Nextbase Piqo dash cam review: cheap but brilliant

Key Takeaways

It is cheaper than the premium Nextbase iQ mannequin however armed with many ‘Lite’ variations of the identical options.
Two mannequin variants, with the 1K mannequin being cheaper however the 2K version providing improved video high quality.
It is vitally straightforward to put in and configure, though superior parking options require the sprint cam to be hardwired right into a car.

Proudly owning any type of car requires monetary dedication and, in lots of instances, the outlay may be sizable. It is subsequently an important concept to get a sprint cam, as a result of they’re very inexpensive and are available full with an entire array of high-tech options alongside being able to seize audio and video on the go.

One of the best sprint cam fashions may also help safeguard your property whereas it is parked, too. Some fashions have superior monitoring modes for when autos are stationary and being saved in parking heaps or at motels throughout enterprise journeys and holidays. Whereas a few of these superior options are solely obtainable on one thing just like the Nextbase iQ sprint cam, the British dashcam producer has now launched this: the Nextbase Piqo.

It is a good little various to the premium really feel of the Nextbase iQ. It is very compact; far more so than its greater relative. The set up and configuration may be accomplished in minutes, too. There are an entire vary of options that emulate the high-end instruments discovered contained in the Nextbase iQ however are available slimmed down or ‘Lite’ variants. Better of all is the truth that the Nextbase Piqo sprint cam carries a brilliant funds price ticket.

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Nextbase Piqo

$99.99 $149.99 Save $50

The Nextbase Piqo Sprint Cam is a compact and inexpensive mannequin that’s appropriate with nearly any car because of its plug and play connectivity. The specification is sweet sufficient for capturing first rate high quality video and audio too, with 1K and 2K fashions obtainable. There are slimmed down or ‘Lite’ variations of options discovered on the high-end Nextbase iQ too. It’s subsequently an important alternative for anybody wanting a lot of options whereas retaining issues very wallet-friendly.

Variety of Cameras: One
Entrance Digicam Decision: 2560 x 1440p
Subject of View: 145-degree
Emergency Energy: No
Model: Nextbase

Professionals

Fast and simple to arrange in minutes
Good high quality video outcomes for the cash
Lite editions of many Nextbase iQ capabilities

Cons

No rear display so wants the Nextbase app
Nextbase iQ presents higher high quality outcomes
Must be hardwired for superior options

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Value, availability, and specs

The Nextbase Piqo Sprint Cam is obtainable by way of the Nextbase web site and different on-line retailers. There are two variations: the 1K (HD 1080p) version prices $130 / £99 whereas the marginally higher 2K (HD 1440p) mannequin retails for $150 / £119. The pricing is less expensive than that of the premium Nextbase iQ, which begins at $400 / £350.

Nextbase Piqo

Variety of Cameras: One
Entrance Digicam Decision: 2560 x 1440p
Subject of View: 145-degree
Emergency Energy: No
Model: Nextbase

What I appreciated concerning the Nextbase Piqo Sprint Cam

Simple to make use of and stable outcomes

It is perhaps small, however the Nextbase Piqo delivers every thing I would like from a splash cam. Probably the most interesting side is the value level, so it is simply inexpensive for most people. There’s additionally the convenience of set up. From taking it out of the field to getting it caught to my windshield, the Nextbase Piqo set up took mere minutes. Configuring it took about the identical period of time and the app is a breeze to make use of too.

Plus, the flexibility to plug it right into a 12V socket in a car with out the necessity for any hard-wiring makes whole sense on the comfort entrance. That stated, hard-wiring is required for gaining access to the extra superior parking and monitoring options. For me although, I like the best way I can simply unplug the Nextbase Piqo and transfer it to a different car — that is tremendous handy.

Nextbase has been sensible sufficient to incorporate lots of the similar options present in its premium iQ mannequin.

I additionally like the best way Nextbase has been sensible sufficient to incorporate lots of the similar options present in its premium iQ mannequin. Admittedly, these have been trimmed down slightly, however the fundamentals are all there. Join a budget and cheerful subscription, and it will work even higher. A bonus, although, is that I can use the free version with none subscription by any means. Actually, I simply plugged it in and began utilizing it straight away the primary time I bought the sprint cam out of the field.

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What I did not like concerning the Nextbase Piqo Sprint Cam

Not so good as the Nextbase iQ

Whereas the value tag of the Nextbase Piqo makes it very interesting to anybody on a funds, there are compromises because of this. Providing lots of the similar options discovered within the premium Nextbase iQ mannequin is smart, however they are not fairly as muscular. They work tremendous, however anybody needing a splash cam that does slightly extra is finest suggested to go for the dearer mannequin as a substitute.

There’s additionally the dearth of a rear display. Granted, Nextbase has an excellent supporting app, which allowed me to configure the digital camera simply and, from there, presents loads of file administration instruments. Nevertheless, not having prompt entry to the identical factor by way of a display on the rear of the Nextbase Piqo sprint cam would possibly look like a disadvantage to some. I can dwell with it, however I do like a touchscreen on the again to be trustworthy.

Android Auto and Carplay icon logos side by side.

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I am additionally not a giant fan of getting to join one other subscription bundle if I would like further options and performance from the Nextbase Piqo. Admittedly, this mannequin does work simply tremendous if I wish to plug and play, with solely energy wanted and a little bit of app tweaking to utilize most of its performance. Join a subscription although, which prices $3 / £3 per thirty days, and I get much more choices.

Lastly, and maybe most significantly, there’s the standard of the video. On the 2K mannequin I examined, it proved to be passable and may simply be used within the occasion of an incident. It is much less nice in after darkish eventualities and distance pictures do are likely to lose readability. The audio appeared slightly patchy with my take a look at unit too, although I am but to determine if this was the digital camera or, maybe, the automotive and the cable connection someplace in-between. Total, the efficiency was good reasonably than nice.

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Must you purchase the Nextbase Piqo Sprint Cam?

The Nextbase Piqo Sprint Cam comes really useful, primarily as a result of I really like its ease of use, the easy set up course of and that worth level. Even when I transfer on from the free ‘Solo’ subscription, the ‘Shield’ plan appears like good worth for $3 / £3 per thirty days because it presents extra cloud storage and enhanced options. Both method, the footage from this sprint cam is first rate, and it comes with the good thing about timestamp knowledge too, together with date, time and pace. The Nextbase Piqo sprint cam subsequently presents every thing most individuals will need or want and all for peanuts.

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