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Nextbase 212 – A Great Mid-Range Dash Cam
Contents
Dash cams have come a long way in terms of technology and there are so many brands out there with fantastic models to choose from. One of these brands is Nextbase. Nextbase have been in operation since 1999 and are now the market leaders in dash cam technology.
They are well-known for producing quality dash cams that are durable and affordable. One of their most popular models is the Nextbase 212 Dash Cam. This mid-range model is actually quite impressive considering the reasonable price tag attached. To help you decide if this is the dash cam for you, take a look at our unbiased review below.
Features:
- 1080P Full HD Recording
- 30 Frames Per Second
- 6 Element Glass Lens
- 140 Degree Recording
- 7” LED Screen
- G Sensor
- Loop Recording
- Built In Backup Battery
Pros:
- Slim and compact design that doesn’t obstruct the view from the windscreen.
- Simple set up process.
- Powered by the car cigarette lighter.
- Automatically powers up upon starting the car ignition.
- Can be hard wired if you want the camera on all of the time.
Cons:
- The orange background of the menu screen can be a little difficult to see, particularly if you have less than perfect eyesight.
- It doesn’t come with a Micro SD card which is essential for use.
The Design
One of the most popular things about the Nextbase 212 Lite is that it is considerably smaller than most of the other dash cams out there. It is one of the smallest cameras that Nextbase produce. The best thing about this is that there is absolutely no risk of it obstructing the drivers view from the windscreen.
It is not only compact, but also very slim making it really comfortable to hold in the hand. This is especially beneficial if you want to make use of the GPS feature as you are able to input map details whilst holding the camera.
The dash cam itself is quite heavy which is actually a good sign as it indicates that it has been well designed and built to last. You can really feel that it has been made from high quality materials and not flimsy plastic that will break the next time you hit a speed bump or a pothole.
The 2.7 inch screen is big enough to allow the user to control the features with ease, but not too big to make use difficult. At 2.7 inches, it is perfect for controlling the video playback feature.
In terms of appearance, this dash cam looks great. It has a modern design in grey and black that doesn’t stand out in the windscreen. The fact that this dash cam has been designed to look so discreet is another popular feature.
The Recording Quality
You’d be forgiven for thinking that the Nextbase 212 Lite compromises on recording quality, given the low price tag but this really isn’t the case with this model. It still records in 1080P Full HD and boasts an impressive 30 frames per second, providing excellent recording quality and playback.
It has a 6 element glass lens that not only produces a crisp image quality, but also allows you to capture the finer details. For a mid-range dash cam, this is a good quality to have. The only downside to the recording quality is that it only records at 140 degrees which isn’t as good as the standard 180 degrees, but it does the job.
The G Sensor Effectiveness
For a dash cam to be worth buying, the one feature that needs to be highly effective is the G sensor. It I this built in sensor that triggers the recording feature as soon as sudden braking is detected. It will also automatically save the footage so that it does not get deleted during an accident.
The good news is that the G sensor in the Nextbase 212 Lite is very sensitive and highly effective. It performed really well in some basic tests and triggered the recording feature every time that it was supposed to which is just what you need.
The Extra Features
There are a number of extra features with the Nextbase 212 Lite that are really impressive. The first thing that has proven really poplar is the easy click and go magnetic mount. Unless you plan to have this dash cam
hard wired, it is definitely best to remove it from your car after each journey. With the easy magnetic mount, this is no extra hassle at all.
Another thing that we really like about this dash cam is the built in back up lithium ion battery. This means that the dash cam itself will retain power for an extra 30 minutes in the event of an accident, allowing the driver to capture the aftermath which is sometimes essential. It is important to note that the backup battery shouldn’t be used as an alternative power source, but it is a good extra feature to have.
The Conclusion
To conclude, the Nextbase 212 Lite is a great mid-range dash cam that is packed with features that you would usually only find with the higher end models. There are certain features that could do with a little improvement, such as the orange background on the menu screen and it would be much better if a Micro SD card was included in the package, but overall, it is a great option. The fact that this particular dash cam can also be hard wired is an added bonus.
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