DOD GS600 / GS300

DOD GS600
DOD GS600

The DOD GS600 is a GPS enabled dash cam that can record 1080p at 30FPS.  Like many of the DOD models it is based on the Ambarella processor.  It provides excellent picture quality in the day and decent quality at night.  There are some reliability issues that we will discuss.  Since it does not have a display screen, this camera is quite compact.  All settings of the device, as well as viewing of video files is performed with the supplied  remote control connected to an appropriate video output (AV cable, HDMI cable).  The DOD GS300 is the same camera without GPS.

The DOD GS600 and the DOD GS300 dash cameras are currently discontinued by DOD Tech and has been replaced by the DOD GSE550 and DOD GSE520.  However other equivalent dash cams are still being actively sold.

GS600 Models

Like many of the DOD cameras there are many variations available on eBay, Aliexpress and DealExtreme.  The primary models include:

  1. DOD GS600 (DOD brand, lens to the left)
  2. V1000GS (Neutral OEM version, lens in the center)
  3. Kapkam Q3 (Russian version, lens to the left)

The non-GPS version models include:

  1. GS300 (DOD brand, lens to the left, currently discontinued in the United States, replaced by the DOD GSE520)
  2. V1000 (Neutral OEM version, lens in the center)
  3. Kapkam Q3 Lite (Russian version, lens to the left)

The non-GPS version is identical to the GS600 with the exception of the GPS sensor.

Known problems

Low Capacity Battery

The GS600 normally comes with a low capacity battery.  This battery quickly dies and needs to be replaced.  To replace the battery, you must disassemble the dash cam, carefully unsolder the two wires going to the battery, detach the battery from the tape, solder new wires, and then paste it back into place if necessary.

If not replaced, the following 2 problems can occur.

Damaged SD-Card

There have been many reports of SD-cards being damaged in this dash cam.  This problem is likely related to disconnecting the power supply at a time when the internal battery is dead.

Reset Date and Time

Incomplete recording when turning off the external power supply.  Results in the reset of  the date and time to its default state.  This occurs when the internal battery is dead.

Ideal memory card

Choose a micro SD-card from a good manufacturer (SanDisk, Transcend, Kingston, Verbatim, Silicon Power) Class 4 and above.  An 8 GB or greater (max 32 GB) Class 10 SD-card is optimal.

Disassembling the dash cam

GS600 1
GS600 2
GS600 3
GS600 4
GS600 5
GS600 6
GS600 7

Sample Videos

Night Video

Firmware

WARNING!  MAKING CHANGES TO YOUR FIRMWARE ARE PERFORMED AT YOUR OWN RISK.  WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO YOUR DASH CAM AS A RESULT OF THESE INSTRUCTIONS.

The only way to update the GS600 firmware is via USB.  You must connect the dash cam to your computer via a USB cable and use the Direct USB Software to manage the firmware.  The Direct USB software is only applicable for dash cams that use the Ambarella processor.  Firmware installed via usb will have a .elf extension.

  1. Download the Ambarella DirectUSB_Setup_a2s_20090721.exe
  2. Run the installation program DirectUSB_Setup_a2s_20090721.exe
  3. Follow the installation wizard.
  4. Run the DirectUSB program and set the following parameters (highlighted in red boxes):
Ambarella Dash Cam Direct USB 1
  1. Depending on the dash cam, select the appropriate firmware file.
  2. Connect the dash cam to the computer via the USB-cable to the computer.
  3. When the Found New Hardware Wizard appears, select automatic installation and click Next, or select the installation folder manually.
    For example: C: \ Program Files \ Ambarella \ DirectUSB. When you install the driver, click “All Continue anyway “in the box.
  4. Installing new hardware is complete.
  5. Click «Connect»
Ambarella Dash Cam Direct USB 2
  1. Once the status changes to “OK”, click «Erase Flash»
Ambarella Dash Cam Direct USB 3
  1. Wait for the process to complete
Ambarella Dash Cam Direct USB 4
  1. Then click download
Ambarella Dash Cam Direct USB 5
  1. Wait for the process to complete.
  2. You should see the  «Firmware Programming Success!» message.
  3. Disconnect the USB cable from the dash cam and computer.
  4. Restart the device by clicking on «Reset».

The full Direct USB user guide is included below that describes the firmware software in more detail.

Latest Firmware

The only available firmware files come from the Kapkam Q3 camera and is known as Q3 V1.4.2 B2H P1

These firmware files are only compatible for cameras that have an existing firmware of:

  • 1.1.6
  • 1.1.7 E2
  • 2.0.0KH
  • 2.0.1 KH2
  • 2.0.7 KH

IF THE CURRENT FIRMWARE IN YOUR DASH CAM IS NOT THE SAME AS ABOVE, DO NOT UPGRADE YOUR FIRMWARE.

Specifications

Detailed Specifications

Read Review
Camera Type Single Channel
Form Factor Cylindrical
Country China
Processor Ambarella A2S60
CMOS Front Unknown
CMOS Rear N/A
Channels 1
Screen No
GPS Yes
G-Sensor Yes
Wi-Fi No
Parking Mode No
Lock Files Auto
Max Resolution Front 1920×1080p
Front Frames Per Second 30
Max Bitrate Front (Mbps) 8
Max Resolution Rear N/A
Rear Frames Per Second N/A
Max Bitrate Rear (Mbps) N/A
Video Format MOV
Compression H.264
Diagonal Viewing Angle Front 120°
Diagonal Viewing Angle Rear N/A
SD Card Type MicroSD
Max Size (Spec) 64GB
Max Size (User) 64GB
Size Front (mm) 113 x 24 x 30
Size Rear (mm) N/A
Mount Suction
Power Supply 12V
Operating Temp -10°C to 70°C
Battery 190mAh
Error Notification No
Apps PC
Cloud Connectivity No
Release Date Nov 2010
Unique Features None
Advantages Good video
Disadvantages Low capacity battery which results in reliability issues
Final Word Discontinued and battery is undersized.

Last Updated: January 7, 2013

DOD GS600 / GS300 - DashCamTalk
DOD GS600

The DOD GS600 is a GPS enabled dash cam that can record 1080p at 30FPS. It is discontinued and battery is undersized.

Product SKU: DOD GS600

Product Brand: DOD

Product Currency: USD

Product Price: 140

Price Valid Until: 2023-01-01

Product In-Stock: SoldOut

Editor's Rating:
5.5