Nicolas Phua
New Member
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2014
- Messages
- 1
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- Country
- Singapore
The following is the overview of IROAD V7 * Front/Rear : HD(1280x720) * Frame : 60fps * CPU : A20 Dual-core CPU * Camera : 2.3 mega pixel Real HD CMOS image sensor embedded * Viewing angle : 132 degrees wide view * Impact sensor : High sensitivity 3 axis sensor
Main features * WIFI function(Real time view, playback, image saving, settings, firmware auto
update, dedicated app supported) * Memory card auto recovery/format * Low voltage cut-off function embedded * Auto parking(motion detection) mode switch * External GPS antenna * Motion detection alert
--> This is the link to the PDF file of the review: https://www.dropbox.com/s/hvubqcgta5f77tq/iRoad%20V7%20Review.pdf?dl=0
IROAD V7 full unboxing and review on the exterior design of the device
My first look of the front and rear camera was that it was futuristic and compact. I have experience with another brand of camera and I have to say the design impressed me a good deal. The front camera is hidden right behind the rear view mirror of my car which is something of a plus point. I choose to have it installed by the authorised installer Tip Top Car Audio & Accessories Centre at Blk 18 Sin Ming Industrial Estate Sector A #01-45 (DID: 64587406 and the boss name is Ricky: 84464646). The boss is a super friendly person. Installation was quick – about 45 minutes (had my breakfast, came back and it’s done). I paid $80 for the installation. I met with a small setback though, the wireless dongle that came with the set was spoilt on installation and I discovered it the next day when I couldn’t connect to retrieve the footage. Went back to TipTop and the boss exchange it without any further question with one of his own dongle, even though he is not obliged to do so. Good service
Comparison with other in-car cameras and objective view on IROAD V7(pros/cons)
Pros
I have previously used an off-the-shelf camera which is not comparable to iRoad V7. As such I shall compare it based on my research online of like-to-like car camera and also reviews from some of my friends on their car camera. In terms of similar specs car camera to iRoad V7, I would say the main attraction is the price. For the specs of iRoad V7, you would be expecting to pay something in the region of S$600 to S$650. The iRoad V7 is marketing for S$300 plus excluding installation. With installation it would probably be about S$400, which is still a pretty good price to pay for. If you choose not to have installation done, there are brackets that comes with the iRoad V7 that allows you to DIY but I chose to pay for the installation as I like the wiring to be hidden and neatly done.
I know many other car cameras of the same specs have the same mobile apps to retrieve and view live footage, but I have to mention it again. The mobile app is pretty user-friendly. If you are a regular smartphone user, it would not be difficult to get the hang of using the video apps (iRoad from Android Google Play market).
I had several friends who used a popular car camera (I shall not name the brand for legality issue). The main complaint from them is that the camera will drain their car battery when used on 24 hour standby/parking mode. As such they are asked to buy a auto cut-off device that detect that their car camera are dying and will automatically cut off power to the car camera. My feeling on this is that it is too unpredictable. Can you imagine this scenario: Your car camera power is cut off and then something happens to your car, then it defeats the purpose of having a car camera on parking/standby mode. I have used the iRoad V7 for about a week and I have not seen any problem with the battery issues. You don’t have to pay extra to get an extra battery pack or battery detector etc. I have parked over the weekend for a continuous 2 days and was able to start the car on Mon without any problem and without the power being cut off from the iRoad V7.
Cons
There is no review screen which does not allow you to view direct from the iRoad V7 but if you ask me why would you want to view a live recording from the car camera. If there is a need to, you can use your mobile phone apps to view live recording. Anyway it is a trade off between size of the camera and having a screen on it. I would rather the camera is compact.
There is the use of the wireless dongle which I thought should be built in. However I think having a separate plug-in wireless dongle helps. Imagine having the build-in wireless device spoilt and the entire car camera had to be sent in for repair. In my case, since I detect that the wireless dongle is spoilt, I can have it exchanged even by buying one off the shelf.
I am pretty worried about the night footage (the day footage are pretty decent) of the iRoad V7. In places that is not very well-lit, I can’t even see the licence plate number of other vehicles. But then again, it is the same complaints that other brands car cameras are having. Ultimately in badly-lit places, you would probably need an infrared car camera to see the licence plate numbers.
Saved video recordings while driving(day/night/parking mode etc)
Day Driving Mode Front Cam 1 -
Day Driving Mode Front Cam 2 -
Day Driving Mode Front Cam 3 -
Day Driving Mode Rear Cam 1 -
Day Driving Mode Rear Cam 2 -
Day Parking Mode Front Cam - http://youtu.be/cUAkuWxwjMA
[YOUTUBE]http://youtu.be/cUAkuWxwjMA [/YOUTUBE]
Day Parking Mode Front Cam 2 - http://youtu.be/c1o-pc91-sQ
[YOUTUBE]http://youtu.be/c1o-pc91-sQ [/YOUTUBE]
Day Parking Mode Rear Cam - http://youtu.be/W90QrZxwYFo
[YOUTUBE]http://youtu.be/W90QrZxwYFo [/YOUTUBE]
Day Parking Mode Rear Cam 2 - http://youtu.be/diiBYBe5BQY
[YOUTUBE]http://youtu.be/diiBYBe5BQY [/YOUTUBE]
Night Driving Mode Front Cam - http://youtu.be/6Ea-AmHmwh0
http://youtu.be/6Ea-AmHmwh0
Night Driving Mode Rear Cam - http://youtu.be/QqsbSQ8D-Xw
[YOUTUBE]http://youtu.be/QqsbSQ8D-Xw [/YOUTUBE]
Night Parking Mode Front Cam - http://youtu.be/uoBDF1RxtMQ
[YOUTUBE]http://youtu.be/uoBDF1RxtMQ [/YOUTUBE]
Night Parking Mode Front Cam 2 - http://youtu.be/Mv-_0vrHROk
[YOUTUBE]http://youtu.be/Mv-_0vrHROk [/YOUTUBE]
Special episode while using IROAD V7
During the use of the iRoad V7, I had an interesting experience during my trip to JB where the live reviewing from the mobile phone app came to good use. During the trip, I was parked by the roadside of KSL waiting for my wife when I noticed from my rear mirror that there was a fellow who seems to be behaving suspiciously a distance away from my car. You can call me paranoid or what, but knowing the security concerns in JB, I cannot take any risk, especially since I have my baby in the car as well. I used the mobile app on my phone to view the live recording of the rear camera to monitor the situation without that fellow realising it. Nothing untoward came out of it but I was glad that this function came to good use. It’s something good to have though.
Overall evaluation(i.e. rating with explanations)
I have used it since 13 Nov 2014 (last Thurs). Overall I am satisfied with what I have seen thus far. I have got to say it is a value-for-money buy. Except a little bit of teething issues here and there in the initial installation stage and a short getting use to, which comes naturally with any new device you buy.
Specs: 7/10
Mobile App: 8/10 (easy to use app)
Price: 9/10 (the main attraction, at least for me)
Review footages: 6/10 (would have been higher if the night footage had been better)
Installation: 9/10 (I chose to pay for installation and glad to say I did not regret it. I heard some users had problems with DIYing and had some problem installing it)
Design: 8/10 (pretty compact and futuristic)
By Nicolas Phua
*This is my personal review after using the iRoad V7 2-channel car camera for about 5 days. It is purely my personal view and had no influence whatsoever from the manufacturer or the distributor*