Vantrue N4 Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
This Product Vantrue N4 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Awards | Best Overall Dash Cam | Best Bang for the Buck | Documents Inside and Out | ||
Price | $260 List $259.99 at Amazon | $400 List $279.92 at Amazon | $200 List $169.99 at Amazon | $130 List | $300 List $269.53 at Amazon |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | An over-priced device with three cameras and a 2.4-inch LCD screen | A camera that is as easy to see as it is to use, but a little on the expensive side | A great camera for rideshare drivers that need in-cabin footage, but probably overkill for most other people | Regardless of the time, this dash cam captures clear and crisp videos | A dual-camera for your dash so you can see what's happening both inside and outside |
Rating Categories | Vantrue N4 | Nextbase 622GW 4K | Vantrue N2 Pro Uber... | Miofive 4K | Garmin Tandem |
Video Quality (40%) | |||||
Video Capture (25%) | |||||
Interface (25%) | |||||
Visual Footprint (10%) | |||||
Specs | Vantrue N4 | Nextbase 622GW 4K | Vantrue N2 Pro Uber... | Miofive 4K | Garmin Tandem |
Forward Camera Field of View | 155° | 140º | 170º | 140º | 180º |
Forward Camera Resolution | 1440p | 2160p | 1440p | 2160p | 1440p |
Screen Size | 2.4" | 3" | 1.5" | 2.2" | N/A |
Event Detection G Sensor | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Cabin Camera | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Camera Dimensions L x W x H | 4-1/4" x 1-3/4" x 1-5/8" | 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" | 2-1/5" x 1-3/5" x 4/5" |
Built-in Wi-Fi? | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Our Analysis and Test Results
This dash cam is on the larger side at 4 1/4 inches long, and the LCD screen is 2.4 inches. It offers a cabin camera and an Event Detection G Sensor but no WiFi. Read on to see how it performs.
Performance Comparison
Video Quality
The video quality of the Vantrue N4 starts and ends with its field of view. The front camera offers a 155° field of view, the inside camera is 165° inside, and the rear camera is 160°. This is pretty full coverage visibility. The front camera resolution is 1440p, while the interior and rear cameras are 1080p. We're not sure why Vantrue decided to make the front-facing camera a lower quality, but intuitively this doesn't seem to make much sense. The lower quality makes things a little difficult to see during the day and the night quality is very grainy.
The N4 also blows out the whites, making bright daytime videos difficult to decipher. That said, vibrant colors remain appropriately saturated. Overall the video quality of the N4 is well below average when compared to the other options in our test suite.
Video Capture
The N4 comes equipped with an Event Detection G Sensor, but it does not react to hard breaking on the default setting. This is a common issue with the Vantrue cams that we have tested. It powers up automatically when the car is turned on, but the N4 does not have WiFi capabilities, meaning you need to remove the SD card and plug it into your computer to upload your videos.
Videos are offered in one, three, and five-minute video clips, which is very convenient. Unfortunately, the battery life is subpar, but the power cord offers two USB ports, so you can leave it plugged in if need be. The interior camera offers infrared light for night vision, which can help by recording break-ins from the inside. Overall the N4 is not the most reliable when it comes to video capturing.
Interface
The standard Vantrue dash cam offers four main menu options: Record Setup, Files, GPS Setup, and System Setup. The main menus are easy to navigate, but the buttons take some getting used to. These are placed atop the device, and the small pictures don't do a great job of notating what each button does. After a few minutes with the manual, this is a nonissue.
At 2.4 inches, the screen is bigger than some of the other Vantrue options, making it easier to see. The brightness also allows for easy visibility midday when it is brightest.
Visual Footprint
Measuring in at 4 1/4" x 1 3/4" x 1 5/8", the N4 is a rather large dash cam. This is great for the size and visibility of the screen, but it can impede your view of the dash. That said, it is cylindrical, which is somewhat unique and offers the driver more visibility of the road. The suction cup mount is strong and dependable, ensuring it stays put, even on bumpy roads.
Should You Buy the Vantrue N4?
The N4 is a unique-looking dash cam with a sturdy mount. The infrared interior camera offers extra visibility and comes with a rear camera. It's generously sized LCD screen makes it easier to make out what is going on without staring at the camera for long, but the image is unclear during the day and grainy at night. Unfortunately, for the price, the N4 is not a great option. It is far from budget-friendly, and there are plenty of options in our test suite that offer a significantly more valuable performance at the same or lower price.
What Other Dash Cams Should You Consider?
Did you gravitate towards the N4 because of its interior camera? Well, have no fear; other options perform better than the N4 that come complete with an interior cam, like the Garmin Dash Cam Tandem. While the Tandem may be slightly more expensive than the N4, its performance renders it much more valuable. This multi-camera device has plenty of visibility and offers a nice clean image. If you're looking for a large LCD screen, the Nextbase 622GW rocks a three-inch screen.