Many of the automobile accessories of yesteryear have all been incorporated in modern cars.
Things like stereo systems, Bluetooth communication and navigation equipment.
But no such luck for the equally useful dashcam.
Despite the incorporation of many cameras and sensors in today’s vehicles, one camera type is often still missing: the dashcam.
However, a few top brands have started to incorporate dashcams in certain models and often via a subscription.
So, the aftermarket is the place to look for dashcams and there’s no lack of choice.
We have reviewed countless Blackvue models and others from TomTom, Navman, and DriveSense on this site.
Today we are looking at the DriveVision 4k dashcam with a 2k Rear Camera.
Given the extremely attractive price point, is this unit value for money?
Come and see
The DriveVision unit is styled similar to the Blackvue dashcams.
This type will easily fit behind the rearview mirror, which is the best place for it.
The package came to us very complete: the Dashcam itself, an optional rear-facing camera, a long (3.5m) USB-C power adapter, an equally long hardwire kit, some electrostatic film and a trim tool.
The package comes with a 64GB microSD card or the optional 256GB storage card.
The unit is easy to install but we chose to have it professionally installed along with some other gear in our new, but second-hand Toyota Kluger.
Whilst you can easily just plug it into your 12V power port, it’s better to have it hardwired so that you can also record whilst parked.
Some of the specs to note are the 4k resolution (and 2k for the rear cam) and the Sony IMX 335 sensor.
The frame rate is 30fps and timelapse for parking monitoring.
GPS, WiFi and Dual Channel are standard.
One interesting detail is the supercapacitor which provides for enough power to safely save the last recording if the unit loses power.
This is guaranteed to not drain your car battery.
A supercapacitor is generally a better power source that excels in stability, safety, and longevity over traditional lithium batteries.
And important for Aussies: they are ideal for sustained operation in hot climates.
Gloss or Matte
I like my electronics to be in matte “colour”. I don’t like glossy piano-black.
The unit was glossy and different from the matte units described on the website.
Turns out, the first units were indeed matte and, luckily, you’ll have a choice again as we go to press.
DriveVision has promised to send us the matte version as well.
One concern I had initially was that it seemed the dashcam had a fixed forward angle of view once in place.
Not like the Blackvue models I was used to that can rotate within a ring.
However, my installer showed me that indeed there is some adjustment.
You can see here the position of the unit in my Kluger.
It’s a bit low but from the driver’s point of view it’s still behind the rearview mirror.
This was the best place for it, given the huge amount of “frit” on my windscreen.
That was a new word for me – these are the very essential little black dots around the edges of car glass.
The App
I don’t particularly like generic apps that must cater to a variety of different brands.
It is of course a Chinese app and the very non-descript Viidure name, didn’t inspire confidence.
I plugged the dashcam in my old Territory for a quick look-see and the app gave no problems.
However, since the installation in the Kluger I’ve been struggling to add the camera to the app.
This where I finally decided to call on the DriveVision Support team.
I don’t mind coming across problems as we are a testing website and it’s good to know that a product is backed up with local support folks.
My verdict on support: good product knowledge, friendly but long response time (understaffed?).
It appeared that having an Android Auto connection open at the same time can be problematic for the app to connect to the WiFi of the DriveVision unit.
Killing Bluetooth sorted out the problem.
You only need to access the camera through the app for looking/downloading footage and for dashcam settings.
Improvements
Here are some relatively minor improvements that would make the DriveVision just about perfect.
The Indicator LEDs are very bright, particularly at night.
As a driver I won’t see them, but my passengers can.
I’m thinking of putting some tape over them, but luckily, I read that hopefully the app might get a way to minimise the brightness.
Easier adjustment of the unit to get just enough bonnet on the footage, would be appreciated.
I’m a bit hesitant to twist the unit much and end up breaking the bracket.
Something like the Blackvue ring would be very helpful.
What’s the Long and Short of it?
Here are the great points why I like to recommend the DriveVision dashcam.
1. Excellent 4k resolution with top brand Sony optics.
2. Great price point: AUD$249.95 and the optional rear camera is another 60 bucks.
3. It ships with a 64GB microSD card and an optional 256 card can be had for $39.
4. Aussie owned and operated.
Have a quick look in this 20 sec video at the guy in a hurry overtaking me right before WA’s most dangerous roundabout.
The speed limit here is 60 km/hr…
