Nextbase 422GW dash cam review: Superior video and versatile design, telephoto rear-view

Nextbase’s new GW modular collection, together with the $230 422GW reviewed right here, have raised the bar for dual-channel dash cams. They’re expensive, however function an HDMI port that, in addition to outputting video, accepts any one in every of three $100 rear cameras: a cabin view (inside) module, a conventional rear-window mounted unit, and a novel telephoto rear module that captures what’s behind you with out the effort of wiring, or obscuring your view.

Beyond that, there’s cellphone connectivity, Alexa, GPS, and a touchscreen. If it weren’t for the shortage of infrared lighting for inside evening captures, the 422GW can be hands-down the perfect dash cam I’ve ever examined. For my functions it nonetheless is, however for those who’re driving a taxi or patrol automobile at evening, the unit’s inside captures aren’t going to chop it. 

Design and options

As you’ll be able to see by the quilt photograph, the 422GW is a good-looking product with a long-necked lens physique. There’s a 2.5-inch show, and as a result of it’s touch-enabled, solely two buttons: on/off and defend (from overwriting). The latter button has the Nextbase emblem on it and is centered on the sting of the digital camera just under the show. I didn’t acknowledge it as a button till I learn the documentation (studying a couple of product up-front is a no-no when attempting to guage ease of use). The on-screen interface is top-notch, well-organized and straightforward to navigate.

Note (07/19/19): A reader simply associated to me that in my haste to get at it, I missed the point out of the underside button on the protecting sheet overlaying the show. Thankfully, I wasn’t coping with excessive explosives.

The 422GW {couples} magnetically to a mount that gives snap-on adhesive tape and suction choices. It’s a fairly slick design, nevertheless it was harder to take away the digital camera from the mount than it needs to be—Nextbase may need been only a tad enthusiastic with the energy of the magnet. On the opposite hand, I had zero concern of the digital camera’s falling off. Choices.

Given all of the innovation elsewhere, I used to be shocked that Nextbase opted for mundane mini-USB reasonably than Type-C connectors, in addition to auxiliary/cigarette energy reasonably than always-on OBD-II. On the opposite hand, mini-USB is extra frequent than Type-C within the dash cam world, and cables are simpler to interchange. There is a regular hardwiring package obtainable from Nextbase, however not an OBD-II package. You can seize one of many latter on-line for $10 to $15.

Nextbase

The 422GW’s 140-degree field-of-view entrance digital camera is able to capturing 1440p video at 30 frames per second, in addition to 1080p at each 60 fps and 30 fps. All three rear digital camera modules seize at 720p. The 422GW additionally saves lower-resolution 864×480 movies for viewing on board with out using extraordinary processing energy.

The 422GW doesn’t miss a trick with the GPS, which is each watermarked and embedded into the video. Embedded GPS lets you retrace your…