I bought this camera after researching cheap dash cams before my trip to Florida. The consensus was that this camera was the best of the cheap dash cams, and it is pretty decent. However, most reviewers stated that there are numerous fakes or knock-offs circulating and one obvious tell is the file format for recorded videos. The authentic version of this camera records in .MOV as stated on the box (see picture) whereas the knock-offs will save files in a different format, typically .AVI. The camera I received records in .MP4, so I am not sure whether I received an authentic camera or a knock-off (maybe the file format was changed with a firmware update, who knows). That being said the quality is actually very nice as seen in the included screen cap.
I purchased this version as opposed to the battery-powered version because I learned from various sources that the capacitor version tends to have a higher tolerance for heat than the battery version. I spent roughly one week in Florida and had no heat-related issues with this camera. Even the suction cup mount performed as designed. The downside to the capacitor version is that it will lose its settings after sitting idle for a couple of days. My fix is to start the car every couple of days to retain the settings and this has proven successful thus far.
The reasons I gave a three-star review are: the included USB cable was faulty and I could not connect the camera to my computer. It would simply connect/disconnect repeatedly. My fix was to purchase an SD card reader and I can now view the recordings on my computer. Another issue I had was that the suction cup mount arrived damaged. I contacted the seller, Top Auto Gadgets, and they promptly issued me a credit. Lastly, since I am unable to determine whether or not I received an authentic Black Box camera, I adjusted my rating accordingly.
For the price, this is definitely a good (not great) camera. Even though I cannot determine whether or not mine is authentic, I will most likely purchase another for my other vehicle. The audio and video quality of this camera is good enough that I will overlook its other shortcomings.
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I bought this camera after researching cheap dash cams before my trip to Florida. The consensus was that this camera was the best of the cheap dash cams, and it is pretty decent. However, most reviewers stated that there are numerous fakes or knock-offs circulating and one obvious tell is the file format for recorded videos. The authentic version of this camera records in .MOV as stated on the box (see picture) whereas the knock-offs will save files in a different format, typically .AVI. The camera I received records in .MP4, so I am not sure whether I received an authentic camera or a knock-off (maybe the file format was changed with a firmware update, who knows). That being said the quality is actually very nice as seen in the included screen cap.I purchased this version as opposed to the battery-powered version because I learned from various sources that the capacitor version tends to have a higher tolerance for heat than the battery version. I spent roughly one week in Florida and had no heat-related issues with this camera. Even the suction cup mount performed as designed. The downside to the capacitor version is that it will lose its settings after sitting idle for a couple of days. My fix is to start the car every couple of days to retain the settings and this has proven successful thus far.The reasons I gave a three-star review are: the included USB cable was faulty and I could not connect the camera to my computer. It would simply connect/disconnect repeatedly. My fix was to purchase an SD card reader and I can now view the recordings on my computer. Another issue I had was that the suction cup mount arrived damaged. I contacted the seller, Top Auto Gadgets, and they promptly issued me a credit. Lastly, since I am unable to determine whether or not I received an authentic Black Box camera, I adjusted my rating accordingly.For the price, this is definitely a good (not great) camera. Even though I cannot determine whether or not mine is authentic, I will most likely purchase another for my other vehicle. The audio and video quality of this camera is good enough that I will overlook its other shortcomings.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2020
Verified Purchase
I bought this camera after researching cheap dash cams before my trip to Florida. The consensus was that this camera was the best of the cheap dash cams, and it is pretty decent. However, most reviewers stated that there are numerous fakes or knock-offs circulating and one obvious tell is the file format for recorded videos. The authentic version of this camera records in .MOV as stated on the box (see picture) whereas the knock-offs will save files in a different format, typically .AVI. The camera I received records in .MP4, so I am not sure whether I received an authentic camera or a knock-off (maybe the file format was changed with a firmware update, who knows). That being said the quality is actually very nice as seen in the included screen cap.
I purchased this version as opposed to the battery-powered version because I learned from various sources that the capacitor version tends to have a higher tolerance for heat than the battery version. I spent roughly one week in Florida and had no heat-related issues with this camera. Even the suction cup mount performed as designed. The downside to the capacitor version is that it will lose its settings after sitting idle for a couple of days. My fix is to start the car every couple of days to retain the settings and this has proven successful thus far.
The reasons I gave a three-star review are: the included USB cable was faulty and I could not connect the camera to my computer. It would simply connect/disconnect repeatedly. My fix was to purchase an SD card reader and I can now view the recordings on my computer. Another issue I had was that the suction cup mount arrived damaged. I contacted the seller, Top Auto Gadgets, and they promptly issued me a credit. Lastly, since I am unable to determine whether or not I received an authentic Black Box camera, I adjusted my rating accordingly.
For the price, this is definitely a good (not great) camera. Even though I cannot determine whether or not mine is authentic, I will most likely purchase another for my other vehicle. The audio and video quality of this camera is good enough that I will overlook its other shortcomings.
I purchased this version as opposed to the battery-powered version because I learned from various sources that the capacitor version tends to have a higher tolerance for heat than the battery version. I spent roughly one week in Florida and had no heat-related issues with this camera. Even the suction cup mount performed as designed. The downside to the capacitor version is that it will lose its settings after sitting idle for a couple of days. My fix is to start the car every couple of days to retain the settings and this has proven successful thus far.
The reasons I gave a three-star review are: the included USB cable was faulty and I could not connect the camera to my computer. It would simply connect/disconnect repeatedly. My fix was to purchase an SD card reader and I can now view the recordings on my computer. Another issue I had was that the suction cup mount arrived damaged. I contacted the seller, Top Auto Gadgets, and they promptly issued me a credit. Lastly, since I am unable to determine whether or not I received an authentic Black Box camera, I adjusted my rating accordingly.
For the price, this is definitely a good (not great) camera. Even though I cannot determine whether or not mine is authentic, I will most likely purchase another for my other vehicle. The audio and video quality of this camera is good enough that I will overlook its other shortcomings.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2015
Verified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2016
Verified Purchase
