4x dash cam video test: Dod "neutral" VF300W vs LS300W, LS650W, DL-5

[niko]

There are people who asking: "what is the best dash camera within certain price-range ( 70-100 usd )"

There are many candidates that can be recommended these days.
I have tested 4 dash cameras side by side which all have similar popular hardware, based on Novatek NT96650 CPU and Aptina AR0330 CMOS. As a reference dash cam I have used Dod LS300W, which has been proven to be a very good dash camera. Actually from DOD LS300W at the beginning of this year started all this "NT96650+AR0330 mania", where more and more similar looking dash cams were introduced nearly every week.
So here is the test of some of them. I must say that within same video recording quality category like LS300W and all others presented in this thread I can also put GT450W, GT550W, GT680W dash cams.

From left to right: DL-5, VF300W, LS650W, Dod LS300W









Videos:
( Select 1080p from YouTube screen setting at right bottom of the screen )

Top Left: DOD LS300W, 1080p / 30fps / 15Mbps
Top Right: LS650W, 1080p / 30fps / 12Mbps
Bottom Left: VF300W, 1080p / 30fps / 12Mbps
Bottom Right: DL-5, 1080p / 30fps / 15Mbps

Raw video files:

VF300W ("neutral Dod LS300W")

https://mega.co.nz/#!GMwHHa4a!XfsKT2dR3D5v08Wy0BAdlXql8XgUBqRbOXdpJram6B0
https://mega.co.nz/#!GRRDGbiL!ZdzSHioLmd7IZw6F6HWzo0mZtLgfxklwkM_hfPl6PN8
https://mega.co.nz/#!2BZRmJII!SS-M1E9luih1PU8X_6qwMQu02nVdIJAnU0YGWLpZeQA
https://mega.co.nz/#!WAxxhCbJ!YhA3GSsI02gnr4BsGD4p2QlQuzwmlPNPCX-HXSK0v-A
https://mega.co.nz/#!OVgjHRKI!c8_PnC5iZuV3n81zsrkrDSE1K9x83CVMZx6WcJRnwBE

Original Dod LS300W

https://mega.co.nz/#!aNIGGTzY!JNOIsXl9hFNS_4kwSH1a-w7SDvcc-1gqKXuO1XDaPV8
https://mega.co.nz/#!eIpByDrB!XyNojyZ0I5u5nRP_4DV3niajgcoMY_fW5lslWLJsxeI
https://mega.co.nz/#!fVIG1TaR!QzOWWnaT27n86Qn5axMzzUvmqokrxj_C9RljCjWGepk
https://mega.co.nz/#!bQoiHShK!eihDiGfzOArccKygEhh5DjhnzOl5MA2VgQlbs1CQYs0
https://mega.co.nz/#!2Io1RBhI!S1uygWMhfvT0ZyLRqPlwG3_A1TIvNMuBuEBZlNzFSkI
https://mega.co.nz/#!bAoSWa4C!L-LFLkisFCEVjIMUXK3_WW6VhxEEhWiQe3vK8Qrm7l8

LS650W

https://mega.co.nz/#!2YBlwaIK!XY9FGRKXU82wPZd5xz69kST15LQ6FQ6mqntvBfRHLAI
https://mega.co.nz/#!zApxSB4D!GFLjkFh1kMIUpeqYqAcWl206C_pyB_cxDZZzLJC50U8
https://mega.co.nz/#!eBRTBLiS!dGhtUUMuVbyueVGGaAV8Qg_BFOAk3sc-pIjVDH4q9qE
https://mega.co.nz/#!iZRVUSIY!M30zpxkqflrE2FLU5v9hCFjLnIpRt2j8r4vQsMEdzVc
https://mega.co.nz/#!mdhjlQYR!Lixw7xC-tyBelaLrIOpMag8_vS0ULT3Udydm6laEHBo
https://mega.co.nz/#!zFg0mCSS!Ya3EIDXMqqCPlRWPjVTPhEZK3iFe3_rEoGbTve6Ax1c

DL-5

https://mega.co.nz/#!2IhRUbBI!PyFVJU4A_B3btvEKryEYJ29oAs5hip0stF80O_yom6w
https://mega.co.nz/#!qRRXARDB!ckUfPGvkm1npVJXpeuuwwToouaocaMmXzMCZSHQYy7w
https://mega.co.nz/#!LJxCmaqT!TI2Kp2GxKFzEv6lrLillnHEjz7V73Ql529k3EUKmOyc
https://mega.co.nz/#!rQY02bYJ!ERk4D0_j0YQmhbp12ViD-Sc6k9cQEK3ZHDptSfMMi_k
https://mega.co.nz/#!6RZxTArB!LwlGAF40Pv92lh00tUHUIG7IR7UI3bSDHQ57urHBLvc


Just in case also uploaded raw video files of the same 3 ready made side by side video clips you see on youtube, so you can watch on bigger screen without youtube video compression.

https://mega.co.nz/#!mIZA2YAa!dPjbiH9o85yOGvIF6KdbtxmQR3EVJf931C2s965aYlk
https://mega.co.nz/#!mAxD0ZyJ!XKSe5TMksj3sGL_eCQQdNyBfEZoK5r6R_rWEwHToBRw
https://mega.co.nz/#!vEoySZrT!Wk2dMS9mQRbcR8uSIryK8wLRVDgexZdDtSRbZGYRjWo

Some screenshots:

Top Left: DOD LS300W,
Top Right: GL650W,
Bottom Left: VF300W,
Bottom Right: DL-5,













In most cases all 4 dash cameras presenting almost same night video quality.

Some small differences:

LS650W ( top right ) has winder lens view angle, so you can see more wide image.

DL-5 ( bottom right ) in has street lights "fuzzy"-effect around the light like they do in professional photography , but it did not affect car numberplate reading.

VF300W ( "neutral Dod LS300W" ) on bottom left vs Dod LS300W ( top left ), - they were almost equal, apart from VF300W video had in some cases "big pixel blocks" in the darker areas of trees. which can be justified by VF300W records at 12Mbps vs DOD LS300W 15Mbps, but it did not affected much other vital data reading. In some cases ( look last picture ), VF300W delivered slightly better building background.

Conclusion:

All 3 dash cameras I have tested / compared to 4th dash camera DOD LS300W, - they are all good bang for buck. Each one has it's own little advantages: ( LS650W has wider lens view angle , DL-5 it's tiny size, neutral dod has classical Dod LS300W style ).
So it's up to individual buyer which one of tested dash cameras he fancies.
As mentioned above, I can also put GT450W, GT550W, GT680W dash cams into the same video quality category.

P.S. - in terms of reliability I can be confident in Dod LS300W, have it since March 2013. Other 3 dash cams I was testing ( "playing" with them ) for about 3-4 hours. So I can not say long term reliability on them, but first signs are positive.

I will try to do day time side by side videos as well when I will get some more free time.

Hope this comparison test will be helpful to some people.

 

[efoo]

Great effort Niko. I agree with your observation, they all appear very similar when viewed side-by-side, the only obvious difference is that fuzzy Christmas light effect on DL-5, otherwise they all look quite good.

P.S. I wonder if the cops will stop you if they notice so many gadgets hanging on your windscreen?

 

[niko]

P.S. I wonder if the cops will stop you if they notice so many gadgets hanging on your windscreen?

Thanks.

Oh yes, Police ( Garda ) would be shocked if see my Quad ( 4 cameras ) "extra safety" . People here around looked at my car like at UFO. Dash cams here in Ireland are extremely rare thing, because most drivers have different driving mentality to what you see in Russia for example and they are here respectful to other drivers. Very rare if you see here a road rage.
Thankfully I was testing 4 dash cams at late evening ( night ), so there are not many people / cars were around to shock them

 

[russ331]

niko, does the DL-5 have another name, as I cannot find any dashcam for sale under the DL-5 title?

Just curious to see it & it's specification. Not planning to buy one, as I'm happy with my Mobius.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[niko]

niko, does the DL-5 have another name, as I cannot find any dashcam for sale under the DL-5 title?

Just curious to see it & it's specification. Not planning to buy one, as I'm happy with my Mobius.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

DL-5 is not known outside of china yet, but its specs are same as all other nt96650+ar0330 dash cams. It's just small size makes it interesting. I will review it in more details when will get time.

 

[ursamajor]

Thank you for sharing this excellent test!
Which one you would reccomend between VF300F and LS650W? I intend to buy one of them and cannot decide. Is there firmwares available for them?
Thanks in advance!

 

[niko]

Thank you for sharing this excellent test!
Which one you would reccomend between VF300F and LS650W? I intend to buy one of them and cannot decide. Is there firmwares available for them?
Thanks in advance!

Firmware available from vendor.
LS650W has wider lens angle. Other than that they are almost the same. Just design difference.

 

[Ipol]

Agreed nice presentation I think the LS300W has the edge....at the traffic lights its the headlight beam reflecting off of the number plate, but unless the car rolls back and hits you there is no need for the plate to be readable. If you want to be able to read the plate switch off the headlights a few seconds and the numbers become clear, at least thats been my experience .....regards Ipol

 

[niko]

Agreed nice presentation I think the LS300W has the edge....at the traffic lights its the headlight beam reflecting off of the number plate, but unless the car rolls back and hits you there is no need for the plate to be readable. If you want to be able to read the plate switch off the headlights a few seconds and the numbers become clear, at least thats been my experience .....regards Ipol

You understand well issue of reading numberplates at night and reflection.

I wrote about this :

Reading License Plates at Night. HID / Xenon, standard bulbs

 

[jokiin]

You'll see this situation improving soon as the firmware on some newer solutions develop

 

[ursamajor]

Firmware available from vendor.

How? By just asking the firmware from them? I saw that Foxoffer (for example) doesn't have a Support section on the site.

What do you know about Shenzen Giove Technology from aliexpress? Is it a fair seller?

 

[Belial88]

The DL-5 seems to have lower quality (video3, 2:11, exit sign is blurrier while others read it sooner).

What's your thoughts on the wide angle cam you tested? I mean more angle is better, but is there any issue with things being less readable? There's a trade-off right? What would you recommend (and why)?

As for VF300w vs Gt300w, I really can't tell a difference. Why ever pick the GT300s over the VF300s given the almost 40% price difference for the same thing? It's like buying a DOD instead of a tiotech these days, right?

Thanks for the uploads.

 

[niko]

How? By just asking the firmware from them? I saw that Foxoffer (for example) doesn't have a Support section on the site.

What do you know about Shenzen Giove Technology from aliexpress? Is it a fair seller?

Above mentioned vendors have good reputation. Givoe got more feedback on mini 0801 thread , Foxoffer is more active on most other NT96650+AR0330 based dash cameras threads.
Use "contact us" to ask question on foxoffer website:
http://www.foxoffer.com/contact_us.html

 

[niko]

The DL-5 seems to have lower quality (video3, 2:11, exit sign is blurrier while others read it sooner).

What's your thoughts on the wide angle cam you tested? I mean more angle is better, but is there any issue with things being less readable? There's a trade-off right? What would you recommend (and why)?

As for VF300w vs Gt300w, I really can't tell a difference. Why ever pick the GT300s over the VF300s given the almost 40% price difference for the same thing? It's like buying a DOD instead of a tiotech these days, right?

Thanks for the uploads.

More angle is not always a better. Yes, you get wider angle of view, but objects in front of you are slightly further than with normal angle lens.
Yes, ls300w, gt300w have nearly the same video quality ( ls300w has 15Mbps, vs VF300W 12Mbps , so there are some differences in image sharpness ).
Why go over GT300W vs VF300W, - it's obvious: - higher built and quality parts used, so in theory it should last longer, but in reality NOBODY ( non of the manufacturers ) can guarantee how long their product last, even if it would be high-end 500usd dash cam. You never know.

 

[Street Guardian USA]

Great review, That was quite the project you had there.

I'm hoping to see the top end Novatek NT96650 chipset shoved into the body of the Mini 0801. Do you think it's possible? I really want WDR! Check out this thread.
http://dashcamtalk.com/forum/index....0-degree-wide-angle-g-senser.2738/#post-30034

The size of the Mini 0801 is just right, and love the GPS built into the base.

 

[ursamajor]

Use "contact us" to ask question on foxoffer website:
http://www.foxoffer.com/contact_us.html

Thanks!
I tried to contact them on Skype, but nobody respond, although they were online. Tried also to contact their representative on our forum, but he wasn't online last days.
Anyway, I ordered already from Foxoffer a LS650W for its good price, its low light capabilities and for its wide angle view. I hope to receive it in 1 - 1 1/2 months.

What do you know, at delivery they put the bill into the box? I wanted to ask them to write a smaller price, due to high custom taxes in my country.

 

[niko]

Thanks!
I tried to contact them on Skype, but nobody respond, although they were online. Tried also to contact their representative on our forum, but he wasn't online last days.
Anyway, I ordered already from Foxoffer a LS650W for its good price, its low light capabilities and for its wide angle view. I hope to receive it in 1 - 1 1/2 months.

What do you know, at delivery they put the bill into the box? I wanted to ask them to write a smaller price, due to high custom taxes in my country.

You may ask your question by PM "billknow" o "Foxoffer" here on forum

http://dashcamtalk.com/forum/index.php?members/billknow.318/

http://dashcamtalk.com/forum/index.php?members/foxoffer.1831/

 

[ursamajor]

Tried also to contact their representative on our forum, but he wasn't online last days.

Maybe he's busy... still I wait his reply.

 

[niko]

Maybe he's busy... still I wait his reply.

Usually they replay within 24-48h work days.

 

[Belial88]

hy go over GT300W vs VF300W, - it's obvious: - higher built and quality parts used, so in theory it should last longer, but in reality NOBODY ( non of the manufacturers ) can guarantee how long their product last, even if it would be high-end 500usd dash cam. You never know.

you have the product in your hands, just tell us. Does either feel sturdier/flimsier than the other? Just look at the plastic. it's either the same plastic or not. If it's a clearly cheaper plastic, than it's going to be less reliable. If neither are falling apart on your now, it's unlikely they will in the near future.

The whole 'you never know' thing is so dumb, sorry. I remember people recommending certain SSDs as 'reliable' just because they'd been out for 3 years, when higher quality SSDs came out with non-crap sandforce drivers but no one would recommend them because 'they weren't sure on their reliability' simply because they hadn't been out for 3 years. If reports of breaks are minimum at launch, and they are known to use equal or higher quality parts ,then they're going to be reliable. You don't need to have something for 3 years to know if it's reliable or not.

We all get you haven't had the cam for 3 years, can't know for 100% certain, but for crying out loud just drop the cam on a carpet floor and tell us if it feels like a piece of crap or fairly well built, that's all. It's not a total mystery here.

Thanks for your input on the viewing angle, I'm going to take that to mean the higher viewing angle is complete crap unless you want a rear cam or side angle supplementary cams.

I know about the 12mb/s vs 15mb/s of the vf300w vs gt300w, but as you know, much more than that to a cam. You also have much more experience with the cams, maybe it's clear to you when you view the videos on your computer or on the cam screens the difference in video quality that we can't see. As it seems to me, the vf300w and gt300w have identical video quality, so much so that there's times I swear the vf300w has higher quality video (probably more viewing angle, for example that license plate pic you show, the vf300w can clearly see while the gt300w can't, i imagine that's due to glare and not video quality).