Review: PAPAGO GoSafe 318 GS318-US 1080p Dashcam, Sony Exmor Sensor and AE

Sunny

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Dash Cam
More than I can review. ;)
Review: PAPAGO GoSafe 318 GS318-US 1080p Dashcam with Sony Exmor Sensor and Auto Exposure
This was sent to me for review. Thank you @PAPAGO!
The dashcam product page is below that has links to stores that sell it:
http://us.papagoinc.com/products/gosafe-318/
************************************
Review Summary: This camera has great small design, great video when it's working and nice build quality but unfortunately, it has some hardware issues like focus shift when hot that make it unusable until they are fixed.
I've sent my feedback to Papago and they will work with manufacturer.
At this time and current condition, this camera is not recommended unless you live in cold weather.
This is what reviews are for.

************************************
Manufacturer's Description:
The GoSafe 318 is the first PAPAGO! dashcam available to the North American market that uses the latest SONY Exmor Image Sensor. You will be certain to capture the best video any time of the day. The smart body design will fit flat against your windshield so it does not look too obtrusive or noticeable. It is fully loaded with PAPAGO! driver assistance features to help keep you more aware while on the road.
Video quality is the most important feature that people look for in a dashcam. With the GoSafe 318 the combination of the Sony Exmor sensor and the F2.0 aperture you will get the highest video quality available from a dashcam. This sensor will automatically adjust to any type of lighting, really bright or very dark. Easily create your stunning videos with the redefined technology of the GoSafe 318.
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Details:
The Papago site mentions this camera will have lifetime firmware upgrade support so that's something to change menu and settings in the future depending upon feedback.
It's based on Novatek NTK96655 chip and has Sony Exmor sensor.
This is the first camera I've my hands on that is based on Novatek but with Sony Exmor sensor.

Another great feature this camera has is automatic exposure control.
This should help get more clear/better video in low light conditions.

It has some neat features like stop/go alert, driver fatigue alert and headlight reminder like most other Papago dashcam models.

Unboxing video:

Package contents:
1. Papago GoSafe 318 (GS318-US) Dash Camera
2. Short 3M adhesive mount
3. Little longer 3M adhesive mount.
4. Car mini USB Charger 5V, 1A.
5. Product Manual and Warranty Card

DSC02319-Papago-GoSafe318.jpg

The camera is pretty much black except some gray/gold colored trim ring around the lens, Papago logo and sides.
It's small, sleek and pretty camera.
Build quality is very good and feels solid.

Top: mount attachment.
Top edge: mini USB port.
DSC02321-Papago-GoSafe318.jpg

Right Side of LCD: mini HDMI and microSD slot.
DSC02320-Papago-GoSafe318.jpg

Left Side of LCD: does not have any button nor port.
Back: Speakers, Reset hole, LCD screen, LED indicator, Event/REC, UP, Down and OK buttons.
DSC02322-Papago-GoSafe318.jpg

Papago 318 side-by-side with Rexing V1 and F9 (similar to G1WH in size/shape):
DSC02323-Papago-GoSafe318.jpg
DSC02324-Papago-GoSafe318.jpg
DSC02325-Papago-GoSafe318.jpg
DSC02326-Papago-GoSafe318.jpg
DSC02328-Papago-GoSafe318.jpg

Video samples coming soon...
 
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Looks like it has great specs to produce high quality video. I've seen some video samples on youtube for this and they look great both during day and night. However, since it's using a Li battery (instead of capacitor), it fails a basic must have requirement for me (and I suspect many others). Also, I don't get why they still use a shiny silver trim around the lens and sides and a shiny silver logo in the front, which fails the discreteness test.

The mounting looks a bit unusual, not sure if it's a similar wedge mount like the A118/A118C, but it doesn't look like the entire body will be as close to the windshield. It will be good to see some pictures of how it's mounted.

Seems like it's not yet available for sale in the U.S.
 
Looks like it has great specs to produce high quality video. I've seen some video samples on youtube for this and they look great both during day and night. However, since it's using a Li battery (instead of capacitor), it fails a basic must have requirement for me (and I suspect many others). Also, I don't get why they still use a shiny silver trim around the lens and sides and a shiny silver logo in the front, which fails the discreteness test.

The mounting looks a bit unusual, not sure if it's a similar wedge mount like the A118/A118C, but it doesn't look like the entire body will be as close to the windshield. It will be good to see some pictures of how it's mounted.

Seems like it's not yet available for sale in the U.S.
Out of two dozen camera's, I only have one with capacitor.
All the battery ones are working great except the fact that battery over time, slowly decreases it's battery capacity.

Mount is not like wedge mount.
Wedge mount is flat against the body because those cameras are flat on the top.
318 has a hump where the lens is so can't be completely flat so the mounts have little bit height.

What I found is the shorter mount is best for more vertical windshield like a back of SUV.
The longer one is easier to angle on cars' front/back window as they are more flat.
I have the short one for now and will post pics and videos soon.

It's new product so not available yet.
 
Papago GoSafe 318 Settings Menu:
I like how the bottom of LCD displays functions of the buttons below.
Normally they are Event/REC, Up, Down and OK buttons but also act as Play, Set/Menu and LCD panel on/off and that's displayed right there.
Very nice as users don't have to remember what to press when inside settings menu.

As you saw, there is no power button on this model.
It's set to automatically start and shut off when it gets power.

Folder and files:
PAPAGO>>MOVIE.
Event files are inside RO sub-folder under MOVIE.
File names are named date and time so it's easy to locate clips.
Papago GoSafe 318-Folder-Files.PNG

File properties:
Overall bit rate: 13.1 Mbps
Video Bit rate: 11.9 Mbps
Width : 1 920 pixels
Height : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 30.000 fps
Audio Bit rate : 512 Kbps

Code:
General
Complete name               : F:\PAPAGO\MOVIE\2015_0710_091925_007.MOV
Format                      : MPEG-4
Format profile              : QuickTime
Codec ID                    : qt
File size                   : 282 MiB
Duration                    : 3mn 1s
Overall bit rate            : 13.1 Mbps
Movie name/More             : CarDV-TURNKEY
Encoded date                : UTC 2015-07-10 09:22:24
Tagged date                 : UTC 2015-07-10 09:22:24
Origin                      : NVT-IM

Video
ID                          : 1
Format                      : AVC
Format/Info                 : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile              : High@L4.1
Format settings, CABAC      : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames   : 1 frame
Format settings, GOP        : M=1, N=15
Codec ID                    : avc1
Codec ID/Info               : Advanced Video Coding
Duration                    : 3mn 1s
Bit rate                    : 11.9 Mbps
Width                       : 1 920 pixels
Height                      : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio        : 16:9
Frame rate mode             : Constant
Frame rate                  : 30.000 fps
Color space                 : YUV
Chroma subsampling          : 4:2:0
Bit depth                   : 8 bits
Scan type                   : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)          : 0.191
Stream size                 : 256 MiB (91%)
Language                    : English
Encoded date                : UTC 2015-07-10 09:22:24
Tagged date                 : UTC 2015-07-10 09:22:24

Audio
ID                          : 2
Format                      : PCM
Format settings, Endianness : Little
Format settings, Sign       : Signed
Codec ID                    : sowt
Duration                    : 3mn 1s
Bit rate mode               : Constant
Bit rate                    : 512 Kbps
Channel(s)                  : 1 channel
Sampling rate               : 32.0 KHz
Bit depth                   : 16 bits
Stream size                 : 11.0 MiB (4%)
Language                    : English
Encoded date                : UTC 2015-07-10 09:22:24
Tagged date                 : UTC 2015-07-10 09:22:24
 
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@Sunny
raw video have?
day and night
 
Daytime Screenshots part 1:
Most of these screenshots are from the same streets that I've used other dashcams I reviewed here with so you can compare them by browsing through my reviews.

Here's my favorite part: Screenshots and more screenshots...

2015_0710_090309_002.MOV_20150711_094657.490.jpg
2015_0710_090309_002.MOV_20150711_094732.403.jpg
2015_0710_090309_002.MOV_20150711_092743.066.jpg
2015_0710_090609_003.MOV_20150711_090631.144.jpg
2015_0710_090609_003.MOV_20150711_090652.548.jpg
2015_0710_090609_003.MOV_20150711_090702.204.jpg
2015_0710_090609_003.MOV_20150711_090723.452.jpg
2015_0710_090909_004.MOV_20150711_090750.783.jpg
2015_0710_091324_005.MOV_20150711_090830.236.jpg
2015_0710_091324_005.MOV_20150711_090845.664.jpg


More Daytime Screenshots, Night Screenshots and Videos coming soon...
**************************************************************************
@Sunny
raw video have?
day and night
I'll post videos soon.
 
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Daytime Screenshots part 2:

2015_0710_184333_029.MOV_20150711_092007.044.jpg

2015_0710_091324_005.MOV_20150711_090858.175.jpg
2015_0710_092825_010.MOV_20150711_091037.189.jpg
2015_0710_093125_011.MOV_20150711_091131.868.jpg

2015_0710_184333_029.MOV_20150711_092030.742.jpg
2015_0710_184333_029.MOV_20150711_092053.159.jpg
2015_0710_184934_031.MOV_20150711_092224.279.jpg
2015_0710_184934_031.MOV_20150711_092242.953.jpg
2015_0710_184934_031.MOV_20150711_092251.845.jpg
2015_0710_185534_033.MOV_20150711_092414.009.jpg


More Daytime Screenshots, Night Screenshots and Videos coming soon...
 
Daytime Screenshots Final part 3: Last two screenshots show exposure change.

2015_0710_185534_033.MOV_20150711_092443.229.jpg
2015_0710_185834_034.MOV_20150711_092519.936.jpg
2015_0711_081725_043.MOV_20150711_085803.907.jpg
2015_0711_081725_043.MOV_20150711_085817.152.jpg
2015_0711_082025_044.MOV_20150711_085939.817.jpg
2015_0711_082325_045.MOV_20150711_090012.296.jpg
2015_0711_082925_047.MOV_20150711_090148.065.jpg
*************************************************************
Against direct sunlight.
2015_0711_082925_047.MOV_20150711_090221.262.jpg
*************************************************************
About to turn East: Sky is much brighter here.
2015_0711_083634_048.MOV_20150711_090354.176.jpg
Turning East towards the Sun: Sky is noticeably darker to adjust the exposure.
2015_0711_083634_048.MOV_20150711_090402.803.jpg


Night Screenshots and Videos coming soon...
 
Daytime videos:
Sorry for terrible dashboard reflection.
My SUV has semi-gloss dash material that shines little too much, specially in the corners.

1. This video has direct Sun towards the end:

2. My usual route that you can compare with other dashcams I reviewed before:
 
...The mounting looks a bit unusual, not sure if it's a similar wedge mount like the A118/A118C, but it doesn't look like the entire body will be as close to the windshield. It will be good to see some pictures of how it's mounted.
Ask and you shall receive...

Mount is very short and doesn't even look like there is a mount when looking at it.
Next to @PAPAGO! 318 is the Papago 520 with suction cup mount.
The suction cup mount is huge compared to this as expected.

I mounted it little lower so it's more visible from outside but if I mount it under the dots, it should be pretty discrete.

DSC02337-Papago-GoSafe318-Mount.jpg

Mount is very sturdy and tight.
DSC02338-Papago-GoSafe318-Mount.jpg
DSC02339-Papago-GoSafe318-Mount.jpg
DSC02342-Papago-GoSafe318-Mount.jpg
 
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Here are Night screenshots and videos:
Night video quality is excellent and I think among the best I have so far if not the best.
Even better than the ones with Ambarella A7 chip.
Looks like Sony Exmor gets the credit.

Frame 2015.07.10 22-35-01 (0-00-29.620).jpg
Frame 2015.07.10 22-35-09 (0-00-37.925).jpg

Very clean and clear:
Frame 2015.07.10 22-35-42 (0-01-10.392).jpg

This stupid SUV almost caused an accident.
It was green arrow for us before he entered the intersection. :mad:
Frame 2015.07.10 22-37-36 (0-03-04.100).jpg

Almost as good as what I saw while driving.
@65mph.
Frame 2015.07.10 22-42-26 (0-01-53.865).jpg
Frame 2015.07.10 22-48-54 (0-08-21.724).jpg
Frame 2015.07.10 22-50-40 (0-01-07.518).jpg
Frame 2015.07.10 22-51-32 (0-01-59.506).jpg
Frame 2015.07.10 22-51-52 (0-02-19.963).jpg

Very clean and clear:
Frame 2015.07.10 22-52-24 (0-02-51.463).jpg
**************************************

Night Videos: Excellent videos at night, almost as good as what I could see even with my old headlights from 2000.
NNewer vehicles with bright lights will have better night video.

No audio. Audio has some electric interference that I'm testing with different chargers to find the cause.
Red light running stupid SUV @ 3:03 in the video.


*****************************************************
Overall excellent camera.
Daytime video is good and night is even better comparatively.
There are some issues that I'm working with @PAPAGO! to confirm if my unit is the one with those issues.
 
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Dusk video with beautiful clouds over the hills.

 
Review Summary:
This camera has great small design, great video when it's working and nice build quality but unfortunately, it has some hardware issues like focus shift when hot that make it unusable in hot weather until they are fixed.
I've sent my feedback to Papago and they will work with manufacturer.
At this time and current condition, this camera is not recommended unless you live in cold weather.
This is what reviews are for.
 
Last edited:
T
Here are Night screenshots and videos:
Night video quality is excellent and I think among the best I have so far if not the best.
Even better than the ones with Ambarella A7 chip.
Looks like Sony Exmor gets the credit.

View attachment 14982
View attachment 14983

Very clean and clear:
View attachment 14984

This stupid SUV almost caused an accident.
It was green arrow for us before he entered the intersection. :mad:
View attachment 14985

Almost as good as what I saw while driving.
@65mph.
View attachment 14986
View attachment 14987
View attachment 14988
View attachment 14989
View attachment 14990

Very clean and clear:
View attachment 14991
**************************************

Night Videos: Excellent videos at night, almost as good as what I could see even with my old headlights from 2000.
NNewer vehicles with bright lights will have better night video.

No audio. Audio has some electric interference that I'm testing with different chargers to find the cause.
Red light running stupid SUV @ 3:03 in the video.


*****************************************************
Overall excellent camera.
Daytime video is good and night is even better comparatively.
There are some issues that I'm working with @PAPAGO! to confirm if my unit is the one with those issues.
Those images/videos are great! Thanks for the post!
 
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