Dash Cams reviewed

We test a trio of dash-mounted cameras that could help you avoid an accident - or help if you do.

May 25 2016 - 11:39AM

Lucas Kennedy

Dash-mounted camera comparison

We test the NavMan Mivue 580, Kapture KPT-920 and the Uniden iGo Cam 755.

From meteorites to miraculous escapes, dash cameras have captured some of the wildest
footage on our roads. But, as new safety technology is integrated into the window mounted devices, dash-cams are evolving into more than just a tool for insurance companies or viral videos for Facebook groups.

Some newer passenger cars include a range of alerts from lane departure and forward
collision warnings to speed camera alerts in the interest of improving safety. For those with older model cars, this technology can be had in the emerging dash-cam market. The cameras can be as cheap as $40, but Drive has tested three of the better quality options - the Navman MiVue 580, the Uniden iGo755 and the Kapture KPT-920 - to see what you can expect from these little black boxes.

All three models reviewed feature GPS, loop recording and a G-sensor
which automatically locks footage into an emergency file when any impact is felt. Similarly, they all sit in standby mode when parked and start recording when they sense any impact at the local car park.

First cab off the rank is the NavMan MiVue 580, priced at $249. It features a 2.5-inch touch screen, GPS tracking and Full HD recording. The camera itself was on-par with Uniden's iGo 755, though its lens is narrower in scope with a 130-degree field of vision.

The NavMan was effortless to use and it started and stopped recording every time without fail, which made it the easiest set-and-forget option. The touch screen menu was very intuitive and my only gripe with the Mivue is the screen quality; with a pixelated display it's reminiscent of the first ever colour mobile phones. However, its on screen speed indicator was the clearest, which could make driving past a mobile camera a little less stressful. Unfortunately it lacks the safety features of the Kapture KPT-920 and Uniden iGo 755.

Our second review model is the Kapture KPT-920, which offers the most functions of
the cameras compared here but will set you back the most at $349. Despite the HD label, the Kapture's video quality was disappointing - though it did have the most effective safety features of the models reviewed.

The KPT920 could save you from an accident with its forward collision alert and lane departure warning, it even alerts you when the car in front has taken off at a set of lights. However, these features are only available at speeds higher than 60km/h (apart from the forward movement alert) and can give false warnings at random times.

If connectivity is important to you, the Kapture was the only model that featured WiFi and enabled playback or transfer of footage to a smartphone via the Life Cam app. The 2.7 inch touch screen also made it easy to scan through the menu.

Overall, the KPT-920 would be ideal for the driver who wants all the bells and whistles.

Last up for review is the Uniden iGo Cam 755 dash-cam which retails for $229.95. The camera
doesn't have WiFi and goes without a touch screen, making its menu the most finicky to use.

It does, however, have the best camera of the lot and shoots Full HD at resolutions up to 2304 x 1296 with a 170 degree wide-angle lens - 30 degrees wider than the Kapture in this comparison. The extra field of vision could be difference between getting the number plate of a collision - or even pedestrian incidents - or not.

Navman dash-cam in use. Photo: Lucas Kenendy

The safety features on the iGo are similar to the Kapture, but they didn't seem to work as well as those and it felt more like having a nervous backseat driver than technology you could find in a modern car. Uniden recommend the iGo 755 safety warnings for longer commutes and a test drive confirmed that fewer false alerts occurred whilst on the highway as opposed to an inner city run.

In the end, consumers have a great range of choices and can match their needs to a particular device as the brands reviewed offer models that range in both price and function. A dash-cam may give some drivers peace of mind and might even save you from paying an excess to your insurance company.

The ability to avoid a crash with collision detection features could be invaluable, but multiple false positives given by both the Kapture and the iGo suggest that the technology still needs refining among these devices.

Ultimately, it comes down to the camera's ability to record a number plate and a pixelated yellow rectangle won't suffice for insurance. Hands down the Uniden iGo set the bar for camera scope and quality with its wider lens and higher resolution - giving you the best chance of capturing an accident.

Navman MiVue580