Upon embarking on the review of dashboard cameras, I was taken aback by the multitude of companies eager to dispatch trial units. Before I knew it, a stack of dashcams awaited evaluation, each catering to varied preferences. The assortment included single front-facing cams, dual and triple cams designed for comprehensive monitoring inside and outside the vehicle, some linked to cellular networks, while others relied on smartphone connections. While most of them bore similar designs with subtle differences, the Nexar One dash cam
Measuring approximately 6.5 x 2.75 x 2.0 inches, the Nexar One dash cam
Installation and Configuration
The setup of the Nexar One
Opting to power the Nexar Oneemergency ketchup packet stash. This part of the setup process is cumbersome, and for extended use, I would opt for the hardwiring kit also offered by Nexar.
The setup and activation process are relatively straightforward. It entails downloading the app onto your smartphone and establishing a Wi-Fi connection with the camera. Subsequently, to unlock the full array of features, a $10 monthly subscription is required.
Functionality of the Nexar One
As I draft this review, the Nexar One, inclusive of the connectivity module and internal camera, retails for $449.99 on Amazon. Coupled with the $10 monthly subscription, this may not be the most budget-friendly dashcam in the market. Hence, what justifies its price point?
Primarily, the video output from this camera is of superior quality. When comparednext to some other cameras, this provides crisper, more intricate video. At night, it excels, dealing with fluctuating light levels emanating from either streetlights or approaching vehicles. Equipped with Sony Starvis sensors, it features a 140-degree camera for external views and a 160-degree camera with night vision for interior shots.
By subscribing to Nexar Connect, you gain the ability to live stream video from your vehicle. I encountered no issues with this feature. While I’ve come across reviews mentioning difficulties in connecting, long connection times, and significant video lag, my experience differed. I found that I could establish a connection within 30 seconds and experienced only a 10 to 15-second delay in video transmission. Additionally, it offers live GPS location tracking.
But hold on, there’s more. Nexar Connect has the capability to notify a designated emergency contact in case of hard braking, sharp turns, or an impact event. Not only does it send you a notification, but it also automatically saves the video footage to the cloud. In the event of a collision, it can be configured to automatically share the video with your insurance provider. Moreover, it provides alerts, records, and stores footage in the cloud while in parking mode if it detects any incidents of vehicle impact or break-ins.
You Can’t Always Get What You Want, Easily
It’s rare that I test a product without encountering some drawbacks, and the Nexar One is no different. While setting up the dashcam is simple, attempting to input an emergency contact for accident notifications raised issues. The app required access to all my contacts rather than allowing me to designate a single number. I opted not to disclose all my insurance information, so I cannot provide insights on that aspect.
Retrieving videos from the camera is not as straightforward as one would hope. Despite the app currently occupying 35GB of my phone’s storage, it appears that most videos are stored on the dashcam itself. To extract videos, you must be in the vehicle with the dashcam operational. In my case, the car needed to be running. I then had to connect my phone to the dashcam via its Wi-Fi connection, save the video to Nexar Cloud storage first, and subsequently save it to my phone. All of this must be done before the dashcam switches to parking mode due to inactivity.
The dashcam automatically updates its firmware, which is beneficial. However, during a recent update, it inexplicably switched from 4K resolution to standard 1080.
My sole other gripe pertains to the OBDII power cable. While concealing it beneath the headliner and routing it into the A-pillar posed no issue, managing the excess cable and power converter as it passes through the door jamb proved less than elegant. Opting for the hardwiring kit would be the superior choice, especially if this were to be a permanent fixture in my vehicle.
| Nexar One Dash Cam | |
|---|---|
| Value | 7/10 |
| Standard | 8/10 |
| User-Friendliness | 6/10 |
| Sturdiness | 9/10 |
| Overall Assessment | 8/10 |
The Judgment
The Nexar One occupies the higher echelons of dashcam prices, yet it stands as a top-notch product. The excellence of the video is remarkable, and the capacity to stream video is distinctly appealing to numerous purchasers. When considering a young driver, the initial cost and monthly service fee will be effortlessly validated by the assurance gained from knowing that in case of any incident, you will be alerted and possess video proof from both inside and outside the vehicle.
A few of the app malfunctions are somewhat vexing, but Nexar has been resolving operational issues encountered by users. This could potentially lead to a redesign of the app to simplify downloads, yet there are no guarantees.
Not every individual requires all the functionalities provided by the Nexar One; in such scenarios, the company has more basic models. For those seeking a dashcam equipped with an array of features capable of streaming video and notifying you and others of incidents on the road, this is an exceptional selection.