Vantrue OnDash N4 evaluation: Versatile 3-channel dash camera records with 4K

At a glimpse

Expert’s Rating

Pros

• 4K front catches in two-channel mode
• 1080 p interior and rear captures
• Versatile setup
• Easy to utilize

Cons

• Only 1440 p when utilizing 3 channels
• Infrared handicapped by default

Our Verdict

Vantrue’s N4 is the most cost effective three-channel dash webcam we’re conscious of. It catches at 1440 p in three-channel mode, and 4K when you drop to 2.

Price When Reviewed

$25999

Best Prices Today: Vantrue OnDash N4 dash webcam

If you like the concept of overall (or near-total anyhow) protection inside and outside your automobile, you will not discover a less expensive method to scratch that itch than Vantrue’s OnDash N4. This three-channel front/rear/interior system has the rather good cost of $260 though a GPS install is another $22

Note that the dash web cam I checked is the one discovered when you click the Dash Cam tab, then N4 from Vantrue’s site. Searching around Vantrue’s website, I found another N4 item page with various specifications The difference is that the design I evaluated– probably the more existing design– has 4K assistance. Even still, that specification is a bit deceptive when revealed as “3-channel 4K.” While the N4 can certainly record 4K UHD front video, it can just do so when recording front/interior, or front/rear– i.e, in two-channel mode, not three-channel.

Note likewise that the market normally describes just the front cam when marketing resolution. Interior and rear cams are usually lower resolution when 4K is promoted.

This evaluation becomes part of our continuous roundup of the very best dash webcams Go there for more evaluations and purchasing recommendations.

Vantrue OnDash N4: Design and functions

At simply over 4 inches long and 1.5 inches deep and large, the flattened-cylindrical N4 is a bit on the plus size. It needs to be to fit both the front and interior cams, along with a crisp 2.45- inch IPS color display screen. It’s not a beast by any methods, however it’s not svelte like Garmin’s Dash Cam Tandem

On top of the system are 5 buttons (menu, okay/record, left, right, power) to browse the onscreen menus. Said menus are realistically arranged and simple to search. On the left side of the primary body you’ll discover: a USB Type-C port for the rear cam or connecting the system to a computer system to unload video; a micro-HDMI video port for outputting to a TELEVISION, and so on; an SD card slot; and a small reset button.

There’s absolutely nothing on the ideal side, however on top is the connection for the consisted of suction install, which is totally adjustable horizontally and vertically. The whole offer is powered by means of another USB Type-C port on the install. The nub for that port likewise works as a deal with to turn the system to assist protect the suction cup to the windscreen.

Vantrue

The front video camera is 2160 p/30 frames per 2nd optimum (when tape-recorded alone) with a field of vision of 155 degrees, however as pointed out, drops to 1440 p when both the interior and rear electronic cameras are likewise in usage. It will remain at 2160 p when utilized with either the interior or rear electronic cameras, however drops from 30 fps to 25 fps.

The interior video camera is 1080 p with a 165 degree FOV, and the rear video camera is 1080 p with a 160 degree FOV. Why the minor inequalities in between the FOV of 3 electronic cameras, I can’t state, however together they cover a great deal of realty. All function Sony STARVIS sensing units for excellent color and night efficiency.

There are 4 infrared lights surrounding the vertically rotating interior cam to enhance night catches in the cabin. Unfortunately, Vantrue does not allow them by default so my opening night captures were darker than they need to’ve been. Vantrue needs to make a higher effort to make the N4 functional under all conditions right out of package.

The power cable television is auxiliary (cigarette lighter) to Type-C and a 20- foot cable television is offered to link the rear video camera. It’s that long due to the fact that you’ll likely be snaking it around/under seats, up and within interior moulding, or both. Similar to a lot of rush web cams, a moulding spudger/crevice tool is supplied.

The rear electronic camera is plainly identified, something I genuinely value. I’ve set up less undoubtedly identified systems upside down on mishap. Idea: If you have a rear electronic camera that does not make its orientation evident, connect it to the primary electronic camera, power it on, and note what’s revealed on the screen prior to sticking it in location. (Nearly all usage sticky pads.)

There’s no SD card consisted of with the N4. Mentioning which, you’ll be utilizing a great deal of storage with 3 channels continuously running, or just catching 2160 p. Buy as big as you can.

The N4 provides 3 parking modes: movement detection (utilizing the cam), effect detection (utilizing the G-sensor), and a low-resolution (720 p at 15 fps) constant capture mode. There’s likewise a time-lapse image capture function to conserve storage area.

Onboard is a very capacitor instead of a battery for more charge cycles and a wider operating temperature level variety (14 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit). Uncommonly, it keeps the display screen running for a 2nd approximately after power is pulled, indicating it’s of good capability. Numerous last just the milliseconds it requires to close the existing video.

Vantrue OnDash N4: Performance

I initially evaluated the N4 as a three-channel cam, leading to 1440 p front catches. In general, the 1440 p/1080 p quality is appropriate if in no other way competitive with the more expensive, however exceptional Cobra SC 400 D I then changed the electronic camera to front/rear just and got some 2160 p video footage from the front.

The color is area on in both cases, however I discovered the information in all the captures a bit fuzzy for the resolutions included– particularly the interior and rear cams. Vantrue appears to select smoothness over sharpness in processing the captures. Either that, or it’s in the optics or sensing units. I have actually seen just recently that the video cameras with Sony sensing units do lean towards eliminating jaggies.

Right-click on the images and choose “Open in brand-new tab,” then change to the brand-new tab to see them complete resolution.

The broad FOV for the interior cam (revealed listed below) ensures you will record all of the cabin no matter how big the car. I left the power wire hanging to spare you from yet another look at my mug.

There’s a fair bit of fisheye from all the cams. The large field of visions (FOV) makes certain you’ll record more occasions, however it does lead to this kind of artifact. The interior and rear electronic camera information are rather muddy for 1080 p catches. The rear electronic camera shot listed below likewise is a bit doing not have in information in general. That’s one of our structure’s guard examining to make certain Giants fans from the arena simply down the street aren’t utilizing our parking.

Night captures are more of the very same. There’s great if not great information on the front captures, however interior and rear captures are somewhat muddy. Headlight flare is more extreme than with some cams. Keep in mind that a few of the distortion is because of the night conditions here in foggy San Francisco.

As with the day catches, there’s a particular bluriness to the rear video camera’s night catches. You’ll require to be really near to get information such as license plate numbers.

As discussed, for some factor, Vantrue does not set the infrared lighting to vehicle or on by default. The dark capture revealed listed below. Anticipating the infrared to work instantly, I needed to go out on yet anther night to record with the infrared on.

Below is the arise from my 2nd venture. I stepped outside as I’m sick of taking a look at myself in these images. Keep in mind that you can really now inform that there are seats in my MX-5.

One little concern with the N4 is that it does not instantly begin tape-recording when you leave the settings menus as the majority of cams will. You need to strike the okay/record button. I missed out on a great deal of captures at first due to the fact that of this. Niceties.

Conclusion

As long as you comprehend that the N4 is 1440 p when utilizing all 3 channels, it’s a bargain, though it would be a much better one with GPS currently on board The captures are barely the very best we’ve seen, however they’re vibrant and present a functional quantity of information. A proficient if not magnificent cam system for a great rate.