Considering that we are in the middle of the summer season, with many users who in these days get in the car for the long-awaited holidays, among the technological accessories not to be forgotten we definitely point out a dashcam. After being pleasantly surprised by the Akaso 4K action cam, we also tested the Akaso V1 dash cam. Here's how it's made and what we think.
Inside the sales package there is everything you need to be able to use it. In addition to the dash cam also its supports for the windshield, two electrostatic films on which to attach the support with 3M adhesive, power / recharge cable for cigar lighter, and second USB-Mini USB cable. Also included in the package is a 16 GB MicroSD card and 5 adhesive clips to keep the cable tidy, without it dangling inside the passenger compartment.
How it's made
The dash cam has a particular shape, almost pyramidal, without the tip. On the front, the 1.5-inch LCD display, non-touchscreen and four function keys located below the screen. On the side, in addition to the input for Mini-USB charging, also the input for the MicroSD and the WiFi button for connecting the cam to the smartphone. Again, still on the side, the on / off cable, the microphone and a small button to reset the peripheral.
At the level of technical characteristics, the eye of the dash cam offers a viewing angle of 170 degrees, and the possibility of recording FullHD video or with a resolution of 1728 x 1296P. Of course, the device also offers night vision, for shooting during evening trips or, in any case, in the absence of natural light.
Installation
After fixing the electrostatic film to the windshield it is possible to apply the support with 3M adhesive that will support the weight of the dashcam. At this point, simply connect the power cord and the cable to the cigarette lighter. Also included in the pack are 5 small adhesive clips to keep the cable tidy and prevent it from bothering inside the passenger compartment or, worse still, dangling from the front glass to the power socket.
How does it work
Like other cams of the same kind, it turns on automatically when the car is turned on. This is not, of course, magic, but the dashcam will take the necessary energy from the battery. To switch on completely a few seconds, nothing problematic considering that the first seconds after switching on are used to exit the parking lot, from a courtyard, or in any case to enter the street. Interestingly, if the MicroSD is inserted, the camera automatically starts recording.
By default, the camera records short 3 minute clips and will automatically delete the oldest files when the memory is full. It is possible to adjust the various settings by calling up the menu by double pressing the third button from the left (down arrow). Here, in addition to choosing the resolution, you can activate / deactivate the microphone, change the date and time, format the card and much more.
The moment the car is turned off and the key is removed from the dashboard, the dashcam will turn off and stop recording.
Inside there is also a battery, which offers an autonomy of about 15 minutes, therefore ideal for maneuvers in the parking lot, but not to assist you throughout the journey.
How are you doing
The video quality is very good. Below is a small test movie to show you the qualities of the dashcam, so that you can actually realize how it records. The quality is certainly good also in consideration of the use made of it. There is no need to have a cinema image, but it is sufficient that it is clear enough to frame exactly what is happening on the road.
The recording was done in Full HD at 60 fps, but the camera can actually record at 1728 x 1296P resolution as well. The quality is very good, the angle of view is wide (170 degrees) and the level of detail is such that it allows you to perfectly read the license plate of a vehicle that is 10-15 meters away, which is what matters. really in the event of a claim.
GPS
The particularity of the cam consists also and above all in the Integrated GPS module. This allows the Dash Cam to automatically track and index each trip so you can review it with a simple tap. In addition, this way you can easily share your trip with friends at any time, wherever you are.
App
Through the WiFi module the camera is equipped with, it is possible to use the smartphone to watch the video in real time captured by the eye of the Dashcam. In this way the smartphone acts as a second screen, much larger and of better quality than the one enjoyed by the camera. Note that when WiFi is enabled, the use of GPS is lost. From the app it is possible, in addition to enjoying the video feed of the camera, also to set the resolution, the duration of loop recording and, more generally, to manage the camera options entirely.
The app to download is called Akaso Car, and is available for free both in the App Store and on Google Play.
Conclusions
This dashcam has its strong point in the price. The quality of the images is certainly good, as well as the presence of an integrated battery that offers the possibility to carry out maneuvers in parking lots without having to connect the power supply or to shoot with the car off.
It does its duty, also thanks to the Full HD resolution, and the wide angle of view, offering excellent visibility even at night. On the plus side there is also automatic recording (with short clips and with auto-deletion of older files with full memory).
The integrated GPS module is certainly an extra element, which not all dash cams in this price range enjoy.
PRO
Versus
Retail price
Akaso V1 is normally on sale on Amazon for 69.99 euros, although at the moment it can only be purchased on the official website.
