam ist nicht mglich. Selbst wenn, ist das erstellte WLAN mit Absicht so mies, dass man schon recht nah dran bleiben muss. Find ich voll in Ordnung und stellt sicher, dass niemand anderes ans Videomaterial kommt.
Per Alarm ausgelste Videospeicherungen sind geschtzt und knnen auch aus der App heraus nicht einfach gelscht werden. Sie mssen erst explizit frei gegeben werden. Per Kartenformatierung kann man dies an der Dashcam aber auch bergehen, sobald man per Smartphone gekoppelt ist.
Alles in allem bin ich sehr zu Frieden und werde sicher auch beim zweiten Fahrzeug noch die Billig-Dashcam raus werfen! War alles Kinderleicht zu verbauen.
Kleiner Hinweis noch an alle, die auch die Rckseitige Kamera nehmen und Probleme haben beim Start der Dashcam: Prft nach, dass die Kamera hinten auch wirklich ganz in den Stecker des langen Kabels mit einem Klick eingerastet ist. Sollte der Kontakt nicht 100% sein, startet die Dashcam nicht!
Im Parkmodus geht die Dashcam nach kurzer Zeit, in der sich nichts bewegt, automatisch in Stand By, was auch an der LED des Stromverbinders am Sicherungskasten signalisiert wird. Erfolgt eine Erschtterung, springt die Cam sofort an, nimmt ein Video auf und geht wieder in Sleep Modus.
Bought this camera ( front and rear) , I got the local garage to install it as I didnt want it hot wired . The morning following the installation the camera had fallen off. I dont think the installation instructions are very clear. So back to the garage, they then used the suction fitting – this has been ok since. I am old and it took me ages to figure out how to connect the camera to my iphone – in fact thought I hadn’t managed it until I got Son to check, found that I hd managed to do it lol
Great cctv for the car but sometimes does not control alexia app
It was pretty easy to install neatly and sofar the image quality looks very good. I would recommend this rear camera over the add on one of you are planning to hide the dash cam behind the wing mirror.
I have owned a Nextbase 512GW with the rear camera and had it fitted in 2 cars and the only problem I ever had was with the SD card, quickly rectified with a new SD card and all good again. I bought the 512 in January 2019 and thought maybe it is time for an upgrade so went for the 522GW, it has everything needed and with a better spec will last for a while as I really rate the Nextbase kit.
I looked at the 622GW and felt is was totally overpriced at double the 199.95 I have paid for the 522, granted there is a bit extra on the 622 but not 200 worth of an improvement. Shop around folks because I bought the dash cam and the compatible rear camera as a bundle and the same deal is more expensive on the Nextbase website. One improvement that is good is being able to download directly even when recording which saves having to mess about stopping recording and creating a hotspot with your phone, such a faff.
Having owned a nextbase front camera previously I decided to upgrade and get the front and rear camera for my new car.
With the added power kit to connect it up its a simple installation. I’ve worked on cars before so know what I’m doing and I’m happy with the ease of installation and set up.
Having owned a nextbase front camera previously I decided to upgrade and get the front and rear camera for my new car.
With the added power kit to connect it up its a simple installation. I’ve worked on cars before so know what I’m doing and I’m happy with the ease of installation and set up.
Das ist schon meine zweite Nextbase nach der 422GW. Die 522GW ist wegen dem etwas grerem Display angenehmer. Grundstzlich sind beide Dashcams besser als die vorher genutzte “iTracker mini0806-PRO GPS”.
Die im Set beiliegende Speicherkarte ist, in Verbindung mit der Rearcam, zu langsam und daher ungeeignet. Dies uert sich darin, dass die Kamera, bei angeschlossener Rearcam, einfriert.
Die 422GW hatte nach ca. 1 3/4 Jahr Probleme, wurde aber anstandslos ausgetauscht.
Die Bildqualitt ist bei beiden Tag und Nacht hervorragend.
Bisher ist mir keine bessere Dashcam bekannt.
Wie die Saugleistung der Kamera ist kann ich leider nicht sagen , was Amazon hier will erschliesst sich mir nicht. . Mit der Qualitt der Bildaufnahmen bin ich zufrieden wenn auch in den bewegten Bildern nur die nheren Nummernschilder lesbar sind, ob es hier Kameras mit besserer Qualitt gibt wei ich natrlich nicht. Halter und Aufnahme sind top und mit der Rckkamera super. Einzig das Herunterladen der Videos per App knnte besser werden . Die Bedienung der Kamera selbst ist per Touch klasse.
The camera gave great pictures on the road both day and night.
The product was initially shipped without the 64GB SD Card, however, this was promptly rectified without any problems.
Excellent camera although I’m afraid I had to use the old cigarette power point to power it. I tried for ages to get it to work with the hardwire kit to work but gave up in the end. Very good quality front and rear vision.
Alles funktioniert sind Top, aber optisch fr meine Bedrfnisse zu auffllig.
Schade sonnst wre es genau das was ich suche.
Easy to use and provides a pictorial record of journeys.
Clear video front and rear. Bit of a faff to get it to synchronise with my phone. Alexa wont work with internal mic and sound.
This is a brilliant camera, which is easy to use
The fitting kit made the installation relatively simple. The windscreen must be very clean for the sucker to adhere well. Detaching the camera from the mount requires practice.
Does what it says on the box. Brilliant. Top product.
The front camera is excellent, the rear one reduces the DAB radio signal
The bottom line here is that it’s easy to get seduced by a dashcam – the videos all look so good don’t they? The picture looks good on this – from what I can see and the system looks like it should capture the right things. But, fitting and set up are the tricky parts.
I hired an experienced auto electrician who does this for a living (good reputation too), he fitted it, and it looked good! Four things to bear in mind: –
(1). I lost my DAB radio; the electrician says it’s a known fault with Nextbase; Nextbase says it’s not installed correctly and has sent me two attenuators to clip round the wires to shield the interference – I’ve yet to do this, I will try to update – but the key here is to check whilst installing.
(2). The magnet to the camera is very strong, so taking the camera off the permanent mount moves the mount and you will have to set it up each time you do.
(3) You try getting the micro SD card out of the camera without taking the camera down to review the footage.
(4) The PC download says the PC app cannot be downloaded securely; the Android App takes ages to pair with the camera and update – and the size of each 1-minute file on the camera is about 185mb so takes forever to download to the phone – hence why you need to get at the Micro SD card and plug it in a PC!.
I do find this frustrating and will update this review if I find a solution – I hope I can overcome these issues because the actual camera looks good.
The App is very hit and miss with connecting to the camera which is quite a pain. The app would be a strong app if it weren’t for its connectivity issues.
The Parking mode, fantastic if you want to record a bump to your car in the car park when you’re not in your car. However, there is no way to set a delay on it which means when you turn the engine off and get out your car and shut the door, it triggers the parking mode to record a protected file. Same with the boot, and when you then get back in your car. This means you have to keep formatting your memory card as the amount of space gets smaller and smaller as it begins to fill up with all these useless protected files of you getting in and out of your car. I cannot understand how no one in the design of this did not think to put a customisable delay on parking mode starting so as to avoid accidental triggers like this.
Really well built and has great features…… however the sos feature is only free for 12 months and the camera wont connect to my phone if I have any other bluetooth devices connected to the phone such as a Fitbit so a good idea in principle but no good in reality. The camera itself is really good and has great image quality
Really well built and has great features…… however the sos feature is only free for 12 months and the camera wont connect to my phone if I have any other bluetooth devices connected to the phone such as a Fitbit so a good idea in principle but no good in reality. The camera itself is really good and has great image quality
I opted for the dash-cam with rear camera also. The quality of the video, both front and rear, seems fine. On starting the car, the dash-cam consistently finds and links to my phone. I also bought the hard-wire kit as an after purchase, the USB and hard-wire power works fine. There is an option to switch driving speed recording On/Off – your choice. With a dash-cam, you hope you never need it, but if you do, there is little argument as to where the fault lies – just hope it’s not you !
Good quality build. Difficult to link to phone. Does not reconnect to the phone when engine re starts
Came with in one day was very easy to fix to car and rear camera was so simple to put on and connecting to main camera
Excellent product fitted and connected well with a slight issue that meat I needed to call the uk help desk who was excellent. The call handler sorted my issue (a reset needed) inside 60 seconds, call answered quicker than that.
Excellent customer service NextBase
The front camera is very good generally. I use the suction cup to attach it to the windscreen, and in very hot weather sitting in the sun for long periods it has twice fallen off. No problem, I just stick it back on. I’d rather that than use the adhesive version that also comes with it and then find I can’t easily move it.
The internal battery is very weak, and discharges a full charge very quickly. In the car that isn’t a problem as it draws power from the car. But if the car sits undriven for a long time, the camera may take several minutes to fire up when the engine is started as the camera battery has drained even in standby. A small problem unless you are concerned about coverage from the very start of a journey.
It also works well with the rear camera.
Biggest gripe is the app that comes with it which is total hogwash, doesn’t work at all. After the first connection to the camera, forget ever getting it to connect again — not going to happen. Given the app is how the manufacturer expects you to download video, edit it etc, this is a serious flaw and has lost the camera a star from me. Instead you are talking about either removing the camera from the car To plug into a computer or removing the SD card from the camera if you have a reader in a computer you can plug it into. Overall the app looks great but just doesn’t work, and Nextbase don’t seem to be doing anything about that.
I bought this to replace my old Nextbase Duo dashcam as a result of the battery running out. The video quality from both the dashcam itself, and (if purchased) the extra rear view camera are fantastic. The camera is held steady by a strong magnet so there’s no movement at all.
Only thing I would say is if you purchase the additional rear camera, and planning to fit it yourself, I’d watch a couple of youtube videos on how to install the cable. I hoped that I’d be able to simply pull the HDMI cable between the roof lining and body in the car, but it got stuck halfway. Fortunately with a little patience I did manage to pop the cable under the sides of the roof lining on the passenger side, and in between the interior overlaps where the pillars are. It’s still a fairly quick process.
The videos can be downloaded using the MyNextbase mobile app, by connecting to your PC via the supplied USB cable, or by moving the SD Memory card to your PC. Downloads can take a while if you want to download a full day of footage.
I’m really pleased with this and would recommend either with our without the extra rear camera. Solid piece of kit.
This is our third Nextbase dash cam and our second 522GW. We have one in each car now.
The quality is excellent hence our repeated purchases. I hardwired the most recent one (mk3 Focus) took around half an hour.
If you’re thinking of doing the same (Mk3 Focus RHD), use fuse number 85 (moon roof) in the passenger footwell and trace the wire around the passenger side door seals for the forward facing camera.
If you have the rear camera as we do, trace the wire towards the drivers side door seals (the connection for the rear camera is on the right hand side of the front camera) as this will make it a neater job and won’t double up the wires in the door seals. (Saves using a 12v socket which may not be in a good position for powering the dash cam).
The camera includes a small plastic tool for helping to tuck away the wires in the headlining and door seals.
Other car makes and models, just use a fuse that is on a system that only works when the ignition is turned on.
The cameras are really easy to use presuming you know how to download an app. If you don’t have a smart phone, don’t worry, your camera footage is saved on the dash cam micro sd card and can be viewed on the camera itself or plug the camera into a pc/mac with the cable provided. The camera software should download the first time you plug it in (it did for me, Mac user)
Would recommend the camera, 522GW, and the seller. Prompt delivery too.
10/10.
Advertised with 64gb SD card. This was not in the box and I had to buy separately. The camera is a top quality camera in every way.
Easy to fit, I also bought the Nextbase power supply. Read instructions as really does require charging before use as will not work straight from the box.
No problems in use nice sharp picture.
The reasons I chose this dash-cam above others with extra features are the built-in polarising filter, the GPS logging, and the option of 60fps for the 1080 lines full HD. The wifi and Alexa etc are nice to have for some people, but I’ll not be needing them as I don’t use a phone in the car.
The on-line instruction manual pdf and firmware update support are both good, and it has a reasonable menu system and user interface on a good touch panel display. Everything works as advertised.
The first thing I did after checking the supplied 64GB SDXC chip was to update the firmware in the camera to v19.1. Then I tested and configured the system with both cameras sitting next to the computer, much easier than after installing them in the car. I decided against using the optional ‘Dual File’ system (hi and lo res for each camera), simply to have more hi res recording time on the chip.
I installed it with the separate hardwire kit and added extra ferrites either side of the converter, just in case, to ensure the DAB and FM radio kept working. If the radio stops working after installing a third-party hardwire kit, try the accessory socket lead supplied with the camera. Some of the cheap hardwire kits are not fit for purpose and radiate vast interference.
Bear in mind that the polarising filter will compromise the night vision performance slightly (the camera is effectively wearing dark glasses), but it is a great advantage in eliminating reflections off the windscreen. Fortunately the night vision is excellent.
Read and understand the full on-line instruction manual at least once before trying to use the cameras, because there are several useful tips that might prevent the unwary from making silly mistakes. A few minutes here could save a lot of time later. The quick start guides are not really good enough, especially when compared with the vast amount of options available shown in the full manual.
The G-sensor is way too sensitive, and I’ve ended up switching it to Low although I considered Off. Low is fine for a normal softly suspended family balloon. This sensor comes into its own when the system is in the Parking Mode, and will allow recording of hit and runs or merely people walking into front or back of the car.
There is no image stabiliser function (anti-shake). Not a problem if using a secure mounting with the adhesive pad and adaptor.
There is no zoom function, the field of view is always 140 wide angle, I would have preferred the option of 120 which is what I chose to use on my old G1W dash-cam .
Mounting and connecting the cameras was simple, even if getting the relevant interior trim panels off the car undamaged was not — too easy to break fiddly retaining clips and spares required and not a task for the faint hearted or anxious. Access to the car manual helped a lot, showing exactly where all the clips are and the correct methods for removal. Finagling the rear camera lead through the least populated flexi-tube to the hatchback was ‘interesting.’
The one weakness in the combined set of front and rear cameras and memory chip is the Nextbase own brand 64GB memory chip, one of the slowest ‘U3’ ‘V30’ SDXC chips in that size I have tested recently (using H2TestW) at only 20.5Mbytes/s write and 21.2Mbytes/s read; it did not reach the 30MB/s suggested by the speed marking. (On other supposedly slower ‘U1’ chips I’ve seen writes around 30MB/s and reads over 60MB/s.) The capacity is indicated as 59360Mbytes (62,243,471,360 bytes including 393,216 of exFAT formatting overhead) with no errors. However, this chip is still fast enough for not too much compression of images from the pair of cameras bearing in mind that I’ll only be using 1080p 60 on the front camera while the rear camera is limited to 720p 30, however if the front camera was 1080p 30 then the rear would also be 1080p 30.
Now that we have cameras hardwired in each car at least they will always both be in use and not stranded in limbo between cars as was often the case with the old G1W.
The reasons I chose this dash-cam above others with extra features are the built-in polarising filter, the GPS logging, and the option of 60fps for the 1080 lines full HD. The wifi and Alexa etc are nice to have for some people, but I’ll not be needing them as I don’t use a phone in the car.
The on-line instruction manual pdf and firmware update support are both good, and it has a reasonable menu system and user interface on a good touch panel display. Everything works as advertised.
The first thing I did after checking the supplied 64GB SDXC chip was to update the firmware in the camera to v19.1. Then I tested and configured the system with both cameras sitting next to the computer, much easier than after installing them in the car. I decided against using the optional ‘Dual File’ system (hi and lo res for each camera), simply to have more hi res recording time on the chip.
I installed it with the separate hardwire kit and added extra ferrites either side of the converter, just in case, to ensure the DAB and FM radio kept working. If the radio stops working after installing a third-party hardwire kit, try the accessory socket lead supplied with the camera. Some of the cheap hardwire kits are not fit for purpose and radiate vast interference.
Bear in mind that the polarising filter will compromise the night vision performance slightly (the camera is effectively wearing dark glasses), but it is a great advantage in eliminating reflections off the windscreen. Fortunately the night vision is excellent.
Read and understand the full on-line instruction manual at least once before trying to use the cameras, because there are several useful tips that might prevent the unwary from making silly mistakes. A few minutes here could save a lot of time later. The quick start guides are not really good enough, especially when compared with the vast amount of options available shown in the full manual.
The G-sensor is way too sensitive, and I’ve ended up switching it to Low although I considered Off. Low is fine for a normal softly suspended family balloon. This sensor comes into its own when the system is in the Parking Mode, and will allow recording of hit and runs or merely people walking into front or back of the car.
There is no image stabiliser function (anti-shake). Not a problem if using a secure mounting with the adhesive pad and adaptor.
There is no zoom function, the field of view is always 140 wide angle, I would have preferred the option of 120 which is what I chose to use on my old G1W dash-cam .
Mounting and connecting the cameras was simple, even if getting the relevant interior trim panels off the car undamaged was not — too easy to break fiddly retaining clips and spares required and not a task for the faint hearted or anxious. Access to the car manual helped a lot, showing exactly where all the clips are and the correct methods for removal. Finagling the rear camera lead through the least populated flexi-tube to the hatchback was ‘interesting.’
The one weakness in the combined set of front and rear cameras and memory chip is the Nextbase own brand 64GB memory chip, one of the slowest ‘U3’ ‘V30’ SDXC chips in that size I have tested recently (using H2TestW) at only 20.5Mbytes/s write and 21.2Mbytes/s read; it did not reach the 30MB/s suggested by the speed marking. (On other supposedly slower ‘U1’ chips I’ve seen writes around 30MB/s and reads over 60MB/s.) The capacity is indicated as 59360Mbytes (62,243,471,360 bytes including 393,216 of exFAT formatting overhead) with no errors. However, this chip is still fast enough for not too much compression of images from the pair of cameras bearing in mind that I’ll only be using 1080p 60 on the front camera while the rear camera is limited to 720p 30, however if the front camera was 1080p 30 then the rear would also be 1080p 30.
Now that we have cameras hardwired in each car at least they will always both be in use and not stranded in limbo between cars as was often the case with the old G1W.
Product works fine.
Easy to setup.
Was delivered within 24hrs.
Undamaged.
The image quality is very good ,and my only thought is that the image of the main screen is quite small,though I suppose this doesn’t really matter as your not spending much time looking at it! The only thing I added was a hard wire kit which made fixing it easy!
The camera has crashed a couple of times but there is a reset button on the bottom and I didn’t need to setup the device again.
Alexa was easy to set up bit I’ve only managed to get it to work once. I need to spend a bit more time figuring that out.
The app could be a bit better. I have managed to review and delete some of the recordings and protecting/unprotecting files is easy. If you want to capture a still just tap the screen.
A word of caution. You can easily incriminate yourself if the recordings indicate speeding, driving without due care and attention and even the positioning of the camera could invalidate a claim or result in a fine.
Only thing I dont like is I was having difficulty connecting to the camera with my phone via bluetooth and wifi direct for downloading and reviewing footage on the Nextbase app. In the end I had to use almost all the default settings.
It does say this in the instructions etc but any previous dashcams I’ve used are 3 min cycle recording. This is currently set at 1 min cycle recording. For now I also have the G sensor switched off as I found my dashcam to be saving the footage more constant on protection protect file.
The only thing I’ve struggled with is the Alexa part but I’m not sure if it’s the Alexa app that’s causing a problem, so I’ve turned that part off for now.
Buying it as a bundle saved me money and was much easier to buy.
I would highly reccomend this dash cam.
Did a lot of research into current dash cam quality and availability (or lack of for quality models anyway) and settled on this as a close first against the Garmin dash cam 55.
Previously had the 302G and the 312GW which both failed due to the inability to handle the heat of a car during a Scottish summer, which isn’t exactly a hot climate even by UK standards. Both batteries puffed up and lost all charge but still ran while the car was on. Hopefully this unit will fair better.
This camera has the same great quality footage, high bitrate and the polarising filter works very well. Number plates are very clear even at high speed. Nighttime footage also looks great but number plates can be a struggle. I’m not sure if it isn’t on any dash cam though.
The sticking point for me with Nextbase is the pitiful software. While it seems an effort has been made since previous units and the app does play video and list data for the drive very nicely, the download feature over Bluetooth/WiFi direct is awful. I can’t say I didn’t expect it as previous models were the same but good luck trying to download footage. It either takes a long time or fails repeatedly.
I gave up and simply bought a Type C micro SD card reader and not only is it blindingly fast at transferring files now, files can still be opened in the app or you can avoid their software all together if you like.
Touch screen is great, plenty of settings and Alexa integration is occasionally handy. The gyro is a bit too sensitive and tends to lock files quite often but a regular format sorts this.
So far I really like this product I hope it lasts longer than its brethren.
Hiding the wire is a different story and your ease of doing this will vary with each vehicle. I completed mine in about thirty minutes after working out the routing.
The camera has some great fetures and is linked using the Nextbase app on your smartphone and bluetooth to keep the two connected. This enables you to download any footage to your phone without having to remove the camera from the car. This can also be done relatively easily as it is connected to the mount by a magnetic fitting. It is a very strong fitting and you will change the angle of your mount each time you remove it, meaning you will want to reset the view when you then replace it.
On the side of the unit is a connector similar looking to an HDMI port and this is used to add additional camera modules such as the rear view camera.
The camer resolution is a great 1440p at 30fps, but if you prefer you can use it to get 60fps at 1080p. This also can vary when you add a rear camera where the resolution of the rear camera will be either 720p or 1080p.
I initially had problems setting up the 522GW awith Alexa, but deleted both the Alexa and NextBase apps from my device, forgot the nextbase in bluetooth and restarted my phone. Now after restarting installed apps again and when accessing the Alexa via the nextbase app setup, it correctly opened and found my nextbase 522GW. After adding it to Alexas devices, it worked. Now, the dashcam microphones pick up the Alexa wake word that connects to your phone by bluetooth to control the Alexa app. Works really well but very reliant on a good mobile signal!
The camer powers up when starting my car as I have not hardwired it. I have therefore turned off the parking mode that leaves the camera in standby on its internal battery. I found I did not travel enough to recharge the battery but if this changes I can easily reenable the option. The device is controlled via the touch screen which works well and gives access to the menu and even adds an Alexa button to the screen once set up.
Lots of menu options to change to your liking or just leave relatively alone. I am a techie person and understand the more involved settings with no difficulty.
Overall a great camera, great quality and the bonus that may be good for you is a potential discount on your car insurance when using the Nextbase!