Vantrue N5 4 Channel WiFi 360° All Sides Dash Cam, STARVIS 2, IR Night Vision, 2.7K+1080P*3 Front Rear Inside Dashcam, Voice Control, GPS, 24 Hours Buffered Parking Mode Dash Camera, Support 512GB MaxClimatePartner certified

My first dash camera was given to me by my spouse for Christmas 3 years ago: a VanTrue N4. Having never had a dash cam previously, I really wasn’t sure what to expect. She made her choice of the N4 based on a review on Wirecutter, where the N4 was their top pick. She couldn’t have made a better choice.Now, over 3 years into ownership, and looking at newer models and upgrade features, there were several aspects of the N5 that resonated with me. I have had no complaints with the N4, for it has performed flawlessly. But a few minor quirks that I had grown used to have been dispelled and surpassed by the upgrade to the N5.The reason for upgrading was not from dissatisfaction with the N4, as it will stay installed in the current vehicle, and handed down to our offspring. We obtained an upgrade vehicle, and wished to stay with VanTrue, having a great measure of confidence in the security and reliability of their products.I had the prior N4 installed at a local chain electronics store, since my experience in fiddling with the OBD box would be a first for me. And the cost of the installation was quite reasonable, for someone who had never considered “snaking a cable under the headliner” of a new car. By all reports it is not difficult to do, but I pictured myself spending several hours on this project, and the cost per hour tipped to a pro installation. Also, January in New Hampshire, it is 10º outside, and 20 degrees in my garage. So my solution was actually quite easy to decide. Getting the install scheduled and performed was a smooth process, without any delays. Upon examining the components, they all had a polished, high quality feel to them. Everything is well fabricated, and the parts all fit together well, and respond to the button pushes, socket acceptance of cords, tilt and rotation is smooth and secure, etc.What is missing from “budget” dash cams: The parking mode (of which there are a few choices you can make to match your length of time away, etc.) makes leaving the car for any length of time less frightening. Whether it is a public parking garage for an afternoon shopping, or the long term parking lot at the airport for a two week vacation, the intermittent recording of video clips during that time, and the immediate continuous footage being saved if there is motion nearby (a pedestrian within 10 feet or so) or a jarring of the car even out of view, makes apprehending a vandal or a hit-and-run driver in the parking lot much more likely to happen. However, to preserve battery life, you need to purchase the optional hard-wiring harness that attaches to the OBD harness to connect to the On Board Diagnostic socket, rather than the “cigarette lighter” power source cable that comes with the unit.Handling the microSD card has always been a bit unsettling. I have never dropped the card, but it would be challenging to find it in a darkened car interior floorboard. I would remove it periodically for the re-formatting of the card, then realized that the unit has a simple sequence to do so without having to handle the card.There really has never been a time when I needed to remove the card in normal usage. But the N4 did not have the capacity to review the footage or save them for future reference, other than on the tiny screen. My iPhone and MacBook screens would be superior viewing areas, but that required removing the microSD card and plugging it into a card reader, And the prior VanTrue app would not install on my iPhone.After previously giving up on the app, I have come to discover that there is a way to get the app to install on your iPhone or laptop, if you go through a couple of steps to “install anyway” when you get the warning from Apple that the software is not from “an approved source”. Now, with the app, I can download the footage onto my iPhone and transfer it easily to my laptop, should I need the images for an insurance claim or police investigation.The addition of voice control over manual efforts (using the tiny buttons and smaller than tiny writing on the screen) is a game changer. I never had the need to “start recording” on my N4, but now it can be done just by saying it, rather than taking your eyes off the road and feeling for the correct button to push. Since it is a rarity than you need to start capturing footage, you likely will have forgotten the sequence and location of the buttons to press. In our 3 years of using the N4, we have not ever had the circumstance where we needed to start a video capture.I purchased the N5 camera lens optional CPL Circular Polarizer Filter for improved clarity. This is especially helpful in situations of glare, reflections off your window glass, and generally improving contrast. This capacity is an upgrade from the N4, which lacked the threads to do so.The N5 incorporates an upgraded Sony lens and processing electronics. This provides clear and detailed footage, both during the day and at night. This wide dynamic range provides the important info (such as license plates and other details of the offending vehicle) that are crucial for resolution of the collision or break-in.

I just finished installing the Van True N 5 dashcam in my car…well, not really. I’m actually still installing it, mostly because of the time needed to wire the front channels and the back channels into my car.VanTrue is a trusted brand, and their premium, carefully-packed box reflects the care they put into their products.First, there’s a lot to like about this camera. It is a high quality, Four-channel Dashcam—which simply means it has 4 cameras: front windshield, front interior, back interior, and back of car. Recordings are stored on a microSD card, inserted in its body. It takes up to 512gb card, which is good since 4-cameras simultaneously recording means you need plenty of storage for the video. A huge plus is that files are recorded in MP4 format, which means you don’t need any special software to view the files. VanTrue recommends monthly formatting of the MicroSD card.It has built-in Bluetooth and 5G Wi-Fi; Voice control (which I’ll never use because I’m tired of talking to ‘things’); Parking mode (which means if you hardwire the camera to your car’s battery, it will record when car is parked and off (helpful in situations where theft or damage might be involved.). Front facing camera can record in 1944p WDR (Wide Dynamic Range), the other three lenses can capture video at 1080p. Back camera also has built-in HDR. It has motion & crash detection. It also comes with an app (for iPhone & Android phones) that allows a connection to the camera, giving you the option to view recordings on phone, and a way to customize N5 settings.The front camera is surprisingly heavy, but if you follow the directions for mounting it on windshield, you should not have a problem. I highly recommend you clean the glass, as instructed, and use the provided Electrostatic Stickers along with the Bracket Adhesion Promoter. This will ensure dashcam stays on the glass and not on your lap.Front lens is equipped with a Sony STARVIS 2 IMX675 5M Ultra-low light sensor, which makes it very sensitive, although I’m not sure if it will help capture license plates at night, since they are reflective and usually surrounded with light, making them hard to photograph. I’ll update the review, once I test it out.The N5 is crammed with so many features, I have not yet been able to explore them all.What I like:• The ability to capture front and back of my car, here in NYC, that is a must, especially if those fancy drones land and the little, green men approach my car. I will need a record when this happens.• I love the connection to my phone, that allows me to review recordings, without having to use the camera controls (small little buttons, for those out there with large, clumsy fingers)• The quality of the recordings is great.• The peace of mind that comes from knowing that I will have a record of any shenanigans coming from the car behind me.What I didn’t like:• The initial wi-fi setup was a pain. It didn’t work the first few times I tried. The dashcam’s screen would flash a message (in yellow) on the tiny screen every time I pressed the Wi-Fi button. I wear glasses, but I’m not sure I could have read the message, even with a microscope. Turns out, that if camera is recording, you can’t setup Wi-Fi. Well, that message should have been part of the instructions or shown on their app. Also, I wasn’t sure how to stop recording, even after perusing the manual. Once I figured it out, it still DIDN’T connect. Then I decided to try what usually works on other tech. A LONG press of the Wi-Fi button, brought up the Wi-Fi screen on the unit.• The installation time, if you are doing this by yourself and have never done it before is very long. I recommend starting early in the day, so you don’t run out of daylight. I ran out of daylight, and had to resume the next day.• I attached the back camera in the middle of my back window, hoping to capture traffic in back of me, and a clear view of the interior. Alas, It took quite a few trips front to back to adjust lenses correctly. Even now, I’m not sure I placed it properly. I guess time will tell. I advise grabbing a friend to help you adjust view and wire. It will make the process easier and faster.• The dashcam screen, in the front, viewable by driver, is tiny. You have the option of seeing all 4 video streams at the same time – way too small to make anything out – or a combo of one through four of all screens. I eventually set it to see the rear window only, since I can see the front anyway through the windshield, with my own eyes. I’ll add, that if you drive a taxi or van, the additional views could be a lifesaver.Overall, I’m very happy with the camera. I’m sure in the coming days or months, I’ll discover additional handy features.My final recommendation is to install it with a second person to help, using time, and some patience. The product is top-of-the-line. And I can’t wait to put it through it’s paces.