With the rapidly advancing technology in the automotive world, dash cams have become more than just incident recorders. They’ve evolved into comprehensive safety and security systems for drivers. The Garmin Dash Cam Live, with its array of impressive features, is a testament to this evolution. From high-definition video recording to real-time alerts and remote access through LTE connectivity, this device is aimed at providing not just a record of your drives but also peace of mind. In this review, I delve into an in-depth exploration of its capabilities, understanding its value for everyday users, and evaluating whether it lives up to expectations. Check the Latest Price on Amazon Now!
Garmin Dash Cam Live Review of Specs:
 | |
|---|---|
| Garmin Dash Cam Live | |
| Resolution | 1440p up to 30 FPS |
| View angle | 140° |
| Screen | color TFT LCD |
| Built-in Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Built-in GPS | Yes |
| Battery life | 30 mins |
| Memory | 16 GB microSD™ included (supports up to 512 GB, Class 10 or faster) |
| Price | Find on Amazon BHPhotoVideo.com |
Unboxing and First Impressions
Straight out of the box, the Garmin Dash Cam Live presents a modern design that fits perfectly with the interior aesthetics of any vehicle. It boasts a compact size ( 3.26 x 1.98 x 0.86 in), making it an unobtrusive addition to your windscreen. The product weight of 109.7g complements its portability. Also included is a 16GB microSD card, which is a nice touch, considering the device supports up to 512GB Class 10 or faster cards.
Display and Build
With a 2.95″ diag (7.49cm) color TFT LCD display, the dash cam offers a clear and sharp visual interface for users. The display resolution of 640 x 360 pixels is sufficient for dash cam settings and quick video reviews. The product’s build quality feels sturdy and durable, showing an ability to withstand harsh vehicle environments, including direct sunlight and hot interior temperatures.
Installation Experience
Installation was simpler than I initially expected. The Garmin Dash Cam Live comes with a magnetic mount, making the device easy to install, adjust, and remove if necessary. It took about an hour to complete the setup, including the time to carefully route the cable through the rubber gaskets around the door and floor. The Constant Power Cable connects to the OBDII port and features two USB ports, which can come in handy for adding additional devices.
Dash Cam Performance
The Garmin Dash Cam Live offers a camera resolution of 1440p and a 140-degree field of view. With Garmin’s proprietary Clarity HDR, the camera captures crisp and clear details, whether during the day or at night. The device also captures video at up to 30 FPS, which provides smooth playback. Check how it performs compared to Garmin Dashcam 67W.
A unique feature of this dash cam is the “always-on” LTE connection. With an active subscription, you can access a live view and share saved video anytime from the Garmin Drive smartphone app. The “always-on” feature requires an LTE subscription and can be subject to legal restrictions depending on your jurisdiction.
Advanced Features
The device also supports advanced safety features such as forward collision warnings, lane departure warnings, and “Go” alerts, all aimed at enhancing the driver’s situational awareness and safety.
In case of incidents, the Garmin Dash Cam Live detects the event with its G-sensor and records a video of it with GPS location, date, and time details. These videos are automatically uploaded to the secure online Vault for easy review and sharing.
Parking Guard and Vehicle Surveillance
Garmin takes vehicle security to the next level with the parking guard feature. This feature, with an active LTE subscription, notifies you about detected incidents affecting your parked vehicle. In my tests, I was impressed with the sensitivity of this feature, although I did note that it could be triggered by passing cars in a parking garage, due to the vibrations they cause.
Voice Control and Multicam Support
Voice control is another notable feature, allowing users to use spoken commands to save video, start/stop audio recording, take still pictures, and more. The dash cam supports English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, and Swedish languages.
The dash cam auto-sync feature also impressed me. You can use the Garmin Drive app to view video from up to four dash cams, which could prove useful for larger vehicles or those who desire comprehensive coverage.
Battery Life and Power Management
The device comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that lasts up to 30 minutes on a full charge. However, when connected via the Constant Power Cable to the OBDII port, the device transitions to parking mode automatically and stays powered. It’s worth mentioning that the Constant Power Cable has battery voltage protection, ensuring that it won’t drain your vehicle’s battery below 12 volts. This means that you won’t be left stranded with a flat car battery due to the dash cam.
User Interface and Garmin Drive App
The interface on the Garmin Dash Cam Live is straightforward and intuitive. However, to get the most out of the device, you need to download the Garmin Drive app. The app enhances the dash cam’s functionality, allowing for features such as live view, incident detection, and notifications. I found the app’s user interface to be clean, intuitive, and reliable during my testing.
The LTE Subscription
A standout feature of the Garmin Dash Cam Live is the always-on LTE connectivity. This service requires a separate subscription but adds a layer of security by providing you with real-time alerts and video uploads in case of an incident.
The $10 a month LTE subscription allows for 7 days of saved video and gives you the ability to check live view from anywhere at any time. Although this subscription might seem like an additional cost, the peace of mind it offers, particularly for those parking their vehicles in public or less secure areas, could be well worth it.
Pros
- High-definition 1440p camera with Clarity HDR offers clear video quality.
- Always-on LTE connectivity provides real-time alerts and remote access.
- Advanced safety features like collision and lane departure warnings enhance driving safety.
- Parking guard feature enhances security for your parked vehicle.
- Durable design withstands harsh vehicle environments, including direct sunlight.
Cons
- No included rear camera limits comprehensive vehicle coverage.
- LTE service and added security features require an additional monthly subscription.
The Downsides
While the Garmin Dash Cam Live is packed with features, it does have a few drawbacks. Notably, it does not come with a rear camera. This omission could limit the dash cam’s effectiveness in providing comprehensive coverage around your vehicle.
However, Garmin offers the option to purchase one of their Mini cams and route it into the Constant Power Cable. Keep in mind that live parking mode alerts for this rear camera will only work when your vehicle is within range of your Wi-Fi network.
Conclusion: The Garmin Dash Cam Live Experience
In conclusion, the Garmin Dash Cam Live stands out with its robust set of features, impressive camera quality, and extra peace of mind provided by the LTE connectivity. Its durable design, user-friendly interface, and additional safety features make it an excellent choice for any driver.
While the absence of a rear camera is a shortcoming, it does not detract from the overall value that this dash cam brings to the table. Whether you are looking for a reliable tool for recording your daily drives or a comprehensive security solution for your parked vehicle, the Garmin Dash Cam Live is a worthy investment.
While its price point may be higher than other dash cams in the market, the added connectivity features, superb build quality, and brand reputation make the Garmin Dash Cam Live a compelling choice in the growing dash cam market. Discover the Best Price on BHPhotovideo.com Today!