If you are looking for a dash cam and don’t want to spend a bundle, the Spytec G1W 1080P HD Car Dash Camera may be just the thing for you. With an MSRP of under $80, and a current price of under $60, is in an inexpensive way to record what happens in just about any vehicle.Dash cams haven’t really taken off here in the US, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a market for something like this. Simple to set up and use, the dash cam records high quality video that can either be viewed right on its built in LCD screen or transferred to any computer or tablet that accepts SD cards. (To be clear, the dash cam uses a microSD card so, in most cases, an adapter will be necessary if your computer only takes full SD cards.)
The product page describes the Spytec G1W 1080P HD Car Dash Camera this way:
The World’s Best Dash Cam for Under $60: Is it possible to find a dash cam that records in stunning 1080p, features both audio and video recording, and costs less than $60? You bet it is. Welcome to the future of dash cam recording. The G1W is the celebrated dash cam that has excited the industry not only for its affordable pricing, but also because it records some of the highest quality 1080p video on the market, which records at an impressive 15mps. The quality of the video is thanks to the built-in Novatec and Aptina chipset, which makes this theauthentic G1W dash cam. The camera also boasts a super sharp 2.7” screen that allows you to playback footage directly on the device.
I had never used a dedicated dash cam before, but setup could not have been easier. I attached the included windshield suction mount, slipped the camera onto it, and then plugged in the included power cable. The camera does not ship with a microSD card (boo!) so I had to supply my own.
The good news was that as soon add the camera was plugged in and the car was on, the recording started automatically. Yes, this is the type of device that you can all but forget about once the initial setup is done.
As the company explains:
Just plug the G1W into your dashboard start driving — the G1W will startup whenever your car does. And with loop recording, the camera will record indefinitely, simply overwriting the oldest footage.
Spytec G1W 1080P HD Car Dash Camera Features:
- 1080P HD Video & Audio Recording
- G-Sensor Capabilities
- 2.7″ Video Screen
- Novatek NT96650 + Aptina AR0330
- Weighs only 1.2 Oz
- Includes Simple Suction Mount
- Records in Loop Recording
- Takes up to 32 GB SD Card
The camera has a 3M CMOS Sensor with a fixed focus 120 degree ultra wide-angle lens and a 4X digital zoom. The LCD display is a 2.7″. The camera can shoot “Night Video” thanks to enhanced led lights. It can shoot 5.0MP stills and offers a variety of video resolutions ranging from 1920×1080 at 30 fps to 640×480 at 30fps. A built-in microphone and speaker are also included.
The video shot by the Spytec G1W 1080P HD Car Dash Camera is impressive. The audio, however, at least in my testing, left something to be desired. To my mind that’s okay since it is really the visual images that matter most, but if the audio is important to you it is something to consider.
Video Demo of the Spytec G1W 1080P HD Car Dash Camera
Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample of the Spytec G1W 1080P HD Car Dash Camera
What I Like: Easy to set up and use; Shoots decent video; Loops recordings; Accessible price
What Needs Improvement: No microSD card included; Audio is not impressive