Garmin’s line of discreet dash cams offers drivers options for quality video and reliable images. The Garmin 47 dash cam takes things one step further by offering advanced driver safety systems in a compact camera package. This Garmin dash cam 47 review will examine the available features and give you our impressions of how well it works based on our extensive experience testing dash cams (>>> Check on Amazon).
Garmin Dash Cam 47 Review of Main Specs:
 | |
|---|---|
| Garmin 47 | |
| Resolution (front) | 1080P @30fps |
| View angle | 140° |
| Built-in Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Built-in GPS | Yes |
| Parking mode | Yes |
| Maximum capacity | 256 GB |
| Price | Find on Amazon |
Design and Installation Features
We’ve tested many different dash cams over the years. We are always intrigued by small camera designs that can be installed in any vehicle, even with large, bulky rear-view mirrors and excessive windshield slopes. The Garmin 47 is one of the smallest dash cams we have ever checked out. The low cost and small size might make you think you are getting an inferior product, but we can tell you that this camera is a fully-featured powerhouse you can count on.
Garmin gave the 47 a modern, high-end textured finish that resists fingerprints and makes this camera look like a factory-installed device. The included windshield mount allows the 47 to mount inconspicuously near the mirror so that it blends in. When you install this camera, it practically disappears. The camera lens faces forward and occupies nearly all available real estate on that side. Four large function buttons are located on the camera’s right side. Power connects to the left side with an included cable that can mount vertically or horizontally. A two-inch LCD screen is on the back of the camera, offering an easy way to view videos and taking advantage of additional features.
Pros
- One of the smallest dash cams we’ve ever seen that offers lots of features
- Better than expected video quality
- Highly useful driver safety alerts using the two-inch screen
Cons
- The need to buy additional equipment to get all of the features of the camera is annoying
- The Harmon app is sluggish and not well refined
Screen Functions
The screen offers a simple way to view videos without accessing the memory card or using the app. It also gives drivers a good heads-up when driver alert systems are used. The Garmin 47 provides drivers with forward collision warnings, lane departure warnings, “go” alerts, and provides warnings about the presence of red light cameras and speed traps that are saved in the database and accessible through the included GPS antenna.
We particularly like the warnings and the way Garmin uses color-coded alerts that are quickly identifiable and easy to see. Many dash cams we’ve seen offer driver safety features, but they usually rely on small flashing lights or individual tones that are not very useful.
Camera Capabilities
The Garmin 47 dash cam has one of the lowest price points we’ve seen in a product we would actually use, and we didn’t expect to get much in terms of video resolution. As advertised, the camera provides a 1080p HD recording which is the lowest resolution we would accept in any dash cam. After reviewing videos shot with this camera, we noticed the crisp and clear quality the camera provides. This camera works as well as it does because of the fairly narrow 140-degree field of view. Smaller FOV cameras can provide more detail at the expense of capturing the action on the sides of the vehicle. The Garmin 47 offers rather clean videos with minimal stutter.
Other Features
We were surprised that the Garmin 47 offers live view and parking mode features, which we rarely see in such a low-priced camera. You will need to purchase a constant power cable to use these features, but it is cool to know they are available.
We were excited to try out the Garmin Drive App for Garmin Dash Cams because it offers a slick way to access saved video files and adjust settings easily So far, we’ve been disappointed in the app’s performance. It tends to be slow and doesn’t always connect to our smartphone, an issue numerous users we spoke with also commented on. The best way to check videos is either on the camera itself or by ejecting the SD card and viewing files on a laptop or desktop computer. You can even use voice commands to start, stop, or play videos, yet another feature that is rarely seen at this price point.
Conclusion
Drivers searching for a discreet low-cost, effective dash camera should look at the Garmin 47. Of all the dash cams we have tested, this is one of the smallest and one of the most effective. Despite the lack of a constant power cable and an app that isn’t always user-friendly, we think the Garmin 47 makes a great option (>>> Find the current price on Amazon).