The Nextbase iQ evaluation: Sensible however dear

I’ve been utilizing a touch cam for some time now, and whereas many fashions get the job carried out if you would like fundamental video capabilities, not all of them provide extra superior options and features. The Nextbase iQ, nevertheless, is extra appropriate for anybody who needs subsequent degree in-car video surveillance.

It’s positively a step up from extra price range fashions, providing forward-facing video, cockpit protection with the choice to plug in a rear-facing digicam too. Consequently, the Nextbase iQ is without doubt one of the best dash cam fashions. In case you require all the digicam’s options and features to be enabled, you’ll must pay for one of many Nextbase subscription packages to go together with it.

The corporate has been fairly shrewd although, because it provides variations on the theme. There’s an entry-level 1K decision mannequin, intently adopted by a 2K version. Topping all of it off although is the 4K Nextbase iQ, which is the one I’ve been testing just lately. Now that I by no means exit within the automobile and not using a sprint cam, I’m discovering that this premium mannequin is the one I really feel happiest with fastened to the windshield.

Beneficial

Nextbase iQ

The Nextbase iQ is without doubt one of the chunkier sprint cams available on the market however that’s for good motive. It comes with a small mountain of cool options and shoots nice video. Nevertheless, the extra options that include a Nextbase subscription are what assist to justify the digicam’s price ticket. 

Professionals

• Complete characteristic set
• Stable construct high quality
• High-quality video and audio seize

Cons

• Massive and hulking
• Superior options value further
• Must be related to ODBII port or hardwired

Associated

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Worth, availability, and specs

The Nextbase iQ sprint cam is offered in three totally different variations. Probably the most reasonably priced encompasses a 1K sensor and prices $500. The 2K mannequin is an additional $100, whereas the flagship 4K variant is $700. This can be a good sprint cam although, so I believe it’s worthwhile signing up for one in every of Nextbase’s iQ subscriptions.

These are priced to go well with totally different budgets, beginning with Defend costing £7 month-to-month or £7 yearly, whereas Defend Plus is £10 per thirty days or £100 yearly. For the US, the Nextbase Defend plan at the moment prices $10 per thirty days. Nextbase additionally provides the plan for $100 yearly. The entry-level Solo version can be utilized free of charge. For a whole surveillance answer, the Nextbase rear digicam might be bought for $200.

Design and construct

Seems the half

Nextbase has chosen to do issues a bit in a different way, and, because of this, the iQ appears like no different sprint cam mannequin available on the market. For starters, I believe it’s on the cumbersome facet, particularly should you’re putting in in a automobile with a smaller windshield. Nevertheless, the iQ is properly made, with the lens and sensor contained in a extra conventional a part of the unit, whereas there’s additionally a blob-style microphone unit and twin aerials connected to that.

It is easy to work out the half that goes on the display screen as that comes with an adhesive 3M pad, whereas the cable ports are designated in self-explanatory style. Together with the sprint cam, the field comprises all the different elements wanted to get the digicam up and working. Some extent to notice in regards to the Nextbase iO is that it must be related utilizing your ODBII port, which is often discovered someplace beneath the sprint.

I usually just like the comfort of having the ability to join a dashcam into the 12V socket of my automobile, which permits me to change it to different automobiles once I must. The ODBII port isn’t a everlasting connection, although in my expertise unplugging once more might be tough because the connector is commonly fairly tight. I discovered this side of the Nextbase iQ to be one in every of its least interesting.

Setup and set up

Plug and play

I used the Nextbase iQ with simply the usual setup, so didn’t have the rear-facing digicam to check. The remainder of the set up is straightforward sufficient and might be carried out in lower than half an hour. Cable administration is often the half that takes me the longest to finish, however a minimum of there’s loads of cable size to make the job simpler. The 3M self-adhesive pad may be very sticky so fortunately I managed to get the place proper the primary time.

The added bonus with the Nextbase iQ is that when it is in place there’s an angled joint between the microphone and digicam. This allowed me to alter the angle barely in order that I may make certain I’d get an optimum recording of the view forward. The opposite lens faces inwards, so it’s on the again facet of the unit. It’s this that information you and your automobile’s occupants in addition to the rest that must be captured within the cockpit.

The following a part of the setup puzzle concerned me downloading the supplementary Nextbase iQ app and creating an account. The app itself is properly laid out and helps stroll you thru the setup and set up course of, so I used to be fairly assured I’d bought all of it proper as soon as it was up and working. Having the app additionally means you’ve bought prompt entry to all of your account content material, regardless of the place you occur to be.

Working with the app

Video on faucet

The most effective issues in regards to the Nextbase iQ is its vary of good options, which remodel it from an on a regular basis sprint cam right into a potent safety software. There are three core instruments, that are actually spectacular, together with Sensible Sense Parking, that can assist you get your automobile into areas simpler. Secondly, the Witness Mode is invaluable if it’s worthwhile to hold an incident utilizing voice-activation whereas it duly will get saved to your cloud house, which is a part of a subscription. The opposite bonus options is Stay View, which supplies you simply that: across the clock monitoring of your automobile.

If I’m utilizing the Solo model of the Nextbase iQ I discover that it’s bought much less to supply with solely the likes of voice management and textual content notifications providing any actual curiosity. As such, I discovered that the subscription angle is the way in which to go together with this sprint cam. Defend is a perfect package deal for me, I believe, with the Stay View characteristic that runs as much as 60 minutes, Sensible Sense Parking, Witness mode, RoadWatch AI, Guardian Mode, a Distant Alarm and, crucially, cloud storage of information for 30 days.

The Defend Plus subscription might be the one I’ll go for in future. It’s bristling with nice stuff, like app voice management, real-time picture notifications, Stay View (as much as 120 minutes), Stay View Look Again, Sensible Sense Parking, Witness mode, RoadWatch AI, Guardian Mode and Distant Alarm. The cloud backup is healthier too providing 180 days and equally spectacular are the Emergency SOS and Automated incident back-up instruments.

Utilizing the system

Loads of scope

There’s little question the Nextbase iQ has sufficient muscle to maintain you coated, with a specification that’s nearly as good as they arrive. My 4K check mannequin options 3840 x 2160p video content material, which is great, whereas the sector of view is 140-degrees and due to this fact greater than sufficient. The inside digicam additionally delivers crisp and clear video with a Full HD view of the cabin that gives up 180-degree protection.

Once more, it’s the connectivity of the Nextbase iQ that’s most interesting for me. I really like the way in which that it screens the whole lot and retains content material backed up within the cloud, so I don’t have to fret about it. It’s additionally bought all of the instruments wanted to maintain it related for a number of years too, with GPS, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi as properly. The 4G connectivity is delivered utilizing Vodafone within the UK and mainland Europe, whereas the identical job is dealt with through T-Cell within the US.

Do you have to purchase the Nextbase iQ

The Nextbase iQ is a superb sprint cam and, factoring within the high-end price ticket, may be a bit an excessive amount of for these trying into proudly owning a fundamental video capturing system. I like the way in which I can decide and select the mannequin variant although, and likewise the way in which that Nextbase provides subscription packages to go well with totally different pockets too. I believe the center tier mannequin is the one to purchase, though there’s no disputing the fabulous 4K high quality delivered by the premium version.

Granted, I am much less thrilled in regards to the ODBII plug-in technique, however I can see why that is most likely the required solution to go if I’m anticipating a always related and at all times on sort of surveillance. In fact, it may be hardwired if most popular, which is an alternative choice and cleverly, the Nextbase iQ isn’t going to run down my battery both, because the system routinely shuts it down if the ability is getting low.

Beneficial

Nextbase iQ