The Vantrue N4 dash cam is easy to use and offers three channels that give you a great view of the entire scene. The three cameras produce excellent footage and are easy to set up. However, we would have preferred to see built-in GPS and Wi-Fi connectivity to justify the high price of the N4.
With various types of dash cams available for purchase, it can get confusing when trying to decide if you are making the right decision. But not to worry, I bought the Vantrue N4 dash cam and have been testing it out to aid you in figuring out if it fits your needs.
Vantrue N4 3 Channel 4k Dash Cam Overview
The Vantrue N4 3 channel 4K dash cam is a high-quality device designed for those who want to capture every moment on the road. The dash cam is equipped with three cameras, allowing you to simultaneously capture footage from the front, inside, and rear of your vehicle. The front-facing camera records in 4K resolution, while the interior and rear cameras record in 1080p.
One of the most impressive features of the Vantrue N4 3-channel dash cam is its advanced Sony STARVIS sensor, which provides high-quality images in both low and bright light conditions. This means you can capture clear footage in the darkest of environments, such as in the middle of the night or on a poorly-lit road. Additionally, the dash cam has a wide dynamic range [WDR] that automatically adjusts the exposure to ensure that both the brightest and darkest parts of the image are visible.
Another great feature that's missing from the Vantrue N4 is its built-in GPS. On other Vantrue models like the Vantrue S1 dash cam, the built-in GPS allows you to track your vehicle's location and speed. This feature can be incredibly helpful in an accident, providing clear evidence of what happened and where it occurred.
The Vantrue N4 3-channel dash cam also comes with a 24-hour parking mode that utilizes motion detection to start recording when someone approaches or moves around your vehicle. This can be incredibly useful in preventing hit-and-run accidents or thefts.
In terms of installation, the Vantrue N4 3-channel dash cam is easy to set up and comes with everything you need, including a power cable, 3M adhesive mounts, and a user manual. The dash cam also has a 2.45-inch LCD that allows you to view and manage your video files easily.
Overall, the Vantrue N4 3 channel 4K dash cam is an excellent investment for anyone who wants a comprehensive view of what happens on the road. Its advanced features and high-quality video make it an excellent choice for personal and commercial use.
I placed an overnight order for the Vantrue N4 dash cam and was expecting it to get delivered to me by the morning of September 26th. This shipping option was available through Amazon. So the question is, did they actually deliver the next day between 4AM and 8AM? Nope, they did not. I had to cancel the order because Amazon was over a day late, and re-ordered once I came back in town.
Since I have moved to Michigan, it seems like Amazon has some fulfillment issues around my area. I barely every get packages on time and a lot of times they just cancel instead of delivering, especially during Prime days. Anyway, did it get delivered on time when I ordered on the 2nd time? Surprisingly, yes.
Unboxing of My Vanture N4 Dash Cam
First thing I have to say is that the packaging of the Vantrue N4 dash cam is superb. I was truly blown away by attention to detail of the dash cam. Packaging alone made it feel like a very high quality product is waiting inside for me. Almost felt bad for tearing through the plastic film and starting to dig through what's inside.
Here are what all of the items that come in the box when you order the Vantrue N4 dash cam:
- Vantrue N4 dash cam
- Suction cup mount for the main dash cam
- Rear camera
- Car charger with built-in type-C cable
- Type-C USB data cable that's 3 feet long
- Rear camera cable that's 20 feet long
- User manual
- Quick start guide
- Adhesive sticker
It is very important to note that the Micro SD card does not come with the dash camera and has to be ordered separately. Vantrue advises their dash cam users to purchase a Vantrue Micro SD card or equivalent card that's at least U3 speed rated and is between 32GB and 256GB in size.
Vantrue N4 Pros and Cons
Pros
- Three different cameras, including a cabin view
- It is easy to set up and use
- Integrated screen
- Great front facing camera video quality
- Ideal camera for ride-sharing drivers
Cons
- Touch-sensitive screen
- There is no built-in GPS/Wi-Fi which in return does not show speed [sold separately]
- High prices
Dashcams have recently seen a huge increase in popularity. These cameras are very useful and can be used to capture all evidence in a road accident. You might also want to capture adventures or vlogs with them. There are many types of dash cameras available to suit different needs. This camera is ideal for anyone looking to capture possible incidents. It can also be used by professional drivers like taxi drivers and delivery drivers.
Vantrue N4 has 3 cameras in total with one of them facing inside of the vehicle. There are some pros and cons to this one since it's always filming. That being said, you shouldn't be doing anything illegal anyway while driving [like texting and driving].
Specifications for Vantrue N4
- Sensor: Sony Starvis-CMOS sensor
- Video resolution 4K [front], 1080p HD [cabin/rear]
- View from the front: 155°
- Frame rate Maximum 30fps
- Digital zoom: No
- Inbuilt microphone: Yes
- GPS includes: No
Vantrue N4 Features
I expect the Vantrue N4 to have many features considering its high price. The three-channel recording covers the front and rear at the top of the list.
4K recording is possible, but you must turn off the interior and rearview cameras. Otherwise, you will only get 2160p + 1080p for dual-channel recording. 1440p + 1080p plus 1080p are available if all three are turned on.
The camera also has a 2.45-inch full-color screen that can be viewed in color [though it's not touch-sensitive] and USB-C connectivity to power the camera. Although the camera can be used with MicroSD cards, Vantrue does not want you to use Transcend cards or SanDisk cards. I tried it, and it worked fine, so I don't know why. You should also note that the MicroSD card is not in the box. This means that you will need to budget for it.
Apart from thinking about all the great features the Vantrue N4 has, it's also worth considering what it doesn't have. For example, there is no built-in GPS [though you could buy a separate unit] and no Wi-Fi connectivity to upload your videos to the cloud. These are both major omissions, especially for a dash cam at this price.
Construction and Ease-of-Use
Vantrue N4 is very easy to set up. You will need to insert a microSD Card when you take the dashcam out of its box. Vantrue, as previously stated, advises against using Transcend and SanDisk memory cards. Instead, it suggests its brand. However, me being me, I bought the SanDisk memory card and it worked just fine. Just make sure that the speed is the one that's required by the camera. Btw, the image above is me taking some winter pictures of my BMW 535i xDrive while I was testing the new Michelin CrossClimate2 tires in snow.
The box contains a power cable with an adapter that you can plug into your car's main power outlet. The adapter plugs into your camera's side or the included windshield mount. It is best to plug into the windshield mount, as you will need the power socket to attach the rearview camera [if it is used].
The Rearview camera is attached via a sticky pad to the rear window. However, the front view camera can be attached quickly and removed using a twisting mechanism on the mount's sucker pads. It can be easily removed if you don't wish to display the dash cam. You don't need to add anything to the interior camera [cabin view], as it is already attached to the main front camera. You can rotate it up and down to get the best view possible.
The buttons at the top of your camera can be used to access and operate a menu system. To open the menu, press the M button. Next, use the buttons to scroll up and down and to make selections. For example, choose the resolution you want, how long to record clips, and other options. It is worth taking a moment to familiarize yourself with the menu before you start using the camera.
Other functions include quick switching on and off the microphone and switching between the various cameras. The box contains a detailed instruction manual to help you understand the camera, but most of the information is self-explanatory.
The parking mode can be turned on if the camera has been hard-wired to the car. It will draw power from your battery. Although this can be used to detect and record bumps and motion, it is not something I have been able to verify.
Vantrue N4 Performance
- 0 seconds of 1 Minute, 0 Seconds Volume 0% PLAY SOUND
- 4K video from the front camera
- 1080p sample video from the rear camera
- 1080p Video Sample from Cabin Camera
As you can see above, night time driving provides you with good video quality. The only reason why spots in the video are blurry is because I had to continuously run my windshield wipers to get the snow off the glass.
The venture N4 can capture excellent footage, especially if it is used to record driving and traffic incidents. While 4K resolution can only be achieved using the front-facing camera, you can still see the important details, such as number plates, even if the other cameras are switched on [and use lower resolutions]. Therefore, I recommend using all three cameras to get the best coverage. However, at the minimum, the rear-facing and front-facing cameras should be used.
The footage is stable and doesn't jump or jolt, even in slightly dangerous conditions. Exposure is balanced, and colors are accurate or as close as you can make them for the purpose. This camera is great for vlogging, as it captures the interior view. However, the sound quality is not good enough for insurance claims and other similar purposes. It will disappoint anyone with even a passing interest or knowledge of audio. A dedicated action camera might be better for this type of user.
Vantrue N4 Reviews
Vantrue N4 Reviews on Amazon
Vantrue N4 has 4.4/5.0 star rating on Amazon with 6,112 global reviewers at the time of this writing. Seems like a lot of people have purchased this dash cam. The worrisome thing is that there are 7% of 1-star reviews, as well as a total of 15% of the reviewers didn't give Vantrue N4 more than 3 stars.
There are quite a few customers complaints are over the video quality and the camera not recording 24/7. The customer service for the product doesn't seem to be extremely helpful either, according to other low rating reviews.
Vantrue N4 Reviews on Newegg
There are 2 positive reviews that I found on Newegg for this dash cam, out of 3 reviews in total. The only negative review about Venture N4 dash cam on Newegg is geared towards Newegg as a company and not the product. Therefore I do not believe that it is fair to be counted against the product itself.
The two positive reviews did mention that the dash cams are hard to remove from the windshield once they are attached. They also mentioned that installation of the dash cam wasn't extremely simple and took some time.
Vantrue N4 Dash Cam Reviews on eBay
On eBay, Vantrue N4 received 2 five-star reviews which is a good sign. However, it doesn't tell the whole story. So I went to the actual Vantrue Store which shows to have sold over 1.1K items at the time of this writing, has 26 followers and boasts 98.1% positive feedback, which is pretty impressive on such highly judged product category.
Vantrue N4 Reviews on Vantrue.net
Vantrue website shows that 1325 customers reviewed Vantrue N4 dash cam. However, I cannot help it but to be skeptical of the reviews that companies post themselves about their own websites. So I am not very sure how much I buy into the 4.7/5.0 star rating [although they do show even 1 star reviews on there].
Vantrue N4 Review Summary
The venture N4 is a costly investment, but the three cameras included make it an excellent choice for anyone who needs comprehensive coverage. Each of the three cameras produces good quality footage. Although 4K is not available in all circumstances, I believe it's best to use all three channels.
Another benefit is the camera's ease of setup and use. The menus and buttons are simple and easy to understand. There are, however, some drawbacks. The lack of GPS is a major problem, along with the inability to connect to a smartphone app or Wi-Fi. This means you must take the card out of the device and browse the footage on your computer. But, again, it is not a major problem, but it is something other models have removed.
The Vantrue N4 is a solid performer recommended for those who need the versatility of three angles of view.
Steven Dillon
Author
Steven is the founder and product tested for The Car Data, that has extensive knowledge in automotive industry. While most of his free time he participates in typical "car guy" activities, his passion for cars, data analytics, and tech, always has his looking for the next cool tool, software, trend, etc. to share with his audience on The Car Data or on his Instagram.
What is the difference between Sony Starvis and Starvis 2?
You can see the difference in resolution and clarity between Sony STARVIS and Sony STARVIS 2 by comparing the footage captured by both technologies side-by-side. Sony STARVIS 2 technology improves the detail and clarity in the footage, allowing for more detail in each frame.
What is a Starvis sensor?
The STARVIS is back-illuminated pixel technology used in CMOS image sensors for surveillance camera applications. It features a sensitivity of 2000 mV or more per 1 µm2 [color product, when imaging with a 706 cd/m2 light source, F5.
Is Dashcam Pro good?
I could live with lower quality video, and would have rated this camera at least 3 stars, but the very narrow angle of view killed it. Some people commented that this camera is great for the price and for what it is. I guess people like toys. For practical use, I don't see any value in this camera, sorry.
Does nextbase 622GW have night vision?
Upper range models. Our models further up the range [322GW, 422GW and 522GW] have Enhanced Night Vision. The flagship 622GW has Enhanced Night Mode for the optimum view day or night.