As drivers we are taught to keep our eyes on the road and Uniden has just released the iGo Cam 80 that can record any on road incidents in 4K ultra high definition.
This is one of the first dash cams to offer such high-quality recordings which makes it even easier to distinguish important details like number plates, locations and people in the videos.
Despite the excellent video quality it can produce, the iGo Cam 80 is surprisingly small and can be discreetly fitted to your windscreen with 3M stickers.
It has a 2.4-inch LCD colour screen which can display the current view from the camera and other information like the local speed limit.
The device also has GPS on board so it not only knows your location it can also warn you when approaching speed and red light cameras.
The camera has a wide 150-degree field of view so it can capture a wide area of the lanes ahead of you.
Users can set the recording resolution from 4K all the way down to 720p as well as determine the loop recording length which we had at three minutes.
If nothing happens within that time and there is nothing we want to save, the iGo Cam 80 just records over that video.
The device is also smart enough to adjust to the light each day and balance the image to give drivers sharper footage and greater clarity.
This is a handy feature for those looking to capture their scenic drives as well. As a result the video quality is surprisingly sharp and clear – great for identifying other vehicles in the event of an incident as well as admiring the surrounding landscape.
iGo Cam 80 is always recording and loops the video onto the onboard microSD card (which is not included).
In the event of an incident, the device’s G-sensors can save that footage into a folder for users to either access directly from the card or wirelessly transfer to their smart phone using the free Uniden iGo app.
There is also HDMI output to play video off the device to a computer or on your television.
Video can also be viewed when connected to a PC using the Uniden Player which can be downloaded from the company’s website.
This makes it even easier to view files all from the microSD card.
And this feature also works when your car is parked. If the iGo Cam 80 senses a sudden vibration it immediately triggers the camera to record.
For example, if a car hits your vehicle in a car park, the iGo Cam 80 will spring into action and record the car that struck your vehicle.
And with that 4K resolution it is easy to read off a number plate and also present that footage to your insurance company or to the police when you make your claim.
Any captured footage is tagged with a timestamp and a GPS location.
iGo Cam 80 starts recording as soon as it is powered when the car is started.
The device easy to set up – it’s just a matter of plugging the device into your car’s power supply.
It also has a photo mode to allow drivers to take still images.
Unfortunately, you need to have the cable connected at all times for the camera to work so this meant having a cable running from the windscreen down the dashboard to the 12V power socket.
It does have an internal battery but this is only used in parking mode to shoot a few seconds of video if required.
It would have also been nice to have a touchscreen on the product but the 2.4-inch display may not have provided enough room for accurate navigation.
Instead there are buttons below the display that can steer you through the menus and features.
Apart from the speed and red-light camera warnings, there are additional safety features including Lane Departure Warning which sends a visual and audible alert if you drift out of your lane.
This could be a life-saving feature for anyone prone to fatigue on long trips including truck drivers.
This is a feature normally found on luxury cars but is included with the iGo Cam 80.
A LUX sensor can also detect external lighting conditions and give the driver an alert to turn on the headlights.
Users also have the option of purchasing a rear camera which can be connected to the iGo Cam 80 and this would have to be hard wired by a vehicle electrician.
Uniden iG0 Cam 80.
Price: $279
VERDICT
The Uniden iGo Cam 80 is a sensible investment for any driver – it can not only be your eyes and ears on the road but it also has your safety in mind as well. It’s hard to go past that sort of all-round protection.
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