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Garmin Tandem Review

A dash cam that offers great video quality, a low profile, and will record both inside and outside your vehicle
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Garmin Tandem Review (The interior camera is a great security measure for Uber, Lyft and taxi drivers.)
The interior camera is a great security measure for Uber, Lyft and taxi drivers.
Credit: Jason Peters
Price:  $300 List
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Manufacturer:   Garmin
By Michelle Powell and Hayley Thomas  ⋅  Jun 17, 2021
63
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#7 of 10
  • Video Quality - 40% 7.9
  • Video Capture - 25% 6.5
  • Interface - 25% 3.8
  • Visual Footprint - 10% 6.0

Our Verdict

The Garmin Tandem offers stellar video footage in one-minute clips, G-force sensors, verbal activation, and an easy-to-use cell phone app. The 180° field of view, offered on both the internal and external-facing cameras, ensures that no small detail is missed. The interior cam also comes equipped with optional audio recording which makes this camera a great choice for rideshare workers. If you are looking for something that will offer extra peace of mind in the way of an internal camera with audio, as well as excellent video-taking capabilities, and don't mind spending a little extra, this cam is a no-brainer. See how it measures up versus competitors in our dash cam review.
REASONS TO BUY
Low profile
180-degree field of view
Exterior and interior cameras
REASONS TO AVOID
Video quality suffers in the dark
No screen
Low-quality interior video

Compare to Similar Products

 
garmin tandem
This Product
Garmin Tandem
Awards Top Pick Award
Documents Inside and Out
 Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Dash Cam
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
 
Price $300 List
$285.58 at Amazon
$400 List
$249.99 at Amazon
$200 List$130 List$120 List
$99.99 at Amazon
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Bottom Line A dual-camera for your dash so you can see what's happening both inside and outsideA camera that is as easy to see as it is to use, but a little on the expensive sideA great camera for rideshare drivers that need in-cabin footage, but probably overkill for most other peopleRegardless of the time, this dash cam captures clear and crisp videosWith its continuous recording and saving, this dash cam is sure to capture everything, and in 4K too
Rating Categories Garmin Tandem Nextbase 622GW 4K Vantrue N2 Pro Uber... Miofive 4K Rove R2-4K
Video Quality (40%)
7.9
6.6
8.7
7.9
7.9
Video Capture (25%)
6.5
9.1
7.5
7.7
7.7
Interface (25%)
3.8
9.0
6.1
6.0
3.2
Visual Footprint (10%)
6.0
8.0
8.0
6.0
6.0
Specs Garmin Tandem Nextbase 622GW 4K Vantrue N2 Pro Uber... Miofive 4K Rove R2-4K
Forward Camera Field of View 180º 140º 170º 140º 150º
Forward Camera Resolution 1440p 2160p 1440p 2160p 2160p
Screen Size N/A 3" 1.5" 2.2" 2.4"
Event Detection G Sensor Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Cabin Camera Yes No Yes No No
Camera Dimensions L x W x H 2-1/5" x 1-3/5" x 4/5" 3-3/4" x 2-1/8" x 2" 3-4/5" x 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" 4-1/2" x 1-5/8" x 1-3/16" 1-1/5" x 2-4/5 x 2-1/2"
Built-in Wi-Fi? Yes Yes No Yes Yes

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Tandem is a great option for rideshare workers who don't mind spending a few extra bucks for good quality footage. The dual cameras offer a 180° field of view. The external-facing one comes equipped with 1400 pixel resolution, while the cab-facing cam offers a lower resolution of 720 pixels, but ups the game with optional audio recording. This dash cam is a stellar device for those looking to gain a little peace of mind by knowing that whatever happens while their vehicle is in use will be documented.

Performance Comparison


garmin tandem - the compact tandem is a versatile option, great for rideshare workers.
The compact Tandem is a versatile option, great for rideshare workers.
Credit: Jason Peters

Video Quality


The Tandem offers 1440p resolution on its exterior-facing cam and 720p on the interior and they each offer a wide 180° field of view. The exterior-facing camera yields crisp motion and vivid colors so if you're looking to document a scenic drive, this cam will surely do the trick.


At first, we were nervous about the 180° field of view. This wide of an angle often distorts images but we were pleasantly surprised to experience little to no distortion. Not only can you capture gorgeous footage, but license plates were easy to read, even from a distance, which makes this camera a reliable resource in the event of a crash.



Night vision is very tricky, especially for these compact cameras. While none of the cameras we tested inspired perfect scores, there were some top performers and the Tandem was not one of them. It offers 720p resolution on the exterior-facing camera in the evening, which is the same resolution the cab-cam offers all the time. This produces a pretty grainy video. We could sit and complain about how the interior cam should offer a higher resolution, but the need for perfect interior vision is pretty far and few between. The interior camera is most useful for rideshare workers who want video recordings of the cab for safety reasons. The Tandem also offers audio recording for added security but it can easily be turned off if you don't want it.



Video Capture


The likelihood of a crash going undocumented is low with the Tandem. It is constantly recording, but only saves the recordings when triggered to do so. This can be done either by voice command, pressing the save button, or triggering the G-force sensor. When commanded to do so, the Tandem saves the minute in which the command was requested, as well as the minute before and the minute after. This leaves you with three one-minute clips of your accident.


While the three one-minute clips work great for documenting accidents, they are less efficient for filming scenic drives and sadly, unlike many other Garmin devices, the Tandem does not offer Travelapse. This is disappointing, as it makes capturing long road trips a little clunkier of a process. You will need to trigger the recording every three minutes via voice command or by pressing the record button on the device itself and will end up with a bunch of one-minute clips to sort through after you've completed your trip. Depending on your needs, this is not a deal-breaker, but if your sole purpose for seeking a dash cam is more recreational than peace of mind, then you may want to buy a Garmin device that offers Travelapse.

garmin tandem - for capturing long scenic drive, you will have to initiate video...
For capturing long scenic drive, you will have to initiate video saving every three minutes, which can be a hassle.
Credit: Jason Peters

Another thing worth mentioning is that while the Tandem renders beautiful video, it is shot at 30 frames per second. This shutter speed is plenty fast for most people, but if you are looking to slow your footage down for social media or for personal use, you may find that it feels a little choppy. For the average person trying to document their travels or for those who only care about accident documentation, this is a non-issue. However, if you a videographer looking to obtain some very versatile footage, you may want to find a camera that offers 60 frames per second.

garmin tandem - the video quality is stellar, but there are better dash cams out...
The video quality is stellar, but there are better dash cams out there for documenting scenic drives at a lower price.
Credit: Jason Peters

Interface


The interface metric is an interesting one for the Tandem. Because of its dual cameras, one on the front and one on the back, it is devoid of a screen. This means you cannot do much from the device itself. We docked it some points for this but as long as you are willing to download the app, it works quite well.


Not only is the app user-friendly, but the Tandem also responds to voice commands. Simply say “okay Garmin” followed by a command like “take a picture” or “save a video” and the Tandem will comply. This is helpful as you don't have to mess with the very minimal interface or wait for the app to load on your phone to make a command

garmin tandem - the tandem helps you stay hands free with voice commands.
The Tandem helps you stay hands free with voice commands.
Credit: Jason Peters

Visual Footprint


This camera dazzled us on many fronts and its compactness is no exception. The face is 2.2 inches by 1.6 inches while the depth comes in at less than an inch. We were very impressed with how much power this teensy little box holds.


The Tandem comes with an adhesive mount and magnetic connector which we trust on the hottest of days and bumpiest of roads. It holds the device securely to the windshield and doesn't protrude out too far into the driver's field of view. While we appreciate the security of the adhesive mount it does come with its own set of cons. The adhesive may leave a little residue on your windshield if you decide to remove it, and if you plan to use your camera in multiple cars, you'll need to buy a second mount. These are small inconveniences, but we wouldn't be doing our job right if we didn't inform you of them.

garmin tandem - the tandem is super low profile.
The Tandem is super low profile.
Credit: Jason Peters

Value


The Tandem is not an inexpensive device. It is on the higher end of our test suite's price range, but totally worth it if you're concerned with image quality, cab footage, and audio. If you are looking for something to document your road trips or have no need for an internal-facing camera, then there are plenty of less expensive options.

Conclusion


If you are a rideshare worker looking for crisp windshield video, decent cab video, and audio, then the Garmin Tandem is a great option. While it won't offer you a fun timelapse of your entire trip, the voice command makes it easy to capture high-quality clips that will have your friends and family impressed.

Michelle Powell and Hayley Thomas