runtohell121
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2013
- Messages
- 905
- Reaction score
- 352
- Country
- United States
- Dash Cam
- Viofo & Vantrue - too many to list
Thanks for Goluk for sending the Goluk T1 for review.
Link to product spec/info/images: http://en.goluk.com/pages/t1-overview.html
Link to purchase from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/B01EY1JIUI
Upon receiving the unit, the packaging was okay, packed in a plastic box. The device itself felt pretty good, a nice sturdy plastic when held in hand, similar to the ddpai mini 2 I reviewed earlier. The color of the device is grey/silver with black mount area; though I wish the device was more stealthy by producing a full black unit.
Goluk App (download via App Store for iOS user or Google Play for Android)
———You do not need to create an account to use the app———
The app is fairly easy to use on iOS (haven’t tested Android).At the bottom of the app, there’s 4 tabs and the circle button in the middle. The circle middle button is where you connect the dash cam to the app, allowing you to preview what the camera is recording, as well as changing settings within the app.
When the device first powered on, there’s voice prompt telling you to go download the app to get started. It should be straight forward on how to setup the device and adjust the settings to your liking.
Impression of the video quality so far to me seems decent for the price tag of $129.99. It has good video quality for day and night from what I can tell, quite comparable to other dash cams in this price range.
edit (on 10/28):
I attempted to use parking mode or known as Parking Security; and to me, it doesn't seem too useful as the Goluk just detects motion and records the first 8 seconds and last 8 second, total 16 second clip per motion detected when the dash cam is on Parking Security Mode. At first, I thought it would have been something similar to DDPai or some other dash cam where it will use time-lapse mode during parking mode, but I guess that's not the case.
To some, it might be handy if there's not too much movement around; as in this mode, it records a 16 second clip every detects an object moving; but if you're in a busy parking lot, the dash cam will just record 16 second clips non-stop until it detects there is no objects moving around. It does have g-sensor enabled though, so in case of an impact, it should lock the file (have yet to test it...) for the 8 seconds before impact and 8 seconds after it.
---------------End 2016/10/28 edit---------------
edit (on 11/07):
I am wrapping up this review. Overall, for $129.99, the dash camera is pretty good for the video quality for day and night. It is to be expected that most dash cam around this price range perform good during the day and acceptable/good at night, being able to capture what's going on in front of you. License plate at night is not really readable when in motion, but that is the same for most dash cams.
The app is pretty simple and straightforward to use. Settings, there aren't too much to mess around with and it only records in 1080p. Parking security is just recording motion detection; first 8 seconds and 8 seconds after it, total 16 seconds when the Goluk T1 detects motion. It will also detect vibration (if a car bumps into you or some sort of "shock"), it will record in the same manner I believe, which is 8 seconds before the vibration and 8 seconds after.
The remote, I would say not too useful unless you're really into sharing 12 or 30 second clips, as that will save a 480p (default) or 1080p version of the 12 or 30 second clips for sharing. The camera will record the 6 (or 15) seconds before pressing the button on the remote and 6 (or 15) seconds after. It will save the video clip to the folder "Wonderful"; a short 12 or 30 second clip for you to share with the social media integrated into the app; seems to be a trend in China for sharing video from dash cam via the app they require to change settings in.
I only tested the dash cam using up to 64gb microSD card; not sure if 128gb and higher will work. The dash cam records in 3 minute segments (don't think there's any settings to shorten or lengthen it, but 3 minute is ideal).
Design wise, it's not as stealthy as say, the wedge shape dash cams or something that is completely black/dark out. It would have been better if Goluk made an option for having the dash cam to be completely black, so it is a little less noticeable from the outside for the US market.
But overall, it's a decent dash cam that have pretty good video quality compared to other dash cams I compared it with; it has some gimmicky features like the 16 second clips captured via remote and then you can share it afterwards in the apps or save it and upload it elsewhere. It's been a great experience trying this dash cam out and seeing how it compared with other dash cams I had; was fairly pleased with it's build quality and video quality.
---------------End 2016/11/07 edit---------------
Here are some images of the unit and box, and a picture or two of size comparison to the Mini0806.
From a distance outside of the car...
Close up
Inside of the car
Screenshots of video footage will be provided below for comparison with other dash cam.
Goluk T1 vs. Mini 0806 daytime
As expected, most dash cams are good during the day.
Goluk T1
Mini0806
Goluk T1 vs. Viofo A119 vs. Mini 0806 nighttime
Nighttime, I would think the Mini 0806 is better for far distance, where the Viofo A119 comes in second. Goluk T1 close up is fine, but farther sign reading isn't as great as others when in motion.
Goluk T1
Viofo A119
Mini 0806
---------------End 2016/10/26 update---------------
Goluk T1 vs. Mini 0806 nighttime in the city/stopped
Nighttime in the city, both camera seems to do a decent job as there are lights around. At a stop light, both camera seems to be able to pick up the license plate on the cars in front of it.
Goluk T1
Mini 0806
---------------End 2016/10/27 update---------------
Goluk T1 vs. DDPai Mini 2
Daytime in cloudy/rainy condition; both dash cam do a fine job picking up details of the license plate for the car on the side; though the Goluk is a little more overexposed (brighter) in my opinion compared to the DDPai.
Goluk T1
DDPai Mini 2
Daytime again; same thing I am seeing that Goluk tends to be more brighter than it needs to be when compared to the DDPai.
Goluk T1
DDPai Mini 2
---------------End 2016/10/28 update---------------
Nighttime in the city, both dash cam is a bit blurry and can't really read the plate in front, but picks up an okay amount of details around the scene; good enough to capture details in case of anything that might happen at night.
Goluk T1
DDPai Mini 2
---------------End 2016/11/06 update---------------
Link to product spec/info/images: http://en.goluk.com/pages/t1-overview.html
Link to purchase from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/B01EY1JIUI
Upon receiving the unit, the packaging was okay, packed in a plastic box. The device itself felt pretty good, a nice sturdy plastic when held in hand, similar to the ddpai mini 2 I reviewed earlier. The color of the device is grey/silver with black mount area; though I wish the device was more stealthy by producing a full black unit.
Goluk App (download via App Store for iOS user or Google Play for Android)
———You do not need to create an account to use the app———
The app is fairly easy to use on iOS (haven’t tested Android).At the bottom of the app, there’s 4 tabs and the circle button in the middle. The circle middle button is where you connect the dash cam to the app, allowing you to preview what the camera is recording, as well as changing settings within the app.
When the device first powered on, there’s voice prompt telling you to go download the app to get started. It should be straight forward on how to setup the device and adjust the settings to your liking.
Impression of the video quality so far to me seems decent for the price tag of $129.99. It has good video quality for day and night from what I can tell, quite comparable to other dash cams in this price range.
edit (on 10/28):
I attempted to use parking mode or known as Parking Security; and to me, it doesn't seem too useful as the Goluk just detects motion and records the first 8 seconds and last 8 second, total 16 second clip per motion detected when the dash cam is on Parking Security Mode. At first, I thought it would have been something similar to DDPai or some other dash cam where it will use time-lapse mode during parking mode, but I guess that's not the case.
To some, it might be handy if there's not too much movement around; as in this mode, it records a 16 second clip every detects an object moving; but if you're in a busy parking lot, the dash cam will just record 16 second clips non-stop until it detects there is no objects moving around. It does have g-sensor enabled though, so in case of an impact, it should lock the file (have yet to test it...) for the 8 seconds before impact and 8 seconds after it.
---------------End 2016/10/28 edit---------------
edit (on 11/07):
I am wrapping up this review. Overall, for $129.99, the dash camera is pretty good for the video quality for day and night. It is to be expected that most dash cam around this price range perform good during the day and acceptable/good at night, being able to capture what's going on in front of you. License plate at night is not really readable when in motion, but that is the same for most dash cams.
The app is pretty simple and straightforward to use. Settings, there aren't too much to mess around with and it only records in 1080p. Parking security is just recording motion detection; first 8 seconds and 8 seconds after it, total 16 seconds when the Goluk T1 detects motion. It will also detect vibration (if a car bumps into you or some sort of "shock"), it will record in the same manner I believe, which is 8 seconds before the vibration and 8 seconds after.
The remote, I would say not too useful unless you're really into sharing 12 or 30 second clips, as that will save a 480p (default) or 1080p version of the 12 or 30 second clips for sharing. The camera will record the 6 (or 15) seconds before pressing the button on the remote and 6 (or 15) seconds after. It will save the video clip to the folder "Wonderful"; a short 12 or 30 second clip for you to share with the social media integrated into the app; seems to be a trend in China for sharing video from dash cam via the app they require to change settings in.
I only tested the dash cam using up to 64gb microSD card; not sure if 128gb and higher will work. The dash cam records in 3 minute segments (don't think there's any settings to shorten or lengthen it, but 3 minute is ideal).
Design wise, it's not as stealthy as say, the wedge shape dash cams or something that is completely black/dark out. It would have been better if Goluk made an option for having the dash cam to be completely black, so it is a little less noticeable from the outside for the US market.
But overall, it's a decent dash cam that have pretty good video quality compared to other dash cams I compared it with; it has some gimmicky features like the 16 second clips captured via remote and then you can share it afterwards in the apps or save it and upload it elsewhere. It's been a great experience trying this dash cam out and seeing how it compared with other dash cams I had; was fairly pleased with it's build quality and video quality.
---------------End 2016/11/07 edit---------------
Here are some images of the unit and box, and a picture or two of size comparison to the Mini0806.
From a distance outside of the car...
Close up
Inside of the car
Screenshots of video footage will be provided below for comparison with other dash cam.
Goluk T1 vs. Mini 0806 daytime
As expected, most dash cams are good during the day.
Goluk T1
Mini0806
Goluk T1 vs. Viofo A119 vs. Mini 0806 nighttime
Nighttime, I would think the Mini 0806 is better for far distance, where the Viofo A119 comes in second. Goluk T1 close up is fine, but farther sign reading isn't as great as others when in motion.
Goluk T1
Viofo A119
Mini 0806
---------------End 2016/10/26 update---------------
Goluk T1 vs. Mini 0806 nighttime in the city/stopped
Nighttime in the city, both camera seems to do a decent job as there are lights around. At a stop light, both camera seems to be able to pick up the license plate on the cars in front of it.
Goluk T1
Mini 0806
---------------End 2016/10/27 update---------------
Goluk T1 vs. DDPai Mini 2
Daytime in cloudy/rainy condition; both dash cam do a fine job picking up details of the license plate for the car on the side; though the Goluk is a little more overexposed (brighter) in my opinion compared to the DDPai.
Goluk T1
DDPai Mini 2
Daytime again; same thing I am seeing that Goluk tends to be more brighter than it needs to be when compared to the DDPai.
Goluk T1
DDPai Mini 2
---------------End 2016/10/28 update---------------
Nighttime in the city, both dash cam is a bit blurry and can't really read the plate in front, but picks up an okay amount of details around the scene; good enough to capture details in case of anything that might happen at night.
Goluk T1
DDPai Mini 2
---------------End 2016/11/06 update---------------
Last edited: